Chapter #6
Only when the nurse came in to announce the end of her shift and to introduce him to her replacement who would handle the next twelve hours, did Shaurya realize how long he had remained there: just watching over them. To him, the time he had spent safeguarding his wife and child as they slept had passed in a blink of an eye. However, it had in fact, been almost three hours. His eyes strayed yet again to the medical bassinet that his daughter lay in. He had been the father to the most beautiful child for just over five hours now, and impossibly he had found that the once important things meant little now that she was here. Other concerns crowded his mind now: like the fact that both of his angels were still fast asleep. He looked at his watch and frowned. Mehek, he could understand after her efforts requiring rest, but he wasn't sure about little Meera. Hadn't it been too long for her? Weren't newborns supposed to be fussy and demanding and ridiculously light sleepers? He stood and went over to where the new nurse reviewed the newborn's chart.
"Sister," he whispered, mindful of Mehek still being asleep, and not wanting to awaken her let alone, alarm her with his concerns. "She has slept so long. Is this normal? Are you certain everything is okay?"
Used to the dealing with the apprehensions of brand-new parents, the nurse smiled. "Every little one is different Khanna Ji. There is nothing to worry about. Her Apgar score was more than fine, and I'm sure that the pediatrician has shared her findings with you. From what I see, nothing has changed since. Your little angel is actually being quite kind to her mother in allowing her the rest she needs. I expect that later may prove a little more challenging for your wife, if the wee mite decides that she prefers night hours, but I assure you, there is nothing to be concerned about."
"Thik hai. Thank you," he whispered, his eyes focusing of the swaddled infant. Giving in to the temptation to gently caress her downy hair, he smiled when she reacted to hi touch; the tiniest squirm inside the blanket she had been swaddled in. He smiled, and nodded when the nurse excused herself. Life was completely different, Shaurya thought, and now, so were his priorities. Matters that he would have given precedence to, paled by comparison and were making his decisions that much easier to make. Without another thought, he returned to his seat and took out his cellphone, quickly telephoning his PA to cancel his scheduled plans for the evening as well as the remainder of the week. On the other end of the line. Hina pushed back, as only a long-serving employee could: one who knew him almost as well as he did himself, on his commitment for this evening, but he was adamant that he would be needed here with his family. After getting her agreement to stand in on his behalf, he hung up.
"Shaurya, what are you doing?"
He raised his head when the soft voice reached him and noticed that Mehek was staring at him. He smiled. "Waiting...watching...worrying a little," he confessed.
"That's not necessary Shaurya, none of it."
He stood when she attempted to rise, blatantly ignoring her words. "Be careful Jaan," he insisted as he pressed the button to summon help.
"You needn't stay if you have some work to attend to," Mehek insisted softly as the nurse, just in the next room, entered and headed directly for her patient. On reaching, the sister aided her in getting up and steadied her before guiding the slightly weak new mother to the bathroom. Quickly seeing to the bed linens, while Mehek was in the restroom, she cast a sympathetic glance at the ashen-faced man who by refusing to leave his wife's side, was realizing the complexities of childbirth and its aftermath more than most fathers. She hoped that her matter-of-fact attitude as she went about her work, would let him know that there was nothing to be concerned about, but she was not quite certain if he could be convinced that easily.
*******
"Go, Shaurya," Mehek demanded. "It's not as if we are going anywhere," she added to soften her order. "We will be here when you get back."
Shaurya paced the room holding the baby, while Mehek finished her meal. He didn't know who was more contented, the recently fed newborn or him, in just cuddling his child. "Nahi, it's not important. Anyway, Hina is attending in my stead."
"But Hina is not Shaurya Khanna, whom I can only assume is who your guests were expecting to meet."
Shaurya stopped and stared at her. She obviously did not know the specifics, but she had been astute enough to understand the nature behind his telephone conversation with Hina and that his no-show this evening could possibly jeopardize some business dealing. And all without asking him to explain exactly who he was.
He shook his head again. "You are my priority tonight, Jaan."
"Me and your daughter, you mean?"
"Haan."
"Daughters are very expensive Shaurya, and I suspect that you will want to give her the world."
Her mother too, he thought. The sun and moon and stars would be theirs if they but ask.
"And that requires a steady stream of income. Something that you really should ensure you can guarantee, now that your days being a chef have come to an end. Go Shaurya. Go and be whoever Shaurya Khanna really is."
"You're not going to let this go, are you?"
