CHAPTER-13
“Hello Aai… Kaisi ho tum?” Kalyani was ecstatic at hearing a call from her mother, from her house.
“Main toh bilkul theek hoon Kalyani… Tum kaisi ho? Tabiyat kaisi hai tumhari? Bachha theek hai? Moksh kaisa hai? Aur Malhar? Tumhari padhai kaisi chal rahi hai?” Anupriya asked all the questions in a breath which were bugging her mind for her dear daughter.
“Aai… aai… aai… kitne saare sawaal ek saath pooch rahi ho… Main, baby, Pillu aur Malharji, hum sab theek hain. Meri back mein thoda sa dard hai. Doctor ne kaha ki baby ke aane tak thoda dard hoga… baaki meri padhai achhi chal rahi hai… tum sunao… Kaka kaise hain?” Kalyani asked.
“Achhe hain tere Kaka... Hum Japan jaa rahe hain, wo phool dekhne, jo uss din college mein nahi bata rahe they Sarthak ji?” Anupriya informed innocently... “Mujhe toh itni ghabrahat ho rahi hai Kalyani, pareeksha sir par rakhi hai, Aur Sarthak ji, bas ek phool dekhne Japan jaa rahe hain...”
“Aai, Cherry Blossom bohot hi khoobsurat phool hote hain... Ye ek particular time ke liye hi khilte hain... Exams ka kya hai, tum padh lena... Waise hi kitni padhai toh tumne pehle hi kar li thi... Meri haalat socho, meri toh na padhai hui hai, aur na main kahin ghoomne jaa sakti... Kam se kam tumhare paas dono hain... Jaao, khoob achhe se enjoy karna, aur phir mast tareeqe se exam dena... Tum dekhna, sab achha hoga... Aur tumhare paas toh kaka bhi hain, ek subject toh tumhara wo chutkiyon mein cover kara denge... Tum tension mat lo...” Kalyani assured her mother, and then hung up.
She turned around to find Malhar putting a glass of milk on her study table. He tried helping some bit when he was home, so that she could study until her exams.
“Malharji, doodh ki jagah coffee mil sakti hai? Mujhe bohot neend aa rahi hai padh-padh ke...” Kalyani yawned.
“Kalyani, tum padhai ki wajah se waise hi daily 2-2 cup coffee pee rahi ho, isse zyada caffeine peena is also not good... Sampada ke time pe toh...” Malhar stopped suddenly. He tried to hustle out before any other conversation begins, but was stopped by Kalyani, who held his hand.
“Malhar ji, aap Sampada ka naam lete saath itne embarrass kyu ho jaate hain...” she asked.
“Mujhe uss aurat ka naam kya, uska khayaal aana bhi achha nahi lagta, par kya karoon, meri zindagi ka ek main hissa Moksh hai, aur Moksh ko janm diya toh usi ne tha... Isliye mooh se nikal jaata hai...” he explained.
“It’s okay Malharji, maane ya na maane, lekin wo aapki zindagi ka ek hissa thi... Maana aaj nahi hai, lekin thi toh... Hum kal ko bhool toh sakte hain, par ateet ke nishaan mita toh nahi sakte na... Be casual about her as-well... Ab wo humari zindagi ka hissa hai nahi...” she smiled.
“Tumhein bura nahi lagta?” he asked.
“Kis baat ka bura? Aap uska naam le kar koi apna pyaar mere saath share thodi na kar rahe hain... Wo THI, Main aaj HOON, aur humesha RAHUNGI. There’s nothing to be so insecure about. And Malharji, aap toh Baba banne ke iss phase se guzar chuke hain, aapke paas toh mujhse zyada experience hai. Aap apna experience baatenge toh mujhe help ho jaayegi... Aap koshish kar sakte hain ki uska naam na hi lein... Lekin aa jaaye toh hichkichahat mein mujhse dooriyaan mat banaya keejiye...” she held on his hand.
He nodded with a smile, and indicated her to drink the milk, when she again yawned, and he suggested- “Kalyani, itni neend aa rahi hai toh so jaao na... Waise hi aaj-kal raat mein tum kitna kam sone lagi ho... Abhi neend aa rahi hai toh so jaana chahiye...”
“Malharji, ye baby bohot naughty hai... Aise theek thaak shaant rehta hai... Par usko jaise hi pata chalta hai ki Aai so gayi hain, tabhi usko saare kaam yaad aa jaate hain... Main kaise soun?” Kalyani was a bit tired.
