Surangi, The Child Bride

Part 65

"Sungi vahini, it is official, we are finally pregnant!" Dinkar had a broad grin on his face.

"Oh my God! That's great news indeed!" Surangi quickly gathered up the folds of the sheer saree she was gathering. She ran into the kitchen and returned with a plate of coconut fudge. It was a tradition to offer a sweet confection to the bringer of good news.

"Dinu, I hope Rohini is coping well!" Vidya expressed her concern. 

"She fainted last evening, and when I insisted on taking her to the doctor's clinic she told me about it. We did go to the doctor, who examined her and confirmed that she is indeed pregnant! Anyway, where is the good Dr Oak? I have not yet given him the news!" Dinkar said, biting into a piece of fudge.

"He has been so busy he has hardly come home this week. Dinu Bhaoji, tell you what, let's go to the hospital and give him the news ourselves!" Surangi went to change her saree and returned in a jiffy, lest Dinkar change his mind.

"Looks like someone is really keen to play doctor-patient!" Dinu let out a wolf whistle, as Surangi led him downstairs.

"Are you actually carrying food for Madhav, when you should be enticing him with your looks instead? You are surely dressed to kill, never saw you in cut off sleeves before!" Dinu smiled as he recalled the faint image of the innocent Konkani girl in her long pigtails tripping over her ankle length skirt as she tried to keep pace with Madhav while on her way to school.

"Vidya Tai has packed some puran poli and ladoos for Rohini and you, but yes, there is something for him too!" Surangi did her best to avoid reacting to the enticing bit. She wrapped the end of her saree around herself tightly, her get-up was meant for only a specific set of eyes.

"So, is your packing done?" Dinu honked to alert an ox cart driver who was trying to change lanes.

"Almost! My trunk is filled to capacity, mostly with warm clothing that Vidya Tai insists I carry with me." Surangi emerged from the car balancing herself carefully on her new high heeled shoes. She had to get used to them, she could hardly wear her Kolhapuri slippers on the streets of England.

"Madam, I need to note the symptoms of the ailment you are here to be treated for!" The nurse at the desk of the hospital ward addressed her.

"Sister, she is here to see Dr Madhav Oak. You can put down her symptoms as loss of appetite and general malaise!" Dinkar managed to keep a straight face through the charade while Surangi suppressed a giggle.  

"Wait over there. The doctor is busy." The nurse pointed to a couple of vacant seats in the lounge.

"Hope you don't mind the wait!" Surangi dabbed some scent on her wrists.

"Why would I pass on the opportunity  to test the resolve of Dr Madhav?" The prankster in Dinu was very much alive.

They chatted on until the nurse called out to Surangi.

" You may go in now!" Surangi braced herself and Dinu put on his dark glasses.

" What seems to be the problem?" Madhav asked absentmindedly. His eyes were glued to the papers before him.

" My head hurts and there is a dull ache in my chest right here." Surangi walked across and stood dangerously close to him.

A startled Madhav looked up and immediately noticed his wife standing before him confidently, looking taller than her original stature. 

" What are the two of you doing here?" Madhav stared at them. His wife had never looked so attractive before.

"The mountain had to pay a visit to Muhammad because the latter was too busy!" Dinkar took off his dark glasses.

" Aho, you are going to be a Kaka, Rohini is in the family way!" Surangi announced.

"That's great news indeed! Hope you have taken her to a gynaecologist, Dinkar!" Madhav shook hands with Dinu.

" Yes, I took her to see Dr Shirodkar! Apparently he's the best!" Dinu went on to explain the necessary details to Madhav.

"Yes, Dr Shirodkar is indeed the best in the field!" Madhav avoided looking at Surangi. He did not want her to catch him staring at her. It did not take Dinkar time to guess what was happening.

"Vahini, you are the patient. I'll wait outside until you have consulted the good doctor!" Dinu beamed at them as he led himself out of the office.

"Are you upset that I came here?" No matter how eager she was to meet her busy husband Surangi did look a bit guilty.

"You could have waited till my shift ended!" Madhav could see the disappointment in her eyes.

"I am sorry to have taken up your precious time, I think I should leave!" Surangi rose to her feet. 

Madhav got up from his seat and stepped forward to block her path.

"Not so soon, Miss! Not after you have described those deadly symptoms. It is my professional obligation to examine every one of my patients, so if you could lie down on that bunk, I shall check your pulse and heartbeat!" Madhav's stance left her with no choice. Surangi stepped out of her shoes and lay down before her husband.

"Let us see! Quickening breath and pulse, as well as rising blood pressure! Probably tachycardia! Signs of flushed skin on the chest and neck, due to blood vessels dilating! That is indeed serious!" Madhav tried to keep a straight face, suppressing the smile that was threatening to break out on his face. 

"What do you mean serious? Aho, am I really unwell?" Surangi sounded slightly worried. She was blissfully happy to be in the presence of her husband after a long break, but what if he had seen signs of some unknown illness in her? She was due to board a ship in a couple of days!

"Mrs Oak, I cannot begin to tell you how serious the matter is! You are going to need a thorough physical examination, but not here, meet me at 8 pm after my shift ends! You can leave for now, I have another patient waiting for my attention!" He tapped her gently on the forehead and helped her climb down.

"Aho, I thought there was something very wrong with my health!" Surangi squeezed his palm gently.

"Wait downstairs with Dinu, but be careful, lest he slips up and falls for you! Now run along!" Madhav held the door open for her and watched her make her way downstairs. 

His looked wistfully at the long line of patients waiting for him, this was going to be a long shift. He wished he could be with Surangi instead. 

He never thought he would envy Dinkar. Dinkar and Rohini were on their way to being proud parents, their love would fructify and bind them together in an invincible bond. On the other hand, Surangi was going to be away from him for an entire year! Even that thought was becoming unbearable for Madhav!