INVESTMENT by Amjad Prawej

A doctor's chamber. Rajan enters

Rajan: 
Namaste (Hello) Doctor.

Doctor:

(Cheerful) Hello Rajan. Please have a seat.

Rajan sits. He is silent

Doctor:

Is everything all right?

Rajan:

Priya is pregnant.

Doctor:

Congratulations! That's a good news.

Rajan:

Good News?

Doctor:

Yes, think about millions of couples who are not able to conceive. You are lucky. 

Rajan:

Yes doctor, but...

Doctor:

(getting a little serious) Ah! I get it. You did it again, didn't you?

Rajan:

Yes.

Doctor:

How many times have I tried to make you understand? Nothing seems to get into your head. Look it doesn't matter really.

Rajan:

I want a son, doctor.

Doctor:

And that's why you insist Priya go through Ultrasound to determine the sex of the baby every time she is pregnant. She has gone through abortion three times already. You have no idea how this is affecting her physically and mentally.

Rajan:

Doctor, I simply can't afford to have two daughters. One is enough.

Doctor:

Why not? I have two daughters.

Rajan:

It's different for you. You have a flourishing career. You earn a lot of money.

Doctor:

I don't understand the logic. Bringing up a son wouldn't involve money?

Rajan:

Of course it would. But it's different. He'd... You know... When we are old..

Doctor:

Now you are talking. You want to secure your old age?

Rajan:

Yes. Everyone does.

Doctor:

And you think daughters are not capable of taking care of their parents when they are old.

Rajan:

I am not saying that. But they have to get married and go live with their husbands. They will have their own families.

Doctor:

But the son will stay back with you and take care of you. (Pause) What's the guarantee?

Rajan:

Excuse me.

Doctor:

What's the guarantee that the son will really take care of you? What if he became a drug addict, spend all your money and threw you out of your own house? What if he became a criminal and you don't want to see his face any more? What if he went abroad and didn't return? What if he didn't want to live with you? Have you given thought to all these possibilities? I am not saying your son WILL turn out to be a horrible person. But what if...?

Rajan:

These are assumptions, doctor. We can't always decide on assumption.

Doctor:

That's what you are doing too; assuming your son will take care of you and your daughters won't.

Rajan is silent.

Doctor:

Look around Rajan. There are thousands of Old Age Homes. And most of the people living there have sons back home. Listen, 'Old age security' shouldn't be the only motive to giving birth and bringing up a child, be it a girl or a boy. It should be love. With what I hear, bringing up a child is more like an investment to you. If that's the case invest in Mutual funds, Pension Plans and Insurance Policies. Those might secure your old age. Bring up your child as a symbol of Love and not just as a sign of Investment. And then it won't matter whether the child is a girl or a boy.

Enter Gita.

Gita:

Hello Doctor. Oh, I will wait outside. 

Doctor: 
No no, it is alright. Please have a seat. How are you?

Gita: 
I am fine, thank you.How is he doing?

Doctor:

He is showing progress. You can take him home in a couple of days.

Gita:

Thank you very much doctor. I'll go see him now. Talk to you later. (Exits)

Rajan:

Who is she?

Doctor:

She is a daughter. (smiles) Her name is Gita. She is the managing director of a software firm. Her father had a stroke. She's been looking after him. Rajan daughters are not liabilities. Times have changed. They can do everything that you can think of and more.

Rajan:

I understand doctor. But... the family name... to carry on this..

Doctor:

Oh come on Rajan!  You sound like a mythological character. What is more important to you? Family name or respect and honor? Educate your children and equip them with qualities and skills needed to contribute to the world. They will bring fame and honor and respect to you. You'll be a proud father. What more do you need?

Rajan:

Doctor you don't see my point.. the family tradition and..

Doctor:

Mr. Rajan, do you know anything about your family beyond three generations? What's the name of your great great grandfather?

Rajan:

It's.. (He looks down)

Doctor:

Go home Rajan. Go home, hug your daughter and say you love her. That will make a great difference. And take good care of Priya.

Rajan slowly gets up, walks to the exit, turns around, takes a deep breath and smiles.

Rajan:
Thank you Doctor. I will bring Priya next week for a check up. (Exits)

The End