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Child Brides of India
By: C. Stanton Leman
Chapter 67: Creative Solutions (Mgg, rom, cons, no sex)
I, along with Priya, woke at six and Faatina had left
Priya's breast and was lying on her back sleeping soundly.
Leeya was scrunched up under my armpit and snoring.
I reached over and stroked Priya's face and asked her,
"Well Momma, ready to face your first day as a parent?"
She giggled and replied, "Why not, I've already
fulfilled
my first night."
I turned and stroked Leeya's back and she stirred,
smiled
in her sleep and whispered, "I love you, Sean."
"I love you too, Sweetie," I answered.
We rose carefully, letting Faatina sleep. We showered
and
said prayers, after which I woke sleeping beauty and
started to get her dressed. After removing her PJ's, I
check her diaper and she was wet. I changed her diaper and
dressed her in a little yellow sundress with blue flowers.
Leeya observed me and commented, "Boy' you're a
good daddy!"
"Thanks Munchkin," I replied, "It looked
easy because she
didn't fight me this time, you shoulda seen her yesterday,
boy as THAT a mess!"
Arriving downstairs late, Monaavi had arrived early. Mom
and Dad were explaining how we were now Faatina's guardians
and caring for her. Seeing her, Monaavi said, "Oh my! She's
a very beautiful little girl, how old is she?"
"Three," I answered.
"Will I have a new student?" She asked.
"No," I said, "Not at the moment, maybe
later on, right now
she has to learn to be a toddler all over again."
Mom asked, "Well, how'd it go last night?"
Priya smirked, not knowing what to say, when Dad asked,
"Well Priya?"
I was feeding our new charge some eggs when Priya
replied
tentatively, "Well…"
"Well what?" Mom asked.
"Well, I kinda breast fed her."
"Come on," Dad said, "Isn't that going
just a little too far?"
"Oh believe me," Priya responded, "It
wasn't my idea. She
turned in her sleep and just kinda latched on and started sucking."
Mom chuckled and said, "I wouldn't worry about it.
It's
probably a subconscious infant memory. What'd YOU do?"
Monaavi blushed and asked, "I don't mean to be
personal,
but you people sleep naked?"
Priya smiled and nodded.
Looking down shyly, Monaavi asked, "What was it
like
knowing she wanted to breast feed? I mean what did it feel
like to you?"
Priya shrugged her shoulders as she swallowed and
replied,
"I was shocked at first. I didn't know WHAT to do so I just
let her suck. After I made up my mind to let her continue,
I had a strange feeling of bonding with her like she was my
child. It felt very intimate but at the same time, it was
very comforting too. It still felt kina weird though."
Monaavi seemed to be dreaming as Priya talked, blushed
and
said softly, "I'm sorry, I was just thinking what it would
be like to nurse my own child."
Monaavi shook her head as if to come back to reality and
added, "Anyway, that probably won't happen for me."
Not wanting to intrude on her thoughts or embarrass her,
none of us replied. Knowing that Monaavi could keep the
confidences of our home, I told her I needed to speak
privately with her after breakfast. Dad went to the office
and the two urchins went out back as Mom, Priya and I
ushered Monaavi into the study. After spending thirty
minutes giving Monaavi the sorted details and the fact that
I would be marrying this infant-like toddler, she asked me
basically what Leeya had asked me last night concerning
intimacy. I gave her the same answers I gave Leeya and she
was relieved to hear my answers.
Mom said that she was going to call the seamstress and
begin making the arrangements for the wedding. Monaavi
offered to help in any way she could, including babysitting
if necessary. I thanked her as we stood to start our day.
Mom contacted the seamstress and made an appointment for
a
fitting tomorrow at ten am. She then called the banquet
facility and made arrangements for the hall for a total of
thirty guests. The date was now set: Four weeks from today
I would take Faatina as my third bride.
Things were somber for most of the day as Faatina played
with everyone in the house in turns. Priya got the
opportunity to change her first dirty diaper and to my
surprise (and shame) did a better job than I had yesterday.
