On the hill, a lone house stands tall,
Arjun and Subathra, a blissful thrall.
Green bushes whisper, trees sway,
In the sweet, cold air, they spend their day.

Their love blooms in nature's embrace,
In their haven, time finds no race.
With fragrant air and skies so blue,
Arjun and Subathra's love ever true.



Arjun ~
In the heart of the hills, there stands a man,
With locks of black, like night's own span.
His eyes, a sun's radiant glow,
Muscles sculpted, strength to show.

He's "The Man," with a heart so true,
Bringing joy with gifts, before she knew.
For his beloved wife, he'd go the mile,
To see her smile, his greatest style.

Subathra~
In twilight's glow, Subathra stands,
With ebony locks and tender hands.
Eyes of brown, lips pink and pure,
Her love for Arjun, forever sure.

Chubby cheeks, like lotus blooms,
Her love for him forever looms.
A wife devoted, her heart beats true,
In every moment, her love shines through.


Under the glow of the fully radiant moon, Arjun stood captivated by the celestial spectacle above. From their hut hilltop abode, Subathra, his beloved wife, approached him silently and wrapped her arms around him, her warmth a comforting embrace against the cool night air. Even after three years of marriage, their bond remained as fresh and vibrant as ever, their joy derived not from worldly indulgences but from the simple yet profound connection they shared.

As she rested her cheek against his shoulder, holding him tightly, he felt the wetness of her tears seep into his shirt. Concerned, he turned to face her, his eyes locking with hers, but she blushed and smiled shyly in response.

"What's wrong?" he asked softly, his gaze filled with affection and curiosity.

Her smile widened as she laid her head gently against his chest. "Can you feel two souls within me?" she whispered.

His eyes widened with excitement, his face lighting up as his pulse quickened. "Really?" he exclaimed eagerly.

She gently kissed his cheek, confirming his hopes. Subathra was pregnant after three years of marriage, carrying their first child, a moment that filled their hearts with joy.

"I'm missing mom and dad now," she said, her voice trembling with sorrow. Both of her parents had passed away just a year ago, victims of COVID-19.

"I'm here for you, always," he assured her hope, tenderly wiping away her tears, he understood her pain all too well. Both of his parents had died during his childhood, leaving him to grow up alone, devoid of love and care. But since marrying Subathra, she had become his everything.His stopped admiring at the moon as his eyes met her. He devoted himself to her and that's what all he could do for his true love selflessly

As they sat together for their dinner in the gentle glow of the moonlight, Subathra lovingly fed Arjun, as she always did. His hands bore the marks of hard labor, badly wounded from plucking tea leaves, with frequent encounters with leeches drawing blood. Despite his protests, Subathra insisted on feeding him herself, knowing the pain it would cause him to eat with his wounds.

Trapped in the web of poverty, Arjun earned a daily living that never quite met the minimum requirements for a peaceful life. Countless sleepless nights passed without food, leaving them both hungry and life had never been fair to them...

(Next morning
The sun painted the sky)

Subathra was still asleep but she always woke with the sun knowing that she is tired and need rest to the most at this time, Arjun kissed her forehead and slipped for work without even drinking his porridge, knowing that she needed it more than he did

At Narmada tea estate, the fragrance of fresh green tea leaves filled the air as Arjun mechanically plucked them, his heart heavy with worry for the future.

"How will I manage all of this? How can I provide for a baby? And before that, how can I take care of Subathra?" His mind raced with doubts and fears. "Will it be too hard? Can I fulfill all my duties?"

"Why I am thinking a lot? "

Arjun approached the tea estate manager, Saravanan, while the tea estate master was engrossed in smoking near the bushes.

"Sir," Arjun greeted, and the manager nodded, raising an eyebrow in anticipation.

"Sir... my wife is pregnant," Arjun began, folding his hands nervously.

"Good news," the manager remarked, briefly removing his cigarette from his mouth. "So what?" He added, replacing it.

"Sir... I need to take her to the hospital," Arjun hesitated.

"Then take her," the manager replied with an unpleasant look.

"Sir... I don't have the money right now. Could you advance my salary?" Arjun pleaded, joining his hands together.

"Arjun, do you think you've earned a fortune? You make at most 150 rupees a day. That's barely enough to survive," the manager's voice grew tense. "You'll come asking for money for her checkups, then again at delivery, leaving me in a bind. Am I right?"

"No, sir..." Arjun's voice softened.

"Shut up!" The manager yelled aggressively, throwing his cigarette down and storming away. The other workers returned to their tasks, and Arjun followed suit, crestfallen.

That afternoon, Arjun was overcome with guilt, not just because of the manager's outburst, but because he couldn't afford to take his wife to the hospital.

As the sun set, signaling the end of the day's toil, Arjun returned home from the tea estate. Despite his inner turmoil, he stopped at a shop and bought Subathra's favorite jasmine flowers, pretending everything was fine. The journey from the tea estate to home was only half a mile, yet Arjun always chose to walk barefoot. He never owned a pair of slippers, not only because his feet had grown accustomed to the pain of rough roads and thorns, but also because every rupee saved could be used to buy his wife's favorite things, even though she never asked.