“I am not sure if this works... But let me try as well... Shayad kaam kar jaaye... Iska aur mera raabta ban jaaye...” he spoke, as Kalyani laid in the bed, closing her eyes, trying to sleep... While Malhar spoke again, this time to his unborn baby- “Tum waakayi mein uss waqt humari zindagi mein aaye jab sab taraf andhera chaya hua tha...” he hummed a song... True, he had no sense of sur and taal, but never the less he was trying as he sang:
Phaili thi siyaat raatein,
Aaya tu subah leke,
Bewajah si zindagi mein,
Jeene ki wajah leke,
Khoya tha samundaro mein,
Tanha safeena mera,
Sahilo pe aaya hai tu,
Jaane kis tarah leke,
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta,
Kuch toh hai Tujhse Raabta...
And he sat there next to Kalyani, talking to his baby nonstop... While initially the baby was very active, and then it slowly settled... The baby’s mother’s constant even breathing played like the lullaby to it, and it was back to sleep, along with the mommy. Now when Kalyani wakes up, she will be refreshed, and would be able to concentrate better on her studies. Malhar had a satisfied grin on his face.
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“Hi Aai... Kaisi rahi tumhari trip?” Kalyani finally met her mother in the college on the first exam.
“Bohot Achhi... Aur tum yaqeen nahi karogi, Sarthak ji ne waakayi mein meri pareeksha ki taiyyari bhi kara di...” Anupriya was ecstatic...
“I am so happy for you Aai... Chalo, ab hum chalte hain, exam ke liye late nahi hona chahiye...” Kalyani suggested.
Both the mother and daughter were happy in their own way, not knowing what is coming their ways...
They reached the exam hall early, just in case they took time to settle in, only to crash into a group of their classmates. They looked her up and down and then burst into a huge round of laughter:
“As expected, out of this Kalyani, she’s going to be a mother again... Don’t you think, you should have waited for your at least your graduation to get over with? Aisi bhi kya jaldi thi...” one of them passed on a sarcastic comment.
“Arre, control nahi ho raha hoga uske husband se... Warna you know how cool Kalyani Rane is...” Rashi, one of her classmates passed a comment.
“SHUT UP! None of your business, alright?” Kalyani was in a very good mood, what with her mother’s happy new life and also her well preparation for the exam; to spoil it over the silly comments of girls who hardly knew the life she lived. She started moving with Anupriya, but stopped in her tracks with the next set of taunts.
“Dono maa- beti ki life mein reverse aur fast-forward mode on hai. Aai ko ab yaad aaya ki usko shaadi kar leni chahiye, aur beti ko kuch zyada hi jaldi yaad aa gaya ki usko ek bachha chahiye...” the group laughed in unison and did a high five at the joke.
“Baat jab tak meri ho na, main aaraam se jhel leti hoon tum jaise idiots ko. Par jab baat meri aai ki aati hai na, toh mujhse bura toh sach mein koi nahi ho sakta. Bohot time hai exam start hone mein... Come, let’s talk it out na...” Kalyani held the wrist of the girl who made the previous comment, and shoved her to sit on one of the benches, while she stood folding her arms around her chest. “Haan, toh shuru karte hain... Ghar mein kaun-kaun hai?” Kalyani’s tone was interrogating, while being quite strict.
“Mummy, Daddy, Bhai aur Main.” the girl gulped.
“Ghar mein earn kaun karta hai?” Kalyani asked.
“Daddy.”
“Bhagwaan na kare, par socho, agar tumhare Daddy ek din tum sabko chodh ke chale jaayein, with nothing to look forward to... Bataao, kya karegi tumhari family.” Kalyani asked.
The girl’s face started getting pink with embarrassment, but since she was crowded with her friends and classmates, she had no choice but to answer, instead of making a scene- “Pata nahi... Hum sab ek dusre ke liye hi jeete... Jo mummy kehti wo maante, jo humein khushi deta, wo shayad mummy maanti. You start loving your family more when you lose a part of your family.” the girl was dazed, and talked philosophical with a shaken heart.
“Arre, par tumne uss baare mein toh bataya nahi ke tum sab paise ke liye kya-kya karte, aur how desperate your mom would have felt...” Kalyani provoked.
“SHUT UP!!! What nonsense are you talking about...?” the girl stood up from her bench in pure anger and agitation.
“Exactly! Now you feel exactly what I meant to explain it to you... Samajh aayi, jab khud ki maa par baat aati hai toh kaisa lagta hai? And philosophical hi sahi, lekin tumne sahi kaha tha, hum wohi karte jo ek dusre ko achha lagta. Meri Aai ne bhi shaadi paiso ke liye ya isliye nahi ki thi that she needs a man in her life; she was happy the way she was. Par usne shaadi mere liye ki, mere kehne par ki... Toh kuch bhi kehne se pehle soch samajhkar bola karo, way before you realise that, tumhare mazaak se kisi ka dil kitna dukh sakta hai...” Kalyani wrapped up her lecture, and made space for the girl to move.
