Loved all your comments and thank you all for reading it.
Part 19 Games and History
The wedding was nice cosy. It only had close family of the bride and the groom as guests. The Villa had plenty of open space. And the hillocks in the background carried history that was thousands of years old. They were tucked in a niche nicely away from city. The actual wedding happened under a simple canopy with a small havan and a great deal of cheer and dancing. Asad had his arm around Zoya who was enchanted, leaning on him with her feet propped up on a small stool, as they sat on a bench watching all the revelry unfold. There where smiles all over and screams when the bride and the groom wanted to head back. Dilshaad, Dr,Chaaya, the bride's parents and the groom's dad, Arif, Harish Najma and Ipshita were all dancing with the other guests. Slowly the crowd was getting thinner and groups clustered based on vintage. Harish was rolling on the ground with Ipshita punching him for something that he had said while Arif and Najma were looking on taking sides to help Ipshita and Harish. After a quick huddle they trooped to Asad and Zoya pulled up chairs and wanted to include them for the rest of the evening.
Through all this Harish would disappear every now and he kept checking his emails. He made it a point to hold Asad and Zoya's gaze and smile suggesting everything was going well at Bhopal. Zoya was tired but was too excited to go to her room to rest. Ipshita and Najma organized camp fire games without the camp fire. which Asad and Zoya appreciated. Asad was the star for the next 30 minutes singing and playing the guitar after really long he recollected. The seniors also chimed in with requests while Dr, Chaaya had organised for a lounge chair for Zoya to use if she felt like. Asad stole a glance at Harish rasping into the phone at the other end while he continued singing. Harish joined the crowd with a smile and Asad let it pass.
Asad got a huge ovation from his audience and the seniors moved back to their zone once the questions started. At the end of the Q & A everyone knew the rest a lot better - Asad shocked people and particularly Zoya with his bold unconventional answers while and "chilled" behaviour that included warms hugs to everyone around and special one to Zoya and lines into her ear that made her red. Harish was slowly uncoiling and Arif beneath the ponytail and tatoo was a splitting soul cousin for Asad when it came to the ladies in his life - his mom, mentor , Ipshita and now his mysterious special girl who was yet to be disclosed - A fiercely protective and worrisome being.
Harish was laughing when surprise took over his face. He was up in a flash and walked up when he saw Shabnam trying to creep in. She held Harish's hand and whispered, the 2 quietly slipped away into to shadows with Harish gesturing to Asad to be quiet about this. Shabnam joined the ladies, they were in a huddle and Asad had a feeling something really important was cooking there.
There was more laughter with the games group, nods hugs and stillness with the seniors. The games continued while Zoya dozed in the lounge chair holding Asad. The cheer and the revelry was rudely interrupted when the night sky was lit up with burnt orange flames. There was silence as everyone was trying to find out what was going on. The elders ran indoors, Harish and his officers and staff ran towards the source of the fire the not so far off - it was the canopy- they were trying to douse it.
Asad was getting ready to carry the sleeping Zoya when she screamed and shook his arm away in fear. She cried out loud for her Ammi, she could see nothing but the flames. She had to run she told herself, her Ammi was not responding to her and she was up in a flash and she tripped and fell to the ground. Zoya screamed Arif and Asad. They carried a screaming and kicking Zoya indoors. Arif asked Asad to set her on the dining table. Screamed at Najma and Ipshita to get Dr, Chaaya and his bag from his room. Zoya did not remember she was pregnant or that her water broke because of the impact of the fall. Asad's heart froze as he saw Zoya like that. Images of the lady in the lift came to him and even his yells were frozen. Arif touched his shoulder and told him ' Asad you have be here ,,,you have to help" he said. Asad hoped he could do the right thing.
Dr, Chaaya came in soon, as did the teary Dilshaad. The girls were packed off with disinfectant wipes with an order to tidy up a room. Dilshaad and Shabnam were sent by Dr. Chaaya to the kitchen in the villa to heat up and seterlize cotton and other supplies she handed the ladies. Najma played nurse to Arif and Chaaya helping them scrub and put on their robes. Asad got one as well. They did not have the time to get to the hospital!
Asad held the screaming Zoya down. Followed instructions. Jolted her out of her past, brought to the moment. He pleaded calmly for her to be strong and insisted that their baby was safe as long as Zoya was with him. "Don't think of anything except this" he said as he touched stomach. He was sick with pain when he saw a pool of blood near his bare feet. Thankfully he felt Arif's hand on his shoulder and they shifted Zoya to the newly disinfected labour room. Dr, Chaaya walked in smiling told Zoya that " women have been delivering for centuries outside of a hospital. Your baby will be strong and like Bhimbetta , you baby will be there forever Zoya." she said. Zoya was in pain...but calm. She was prepared for labour.Dr, Chaaya was putting her through her breathing exercises. Zoya now asked for Asad who reached her side trying to remain strong.
She was proceeding well with Dr.Chaaya monitoring the fetal heart beat which was safe. Arif took out the epidural from his case - the surprised Dr.Chaaya refused to use it. " I decided not to travel without one after the day at the mall he explained. Chaaya told him that it was not right for Zoya because sometimes it could make a c section necessary which was not ok here. Arif agreed looked at Zoya and told she could scream all she want, Asad would be there to hold her as long as she "pushed" when she was asked to."
Asad nodded grimly tried very hard to hold to the belief that very soon they would welcome "junior Khan" into the world. They were going to decide on the name for a boy and girl after Monday. "Asad" Zoya smiled through her pain and tears " the baby is fine" I can feel it. " I'm sure" said Asad as he kissed her forehead. Her labour continued moving up in stages as did the volume of her screams. Dr. Chaaya went under Zoya's sheet came up and declared may be another 40 minutes and the baby will be out. " WHAT" screamed Zoya and Asad in unison. "OK...may be slightly earlier" she said. Arif asked Zoya if she would like to walk between contractions. " No " she said holding Asad's fingers hard. Arif walked next to her nodded to Asad and held her hand. The contractions were now more frequent and Zoya toiled hard to push.
" Breathe Zoya and be calm" said Arif. " OH SHUTUP!! " hollered Zoya. "I'm sure all these baby books are written by men who have never had a baby. How can this be the happiest time of your life. Something the size of a small watermelon has to come through something the size of large grape. Just who the hell are you kidding." she screamed at Arif! " And you Asad don't you dare come near me without protection...you men have all the fun! next time you want a baby you deliver it!" Asad looked at his wife in awe. Kissed her soundly through his tears " my wife is back to normal" he declared. "True true" smiled Dr,Chaaya to Zoya's statement. Blood pressure and flow normal Arif ticked that in his brain.
There was more screaming and then a tiny wail that brought tears and silence to the room. A perfectly healthy baby girl was wiggling in Asad's arms as he walked to Zoya. Zoya kissed the baby's feet ...looked at him with tears and said 'she is perfect"! " Just like her mom" declared Asad as he took turns kissing mom and daughter, MY DAUGHTER" Asad felt his chest puff up in pride. The cleaned up baby was then passed on to the waiting Dilshaad who was shrieking with unbirdled joy. Arif asked Asad to help clean up Zoya...while he took over from a tired Dr.Chaaya. Asad was not much help though. The blood and the placenta made him fall to the ground like a leaf from a falling tree. The great Asad Ahmed Khan could take it no more and he fainted. The fallen Asad would come around said Dr. Chaaya as she walked past him and it was left Harish to take care of him after Zoya was all done. Ipshita played nurse to Arif. While the 3 grandmothers were feigning over the new born. Najma was holding Zoya's hand and wiping her brow when Arif was sewing her up.
Book Talk
Anupamaa
