Bhalla Kitchen
2 July 2016
6.30pm

"Rajma masala? Ishita ko rajma khana hai? Lekin Puttar, abhi toh sirf sambar rice khana chahti thi. Kuch aur nahi. Madrassan bana rahi hai. Har din yah toh idli sambar ya rajma. Aur kuch dino toh khana dekhna nahi chahti. Lekin aaj pehli baar ek hi din mein menu change ho gaya."
(Rajma masala? Ishita wants to eat rajma? But son, just now she wanted to eat sambar rice. Nothing else. Madrassan is making it. Every days it's either idli sambar or rajma. And some days she doesn't want to look at food. But this is the first day that the menu changed on the same day)

"Haan ma, ab mein kya karoon. Usko khana hai, toh mein bata raha hoon na."
(I hear you ma, but what can I do? She wants to eat it, so I'm telling you)

"Theek hai puttar, mein abhi banati hoon. Puttar, waise ek baat karni thi tumhe"
(Okay son, I'll make it now. Son, I wanted to talk to you about something)

"Haan ma." (Yes ma) Raman stopped in his tracks and turned an enquiring look upon his mother.

"Puttar, Ishita ka aathwa mahina hai, lekin lagta toh aisa hai ki baby abhi hi aa sakta hai. Bechaari ko kuch bhi karne mein piroblem hoti hai. Doctor ne kaha sab theek hai na?"
(Son, Ishita is in her eight month, but it looks like the baby can come any day. The poor thing can't do anything. Did the doctor say everything is okay?)

"Haan ma" (Yes ma) Raman smiled bemusedly at his mum.

They had kept the news of the twins to themselves, but Ishita's huge tummy was starting to concern everyone now.

And her ever changing cravings were driving him mad. One day it was South Indian food only. The next day, she wanted Punjabi food and nothing else. His two babies were obviously having a culinary disagreement inside their mothers womb - continuing the Punjab v Madras war.

The result though was that neither mummyji nor amma knew who would have to do the cooking on which day. Not that the two ladies minded - Ishita's pregnancy was Amma's impossible dream come true and mummyji worshipped her bahu because of the happiness she had brought to her Raman and his children.

"Don't worry ma. Sab theek hai" (Everything is fine) he reassured his mother, before quickly checking on Adi and Ruhi, who were sitting at the dining table doing their homework.

He had taken on more and more parenting duties as Ishita's term neared, and her movements became more restricted, but even though he was exhausted, he had never been happier.

The exhaustion was compounded by the long hours he had to spend at work - the Bhalla Agency was fast becoming the go to marketing agency of Delhi and had gained a huge foothold internationally too. Thankfully Mihir had taken on more and more of the overseas travel, even postponing his marriage to Mihika, so Raman could stay close to his wife, but even based in Delhi, Raman's hours were long and his time limited.

Today, however, he had managed to get home early and had happily sat with his children as they had dinner, before attending to the menu demands of his very confused wife.

He looked on fondly as Adi helped Ruhi with a math problem, and then after mussing his sons hair and dropping a kiss on his daughters head, he started to walk away to check again on his madrassan.

"Papa" Ruhi's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Haan beta" (Yes baby?)

"Mumma kahan hai. Woh mere saath khelti kyon nahi hai? Mujhe park jaana hai. Mere homework ho gaya."
(Where is mumma? Why doesn't she play with me? I want to go to the park. My homework is finished)

"It's late Ruhi. Ab park nahi jaa sakte." (We can't go to the park now)

"Park mein floodlight hai papa. Aur Mumma mujhe hamesha dinner ke baad lekar jaati hai Fridays ko. Mujhe jaana hai."
(There are floodlights in the park papa. And mumma always takes me after dinner on Fridays. I want to go)

"Ok" Raman sighed.

Ruhi was becoming more fractious as Ishita's pregnancy advanced and Ishita could no longer do things with her little girl. Raman's approach to Ruhi was simply to give in to her demands - Ishita was the only one who could exercise any discipline over the little terror, but Ishita was in no condition to deal with Ruhi right now.

"Rinki bua will take you Ruhi" he motioned to Rinki, who was watching TV with Romi. "You know mumma has to rest, Doctor aunty ne kaha hai." (Doctor aunty has said so)

"Come I'll take you Ruhi" Rinki had risen with alacrity and moved towards Ruhi. "But you're sure homework ho gaya na?" (But you're sure you've finished your homework, right?)

"Nahi, mujhe sirf mumma ke saath jaana hai."
(No, I only want to go with mumma)

"Ruhi, mein bhi aata hoon. Ice-cream bhi khayenge " Romi had switched off the TV and winked at Ruhi.
(Ruhi I"ll come too. We can have ice cream too)

"Ice-cream?" She asked happily, her complaints forgotten due to Romi's smart move.

"Haan, five flavours. All your faviroutes. Aaja."

"Lekin mujhe mumma bhi chahiye."
(But I want mumma too)

Ruhi was persistent and turned her big sad eyes onto her father, whose only reaction was a sigh.

"Baby, mumma can't come now, you go with chachu and bua. Adi, what about you?"