“Sorry Anupriya... Humne naadaani mein tumhara dil dukhaaya... Hum dubara aisa kabhi nahi karenge...”
Before Anupriya could answer, the crowd was broken by Sarthak’s strict voice- “Girls, what’s happening with you all?”
Before anyone else could say, Kalyani said her final words- “Oh by the way, meet my Baba, cum Kaka, My Aai’s Husband... Sarthak sir!”
The astounded crowd didn’t speak a word, but Sarthak’s voice brought them back to reality- “Those who are interested in giving their exams, kindly put your bags out and sit on your allotted seats. Five minutes to go for the exam to begin...” And the class scattered out to put their bags out of the class and get ready for the exam.
Kalyani sat on her seat allotted, while Anupriya sat in another row, sitting in alphabetical order. Another invigilator joined the room with the bundle of answer sheets and question papers to be distributed during the exam. The other invigilator while kept vigilance of the row of Anupriya, Sarthak moved about in the other two rows, one of which Kalyani sat in. He went and kept his bottle of water on her desk and asked her to drink some water- “Kalyani, beta paani peeyo... Aur shaanti se exam do... Mat socho idhar udhar ki baatein. Tumhara exam bigad gaya toh tumhara pagal pati bhi bigad jaayga...” Sarthak’s words finally brought a giggle out her. He patted ger head, and asked her to continue.
Mid-way through the examination Kalyani started having a sore back, as it started aching sitting for so long in the same position. Anupriya kept on looking at Kalyani’s row, worrying for her. Her worry was read by Sarthak as he nodded at her to not worry, as he will look to it. Calling for a peon and two pillows from the infirmary, he helped Kalyani rest her back against the chair as she wrote the rest of the paper in some peace.
This set the trend for the rest of the exams, as the college principal gave permission to Kalyani, and pillows were stacked on her seat on the day of her exams, without a fail. With all the problems solved here and there, finally the third semester was also over, and the classes of the fourth semester were to begin in a few days.
One evening before the semester to begin, Kalyani got a distressed call from Anupriya, asking her to rush to her home as soon as possible. Kalyani fearing all the worst-case scenarios called Malhar to take her to the city of Aurangabad. Kalyani thought she could have caught an auto to go, but then totally negated the thoughts, lest Malhar would enter in his atom-bomb mode for going in an auto in this condition. Kalyani looked at her six and a half months along baby-bump and talked to her baby- “Tu na time par aa jaana... Warna tumhare baba pata nahi wahan bhi atom bomb ban jaayein... Hum nani ke ghar jaa rahe hain... Tu good baby banke rehna, okay?” she got responded by a sumersault in her womb, with an affirmation from her baby.
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“Kya hua aai?” Kalyani rushed inside despite Malhar’s admonishing tone to take it easy. She had rushed inside the house as soon as Sarthak Kaka opened the door. Though Kalyani had marked his dishevelled hair, and lines of worries, but she thought better to ask her mother, what the issue was.
Kalyani could make out from Anupriya’s face, that either she is not keeping well, or something was extremely wrong that Anupriya didn’t look her pink self. “Main tum sab ke liye pehle chai banake laati hoon, phir baat karte hain.” Anupriya wiped her pink nose with the end of her saree’s pallu, evidently, she was in tears about whatever has happened.
“Aai, rehne do... Chai zaroori nahi hai, tum mujhe ye bataao ki baat kya hai? Tum ro rahi thi? Tumhari tabiyat toh theek hai? Result bhi nahi aaya hai ke tum uske liye pareshaan ho... Baat kya hai?” Kalyani had held to Anupriya’s hand to make her sit back. Anupriya looked up at Sarthak, and immediately a tear escaped her eye.
“Main aap sab ke liye coffee leke aata hoon... Aap... Aap sab baatein keejiye...”Kaka made an exit, probably letting Anupriya speak her mind without his presence. Malhar followed suit, with Moksh in his arms. He thought it better to know from his kaka, and let the ladies have their own talk.
“Aai... Tum bataaogi bhi ke baat kya hai? Mujhe ghabrahat hone lag rahi hai tumhein iss tarah chup chap rote dekhke.” Kalyani pleaded.
“Kalyani...” a small sob escaped Anupriya’s mouth, but she gulped to make herself able to speak again... “Kalyani, meri pareeksha (exams) ke baad se hi tabiyat theek nahi thi... Maine Sarthak ji ko mana kar diya tha ki wo tumhein kuch na bataayein. Tum warna iss haalat mein daudi- bhaagi chali aaogi... Par mujhe kya pata tha, ki mujhe aakhir tumhein iss haalat mein isi tarah bhaag-daud ke bulaana padega. Sarthak ji meri roz ki hoti kharab tabiyat ke chalte mujhe zabardasti doctor ke paas leke chale gaye. Jaanch(test) hui thi... aaj results aaye... Aur unko sunkar toh mere paao taley zameen khisak gayi...” Anupriya was horror struck with the mere memory of her detour to the doctor.
