Part -2 When Wife Turns Out Sister
Note - So far you read two strangers Manon and Andre meet in a college . They love each other and get married . They were blessed with two kids , a son and a daughter . Their kids enquired about their grandparents and insisted to find them out . Now read further ….
This discussion stopped there . But when both the kids Elise and Dinis grew up and were sixteen and seventeen years old , Elise asked her parents “ Why do we have no family guests or visitors on the eve of ThanksGiving , Xmas or New year? Our friends say they enjoy family get-togethers at such events every year . Why can’t we have our grandparents or similar elderly visitors ? “
Maybe as both your parents are immigrants with no close relatives here . Our ancestors were from India when it was mostly under British colonies and partly under French and Portuguese colonies .But we do have friends here who visit us on such occasions and let us enjoy this moment .”
“ Of course , but no blood relations .” sad younger Dinis
“ At least we must have some roots somewhere . Why can’t we try to relocate our ancestors ? “
“ Okay , at least let us enjoy the present . We will try to figure it out in the coming future . “ said both Andre and Manon
“ If you agree , I can try it myself next year . “ Elise said
“ What’s hurry . I told you we will figure it out in the near future . Just relax .”
After a few months Manon said to Andre “ Summer holidays are approaching . The kids might raise the root issue again . Both are going to summer camps from their school .We have two weeks time . Let us try to resolve this issue . “
“ Good idea . “ Andre supported and said further “ But unfortunately what I remember is that both my parents died in an accident and I was adopted by a gentleman . But I left them after schooling and never contacted them since then . “
“ Why ? “ asked Manon
“ Because they hid the fact that I was an adopted child .”
“ But I too don’t have much clue about my roots. My grandparents were injured during the Goa liberation war . They managed to leave India but both succumbed to their injuries shortly after reaching Portugal. I was brought up by Lousie , an aged distant relative of my mom . I used to call her aunt . She was a widow living in the village Biot near Cannes . She was living with her young niece Anna . Anna didn’t like me . When my aunt died I too left Biot. I used to work hard to meet my study expenses . I knew English , Hindi , French and some Portuguese also . So I worked as a translator and interpreter . Sometimes I had to work as a bartender also . Sometimes I also met Anna in the pub. “
“ Oh, great struggle . Thank God , now you are well off .”
When their children left for their summer camp both Manon and Andre left for Biot , the village where Manon was brought up . Manon had no contacts left there . She only knew Anna . Niot had changed a lot since Manon left this village . After a long search she managed to reach the house of Lousie , her aunt who looked after her in childhood. There she met an elderly lady ,who was an elder cousin of . her aunt . When she asked about Anna , the old lady said “ She isn’t living here anymore . She is working as a bartender and escort in Paris and Nice riviera . “
“ Did Anna or aunt ever tell you about my parents or ancestors ? “
“ Yes she told me something but it was not so vivid . “ said the old lady
“ Lousie , my cousin , had told me that when your grandparents arrived here from India , they had a young lady Margot . Margot married a local boy but their relationship could not survive even for one year .. They separated .”
“ Why did they separate ? if they separated how I was born ? “
“ I am sorry to tell you , it may sound bitter .Margot was a lesbian in the beginning . Her husband disliked her and so left her . “
“ Was I born by then or was Margot my mom and was she expecting me ? “ asked Manon
“ After five years of isolation Margot wanted to become a single mother . She gave birth to a baby girl . After three years she gave birth to a baby boy . “
“ Am I her baby ? “
‘ May be or may not be . I am not sure . I didn’t see any of Margot’s kids . But I heard Margot died soon after delivering her second baby . ”
“ Has my aunt left any album where I can see my childhood ? “
“ I am not sure , but Anna had taken with her some of Margot’s stuff . “
“ Can you give me her address? “
“ Sorry , I don’t have her address but I do have her phone number . It’s her old number , I don’t know if it’s valid . “ The old lady gave Anna’s number on a slip .
“ Okay , thanks a lot for all the info provided by you . It might help us . “ Manon and Andre left .
They checked into a hotel .
