She thought pregnancy would be one easy to manage task. Ohh boy was she wrong! Madhu places her hand on her swollen stomach and grimaces in discomfort.
Damn! RK better not come even 10 feet near me after the birth!
Uncomfortable and irritable she waits impatiently by the staircase for RK to help her up the stairs. It irks her to no end that she has been forbidden from doing any tasks, even the mundane, like taking the steps. She is tired of being treated like a fragile, porcelain doll!
RK is finishing his discussion with Bittuji on the latest script when Madhu screams and bends over in pain. He runs to her and almost slips on the recently washed, still wet floor. Madhu's water broke.
RK (frantically): Madhu ... Madhu... are you ok?
Madhu (snaps): What do you think? I am just standing here and pretending to be in pain? I am in LABOR! Get me to the damn hospital NOW!
RK tells Bittuji to inform Radhaji that Madhu is in labor and they are going to the hospital.
Due to some political event, many of the roads maybe congested. They start debating the best route to take to the hospital. Deep in discussion, they fail to notice a furious Madhu.
I am pregnant about to have the damned baby and they want to stand around and debate?!?
She grabs the overnight hospital bag that has been prepared for weeks in advance and kept inside a closet in the family room. Grabbing RK's keys, she waddles out of the house.
By the time they finish the discussion, the kids would be born and already walking! I am NOT giving birth without a doctor.
Madhu holds on to the side of the car and doubles over in pain. Once the contraction subsides, she throws the bag in the trunk. Sending up a quick prayer, she hobbles up into the driver's seat and starts the engine. Due to the eerie silence, RK and Bittuji look around and realize that Madhu is no longer with them. They run outside just as she drives away.
RK (furious): What the hell? Bittuji... (Hands on his hair) she just drove away? What the hell! Damn it! She's in labor and she is DRIVING?!?
Bittuji (gets keys for the car): Chief calm down. Have faith that bhabiji will make it safely to the hospital. (Mutters to himself) I hope she knows the way. (To RK) Come on Chief. Let's go to the hospital now.
RK (snatches keys from Bittuji and runs to his car): Have you ever seen her drive? Damn! I don't think she even has a license. This is a disaster waiting to happen!
Bittuji: Chief calm down. We were taking too much time in discussing routes. She's in labor and not in her right mind. Just stay calm and have faith. Everything will be fine.
They jump in the car and RK hits the accelerator and speeds out of the driveway. He takes the shortest route to the hospital. He silently prays for the first time to keep his crazy, jungli billi of a biwi safe.
They arrive at the entrance of the hospital to see Madhu beside the car, doubled over in pain. RK runs up to her, sending up a silent prayer of thank you that she arrived safely.
Madhu (sarcastic): So you finally remembered me? I thought at the rate you were having the damn discussion I would have already given birth and the kids would be all grown!
RK bites his tongue to keep his temper in check. Like a mantra, he keeps repeating that she is in labor and so not in her right mind. He ushers her into the hospital and gets her checked in. The nurses get Madhu ready for delivery as the attending doctor comes in to check on her. RK is standing beside Madhu, holding her hands during each contraction. At the rate that she is squeezing his hand, it will be bruised and sore for weeks! A few hours go by and Madhu is finally fully dilated for the final push.
The doctor encourages her to keep pushing as she heaves and shouts all sorts of profanity at her dearest patidev. Poor RK. His face is white as snow watching his beloved biwi struggle and scream in pain.
We are not going through this again!
She lets out another blood-curling scream as the doctor exclaims that he has the head of one of the babies. One of the babies? It was too much for RK. He blacks out. Madhu heaps more curses at his head for fainting at such an inopportune time. Two male nurses carry him out of the room.
After the long labor, she gave birth to three beautiful babies, 2 boys and a girl. Cleaned and wrapped in soft, white, organic, cotton blankets, the babies are placed in Madhu's outstretched arms. Tears of joy stream down her face as she looks down at her little miracles. After she spends a good while with her bundles of joy, the nurses take the babies and place them in the bassinets, set up next to her bedside.
One of the administrator of the hospital approaches Madhu to inquire what she will be naming the babies. However, Madhu is in a different world, unmindful of the individual asking her questions. She scrunches up her face in excitement as she continues to stare at her bundles of joy. Madhu (in a trance, gushes): My sweetie pie, cutie pie, and raspberry pie!
The administrator shakes her head and walks away. Thinking Madhu is one strange woman.
Within an hour, RK rushes through the door with Radhaji and Bittuji in tow. They surround the babies, cooing at just how precious they are.
RK lays eyes on his beautiful babies and it is love at first sight. With shaking hands, he gently picks up each and cradles in his arms. He is going to love them all equally but his baby girl is already his favorite.
The administrator comes back to get Madhu's signature on the birth certificates for the babies.
RK (surprised): We haven't picked names yet for the babies.
Admin: Mrs. Kundra did when I asked her for names.
RK looks at Madhu inquiringly. No way would she name their kids without consulting him.
Madhu (confused): But I didn't give you any names.
Admin: Sure you did. When I asked you for names you gave to me. For your first son you said Sweetie Pie. Your second son is Cutie Pie and you named your daughter Raspberry Pie.
Looking at RK's furious visage, Madhu bites her fingernails. She's in big trouble now!
Bappa please show me the escape route!
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Hi all. Hope you enjoyed the story. Goal is to make you all laugh and if you did...then Cha-Ching! Success! 😃 Please comment and if you enjoyed the story please hit the like button as well. Thank you! Ta-Tah!
Anupamaa
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