Part XCVI
Maan sat stiffly on the hospital bench, his fists clasped tight, hitting against his forehead and his eyes squeezed shut as he silently yet fervently prayed for his Geet. Anwesha laid a reassuring arm around his shoulder but he couldn't feel it. Nor did he notice his mother-in-law standing close by looking at him with concern, worry written all over her pretty face. Rano prayed that everything will work out fine and her daughter will pull through this for all of them and particularly for the man whose very breath of life she was. Multiple births were always going to be risky.
As the door to the Operation Theatre opened, Maan looked up and hurriedly went to the doctor who appeared at the entrance of it. Rano and Anwesha were close at his heels. Before they could utter a word, the doctor who removed his mask and gloves, broke into a broad smile and said:
"Congratulations Mr.Khurana. You have two healthy and beautiful daughters and a bonny son!"
"My wife..."
Before he could complete the sentence, the doctor assured him that she was doing fine and would soon gain consciousness. As he was speaking, Maan saw two nurses carrying the babies out and heading straight to the neonatal intensive care unit. The doctor informed them that since the babies arrived prematurely they were to be under observation till they are fully fit to be taken home which may be a week or couple of weeks. Maan went up to the NICU and looked through the glass at his babies. His eyes brimmed with tears of joy and he broke into a smile even as his sister and mother-in-law shook his hands and hugged him. Geet was finally wheeled out of the OT.
***
Back in Handa House Baba had not stopped praying for his daughter-in-law, holding tightly to the feet of the resident diety, Lord Krishna. He was disturbed from his prayers by the blaring of the telephone. Ramu kaka was about to lift the phone but Baba stopped him saying that he wanted to be the first one to hear the good news. Ramu kaka smiled and gave him the wireless receiver. It was Maan on the other side.
"Baba!" he couldn't contain the jubilation in his voice "I am a father, Baba, father of a son and two daughters! They are soooo tiny baba but they are sooooo beauuuuuutiful! They are....."
Baba broke in and asked about his daughter-in-law.
"Sorry Baba. Forgot to mention that Geet is fine. She is still unconscious from the effect of the anaesthesia but the doctor says she is doing well. I am right now by her side. Want to be the first one she sees when she comes around."
Rano snatched the cell from Maan and gushed. "Khuranaji, you and I have become grand parents!" she said excitedly.
Baba's eyes were streaming with tears of joy. "Thanks be to Lord Krishna!" he exclaimed, turning to look at the idol of the resident deity with great reverence. Anwesha took the cell from Rano and screeched, "Baba, I have become an aunt! I have become an aunt!" She was literally jumping with joy.
"Yes,beta. You have become an aunt but don't shout so much. You'll scare your Geet bhabhi. The poor girl has just gone through the toughest ordeal for any mother."
"Sorry Baba," she apologised and moved closer to the door. "Got carried away in all the excitement. Baba!" she screeched again. "I'll talk to you later."
Baba smiled contentedly and returning the receiver to Ramu kaka he proclaimed proudly, "Ramu, I have become a grandfather!" Ramu kaka shook his hands and rushed to prepare kheer to celebrate the happy occassion.
At the hospital Maan sat next to his Geet and held her hands waiting patiently for her to open her eyes. After what seemed like ages to Maan, Geet opened her eyes and looked at her husband. Maan leaned forward and kissed her forehead tenderly as he said in a soft loving voice.
"Welcome back my love and thank you for giving me three adorable little babies". Anwesha and Rano looked on with smiles and left the room silently to give the couple their private moment.
***
It was two weeks since the arrival of the triplets into this world. They had grown stronger during this time and were deemed fit to be taken home. Maan and Geet stood outside the NICU as the nurse came out and handed the baby girls to Maan who held one each in each of his large arms and gave the baby boy to Geet who received him with the broadest and proudest smile in the world. As they left the place there were several pairs of eyes which followed them, admiring this good looking couple who were so obviously in love with each other and the precious bundles of joy in their arms.
Edited by Opti - 14 years ago
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