Madam Sirr 2

Chapter 19

 A Promise for the Future

KS awoke with a bloodcurdling scream, her abdomen tightening with a severe contraction. Puspha Ji and Lalla stood beside her, holding her hands tightly as KS battled her way through the rising flutter of contractions.

"Breathe Karishma" Pushpa Ji advised, her hand tightly wrapped around KS's. As the pain winded down, KS's breathing sagged, her head easing down on the pillow. Lalla edged near, cradling her head softly in his hand while Puspha Ji gave her a glass of water.

Puspha Ji quickly grabbed the overnight bag while her and Lalla rushed KS to the hospital while Puspha Ji sending a hurried text to Haseena, urging her to meet them at the hospital.

KS was taken in a stretcher where she was given a room. She was having contractions per minute, her face contorting in pain. She clutched her abdomen tightly as she was wheeled away, her strength battling against agony. Puspha Ji stood outside the waiting room, her heart crumbling in worry and hope as Lalla stayed near KS.

Puspha Ji paced outside, her heart praying to the Gods offering KS the strength and love. Soon, she sat with AS as they waited for a news, both of them tensed and hopeful, gripping both sides of the same coin.

Haseena rushed near Puspha Ji, her concern overriding the figure of Anubhav. The pair embraced, holding each other closer, their contact and warmth giving them both the strength and courage needed.

Lalla came out and informed them that KS would be taken for delivery soon. He hugged his mother who was dripping with tears, nodded at both Haseena and Anubhav before disappearing into the room to support his wife.

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The medical staff rushed here and there in the room while KS eased herself onto the bed, biting back on the pain. The bright overhead lights and the constant buzzing of the machines overwhelmed KS into a swell of nausea and panic. Her husband squeezed her hand, looking at her through his mask grounding KS in the present. She exhaled, her brows focused and determined.

The doctor encouraged KS to keep pushing offering her encouragement to keep fighting. Lalla's focus never left his wife as he knelt next to her, holding her hand and whispering notes of encouragement in her ear. After a hectic push, KS's eyes bawled out tears as her head lulled into a state of semi consciousness. A splitting cry broke her pain as she opened her blurry eyes.

A nurse walked towards her carrying a bundle wrapped in a white blanket. She held the bundle towards the couple and said "Congratulations, it's a baby girl."

KS's eyes squinted tears as she held her daughter for the first time. She brought her closer, placing a lingering kiss on her forehead. Lalla kissed his wife, his heart mellowing at the sight of his daughter and wife as he embraced both his girls.

Lalla edged closer, the mask making his vision blurred. He looked at his wife, pouring with exhaustion as she cradled their daughter. KS's façade had broken down into a gust of emotions. Lalla bent down and kissed KS's head, the mark of his lips lingering as he felt a rush of joy overriding him. He dragged a chair closer and sat down next to them, his thumb lightly tracing the daughter's chubby face.

"Karuuuu...." He said, whispering. "We finally did it. She's here."

KS sniffled breaking her eyes to look at her husband. "Haan Lalla. Our family is now complete."

They passed a brief eye lock, their eyes alive with unspoken emotions and the dreams of the future. In their gaze, they spoke of their past and dreamt of their hopes that now breathed in their hands. The whole world had disappeared and it was just the three of them remaining, in a cocooned nest of love.