STORIES

PARENTS AND A MINOR SON

Theirs was a quiet and disciplined family, as their neighbours often commented. Yes, it was a small family consisting of a father, a mother and their only son, a 13-year-old boy studying in the 7th Standard. Both parents were quasi-government employees. Their neighbours often watched their family life with admiration and even a touch of envy.

Both parents were deeply involved in social media. Their excessive involvement in it gradually created cracks in their once smooth-going married life. Mutual suspicions and the heated arguments that followed diminished the brightness of their marital relationship.

One day, the wife told her husband:

“Please understand that I am not your slave. I have my own rights and freedom. I cannot live under your commands. In these circumstances, I no longer wish to continue this marriage. I will file a divorce petition in the Family Court and seek custody of our minor son.”

She uttered these words in anger and anguish.

On hearing her words, the husband responded in a challenging tone:

“Don’t threaten me with divorce! I am also no longer willing to live with you. I am fed up with you. But I will never agree to let you have custody of my son after the divorce. Bear that in mind!”

He reiterated his words in a heavy voice.

The angry wife also responded defiantly:

“That will be decided by the court. See you there!”

The wife proceeded with the divorce case in the Family Court. After a few hearings, the case came up for its final decision, including the determination of the custody of their minor son.

As part of the proceedings, the court decided to ascertain the boy’s wishes regarding which parent he preferred to live with. Before that crucial moment arrived, both parents tried to influence their son through their own persuasive words, each attempting to win his favour.

Finally, the moment arrived.

The court asked the minor boy:

“With whom would you like to live—with your mother or your father?”

On hearing the question, the 13-year-old boy submitted his unexpected response before the court:

“Sir, I don’t want to go with either my mother or my father. Instead, I am willing to go to any other poor home as a destitute child!

Here, my parents are engaged in an ego-driven game, each fighting for their own victory. They treat me as nothing more than a scapegoat. They even seem to think that I can be partitioned and divided into two equal halves for their individual satisfaction and enjoyment!”

Having uttered these emotionally charged words, the boy covered his face with both hands and burst into tears.

For a moment, the entire courtroom fell silent. The court and the people gathered there were struck with astonishment.

The boy’s parents hung their heads in shame. They looked at each other with a sense of guilt and remorse.