CHAPTER 60
"Be brave Paro, it will be over soon. Rudra is just outside," Maithili cooed. Her sister was scared of the needle and the doctor scared of the glaring officer. But they needed a blood sample. "It is just a routine," said the junior medico. Mohini was already disappointed with the nursing home. They were supposed to be meet a senior obstetrician who cancelled this appointment for surgery. Now they were stuck to a girl who was only capable of rambling.
"Tsk!" Rudra heard from behind the screen. His Paro was trying to muffle her agony. He wasn't a fan of anyone being the source of her pain even his own offspring. He violently pushed the curtain startling the young doctor. His bhabhisa's hands were cupping Paro's cheeks. "Are you done or do you have to any more vials to fill up," he growled. The woman shook her head and rushed out. He felt cool fingers cover his hand. "I'm alright. For a healthy baby I will have to endure a little hardship," Paro smiled. His eyes turned hard. This was not what he wanted for her.
"Excuse me," said a soft voice. Rudra stepped back and his eyes met a bespectacled, petite, middle aged woman. "I'm Dr. Padma Joseph. I will be your obstetrician. We will have to wait a little for the results of the tests. Why don't you tell me about your symptoms," she asked. Rudra handed over a file and explained I'm clinical fashion about the changes on her. Paro's eyes nearly popped out when he mentioned how many times she threw up. Surely the doctor doesn't need so many details.
"Morning sickness is common but nothing to worry about," she assured them. Mohini remembered what her daughter-in-law had told her. "Is she supposed to take anything for that?" she enquired. Dr. Joseph shook her head, morning sickness was a sign that the baby was healthy. "Start listening to your body. Whatever it craves, it needs. And if you any smell or taste bothers you avoid it. I will give you a list of prenatal vitamins. I'm sure your mother will take proper care of your diet, " she said looking at Mohini. Paro smiled at her aunt. She was caring for her just the way she imagined her mother would. Anyone would make that assumption.
When they got into the car, Rudra started it the engine with a frown. "Banna, a few more days you will recommend the BSD shifts to a good SUV." Rudra glared through the rear-view mirror. This was a temporary arrangement. He promised himself his child will come home from the hospital in his jeep not Samrat's car.
When they were close to the market, he pulled over. "What do you feel like eating?" Before she could reply, Mohini, from the back seat asked him to purchase some greens. He turned back with a sweet smile, "Kakisa if you feel like eating green leafy vegetables you should pester Kakosa. Give Paro a chance na to order her husband around once in awhile." Paro slapped his thigh. Maithili hid her smile under her duppata as the matriarch glared. "It's okay Maajisa. I have already told the vegetable vendor to bring home greens every morning," she assured.
"Atleast one person in your life is thinking of your health," Mohini told Paro. With that the teasing banter between the nephew and aunt was halted. "Tamarind," Paro said suddenly breaking the tension. They all looked at her. "I want Tamarind with salt on the side," she completed. Rudra saw the light in her eyes and felt his anger disappear. Bhabhisa might be the amazing super sister but he was her knight in shining armor which would turn every wish into reality. "Yes, ma'am. I will get it right a way," he mock saluted and exited the vehicle.
Within minutes he was back with 5 kg tamarind and 1 kg salt. "Devarsa we have plenty of salt at home. You didn't have to buy so much," Maithili pointed out cautiously. She didn't want to annoy him. He replied that it was for the ride. "Banna if she eats so much at once..." Mohini started but she felt her daughter-in-law's hand on her skirt. Maithili vigorously shook her head. She wanted to go home peacefully. Shanti would be waiting.
"Hello," Rudra answered his phone as he pulled up. The three women were greeted by the precocious toddler and her multiple questions, " Baby okay? Baby girl or boy? I give it cholate? Play with teddy?" Maithili carried her in her arms and kissed her cheeks. "Baby is fine. We don't know whether it is boy or girl. You can't give him chocolate till he has tiny teeth like yours. This teddy is too big. We will get a small one for him," she answered. The child wriggled out of her mother's arms and rushed to her grandfather, "We buy small toys. Lots of them," she pulled on his arms. Her parents all burst into laughter at the enthusiastic big sister.
Dilsher saw his son come in with a frown. "What happened?" he asked frantically. The border posts needed his attention, came the reply. "What's new about that? VK said he won't send you anywhere," he reminded his son. They were new recruits in one of the border posts. A senior officer had to be there. "Give me a few minutes Devarsa. I will pack some food for you," said Maithili. He shook his head. There were a few dhabhas close by. She needn't trouble herself.
