Tewari & Sons, 23, Chandni Chowk

Chapter 9: Circle of Life

"Khushi, are you sure you don't mind staying in the hospital? Preeto will feel better if you are there. But my mother can come too, if you have any trouble at all."

Khushi reassured Ginny for the fifth time that she would be fine with Preeto at the hospital. Preeto's C-Section was scheduled for tomorrow, but they had brought her to the hospital a day earlier because she had complained of some discomfort. It turned out to be just exhaustion, but since she had a long commute back to her home, the hospital admitted her a day ahead. Ginny had some last minute work-related stuff to finish before the arrival of his child and that would mean that Preeto would either have to stay with her mother or mother-in-law. Both the women had undergone surgeries recently and so when a frantic Preeto had called Khushi on Renu bhabhi's phone while on her way to the hospital, Khushi had volunteered to be in the hospital with her.

There had been too much that had happened in the last few days and honestly she needed some distraction. And a thirty-nine-week pregnant woman might just be it. She could also see how Ginny had rather understandably a nervous energy about him, as he hovered around Preeto trying to adjust her bed and fluff her pillows for her. Preeto seemed to be in a particularly sullen mood, clearly the pregnancy had exhausted her beyond all measure and Ginny was all but dangerously tiptoeing on her last nerve. Khushi almost had to physically push Ginny away to make him leave the hospital. He handed over a phone to Khushi.

"Yeh mera extra phone hain. Since you don't have yours, you can use this to call me if there is any emergency. Maine mera number input kiya hua hai."

She accepted the phone with her left hand for her right palm was still bandaged and walked towards Preeto's deluxe hospital room, which at twelve thousand rupees a day was overpriced for the tiny television that hung way too high. The nurse informed her that this was done because oftentimes patients stole television sets if they were placed within easy reach.

"Has Ginny left? Or is he still hovering around?"

"We thought you were sleeping. He just left. Don't be so hard on him. He is stressed."

"Why is he stressed? Typical man. I am the one who is pregnant and have to walk around like a bloated balloon. He is just going to enjoy the baby, while I take care of it."

"Hmm."

"Don't hmm me Khushi. As my friend, you are duty-bound to take my side."

"Okay. Now sleep. I will be here if you need anything."

"God Khushi! I can't sleep. I am too stressed. Too excited. If I wanted to sleep I would have made my mom or my saasumaa stay. You need to entertain me."

"Acha. How can I? Mujh se jo ho payega, karoongi main. Anyway, since you are awake, you better have some juice."

Khushi picked one of the glasses on the side table and poured a glass of mosambi juice to Preeto. She handed the glass to a reluctant Preeto, complete with pursed lips, someone seemed to be in a mood to throw a fit for everything. But ever since Khushi had met Aarav, she knew how to handle hostile and prone to tantrum children, or adults masquerading as children. Tough love was the key. And eventually she did win as a rather sullen Preeto gulped down the juice.

"You have an evil streak, Khushi. Acha bata, yeh haath mein kya hua?"

"An accident."

"As in? What happened? When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me? Are you okay?"

She could see her friend get agitated, as she almost got ready to get off the bed and investigate Khushi's hand. That was Preeto, behind her usually flippant comments, there was always concern for her friends. And she was forever grateful for that.