What next? FF with the Doc: epilogue page 55 - Page 36

Chapter 19:

They were received well at KGH and Dr Bharati had taken charge taking Nidhi straight in the labour room. Col Verma had called Ashutosh in the meanwhile,

"Dr Ashutosh, Nidhi ko shayad labour pains shuru ho gaye hai...Usse Ranganath aur Anjie KGH le kar gaye hai..."

"Theek hai...main bhi nikalta houn...Dr Bharati ko bhi alert karna padega..." Ashutosh jumped down from the bed. BB had woken up by this time after hearing Ashutosh talking to Col Verma on the phone and insisted on coming to Kotnis along with him.

"Yes, Dr Ashutosh, she is in labour...currently doing fine...the water bag has burst" Dr Bharati had come out of the labour room and informed Ashutosh, who had been pacing up and down the corridor. "Can I see her? He asked in anxious trepidation, fearing a verbal assault from Dr Bharati.

"Oh sure...aap gowning karke under aa hi jayiye, Dr Ashutosh, mere khayal se achha rahega...thoda usko bhi moral support milega..." Dr Bharati was very supportive.

Ashutosh quickly went through the gowning procedure and entered the labour room. Nidhi was already on the labour cot with her legs draped in stirrups. Priyanka looked up from the monitors and gestured to him, "Sir...you sit here and hold her hand...just talk to her...I'll just be back in a minute..." as she offered a stool for him to sit.

"OK, Priyanka you go...I'll be with her" Ashutosh assured Priyanka.

"Dr Ashutosh...!!" Nidhi opened her eyes on hearing his voice and sighed in relief as he hurried to her side, "kaisi ho? Is it too painful?

Nidhi's face contorted in reply as a contraction ensued...she clutched Ashutosh's hand in a bone crushing grip and collapsed back, breathing heavily as the wave receded.

It was agonizing for Ashutosh to see her suffer so much pain just because of his desire to be a father. Her fingers were still entwined in his as a second wave came, with similar effects, and he put his arm around her and squeezed her shoulders till it passed away.

"Nidhi...if you feel like shouting at me...yelling at me...please do it...no problem..." Ashutosh said softly, his cheek near her forehead. Nidhi was perspiring heavily now and the nurse handed over a towel to him to wipe her face. "Sirf itna..." whimpering and gasping as another contraction started, "chahe mujhe kuchh bhi ho jaaye...bachche ko bacha lena..." and howled at the top of her voice with her entire lung power as the wave reached its peak.

"Nidhi kuchh nahi hoga tumhe...Ok...easy...take a deep breath and push..." Priyanka had just come in followed by Dr Bharati, who summoned Ashutosh to a side, "she has dilated fully and just needs to push the baby out now...so...just encourage and support her..."

Ashutosh hurried to Nidhi's side, who was already in the throes of another contraction and clutched her hand, "Ok Nidhi...poora dilation ho gaya hai...ab sirf push karna hai...push against my hand, Ok...? come we'll push together..." Nidhi had clenched her teeth tightly and the nurse put a tongue pad in between her teeth after some coaxing. Nidhi was thrashing her head from side to side now as powerful waves of pain hit her relentlessly...Ashutosh put his arm around her head to prevent her from getting hurt and gently patted her cheek, "Nidhi...look at me...take a deep breath...push..."

"Ashutosh..." Nidhi cried with tears streaming down her cheeks, "nahin hota...ab saha nahin jaata..." thrashing her head sideways and her tongue pad fell down. Ashutosh restrained her, with his hand against her cheek and her teeth found the palm of his hand.

Her teeth met each other through his palm as a super wave of contraction hit her. He gritted his teeth and tears sprang in his eyes as he heard the first wail of cry somewhere far away. Nidhi had collapsed back after releasing his hand and his arms were still around her with his cheek resting against her head.