Paro because anxious. She didn't mind him being away for work but Laila's words resounded in her ear. Someone wanted to poison him. "Jeeja, if he doesn't take food along, I won't eat till he comes back," she announced. Everyone was taken aback.
Rudra's posture turned hostile. He didn't like ultimatums. His wife should know better. He asked to stop being childish. This wasn't the first time he was eating out and he won't hate her cooking after eating at some wayside hotel.
Little Shanti who observed their exchange carefully gasped, "Mama, Papo became baby." Samrat covered her mouth immediately. Even though she was right, it was best to let the husband and wife sort it out. Rudra however gave his better half a pointed glance. Their niece was perfectly right. Paro was throwing tantrums like a child.
Dilsher intervened. He had a front row seat to their last stand off. They were both too stubborn and usually had very good reasons for not relenting. "Rudra! Sit down for five minutes. War won't break out by this slight delay. Maithili beta pack some extra food for his men too," he instructed. His son scowled and asked if he was trying to bribe his soldiers. He shook his head innocently and patted the seat next to him on the duvet. Rudra twirled his mustache and ignored his father.
"What are you looking for Maasa?" Samrat asked. She replied she was looking for the loyal friend of that unlucky husband. Paro looked down guiltily. She didn't mean to keep Shatabdi from Sumer bhaisa. "Bhabhisa is not coming. She said she has a lot of work today," Sunheri responded. Paro felt bad. She must be doing the work of two people. If only she could help somehow, but she was under house arrest of the second time in her life.
Samrat misunderstood her sister-in-law's expression, "Paro, there is no reason to be jealous. If you want you can stitch something for us. We just got a big order." Mohini was furious, "We have several tailors who can do this. Otherwise some more can be found. My Beendini is not going to work for us." Samrat chastised walked away with another word. Paro felt bad for him.
"He didn't say anything wrong," Dilsher defended his nephew. "We all know Paro is happiest when she has a needle in her fingers. Why not give this opportunity too?" he asked. But his sister-in-law was adamant. Paro can't do the work she pays people to do. Rudra quietly left the room. "Bhaisa, Parvati Beendini can make whatever she wants for this house and the people who live here. But when it comes to my business, unless she is ready to order people and get them to do things, she doesn't have a place," Mohini said firmly.
A few minutes later Maithili came out with a bag, "Where is Devarsa?" Paro replied that he must be changing into his uniform and that she went to her room. When she got there, she smiled. The sight of a BSD uniform was not the stuff of nightmares but if sweet memories. "Now without fussing like a baby, eat whatever you are told to," he scolded taking the lunch bag from her hands. He was still simmering from being cornered. She held his forearm and looked into his eyes. His softened, "What?" She gently pecked his cheeks. He smiled and drew her into his arms. He would miss her too.
They walked put hand in hand. He wanted to tell her to rest and relax but she wouldn't when he was away. He hoped that her sister would be able to bully her into it. He stopped suddenly remembering, "Paro can you do something for me?" She nodded eagerly. "While taking my uniform out, I ripped your favorite blue kurta. Can you mend it?" She smiled, happy to help.
A few hours later, Paro spoke into the receiver that she wished she could come. The person on the other side of the line complained, "Your delightful company was missed. Maybe now that your crazy husband isn't around I should come there." Paro shook her head vehemently. Kakisa would not approve. Besides she had his kurta to fix. "Forget about it. I'm sure he has other ones," the voice dismissed her excuse. No she needed this one fixed. It is one of her favorites. "If you sneak away I will show you around Jaipur. I will take you anywhere you want, buy you anything you need. You won't be kept under lock and key here," offered the caller. But there was no response from Paro. Had the teasing gone to far? "Paro, sorry I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," the muttered apology received no absolution. This was uncharacteristic of the gentle-hearted woman who always forgave a remorseful person. Was something actually wrong?
"What?" Mohini shouted into her phone. Her eyes grew wide as saucers. She tossed the instrument aside and screamed, "Maithili! Samrat!" She rushed to Paro's room. Dilsher hobbled out his room hearing the commotion. The sight made several hearts stop. Paro lay on the bed with a needle in her hand and blue fabric lay crumpled on her lap. Samrat raced out to fetch the doctor and Maithili to the water jug. Dilsher dug his pockets. "Not yet, bhaisa!" Mohini stopped him. She never hated BSD as much as she did that moment. This wouldn't have happened on Rudra's watch. Bholenath help them all!
Health and Fitness
Arjun
Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil
