Along the Lines of Love | ✓

Epilogue : II

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tum mere aasmaan, meri zameen ban gaye

♪

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It was the fifth day after the birth of their daughter when Nikhil took his wife and daughter back home from the hospital. Sharanya was ready to come back home on the third day but Nikhil was adamant that she stayed under observation for another two days. 

During the delivery her blood pressure had shot up drastically. Although the doctors were able to keep a check on that and were confident that his wife was well, Nikhil needed more than reassurance. She was still exhausted. But every time she took their baby in her arms, her face would light up brighter than a sun. 

Sharanya spent almost every waking minute with the baby, while Nikhil would watch them. When Sharanya rested, his mother would take charge of his baby. Almost everyday his siblings would drop by and spend some time with his wife and baby. Those were the times when Nikhil would go back home to rest.

It was strange. The entire birth process had left him shaken to the core. He couldn't forget his wife's tears or the loud wails. She was in so much pain. He couldn't even imagine how that pain would feel. He spent most of the time holding her hand when she was sleep. When she was awake she would be engaged in having a one sided conversation with their little one, smiling at her. And he would just watch spellbound. 

He was even scared to hold their daughter in his hands. Sharanya did it like a natural. She was still recovering from the aftereffects of childbirth, she had dull pains in her lower abdomen, sore breasts and bleeding that would carry on for a few days. Yet, she smiled through the pain. She even smiled when she breastfed their daughter, from what he heard her telling the doctor, she found it very uncomfortable. 

Frankly, Nikhil realized how less he had to go through. No doubt what he suffered, what he saw, what he went to had a shocking impact on him. For a few seconds in that hospital room, he thought he'd lose her, when she lay lifeless, her body withered in pain and eyes tired of crying. 

In retrospect, he understood why the doctor had asked him multiple times if he would like to stay out. It was emotionally torturing to see someone you care for go through that agonizing procedure and a pain so intense that it tore one apart.

Perhaps, Sharanya understood. She didn't question him much. She just gave him the emotional space without plundering into his mind. She held his hand, placed gentle kisses on his forehead and hugged him when she saw him lost. If it was her way to support him through the difficult phase, he was grateful to her.

Nikhil felt as though he was still stuck in that moment, in that hospital room.

He felt her hand hold hers. He looked at her and smiled. His eyes then searching for his daughter to find her in his sister's arms. His siblings had decorated the living hall with balloons of all colors. His eyes stopped at the banner that read, Welcome Home Angel.

"Come on, tea and snacks are ready." His Maa announced, disappearing into the kitchen.

"I can stay with her while you eat," Shreya offered looking at Sharanya.

Sharanya nodded gratefully.

"Oh we are late!" Sharanya turned around swiftly to find Gargi at the door step with little Aarush in her arms. She walked in throight he open door with a huge warm smile.

Sharanya smiled, walking up to her friend, immediately taking Aarush in her arms, "Hey, Baby!" She cooed.

"Yeah, nobody cares about the mother," Gargi muttered making a sad face, before walking past her to Shreya who stood with Sharanya's tiny daughter in her arms.