The shark and the saint

25. The Bajaj Family

At the hospital, Rishabh wanted to follow Prerna, just enough attention on the baby to keep holding him. The nurses blocked his way and took him to neonatal section where they finally cleaned up the baby and gave him a proper check up and clothes. The baby was obviously on the younger side and had to be kept in the incubator, but was otherwise fine.

Meanwhile, Prerna was still in surgery. She was having issues with the placenta and hemorrhaging, and the doctors were still working on saving her. Rishabh was pacing the floor, nervous for the first time in forever. Somehow, while walking astray, he found himself in front of the prayer room. Rishabh wasn't religious, but at this point he was about ready to do anything.

He took off his shoes and stepped inside, but didn't go in further. The room had places of worship for almost all religions, and Rishabh decided to try his luck with anyone who would listen. He fell on his knees in the doorway and put his hands together in prayer.

"I don't know if you still listen to me or not. But please, meri punishment ke liye unko kuch mat hone dena. Prerna mere paas khud waapis aayi, apni marzi se. Please usse mere paas rehne do. Please. Mujhe eik aur chance mila hai, abh main isko waste nahi karunga. Please meri wife aur baby ko safe rakhna."

"Bhagwan aapki saari tamanna puri kare."

Rishabh turned around to see Veena and Sharda standing behind him. Kukki came around to hug him and he broke down. She peeled away and wiped his tears, kissing him on the cheek.

"This time hum saare thik hain!" Kukki promised him.

Rishabh held her face and kissed her head. "Iss time papa kuch nahi hone deinge. I'll be a better papa, I promise."

Kukki laughed. "You're already the best papa!"

Rishabh stood up with Kukki in his arms and greeted his mothers.

"Prerna kaisi hai?" Veena asked him nervously.

Rishabh sighed. "Abhi tak surgery mein hai," he jumped Kukki and smiled. "Lekin baby thik hai. Beta hua hai."

Veena and Sharda gasped happily and prayed to the heavens. "Bohot badhae ho!"

"Aapko bhi," Rishabh smiled. "Let's go see your baby brother," he told Kukki and lead them all to the NICU to see the baby.

They all stood at the window and Rishabh pointed out their baby, wrapped up in traditional hospital clothes and sleeping in an incubator with nose cannulas. Rishabh was telling Kukki why he was in the box when a nurse came to him.

"Mr. Bajaj, your wife is done with surgery. Woh abhi room mein shift ho rahi hai, phir aap unse mil sakte hain."

"Thank you, nurse," Rishabh told her, and they all followed her to Prerna's room.

Prerna was laying in the bed when they all entered.

"Mumma!" Kukki yelled and shimmied out of Rishabh's hands to go to her. Rishabh quickly ran after her.

"Careful, Kukk!" He warned her.

"Aa jao mere paas," Prerna quietly called her and Rishabh put Kukki on the bed.

Prerna gently hugged her and Kukki kissed her. She finally noticed other people in the room too

"Maa," Prerna smiled at her mother, and confused by the new lady.

"Prerna, yeh meri maasi hai, Sharda," Rishabh introduced her.

"Bohot bhadae ho, beta!" Sharda smiled.

While the women were talking, Rishabh asked the nurse to bring the baby in.

"My chota bhai is so cute, mumma!" Kukki told her.