Well here I go again! And this is a very (too!) long account of a very special time in the lives of our favorite couple Gunjuhn!! They are into a brand new phase of their life together, but still feel the need to keep coming back to that place ! So, the last of the trilogy...hope you enjoy!
A Place of their Own...From this Day Forward
Sometimes, things are never quite what they seem. What may look like a foregone conclusion, may have quite the opposite result. The simplest of solutions can actually turn out to be the most difficult to resolve, and the best of intentions can give rise to unforeseen disappointment.
Such a day was today! And it was no closer to a satisfactory resolution.
One supplier was being particularly problematic, unable to fulfill a long awaited order, whilst one customer was adamant about replacing his phone each week ,every week! And no amount of reasoning or negotiating seemed to help. In fact, it just got worse as the day progressed.
His patience was wearing thin, he was suddenly feeling overwhelmed, and before he completely lost control he decided to retreat into the inner sanctum of his office. As he sat at his desk , he inhaled deeply. Before long, the framed photo caught his eye. It had been taken just a few months ago, and she had looked breathtakingly beautiful ! He reached out and softly touched her image. He was smiling to himself. She had protested when he chose that picture for his office, she had preferred another, but he had insisted on this particular one. Something about her expression that always captivated him whenever he looked at it, and it was the closest thing to having her right here ,next to him. He was missing her again, and he knew it was pointless to get any work done when he was like this.
" Get ready," he had said " I'll be there soon, so no excuses!" he had anticipated her every objection, but managed to convince her nevertheless.
"Suppose it rains?" she had said, "Don't worry, it'll be fine, besides...you like the rain, remember?" he replied teasingly. There was a pause and he could tell she was blushing, " Ok, ...I'll have to pack a few things, so no need to rush"
As he leaned back into his chair, his anxiety gradually subsided...and he knew that everything would be okay. They were going to that place once more, where for a few hours, all the cares of the world would be set aside. The place where memories were forever etched, on the sky and in the earth. Memories of love and laughter, confession and compromise, truth and tears...all wrapped up into the fabric of that mystical place.
His hand was still held by hers, and still rested gently where she had placed them. And suspended in time , they basked in the awe and wonder of the moment. That indescribable moment ,when all of their yesterdays ,whether in pain or joy, moulded and melted to form their shared tomorrows. Their hopes and dreams were now so real, so tangible, softly enveloped beneath the palms of their hands.
He had a million questions, and she answered them, each in turn, allaying his every fear and concern.
" I can't believe it! How long have you known? Why didn't you tell me? Are you going to be okay?" he asked excitedly, and all at once. She laughed and said " I knew you would go a little crazy, so I waited until I was absolutely sure! " she continued to reassure him .
" Gudduji, everything is going to be fine, please don't worry, promise me?"
He held her even closer now " You know I can't help but worry about you...but I promise to do my best...okay?"
" But you, Madame Patni, have to promise me something as well" he stated.
" Hmmm...I'm almost afraid to ask!" she smiled " Tell me!"
" You're going to have to slow down, no more running around , trying to do everything, both at work and at home, I'll be there to help and make sure you don't overdo it!" he ordered.
" Can I still ride on the bike?" she was teasing him now." I'll even wear a helmet!"
" Absolutely not! " he insisted " From now on, it's just the car ,I'll take you wherever you want to go"
"And..if I need anything...do I get to boss you around too?" she teased
" Don't you do that already? That won't change!" he laughed.
She now pouted playfully...
" Okay, Guuddu Shukla! That's enough! It's time to go" . But there was more he needed to say,
" Runjuhn " he said softly, " I just want you to know...I am so very happy! I always dreamed of this day, and now that it is here...I just can't find the words, but..." he paused for a moment, collected himself then continued...
"Thank you, my darling, for not giving up on our love, thank you for believing in me, ...for giving me a chance to be a part of your life. I love you so much, I want you to always remember that!" He was so close to tears now, and so was she.
As he carefully helped her to her feet, they held each other once again,then hand in hand ,walked away slowly. But the precious memories of this day, would be forever stored in their hearts, all part of the tapestry ,that was this wondrous place.
Here at last, they began to unload the car. He removed the basket containing food and beverages, whilst she unfolded the blankets and spread them neatly on a grassy patch. Unsure of the weather,they elected not to venture too far from the car...just in case. With everything now in place, they both returned to the car. He opened both doors at the back, and one by one he scooped up their most precious bundles. He gently laid the first one into his mother's waiting arms, then he softly cradled his infant daughter. The long drive had lulled them into a sweet dream, and they were both still fast asleep
,when he placed them side by side onto the soft thick blanket.
Sitting closely together, they stared at their offspring . Swaddled from head to toe,each lying next to the other,they resembled a pair of rose- cheeked cherubs...so cuddly and so innocent.Their parents looked up at each other ..and smiled. He reached for her hand and pulled her closer,as she rested her head on his shoulder. How was this possible? How could two persons, once strangers, unrelated and separate, come to know and love each other...so much, that they could create these two tiny beings, each an equal part of themselves?As their thoughts would often wonder, the miracle of their love was not lost on them. They sighed deeply, and were eternally grateful for their blessings...both of them!
