Rishbala SS: Dil, Dosti, etc...Last Chap & Epi Pg65 - Page 18

The vastness of ocean makes one realize the pettiness of issues that mortal human beings magnify as a matter of their life and death. Last six months in the ship had taught Rishabh to accept his misgivings about leaving Amit at a crucial moment of his life, his mistake of not coming sooner to his friend and resolve their misunderstandings, and mostly the death of his best friend. It had calmed him down and somewhere inside engendered the hope to see a part of Amit again in that baby. But when the nurse came back with the child from the OT and handed him in his arms, the bundle of joy wriggling in his hold was beyond all his hopes and dreams, it was indeed a part of Amit in his arms!! "Ma, he is so small," exclaimed Rishabh with wonder. "What did you think? A boy of ten years would come out walking?" replied Sultan, getting a smack from Trishna on his arm. "Look at him, he smiles just like my Amit," said Radha, as tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. Trishna looked at the nurse and asked, "How's Madhu? Is she alright?" Radha, Rishabh and Sultan looked up at the nurse instantly, as they had completely forgotten about Madhu after seeing the baby. "She is weak now as she lost a lot of blood. She will be moved to the recovery room now. Once she gains her consciousness you can meet her," said the nurse and took the baby away to the incubator. Radha rushed to the small temple within the hospital and prayed to the God, saying, "God thank you very much for bringing back my son to me. Now please take care of Madhu. She has been through a lot of pain. Please bring back her smiling face for all of us."

Radha was waiting at the door with the aarti thali. As the elevator door opened Trishna came out with the baby, followed by Sultan, Madhu and Rishabh. While stepping out of the elevator, Madhu missed a step and was about to trip when Rishabh caught her from the back saying, "Watch your step Madhu." Rishabh held her hand firmly, as she was still very weak after the delivery, and brought her to the door where Radha stood with a wide smile on her face. "Welcome Madhu, and welcome my dearest baby. May God bless you with all happiness," said Radha while doing the aarti. After entering, Trishna took the baby to the crib and put him to sleep. "Aunty, enough of calling the baby betu, chhotu, shonu, monu. Now think of some good name," suggested Sultan. "I will call him Adit," said Rishabh. "Let Madhu decide his name," said Radha and looked at Madhu. "It's ok Ma, let it be. He will be called Adit, my first born," replied Madhu. Rishabh looked at her in surprise, he did not expect her to accept his suggestion. They all talked about the baby over lunch and by evening Trishna and Sultan took their leave.

Radha had appointed a nanny to help Madhu with the baby. But most of the time the baby was crying for milk, so Madhu hardly got any rest. First night with the baby at home was the most trying experience for them all. "Why is the baby crying so much Madhu?" asked Radha as she rushed in her room at 1 in the morning. "He is not getting enough, Ma. And if I don't get some sleep he won't get any milk at all. But how can I sleep with him crying so much," replied Madhu all exhausted. Radha picked up Adit in her arms and tried to cajole him, but to no avail. Suddenly Rishabh barged in Madhu's room and looked around for the baby. Madhu gasped out loud, and pulled her shawl to cover her barely concealed bust. "Rishu, what do you want?" asked Radha in shock. Rishabh took the baby from Radha's arm and without speaking any further left the room.

"Trishna was supposed to come with me to the paediatrician for Adit's vaccination. But Meera aunty is very ill today, so she won't be able to come," Madhu told Radha. "Don't worry beta. I will come with you," replied Radha. "But Ma, the driver did not come today. Should I book a taxi?" asked Madhu. "What for do you need a taxi?" asked Rishabh, as he came to have his breakfast before leaving for his work. "Adit has to be taken to the doctor today," said Radha. "So? I can take you to the doctor. Why do you need a taxi?" replied Rishabh agitatedly. "That would be great! Then Rishu you take Madhu and Adit with you," said Radha satisfied. Madhu looked at Rishabh uncomfortably, then went inside to get the baby.

"Put the baby basket at the back seat," instructed Rishabh and went around to the driver's seat. After belting up the basket, Madhu hesitated for a moment. "You can sit at the back, if you wish," said Rishabh from the front. Madhu stood undecided for a moment further, then closed the door at the back and came in front to sit beside him. Rishabh looked at her, gave a smile of acknowledgement and started his car.

"Are you going to pierce my baby's skin with that huge needle?" asked Madhu horrified, looking at the syringe in the doctor's hand. "Don't worry Ma'am. Your son won't even remember it," replied the doctor nonchalantly and drew in the medicine in the syringe. "Think it to be for Adit's good only," murmured Rishabh, as he noticed Madhu's eyes getting filled up. Madhu was holding the baby in her lap when the doctor pushed the syringe into the baby's thigh and immediately Adit started crying out loudly. "You hurt my baby, he is crying in pain," cried out Madhu. "I'll take them out," Rishabh told the doctor and helped Madhu to go out and sit in the waiting area. Both Madhu and Adit were crying away, tears smearing their cheeks. "Madhu, control yourself. How will you stop the baby if you cry on yourself? It's nothing, just the baby's instinct to anything strange," said Rishabh calmly. "How do you know that?" sobbed Madhu. "I just know," replied Rishabh and looked away. After few more minutes, Madhu composed herself and headed towards the car with Rishabh. On starting the car, Rishabh put on a soothing music in the car, and within minutes Adit fell asleep in the basket. "He's sleeping," said Madhu checking on the baby from front. "I know," replied Rishabh while keeping his eyes fixed on the road.

Madhu stared out of the window, as it had started raining lightly. She did not realize when her eyes had started filling up again and a lone tear rolled down her cheeks. "Missing Amit?" asked Rishabh softly. "I wish he was there with me to see Adit grow up," whispered Madhu, as her voice choked up in emotions. Rishabh could not reply, as he too felt very nostalgic for his friend's absence. Madhu looked at him and softly said, "Thanks Rishabh, for being there like a true friend." "Any time, Madhu, anytime for Adit," murmured Rishabh.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P3o4ZrRS4w[/YOUTUBE]