Chapter 15

The Morning After The Night Before

Chapter 15

It was about 3:30 in the morning before Sheenu rang Shashi.

"Hi uncle, I'm trying to get Arnav's mobile number"

"Have you got Khushi?"

"Yes I have umm uncle come to the hospital now, tell Arnav to get here as well it's not looking good. I can't say much more than there is a guy here called Altaf who is also trying to get hold of Arnav saying that Arnav's going to kill him."

Shashi knew Sheenu for a long time, she had been Khushi friend since 10th grade. Sheenu was never one to over dramatise. He better call Arnav he tried his cell straight to answer phone. He tried the landline finally someone picked up.

"Hello is Arnav there"

"Hi Dad it's me why you calling me on the land line?"

"We can't get through on your cell. Any way forget that, it's irrelevant Khushi shes at hospital with Sheenu. Sheenu said its not looking good, I'm already on my way, see you there"

In record time Arnav and Shashi arrived at the front door together.

"Which floor ? which ward ?"

"There's Altaf"

"Altaf where is Khushi ?"

"this way"

On the ride up "Altaf what happened ?"

"Khushi Didi , wasn't feeling well - she thought that it was the amount of ice cream that she had eaten- then in a while she called me to drive her back to Shantivan but the pain in stomach grew worse so she called Sheenu madam , who met us at the hospital and since then I have been trying to call you. But no answer Arnav Bhai."

As the trio approached the room the scene that greeted them turned Arnav white ,and added a few extra white hairs to Shashi. A sleeping Khushi white as a sheet linked to an IV line and several monitors all displaying some kind of heartbeat. Sheenu next to Khushi holding her hand asleep in the chair. As soon as they entered Sheenu's eyes flew open.

She released her hand from Khushi's slowly. Indicating them to leave. She came outside with them.

She hugged her Uncle and acknowledged Arnav.

"Ok I don't know what kicked off today but the long and the short of it is Khushi came in complaining of pelvic pain which was growing in intensity. Initially I thought it was an infection on the phone but by the time she came in she was in the early stages of labour. I have given her a sedative since she was almost hysterical when she found out and something to try and stop the contractions. We are currently monitoring all the heartbeats and looking for changes if any changes occur then the team are on standby for delivery but I have to tell you the chances are not good She is just 29 weeks. So prayer is the only thing and whatever the situation was to get her so stressed fix it when she comes to. Are you both going to sit with her or am I ?

"Sheenu you said heartbeats whats wrong with Khushi's ?"

"Nothing, Arnav will explain"

"Uncle I'm going to rest, but you two whatever your argument was and from what Khushi didn't say I say it was you Arnav it needs to be fixed if we are going, to get her through the next few weeks without these babies popping out. The longer they are in the better there chance of survival and Khushi's as well. She is my primary concern, the babies second"

"Arnav first are we having twins?"

"No dad, triplets I hope"

"She is going to be sedated till the morning do you want to catch some sleep?"

"No dad I don't think I could sleep, I should have gone straight after her not tried to sort Sheetal out"

"It's always easier with hindsight none of us could have predicted this outcome. We need to get through this first"

It was a long night for all concerned and an even longer morning they had no understanding of the monitors except that it was good that no one had been called in.

It was late afternoon when Khushi opened her eyes. Instantly her hands flew to her stomach she looked around all the monitors were still beeping all her babies were still safe .She relaxed for an instant and breathe a sign of relief. She felt the presence of other people in the room, her dad and Arnav. She looked at both of them tears welled in her eyes and started to pour down her face.

"I'm sorry for this mess"

Shashi spoke first as Arnav was all choked up. No reassuring words came forth.

"Khushi stop you need to relax and you need to listen to Arnav, do you trust me, then listen to what he has to say. I'm going out for a bit send Arnav to call me when you're done, then we will discuss this mess -three. Jeez girl I was panicking at one and you're trying to give me three. Go easy on my nerves I need all three to stay put for at least another four weeks please. So relax and listen. See you in a bit"

"Arnav I'm really sorry I should have given you the opportunity to explain but ..."