Faatina's fitting the following day, according to Mom,
was
interesting to say the least. Faatina squirmed and giggled,
thinking it was a game and the seamstress was frustrated at
every turn when she tried to take a measurement on the
squirming little girl. After a two-hour struggle, it was
done. Mom and Priya had to bring her back in two weeks for
the final fitting.
The rest of the week was pretty much the same… somber.
None
of us relished the idea of what we were planning and every
time we watched Faatina playing innocently, it made us want
to cry. Pondering this, the cogs in my mind began to work.
What if Priya or Leeya refused to allow the marriage, what
would happen then? Could I divorce Faatina? If I did, what
could or would happen to her? THIS needed further investigation.
Faatina spent a lot of time in my arms wanting to be
held,
crying if I put her down. I wondered how this would affect
my relationship with both of my wives because a good
portion of the day was devoted to Faatina's care. I had yet
to receive the dreaded call from Amaad.
Priya and Mom had been handling the majority of
Faatina's
personal needs such as bathing, changing and dressing her,
but I did occasionally change a diaper or two. At night
after dinner, she would sit in my lap, squirm around or
play with body parts such as her toes, my nose, ears and
hair. Faatina started to show some signs of progress in her
motor skills on Friday evening.
To get where she wanted to go, she'd usually roll. But
that
night, she got up on all fours and started to rock back and
forth. Mom said that she was in the early stages of
learning how to crawl: a good sign. That weekend, Priya,
Leeya and I went shopping while Mom babysat and we bought
an umbrella stroller along with some clothes both girls wanted.
Saturday evening, Faatina went from a position of lying
on
her stomach, rising to all fours and ultimately to a
sitting position after an hour of concentrated trials. It
brought all of us a glimmer of joy watching her
determination as she slowly made these tiny milestones. On
Sunday, she crawled about three feet before falling forward
on her stomach, bumping her chin and crying as a result.
After some cuddles from Poppy, she was fine and went about
her business.
Leeya and Attiya were the most fun to watch, using
Faatina
as a live doll as they played house. The girls would sigh
in frustration when their "daughter" was disobedient and
tried to roll away. They'd drag her back to her position
and scold her gently with pointed fingers; Faatina just
stared at them with a finger in between her smiling lips.
Both girls were noticeably gentle and loving with her and
to my utter amazement, Leeya even changed Faatina's wet
nappy once! I thought to myself that girls must naturally
have an inbred mother gene. One thing I noticed, Faatina was quick!
On Tuesday the following week, Amaad called. I told him,
as
Priya translated on the extension, that the arrangements
had been made and gave him the date and time for the
ceremony. He seemed smugly satisfied and said that he and
Alpa would be there. I asked him if Alpa could come by and
visit Faatina but he refused, saying that she had other
duties to attend to.
That night as we went to bed, Priya asked Leeya if she
would mind sleeping next to Faatina. Priya said that she
was beginning to feel funny about dry nursing Faatina at
might. Leeya, not knowing this, agreed. Leeya simply
embraced the little girl close and soon they were both asleep.
Priya and I were startled awake about an hour later by a
high pitched squeak when Leeya exclaimed in a raised
whisper, "My gosh, she's trying to sucking my booby! What
do I do?"
Priya giggled and said, "You're the mommy, either
let her
suck or stop her."
"I don't know why she's doin' it," Leeya
inquired, "I don't
have any boobies to suck!"
I chuckled and replied, "Well, she's sucking
something isn't she?"
"I won't start making milk will I?" she asked.
Priya laughed and replied, "No I doubt that, little
momma."
"Well," Leeya said, "I guess it won't
hurt nothin'. I fact, it’s kinda neat."
Figuring Leeya had dealt with this issue in her own way,
we
went back to sleep. The next morning at breakfast, Monaavi
was sitting having tea as we ate and Leeya leaned over and
said to her, "Guess what happened last night?"
Monaavi blushed, probably thinking Leeya was going to
impart some more sex Ed talk, replied, "I can't imagine, what?"
Leeya leaned over and whispered loudly, "Tina
sucked my
booby last night!"
Monaavi blushed a bright pink and exclaimed, "She
did?"
"Yup!" Leeya affirmed.
"Gosh!" Monaavi said surprised.