“Kya kaha doctor ne aai?” Kalyani was getting pale with all the worse possibilities of the result. She thought blood was draining away from her body.
“Kalyani, main... main... main maa banne wali hoon...” Anupriya sobbed. But before Kalyani could even react, she added- “Iss umar mein... Jab main ek bachhe ki nani hoon, aur ek aur bachhe ki nani banne wali hoon... Iss umar mein?” Anupriya flooded her eyes out at the embarrassing thought of what people might say.
“Iss umar mein, matlab? Kya umar hai tumhari? 35 saal? Aaj-kal log iss umar mein shaadi karte hain Aai, toh zahir hai unke bachhe toh iss umar ke baad hi hote honge na... Tum kaise alag ho gayi?” Kalyani, could not even express her emotions on the feeling of her Aai and Kaka having a kid in prospect. Right now, she was struck by the taboo that her mother was unnecessarily creating.
“Kalyani, lekin, wo sab log saath mein nani nahi ban rahe hote hain... Kya sochenge log...” Anupriya wasn’t able to even comprehend the situation.
“Aai, tumhari shaadi bohot choti umar mein ho gayi thi... Meri shaadi bhi bohot kam age mein ho gayi, aur main maa bhi bohot jaldi ban rahi hoon, iski wajah se tum nani itni jaldi ban rahi ho... Par iska matlab ye thodi na hai ke tumne koi paap kar diya hai maa banke... Arre Aao Sahib bata rahi thi ke wo khud bhi maa banne wali thi jab wo baba ki shaadi tumse karwane wali thi... Wo Ganpati Bappa ki marzi nahi thi ke bachha iss duniya mein aaye, warna meri bhi ek aatya ya chacha hote jo meri age ke hote... Aur Aai, pehle toh ye sab normal tha... Aur aaj kisi ko padi nahi hai ek dusre ki... Tum kin logon ki fikar kar rahi ho? Unn ajnabiyon ki jinse humara koi rishta nahi hai? Aur uss bachhe ko andekha kar rahi ho, jo tumhara apna hai?” Kalyani asked incredulously.
“Yahi... Kalyani, yahi baat main Anupriya ko kab se samjhaane ki koshish kar raha hoon...” Kaka was holding pillu, while Malhar carried the tray of coffe for the four of them... Aparently, Kaka had apprised Malhar with the situation, and Malhar held soft eyes of concern... Like he wanted to explain her something.
“Aai...” Malhar came and sat near Anupriya’s feet on the bed, and held on to her hand and spoke- “Aapke saath kabhi bhi cheezein aasaan nahi thi... main jaanta hoon, aapne kitna sangharsh kiya hai saari zindagi... Par, usse aap aur mazboot hui hain... Aap sochiye, aapne toh isse bade-bade sangharsh kiye hain... Atul Mama jab aapko dhokha deke chale gaye they, aapne na toh suhagan ki zindagi jee, aur na hi vidhwa ki... 18 saal aapne uss daagh ke saath kaate, aapke they hi nahi... Aasaan they kya? Nahi they... Lekin aai, aapne khud ko mazboot bana liya tha... Kya kuch nahi dekha aapne zindagi mein; apni sautan ki beti ko apni jaan se zyada pyar kiya, uski zimmedari uthaayi, uske liye duniya se ladd gayi, kahan se aayi thi itni himmat aap mein?; Phir Kaka se aapki shaadi... Kalyani ki khushi ke liye hi sahi, lekin ki na... Samaaj ki unn oot-pataang ki soch se kahin zyada upar uthke aapne apni beti ke liye bade-bade kadam liye... Tab aapke kadam nahi dagmagaaye, toh phir apne dusre bachhe ke liye kyu nahi Aai?”
Anupriya was in tears by the time Mahar spoke... She understood his words, yet she knew the road to the finality is going to be very tough.
“Lekin uske liye toh mujhe padhai chodni padegi... Kaise mumkin hoga sab... Main toh college mein jaake unn chote-chote bachhon ke beech mein nahi baith sakti iss haalat mein... Baaki logon ka toh pata nahi, lekin wo bachhe toh jeena mushkil kar denge. Aur phir baad mein, kaise chodh ke jaaya karenge bachho ko... Nahi... Mujhse toh nahi ho paayega...” Anupriya was still hysterical.
“Aai... Phir toh mujhe bhi padhai chodh deni chahiye...” Kalyani tricked.
“Tum kyu chodogi... Main hoon na... Main sabka dhyaan rakh lungi... tum apni padhai aduri mat chodhna... Tumhein padhte-likhte dekhne ka mera sapna hai...”Anupriya was suddenly adamant.
