Heyy Baby

Part 34

The hospital room was filled with a tense silence. Anubhav sat on the bed, cradling Karishma gently. Her tiny fingers were clutching his shirt, eyes wide and uncertain as she stared at Haseena from the safety of her papa's arms.

Haseena's heart sank. The way her daughter's eyes flitted between her and Anubhav, a mixture of confusion and unease—she had never seen that expression on her baby's face before.

The door clicked open behind her, and Dr. Maya strode in, arms crossed and expression stern. She had clearly seen the whole exchange. Her eyes bore into Haseena with a mixture of disappointment and challenge.

"Toh ab samajh aaya, Haseena Malik?" she asked sharply.

Haseena flinched.

Maya's gaze didn't soften. "Meri ek saal ki patient concussion, diabetes, aur trauma ke beech jhool rahi hai. Aur jo usse sabse zyada chahiye tha, woh uski maa thi—jo thi hi nahi," she snapped, her voice cold.

Haseena's lips parted, guilt crashing into her like a tidal wave. She tried to muster a response, but Dr. Maya didn't let her.

"Woh abhi aapse ghabra gayi kyunki uske dimaag mein sab kuch ulta-pulta chal raha hai," Maya continued. "Concussion ka asar hai, par isse zyada ye neglect ka asar hai." Her words were blunt and unforgiving.

Haseena's shoulders slumped. She had failed Karishma.

Maya's eyes flicked to the baby still clutching Anubhav's shirt and sucking on her tiny thumb, wide-eyed and confused.

Maya sighed deeply, and some of the harshness melted away. "Haseena, woh abhi aapse door ho gayi hai, par yeh permanent nahi hai. Aapko dikhana hoga ki aap hain, uske saath hain. Is process mein waqt lagega, par agar aap mehnat karein, toh rishte dubara bante hain."

Haseena nodded, hope flickering faintly in her eyes.

Maya narrowed her eyes at Karishma, who was now watching her with mild curiosity, thumb still firmly in her mouth. Dr. Maya frowned and walked over, gently prying the thumb away.

"Nahi, nahi, baby!" Maya scolded lightly. "Thumb nahi. It's not hygienic."

Karishma's eyes widened in outrage, her lips forming a dramatic pout. She blinked at Maya, offended by the unexpected interruption. The exaggerated pout earned a soft chuckle from Anubhav and even a small, reluctant smile from Haseena.

But Karishma wasn't done. She turned her head towards Anubhav and pointed her chubby finger accusingly at Maya, letting out a string of babbling protests. "Papa jaakseeee nsnheeee!"

Maya crossed her arms. "Oh ho, complaint ho rahi hai meri? Wah, kya baat hai! Itna gussa. Naak toh laal hogayi tumhari."

Karishma puffed her cheeks and glared up at Maya. In response, Maya pinched her tiny nose playfully. "Itni gusse wali sherni hain humari Karishma?"

Karishma blinked, the scowl melting away as curiosity took over. She grabbed Maya's stethoscope, yanking it hard and letting out a giggle. Maya winced but didn't pull away. "Arre wah, doctor banna hai kya? Par usse pehle mujhse injection lena padega."

At the mention of "injection," Karishma's eyes widened. She twisted in Anubhav's arms, looking alarmed. Anubhav chuckled, patting her back. "Bas beta, meri ekdum brave baby hai tu, hai na?"

Maya glanced back. "Kushal!" she called, and a lanky young intern entered, clutching a syringe with a slightly nervous expression.

"Injection time!" Maya announced cheerfully.

Karishma's eyes went as wide as saucers. She watched the approaching needle and let out a tiny gasp. She quickly pointed her finger at Kushal and declared loudly, "naa naa naa naaaa!" as if demanding he stay away.