"I guess that makes me a real mommy now, doesn't
it," Leeya
proclaimed.
Nodding with a giggle, Monaavi replied, "Yeah, I guess it does."
Mom and Dad just shook their heads and smiled: dad
behind
his paper and Mom behind her cup. Monaavi was a very devout
girl and I wondered just what she knew of Islamic law, so I
said at the table, "I've been thinking. What would happen
if Priya or Leeya refused to allow the marriage?"
Everyone's ears perked up and paid attention to my line
of
questioning. Priya said, "I'm not sure. I wonder what WOULD
happen?"
Monaavi put her cup down and wanted to speak but was
hesitant. Seeing this, Mom asked, "Do YOU have any thoughts
Monaavi?"
Monaavi began shyly and said, "Well… If I
understand the
circumstances correctly, Sean has to marry Faatina because
he concluded a valid marriage contract with her father.
Because of this … what's her father's name again?"
"Amaad," I replied.
"Because of this," she continued, "Amaad
gave up custody
and rights to his daughter. If Priya or Leeya refused to
permit the marriage, then the contract becomes invalid and
custody of Faatina would revert to her father and he can
seek other proposals."
Everyone's heart sank at this revelation and I simply
said, "Oh."
"BUT,' Monaavi interjected.
Hanging on for the disclaimer, everyone's eyes were on
her
and Dad asked, "But what?"
Monaavi set her cup down, looked around at us and asked,
"But what if… what if Sean went ahead and married her. Then
he would have legal custody of her permanently."
Mom quickly interrupted, "That's no solution, he's
already
gonna do that. This is what we want to avoid."
"Let her finish Joan," Dad replied.
"As I said," Monaavi continued, "What if
Sean married her
and was able to get the doctor to give him a letter saying
that Faatina's illness might very well be permanent and
that she'll never be able to execute her duties as a wife,
primarily, to have and raise a child. This would give him
grounds for a divorce. Sean may have to talk to the Imaam,
but I think that he can still keep guardianship if, as a
condition of the divorce, he states that because of her age
and infirmity and because he cares about her welfare,
she'll remain in his house and he'll support and raise her
as a disabled daughter."
Mom jumped up, ran to her taking her cheeks in her hand
and
kissed her on the lips saying, "That's brilliant Monaavi!"
Monaavi blushed a light pink, smiled and added, "It
might
at least be worth a try."
I handed Faatina to Priya and went to the phone. I
called
the Imaam but he was in a meeting so I left a message with
the cleric on the phone telling him it was very important.
He said he'd have Imaam call me as soon as was possible.
I asked Dad if the guardianship papers were with the
lawyer
and he replied yes, but he wasn't sure if they'd been
filed. He flipped out his cell and speed-dialed the lawyer.
After a two-minute call, Dad told us that the papers had
been filed and that it would take a week or so to get the
legal documents back from the court. He asked me why.
I replied, "Because I can use them as proof that
even if I
divorce Faatina, I can still keep custody of her as her guardian."
"Good point," He agreed.
As we planned this, I shook my head and Priya said,
"What?
What's the matter?"
I replied somberly, "It's just a shame that this
child may
very well be married and divorced before she's four and
might never know any of it."
"All that counts," Mom answered, "Is that
she's cared for
and loved: married or not. The good thing is, if she ever
grows to some level of normalcy, she can fall in love on
her own and get married."
Dad left for the office while Priya, Mom, Monaavi and I
discussed the possibilities. Attiya and Leeya took their
little "daughter" to the living room to play.
Monaavi seemed different in some way. It was as if she
was
happy to be participating in these discussions as part of
the family. Priya and I looked at each other and smiled as
we observed her talking with Mom.
About an hour after I'd place my call to Imaam, he
called
back. I restated my fears and concerns for Faatina's life
and welfare and that I agreed to marry her solely as a
means to not only protect her life but to ensure she
received the care and a loving environment to give her a
chance to recover.
