16 years ago.
November 22.
4.30 pm
Anticipation
In probably two days, our family would have a new member, destined to be our favorite member
Even as we sat chatting, bags packed (since the last couple of months and checked by you every day) and ready in case we needed to rush to the hospital, I excused myself, got up with lazy difficulty and waddled off to the bathroom.
So imagine my surprise when my water broke.
That gush of water was weird.
I gingerly stepped out and told you.
Ever crazy, the first thing I wanted to do was finish my porridge, which I had been eating, and a good thing too, for little did I know my next meal would be more than 24 hours later.
You panicked a bit, laughing and crying at the same time.
We’d both be doing a lot of that for the next few days….for the rest of our lives.
I called the doctor, who told me to go admit myself at the hospital.
I called Sury, who had gone to the recreation center for a game of Table Tennis after telling for the nth time to call… just in case.
On his way back, he had called a cab.
We were ready to move.
We zoomed off to St.Elizabeth’s.
The doctors checked me up and laughed at me saying I wasn’t ready.
Then the senior doctor came and confirmed that I wasn’t ready, but since the water broke, no way I could go home.
And they decided to induce labor.
Hooked me up at 7.30 pm.
Which continued into a night I’ll never forget.
Sweet pain.
I can still hear the baby’s heartbeat
You praying, reciting slokas so I could hear.
Tickling my feet endlessly
Both of us were tired, but you were such a powerhouse of strength to me.
It looked like morning would take forever to come.
Finally, in 12 hours, 7.30 am arrived.
November 23 dawned.
Wheeled to the delivery room.
At least another hour, the doctor said.
I can still picture her sitting at the table and watching me, cracking jokes as you hovered around.
The clock ticked on.
She decided I should start laboring
Sury had arrived and through everyone’s encouragement, I pushed
And pushed
An hour later, baby’s head was stuck and the doctor declared we were on the verge of trauma
She brought in another doctor to consult
Who immediately advised an emergency cesarean
And so we were whisked to the Operation Theater
At 10.32 am, I heard the neo-natologist’s voice say, “Why isn’t this guy crying” followed by a gentle pat on the baby’s butt and a yelp from the baby. That was it. No prolonged crying.
They took him away.
Still groggy from the anesthesia, I wondered, how did you know it was a boy?
I could vaguely hear the doctors working to stitch me up. They were talking about the party they were planning to attend that evening.
I remember thinking, I hope they don’t forget one of their instruments inside me.
And passed out.
Around 1.30 pm, I came to, in my own room.
I could hear voices
Lots of voices
My uncle and aunt had arrived
Everyone was gushing over the baby
Marveling at his hands, his long fingers and the various mudras he showed with his fingers.
Divine, they thought.
We had more visitors – strangers – who thought he was special, as he shared his birthday with Sai Baba. November 23
Indeed, a star was born – into our lives, anyway.
Our very own little “Baba”
How lovingly we stitched and knitted for him.
Warm cozy months of preparing for our little man.
Fond memories
Life changed forever
When our little boy was born
Infinite love, joy
♥
Truly blessed! While I am grateful you were here for 12 birthdays, I am sad this is the fourth one you’ve missed, Mi. We arranged lunch at Seva Sadan and made a special contribution to another orphanage.
♥
10 thoughts on “A Star Is Born”
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First of all, happy birthday to your baba. And second, very nicely narrated – I could almost see all the ‘actors’ around. 🙂
A very happy birthday to your star! He is looking so cute as Baba! And the little socks and caps are so sweet!! Fond memories indeed!
Happy Birthday to the young man!
That photo is so cute! Happy birthday to him.. 🙂
Wish the young man a very happy birthday. I am a little late, sorry about that. He is not just your star, but destined to make great contributions to the world in any field he chooses once he grows up. Not to say, he is not already doing it 🙂 Hugs to both of you.
Here’s wishing a belated happy birthday to the little champ Vidur, who I know for a fact is going to be an awesome human being for sure 😀
Lovely post.
Cute pic of little Sai Baba 🙂 hope you had tons of fun on this special day! Lots of lv n best wishes to the birthday boy!!!
Happy Birthday to your precious one. So happy you both came through the ordeal OK. What lovely items you made in preparation. Bringing a new soul into the world is what life is all about. Just priceless! ♥
Happy birthday (a tad bit late :D) to lovely Vidur who talks in haiku often even presses your feet and is literally godsend. Throughout the read I was with you, wanting to finish that porridge, waiting for the delivery to begin. Hearing the shlokas. And then the crying. You took me on a journey Vidya, one that brought you immense happiness forever…
Oh. Happy Birthyday to him! (Even though I’m late) Time flies so fast, isn’t it?