A stab of shame. [ sujataism]

The streets were deserted as ,it usually is on a Sunday.Hoping to beat the skin scorching heat of the day to come before my usual morning beat I walked on savouring the deliciously cool breeze rustling through the avenue trees, a surprise of a surprise in mid summer,masking the heat that lay ahead that would turn water flowing from taps,too scalding hot to touch!

As I hurried on with my exercise I saw two tiny coal black puppies , nudging each other and snipping at one another on the pavement.Few feet away was their mother , absolutely black , licking four more identical sooty puppies behind their ears as they fed.The golden brown dog, obviously its mate, that usually stalks this road, lay sprawled next to it, enjoying its nap undisturbed.There were no passing vehicles ---two wheelers or rag pickers or dogs to engage its attention and challenge its dominance.

Seeing this large litter of puppies I couldn't but help thinking that the corporations claims published on the dailies that they had sterilised all stray dogs on the cities streets,was after all only a tall one.Just then the black stray looked up at me.

Its eyes were not fierce or angry at my long and hard stare but sad and pleading with a look that appeared to have divined my thoughts and seemed to say'"Like you , have I also not the right to experience motherhood, at least once?"
A stab of shame rent through me and I quickened my pace dabbing my eyes.