"Congratulations, Dr Ashutosh...it's a healthy baby boy" Dr Mehra, the paediatrician called him and he snapped awake from his perch, still unsure about the entire event. "Are you alright, Dr Ashutosh?" Dr Bharati gently nudged him, "and now we'll take charge of Nidhi...if you will leave her now...AND...CONGRATULATIONS...!!!!"

Ashutosh bent down, gently patted Nidhi's cheek and she opened her eyes from a stupor, "Nidhi...congratulations...we have got a son...we are parents...we have done it...sleep now" Nidhi smiled gratefully acknowledging the fact and drifted off, tired through the ordeal.

"Congratulations, Sir!! Congratulations, Nidhi!!" Priyanka was beaming from ear to ear. "Sir may I announce the news? Arre Janki Bai, Laxmi bai...bahar sabko khabar kar do..." after Ashutosh had consented to the publicity. Dr Mehra nudged his arm, "Hello Dr Ashutosh, the new father..." He hastily stood up, still confused and dazed as a small bundle of joy was handed over to him, "take care of the neck...he is doing fine..."

Ashutosh looked at the small bundle handed over delicately by Dr Mehra to him...his own blood, the only being on this planet with whom he shared a genetic relationship...so small and tiny with just the face and a few fingers visible out of the cloth wrap. His eyes brimmed over as he tried to store the first few visuals of the little creation, of him and Nidhi, a proof of their love and commitment to each other. He hastily looked up as Dr Mehra cleared his throat and tried to unsuccessfully wipe his tears.

"It's alright..." Dr Mehra patted his arm with full understanding.

"Can I take him outside, so that everyone can see him?" Ashutosh enquired with Dr Mehra. He wondered whether everyone waiting outside knew about his entry in this world...by now Janki Bai and Laxmi Bai must have the spread the news, he was sure about it.

"Only for 10 min, you see...he is still vulnerable to external infections etc..." Dr Mehra was gracious enough to bend a few rules for the Chief surgeon. "Arre, Ashutosh, your hand...Janki bai, zara bandage laga dena..." Dr Bharati had joined them, "Dr Ashutosh, we are done with Nidhi and it is time we shifted her to the special room, why don't you call everyone inside and then have a family occasion...just to make sure the baby doesn't go out and get exposed, you know..."

"Fine with me..." Dr Ashutosh nodded and walked off to a special room allotted to Nidhi with baby doc in his arms.

The special room allocated to Nidhi was indeed special, one of the privileges of being the chief surgeon...Ashutosh thought as he walked towards the room, he had never availed of them so far, but now was the time as he wanted the best for Nidhi. The room was large and airy, with a single large bed in the middle, a crib and an intercom within an easy reach. Reaching the room, he found Nidhi sleeping peacefully, one hand resting slightly on her stomach and another by her side with the iv line running into it.

He sat next to her, with their son in his hands and recollected the events so far...what all had she undergone so that his wish of fatherhood would be fulfilled!! Right from coming back to him, forgiving him and finally uniting with him...then this pregnancy, and the painful labour after that...He swallowed hard and mouthed a silent thank you to her.

Just then baby doc wriggled in his arms, jealous of all the attention his mother was getting from his father...Ashutosh turned his attention back to him, "Ok, now what do you want? Mujhse baatein karni hai? Ok Baby, iss duniya mein tumhara swagat hai...main tumhara papa houn...tumne meri awaaz to suni hogi na...tumhe violin sunake sulane wala main hi houn..."

"Arre ab tum akele hi baatein karoge ya hume bhi kuchh kahne doge?" BB asked from the doorway. Ashutosh had been so engrossed in talking to the little one that he totally missed out on the family waiting outside. On hearing this, Nidhi opened her eyes and tried to get up as BB ushered her back to bed, "Nidhi beta leti raho...kaisi ho?..."

"Theek houn baba...ab waise bhi uthna hai...Priyanka bata kar gayi ki feed karna shuru kar dena chahiye..." and she tried to get up to a sitting position. Ashutosh immediately placed the baby in a crib and hurried over to Nidhi to help her sit, placing several pillows behind her. He finally sat next to her and put one arm around her; she turned to him and smiled gratefully.

