The metal glinted in the morning sun as he sharpened the instrument against a stone. Thought of that pointed weapon piercing into the soft skin of my baby sent shivers down my spine. I shut my eyes as he aimed it against my month-old daughter.

I had still not recovered from the shock of the decisions forced on me since morning. I could not believe that this was happening to my child, yes, a girl child, in the 21st Century or to me - a software engineer who thought she knew her mind.

My mother-in-law was conservative. She had hoped for a grandson to proliferate her clan. But I hardly anticipated the cruel turn of events that was to unfold. Such things took place only in remote nameless villages far away from the urban civilisation.

When I first heard MIL propose the ghastly deed, I was surprised at how cool and composed she sounded. She must have been joking, I thought. But when she got the approval of all the elders in the family and even fixed a ‘good’ date, I realised I had to take up the cudgels.

I and my sweet daughter barely got to know each other. By her cooing and gurgling at her grandmother - I could say that she had still not understood the gravity of the deed.

I protested, whispering at first, with lowered eyes, and then clearing my throat to look my MIL fully in the eye. She was adamant: “This is the right time to do it. Later it would be more difficult for both you and the baby.”

“It would be painful any time,” I cried. “There are two or three options we have,” she replied condescendingly. “We’ll go for the least painful one.” Again, family elders consented to the ‘metal’ mode.

They had pinned down my daughter against the table, held her hands and legs, ironically, to avoid any resistance she might put up. As he began his work, her smiling face soured to a frown - a look of shock clouded her face. I felt guilty and helpless as she looked at me accusingly. And then the deafening screams rented the air. I don’t know whether I or my daughter screamed louder. Must have been me, because they had to send me out to complete the work. The goldsmith wanted some peace and quiet to pierce the ear-rings on.

Filed under: Slice of Life