He warned me that I was walking a very thin line and
that
entering a marriage with the foreknowledge of obtaining a
divorce, under most circumstances, would be somewhat
deceiving. He said that since my intention for obtaining
the divorce wasn't for the purposes of ridding myself of
the obligation of caring for her in her infirmity and that
I would continue pay for her support and care, honor the
dower agreement I'd promised her in full and that she
wouldn't suffer mentally, emotionally or financially from
this, it might be permissible. He told me he'd have to
discuss this with a quorum of clerics to be sure.
He asked me if I had such a letter in my possession and
I
answered no and that I hadn't even called the doctor for
one yet. He advised me not to call the doctor until he
called me back. He said that he'd discuss it later in the
day with the clerics and call me this evening or tomorrow
morning after prayers. I thanked him for his instruction
and after exchanging salaams, disconnected the call,
praying I'd have his answer sooner than later.
I returned to the table and informed everyone of my
conversation with Imaam. Since he hadn't shot down our
hypothesis right away, we felt hopeful that our plan had a
chance of succeeding. If it came to pass, I could raise
Faatina as my daughter and not have to bear the burden of
guilt of being married to an infant-like toddler.
Mom and Priya went to the facility manager's office to
make
the arrangements for the wedding. Monaavi schooled the
girls while I took Faatina for a walk in her new stroller.
She was happy to be outside and after about an hour of
walking, She wanted out and to be held. I scolded myself
for taking such a long walk and that now I'd have to carry
my little girl AND push the stroller.
"Suck it up," I told myself, "The workout
will do you good."
It was distracting trying to walk, push a stroller and
keep
her hands off my nose. I'd no sooner get her to leave my
nose alone when she'd start pulling my hair (Ouch!).
We had passed a small shopping district on our walk and
on
the way back I stopped in a little shop and looked for
something to occupy her with. I bought her a small, soft
and cuddly stuffed tiger and the bright colors immediately
caught her attention. I bought the tiger and a small, soft,
cute baby doll and voila! She sat in the stroller without a
struggle, cooing over new newfound friends.
As I watched her play, I realized that she had no toys
so I
called Priya's cell. She and Mom were getting ready to
leave the caterer's office and I asked her if they could
stop and buy Faatina a few toys and Priya agreed saying
that she'd completely forgot about buying her any toys.
As I walked and watched her play she turned and smiled
at
me. I said to her, "Be patient with Daddy, Sweetie, I'm
still learning: just like you."
Faatina looked back at me in response to my voice as if
to
say, "Whatever." She then returned happily to her new toys.
We arrived back home around three and after stowing the
stroller, I set Faatina on the living room rug to play with
her doll and tiger. Mom and Priya returned about a half
hour later with several shopping bags. Mom saw the doll and
said cooing, "Oh that's so sweet! Daddy bought her her first
dolly!"
Mom, being an educator, picked out a few educational
toys:
building blocks, puzzles, some colorful basic shapes, a
little work bench with different shaped pegs and a tiny
hammer, along with a big teddy bear. Looking at the hammer,
I thought she might start banging on things with THAT
weapon: Hmmm, better watch out for that.
I went to the study door and watched as Monaavi worked
with
the girls. I was surprised to notice that it looked like
Attiya was more open and participating more and not so
withdrawn. Ever since I'd bought the piano, she's been a
totally different girl. Mom may be right: maybe she'll open
up and overcome her disability through music. It certainly
appeared she was headed in that direction.
Trying to keep myself occupied while I waited for
Imaam's
call, I called the investigator. He told me that Mahmoud
has seemed to have disappeared and blended into the
millions of people living in New Delhi. He said he'd keep
looking and we disconnected.
I explained to Mom and Priya my conversation with the
investigator and Mom said scornfully, "That coward may
never be found. I'd like to see him get what Tallie got!
Haseeba can get a divorce for abandonment can't she?"
"Yes," I replied, "In fact, it would
probably be better for
her if that's what has happened. At least she wouldn't be
required to pay anything and she'd have legitimate grounds
for a divorce."
We went into the living room, opened up all the goodies
and
spread them out on the floor. Faatina was in toy box
heaven. She'd grab one thing play with it for a few
moments, then put it down for another. Chuckling at her
enthusiasm, we left her to her own devices.
After Monaavi had completed the routine of instruction
on
the primary subjects, the girls took a break about four.
After having some tea, she called the girls back in for
their music lessons.
