Amma and Appa were relieved to know that Vandu was fine and would be shifted to her room soon. They were overjoyed with the arrival of a new little baby girl. The wrapped bundle was in the nursery and they had lined up to see her. Ashwin was nowhere to be seen. Amma and Appa met Vandu briefly before they were sent back home with Simmi. Bala was rapturous and stayed glued to his baby and Ishita was with the sleeping Vandu. The baby was shifted to the nursery and the mother to her room. Its a girl Ishita texted Raman not wanting to wake him up!
Simmi walked into the following morning rather early with breakfast and chai for people in the hospital. She took along Amma and Appa while Bala was still with the baby. Ishita sat beside Vandu as soon as she came around. Called Bala and left them together and was sitting in the lounge when Ashwin sat next to her.
'Ish the baby has some minor complications.
They are running tests..the baby has a skin condition but she's perfect. She's like you fights mean and is really strong. The skin condition could be some kind of allergy . Nothing to worry but let's keep this between ourselves. i'm taking a week off. I will stay here all day you come here in later in the evening relieve me for 5 hours and I will stay on here till we know all's well' Ashwin rattled quickly. 'Ab tu ghar ja. Your husband is also sleeping in..tu jaa.'She agreed reluctantly, Ashwin was going to be more useful than her surely. And she would surely be back later she promised.
She drew the curtains in her bedroom and slept wedging her husband's open palm between her cheek and her pillow. She wasn't smiling when Raman saw her after he woke up. He tried to erase the creases on her forehead with his fingers. Kissed her forehead and let himself out of the bed.
Ashwin's text slid in earlier I have asked Ish to relieve me in the evening. Please keep her tied up or locked at home. Need biological family to run some tests I dont want to see her till I see Subbu out of here. you know y'.
Raman had asked Romi to take care of Bala and his parents and he wanted Bala's brother whisked away before Ishita woke up. He had work that could not wait. Dashed out asking his mother to ensure that Ishita did not leave for the hospital without him. Spoke to her clinic and was surprised to be told she had taken the day off! He paused at the door repeated to his mother NOT to let Ishita out without him. Bala ki ma hai ma, Shagun bhi hai ma' he kept Subbu and all the baby's concern to himself. He knew his mother could protect her children like no one could and left to focus on his work day so that he could come home as soon as he could.
He need not have worried. She slept like a log -all the action in bed with her husband and the emotional ride had taken it's toll. She stretched herself and smiled at the drawn curtains and her phone silenced and lying next to her.
It was midday. will you have lunch with me' she texted him.
at home?'
no you are working..can i come to your office'
how soon can you get here?'
1 hour'
perfect' he smiled.
That gave him time to wrap up the urgent and the important.
Ishita got busy had mummyji and neelu pack her lunch and mummy let her go because she was going to meet Raman. The glow ,on Ishita's face as she came down dressed , revealed all that she wanted to conceal. Mummy smiled shutting the door after her.
Raman was still on the phone when she walked into his office wearing what he had picked for her last night but did not pack. He had sent something else. His heart was in his mouth as he waved to her and got up to lock his door. She sat on the couch scrolling through her messages on her phone till he finished his call. His eyes roaming over her...
He sat himself down next to her with arm around her shoulder 'what do i owe this surprise to..must be my lucky day!'
I missed you' she opened his collar button and kissed his throat.
Her eyes were moist,larger and she had dressed her eyes more than she normally would.
He let her breathe into his neck and made circles on her wrist.
Wondering if he should talk of Vandu or the baby. The Ishita he knew would have talked 3 pages on each by now - the baby, Vandu, Bala, and the ward boys.
He hated the silence and the wet eyes. But he decided not ask her anything. He sat listening to her breathing and he knew she was there because she needed to feel him next to her for her. Usually he would make her laugh or teased her when she felt bogged down. Today he felt her pain and he wanted to be her strength - just like she always was his.
His stomach growled...he could not stop that! OH!' she bolted. let eat Raman' she smiled and put out their lunch. They ate in silence, food seemed to have made her happier.
Ishita come on let's go for a coffee across the road.. he offered
sure she smiled.
Hand in hand they crossed over the busy road. He wiped her lower lip off the froth and told her she looked awesome and he loved her eyes!
Really' her eyes lit up. I never thought you'd notice.
humm there's nothing about you that i don't notice..
ya ya i know ...she said his fingers were still on her lower lip.
She was unselfconscious today. Normally she would have jumped at him if he touched her lips saying public place Raman or bacche or ji mummyji' or just something irritating. He wondered if that was a good thing. Looked into her eyes and he saw anxiety and love for him. He gave a her a big soft smile when she asked aap ko kya jana hai?'
we can go if you are done? he smiled.
He walked to the parking lot instead of his office..she did not notice.
She was overjoyed when he said they they should wait for the kids at home and should leave to the hospital after they got back form school.
Raman can we go to South Ext. will you buy me a sari we still have 2 hours before the kids get home..' she asked. In all the time he had known her this was the first time she asked him for something. And he was unsure about something as simple as that. She happily modelled for him and he shamelessly ogled at her from behind his glasses. He was thankful the outlet had very few people and a private fitting room. She had picked 5 saris and smiled a thanks! Again unlike of her to pick 5 for herself usually the entire platoon got goodies when Ishita went shopping.
Shravu and Ruhi were screeching enthusiastically when the heard about the baby. Raman grabbed them and they all left to see the baby.
They could only see her through the viewing window..kids were not allowed inside the nurse insisted. When Raman walked in to congratulate Bala and Vandu they had already been briefed very little about the baby. The kids and the men clicked about a 100 hundred pictures with the baby Vandu the kids and Ishita happily posing. Bala was a proud dad and Raman was very happy to see Ishita overjoyed with the baby in the room. It was time to pack the kids off and Romi had to take them back for the what felt like the 100th trip between the hospital and home.
The baby was taken back t the nursery and Ishita followed the nurse while Raman stayed back to talk to Vandu and asked her not to worry about Ishita.
The baby is fine and I'm relieved Raman' she said as she finally got a chance to hug him.
But he is here...mila tha' she asked meaning Subbu.
Oh no you don't worry even if he there..Ishita is fine..' he assured her.
He walked out and he found Ishita looking through the viewing glass , biting her lower lip and rocking on her feet like she did after she had danced at Shagun's sangeet. He walked over and put his arm around her waist while she turned...
Cricket
Health and Fitness
4