The Best Match

The Little Munchkin

"All those clichés, those things you hear about having a baby and motherhood - all of them are true."

Shree's Perspective

the orange sunbeams crawled in my verandah as sun decided to bid its goodbye, leaving the aching souls to relax and rejuvenate before starting a new day. I sipped my coffee, watching the sunset, lost in thoughts. Two years. It had been two years, since we'd moved into Udaipur, permanently. It all seemed like a day before when we moved out from our nest, when we made our own nest. Abhimanyu had been totally busy with his projects and I was alone. In this loft condo.
Sighing, I got up and turned to go inside the hall when suddenly earth rotated for me with supersonic speed, and I had to grip on the banister to support myself.
This was happening a lot lately. I would eat something and retch up instantly after that. Abhimanyu's cucumber smell was nauseating to me. Coffee was proving out to be the best beverage I'd ever tasted. My head would hurt at moments and I would sleep a lot.
Abhimanyu said I'm being a slog, he had completely refrained me from attending the office and I was being appointed to see Dr. Mala. My cell phone rang up and I picked it up in second ring, "Hey, Rhea! You coming?"
"At your doorstep babe. Come out." She responded and cut the call. I swiveled my handbag and trudged out, waving at her.
"Why your face is so pale?" She asked, concerned as soon as I reached to her and I sneezed, sniffing afterwards, "I'm sick."
"What's wrong with you?" She pressed her palm on my forehead, "You don't have fever! Are you allergic?"
"I don't know." I shrugged, sitting inside the car, "Anyways, why are you coming to clinic? Are you sick, too?"
"Please ha!" She made a face, showing me her hand, "I am to escort you to there as per your husband's order. He just yapped in my ear since morning to accompany you."
I rolled my eyes at him, "Who has asked you to tell him that you're coming here in Udaipur?"
"Sorry, my bad. I should've known that your phone would be switched off and I would've known that you must be sick then I should definitely didn't call Abhimanyu and ask him about you." She jeered and I laughed, "How's Akshat?"
"He's in Jaipur. I came here to spend some quality time with my in laws." She sighed, her sudden change in tone catches me alert but I shooed it off, I was already stressed with my health.
Oh! That reminded me, Ms. Rhea Kulkarni had officially converted into Mrs. Rhea Divan after we settled into Udaipur. She had her wedding the unfortunate month when Abhimanyu and I moved out from my in laws' home. They'd been living in Jaipur itself but since Akshat was basically from Udaipur. I had the benefits of meeting her very often. Though, I missed her so much, because earlier we used to meet regularly.
"Mrs. Chauhan. Your number is next." The receptionist apprised me and I nodded, sitting in the waiting lounge. The bile rose up in my throat the poignant smell of medicines. I pressed my hand over my mouth and ran up to the toilet, ignoring Rhea's calls.
Emptying all my guts, I leaned supporting my hands onto the wash basin. Is it because of the Rajma-Chawal I had yesterday? Or is the inventive Dam Chicken I made last week?
Arghhh!
Rinsing my face, I came out to witness an exasperating Rhea. She held on to me, taking in my appearance and her perfect forehead creased. "What happened?"
"I don't know. I think I ate up something acidic." I replied, pressing my forehead.
"Are you, by any chance, expecting?" She popped the question, out of nowhere and I rolled my eyes, "We use protection. Not possible" and brushed past her but she nagged, "Babe. Protections are not the assurance of sperm assassination and the amount of love, he bore for you. I think, you should've gotten pregnant way before."
"Shut up!" I told her off, blushing profusely. I got up as receptionist called my name and entered the cabin of Dr.Mala Awasthi.
"Please have a seat." She beckoned, reading my reports and then simultaneously, checked my pulse and eyes. Not to mention, shoving torch to make me almost blind.
"Are you on pills?" She asked and I replied awkwardly, "I was but actually I...missed them simultaneously since last a few weeks. We switched on to other alternatives."
Her lips curled up in a smile, "I see. Well, then you've an intruder there. Congratulations, you're pregnant."
Rhea squeaked happily, hugging me, "Congo, soon to be Mamma." And it took complete one minute fifty five seconds to comprehend what she said to me.
I slowly put my hand on my belly, trying to contemplate that if there was any movement or not. I am pregnant. I have a life in there. In my stomach, somewhere near my digestive system, in my tiny uterus. There's life breathing.
My eyes brimmed with tears, happy tears as I couldn't assess when I made this baby. A night back, a week back, a month back. An exhilarating grin broke out on my face and I responded to the hug Rhea was giving me.
"Thank you, doctor." I whispered, shyly and she smiled at me, "We still need to get the blood test done and that can be the confirmation."
I gave my blood test and confirmed about the reports before coming back home. I have a baby. A little tiny winy baby. It's in here. In me.
"I want to surprise him!" I confessed, looking at Rhea and she grinned, "I am so happy for you."