PART 183
The harrowing silence of the hospital corridors, coupled with the silence that ran between them caused all of their minds to run in wild directions.
It had been over two hours since Urmila was taken, and there was no sign of news yet, only the occasional view of a nurse or doctor hurrying about the glass chambers.
"Bhaiyya, should I go in?"
"Just a little while longer, Laksh." Ram placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Ram sat down, his mind worry over Urmila on one side and flooded with thoughts of Siya and their children on the other.
If this is what Mila felt, being around her people and having the best of care, how had Siya handled everything on her own, with her husband or family not even being able to hold her hand when she needed it the most?
He calmed his erratic heart, reminding himself to continue his search for a way to contact Siya while he reached home while focusing on the tense situation at hand.
The sounds from inside got a little louder as the surgeons began calling to each other, and Urmilas voice rose too.
"Bhaiyya, she needs me, I have to go," Lakshman said as he stood up.
"Laksh wait, they're in the middle of surgery... "
"I don't care Bhaiyya!" His voice was on the verge of cracking. "I'm going in."
He pranced ahead, when suddenly all the noise fell quiet.
Lakshman stopped in his tracks, his heart out of its senses.
"What.. what happened inside?"
Ram stood quietly, too unwilling to admit, that may be, what he was thinking could also be true.
They stood for what seemed like an eternity, as they noticed a senior surgeon stepping out.
"It was a tough one. But congratulations Mr. Suryavanshi, your wife and daughter are out of danger."
The earth beneath his feet was the only thing he felt, as he slowly felt Ram's hand patting him softly, the warmth of the tears on his cheeks rolling down with peace.
"Can he go inside ?" Ram asked.
"Yes, but please do ask the nurse to sterilize you before you touch the baby or mother."
"I wish you all the best." The surgeon walked away leaving the family to their privacy.
"Go inside!" Ram said.
"I. I'm scared, Bhaiyya?"
Ram furrowed his brows, seeing the concern on Lakshman's face.
"But why?"
"What if... What if I'm not a good father to her Bhaiyya? I've already Mila through enough pain, and I can't bear for our daughter to see it."
"Why will she?" Ram calmed him. "She has the most loving, caring, and concerned father any girl can have. Every moment she will be loved and protected by you. You have to make her strong Lakshman, to fight as her father does, and if you break down, what will she learn from you?"
Lakshman found himself hugging Ram tightly, his words having touched his heart, despite knowing how much pain Ram was in himself, not being able to care for his own daughter like he wished to.
"Now go," Ram added. "Mila must be waiting for you."
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Lakshman took quiet, small steps, so as to not disturb Mila from her medicated slumber. The sweat on her forehead and stains of blood around her legs were scars of the battle she had fought.
He placed a soft kiss on her forehead, and sat next to her.
"I was so scared, Mila. I felt like the worst person on earth not being able to hold your hand or reach out to you when you needed me. Even with your medicines, I know you felt a lot of pain. I cant compare but I can understand how difficult it must be."
"But then, youre my warrior. You fight through everything better than I do. But I felt scared when I thought of your words.. I dont know why but for a fraction of a second, they felt they could come true. And I lost my senses Mila. If the surgeon wouldnt have come out, I wouldve broken all this glass and come to you Mila."
"I love you Mila. Even more than ever before now."
He sat in silence, taking in the sound of her breathing, when she began to stir up.
"Laksh.." She managed a small voice.
"Yes Mila! Im right here.. are you alright? Should I call the doctor ?"
He got up but Mila curled her finger around his, making him stop.
"Im fine. I need you."
After all those months of hardship, the silent storms that had been raging in their minds, her words sounded like the waves of a river finally coming to its shore after a long drought.
"Im right here, Mila. Always and forever."
Hearing his words, tears began to spill from her eyes as Lakshman touched his head to her hands.
"When I was in pain, I could only hear Dis voice, and see your face, Lakshman. I could hear her that it was all going to be fine, and I could see you right by my side, holding my hand and running your fingers through my hair."
"Ive been angry, Laksh. For all that happened. But never for a moment did my love for you lessen, even a little. I could only get through his because you were by my side. I dont know what I would do without you."
"And I dont know what I would do without you Mila."
The two sat in silence reliving all the moments together they had, the love in their hearts ready to take on a new life with each other.
Their quiet was suddenly interrupted by the soft sounds of a wailing child; their child.
Lakshman smiled to her as he moved away towards the girl, taking her in his arms carefully.
He looked down at her soft face, light brown hair and face that carried the strong genes of her mother and aunt.
"Shes beautiful," he said.
He began to rock her slowly in his arms, as she too felt his comforting presence and fell asleep again.
"Looks like shes already a daddy's girl."
Lakshman kissed her little fingers.
"Her dad will be happy to have two girls rule over his heart."
He brought her down and placed her on Urmila chest as he continued to sleep.
--
"So, her name?" Mila asked.
"Oh."
It occurred to him, that in his list of names, they had not shortlisted on one.
"How funny of us to not have short listed a name yet," Mila laughed.
"I.. I have a name in mind. In fact its one that I had discussed with Bhabi once."
"What, you told Di and didnt tell me?" She said in fake anger.
"No, no its not like that. We were talking randomly one day and, I told her I really liked the name Somada."
"Somada.. what does it mean?"
"Someone who shines like the moon. I really liked the name when I first heard it."
"Then I like it too."
They shared a smile, as the little Somada seemed to tag along.
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P.S. What, I cant believe my regular self but Im happy to welcome Somada <3
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