Andre said “ Let us try to trace Anna . “
“ Let us take a rest for the rest of the day . We will try tomorrow . Nice is nearer , so we will start from there . “
“ But at least you can try to call Anna . “ Andre said
“ Good idea .” Manon called Anna but the exchange said this number has been changed to this number xxxxx”
Manon immediately called on the new number but there was no answer . She left a voicemail for Anna .
Next morning Manon called Anna again but this time also she had to leave a voicemail that she would call again after two hours .
Manon called her again introducing herself and said “ Hi Anna , can you recall me . Why didn’t you call me either ? ‘
“ Yes, I remember you very well . I was entertaining a customer and so I was not supposed to answer. You know our profession . Anyway, how are you ? How come you call me after so many years ? “
“ I need your favor Anna . “
“ I am helpless , I depend on others mercy to live but I will be fortunate enough if I can help you in any way .”
“ Your aunt at Biot said that you might have carried some of Margot's belongings .”
“ Do you think she left any treasure for me or for you ? “
“ No Anna , don’t take it otherwise . I am not interested in any treasure , even if she had left . I just want to know my roots, especially for my children .”
“ I have a small wooden box . It is still locked . There are a few holes in the box and when I peeped into the box I didn’t see anything of my interest . Maybe a few papers or photos . I didn’t care for them . It’s still lying in my apartment . You may take them if it’s for your use . “
“ Thanks, I would like to see them . When can I see you ? ”
“ You can see me tomorrow morning . i will text you my address right now . “ said Anna
“ Thanks dear “ said Manon
Next morning Manon and Andre met Anna at her studio apartment . After some chit chat Anna brought an old wooden box which was still locked .Andre broke open the lock . They found two sealed envelopes and a couple of old photos . They opened the first envelope .There was a certificate of Margot Aubert giving birth to a baby girl by IVF technology . There was an old black and white picture of Margot holding a baby . Manon could not recognize if she was in the picture . Manon was not sure that Margot might be her mother and she gave her Aubert surname . As she was a single mother it was natural to give her baby her surname.
Next they opened the second envelope . This also contained a certificate of a clinic Margot delivering a baby boy by IVF technology . But unfortunately this certificate was partly eaten by white ants . But the name of the clinic and address was clearly readable .But this was a different clinic , not the same where Manon was born .
Now Manon’s mind was struggling to track her biological father and also about the whereabouts of the second baby of Margot. Andre asked Manon to proceed one by one . First let Manon trace out her father . They decided to go to the clinic where Manon was born .
Next day Both went to the fertility clinic where Manon was born . They had to travel to southern France . Manon first reached the front desk incharge . Showing the clinic’s old letter she requested her to tell her about her biological father . The lady on the front desk refused to give any such information as it was illegal . Then Manon and Andre approached the doctor in charge of the clinic . She also flatly refused to divulge any details . After a great deal of persuasion the doctor said “ I can tell you only if the sperm donor permits me to do so . But you must be knowing you have absolutely no right to claim any benefits from him .There was already an agreement to this effect signed by Margot . “
“ Yes , I know. . I have nothing to claim from him , I can give in writing .”
The doctor called the donor . In the beginning the donor was reluctant . But Manon said to him “ Please sir , I have already lost my mother in my early childhood . Just for peace of mind and also for our kid’s mind . Can we meet once ? “
“ Why ? I don’t want to discuss this subject . “
“ OK , no issue . But may I know your name sir ? “
‘“ Give the phone to the doctor . I will tell her to give just name , but no contact details and address . “
The clinic in charge gave the name of the donor on a slip - Frederick de Souza
Manon and Andre thanked the doctor and left . After coming out of the clinic Andre asked Manon “ What’s going on in your mind next ? “
“ Nothing more to be done today . “
“ What are you doing with Fredrick’s name ? Are you going to find him out ?“ Andre asked further
“ No , at least for the time being . But I will try to trace another child of Margot , my mom . The other clinic is in northern France . Let us take a rest for the rest of the day and night . Tomorrow after complimentary breakfast we are checking out .“
Contd .
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