"Abe, hum sab khade hai aur yeh dono hai ki inko aur kuchh soozhta hi nahi...romance shuru!" Armaan pulled Ashutosh's leg. He had followed BB and was in turn followed by Anjie, DB, CS, Col Verma, Shyama aunty and uncle. Ashutosh rolled his eyes, with an expression that said, yaar ab to chhod de hume..

Armaan walked to the crib and introduced himself, "Yaar Baby doc, main tera chacha houn...ab apni tareef karna mujhe achcha nahin lagta, par yeh baat to tujhe koi bataye ya na bataye..agar main nahin hota na, to yeh tera baap apna pyaar kabhi kabool nahin karta...aur tu yahan nahi hota meri jaan..." Armaan was interrupted by BB, "Armaan, woh to sab theek hai yaar, par yeh soch agar main nahi hota to? Yeh dono apne apne pyaar mein sulagate reh jaate...shaadi to maine hi karawayi na? Iska matlab mere potey, main tera dada houn, aur tere baap ki koi bhi baat mujhse chhipi nahin hai...tu bhi jaan le...kabhi apne papa se shikayat ho to seedha mere paas aana...Ok?

Anjie quipped in, "waise sabse pehle mera number aata hai, my dear bhanje, teri ma ko yeh ehsaas dilaya ki woh jo tere papa ke liye mahsoos karati hain, usse pyaar kehte hain..." Ashutosh raised his eyebrows at Nidhi, "ab yeh kya naya secret hai tumhara?

"aur yeh teri ma, mere kandhe par sar rakh kar royi thi jab tere papa ne usse KGH se nikala tha..."Anjie stopped suddenly as reality dawned and bit her lip. Ashutosh winced at this bitter remembrance, and said, "aaj tak uss ke liye sorry kehne ka mauka nahin mila, kya ab keh sakta houn? SORRY NIDHI...for all the hurt I caused you that day... and even after that..."

Nidhi had tears in her eyes on recall of the whole event as Ashutosh turned her face towards him and gently wiped her tears. She had felt punched and betrayed that day by none other than her love...and then gathered enough guts to ask Ashutosh in public the justification of his action. Ashutosh on the other hand, had felt guilty enough and arranged a job at city centre holy hospital for her through his contacts; she had walked out of that when she came to know about the covert arrangement.

Nidhi clutched Ashutosh's arm reassuringly, "ab itna bhi sorry bolne ki zarurat nahin ji...yeh aapka sorry to maine Mumbai ke convention mein aapki aankhon mein padh liya tha ji.." and smiled amongst tears.

Armaan cleared his throat, "arre bachche, yeh tera baap bhi rone ke mamle mein kuchh kam nahin... teri ma ne isse kerala main rishta tod diya tha to yeh kitna roya tha..." Ashutosh looked up sharply, and it was Armaan's turn now to bite his lip for garrulousness.

The silence in the room was deafening.

Nidhi broke the silence somehow, "ab sorry bolne ki baari meri hai...mujhe pata hona chahiye tha ki DB aur mere Baba yeh rishta accept nahi karenge, phir bhi maine aapko encourage kiya...aur phir ek din yeh keh diya ki..." and broke down helplessly. Ashutosh put an arm around her and pulled her close, "to isiliye uss din yeh kehne aayi thi ki you have moved on? tumhari ankhon mein to kuchh aur hi padh liya tha maine...and after that you broke down outside, leaning against the tree...sab dekh liya usdin..." as Nidhi hiccoughed amidst sniffles, Col Verma and DB came forward, "actually maafi to hume mangni chahiye...tum dono se...humne Nidhi ko majboor kiya aapse rishta todne ko...aur phir badatameezi se pesh aaye aapke saath... please hume maaf kar dijiye ..."