She started teaching them how to play "Rock-a-Bye
Baby" and
as usual, Attiya picked it right up away, only now she was
adding a base line to her tune. We just watched her in amazement.
"Soon," Monaavi explained, "She'll be
playing chords with
the melody."
Again, we watched in utter amazement!
The Imam called at four-thirty and said that he had to
be
quick but that he and the clerics agreed that if I
guaranteed her dower in full, lovingly provided for her
needs, supported and raised her and that if I were to
produce such a letter, a divorce would be granted. He
"advised" me by saying, "If I were you, I wouldn't contact
the doctor until after the wedding."
"I understand," I replied, and thanked him for
his ruling
and after exchanging salaams, we disconnected.
Everyone, including Monaavi, who'd just come out of the
study, looked expectantly for my answer. I simply smiled
and Mom exclaimed, "YES!"
Priya and Monaavi hugged and sighed in relief. Mom
turned
to Monaavi, and hugging her said, "You're a genius girl! I
could just kiss you to death!"
Monaavi blushed so deeply she covered her face with her
veil. I grabbed Priya around the waist, lifting her off the
floor hugging her in relief.
Priya said, "Oh Sean, I'm so happy now! I'd GLADLY
raise
your daughter, knowing she'll not be raised as your wife!"
Mom called Dad and gave him the good news. Priya turned
and
said, "Now Sean, you'll need to buy new wedding clothes."
Turning to Monaavi, she asked, "What color would
YOU suggest for him?"
Monaavi giggled and replied, "Oh I couldn't."
Priya pressed by saying, "Come on Monaavi, what
color do
you think he'd look good in?"
"Well," she said shyly, "I think with his
blue eyes and
blonde hair, a light blue trimmed in sliver would look
nice, but that's just my opinion."
Mom stood back with hand on chin considering it and
replied, "You may be right Sweetie. Yes, I think that would do
nicely."
I guessed, from the female quorum, that I'd be wearing
blue. Dinner that night was very relaxed indeed with us now
knowing that Faatina would end up becoming my daughter with
the hope she could one day grow up healthy, find her own
true love, and marry.
The week and a half went fairly smoothly as the wedding
date approached. I wanted so badly to call the doctor but
the Imam's words kept ringing in my ears: "If I were you…"
I'd spoken privately with Monaavi's father and explained
to
him what was going on and that Monaavi had arrived at a
legal Islamic solution to allow me to finally raise Faatina
as my daughter. He was very proud of her and the fact that
she knew enough about our faith to help.
Another bright note was that my period of quarantine had
passed with no symptoms and BOTH my wives now wanted some
one-on-one attention.
The final hurdle was deciding on a place for Faatina's
henna party. Adib and Salima were busting at the seams with
two girls in the house, Me Ma only had a tiny efficiency
type apartment and having it at Amaad and Alpa's was out of
the question.
Monaavi excused herself from the table only to return
several minutes later. She coughed as if to want to say
something and Mom said, "Everything all right Monaavi?"
"Yes Miss Joan," She replied, "I called
Poppa and he said
we could have Faatina's henna party at my house, if you
wish. I called Momma and she said that it would be fun."
Priya grabbed her hand and said, "Oh that's
wonderful
Monaavi but what about afterwards. Faatina can't leave the
house or see Sean until the wedding?"
"Well," Monaavi replied, "The wedding is
on a Monday. If we
plan her party for Saturday, I could babysit her over the
weekend. The only thing is, I would need a lot of help on
Monday to get her ready."
"That's perfect!" Mom replied, "Priya,
Leeya and I can come
over early Monday morning and we can get her ready!"
"Right Mom," Priya said, "It'll be fun:
just us girls!"
The little snot suddenly remarked, "Yeah Monaavi,
maybe
’Tina will suck YOUR booby at night!"
Monaavi got so red with embarrassment she stood and
quickly
went to the study as Priya followed after her. Mom slapped
Leeya's hand and scolded her by saying, "YOU, young lady,
are punished! No TV, or movies. If Priya agrees, you'll
also lose a night with Sean this week! THAT was totally
uncalled for and rude!"