“Aai, usi tarah, mera bhi sapna tumhari padhai-likhai ka hai. Main nahi chahti ke tum ghar pe baithke dubara wohi zindagi jeene lago, jisse maine tumhein jaise taise nikaala hai...” Kalyani was irritated.
“Par ye ab mumkin nahi...” Anupriya began...
“Ek minute- ek minute!” Sarthak Kaka raised his hands in the air to stop the volley of words between the mother and daughter duo... “Shayad aap dono bhool rahi hain ki aap akeli toh parent hongi nahi apne-apne bachho ki... Unn dono ke pitah(father) hain abhi bhi, aur aap dono jab college jaayengi aur padhai karengi, hum dono mil baat ke bachhon ko sambhaal lenge... Aap dono ko fikar karne ki koi zarurat nahi hai...” Kaka assured smilingly.
“Aap sambhaalenge? Main roti hui, aapse 2 ghante toh sambhaali nahi gayi, aadha din aap do rote hue bachhe kaise sambhaalenge?” Anupriya admonished.
“Ab tum mein, aur chote bachho mein fark hota hai na...” Kaka said cheekily. But then straightened seeing a glaring Anupriya... He pulled Malhar to himself and said- “Isko bhi maine hi paala hai... dekho kitna achha bachha hai...” Kaka smiled.
“Ghussail, chidu, atom bomb, Hitler... Aisa bachha hai aapka...” Kalyani informed... Malhar glared in return.
“Kalyani, jokes aside, main aur Malhar milkar sambhaal lenge sab kuch... Tum dono khushi-khushi next semester ki taiyyari karo... Aur ek dusre ki himmat bano... Tumhari delivery ke time pe Anupriya college se notes laayengi, aur Anupriya ki delivery pe tum. Padhai ka koi nuksaan nahi hona chahiye... Aur hum sab milke sab sambhaal lenge.” Kaka suggested.
Kalyani nodded, and got up to go, when Anupriya held her hand- “Kalyani, abse yahin reh jaao na... Tum meri nazro ke saamne rahogi toh mujhe achha lagega... Aur hum ek dusre ke saath reh bhi sakenge... Yahin se saath college jaaya karenge, door bhi nahi padega, aur bachho ke liye bhi aasaan rahega...”
Kalyani looked up to meet Malhar’s eyes... His decision also mattered the most to her... He shrugged his shoulder saying that she can opt for whatever she likes. She nodded, and agreed. “Aai... Hum yahan ruk jaayenge, lekin abhi humein wapas ghar jaana hoga... Aau sahib ko saari baat batani padegi, aur unse bhi toh permission leni hogi na... Tum toh jaanti ho, aaj kal wo mere liye waise hi kitni protective ho gayi hain... Unko bina bataye agar hum aisa karenge toh unhein bura lagega... I am sure wo mana nahi karengi, lekin hum kal aayenge... College ke baad seedhe yahan. Mujhe apna, Malharji aur Pillu ka saamaan bhi toh shift karna hoga... Kal milte hain Aai...
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SOME MONTHS LATER:
“Ye lo Aai... Tumhara beta...” Kalyani entered the hospital maternity ward with a tiny bundle in her arms... Anupriya had duly delivered a baby boy with not many complications... She was really thankful for it.
Aau Sahib though earlier astonished on the news of Anupriya’s pregnancy, and Aatya and Pallavi chachi’s rude comments following; had all come along by hook or crook. Kalyani wasn’t at once permitted to go and live with Anupriya, but eventually allowed on the condition of Aau Sahib visiting every alternate day. Kaka had hired house-helps for the two ladies to either take some rest or go to college and study, while the household works could be done, without the two tiring themselves off.
Kalyani went to college until her 9th month of pregnancy, but then going on and off to college in the car, sitting in the classes and above all, the fear of having labour anytime now, she finally sat back home, while Anupriya continued going to college to get the notes for both of them. Though Anupriya herself wasn’t feeling great due to her pregnancy, but had to hold on to the rocks, because Kalyani was in a worse condition than her-- Sitting back home, doing nothing but studying once in a while and looking after Pillu who could walk now, having constant back pains, the urges to go to washroom every few minutes, and above all, the fear of the upcoming delivery. She had a destiny of witnessing a labour birthing with Sampada, and the flashes of it scared her to the bones. Though Malhar supported her big time, to not worry; but she dismissed him every time stating that he’s the father, he didn’t know what a mother has to go through... Even the assurance by the doctors didn’t help her much, for the bridge is crossed once it comes.