"Please Col Sahib..." Ashutosh sprang up from his place "ab bas bhi kijiye...aur phir uske baad aapne hume ashirwaad bhi to diya na...sab theek ho gaya" and they both hugged. "One more thing, Col Sahib..." Ashutosh asked, as they parted,

"Can I call you baba?

"Sure, Dr Ashutosh, it will be an honour for me..." Col Verma felt as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"And please call me Ashutosh...an honour for me also" Ashutosh clasped Col Verma's hands in his own. "Arre yeh aapke haath ho kya hua...?" Col Verma caught sight of Ashutosh's hand which had been bandaged recently by Janki Bai.

"Woh aapki beti hai na..."Ashutosh began, and then stopped abruptly as he caught a salvo from Nidhi, who was looking at him with pleading eyes full of embarrassment . "Ha, ha, Ashutosh, kahiye, kya kiya meri beti ne? Col Verma was curious to know his daughter's hidden talents in this direction.

"Arre baba, yeh aapki beti ne fruits katne ka chaku kahin chhupa diya aur phir usse dhoondne ke chakkar mein...haath cut gaya" Ashutosh covered up for his wife and everyone joined in the good natured banter. Shyama aunty came and gave an affectionate peck on Nidhi's head "Ab meri Nidhi, bachchi nahi rahi..." and hugged her.

Suddenly the baby puckered his face and let out a penetrating wail...BB picked him up, "Kya hua...tumse koi baat nahin kar raha hai kya? theek hai, theek hai...aaj se main sirf tumse baat karunga...Arre bhai, iska naam kuchh socha hai kya?" Nidhi and Ashutosh looked at each other, confused, as they had not yet thought anything in this direction...

"Baba, woh to aapka haq hai...Aap hi kuchh sochiye...please iska naam bataiye na?" Nidhi was eager to know what her grandfather had planned for her son.

"Arre aise kaise bata denge..kuchh pooja wooja karni hai ki nahi?" DB ultimately found her voice. "Theek kehti ho Bua, pooja to karni hi chahiye, aur sab kuchh karna hai ji...Col Verma agreed, "Aur chalo ab, bahut saara kaam pada hai..."as the hospital gong sounded, indicating the end of visiting hours.

Everyone trooped out after congratulating Nidhi and Ashutosh. Priyanka came in, followed by Dr Bharati, "so everything fine with the mother and the baby? I think Nidhi, you should start feeding the baby now...and Dr Ashutosh, if you don't mind..."

"Fine Dr Bharati, I will be in my cabin, if you need anything, just let me know..." Ashutosh was only too glad to escape Dr Bharati's presence. He stepped out and was greeted by the entire staff of KGH, with Dr Ranganath in the lead and a box of sweets, "Congratulations...Sir...have a look around..."

Ashutosh had a look around and was overwhelmed...the entire KGH was decorated with flowers and balloons and there was an air of general festivity around. Ranganath appeared at his elbow, "Sir, we are a big family, in case you have forgotten? Secondly, if Anjie has become a Mausi, then I am a new Mausa too!!!

Nidhi was discharged in a couple of days and Ashutosh had driven her along with the baby to Col Verma's house, wherein DB had arranged for a small puja for the baby's homecoming. They alighted from the car and stood staring at Col Verma's house: it had been decorated from to bottom as it had been on the day of their marriage... Two small lamps were placed on either side of the threshold and marigold flowers curtains hung here and there.

DB made Nidhi wait at the doorstep as Shyama aunty did a small aarathi for all three of them and CS broke a coconut. Sacred water was poured over the doorstep as DB ushered Nidhi inside, holding the baby and followed by Ashutosh.

Pandit Ji had already laid the groundwork for the puja to begin, and the trio were led to the venue immediately. Pandit Ji blessed the baby with a long life and handed over a plate filled with rice to Ashutosh along with a silver coin,

"Please write the name of the baby on the rice with the coin..."

Ashutosh looked at BB, who nodded, and wrote on the rice... "ANEESH"

"Bahut achha naam hai Daktar sahib..." CS had commented, " par hum to isse Baby Doc hi kahenge..."