Part 10
Kabir got up with a start. He was sweating profusely and his mouth had tried up.
Kabir: That had to be a nightmare. Nothing can happen to Ananya or my baby.
Kabir looked at the time. It was 3 am. It was very late but he had to call her. Hear her voice. Make sure she was ok.
Kabir: Hello!
A drowsy voice responded
"Hello Kabir! Everything OK?"
Kabir: Ananya, you are fine right? Nothing's wrong..
His voice was quivering and immediately Ananya became alert.
Ananya: Kabir I am perfectly fine. Did you see a bad dream?
Kabir: Yes.. Umm. I am sorry I disturbed you. I was just so worried.
Ananya: Kabir how can anything bad happen as long as you are around.
Kabir: Go to sleep Ananya. Good night love. I'll come see you tomorrow morning.
Ananya got up feeling a slight pain in her stomach. But she smiled widely as she saw Kabir walk in. She didn't want to worry him unnecessarily.
Ananya: Good morning Mr. Sharma!
Kabir: Good morning Ms. Kashyap. Sorry for bothering you last night. Ma has been telling me that you haven't had anything to eat all morning.
Ananya: Kabir... I am just not hungry.
Kabir finished cutting a plate of fruits.
Kabir: Well I am sure you'll enjoy eating these fruits.
Kabir insisted on feeding her with his own hands. Ananya tried eating but her pain kept getting worse. She suddenly felt a sharp jab of pain and couldn't help yelling.
Kabir: What's wrong Ananya?!
Ananya: Kabir I have been feeling a slight pain all morning It got really bad.
OUCHHH!
Kabir, please do something. It's really bad.
With the help of her mother he took her to the hospital.
Dr: Kabir, let me examine her. Don't worry!
The doctor came out after 15 minutes with a worried expression on her face.
Dr: I have given her an injection to reduce her pain. But Kabir I am sorry. The umbilical chord has gotten wrapped around the baby's neck and it's in a lot of distress. I need to perform an emergency C-section..
Kabir: Dr, but how did this happen? Was it all the excitement from my proposal. I would never have done it if i.
Dr: No Kabir. It's no one's fault. But I am afraid the situation is very critical. Right now both your baby and Ananya's life is at risk...
Kabir: Dr, do whatever you have to. Please save them... PLEASE!
Kabir signed the papers and went to meet Ananya. He tried keeping a smile on his face.
Ananya: Kabir, what is all this talk of a c-Section? We had decided on a normal delivery right?
Kabir: But our darling baby is in a hurry. And the C-SECtion is the best option..
Ananya: But Kabir. Everything will be fine, right?
Kabir: Of course. I promise.
He kissed her softly on her forehead. She was wheeled away for the surgery.
Kabir sat outside the OT, fear and nervousness marring his face. He tried remaining strong for Ananya's mother. But a cold fear gripped his heart.
In some time Ronnie and Richa came over.
An hour later the doctor came out of the OT.
The doctor came and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Dr: I am sorry Kabir. We couldn;t save the baby...
She continued explaining what had happened but the words were a blur for Kabir. He felt the strength oozing out of his body and the next moment he felt his legs give away. Ronnie supported him and helped him sit down. He could see Ananya's mother and Richa crying. He remembered all the moments from the time Ananya had first tild him about her pregnancy.
And he couldn't take it any more. He put his face in his hands and began crying silent tears.
Dr: One of you needs to break the news to Ananya. Please be string for her. She is physically very weak and her heart has already taken a lot of strain. If we don;t handle this properly we might lose her as well...
kabir looked up with an urgency in his eyes.
Kabir: No.. No... I can;t lose her. I wont let that happen...
He wiped away his tears.
Kabir: Doctor, was it a boy or girl?
Dr: A girl. I am very sorry for your loss..
Kabir made his way to Ananya's recovery room.
Ananya: Kabir where is our daughter? Why aren't you saying something?
Kabir walked up to Ananya and held her shoulder. Ananya could sense that something was wrong.
Ananya: You are scaring me.
Kabir: Ananya we had a daughter. But.. but she was.. stillborn.
Ananya slapped Kabir.
Ananya: Don't be silly! Take me to my baby...
She continued hitting Kabir
Ananya: I hate you Kabir! I hate you.. You promised that everything would be fine.. Why,,,
Kabit maintained his grasp around her. Calming her. Letting her cry away her pain. He held her in his arms for a long time till she had quietened.
Ananya: I want to see her.
Kabir; Ananya, are you sure? It'll only hurt you more.
Ananya: I want to see her.
Kabir went to get the baby.
He held her in his arms, kissing every inch of her face. He carried her to Ananya and placed her in Ananya's arms.
Ananya caressed the baby's face
Ananya: She has your face, But I am sure she has my spirit. She is just being stubborn. She'll open her eyes soon.
Kabir: I wish with all my heart that that was true. But it isnt.
The nurse came to take the baby away. Ananya was inconsolable.
Ananya: They cant take her away. Stop them Kabir...
Kabir calmed her down. Her eyes which had always been twinkling and full of mischief had an empty look.
Her heartbeat started sinking. Kabir rushed to call the doctor. The doctor asked Kabir to leave the room.
Dr: Kabir she is stable now. But it's been a huge shock for her. She'll need all your support recover and start afresh.
A few hours later Ananya gained consciousness. The first thing she said killed Kabir all over again
Ananya: Kabir, why couldn't I have died as well?
Kabir; Ananya, how can you say...
Ananya: Kabir, please go away. Seeing you reminds me of everything that was, everything that could have been.
Kabir went outside and broke down.
Physically Ananya recovered over the next few months. But emtionally she shut herself up. The brunt of her shutdown fell on Kabir. She refused to see him. No amount of coaxing could get her to change her mind. Kabir was heartbroken but he didn't lose hope. Every day he'd visit Ananya's house on his way to and back from work.
AM: Ananya you are being completely unfair to Kabir. He also lost his child. How does cutting him off help?
Ananya: Seeing him brings back all those memories. Memories that I want to erase from my life.
Three months later
AM: Kabir I am really sorry. I can't imagine what you are going through. Anyone else in your place would have given up..
Kabir: Ma she is my life. I can never give up on her. She'll come back.
AM: Beta I wanted to talk to you about something. The wedding date.. was set for 3 weeks from now.
Kabir: Ma, I think we'll need to postpone it.
Ananya came out of her room. Her face was pale and her eyes had lost their shine. She laughed a cynical laugh.
Ananya: Finally the mask is off and Kabir Sharma says what's in his heart.
AM: ANANYA!
Kabir: Ma, let her speak
Ananya: Postpone is a euphemism for cancel isn't it? You wanted to marry me because i was carrying your daughter, isn't it? With the daughter gone, why would you want me in your life?!
Cricket