*******
"Oh my..."
Shaurya would have been well pleased if the admiration filled exclamation upon his return had come from his wife and not her middle-aged caregiver, but instead he was left with a distinct sense of dread, when he noticed how his changed appearance had disturbed his spouse. The unnerved expression that had come to Mehek's face was a clear giveaway. "Sister, if you can excuse us for a minute," he called out. He waited near the doorway until the nurse exited and then waited to see if the bravery that had fled his wife would return. He sighed when it didn't and approached the bed-ridden woman. He rubbed her arm when he reached, and finally, she raised her eyes to look at him.
"I don't know you at all, do I Shaurya Khanna," she whispered, studying the man who in his designer evening dress looked so far out her league.
"What nonsense," he chided gently. "Of course, you do. Don't let a change of clothes have you thinking otherwise. I'm still your Shaurya underneath this finery." He placed his hand under her chin, and gently ran his thumb over her bottom lip. "You got that?"
Mehek nodded for his sake, although she hadn't exactly told the entire truth.
"Haan...Thik hai," she whispered. She watched him as checked on the baby resting in her arms, placing the same reassuring hand the infant and bidding her goodbye, before standing.
"Will you be leaving the property," Mehek asked suddenly, hating the insecurity she was hearing in her own voice.
"Not at all and not for long. Just meeting with some of those VIPs we were expecting tonight."
Her complexion blanched a little more than it had before, as she slowly grasped the picture of how important a role her companion probably played here at the hotel.
"But trust me when I say that I would still rather remain here, with you and the baby."
He hated to see her condition, he knew to be a result of the changes in him. "We will definitely have a proper talk very soon, I promise."
Despite the fact the he knew that she could, and most likely had been holding her own, Hina was undeniably grateful to see him enter the main dining room. She immediately made mention to the guests she attended as evidenced by their attentions turning in his direction. He made a beeline for the group, looking to do the needful and conclude his business as soon as possible. He had known that they were taking a chance inviting the corporate group to pitch the resort as the perfect venue for their company teambuilding retreats so close to Mehek's delivery date, but this had been deemed the best time for the agents and representatives to come. Any later and they stood the risk of losing the opportunity to host any of the groups until the next fiscal year, and delay any chance of a return on the investments he had already made to modernize the resort business center which would be critical to his success. He folded his hands and he came upon the group.
"Namaste, Ladies and Gentlemen, forgive my tardiness."
When all was said and done, Mehek, and Hina for that matter, had been absolutely right in insisting that he attend. The three contracts that had been finalized with a handshake and numerous levels of serious inquiry would not have been assured, without an appearance tonight. A quick mental calculation determined that the business from the two largest firms amongst the prospects could have him breaking even on his renovation investment. And incidentally these were two that his personal touch had confirmed. The others, which looked highly favorable, would be icing on the cake. Definitely, a successful day. Yet, one that still dimmed, in light of the treasures that waited back in his suite. As soon as he could he beat a hasty retreat to return to his family.
"Good Evening Shaurya."
He paused in his exit only because her recognized the voice. His smile was genuine when he greeted the woman. "Dr. Bhasin: Tum?"
"Archie," the petite woman insisted for what had to be the hundredth time. It galled that he never took her up on the offer.
"I'm surprised to see you here these evening. You look lovely by the way."
"Thank you. I'm actually here for dinner with some colleagues. May I introduce you? Or perhaps this is not an opportune time," she queried, noticing the hesitation on his face.
"I was trying to get back to Mehek. Our daughter was born earlier today."
A look of joy came over the woman, and she spontaneously hugged the man tightly; a tad bit too long for his liking. "Congratulations to you both. Are they both well?"
Shaurya pulled out his mobile and quickly flashed a photo for the psychologist to view.
"She is beautiful. I can see Mehek in her so clearly. You must go; you need to be with your family."
"Perhaps it's just as well that I have run into you, Dr. Bhasin. I had planned on calling tomorrow at any rate. I think cancelling the next couple of weeks' sessions would be for the best, so she can recover."
The therapist's lips thinned. "Of course," she answered tersely. "I would just ask you to look out for any signs of any post-partum issues. She may prove a bit more susceptible to them than the normal mother. By the way: the clock, her focus object. Did it serve its purpose?"
"It was never needed; it never made it for the delivery. She was a star," Shaurya stated proudly.
The woman's mouth hung ajar. "I've probably taken up enough of your time," she muttered. "You should get back to her. If it's alright I would still like to visit, as a friend before our next appointment."
