"You can take her home by afternoon" nurse informed.
"I will be back after completing the formalities. Will you be fine on your own till then?" Inquired Suresh. I nodded in response.
Unable to trust he left after planting a kiss on my forehead.
"Home" a whisper left my mouth before my tears made their way.
It was the same place where I got to know about the precious presence inside me.
More than presence, it was the other half of my soul blossoming into new life.
Thanking the almighty for this blessing and praying for the protection.
Each day went with avalanche of beautiful memories. Together we talked,sung,danced, slept. As a friend it accompanied me always.
Weaving baby clothes with threads of care and a lifelong promise of protection for my little miracle to warm in.
It was the same place that witnessed the shattering moment leaving me in a havoc . Maybe It was never meant to be, maybe I don't deserve it or maybe I am not a good mother because God took away my life before I even held it in my embrace. Little one was a blossom but there it was gone, nowhere to be found , lost, so was me somewhere so alone so dark. Walls of our house silently wailed while hearing the heart wrenching cries of the mother of the lost unborn.
"Your wife had a miscarriage Mr. Malhotra" was all I heard befor everything scattered before me leaving me in pieces. Tears fell like unstoppable rain, hurricane of emotions engulfed me.
"Don't worry little one your mother will learn all the lullabies for you" my little one was there in my womb listening to all my blabbering and in another second disappeared as if it never existed. I touched my belly again and again and again hoping beyond hope, praying for some miracle to happen but it looked like the heavens up above were laughing on my useless attempt to feel the little one's presence. Did I do something wrong? It must be me. Someone please return my tender one to me. Self -loathing took over, smirking viciously at me pitying me for my pointless struggle. why was I so careless?what kind of mother am I who was not able to take care of her unborn child let alone dream about helding it in her arms? Mothers are known for nurturing and evolving a new life but what did I did?
"Aradhana, wait here till I get our car" Suresh informed, breaking chains of thoughts,I nodded in response.
Happy Diwali was displayed on poster, across the road with all the lightings. People carried with them the sparks of celebrations looking forward to spend some quality times with their families.
Family, again memories rushed towards me drowing me in the unending anguish.
Happy was I? How can I be?
Living in the body with no soul. Just a box of flesh, devoid of any human emotion.
Making my way outside the hospital, fresh breeze welcomed me but something else caught my attention.
Before diverting the focus to the source Suresh came out from the parking and held open the door for me.
Stepping near the car fresh tears formed, protesting to fall free. Backseat of the car had baby proofing now it is more like a proof of died memories.
"Easy aradhana, it's ok. don't cry" Suresh started pacifying, forgetting about his teary eyes. Rubbing the back of my palms we started making our way towards the car only to find someone tucking my dupatta.
"Maa" making us turn in unison.
There stood an angel with two bunny teeth beaming at us with a box of soan papdi in her hands.
"Maa,Happy Diwali! Will you not eat this from your little girl's hands?" She said while holding a piece of soan papdi in her small pie like hand.
We stood there motionless watching her pouting while asking us to eat some sweets from her hand.
"Aradhya wait!" A lady in blue suit came into view.
With her came many children leaving us both stunned.
"Sorry for any inconvenience ma'am, we are from sunshine orphanage home. Today is Diwali so children of the orphanage home decided to distribute sweets to every passer-by. Aradhya saw and started running towards you before I could catch her."
Suresh looked at me with a tinge of hope in his eyes only to find me smiling and nodding at him.
"Happy Diwali to all and she did not caused any inconvenience to us", Suresh replied.
"Maa! Papa! Will you not listen to your little one? Eat this please" aradhya exclaimed dramatically.
Taking her in the arms I replied" we will"
She squealed in pure joy clapping her hands together.
Suresh moved closer caressing her small head.
"Humari Aradhya" I declared to us while we stood there in silence, looking at the new found blessing held in my arms.
Warm winds blew, nature blessed them with her Grace and smiled while witnessing the bond growing with each passing second.
_____________END___________
Word count:- 847