"I'm sorry," she said apologetically but added
softly, "But
she might."
Mom smirked and replied, "You're incorrigible,
girl!"
Monaavi and Priya returned a few minutes later and
Monaavi
was still blushing behind her veil. "I'm sorry Monaavi."
Leeya said, "I guess I was a really bad snot this time wasn't I?"
Monaavi nodded and said, "I forgive you,
Leeya."
"Priya," Mom said, "When the girls go to
lessons, I need to
talk to you about her punishment."
Leeya looked at us and gulped. This would be the first
time
that Leeya had ever needed to be punished but she knew she
deserved it. It was decided that Leeya would lose one night
with me, and that nearly broke her heart. As Leeya cried,
Monaavi tried to intercede for her but Priya was unyielding
and said, "She needs to remember to respect people and not
talk lightly of such matters. It's not proper and I'm sure
she's learned her lesson but she has to bear the
consequences of her actions."
The following day, Tuesday, was Leeya's lost night. I
went
to the clothiers and purchased my new wedding garb: a light
blue sherwani with intricate silver patterns with matching
pants and shoes and kufi. Priya said that Monaavi was
right: I looked very handsome in those colors.
I had contacted Amaad through Adib and we made
arrangements
for the day of the wedding. Mom, Priya, Monaavi and Leeya
would get Faatina ready and take her to the banquet hall.
Amaad and Alpa would meet them there and get ready for the
ceremony. The ceremony would be a small private family
affair and not very extravagant.
The tiny bride-to-be had her final fitting and
adjustments
and Mom was to pick up her attire next Wednesday. I asked
but was told to mind my own business when I inquired what
color her garb was.
When Priya and I were talking about the interim time
between marriage and divorce, Priya said, "Although she
won't be your wife for long, she'll still be your wife and
I have to be fair."
"What's THAT supposed to mean?" I asked.
"I have to treat her fairly, Sean," Priya
replied, "That
means she's entitled to spend her first week as a bride
with you alone."
"Nonsense!" I responded, "We know why you
made that rule
for Leeya but Faatina and I aren't going to be doing
anything intimate, so why bother?"
"It doesn't matter," she argued, "I have
a duty to be fair
to her, regardless of whether or not you two are intimate.
She may never know, but I will. When you divorce her, I
will have fulfilled my duties fairly to her and respect her
position as your wife; even if it's only for a day, a week
or a month."
"Ridiculous!" I retorted.
"Ridiculous or not," she stated, "That's
the way it is."
I wasn't happy with her statements but I knew she
wouldn't
budge either.
"Well," I said, "What are we gonna do
about tonight. It's
Leeya's night of abstention?"
"Tonight we play. I will make it up to her though;
she
wants you as much as I do. I'll give her an extra night
next week before we both have to do without you for a week.
If we can have your permission, is it OK with you if she
and I share time together while you're indisposed with your
"new" bride?"
"Funny," I replied sourly, "You two get
to have fun while I
get diaper duty."
"There's a bright side," Priya teased.
"What's that?" I asked.
"You could always take over nursing duties from
Leeya,
yours are bigger than hers!" Priya giggled.
"Ha, ha," I scoffed, "Don't tell her I
sad so, but maybe
Monaavi would fill in for me."
"You wanna know a secret?" Priya asked.
"DO tell," I inquired.
"She really likes the idea," Priya revealed,
"She asked me
in the study if Faatina wanted to nurse, would it be OK
with me if she let her, so she could feel what its like."
"Really?" I asked surprised.
"Yeah," Priya said, "I told her that I
didn't mind at all,
and Faatina wouldn't mind either for that matter. She's
been acting strange lately. She seems more sensitive,
blushing more, it's like she's a little school girl."
"I've noticed the blushing," I noted,
"But as for the
other, I haven't really been paying attention. I've had the
feeling she likes being included in our discussions but I
just chalked it up to being interested in the girls and
Faatina's welfare."
"Maybe so," Priya conceded.
As I rubbed her soft chocolate butt I asked, "Ok.
Back to
our discussion: what do we do tonight?"
"Wanna chocolate overdose?" she asked coyly.
Continued in Chapter 68…
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