"We look forward to meeting you. Keep in mind we have moved back into my suite, so you will have to get security access. Good Night."
"Sure. Good Night," she replied her eyes blazing furiously as she watched the hotelier's retreat.
*********
The wedding venue was not the resort that she was familiar with, and had come to love over the past six months, but there was something about the upscale location that she had recognized. And she was adorned in wedding attire that she could only fantasize about wearing. Why that even mattered she had no idea, not when the most important thing was that she was standing with the man she had been destined to spend her life with. Despite all their differences they had realized not being together was no longer an option. He was her love her everything, and she knew that she was the same to him. So many had gathered there to celebrate with them, many she identified as their dear ones, and others who had come simply due to the prominence surrounding the event, or more specifically the groom and his family. But none of that status nonsense mattered now as he took her hand to lead her around the holy fire, and then to complete the rituals that would join them as husband and wife...her Shaurya. She had never thought she could love someone as much as she did him.
"Mehek, I love you," she heard him say.
"I love you too, Shaurya."
His whispered name on her lips gave way to a groan when the sudden jerk from sleep raised all sorts of complaints in her still tender body.
"I'm here Jaan. Are you okay; bad dream?"
"Nahi, she said, her eyes automatically seeking out her daughter, to avoid him seeing the embarrassed confusion she felt. She saw the flailing of a tiny arm and heard the faint snuffle that Mehek had quickly learned would portend her daughter waking up shortly. "I need to go to the toilet. Can you manage?"
"As long as it doesn't involve the actual feeding I think I'm good. Do you need the nurse's help?"
"Nahi, I'm fine thank you."
It was a new day and she had her Shaurya back: for now, Mehek thought. Clad in his tracksuit and trainers, she suspected that he had been about to take his morning run. She was glad that he wanted to get back to his normal routine, for both their sakes. She needed the familiarity especially with her anxiety for the changes that were sure to come between them. The conversation she knew would happen today: when she was finally introduced to the real Shaurya Khanna, would guarantee that. Even her dream, despite its alluded to happy-ever-after seemed to suggest that there were vast differences between them, not that this was needed. Reality was about to hit and she didn't know how ready she was for it.
When she returned, it was to discover the nurse alone in the bedroom. She was busy straightening things up. She let Mehek know that Shaurya had taken the baby to the lounge, and encouraged her to join them. The short walk would be good for her. Donning her robe, Mehek followed, gingerly making her way to the next room. She saw immediately that Shaurya was not alone. Hina had come, bearing gifts which she had set down so that she could fawn over the baby that Shaurya was proudly showing off.
"Namaste Hina Ma'...Hina."
The young woman looked up and smiled "Namaste and congratulations. She is so beautiful."
"And on her best behavior," Shaurya added proudly. "Although I expect that now she has heard her Mama's voice she will show you her true colors."
"Like her father, is she?"
Mehek blushed at the thought that Shaurya's feelings towards her child were already public knowledge. "Only when she is hungry," she answered as it was expected of her. She took a seat in one of the armchairs, uncomfortable now over the situation.
Of course, Shaurya noticed straight away and approached her with little Meera. He shook his head to her as he passed her the baby. The infant instantly began nuzzling against her mother; ready to be fed.
"I will just be going then," Hina said observing the baby actions and wishing to give the new mother some privacy. "I just wanted to deliver these. The flowers are from the kitchen staff, and the laddoos..."
Her voice tapered off as if the PA has realized some mistake.
"Laddoos," Mehek repeated with a smile. "They must be from PD. Am I right," she asked happily.
"PD," Shaurya asked carefully.
"Ji, PD. You know her Shaurya. Remember the family who had visited when I first started working here. She was their Dadi." She observed his weird expression. "You have to remember her Shaurya."
"I do. I just wonder how she would..."
"We're friends," Mehek interrupted. "Facebook friends. She calls me her Laddoo and promised me that she would send me some after I had the baby. I guess she thought this was a good enough time to send them. Or she is psychic. They are supposed to be very good for new mothers. They are from her, right? What does the card say Hina?"
The young woman reached for the card attached to the box of sweets, after her boss nodded to her.
"To my Laddoo to welcome my Baby Laddoo...love PD."
Mehek smiled.
"What a coincidence. I must have been on her mind, which is something, considering she was in my dream this morning itself," Mehek voiced to a stunned silent audience.
Cricket
