One more day has passed. It is as if a storm has blown through our life in these 24 hours. When I and Nandini went to the nursing home, Navu was in serious condition. It was premature labour pain and water bag breakage. Cabir and I didn't want Nandini to go to the nursing home but eventually, it turned out beneficial as she also got her water bag broken in the nursing home premises. Although she didn't have any complications in her pregnancy it might occur due to stress and tension. Both got admitted to two adjacent rooms. Where Nandini had a normal delivery Navu's baby took birth with a caesarean process. It was a long 4 hours operation. But.....her baby girl was stillborn as it was anticipated. After all the effort and all the prayer, God again pushes my sister into the darkness. Right now, I and Cabir are sitting outside of the OT. The doctor just has informed us about Navu's baby. After a long battle with nerves, Cabir at last breaks down with tears.
"I have failed again, Manik. I couldn't protect my baby again. What will I say to her? She will be shattered."
Cabir palms his face while blabbering. His frame is quivering with suppressed sobs. My eyes prick with tears. Why always my sister has to suffer? I was about to place my hand on Cabir's shoulder when the OT door opens once again. A nurse comes out holding a newborn baby.
"Mr Manik Malhotra."
I and Cabir spring up from our seats and rushes to her.
"It's me. How is my wife, Nandini Malhotra?"
I spurt out with lots of worries.
"She is fine. She gave birth to a baby girl. This is your daughter, Mr Malhotra."
The nurse shows me a tiny frame wrapped in cloth. Her pinkish tiny face is angelic. I couldn't see Maan as a newborn baby. So, the sight stops my heartbeat for a moment. Is it happiness, excitement or surprise? I don't know. In a spellbound state, I forward my hand to touch my princess but the nurse forbids me due to hygiene issues. Our cute buddle of joy yawns and I and Cabir chuckle looking at each other.
"We are shifting both Mrs Navya Murthy and Mrs Nandini Malhotra to their cabins. Though Mrs Murthy is unconscious Mrs Malhotra is absolutely fine. Actually, she wants to talk to both of you. After five minutes, you can see her but one by one. She is fine but exhausted and weak. So, no mental stress is appreciable."
We tilt our heads like obedient students. The nurse leaves along with my Thumbelina. Yes, I instantly name her Thumbelina as she is so tiny and cute. Cabir looks at me and mouths,
"Congratulations, Manik! Thank God the baby and Nandi are absolutely fine."
His eyes are beaming with zeal. I smile at him and counter-greet,
"Congratulations to you too. You became the maternal uncle again."
My words sound empty to my ears. We don't know if we both should be happy for Nandini and me or we should be sad for Navu and Cabir. I try to change the topic and say,
"You go first. Nandini will be happy to see you. But...ahem...don't say anything about Navu right now. She didn't anticipate this either."
Cabir wobbles in denial and utters with determination,
"No, it's your right to meet her first. I know you have been longing for this moment for aeons. Go and enjoy the moment."
He pats my biceps. His tone has something that doesn't allow me to defy him. Perhaps today he can forgive me totally from the bottom of his heart. I don't waste any time and head to Nandini's cabin.
......................................................
"Manik, if I demand something from you, will you give me?"
Nandini abruptly asks. Right now, I am sitting on the stool kept beside the patient bed. I caress her forehead. Pain and fatigue are evident on her face. I hold her hand and reply in an ardent tone,
"Anything for you. You gave me my Thumbelina."
Her forehead scrunches in query. I chuckle and explain with zeal,
"Our daughter. Have you seen her? She is so tiny....more than you."
I giggle to tease her again. But surprisingly she doesn't try to defy my words. Rather I observe some melancholy in her eyes. My heart sinks with an unknown fear. With a shaky voice, I ask again,
"What do you want?"
She keeps mum for a moment and lets out with a deep sigh,
"Our Thumbelina. Will you give me permission to give our daughter to Bhai and Navya?"
Her words slash my heart instantly. What is she saying? Does that mean she knows about Navu's condition? Still, how can a mother give her newborn to another when she didn't even take her in her lap properly? My reaction is instant and obvious.
"Nandini...are you crazy? What the hell are you talking about? We can't give our baby to Navu and Cabir. This is absurd. Even they won't be ready for this. How could you...."
She cuts my words and says in a determined tone,
"Navya should never know about this. She won't be able to handle this loss again. And about Bhai, I will convince him. Manik, please let me mend the damage Ajja did unknowingly. Our daughter will be near to us only Navya will be her mother. Manik please try to understand. We have Manu but Bhai and Navya don't have anyone who can call them parents. Navya can't be a mother anymore. Can't we fulfil her this wish? She will be shattered, Manik. She won't be able to overcome this pain again. But we can save her from this pain."
She pauses for a moment. I observe her spiked breath. Tears roll down from the corner of her eyes. I keep on staring at this woman. Until now, I only loved her but from this moment, I have started respecting her. How can a person be so selfless? She never thinks about her happiness but she never steps back from her responsibility. She can even sacrifice her motherhood to rectify the past her grandfather once messed up. Only a special woman can do this. And she is a special woman. Not only in my life but in everyone's life. My eyes brim with respect and gratitude. Nandini fixes her eager eyes on me. They have silent plead. I feel ashamed in front of this angel heart.
