The Foundling

3. Midnight guest

The mother and son duo had retired for bed, both tired.

The doorbell ringing woke them up. Prerna looked up at the wall clock, seeing it's nearly 2 in the night. Her face morphed into confusion as dread washed over her.

She looked at her son, who was already staring at her with his honey coloured eyes, blinking them repeatedly to get rid of sleeping. His eyes clearly mirroring her own confusion.

Prerna patted her son's head, conveying her reassurance, knowing the guards would already be there, already inviting the unknown guest in at this hour, or maybe dealing with the unforseen condition.

Determined, she climbed down the bed, going down to check, but stopped in her tracks when her son held her pallu, her eyes flickers as they misted, remembering how her husband used to tug on her pallu the same way whenever she used to leave him alone in the morning.

Taking a deep breath, she controlled her emotions and turned to look at her son, who has already climbed down from the bed, planning to accompany her.

His eyes clearly reflecting fatigue as small bags rest under his eyes. A sigh escaped her mouth. No child should appear so tired at this young age, yet her own son appeared as if he hadn't properly rested in ages.

Prerna knew telling Krishav to stay behind would be fruitless, he would have followed her even though. She didn't even realise when he became so protective of her, or maybe she knows but didn't want a reminder. She winced, remembering the dreadful day when she tried to commit suicide in front of her son, almost forgetting she wasn't just a wife but also a mother.

Till this day, Prerna regrets giving into her desire to leave everything behind, making her son suffer the inhuman pain. Watching his own mother giving up, when recently he had lost his father, was nothing more than the most dreadful moment.

Prerna knew she couldn't change the past. The only thing she could do now is to assure her child she would never ever think about leaving him behind or hurting herself. She didn't need to say with words, as actions speak louder than words.

Prerna was about to say something to Krishav when a loud knock jolted them out. “Ma'am, please come quickly,” Khanna’s voice rang with urgency as he knocked on the door again.

Prerna opened the door, as Khanna stood on the other side. “Ma'am, there…. down....basket…. baby” Khanna shuttered incoherently, his brow also furrowed, unable to explain.

He racked his hair, making the already messy hair more mess. “Ma'am just, come and see for yourself. I don't know what to even say anything”. He moved away, waiting for them.

Descending the stairs along with Krishav while Khanna trailed behind them, the noise of the baby's crying reached them even before stepping into the hall. Prerna looked at Khana, as disbelief rests on her face. Khanna nodded solemnly and pointed towards a slightly old basket kept on the coffee table.

A gasp escapes Prerna's mouth as she peered inside at the baby lying in the basket, wailing loudly. Before she could stop herself, the mother in her had already picked up the tiny bundle and started shushing him.

Cradling the baby close in her arms, she rocked him gently, lightly patting the baby's back while peppering him with tiny kisses.

The baby's wailing quickly died down as Prerna held him against her. As if knowing he was finally safe.

The guards and the maids were staring at Prerna with widened eyes and jaw dropped, completely shocked seeing this side of her. It's been so long that they almost forgot the lady standing in-front of them once used to an epitome of love and joy, not a cold and rigid woman.