Caught between fathers

In her lifetime, Gudiya had to choose between two ?husbands?. Now, it is her son?s turn. Word is that the boy's biological father and Gudiya's second husband, Taufeeq, wants his son, Mateen, back.

In her lifetime, Gudiya had to choose between two “husbands”. Now, it is her son’s turn. Word is that the boy's biological father and Gudiya's second husband, Taufeeq, wants his son, Mateen, back. Though her husband Arif is not willing to part with his stepson.

HT Image

After serving time in Pakistan as a prisoner of war even as his nation branded him a deserter, Arif had come back home in September 2004 and reclaimed the wife he'd left behind. Gudiya had then been married to Taufeeq of Pataudi village in Gurgaon and been pregnant with his child.

Arif had initially hesitated to accept the child but had eventually agreed to adopt him. That was then.

Arif is now a loving father to one-year-old Mateen. When Gudiya's parents suggested taking the boy back with them to their village, Kalaunda, their proposal was met with an outright refusal.

"I will raise the child as a constant reminder of my star-crossed wife," he declared, his eyes full of tears as he kissed Mateen. But Taufeeq, too, may not be ready to lose his son to the man he lost his wife to.

It was a sad day in Mundali village on Tuesday as thousands of villagers turned up to pay their last respects to Gudiya. The gathering remembered her as a strong woman who had faced many storms in her life and dedicated herself to her husband, Arif, and his family.