Manik couldn’t concentrate on the TV even when his favourite soccer team was playing. He found himself pressing his lips together, biting his nails often, pacing around the room every few minutes, and then trying to concentrate on the TV but nothing seemed to work.
Now, as an afterthought, he regretted not accompanying Nandu in the labour room. When the doctor had asked them if he would like to go with her in the labour room, he had been apprehensive. And before he could decide, Nandu had asked him not to come. The person that he was, he would have freaked out at first scream he heard from Nandu, driving everyone else crazy too.
As it always happen when we wonder about a moment, once it has passed, if we could have behaved differently, Manik too was remorseful why he didn’t go with her. At least, he wouldn’t have been edgy right now.
After almost two hours, the nurse came to Manik and asked him to accompany her towards the corridor where there were located the labour room, the Operation theatre and the doctors’ cabins in a row.
Manik followed her feeling nervous, “Sister, is my wife doing fine?”
The nurse nodded and said, “The doctor will talk to you about it.”
Soon, the doctor emerged from the labour room and spoke directly to Manik, explaining in a calm tone, “Mr. Manik Malhotra, there have been some unforeseen complications in Nandini’s case. We can’t take risk so we have to take an urgent decision of emergency Caesarean section.”
Manik could feel his heart thumping hard in his chest. As far as he knew, everything was going fine with Nandini for all the past nine months. In fact, she had routinely maintained a diet and walk schedule, along with prenatal yoga. All her investigations had been normal and she was feeling calm and relaxed. They had been hoping for a normal delivery. This sudden complication was unexpected and shocking. In fact, he was unable to believe it.
His throat dried as he asked, “Operation? Is it something serious? Are they both fine? Isn’t it risky?”
The doctor patted his arm and said, “For now, both the mother and baby are fine. Circumstances are such that I will not advise normal vaginal delivery. We need to take an urgent decision.”
Manik immediately replied, “You are her doctor. Please take your call. If she needs a surgery, you need my permission. It’s completely up to you. We trust you.”
The doctor smiled, “Thank you, Manik. But it isn’t enough. You need to give a written consent that we can proceed with the surgery. You know how it is, when it comes to legal matters. The surgery is a small procedure and within 2 hours, she will be back. But still, we can’t proceed on verbal consent. Please sign these papers.”
Manik quickly took the papers to sign. But when he read the fine print, that mentioned that he was giving consent for surgery, fully aware that complications do occur during surgery, from massive blood loss, to sudden death of mother or baby, and he will not accuse the doctor and hospital for negligence, his hands froze. Even a vague passing thought of anything bad happening with Nandini felt like a storm raging in his heart and mind. It was a tough call but he didn’t have any other option. He was reminded of how Nandu had asked him to promise that he wouldn’t worry about them. He missed his parents and sister at the time when he needed them the most.
He rested his faith in the doctor and God, and signed the papers. When the doctor was leaving, he stopped her, “Doctor…”
“Yeah?” The pleasant doctor stopped and turned to listen to him.
“Please take care of her.” he requested.
The doctor smiled and said, “Don’t worry. That’s my sole job right now.”
Manik was back to the room, feeling heavy. He took out his phone to talk to his Ma but then he decided against it. She would ask a hundred questions and will start worrying about Nandini. Also, Papa and Ma both didn’t need stress at this time.
Instead of calling them, his hand moved over the phone ‘gallery’ on its own. Nandini loved to click pictures and Manik was by default her cameraman. At every place, at every occasion, at every moment, she would pose with her trademark smile, asking to click her pictures – several of them – and also the videos, and then should post them in her Instagram stories, Reels and feed.
He couldn’t stop smiling when he saw those pictures. She was so full of life. So happy. So loving. She called him ‘boring’ because he was a recluse and mostly uninterested in clicking pictures or even posting them anywhere. His social media accounts were more of a formality with one post in few months, and only family following him. He didn’t have many followers. Nor he desired.