The bridge arrived one day unexpectedly when to her own horror she realised that she had a huge leakage before she could visit the washroom. Suppressing her embarrassment and thanking that nobody was home, she cleaned herself, and changed her clothes, to realise, not later she had soiled her clothes yet again... Now this was fishy, she thought. She can’t be doing this all over again, in her fresh clothes... Getting inside a gown, and sitting on the toilet seat for Lord knows how long, having one leakage after the other, she realised that it's not the nature calling, but the baby inside declaring it’s exit from her body... She had started convulsing... Now the actual horror struck her... She was alone at home, and to her own stupidity, she had sent Aau Sahib to meet a client for her business, the only saving grace that Pillu was deep in sleep... “KALYANI... TU BHI NA BADI PAGAL HAI...” she yelled to herself, for her heart was beating faster than she thought. What if nobody can come to her rescue? Grabbing a towel to help herself, she grabbed her phone, and the first call went to Malhar, because she supposed he could be the first person who can rush to her in no time, subject to condition that he hasn’t gone too far for the duty. The ring couldn’t have gone more than twice, and the call was picked, not even a pleasantry was exchanged, and the man on the other side barked- “Are you okay Kalyani, main aaun tumhare liye?” Malhar probably kept on a very alert mode these days...
“Haan Malharji, mujhe dard ho raha hai... And... Mujhe lagta hai ki... Water broke...” Kalyani informed in whatever breathlessness she could say.
“Aau sahib ko phone do... Main unko samjhaata hoon ki mere aane tak kya karna hai...” Malhar instructed.
“Maine Aau sahib ko business ke kaam se baahar bhej diya tha... Main bilkul theek thi tab...” Kalyani dreaded, but spoke...
“TUMHARA DIMAAG TOH KHARAAB NAHI HO GAYA HAI KALYANI??? AAU SAHIB KO TUMHARE PAAS TUMHARA KHAYAAL RAKHNE KE LIYE RAKHA THA... BUSINESS KE KAAM KE LIYE NAHI!!!!!” Malhar was roaring in anger.
“Ek toh... mujhe itna dard ho raha hai... upar se aap mujhe daant rahe hain...” Kalyani started sobbing... Scared she was to the minutest corner of herself, and Malhar thought it the right time to scare her further.
“Ab tum rona mat shuru ho jaao Kalyani... Kalyani... Achha... sorry na... Mera matlab tumhein daantne ka nahi tha...” Malhar was pacifying Kalyani nonstop... Bluetooth earphones in his ear, he had shifted his jeep to the third gear... He had hopped his beast in no time, when Kalyani’s call had come, and now, he was dashing through the roads of Aurangabad, to reach his wife, in as short a span of time as possible. He continued being on call with her. Asking her to gather herself, telling her where her packed bag is... She waddled through the room, and found her things together. She padded herself well with a towel and changed into a loose pair of salwar-kurta, ready to be taken to the hospital.
God knows how Malhar and Aau Sahib reached home at the same time. Aau Sahib stayed back home with Moksh until Anupriya and Sarthak came from college, and then she would be joining Kalyani and Malhar at the hospital... Malhar looked a bit skeptical at Aau Sahib’s decision to stay back, and him joining Kalyani at the hospital, since he knew nothing about the birthing help...
“Hum keh rahe hain na Malhar, aaraam se le jaao usko... Abhi nahi hoga bachha... Abhi toh usko dard sirf aadhe-aadhe ghante mein ho rahe hain... Jab tak dard aadhe-aadhe minute mein nahi hone lagenge, tab tak kuch nahi hoga...” Aao Sahib explained...
Kalyani could see colour draining out of Malhar’s face... never the less he started the jeep, and rode the vehicle... He vaguely heard Aau Sahib shouting into oblivion, but he didn’t take notice, until a minute later, he looked at the passenger seat to ask Kalyani if she is okay... The seat was empty... He was horrified... “Where did Kalynai go?” he turned the vehicle back home, to see Aau Sahib still standing at the gate in pure anger...
“Aau sahib, aapne kalyani ko dekha?” Malhar asked confused.
“Haan... Baithi hui hai andar, intezaar kar rahi hai ki uske pati ko hosh aa jaaye ki bachhe ko janm Kalyani ko dena hai, uske pati ko nahi... Hospital jaaane ki zarurat Kalyani ko zyada hai...” Aau Sahib spoke sarcastically...
“Maaf keejiyega Aau Sahib... Lekin mujhe bohot ghabrahat ho rahi hai...” Malhar scratched his head...
“Humein pata tha, ki tum iss waqt kisi kaam ke nahi rahoge... Lekin hum Moksh ko leke Aspataal(Hospital) jaa nahi sakte hain, aur humein gaadi chalaana bhi nahi aati hai ki khud le jaate... Hum majboor hain jo tumhare haathon saupna padd raha hai humein apni poti ko...” Aau Sahib was angry.