Arjun pushed aside the tarpaulin sheet serving as their door and entered their humble home. Subathra was waiting for him, seated near the door. As he approached, she stood up, ready to playfully scold him for leaving without breakfast and not informing her. But when he handed her the jasmine flower, her expression softened, and she blushed, forgetting her annoyance.

"Planning for another child while one is already growing in my stomach?" she teased, taking the jasmine from him.

"Why not? Can't I have another?" Arjun replied, slowly guiding her towards the wall.

As they stood close, his chest touching hers, he placed a hand on her hip, gently tracing circles around her navel.

"I'm upset that you left without eating breakfast," Subathra said, giving him a stern look.

"Then allow me to calm you," Arjun replied, kissing her neck.

"Not accepted, this is your punishment," she retorted, pushing him away and walking off. But he couldn't help but smile.

She went about serving rice and sambar onto plates, and he followed her outside the hut, sitting together amidst the greenery.

"I wanted to explain—" he began, but she silenced him with a sudden kiss on the lips.

"Shhh... don't say a word. I'm still mad at you," she said, winking mischievously. Slowly, she fed him, and later he lay on her lap, gazing up at her face, his thoughts consumed by the idea of taking her to the hospital.

"What are you thinking?" she asked, running her fingers through his hair.

"How about you taking a bath in the river, then slowly walking out with water dripping from your body? As I open my eyes, your towel slips away, and I hand it to you," he said, his voice melodious.

"Nice imagination," she replied, bursting into laughter.

The clouds grew dark and slowly rained, They both went inside the hut. Later it rained heavily the rain water entered via the holes in the roof. They placed few vessels to hold the dripping water, but couldn't sleep well in the sound of the rain in the trauplin sheet. Arjun remained sleeplessness as many poisonous insects may enter in the rain and cause hurt to Subathra.

As dark clouds gathered and rain began to fall, they hurried inside the hut. With the heavy downpour, water seeped through the holes in the roof, forcing them to place vessels to catch the dripping water. Despite their efforts, the incessant sound of rain on the tarpaulin sheet made it difficult for them to sleep. Arjun remained vigilant through the night, his worry mounting at the thought of poisonous insects entering with the rain and harm Subathra.

Seven and a half months passed, but Arjun's efforts to take Subathra to the hospital remained futile, confined to mere desire. Subathra's health deteriorated rapidly; she grew thinner, her eyes losing their vitality. Weakness consumed her, leaving her unable to stand and barely able to work.

As they slept peacefully one night, Subathra was suddenly seized by labor pains, her cries of agony piercing the stillness. Arjun awoke, realizing it was time for the delivery. But the nearest hospital was 15 kilometers away, down the hill, with no road to reach it. Despite promises from ministers to build a road, the community had been repeatedly let down by empty pledges. Arjun's anxiety mounted as he grappled with the uncertainty of what to do next.

"Bear with it for just a little longer. I'll get you to the hospital," Arjun assured her, squeezing her hand tightly.

"I can't," Subathra cried out, the pain becoming unbearable. Arjun gently lifted her into his arms and carried her outside the hut.

Tears streamed down Arjun's cheeks, his eyes burning with anguish, as he hurried through the dark night, carrying Subathra in his arms. Despite the darkness and the sharp thorns tearing at his legs, he pressed on, descending the hill. With each step, Subathra's pain intensified, her cries growing louder.

"We're almost there. Just hold on a little longer, and I'll get you to the hospital," Arjun gasped, his breath heavy, his grip on her hands tightening.

Subathra screamed heavier and Arjun felt she is bleeding, knowing that now she have to give birth. He laid her down in the grass in the mid way, but she was exhausted.

Arjun knelt beside Subathra, gently kissing her forehead before pressing his hands to her stomach, helping to push the baby out. Subathra cried out in pain, her screams echoing through the night, while Arjun, tears streaming down his face, did his best to assist. With a final, agonizing scream, Subathra pushed with all her strength, and the baby was born, expelled into the world.

With the baby cradled gently in his arms, Arjun brought the newborn closer to Subathra, his heart filled with excitement and relief.

"Look, Subathra, our baby," he said, his voice trembling with emotion as he wiped tears from his cheeks.

"You're a mother now, Subathra," he added softly

There was a empty silence in the dark night,  all he could hear is two sounds - his voice and his heartbeat. Later he realised that the baby hadn't cried yet and Subathra didn't even breathe. The birth is given but mother and child died .

His heart shattered into countless pieces, his grieve rendering him weak and speechless. With overwhelming despair he repeatedly hit his head against the ground. He took a stone and punctured his own heart.

The hardest moment for Arjun is accepting the truth that Subathra would never return in his life again. He grappled with the cruel truth that their dreams and plans for the best part of their lives would remain unfulfilled.

To all who may hear Arjun's voice, he left a final message untold in his heart. Though his life ends here, let his story be a remainder of poverty - captor and false promises - tormentors. Hearing the silent screams of countless women, denied the most basic of rights: access to healthcare, nutrition, and dignity. Let us unite in the fight against poverty and injustice, ensuring that no woman is left behind and forge a path towards a future where every woman is granted the respect and care she deserves.

May his voice echo in the hearts of those who have the power to make a difference.