Prologue
Mrs Neetu Singhania is rushed to the private maternity ward as she yells away in agony, screaming for her friend, her confidant... Her maid, Kamla Jhadav. Kamla, fondly called Kamla maa by Neetu Singhania's two sons, Ragav, aged six and Samar, aged three, wobbles along the corridor trying to keep up. Huffing and puffing she enters the ward to hear the doctor say, "Mrs. SInghania, the baby is ready to come out."
"What!", Neetu yells, "she has to wait to more weeks. I am not ready. Kamla where are you?" She calls out, looking around for Kamla. Kamla who is standing quietly by the door catching her breath, says, "Neetu ma'am. It is time. Don't worry." Neetu replies frantically, "but Sahil is not here. Oh gosh. How can I do this without him?"
Kamla smiles, ignoring the pain, she wobbles slowly towards her, caressing her head she says in a calm voice, "you are not alone. I am here." Nodding, Neetu tells the gynaecologist that she is ready. The gynaecologist looks at Kamla and asks, "how far along are you?" Kamla smiles, caressing her womb, replies, "I am two weeks overdue." Seeing the pain etched on her face, the gynaecologist says, "you are experiencing labour pains too, aren't you."
Both mothers give birth to healthy little girls as they side by side, holding hands as they give support to one another.
Pakhi Singhania is placed into her mother's arms, a full two minutes elder to Kalpana Jhadav who is placed in her mother's arms. Both mother lay exhausted, but content as they hold their babies in their arms.
Edited by angelpureness - 11 years ago