The nine months had been mostly uneventful, thankfully. He made sure she ate properly and was well rested. She continued to work, but upon his insistence, she had begun to cut back as the time drew near. He had accompanied her on every doctor's visit and was assured that all was going according to plan.Anxiously awaiting the arrival of their firstborn ,they were well prepared. They had completed all the necessary purchases, and now it was just a matter of time. Each morning, before he left for work, he would render every instruction ,for any eventuality, and hovered over her constantly.
"I am fine, everything will be okay, don't worry so much! "she begged him. But he was taking no chances and insisted on bringing Amma to stay with her in those last few weeks. It was pointless to resist, and besides she was glad for her Amma's company once again. But Amma was not much better, she fussed and fumed and refused to take her eyes off of her! So on that fateful morning, when Runjuhn winced suddenly, she knew exactly what to do.
"Guddu beta, it's time!"
Everything happened like clockwork .From the drive to the hospital ,to the admission on the ward, and finally after a few hours of pain and discomfort, she was being wheeled down the corridor into the delivery room. He was holding her hand as if he would never let it go! And for the first time ,in all those months, he felt genuinely afraid.
It was a time to comfort and console her, but he could barely breathe himself.
She noticed how pale he had turned and smiled weakly " Everything will
be okay, I promise !" And he bent to kiss her gently ,just before she was wheeled through the doors. Slowly, he returned to the waiting room...and wept! She had been so strong ,so brave, but he in turn felt weak and scared. If anything ever happened to her, how could he live with himself? She was his life, his everything. Amma touched his face gently " Guddu beta, no harm will come to Runjuhn. Trust in God , all will be well"
And at that precise moment, a smiling nurse approached and said " Mr. Shukla...your wife just delivered a baby boy!" But before he dared to rejoice, he asked "And how is my wife? Is she okay?"
"She is fine ,everything went very smoothly. Congratulations Mr. Shukla!"
By this time, the doctor had emerged and was approaching ,but another nurse had pushed open the delivery room doors and said sharply " Doctor, please come...we need you...right now!"
Suddenly, his heart sank and he felt he would faint at any moment. His pulse was racing and he was sweating profusely , he could no longer stand . And after what seemed like an eternity, but was actually just a few minutes, the nurse had reappeared .He was petrified at this point and mustered every ounce of strength ,just to look up at her. He did not know what to expect, when the nurse stated
"Mr. Shukla, we were not expecting this and I don't quite know how to explain it, but ...your wife just gave birth to a girl!" He tried to say something, but she had already left.
He was now totally and completely confused ...a boy or a girl ? What was happening? Was Runjuhn really okay? By this time,Amma had a look of deep concern on her face, and began to pray silently.
Slowly he stood up again, his head was spinning, he tried to focus.
What in the world was going on? He needed answers, and he needed them now. Just then, the nurse beckoned him, and he soon followed her down the corridor ,and into a room.
And there, before his very eyes, looking absolutely radiant...lay his beautiful wife, holding not one ...but two tiny babies,...neatly nestled in each arm! She was quietly gazing at them ,one then the other, when she looked up and saw him .
And with the sweetest , gentlest smile, she said softly
"Gudduji...you're here! Come and meet our Ladoo and Junjuhn!"
The sky had kept its promise ,as the clouds sailed across lazily. Stopping only to adorn the sun as it seeped slowly into the evening . Relaxed and refreshed, they had settled into the contours of each others arms ,laps and shoulders . Breathing softly and slowly, they were content and at peace.
But not for long! The babies had been fed and changed, kissed and cuddled, admired and adored by their loving parents. But they had had quite enough and proceeded to squirm and complain vociferously! And so, once more it was time to leave this place. Reluctantly, they gathered their belongings and packed them into the car.
As she handed over the last precious package to be strapped in, he looked up at her with an impish grin,
"Now tell me ... how did we end up with two of these again?" he teased, ensuring each buckle was snapped firmly into place.
She shook her head ,as she said " Hmmm! Why are you asking me? It's all your fault! "
"My fault? Why exactly is it my fault? Even the doctor could not tell!" he countered, whilst placing the pacifiers into each tiny mouth.
"Exactly!" she retorted " Wasn't it you ,who in front of everyone, requested both Junjuhn and Ladoo ...at the same time?...Well?" He paused for a second, then responded
" That's true... but all I did was ask .You made it happen . After all, you're the Bhagonwaali ...not me!" he laughed heartily
" Guddu Shukla...you are going to pay for that!" she protested, hands on hips.
"I know!" he winked at her mischievously ,then said " And I can't wait!"
As the car started, they each took one last look at this place, the earth, the trees , the sky ...everything. Absorbing and cherishing every last memory, till it was time again. Time to return ...to this place of their own.
Chat Clubs
Members Lounge
