Fear & Love

Sixty Eight

She thought it was a dream and tried to sway away the feeling. But then, she continued feeling hands massaging her legs. With great difficulty, she opened her eyes. After spending so much time at the hospital, just sleeping and having medications, she had definitely become lazy and it was hard for her to get up early.

To her surprise, it was Anand massaging her feet lightly. The physiotherapist had given specific instructions on how to massage her feet and to her surprise, even Anand had learnt it.

Seeing him massage her feet, she remembered how he did it with love and smile on his face when she was pregnant. She wanted the same Anand back, who was soft and gentle with her and may she say - romantic.

She noticed his formal wear and before she could ask, he said, "I have an important meeting in the office. I will come back in few hours." It's been too long he stepped in his office. He tried to manage his work virtually but today, it was impossible to do it virtually.

"No, no, no, please. Please stay here." It was strange for Anand to see her behaving in this manner. She had always been calmer than this. He went closer to her and held her hands.

"Hey! Hey....what happened to you?" He asked softly seeing her frantic self.

"Don't leave me alone. I don't know how to handle the baby, alone." She was scared to think about handling the baby without Anand. She couldn't move on her own, couldn't pick up the baby on her own. When the baby gets cranky, she knows she can give him to Anand to roam around the house or just sway the baby in his arms, which she couldn't do.

"Gitanjali. Shh! Listen to me." He calmed her down. "You are not alone. Shanti and the entire staff is there to help you with the baby. Plus, it's a matter of few hours. I will be back and for all you know, the baby would be sleeping the time I am gone." He gave her multiple reasons to calm her down. Not just the home staff, she had her personal caretaker who could help with the baby as well for few hours.

"I...I don't know. I can trust anyone with the baby when you are around. Don't go, Anand." She held his hand tightly. There is a difference when Anand is around. He can easily look around unlike her who was immobile or had a hard time moving.

"I am going to tell Shanti what you just said." He tried poking fun and getting her to understand. He knew how her and Shanti had a great bond and threatening her with this would work.

"Listen, Gitanjali. There is nothing to be afraid of." He knew he was lying when he said this. Everything about a new born can scare a parent. You are always paranoid if you are taking enough care of the baby or are you lacking something. To top it up, their baby was a premature baby who needed extra care. He continued, "You are his mom. Just be a little confident, trust me, you know how to handle him and care for him." She shook her head, not wanting to understand him. She continued to grip his hand tighter. "Gitanjali! Why are you acting like a kid? It's just few hours, Gitanjali.." He sighed after his continuous efforts. He made a quick call to her mother and requested to come to their place.

"Anandji, what is their to make a request? I will be there in sometime." It was a consistent complaint of her mother that she didn't get to spend enough time with Gita during her pregnancy. Ofcourse, she wouldn't turn down this golden opportunity.

"I have called your mom. She will be here in sometime.  I will leave after she comes." He assured her and only then she left her tight grip on his hand. It was so strange for her to cling on to him. He had never seen her almost plead him to not go anywhere.

*

When Anand came back, he saw a more relaxed Gita who was playing with their son as her mother held him.