"Manik Malhotra you can never be like this. Calm, composed and selfless. But you can appreciate her thought, her sacrifice."
My inner God shakes my conscience. I caress her cheeks and wipe off those precious tears.
"I am sorry, Nandini. I was only thinking about myself. When I should have thought about my sister. I tried to bring my sister's happiness by giving pain to others where you are trying to bring her happiness back by hurting yourself. That is the difference."
I pause for a second while Nandini tries to oppose my words but I mum her by saying,
"Thank you for making me realise that love is not about acquiring but sacrifice. Let our Thumbelina be the smile on my sister's lips."
I blink my eyes with a smile. She reaches my cheek and touches the tears trail.
"Thank you, Manik. I know it's hard for you. Even for me but sometimes we become happier to see our loved ones happy."
She mouths with a bright smile. I hold her hand in mine and kiss it.
"Yes, we will be happy to see them happy."
I utter determinedly and again kiss the back of her hand. Love requires sacrifice. But it's worth it. Always.
............................................
"Daddy...Cabu is fighting with me. Can I pull her hair?"
Champ asks me determinedly while resting both hands on either side of his waist. Jest dance in my eyes. My son is almost a replica of mine. He knows what to do but never forgets to do the formalities to ask. I keep the fake seriousness on my face and enquire,
"You can if you don't care about the consequences when your Mummum will come to know it. Cabu is smarter than you when it comes to proving her point."
I add in a whisper,
"Just like her mother. Genes speaks."
Champ thinks for a while and eventually gives up the idea to stretch the fight with his sister. He comes nearer and occupies the adjacent seat of mine.
"Daddy, tomorrow our class is going for a picnic. Can I take Cabu with me?"
He looks at me with quizzical eyes. I shut the laptop and turn at my son.
"For that, you should ask Navu Aunty. Cavya can't go if her mother doesn't permit it. By the way, have you asked your Mummum? How many teachers are going with you? I hope you can take care of yourself all alone."
I show my concern. Champ gives a nonchalant smile at me and utters,
"Daddy, I am 7 and a half yrs old. Not a kid. I can take care of myself. But Cabu! Sometimes she doesn't obey me."
"Still, you can't live without her for a second."
Champ and I both get startled by the voice. Navu, Cabir and Nandini near us with bright smiles.
"Manu, Cabu will go with you. And I have told her to obey you too. Cabuuu!"
Navya mouths with assurance and calls her 5 yrs old daughter Cavya. A tiny frame peeps from behind her mother. Thumbelina hasn't changed a lot although 5 years have passed. Cabir lifts his daughter in his lap while beckons Champ to come nearer. Manu immediately rushes to his maternal uncle.
"If we all go for a picnic on Sunday, won't be a better offer than this school picnic, Manu?"
Cabir ruffles Champs hair while placing this lucrative offer. Cabu claps with delight and mouths,
"Yeeeehhhh...yes, Papa. Then Manu Bhai won't be able to pull my hair. You know Nandi (Cavya calls Nandini as Nandi like her father) he pulled my hair so hard today."
She pouts and looks at Nandini seeking justice. But before any verdict can come from that side, Navya rolls her eyes at her drama queen daughter and admonishes,
"Before that, you spoilt his drawing book, Ms Cavya Murthy. Don't act so innocent."
Champ nods in a triumphant manner while Cavya skirts her helpless eyes on everyone. She couldn't anticipate this revelation. Seeing this innocent fight all of us burst into laughter. Nandini pecks on Cavya's cheek and utters affectionately,
"Okay...then the score is settled. So, the picnic plan is on. By the way, I forgot to let you all know that Arya and Soha are coming to India in the next week. Soha's husband and son are also coming. So, can we arrange a small trip to Amboli?"
She turns at me and adds,
"Manik, you remember we once built a resort over there for one of our clients?"
How can I forget? That place, the storm and our first time. The memory brings shine to my eyes. I can't hold myself back from teasing her.
"Of course, I remember. The resort, the waterfalls and the storm. Nandini, you remember that cave. We took shelter over there and then...."
I halt with a mischievous smile. Blood rushes to her pretty face. She rolls her eyes at me. Navu observes it and retorts,
"I think she recalled everything vividly, Bhai but unfortunately this time there will be so many people to play the third wheel...he...he."
Cabir clears his throat and concludes,
"This time no cave. Only room."
For a moment I, Nandini and Navu all keep on looking at Cabir like he is an alien. He may not realise the double meaning of his words. In the next moment, Nandini and Navya split their sides in a riot of laughter. Finally, we are happy in our life. It gave us the lesson that life is not always the desired path. It has ups and downs, laughter and tears, separation and togetherness. But the best thing about it is after the hardest climb the best view comes. We all struggled a lot and we all eventually have reached the happiest destination.
Author's note: So, this is the end of this journey. Hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for all your love and support. Love you all...❤❤❤
Suk
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