Happiness In A Basket

After one miscarriage and 10 years of pregnancy treatment, I got completely exhausted.

Endless hospital rounds, countless needles pain and over shooting bills we got nothing but failure. Both of us have stopped visiting home and relatives. As they always talk about our treatment, next step and so on.

My hubby Akash loves kids, but he always supported me while I lost the hope of conceiving again. But my motherhood kept crying inside.

Finally we both agreed for adoption and filled an application.

Before any luck could work for us, Akash insisted me to go on an outing. I was so much drilled in treatment, that mentally and physically I was torn. But for Akash, I agreed.

We packed our bags for Manali. 12 years back we opted it for our honeymoon too.

Manali looked so amazing today even. It was early December and roads were beautified with patches of snow. After years I and Akash were lying cozy in bed and remembering our olden days. Akash knew how much I loved snow, maybe that's why just to rejuvenate me, he made the plan.

While taking a stroll with our hands together, cool breeze chilling our nose and the warmth of love, made me realize that in a haste to find the happiness of being a mom I somewhere forgot to be Akash's partner. He dealt with all my absence but never shown me. And it was my time to be a better person for him.

Maybe the snow worked magic to my brain.

 It was the last night and it snowed for hours.

The highway got closed for 48 hrs at least.

We had to reschedule all our bookings.

And were to stay here a little longer.

Last two days we played rolling down in snow, making a snowman, puffing snow in each other's jacket. And just let it snow on us. It was magical.

Things got better and buses started plying.

We could somehow get a ticket. Due to bit fog train speed was too slow to give us comfort.

After Ambala crossed a lady boarded the train, she was very pale and week. And had a basket in hand. Sitting on my seat I was watching her.

She sat near the door and as the train started. She removed her torn shawl and stuffed over the basket.

It disturbed me, why would someone do that on a cool chilly night. She was expressionless. 

It was around 10:30 of night and Panipat was about to come. Before the train would hit the platform, I rushed to the washroom. On the way, I tried best to peep in the basket, but no luck.

While the train halted at outer, I was washing my hands. To my surprise, this lady shifted the basket in the corner and got down. In the fog-covered area she was lost somewhere.

At a distance, Panipat station lights could be seen.

I don't know why but I rushed to the basket and saw a cold baby girl not more than a week sleeping in. It seemed so soft and calm, unaware of what her mother just planned for a lifetime.

My hands started to shake and words froze.

Due to my long absence, Akash came to check up on me. While I showed him the baby, he asked me to tell the police.

But I requested him not to.

Somewhere from the minute I saw the basket, I had a strange feeling and now when it has the most precious gift for me, I was selfish to hand it to police.

We got down at Panipat itself. Akash checked the whole station to find that lady, while I made the baby tucked in with woolens and love of my motherhood.

I wanted to cry aloud, but it would unnecessary became a scene at the station.

Our train gave a horn and swiftly went away.''

At the station were me, Akash and our basket baby.

We got formula milk from an outlet at the station, feed the baby. She was wet. Somehow I wrapped her in my clothes and Akash muffler.

Luckily we got a train due to time delay at 12:00

From Panipat to Delhi.

Around 3 am we reached Tuglakabad. We took a taxi and headed for home. We both were silent, trying to gulp down the truth. It was no way lesser than winning a jackpot.

Manali not only gave us warmth, love, snow but an angel too.

Who knew it was God's plan to reschedule our trip to meet the angel.

Next morning we called up Akash's brother who is a lawyer. And asked to cover up with the adoption letter. He somehow managed to do it.

Everyone in the family had different reactions to the baby.

But I and Akash were happiest among all. And gradually they all accepted that we were now three from two.

We named our baby as Mithali rhyming to Manali.

That year Santa planned serendipity for us.

Christmas came a bit early for us. 

Tomorrow Mithali will be turning a year old.

We have a small party in the house.

Mithali has learned to take baby steps and call maa and papa.

One year with her was full of love, easy enough to forget all my pains and grief.

P:S special thanks to Akash for planning a trip to Manali.