One particular photo was with the Ganpati statue in their home. Nandini had immense faith in Ganpati Bappa. She always said that Ganpati will take care of her because she talked to Him as children talk to their parents.
Rest all pictures were from their home only as they couldn’t go anywhere because of Covid. They had not stepped out of home except the ANC visits and regular checkups with doctors. Nandini loved going for long drives and ice-cream dates post dinner. But for past six months, they hadn’t gone anywhere.
She had informed him that the moment she was discharged from the hospital and they were allowed to go out, he was supposed to take her out for an ice-cream date at Giani’s Ice cream parlour.
Manik had agreed reluctantly. He had never understood her love for ice-cream.
“Sometimes, I feel that you love ice-cream more than you love me!” He had complained, rolling his eyes.
“I would have loved you more, if I could eat you!” She had giggled, pulling his cheeks, telling him how cute he looked when he was jealous.
“Such a cheap thought!” He acted like he was puking. “And, by the way, I am not jealous.”
She laughed when he refused to accept it. Pointing at his look, she had said, “I can’t believe it Malhotra, you are jealous? Of ice-cream?? How will you behave when you’ll have to share me with a full-fledged living being, a few days from now.”
His envy was turned into a wide smile. He replied –
“I will love the baby more. I promise, you will be the one who is jealous.”
………………………………….
So cute moments
Wow… amazing update. You always surprised me with your amazing stories.
After long-time, I am reading your updates and it’s awesome
Part 3 – Loved the banter between them. As usual he was worried after knowing that doctors decided to go for c-section. Liked the idea of getting strength from viewing their old pics from gallery and reminding the story behind each picture. Manik is jealous of ice cream. Lol. Lets see who will be jealous of their baby more.
I guess Niti has taken inspiration from your T&T, getting the tattoo of the one you love, on her ring finger.
Haha!!! I just saw that post on insta… someone tagged me there.
What a cute co-incidence 😍😍
Somehow I love banters more than romance!!!
Each has it’s own place 😀
Just like nandini, I love ice creams 😋
During my initial days in China, we couldn’t get a proper indian veg food there and a Pakistani di was cooking for all of us but due to her studies , it was very stressful for her to manage both things and alas we would get not so yummy food.
I have been choosy when it comes to food and my family had to bear so many tantrums.
When I had to eat that not so yummy food, I used to think that if mom would be there, I t would have been better but it’s good that I had to go through all that things and I came back as a stronger
Now when I am at home and u don’t crib for anything special, mom says that now you look and behave like an independent adult ,
Manik is utterly cute here and I so wish everything goes well with them. Their love is what makes us believe in love. 🤗❤️
And ha I was gonna write about ice creams but 😅
At that time, ice creams were the only thing I could eat bcz I dont stand egg’s smell so eating them was not an option.
And that’s how it became my fav 😅😂
In chilled weather too, I used to eat icecreams and my friends were like are you even real?! 🤣😂
I’m like Manik. I have no idea why and how people like ice-cream. I’m all shades of boring 😅
Yes, hostels teach us do much. My hostel life was a profound teaching experience too.
Heart touching ❤️
Hahahaha..the last line. I loved it. A glimpse of Manan as parents
Thanks for the beautiful update . Really Manan are goals for life. Your works are all penned so beautifully and touches the heart. Thanks once again 💐💐💐💐
Such a beautiful update di… This short story brings back such beautiful memories of manan and their chemistry.. Just loving the track… Sorry di could not comment on other posts of yours due to some health issues here but I am not failing to check your blog everyday and read everything posted here.. I will be never able to explain how much it’s helping me to heal. Love you loads..
Regards
Priya
Hope you are doing well Priya. Get well soon… Take care 🤗
This is one beautiful story of Manik and Nandani as parents and their love makes me dream of having a person like him in my life too..in case this can be true. Hahahhaa…very cute and way too loving story!!
Loving it with all my heart ❤❤❤
Thank you so much for such lovely lovely update!!2
Stay blessed and stay happy☺
My best wishes & prayers… you’ll get a Manik too 💖💖