"Khushi you're father is a very wise man that's why he is so successful as a father in law, father and a business man and I'm sure for all his threats of grey hairs that you give him he will be an equally excellent grandfather. With hindsight it's really easy for us to change the course of actions that we each took. I should have run straight after you and then you wouldn't have driven to the Lake House which your dad knows about now by the way. Let me explain about Sheetal she and I had an on off thing mostly because she was convenient. She likes the benefit in kind which she receives from me. I have not touched or looked at another woman since you have been on the scene. He smiled weakly they have looked at me but my eyes and hands are firmly trained on you. Khushi I am in love with you and the trio and everything about you. You're love of colours that don't match that break all the colour wheel schemes. The way you enjoy chocolate brownie ice cream sandwiches, you're love of butterflies and roses. What you didn't see is that she was kissing me and I was fighting her off. She realised that her meal ticket had gone. Her contract has been terminated with AR Designs. Khushi I have nothing to back me up only my word. I didn't run after you as I thought I needed to get rid of her permanently first, but then I couldn't find you , I went to several ice cream parlours the temple ,the penthouse, rang your dad and went to Shantivan and then drove to the lake house. I love you and our children I need you to believe me. Khushi I have never begged before but..."

"Arnav I believe you- I was upset when I left but when I finally sat with a bowl of ice cream - you know I do my best thinking over ice cream. I played the events over in my head they didn't add up. You knew I was upstairs -why take the risk. Then there was the morning err no man can err perform like that in err bed spend time speaking to the kids stroke and caress them and the jump straight into the arms of another women. She said it didn't matter that you were married you were friends with fringe benefits. You had been trying to tell her that you were married. But she wasn't listening and neither was I. I am sorry for not paying more attention, it would have saved us all a lot of worry. I also know the way you kiss -your hands are always around me, she had her arms around you, you didn't have your arms around her"

"You noticed a lot in flash of a second- not that I'm complaining since you are seeing things from my point of view. Do you believe me about Sheetal ?"

"Yes"

"Do you believe that if I didn't want to get married to you no one could have forced me babies or no babies"

"Yes, when I was on the way back I tried to call you there was no service. Later your phone was straight to answerphone "

"I had made so many calls i didn't even know when the battery died. Now we have sorted this out the babies whats going on, what happened?"

"Sheenu said high blood pressure strain of driving combination,maybe she doesn't know but this is going to be my permanent home for a while. Total and complete bedrest for 4 weeks minimum she said the boredom is going to kill me the closest that I will be allowed to work is a suduko puzzle"

"Shall I go and get your dad, the suspense if probably killing him not to mention the shock of three babies"

"Hi dad -did you know you are the best ?"

"Have you kids sorted your issues?"

"Yes"

" Good -You know I was going to say to Khushi if she didn't believe you view the conference tapes all conversations are recorded"

"No need dad - I trust Arnav"

"Ok so that now that's sorted explain yourselves three ? I mean three! What the hell?"

"Dad that's my line?"

"When exactly were you going to tell me?"

"We haven't told anyone due to the possible complications with the pregnancy and birth like this"

"We have to tell your Nani and Anjali "

"She's not allowed any visitors except the two of you since you are already here for a week" Sheenu's voice reverberated from the back.

"Everything is stable and my patient looks a lot happier and my babies are all happy so I'm happy; but I mean it you are banned from anyone else visiting you until I am completely happy that you are not going to deliver these babies early ."

"Now she needs to rest gentleman so you are going to both have to leave, any change and I will let you know."

"Sheenu I might get really stressed if they both leave can I keep one"

"Khushi they are not pets -can I keep one honestly? If I had to choose I would say uncle he is a far more calming influence and he pampers to your every wish. Arnav go to work you cause to much fluctuation in her blood pressure - there a decision has been made no favouritism based on pure science"

"I'll see you in the evening any changes let me know"

"Charge your phone Arnav and let me see you out"

Outside the room and out of eyesight of Khushi

" I need to talk to you and not in front of Khushi she needs to believe that everything is going to be OK, the reality is she could gointo labour anytime these babies are far too underdeveloped but they still stand a good chance of survival but they will have a lot of health issues and I'm not sure all three will make it. If one goes into distress but the other two don't we will all have some very hard decisions to be made. Are you going to be strong enough Arnav to support Khushi."

"As long as nothing happens to her"

"Ok get some rest we all have a tough couple of days ahead of us -but one thing Arnav you don't know about Khushi she is a fighter "

"I know that "

"She has the luck of the devil - look she found you by accident - don't look so shocked I know what happened at Lavanya's wedding -she will make it through this"