Tum Se Hi (MG) #2 (last part/Epi @pg 71) 15th July - Page 2

THIRTY

Geet's nervousness regarding having accompanied Maan to the hospital was forgotten within moments of entering the waiting room.

When Maan introduced her to everyone, she was received with such warmth that she felt as though she'd known the lively Khurana's for a very long time.

The sons have obviously inherited their persona from their father, Rajyavardhan Khurana, who looked like a royal king, still nicely built, with no evidence of middle age in sight. His hair was grey, and his smile a carbon copy of Maan's, Dev's, and Vicky's. Vicky's wife, Sasha, was also an IPS officer and on duty in Faridabad.

Rajeshwari Khurana, Maan's mother, had a twinkle in her eyes, and a smile that lit up her entire face. Her hair was greying, but she possessed the aura of a woman who oozed of warmth, and comfort.

She appeared small and delicate next to the tall, broad shouldered men of her family, but Geet knew from the storied Maan had told her, that Rajeshwari Khurana was a force to be reckoned with.

Dev's wife Meera, was beautiful, who would make heads turn wherever she went. Yet, Geet realized, Meera was natural and at ease with her beauty. Her friendly smile was genuine.

Also present was a smiling Pari, who was making patterns with her finger at Geet across the room.

Geet was also introduced to Gautam Singh, Vicky's friend from the police. Gautam was a tall, well built man. Vicky and Gautam, she mentally decided, should pose as poster boys for the police recruitment.

Her gaze swept over the group, lingering on the Khuranas.

This was Maan's family'a real family, the kind she'd fantasized about having during the years she was a lonely child. They'd all come together as a supportive unit for Annie and Arjun. The babies who would soon come into the world would be received into the embrace of these people, and loved unconditionally for all the time.

How blessed they all were. But she could sense, feel, that they all knew that.

"Sit, sit," Maan's mom Rajeshwari said. "They are not going to be born any quicker by us standing around."

Everyone immediately sat down, causing Geet to smile as she witnessed her in action.

"Bhai, I am taking the bets," Dev said. "I've got it covered. Two girls, two boys, one of each, girl born first, boy born first, first born weighs more, second one weighs more. Take your pick, and give me thousand bucks."

"Don't rush me. As the bet champion, I intend to give this serious consideration." Maan stared at the ceiling. A few minutes later, he took out his wallet and handed Dev the money. "Boy and a girl, boy first and weighs more."

Dev wrote it on a piece of paper. "Got it."

"Enjoy your champion status while you have it, Maan Singh Khurana," Gautam said. "I am going to clean you. Two boys. Second one is heavier."

"Dream on Gautam," Maan said grinning. "You are looking at the pro." He paused. "Anyone seen Arjun? How's the dad-to-be holding up?"

"No, haven't seen him," Maan's dad said. "He's in the labour room with Annie. He plans on being in the delivery room, too. We weren't allowed to do that in my day, and thank God for that."

Rajeshwari patted her husband's shoulder. "You could have handled it."

"That's not a bet I would put thousand rupees on," Rajyavardhan said, chuckling. "Well, I am glad Arjun is with our little girl. Anvesha may be Arjun's wife, but she'll always be my baby girl, too."

"Of course she is," Rajeshwari said, then hugged him side-ways. "That's just the way it is."

Not for everyone, Geet thought. No, not for everyone.

"I enjoy your books immensely Geet," Rajeshwari said. "I can't even imagine how hard you must work to produce a novel. The image of an author most of us have is a life of glamour, fame and fortune. I have a feeling it's just honest, hard work."

"Yes," Geet said, looing at her in surprise, "it is. It takes a great deal of self-discipline many, many hours of solitude."

"Solitude?" Meera said, laughing. "I vaguely remember that. When you're chasing a toddler all day, solitude is hard to come by. Our Shreyansh is a busy boy."

The conversation continued with Dev relating the latest activities of his and Meera's son, Rajyavardhan, commenting on the fact that Shreyansh was brilliant beyond his years, and Maan saying that Shreyansh inherited his intelligence from Meera.

Geet only half listened, as her own words spoken few minutes before again came in her mind.

Solitude.

It was a given, an understood element in her life that made it possible for her to continue to produce her books on schedule. She didn't question it, nor resent it. For many years now, it had been a fact, a part of her day-to-day life.

But on this night, sitting there surrounded by the Khuranas and their friends, with Maan's arm around her shoulders, the word solitude was taking on new and other names. It seemed to be growing steadily, as though it was suddenly a living entity, getting bigger and darker like a threatening force.

As it grew it took on a new identity.

Its name was Loneliness.

Geet shivered.

"Are you cold?" Maan asked. "Would you like me to put a shawl around you?"

"What? Oh no, I am fine," she said, managing to smile.

"I am hungry," Dev said.

"You are always hungry," Meera said.

"I hope Shreyansh didn't inherit your appetite," Rajyavardhan said.

"He did," Meera said, "and I am all the time in the kitchen only because of that."

"Don't blame my nephew, blame your husband," Maan said. "Vicky, I assume you called Shasha?"

"Yes, I did," Vicky said, "They'll tell her when I have something to reopt. She sure would like to be here, though."

"Well, it just can't be helped," his mom said, "the whole family is here, and Arjun and Anvesha know that."

Babaji, Geet thought, she was going to cry in a minute if she didn't get herself together. She'd never been a part of anything like this ' not in her entire life. It was so beautiful, so incredibly beautiful.

A nurse entered the room and everyone got quickly to their feet.

"Just an update everyone," the nurse said. "We're on our way to delivery room. Those little ones are eager to see you all. Anvesha is doing great. Arjun is a bit'what can I say, on the edge, but he is holding p nice. It won't be long now." She hurried out of the room.

"This does not look that difficult," Maan said.

"Oh yeah? How can I forget, for MSK, nothing is difficult," Dev said. "Wait until you're the one in that room, close and personal. That, bhai, is terror in its purest form."

Maan chuckled. "Maybe, but I'd be there every step of that way." He tightened his hold on Geet's hand. "Count on it."