Chapter Ten

K-Shandra

@K-Shandra

Everything moved in slow motion. His sole focus was on getting Prerna to the hospital and to see to her needs. There was no time,space or thought for anything else. On their arrival at the hospital, Anurag assisted Prerna into the wheelchair the orderly produced and accompanied her inside.The matron took one look at Prerna and pointed the orderly to the delivery ward, at the same time capturing Anurag by the arm.

Anurag urgently said, “I need to go with her.”

“|I’ve seen enough concerned fathers and births to be able to tell you you’re not going to miss anything right now.” 

The matron’s words had him look at her in confusion.

“Well you are the father aren’t you?” The matron sternly demanded.

“Yes.”

She handed him a clipboard, “You have paperwork to complete, the nurses will see to your wife in the meantime.”

Anurag looked at the set of forms and hesitantly took the pen form the matron.

“Where are you form?” the matron asked.

“Kolkata” Anurag answered.

“You should have stayed home with your wife this far along.” The matron said.

“We didn’t know.”

“Her prenatal caregiver would have alerted her the moment the baby dropped that she was less than two weeks away.”

Anurag had no idea how to answer the woman, for Prerna had not mentioned anything to him… but then she had no reason to confide such matters to him either. Instead he focused on the form and started filling in the details. It was not as difficult as he thought it would be, as long as he did not try to force any answers.

Once done, he handed the clipboard to the administrative officer and asked, “Where did they take my wife?”

The woman looked at him and then at the form, she made to say something however Anurag cut her short, “If there is anything missing you can find me with Prerna.”

“They would have taken her to one of the examination rooms.”

“Where’s that?” Anurag demanded.

“Down that passage, turn left, the signs overhead will tell you where to go.”

“Thank you.”

Anurag followed the woman’s instructions and entered the examination section, anxiously calling out, “Prerna!”

A nurse appeared and asked, “Your wife is the lady in labour?”

Anurag nodded.

“She’s this way. They took her to attach the baby heart monitor.”

His heart leapt into his throat at just the thought that something could be wrong. “What for?” Anurag anxiously demanded. 

“They just want to ensure that the baby is not in distress.”

“And if it is?” Anurag quickly demanded,

“They will move her to the operating theatre for a caesarean.”

Anurag followed the nurse into one of the private rooms. “Prerna!” He called on entering and rushed to her side.

Anxiously she replied, “Anurag.” The apprehension in her tone troubled him. 

“What’s wrong? Is everything okay?” He instinctively asked, checking her over as if expecting something obvious had gone wrong.

Distraught she said, “Anurag, I have nothing here for the baby. Everything’s at home.”

Anurag instantly relaxed and reached for her face,pushing her hair out of the way as he said, “Don’t worry about that Prerna,I’ll get whatever the baby needs. I’m certain the hospital could provide me with a list.” Anurag looked towards once of the nurses, who eagerly nodded in response.

Just then the thumping sound drew his attention, “Is that the baby’s heartbeat?” he asked, looking towards the machine.

Prerna started to nod but then gasped and pinched her eyes shut, moaning slightly.

“What’s the matter?” he quickly demanded, looking towards the nurse.

“The contractions are closer now.” The nurse calmly answered.

“So everything is still okay?”

“Yes, but there’s still a long way to go.”

Anurag watched as another contraction took hold and gripped Prerna’s hand, unknowing what else to do. Her grip loosened the moment the contraction passed, causing him to turn to the nurse and ask, “Can’t you give her something for the pain.”

“If the doctors give her painkillers too soon, it can stop the contractions. So we have to wait until she is fully dilated.”

For two hours Anurag sat with Prerna, holding her hand, rubbing her back and feeding her ice chips, while at the same time feeling utterly helpless. He had no idea who was more thankful when the doctors declared that she could finally receive painkillers. He exited the examination area, the doctors having dismissed him while they prepare Prerna for the shift to the delivery room. He walked down the passage, his skin feeling a size too small as he ran his hands over his face. He pinched his lips allowing his hands to curl into fists.

Away form, her he could finally relent to the helplessness he felt. He pushed his back against the wall and swallowed several times before pushing his head back against the wall and pinching eyes. He knew he had to remain strong but he hated to see her in so much pain.