“Aau Sahib, kaisi baatein kar rahi hain... Main bohot khayaal rakhta hoon Kalyani ka... Wo toh main Kalyani ki haalat sochke ghabra raha hoon... Par nahi... Main dhyaan rakhunga...” Malhar focussed.
“AAP DONO KI BEHES HO GAYI HO TOH KOI MUJHE HOSPITAL LEKE JAAYEGA? MUJHE DARD HO RAHA HAI!!!” Kalyani screamed from the inside.
This time Malhar made sure to pick her up in his arms and put her on the seat, and drove off carefully... She was okay for the rest of the journey, for, for the next half an hour she had no spasms. By the time she had another bout of contraction, they were in the hospital. Kalyani was asked to change into a hospital gown to make it easy for the medicos to check on her. She was medicated to clean her bowels and no food remaining in her stomach, by the time she is ready to be taken into the labour room.
By late evening, Kalyani was contracting every 15 minutes, and it still was a long way to go for her. Anupriya and Sarthak had come to visit her. But Anupriya wasn’t allowed to stay for long, because it wasn’t good for her since she was herself expecting.
The doctors bluntly told them that she has to get through the night, before she is going to be fully ready to deliver. Malhar allowed himself to be there with Kalyani during the night, for both Anupriya and Aau Sahib were not in a condition to stay back. Aau Sahib was too tired to stay all night after her business work and looking after Moksh all day. Malhar walked in and out of the room, trying to delegate his work from the hospital only.
Kalyani was really in tears, and as much as she wanted to stifle her screams of excruciating pain, she couldn’t help it. Malhar was feeling tortured because of her pain, but couldn’t help her much... Only once had he dared spoken, that she should try and endure the pain, and it will pass away; he would regret speaking that sentence for the rest of his life, because Kalyani reprimanded him so bad that he dares not speak any more. But as and when the duration between her two contractions was decreasing, that he realised that, it's actually not easy for anyone... Kalyani would burst out in sweat every time and longer the pain continued.
It was 10 minutes past 5 in the morning, did Kalyani look inconsolable. He went out to the nurse station for the umpteenth time asking the nurse to check on Kalyani, for she looked sick of crying out of pain. The people at the hospital knew Malhar... One, that he was a renowned ACP of the city, two, that he had the constant visits to this hospital with regards to criminals and victims. Even for his reputation in the hospital, the nurses were getting tired of this man... Because for him it might be the first time, but they being into this for years have witnesses hundreds of deliveries, and there was nothing unusual to them for a pregnant woman screaming and waiting for the time to deliver. Initially polite, but Malhar’s stature started changing with the nonchalant attitude of the nurses. Only a threat of being transferred to some unknown medical station, did they budge out of fear. Checking on Kalyani, did they realise that Malhar was not over exaggerating, Kalyani was really fully dilated, and needed to be taken to the Labour Room quickly. Paging the Obstetrician in charge, they readied the Operation Theatre...
When the doctor arrived, and ensured for herself about Kalyani’s dilation, did Malhar ask- “Is she going to deliver like this? I heard that you can use an injection to reduce the pain, and deliver the child.”
“Rane Sir, we have tried to ask for an epidural. But we will have to see that if that can be applied or not... Please stay back in the waiting area, or here, when we take her to the delivery room. We’ll give you a moment, and then we are all set.
The team of doctor and nurses left, and Kalyani who had tears of pain and a smile of providing him comfort, looked at him... Her pink lips were red with all those efforts to endure the pain. Malhar kept a strong check over his tears, as he went up to her and hugged her in the best position possible... Kissing her forehead, all he uttered were- “All the best... Bas theek rehna... Aur meri beti ko bhi sahi se le aana...”
“Beta hoga, dekhna...” Kalyani joked again, despite her pain... She had loved arguing him all these months that she is giving him a son again... And he adamantly told that it is going to be a girl...
“Dekh lenge... Agar main jeeta... Toh aaj ke baad se tum humesha mera kehna maanogi...” Malhar spoke half laughing.
Kalyani’s laugh already mocked his condition, and then the ward boys wheeled her bed to the delivery room.
Malhar took this time to rush home, have a bath, had a change of clothes and rushed back to the hospital. He had informed at home about the delivery, and was back waiting for Kalyani’s news. As soon as he reached, a miffed nurse waited for him...
“Sir, kahan chale gaye they aap... Baby ke kapde toh deke jaate na...” she said...
“Ho gayi baby?” Malhar’s eyes shone with ecstasy...
“Arre nahi sir... Itna jaldi nahi hota hai... Time lagega... Lekin baby ke liye prepared toh rehne ka hota hai na?” she informed.
Malhar rummaged through a small baby bag he had along with him, and pulled a pouch out of it... Unzipping the pouch, it had a set of a tiny pair of soft wooly yellow pants and front opening shirt, matching cap, booties and hand gloves. Malhar chuckled that the shirt was smaller than his own palm, he wondered how small the little one is going to be...
