Foresight

Chapter I

Present Day - 19th April 2015

Beads of sweat were forming along the wrinkles of his forehead. It had been 15 minutes since he called for the ambulance, but peak hour traffic were causing delays. He went to the couch in the living room were his wife was having her contractions. She screamed in pain "Rajesh, I can't take it anymore. Its too painful". "Calm down darling. The ambulance will be here in few minutes and everything will be fine" was all he could say too Pallavi, while holding her hand. The siren of the ambulance, down makes them both heave a sigh of relief. Mr. Naresh, lends the much needed helping hand to Pallavi, while Rajesh checks with his parents and in laws. Pallavi boards the ambulance and lies down on the stretcher. "No space for you in the ambulance sir. You will have to come to the hospital on your own" is the reply of the nurse while she tends to Pallavi. "Dont worry Pallavi, I will reach the hospital in time" was all Rajesh could say without having to fall into tears. Wiping of the tears and thanking Mr. Naresh for his help, Rajesh runs to the nearby auto stand. "Durga Hospital Bhaiya. Jaldi se"(Durga hospital sir. fast). "80 rupay saab" sternly by the autowala. Not wanting to hassle at the crucial moment, Rajesh boards the auto with a small grumble. Prayers to various lords are offered during the twenty minute journey to the hospital.

The ambulance tries to race down the streets while giving needed concern to the passengers. The nurse attaches an instrument which looks like a clip. The monitor shows the heart rate of Pallavi." Deep breath karo madam. Dard thoda kaam laagega."(Take deep breaths ma'am. You will fell less pain) is the instruction by the nurse to Pallavi , who had been wailing in pain by the time she boarded the ambulance.' O lord please get me through this pain' Pallavi prays.

Rainy season plays naughty, raining when people are least prepared and delaying the journey which in normal conditions takes only ten minutes."Aage rasta mein paani he saab. Aap idhar hi uttar jao"(The road ahead is filled with water. You please get down here only sir). "Shit" mutters Rajesh and walks the last stretch to the hospital. after paying the auto wala. Fully drenched, Rajesh runs to the reception and informs the receptionist about his wife. The receptionist gives a half positive news that his wife has arrived in the hospital safely, but her doctor is yet to arrive. Thanking the receptionist and also cursing the rainy season, Rajesh goes to the waiting area, trying to calm down. Ten minutes later, the doctor arrives and rushes to the operation theater. Pallavi and nurses follow the doctor. "Everything will be allright" were the last words by Rajesh to Pallavi befor she disappears in the operation theater.

'I hope I did not rush up things too fast' is the thought that runs along his head before he goes through all the events, drama, romance, unrest of the past year.