“Sir?” A hesitant voice called his attention.

Anurag looked up to see one of the nurses holding a cup out to him. Hesitantly he took it, checking to only find water. He took a sip and then asked, “How much longer will this take?”

“It goes pretty quickly form this point on.”

Shocked, Anurag looked towards the room and was about to move off when the nurse said, “Not that quick. They will bring her out soon.”

A few minutes later a group of people escorted a walking Prerna form the room.

“Are they crazy?!” Anurag exclaimed rushing to her side. “Prerna!” He then looked towards the nurse who encouraged her on and demanded, “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Your wife is already tired, this might speed up things.”

Anurag moved with them as they slowly worked their way along the passage. The matron showed them into a larger, warmer room lined with equipment.

“Why is it so hot in here?” Anurag asked, looking around.

“It has to be, the baby is coming out of a warm environment.”

Anurag helped Prerna settle on the bed and watched as the nurse prepared things.

The matron gestured to him and said, “You need to go put on a cover.”

Anurag looked at her in confusion, asking, “Cover?”

The sister pointed to her coveralls, “If you are going to be present for the birth.”

Anurag looked at the woman as if she had gone mad,there was no way he would miss out on the birth of his child, “Where?” he demanded.

“Through that door, they will help you.”

Anurag returned and again took hold of Prerna’s hand and squeezed it. She was visibly tired. He bent over and pressed his forehead against hers and whispered, “I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere.”

He felt her grip on his hand tighten, momentarily,before the matron introduced the midwife. The woman may as well had been speaking gibberish for all he understood, but Prerna seemed to understand and replied when needed.

Her grip on his hand again tightened and was held for a period of time, before again releasing. The women around him seemed to have their own system of communication, for they calmly went about the process while he had no idea what was going on, whether everything was progressing normally or if Prerna should be as worn out at that stage.

“Put your chin to your chest next time,” the midwife instructed Prerna, “…and breathe out.” 

He felt the grip on his hand intensified again. Prerna’s chin pressed into her chest and her entire body stiffened and then went totally lax.   

“Prerna!” Anurag anxiously called standing upright.

Just then a wail filled the room followed by the midwife’s declaration, “It’s a girl.”

Uncertain of what he should do or whom he should go to, Anurag looked form Prerna the where the sister lifted the little body away form Prerna. He felt Prerna’s hand momentarily tighten, causing him to look at her.

She moved her head, the gesture as familiar to him as her name and said, “Go.”

He hesitantly looked after the nurse. It was only once Prerna released his hand that he moved away. 

She was the smallest human being he’s ever seen. The nurses and midwife were taking measurements and noting things down, while the baby’s arms moved about, her legs pulled up.

Anurag anxiously asked, “Is she okay?”

“She’s fine, five and a half pounds. We’ll clean her and take her to her mother when we’re done.” 

Anurag turned to look at Prerna, only to notice that like the baby she had several nurse around her. Instinctively he moved towards Prerna but one of the nurses stopped him. She handed him a folded piece of paper and said, “This is what the baby needs, there is an all night pharmacy in the front. Make sure that all of the baby’s clothing has been washed to remove all the starch and fabric treatments. Her skin is delicate and won’t tolerate the chemicals found on new clothing.”

“But Prerna,” Anurag said but was cut short when the nurse lifted her hand to stop him.

“Your wife needs to rest now more than anything else. We’re here to ensure both her and the baby are cared for.”

“But…” Anurag started as the woman escorted him to the door.

“Go and tell everyone about the baby’s arrival.” The nurse said as she jostled him out the door.

Anurag was confused and stood looking at the door.

“Don’t worry about it. There’s a series of medical procedures they have to finish and you’ll only get in the way.” A voice to the side of him said. He turned to look at the woman, only to see a young doctor perusing a file. She smiled at him before closing the file she was reading. “Go get some rest, it will be the last full night’s rest you will get for sometime.” She said before stepping past him and entering the room he’d just been expelled form.

