short story 1490 words "the churning of amba"
TRANSCRIPT
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SHORT STORY - 1490 Words
The Churning of Amba
Who is that? Amba asked her husband, Jai at the first opportunity at night after
their two very young children who were cuddled with them went into a deep sleep. She
had sensed the presence of someone in her inner space during the day while he was off at
his workplace. Ambas day was filled like any other ordinary womans life who took care
of the children while staying home. Hers was a peaceful life and she was grateful for it.
She was also conscious of her loneliness and was braced enough to pursue a part of life
on her own.
During this time an intrusion in her life felt mysterious and disturbing. She had
already called on her husbands attention twice before and now she was making another
attempt to relieve herself from the new chaos occurring from within her. Having got Jais
attention she asked him again, who is that? Jai familiarly composed himself while at
the same time attempting to hide his own confusions about Ambas concern. Both his
boss and his dad came to her thoughts which she did not bother as much about as she was
for his response. You are mistaken. Your thoughts are incorrect, Jai finally revealed.
She didnt notice that he was defending himself. She was only determined to find
a resolution to her dilemma so she could be a tender mother whom she was used to be
until now. At the moment however she slept without finding the answer from Jai and so
she knew that she had not resolved her unfamiliar agony. Both of them then retreated in
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the silence of their sleep time not knowing that a painful division had just taken seat in
their relationship.
It was a challenging time for Amba and during an opportune moment in the
family
she announced to Jai that she had decided to take the final year of a two year study
program in the self-help field that she enrolled in only a couple of years before. He
generously adjusted his schedule and took care of the children while she spent a long
weekend at the distance study center.
Away from home the once sudden appearance of mental agony turned into
experiences of panic attacks for Amba. It then did not take long for her to realize that
she was also in an emotional conflict with the elderly lady who was organizing the
Sunday school and other programs at the spiritual center her family was registered for
almost three years at that time.
Upon returning home she quickly tried through self-help exercises to undo the
conflict that had her entangled with the lady. She requested Jai to disregard their
membership with the spiritual center and stop participating in the programs conducted at
the place. Jai instantly disagreed through his response that after all the periodic
opportunities for spiritual studies was only helping him and that their son too was
beginning to feel at home studying in the place. Jai loved their children and Amba knew
it. She did not want to dispute Jai making a decision for their son.
In the meantime Ambas mental agitations increased until she could no longer
relate to the world normally. After contacting several friends and relatives, Amba and Jai
started consulting a psychiatrist. Amba was prescribed pills for her mental disturbances
and she started taking them. Things began to get better between the two of them through
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the sessions. Soon Jai asked Amba to visit the sessions herself as the medical expert gave
him to do so.
I do not need pills that give me side-effects, Amba powerlessly defended
herself from the kitchen after a few days as she cooked the daily food. Jai paused in his
steps to listen to her as he was crossing the walkway next to the kitchen. He hasted to
recount within himself how in panic stricken state she had called him twice within only a
few days during his work hours. He knew she had not recovered and having met with the
psychiatrist himself he believed her condition could be treated successfully. As Jai was
getting ready to leave for his work he hurriedly hid himself with his clarity from Amba in
the walkway away from her sight.
How would you feel if you had to take medicines which you know will trouble
you later? she approached him again. Amba knew that if she discontinued taking the
medicines prescribed by the doctor there was little hope for her to continue with the
treatment sessions. They were now standing face to face and though disappointed he
finally let her decide for herself. When she was alone Amba cried her heart out. Her
body felt too heavy to love and take care of her two little ones and she began to drag
herself to do her once effortless daily work. Amba however continued to live in the best
way she knew how.
A year later at a five day writing workshop away from her husband and children,
she suddenly awakened to the fact that the healer whom she had contacted a couple of
years before knew what in fact her problem was. Whoever harms others would be hurtin
return and hundred times more so, he stated a law of nature rather emphatically in the
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midst of treating Ambas ailment. As revelations began to pour on her she recognized that
the elderly lady who was organizing the Sunday school and the other programs at the
spiritual center had cast binding spells upon her. Amba recounted how ignorant she had
been when the healer had insightfully but subtly expressed the truth. During the class
breaks she thought of the kind priest at the temple that she visited with her family often.
She began to gather herself and decided to switch her children from the Sunday school to
a weekly program conducted at the temple.
Do not sign in our family for the coming year in the Sunday school Amba
requested Jai within a few days after returning from her workshop. Amba was firm this
time unlike last year when she stayed away from intruding upon Jai and his decision-
making rights as a father. Before too long Jai also began to open himself to Amba with
signs of positive response to her request.
The registration for the upcoming year began at the center. For three years Jai and
Amba had taken their first born every Sunday for spiritual and cultural studies at the
place
and they were actively engaged during the time in the family activities. Now the two of
them gave up signing up for another new year.
Amba was now relieved that she had guided both herself and Jai through chaos
and exhaustion in order that they both avoided the magnetism to go there ever again.
Amba was surprised and frustrated at the same time that for all of her struggles to come
to
an end it only took some clarity to make one decision and act upon it. She felt grateful for
taking up in the past the self-help course.
But Ambas health continued to challenge her. So she once again met with the
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healer whom she had contacted a year before and who cured illnesses through ancient and
natural healing methods. She has negative energy, the healer revealed this time, directly
and to Jai his insights communicated in fewer words as possible. I would do remedial
rituals and it will not cost you much, he kind-heartedly solved the dilemma of
economics
for Jai.
The following days began to fill Amba a bit too much by calling her for hard
work. The exercises that she had to follow burdened the time that she had. She mixed
herbs and took throughout the day. The healer was however turning into both as a source
of inspiration and one who was inspired by the progress that Amba made in her health.
He sang Gods songs whenever it appeared to him that she would not take so much pain
in the body and in life.
Amba was beginning to gain the identity that was stolen away from her. She also
thought that she believed in God more than the elderly lady did. For even both the lady
and her husband, who commanded a considerable influence in the community, together
could not destroy her. Amba recounted what her mother had mentioned since her
childhood about her astrological destiny : whoever confronts you would be hurt
themselves. For they who fight you would only have fought against a stone.
Amba slowly returned to gaining confidence within herself amidst the
mental and bodily torments. She knew she had lots to do and was looking forward to
work part-time more than a decade after she had left the work world. Gaining financial
freedom through her writing skills would give her children the freedom they deservedand
Jai the happiness he needed to have.
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THE END