Foresight

Chapter LVIII

19th April 2015

Swerving the bike past the traffic and rain, Rajesh twists the accelerator to its limit so that he reaches home on time. 'Once the water breaks, we will have our grandchild in no time' are the words that keep ringing in his mind as he makes his way home. But life is never fair. Like the calm before the storm, the withered traffic on his way back was too good to be true. 'Clang' comes a loud noise from his bike, as Rajesh finds no acceleration on the bike, even though he has twisted the accelerator to its limit. Twisting it back and forth, he only finds the engine revving, but his bike constantly losing speed. Tensing more, he decide's to coast the remaining distance with the speed available. Good for him, he makes home. But the priority now is not bike, but Pallavi. Putting the stand on his bike, he races up to his apartment. Sweaty palms make it bit difficult to open the door, but nevertheless he open them after a few fumbled attempts. Opening the door, he finds Pallavi seated on the bean bag chair, taking deep breaths.

"Pallavi, I rushed back home as soon as possible. How are you feeling?" Rajesh rushes closer too her, clutching her palm into his. In the process he clumsily falls down, which brings a small chuckle in Pallavi.

"I am ok. Contractions have not started yet. But they mig..." Pallavi is cut off as her face goes into a terrible cringe, as her first contraction hits with no warning

"Aaarrrggghhhh" she screams, literally crushing Rajesh's hand.

"Easy Pallavi. Deep breaths honey. I am calling the ambulance right now." he assures her, as he picks up his phone and starts to dial the hospital they are consulting with. The receptionist picks up after 3 rings. Not losing a minute, Rajesh blurts out his plight to the receptionist, who assures him to keep Pallavi calm as she gets the ambulance at his place. As if the situation was not worse enough, untimely shower hits the city. Popular for potholes, water stagnation, flooding roads, this might cause the ambulance to reach late.

"Pallavi, let me take you downstairs. That way we wont have to wait as the ambulance personnel come." Rajesh suggests her, nudging her to get up.

"Arrgh..Rajesh..I can't get.. up..uumph and walk" Pallavi mutters between her breaths.

'I could carry her downstairs but I can't take any risk' Rajesh contemplates in between holding her hand and pacifying. Suddenly an Idea flashes in his mind. Their downstairs neighbor Mr. Naresh sometimes uses a wheelchair. He would definitely lend them his wheelchair.

"Wait Pallavi. I will ask Mr. Naresh for his wheelchair" Rajesh yells, as runs for the door, jumping two stairs at a time. he reaches Mr. Naresh's door and rings the bells. Mr. Naresh opens the door and finds a sweaty and anxious Rajesh outside the door.

"what happened son? Take a breath. Calm down." Mr. Naresh instructs as he opens the door.

"Uncle, sorry to bother you at this moment, but can I borrow your wheel chair? Pallavi has gone into labor. I have called for the ambulance and thought better take her down. But her water broke and she is unable to walk?"

"Worry not son. Here. You go up with my missus. I will bring the wheelchair" he answers with a confident voice, as he calls for his wife and sends her up with Rajesh.

"Don't worry Rajesh. Everything will go good." Mrs. Naresh explains Rajesh, who surprisingly at 60 is able to jump two steps at a time, keeping in pace with Rajesh. They both reach their home. Mrs. Naresh provides Pallavi with all her emotional support she needs, and assists Rajesh in getting her to the lift, where Mr. Naresh is standing ready with his wheelchair. One step at a time, Pallavi inches closer to the lift. Mrs. Naresh helps her into the chair. As they go down, Pallavi chuckles on her plight.