He actually had no idea what he was feeling as he checked the time. Somehow he had imagined he would be more excited, but all he felt was confusion. He had intended to tell her that he knew he was the baby’s father, but now the baby was here and he knew she would distance them form him.He could handle anything but Prerna’s indifference of him and he knew he would have to mitigate circumstances before she could manage to extract them form the situation.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and scanned through his contact list, uncertain as to whom he should tell the news to. Mom,the thought crossed his mind only for him to hesitate. If his mother knew that the baby had been his, why then had Prerna left their home, especially since he had conformation that they had been legally married. Then there was the manner with which his mother had welcomed Komolika into the home again. He had far too many question that needed clarification. Dad? He thought, knowing that Prerna and his father had always shared a close relationship, he had also sensed some agitation between his parents as of late. He suspected that Prerna could be the reason for it. He pressed the call button and hoped that his father was still awake.

“Anurag?” Moloy’s hesitant question came across the line several moments later.

“Dad,” Anurag said but then grew quiet when he heard his mother’s concerned voice in the background. “What’s happened with my Anu? I knew he should not have gone anywhere with that girl, she always causes him trouble.”

He heard his father’s stern rely to that, “Could he first tell me why he’s phoned, before you draw any such conclusions.” His father’s words caused Anurag to frown, especially since he could only remember his father being amiable towards his mother. His father then continued, “Why are you calling so late, Anu?”

Anurag for a moment thought over the reason for his call, and instantly his chest swelled with both pride and joy. “You’re a grandfather?”

“What? Really?” His father’s stunned reply came over the line, “Did Prerna have her baby?”

His father’s response answered waivered any doubt she may have harboured about the little girl and highlighted the fact that they knew the baby was his. The incredulity he felt at their actions quickly morphed into anger, yet he fought his instinctive response and said, “She’s just had a baby girl.”

“A girl, that’s wonderful!” his father enthused and then added, obviously to Mohini, “Prerna’s had a little girl.” His father then said to him, “Is everything okay? Is she beautiful like her mother? When can we see them?” Anurag remained sceptical of his father’s sincerity, just as he had become weary of so many things at home.

“Could you tell everyone that side?” Anurag asked,not wanting to engage too much into a conversation he had few answers for.

With obvious happiness colouring his voice his father said, “I’m going to distribute sweets everywhere… I’m a grandfather! A little girl.”

His father’s enthusiasm had Anurag smile as he said,“Dad, I still have to let Mrs. Sharma know. So please tell everyone there.”

“Yes, yes I’ll do that son.”

Moloy ended the call with a huge smile on his face as he turned to Mohini, “Did you hear that a baby girl.”

“Now we’ll never be rid of that girl, and what was the need for her to go with him to Mumbai?”

“Mohini, did you not hear that, we have a granddaughter.”

“That … that… That child is no granddaughter of mine.”

Moloy was instantly angered and glared at his wife,then retorted, “Well she is and you had better get used to it.” He then got out of bed and started for the door.

Distraught Mohini demanded, “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to go and tell everyone the good news,then I’m going to order sweets for everyone. I’m a grandfather! Hopefully the next one is a boy.” He said leaving the room.

Moments later he knocked on Nivedita’s door. It was several minutes before Anupam opened the door. The man tilted his head before asking, “What is it Father in law?”

“I came to give you the most wonderful news, Prerna had her baby.”

“Are you serious?” Anurag said, immediately attentive as he turned to look back into their room, eagerly calling, “Did you hear that Nivi? You’re an aunt!”

“What?” Nivedita said, also approaching the door.

“Yes,” Moloy said as she joined them, eagerly pointing to her as he continued, “You are an aunt. Anupam is a uncle. And I,I’m a grandpa.” Moloy concluded, proudly pointing to himself.

“Dad, what are you saying?” Nivedita asked.

“Anurag just called, Prerna had her baby. It’s agirl.”

“What! Really?” Nivedita said in surprise, but then grew sceptical, finally asking, “But Anurag is in Mumbai, how would he know.”

“Because Prerna is with him.”

“What?” Nivedita asked in shock, “But… This cannot be good for him.”

“He seemed perfectly fine when he spoke to me.”

“Now I’m worried. Where is my phone? He should not have gone without one of us present.”

“Anurag is fully grown Nivi. Besides he’s with Prerna.”

“Yes, exactly. Whenever those two are together…”Anupam started only for Nivedita to finish. “Trouble always finds them.”

“Now you’re just like your mother, can you two not receive such good news without looking for a dark cloud overhead?” 

 “Someone has to think of such matters.”