Kitni Mohabbat Hai

Bonus Part 7

Inline comments are much invited.

Manik

"Aap Papa banne wale ho"

"Aap Papa banne wale"

"Aap Papa banne"

"Aap Papa"

"Papa"

Her words have been echoing in my hand like a soulful song every morning since the day she uttered them. I am going to be a father. Manik Malhotra will have his own family. We will have a part of us in the form of a perfect human being. human who will light up our world like fireflies and shine it like stars.

The moment she told me, I made a promise to myself that I would be a good father to him or her.

Good means not like dad. Good means not like Nandini's dad. Good means not forcing them to do what I feel is favorable. Good means giving them privacy when they need it. Good means letting them focus on what they are passionate about. Good means...... Good means giving them everything Nandini and I could not have in our lives.

"Can you see here?" Dr. Pranali pointed at the monitor while moving the ultrasound scanner on Nandini's stomach. We looked at the screen, a sea glass-sized image. Our see-glass, smallest one in the water. I squeezed her hand before kissing her knuckles.

We were in the hospital for an ultrasound as the first trimester ended yesterday. Three months have already passed, and there are only a few more to look forward to. She was already eight weeks pregnant when she got the news and told us.

The gynecologist, Dr. Reddy, Nandini, was taking birth shots. She started her practice abroad, leaving India permanently, and by some miracle, Pranali took her place.

Dr. Pranali is the younger sister of my college friend Prarthana. I was in commerce, and she was in science. We had common friends back then and used to hang out, but somehow, we lost touch. Prarthana was the sweetest in the group. She is an orthopedic, but she is in LA.

When Dr. Reddy introduced us to Pranali and told me about Prarthana, I was sure Nandini is in the right hands. Dr. Reddy told Pranali everything about Nandini's health history, and Pranali continued from where Dr. Reddy left.

"This is surreal," I hushed out. A part of me and Nandini in her womb. We're going to be parents. This baby on monitor is going to come soon into my arms. We will play with her or him, feeding, cleaning, crawling, walking, speaking, schooling, college, affairs, marriage, their kids, and what not. I'll be like-----

"Manik, did you see the monitor?" Pranali emphasized again.

Nandini and I looked at each other, confused, and then again at the screen. Pranali gave us a knowing smile, but we got nothing.

Sorry, Pranali, we are hopeless.

"Manik, Nandini. Hold your breaths." Okay, I skipped a beat. I never asked for a dramatic doctor when my full family is the head of the drama company. Nandini hold my hand in both hands. Her hands are cold.

This coldness she got during pregnancy. The doctor said it was normal, but a little itsy bitsy and her hands get cold. Mom and I always rub her hands to give her warmth.

"Pranali, is everything good?" Nandini asked meekly. Her voice was full of uncertainty. She says the baby gives her strength, but when I am near her, the baby is like, Go mumma, papa pass jao – her words, not mine. Right now, the baby must be shooing her away.

"Mr. and Mrs. Malhotra, you have twins to welcome."

"A what----" we both almost yell in unison. Pranali nods, grinning heavily.