Madam Sirr 2

Chapter 15

A New Dawn

The faint buzzing of the AC nestled a gnawing unease in her giving way to the rise of a migraine. The overhead lights directly blinked down on her as if evaporating the heat of her body. She three the stack of paperwork aside, cradling her head in her both hands battling the pain that surged through her head, electric and intensifying with each second.

KS felt the repercussions of coming to work despite the protests of Pushpa Ji and her husband. Nausea swelled down her stomach upsetting her mind to work. She called out to Pushpa Ji, her voice, faint and weak.

"I told you didn't I to stay homme today" Pushpa Ji started as she saw KS's fading health, her voice a concerned note for KS. "It would be good for you to listen to your elders at least once."

KS couldn't bear Puspha Ji's taunts least of all today. She folded her hands together pleading with her to stop. "Aarey Pushpa Ji stop it. Let's go to the doctor. You can scold me later."

"Haan I definitely will" she said as she carefully helped KS outside.

Puspha Ji's mind was scrambling with thoughts noticing KS's condition. She had all the symptoms, could today be the day, Puspha Ji wondered. She prayed to the god's above to make her dream a reality as she led KS to the doctor's cabin.

The doctor did a few tests and told them to wait in the room for the results. KS laid down on the bed, her head a foggy ball of lead. Puspha Ji sat next to her, cradling KS's head all the while praying for her dream to come true. KS had fallen asleep, beads of condensed sweat running down her forehead.

The doctor came back with the results which made Pushpa Ji almost jump in excitement.

"Doctor what happened to her? Is she okay?" Pushpa Ji asked lowering her voice as not to wake KS.

The doctor closed the file he was looking at and smiled at her. "There's nothing to worry about. In fact, I should say congratulations. Your daughter in law is pregnant."

Puspha Ji couldn't contain her excitement. She covered her mouth with her hands jumping up and down, tears bloating her eyes.

Puspha Ji had waited for this day for so long that she felt as if it was still a dream. She was happy for her son and KS. They were about to start a new journey. The tears fell, one by one, as Puspha Ji's visions of becoming a grandmother unfolded before her eyes. She went near KS and cradled her hand in slow arcs moving her hand over her stomach almost whispering to the baby in her stomach. Puspha Ji let KS sleep while she called her son to inform of the good news. He was away on a business trip but he informed that he'd be coming back as soon as possible.

Puspha Ji sat next to her, holding KS's hand and waited with patience till she woke up. She noted KS stirring and wiped her eyes, her mouth forming an ever affectionate smile.

"Amma are you crying? What happened?" KS asked as she straightened herself.

"Nothing beta...everything is as it should be." Puspha Ji stood up and cupped her face. "Karishma you are pregnant."

KS couldn't believe what she heard. She held on to Pushpa Ji's hand and melted into her hands, tears streaming her own face.

After all these years KS was finally set to become a mother. Through the tears, KS recalled the sleepless nights she had experienced where she had prayed in hopes of becoming a mother. She recalled how she had held on to hope, like a wicker that never dwindles. She and her husband, Lalla had yearned for this day to arrive. KS slipped her hand down to her stomach, feeling the lump that belonged to her. She dried her tears and looked at Puspha Ji, her face brimming with hopes and dreams.