Chapter 93

A week passed by and business was long forgotten for Rishi as he was taking care of Aadhi. He had his heart in his throat everytime she walked around holding her baby bump. He shifted their things to stay in a room in the ground floor until the baby was born. His heart ached everytime he heard her moan in back ache and her swollen feet. He tried his best and gave her hot water bath and held her hand while they took walk in the morning and evening. He never denied any food she asked for.

Rishi felt bad on seeing her competely exhausted and struggling for a better position to sleep.

Rishi: Aadhu, you look so different today baby, shall we consult the doctor ?

Aadhi: No Rishu, I don’t want to get out of the bed but you are right it feels different today.

Rishi: What if today is the day ?

Aadhi: But I don’t feel any pain Rishu.

Rishi sat next to her and caressed her lower back for a while and later massaged her feet until she fell asleep. He stayed by her side and looking at the frown on her face hre realized she was going through some pain. He called the doctor and informed her about the discomfort Aadhi was feeling since morning and to be prepared.

Rishi Mv: My instinct says today is the day Aadhu, I m not sure if I m ready to see you go through all the pain.

Rishi touched her baby bump and kissed gently, caressing it.

Rishi: Please baby, don’t hurt my love too much. She is my baby too and I can’t see her going through too much pain.

He saw the movement of the baby and like everytime he felt as if their baby was on serious football match from the way he or she was kicking. Rishi heard Aadhi moan in pain and few seconds later Aadhi woke up hissing in pain. Rishi reached for her hand instantly and helped her sit by placing pillow on her back.

Rishi: What happened love ?

Aadhi: A sharp pain but that was only once Rishu.

Rishi: I think we should leave to the hospital Aadhu, please don’t deny. I don’t want to risk staying home until you are completely ready to welcome our baby.

Rishi carried her to the washroom to refresh and made her wear a gown. He called Kavitha and informed her to get ready and he placed the hospital bag and her medical file in the car before he rushed to their bedroom and saw Aadhi leanin against the wall and biting her lips feeling pain on her back.

Rishi: I was right baby, you look too much in pain already. Lets go and welcome our baby, mommy…

Despite the pain Aadhi smiled and Rishi pecked her lips before he helped her to the car. Kavitha was praying all the gods for the safe delivery of the baby.

Kavitha: Should I inform everyone that we are leaving to the hospital ?

Rishi: No aunty, let the doctor confirm that its time and later we shall inform everyone.

They arrived at the hospital and Rishi held her hand and they walked slowly to the doctor’s cabin. Aadhi was checked and the doctor confirmed that Aadhi was into labor. She was admitted to a private ward and Kavitha informed everyone about Aadhi being in hospital.

Chaitra who was in office received a call from Kavitha and immediately called Vimal but since he was in a meeting in the conference room the calls went unanswered. She stormed out of her room and barged in the conference room startling everyone. Vimal was shocked to see her glaring at him.

Vimal: Chaitra, the meeting is still on… what happened ?

Chaitra held his wrist and dragged him out of the conference room despite his protest.

Chaitra: Our Aadhi has been taken to the hospital. Baby on way so lets leave before I strangle you for not answering my calls.

Vimal: I m so sorry Ira… my mobile was on silent. I m so sorry.

Chaitra: Yeah, ofcourse say all the lame reason. I don’t know how is Aadhi now ? I m scared to see her cry in pain. God, how long would it take for her to deliver the baby ?

Vimal got seated in the car and saw Chaitra tryingt to buckle her seat belt. He held her nape and kissed her for a few seconds and buckled her seat before he started driving.

Vimal: Calm down Ira.. our Aadhi and baby will be fine. Rishi is with her and he will take care of her so relax and we shall reach in few minutes.

Aadhi was walking in the room holding Rishi’s hand and Kavitha and the rest of the family waited outside of the room. Everytime pain it her Aadhi stopped walking and leaned on to Rishi, crying against his chest.

Rishi had his hand on her lower back and with other hand he was holding her baby bump, saying sweet nothings to calm her. Chaitra and Vimal arrived at the hospital and saw the whole family outside the room. They entered the room and saw Aadhi crying and Rishi soothing her with his words. Aadhi’s face was completely red and both their hearts ached to see her so much in pain.

Chaitra: Aadhi, our brave queen, stay strong to bring our munchkin into this world.

Chaitra tried to hug Aadhi but she hissed in pain since her whole body was aching. Rishi let her to be seated for a while and Chaitra passed a little juice to keep her energy.

Vimal wiped his tears and everything felt nostalgic to him. All the memories from the past hit him hard and his breathe labored. He felt his knees giving up and Chaitra who saw his state immediately caught him and they walked out of the room. Aadhi was too much in pain to notice him but Rishi understood his state.

Outside the room Chaitra pulled Vimal to the corner and hugged him, she stroke his back and kissed his cheek to calm his senses.

Chaitra: Vimal, We are here for Aadhi, you have to be strong for her. I know what you are going through but don’t let the past ruin our present and Aadhi’s day. In few hours she will welcome our munchkin, our neice or nephew. Aadhi’s baby is our baby too, am I right ?

Vimal hugged her crushing her in his embrace as he fought within himself to get rid of the memories from the day he lost his baby.

Chaitra: Shhhh, calm down honey bear, I can’t see you like this. Do you want us to leave and visit once baby is born ?

