"Dekho na mummy..yeh doodh hi nahi pee raha.."!it was Anji who complained to Shyama as she entered her daughter's room..Shyama held the 4 day old baby n tried to assess...as dr Ranganath entered..looking tired n jaded..as Shyama aunty reported he seemed worried.."having a close look he said..dr nidhi needs to come..i d call her"!and he dialled...anji seeming close to tears ..as the baby cried inconsolably...
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Nidhi was packing dr Ashutosh 's n her own tiffin of Pav bhaji with salad when the cell rang and she took it...
Ashutosh who was in a lazy mood ..still in his kurta pyjama reading the newspaper. .looked up n raised his eyebrow..nidhi seemed worried.."anji ke baby ko problem hai..feed nahi le raha..id rush..aap..."Ashutosh got up.."tum chalo..id get ready n come..n yes do not panic..maybe its just colic .."nidhi nodded n was gone leaving both the tiffins on the table!
As dr Ashutosh emerged,baba said "beta ..yaad hai kal...kal ka din..jab.."!Ashutosh nodded "jee baba..yad hai..humari shadi ko ek baras ho jaayega"!Armaan interrupted.."party..."??Ashu seemed confused.."dekhta hoon..maybe just spend some time with her...bujhi bujhi se rehti hai..dekhiye khana bhool gayi apna...chalta hoon baba.."!and he left carrying both the tiffins ..and contemplating what should he do that d bring a smile to the face that had lit up his life ..made his house a home!
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"Kya hua Anji..why didn't u call me..kab se nahi pee raha doodh..kal to theek tha.."!Nidhi put the stetho to check the baby's chest and then felt his abdomen with her hands..."seems hard..kuch infection ..maybe..but how..let me check for fever..."and she timed the pulse n inserted the thermometer in his tiny ear.."100.4F...but how"??Nidhi looked at Anji n so did Shyama aunty..Shyama aunty narrowed her eyes n asked"anji tu ne kuch baahar ka to nahi khaaya..."Anji shook her head nervously as Dr Ranganath gave her a questioning look...Shyama repeated the question and Anji seemed nervous...Nidhi cajoled "Anji you need to tell the truth..otherwise how d i treat him..."!Anji lowered her head n whispered..."woh kal shaam ..mere designer friends aaye the..so they had got some tikki chaat...i had some..unhone hi force kiya "!!dr Ranganath breathed in sharply and said in a steely voice"waah log flowers laaye hain..cards laate hain..aapke dost chaat laye they. .u must have told them..spicy food ke bina reh nahi sakti ho tum..chahe yeh bechara marr jaye..kuch fiqr hai..he s got the infection through the milk..."!
Anji seemed defiant.."but i am fine..mujhe to kuch hua nahi.."nidhi looked up from the baby n said formly"Anji use ur head..u are an adult..n he is 4 days old..naturally more susceptible. .anyway..let me treat him..n tumko antibiotics de rahi hoon taki latent infection control ho..he can't have ur feed for 24 hrs.."Anji looked aghast as nidhi took the baby.."to..woh..hungry rahega kya..."!nishi smiled.."dont worry..formula feed is safe..wahi karati hoon..just let me work..will you plz"!and nidhi went out to return with a new sterilised bottle and a box of lactogen..she made 2 ounce milk ..shaking the bottle well..n testing the temperature she held the baby in her arms n fed him...the baby suckled...as nidhi caressed him with one hand ..n crooned ..Shyama aunty fought back her tears..Dr Ranganath had a deep softness in his eyes ..but anji seemed agitated.."laa mujhe de..i can do it..."and the baby cried 'eee"!
Nidhi was irritated she looked at Anji defiantly n said"Anji stop being a donkey..tere bete ko snatch nahi kar rahi hoon..usse feed zuroori hai..n let me do my job..kal tak theek ho jaayegi tu..then he can have ur feed...milk me maine bifilac milaya hai..his infection d be controlled ..ab chupp.nahi to maaroongi tujhe"!and turned around to feedthe baby..moving around and crooning a lullaby. .As dr Ashutosh walked in..through the door..nidhi was facing away..but he could see the baby's feet n nidhi crooning...he stood ..mesmerised as shyama aunty came n stood next to him..and he kept looking at nidhi..n the poignant motherly way in which she was caressing the baby...
As she kept the bottle away..and put the baby in Anji's arms..patting her sulking friend..she turned around wiping a tear...but there stood her Rick of Gibraltar. ..n she smiled..hiding all her grief..n pushing her hair back..she said"mild stomach infection. .nothing worrisome..ab i am off to the Kids ward..."and as she walked ..Ashutosh tapped her on the shoulder n raised her yelliw lunch box...nd she smiled"thank you..itti fiqr kyun karte hain aap..."!Dr Ashutosh didnt reply..just smiled n said"surgery me jaa raha hoon..lynch kha lena..samjhi"??n she nodded..."jee"!
Part 2 in the morning!!!