Malhar’s extended family had joined him when the nurse finally smiled and said- “Congratulations sir... Beti hui hai...”
Malhar couldn’t acknowledge much other than a huge smile plastering his face and slumping on the bench with the, I-KNEW-IT-ALREADY look... In a moment Kalyani was wheeled out of the room to be shifted back. Something yellowish was peeping amidst Kalyani’s arm. The tiniest thing he had ever seen was moving along with the mother, snuggling into the warmth that she was providing.
Kalyani honestly looked tired, but the nurses asked her to stay awake to learn how to feed the infant. Aau Sahib and Anupriya accompanied inside... The baby wasn’t given in anybody’s arms yet, because the first breast-milk had to be given within half an hour of birth, and it was getting late already. Even outside the room, the baby’s crying could be heard, and the men were getting totally agitated that why aren’t the women inside pacifying the child already...
After some 5-10 minutes when a sweaty Aau Sahib came out of the room, did she answer the query written on Malhar’s face- “Rula nahi rahe they tumhari beti ko... Doodh peena sikha rahe they... Isliye ro rahi thi...”
“Ye bhi koi sikhaane ki cheez hai?” Malhar blurted.
“Malhar, har bachha alag hota hai... Moksh bohot bhukha hua karta tha, jab tak uske mooh mein bottle lagaayi jaati thi... isliye shayad wo jaldi se pee leta tha... Lekin iss bachhi ke saath toh aisa nahi hai na... Uski maa toh usko turant mil gayi, isliye itna nakhre dikha rahi hai...” Aau Sahib laughed.
Malhar smiled at the joke, but deep down, he felt bad for Moksh... Had it not been for Kalyani, God alone knows how he would have been taken care of... His riverie was broken, with Anupriya calling him inside...
“Malhar, Kalyani ke alava tumhari gudiya ko kisi ne abhi tak Godh mein nahi liya hai... Kalyani kehti hai ki sabse pehle uske baba lenge godh mein...” Anupriya informed.
“Haan Aai, Kalyani mujhse shart jo haar gayi hai... Maine pehle hi kaha tha ki beti hogi iss baar... Ab wo saari zindagi mera kehna maanegi...” everyone laughed at that... He carefully took this miniscule of a baby in his arms... True, she was just a bit bigger than his palm.
Malhar’s tears were threatening to fall from his eyes, seeing the symbol of his love with Kalyani... He wanted to speak something, but couldn’t... His tears actually fell off when he looked at Kalyani... She wasn’t looking at the father-daughter duo, but, had taken Moksh in her lap, and had snuggled him to her chest, rocking him into sleep, her head also resting against the pillows... She actually slept like she always liked to be... With her Pillu...
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“Aai, iska naam Pintu rakhenge...” Kalyani suggested her mother, when she handed over Anupriya’s son after her delivery.
“Kalyani tum kab tak aise bakwaas naam sujhaaogi...” Malhar reprimanded. He had come to see Aai, leaving his children back with Aau Sahib... Such small babies were not supposed to be brought to the hospital; especially “Kiyara” who was about to be 6 months old now...
“Malharji... Aapne Kiyara ko bhi Minty naam nahi rakhne diya... Ab iska naam bhi Pintu nahi rakhne de rahe...” Kalyani pouted.
“Kalyani, bachhe ka naam uske maata-pita rakhte hain... Aai aur Kaka ko decide karne do...” Malhar admonished.
Kalyani smiled and asked the couple, as to what name they want to keep for their baby boy.
“Kalyani, kya hua agar tumhara diya hua ek naam hum nahi rakh paayein... Tumhara diya hua dusra naam hum zaroor rakhenge...” kaka smiled.
“Matlab?” Kalyani was clueless.
“Siddharth kaisa rahega?” Anupriya asked.
Kalyani looked speechless... She had wanted to name Pillu as Siddharth, but then Malhar had named him Moksh, and she had no option but to agree with him.
Kalyani hugged her mother. It was a beautiful start for them... Long, tiring, sleepless... With three kids at home, one cannot expect much, and ask more... Life was blissful... The journey that started with the absence of one child, and the plan to bring the second and the unexpected entrance of the third, life had been a roller coaster ride... With the unsurety of love, to the final proof of it, all of them have evolved much more than they have ever thought...
----------------------THANKS FOR THE READ--------------------------
With a heavy heart, this story comes to an end, thank you for all the love and patience that you all have shown me... I am forever obliged. I love you all for being there for me always... Many regards!
Aazeen
PS: I don't know how it has come out, I just randomly wrote whatever came in my mind... I hope I was not technically wrong somewhere or went overboard. Forgive me for all the misgivings... Cheers!
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