THE STORY OF LIFE | A 21ST CENTURY RAMAYANA

IN HER ARMS

"Yes Maa, I will take care. Yes, Mila too. Ill tell her. Don't worry. Take care."

Maanvi sighed as she put the phone away. The worried voices of her parents back home made her realise what a tiring job this was, being a parent. And now with a new life growing inside her, she could feel it even more. How she wished she could turn to her Di for some comfort, for some help, but she could only imagine what struggle Siya herself was going through .

"Bhaiyya's slept." Bharat said as he walked in and sat next to her.

The two sat in silence as thousands of worries and memories passed between them. This is not how they wanted their children to grow, the bonds amongst the new brothers and sisters to form. Yet, for the sake of the well being of everyone else n the house, they had to do what was necessary. Bear the burnt of fate while keeping a smile on their faces.

Suddenly, they could a pair of hurried steps coming towards her, stopping only when Shruti made herself visible at the door.

"Di," she said heaving.

"What happened dear?" Maanvi asked worried.

"Its positive and... I- I am not ready Di, I cant do this."

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Ram opened his eyes slowly as Bharat went away. He had done his brotherly duty of putting Ram to sleep, but the war in his head would not win against his love, no matter how powerful it was.

He sat up, the throbbing in head getting harder, almost ringing a voice, a voice that became clearer to resemble Siyas.

"Be with me, be with me. "

He calmed his heart by taking deep breaths but her voice kept coming in waves.

"I am with you Siya," he tried to tell her as he felt helpless like never before. She needed him now, he could feel it. And although he was there in spirits, he wasn't there to hold her hand.

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"We dont have time to take her to the hospital, we need to make it a home delivery. "

The doctor hurried through with instructions to the fellow teachers as the students watched the hustling silently. They had no clue of what was going on, but they knew that their teacher was not well, and most of them retired to their rooms with sincere prayers for her well being.

"I-- Its hurting a lot.."

"You can bear through it, my child," her Sir rubbed her hands. "Its just a matter of a little while. The doctor says it wont take much time. Please child, dont lose faith, you can get through it."

"We need to make sure there's no fetal infection," the doctor said. "Please ask the midwife to get the warm water quicker."

Images of Ram and her life with and without flashed around in her head. Her vision began to blur as she felt a wild mix of sedatives run through her blood, both numbing her and making her nerves sharper to any small change.

"I can see the head of the baby, I need you to push Maam," the doctor and her assistant quickened their pace.

"Child, I know its hurting you. You have made it through so much, for the sake of your child. You can do this too. Come one my child, listen to the doctor."

Siya clenched to the bed sheets. She was there, vulnerable yet strong, happy yet broken.

Maybe this was lifes way of reminding them all, that no matter what they seemed to cross, they would be drawn the way it was all planned out.

"Ram.. I know you want to be here, " she whispered to herself. Sweat mixed with tears laced her face and the loss of blood adding to her anaemia gave a deathly pale glow.

"Hold on my child, push harder," Sirs voice seemed to grow fainter and fainter.

"Push Maam, were almost there."

Siya let a wail of agony as everything else seemed to fall quiet. A sharp pain shot through her back as she jerked up, but fell back, letting go of any ounce of energy that was left.

The doctor lifted her arms slowly in front of her blurred eyes, red and white marking her fingers as she smiled.

She seemed to pat the child's back when,a loud cry rang through the halls, going beyond into the serene countryside.

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Siya gulped.

Their child was in this world, finally.

"Congratulations Siya," the doctor said. "Its a beautiful baby boy."

A breath, as if long awaited let itself out of her lips.

Her eyes were about to close and she felt the sedatives taking their powerful effect.

The doctor brought the baby to her lap, as her Sir helped her up.

Tears ran down her face as she met her child's face for the first time. He was tiny, possibly underweight but so very bright. His very little yet warm frame let out an aura that let the world know of his lineage and humble pride.

Siya let out unmuffled cries.

How she wished he would be there, he had wished for so long to hold his child in his arms and be the best father he could to them. He knew what having two loving parents really meant, and even without him having said it, Siya knew he would give all he had just to be with his wife and child.

"He's just like you Ram, and we will meet you soon."

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