Dark Secret.. Ch 1

Here;

Paternal Father- Baba, Paternal Mother- Maa.

October 6, 2001, 7:45pm

Light storms and gusts of winds propelling over the sky, rains that lashed down the bustling streets forced everyone to shut down their eyes. Everyone was sitting in the veranda, holding a plate of snacks and a cup of tea to seek relief from the piercing winds, blowing from pillar to post whilst the rains tearing out the silence of night… Ahh!! A sound came from the adjacent room. Hastily, the members went to see if everything was fine; rather they got a shock…

To their utter shock mom was coughing and shivering from the cold biting winds, mumbling and writhing in pain. The immeasurable agony of all mothers bearing the foetus for ten months, we men can’t measure. Family members pondered in a state of dilemma.Though the cabs facility in Jamshedpur lacked on those days, the auto was a sole option left. Soon she was escorted to the hospital. The nurse further took her to the labor room. Family members were in a deep state of havoc but also filled with happiness. Yes! Just to hold back themselves for a couple of hours, of getting the news of newborn Life to step into a new world. Regardless of the financial crisis was at its peak but getting admitted to Mercy Hospital was passable on those days. A mediocre hospital would be a positive enough to give birth to a baby. Father, who was a bus conductor, barely had enough earnings to feed and rule out the vast members of the family. Mr. Amal Kumar Patra the eldest amongst his brothers, was a temporary employee of Tata Motors on days of yore.

On reaching to the labor room, straight away she was taken to the lab for the ultrasound checkups, the nurse kept an eye on the screen, but suddenly got stunned after observing the movements of the foetus. With a hustle, she briefed the doctor…

Doctor- Sister please go and call out the guardians of the patient Mrs. Swapna Patra right away. It’s critical. Need to have an urgent word with them.

Sister came running towards Baba… “Sir please come in, doctor is calling you immediately”. With haste he went to the cabin. His face was covered full of suspense but retained patience and hope in his heart. The doctor went through the report, kept his right hand on his forehead whilst his eyeballs moving too and fro.

Baba and Paternal Mother– Sir may we get in?

Doctor- Please come in… please be seated

The doctor offered two glasses of water to them… But they didn’t pay heed.

Doctor- Apologizing from here but, both have been affected with Jaundice. The growth and movements of the foetus are lousy. And if we go ahead, the baby may not survive.

Listening to the words of the doctor with utmost attention, tear-laden eyes my paternal mother walked out of the cabin. Her face that should luster out with ecstasy rather turned down pale and gloomy. Of a sudden, she fainted and slumped on the floor, people standing over there helped her to regain her composure. Who knew, she had to face a tough dreadful day? Constantly sobbing, she called out several names of the goddess, by now her heart was shattered into pieces. On observing her, Baba too became heavy-hearted, so how could he console his wife?

Paternal Mother - Will I ever get a glimpse of our youngest Life. Oh! Almighty bless this infant with your love so that he can step into a new world and take a vision of it. The mother of the child is as simple as a blossom. Then why does she have to face with such a terrible day? cried out, my paternal mother. 

Confused!!! 

For me, it was difficult indeed to just step into this world.

Ever come up with the wildest thought of a baby, would Survive or Die in its mother’s womb? Perhaps you didn’t… Alas, every miracle was set up by the one above, stay tuned for the upcoming chapter…

Signing off,