Sweet child of mine

The clock was ticking by very slowly. It was a long wait. But, soon the baby boy would bring joy to their lives.

The moment had taken a long time coming. About eight and a half months ago, when he heard the good news that he would be a father, his happiness knew no bounds. The life seemed all so beautiful. In the days and months to follow - at work in his laboratory, in moments of solitude, at the umpteen family functions, only the thought of seeing his son grow up to be a bigger scientist than him occupied him and motivated his senses.

"Forget the genetics.Forget the Xs, the Ys, and the XXs, and the YYs. We have strong male gene pool. The first child since the time of our forefathers has been a boy. And not for nothing have we lit those lamps in hundreds of temples, praying for a boy. The Goddess will listen to our prayers", his mother had told him several times over the past week.

Now, walking the corridor outside the maternity ward, he was sure they would be blessed with a boy. The Nature, the family Goddess and the temple priests - they were appeased enough and their blessings sought graciously, for the past year or so. His family was to have a baby boy - the light of his life, the bearer of the family pride, and the son who would be a far better scientist than him.

The bulb went off. He rushed to the nurse. The doctor followed her. His mind was bursting at its seams with impatience. "God Bless You!! Its a beautiful girl".

His world came crashing down.