Vimal hook his head and Chaitra pat his back and waited for him to calm down. Vimal pulled back from the hug and Chaitra wiped the tears from his eyes.

Vimal: Are you ashamed to see me cry ?

Chaitra: We could laugh, have fun, play, watch movies and do everything with our closed ones but we cry only in the embrace of the people whom we trust and surrender our heart, soul and our wholeself completely. I m happy that you let your guard down completely before me and thank you for letting me to heal you. Everything is fine, be strong and lets be ready to hold the baby.

Vimal bobed his head and pecked her forhead closing his eyes.

Vimal: Thank you Ira….thank you.. what would have I done without you ?

Chaitra: Ofcourse nothing, you have become baby totally and need me for everything including bathing.

Vimal shut her mouth with his palm and saw a nurse who was looking at them wierdly.

Vimal: you definitely don’t have a filter.

Chaitra: As if you have one, now come on lets get back to the family.

Vimal shook his head and followed her to the family. They saw Aadhi being taken to the labor room and Rishi followingd her. He wore the scrub and wiped his tears before he entered the labor room. Aadhi was screamig in pain and he held her hand and kissed her forehead.

Aadhi: Rishu, I can’t ..it hurts.. I… I..

She couldn’t even talk and grit her teeth when another course of pain hit her. She held Rishi’s palm in a tight grip and Rishi watched her sob.

Rishi: Few more minutes Aadhu, you are my strong girl and our baby will be definitely strong like you. I love you baby…

Doctor checked Aadhi and when it was time she was asked to push. Rishi felt his finger would fracture from the force Aadhi was holding and he didn’t mind having a fractured finger to feel a little pain along with her in bringing their baby to the world. With the final push they heard the baby cry and Rishi pressed his lips on her forehead.

Rishi: Thank you Aadhu, thank you so much.. I love you Aadhu.. I love you.

He held the baby in his arm, the blood and flesh of their love and smiled on seeing their princess. A nurse came forward and placed the baby on Aadhi’s chest and she smiled with tears rolling down her cheeks and kissed her daughter’s forehead. Rishi watched the scene and couldn’t stop his own tears.

Doctor: Sir, you need to wait until your wife and baby will be shifted to the ward. They need to be taken care now.

Aadhi: Rishu…

Rishi: Yes baby…

That is all he said and saw her falling asleep from all the exhaustion. He walked out and saw the family looking at him eagerly.

Rishi: Princess is born, she is .. she is cute.. cutest baby.

Everyone pat his back and poured their wishes for each other. Both the families were elated on welcoming the first grandchild in their family. Rishi hugged his father and cried over his shoulder.

Rishi: I m a father now, dad.

Raghavan: Yes, Rishi, you are a father now and I know you will be the best father just like how you have been a best son, best brother and best husband.

Rishi pulled back from the hug and immediately was engulfed in a hug by Vimal.

Vimal: Congrats Rishi, I m so happy for you. Unforgettable day in our life.

Rishi: Thank you, she will be princess to all of us.

Vimal mumbled thank you and cried while Chaitra and Malini who jus arrived were hugging and celebrating in their own world.

They were all waiting in the room eagerly waiting for Aadhi and the baby’s arrival. The door opened and Aadhi was brought in the room in a wheel chair. The nurse who entered pushing the wheel chair was about to help Aadhi to get on to the bed but Rishi scooped Aadhi in his arms and carefully lowered her onto the bed.

Rishi: How do you feel love ?

Aadhi: I m good, just exhausted Rishu. How is our baby ?

Rishi: Cute like you, very beautiful.

Everyone wished Aadhi and soon the doctor entered holding the baby wrapped in a fluffy towel. Rishi sat next to Aadhi and the doctor placed the baby in Aadhi’s arms.

Doctor: The baby is absolutely fine and nurse will assist you to feed the baby for the first time.

Once the doctor walked out everyone surrounded Aadhi and looked at the baby who was sleeping adorably in her mother’s arms. Rishi touched his daughter’s fingers and kissed her knuckles gently and Aadhi adored both of them. As if the baby recognized her father’s touch she opened her eyes and yawned slowly. Everyone had tears on looking at the baby and Aadhi placed a kiss on her cheek before she gave the baby to her mother.

Rishi and Aadhi watched everyone taking their turns to carry the baby and the way they were talking to her. They heard a whimper and immediately Vani gave the baby to Aadhi.

Vani: I think she will start crying so feed her Aadhi.

Everyone walked out except for Rishi and the nurse who had been waiting guided Aadhi to feed the baby. Tears rolled down Aadhi’s cheeks as she fed her baby. Rishi kissed Aadhi’s temple and mumbled I love you to her.

Outside the room Chaitra and Malini were fighting over the color of toys and dresses they should buy for the baby but all the while Chaitra had her fingers interlaced with Vimal, not leaving him alone for a moment.

Once the baby was fed nurse walked out and everyone once again entered the room. Rishi was holding the baby to his chest and pacing with a smile. He slowly laid his daughter in the crib and returned to his love leaving the family to watch the baby.

Rishi: Thank you Aadhu, for everything you have given me. I love you… I will love you and our princess till the eternity. We are not having anymore babies. I can’t see you go through all those pain once again.

Aadhi: Don’t you want a son ?

Rishi: No, we shall give all our love to our daughter. She will be our world.

Aadhi leaned onto his chest and closed her eyes feeling home in his embrace.