Heart Lamp: Selected Stories

by Banu Mushtaq

Suppose there comes a situation where the husband’s body is full of sores, with pus and blood oozing out from them, it is said that even if the wife uses her tongue to lick these wounds clean, she will still not be able to completely repay the debt she owes him.

No matter which religion one belongs to, it is accepted that the wife is the husband’s most obedient servant, his bonded labourer.

not all blooms have the fortune of adorning a bride; some flowers bloom only for mausoleums.

Let them educate girls, not just a madrasa education, but also in schools and colleges. The choice of a husband should be hers. Let them give that. These eunuchs, let them give meher and get married instead of licking leftovers by taking dowry. Let a girl’s maternal family give her a share in the property. Let them respect her right to get divorced if there is no compatibility between the man and woman. If she is divorced, let someone come forward to marry her again; if she is a widow, let her get a companion to share her life with.’

am the one raising them, what is your problem in bearing them?’ Poor thing. What he is saying is right. If only you had told him, just once, about the difficulties of giving birth, he might not have uttered these words. As easily as clearing one’s throat, as easily as pissing to relieve pressure, you have created a simple being that is arrogant and happy, and now you are indifferent. Should he be made uncomfortable with blood and flesh? Should the salt of his bones be ground and fed to the womb? Should he live in between not just the flesh and blood but also a pain so intense it breaks the ribs? If only he had had these experiences. No, I don’t have the opportunity to ask these things, because you are the creator, and he is your beloved creation. Does that make me the creation unloved?