"Nahi papa. Mujhe homework karna hai."
(No papa. I have to finish my homework)

"Ok" Raman passed a sheaf of bank notes to Rinki and mouthed a thank you, as Ruhi grabbed her bua's hand.
"Not too much Romi" he warned. "She won't sleep otherwise."

"Don't worry bhai " Romi smiled and herded his little group off.

Raman closed the door behind them and then turned. His mouth fell open in shock.

Ishita was standing at the doorway to Rinki's downstairs bedroom where they had moved a month ago, changing rooms with Rinki, after Dr Asha had restricted Ishita from exerting herself by climbing stairs.

"Ishita" he cried out, taking quick strides towards her. "You should be in bed."

"No" Ishita said tearfully. "I should be at the park with my daughter. I'm neglecting Ruhi, Raman."

"No, you're not Ishita. You're still doing what you can, but you're not superwoman. Aur hum sab bhi hain na. (The rest of us are here too, you know) Your blood pressure is high, you have gestational diabetes, you know you need to rest. And no stress, remember."

He put his arms around her to turn her around toward the bedroom, but she would not budge.

"Adi" she called out. "Is everything okay with the homework beta. Can I help?"

"No Ishima" Adi started, but then something in his Ishima's eyes stopped his words. "Actually, there is one thing Ishima. Mujhe dental hygiene par essay likhna hai, toh aap kuch tips de sakti hai? Aap room mein jao, mein apna laptop le kar aata hoon"
(Actually, there is one thing Ishima. I have to write an essay on dental hygiene, can you give me some tips? You go to your room, I'll bring my laptop)

Raman saw his wife's eyes light up and gently propelled her away to her room, mouthing a thank you to Adi over his shoulder.

He had seen the homework that Adi was doing - calculus and physics - his son had obviously invented the dental hygiene essay just to make his Ishima feel needed.

Adi was growing up to be a fine young man, Raman pondered proudly. Thank God that he had been able to get him away from Ashok in time. Adi's bond with Shagun would never be broken, and Raman did not want it to either, but Adi had also accepted Ishita as a mother in his life, and his support of Ishita gave her courage, and filled his fathers heart with pride.

His eyes were moist as he settled his wife back into her bed, propped up with pillows, her huge tummy protruding below her loose maternity dress.

"Kya hua Raman?" (What's the matter Raman?) She touched his cheeks softly.

"Nothing" He placed a hand on her stomach, caressing softly, wondering anew at the miracle they had created. "Ishita, you have to stay on bed rest, otherwise Dr Asha will admit you to hospital, you know that right?

"I know Raman she sighed. "It's just sometime... " She stopped as Adi appeared at the door.

Raman got up and motioned Adi to take his place. "Now remember Adi, don't let Ishima get too tired huh?"

"Don't worry papa" Adi smiled in reply and Raman walked out, just as his phone started ringing.

***********************************
Raman answered his phone with some trepidation. Unknown to Ishita, he had had a long discussion with Dr Asha that morning.

The doctor had been concerned about Ishita's latest results and had told Raman she would look into a prenatal facility where Ishita could be admitted until her delivery. If she was calling back, that meant some progress must already have been made on that front.

"Yes Dr Asha" He had reached the sanctuary of their old bedroom, now occupied by Rinki, but currently empty, and could speak undisturbed.

"Raman, I want Ishita in hospital" Dr Asha did not mince her words. "With her history, her blood pressure and diabetes, and this being a multiple birth, a premature delivery may be inevitable. I may have to induce her and I need to start monitoring her constantly. I can't do that unless she is in hospital. Apollo has a VIP private birthing suite available and I have booked it. It's expensive, but we can't take any chances Raman"

"I agree Doc" Raman's heart sunk as he realized the gravity of the situation. "I don't care about the expense. Just please make sure everything goes ok. And now I just need to convince her"

"Convince her without alarming her Raman. I don't want her being stressed. It's Friday today. You will be with her in the weekend, so bring her in on Sunday. But remember, she needs to rest. I don't like her bp results. And any signs of distress, any change at all in the babies movement, bring her in immediately... if there is any fetal distress, I will induce immediately. Their birth weight will be low, but they will be viable. Do you understand Raman?"

"Yes, Doc."

Raman turned off his phone and sat down heavily on the bed.

To convince Ishita, he would have to tell her the truth, and to do that would stress her and only cause more anxiety. He was caught in a catch 22 situation, and he didn't know how to get out of it. Unless... put on your thinking cap Raman, he admonished himself. Think.

**********************************************
Ishita and Raman's bedroom
10pm
Raman walked into his and Ishita's room, absolutely exhausted.

Putting Ruhi to sleep was an event in itself, but putting Ruhi to sleep after a sugar rush in the form of 5 ice creams chasing each other in her tummy had been next to impossible.

Still, she was asleep now, clutching her twin keas from New Zealand, and looking absolutely angelic. He had brought her in to Ishita before putting her to bed, and had watched Ishita's sadness as Ruhi admonished her for not going to the park with her. And that had given him an idea.

She had been sitting up in bed, doing the gentle arm and neck exercises Dr Asha had recommended, waiting for him. He fell into bed next to her and she lay down too, maneuvering her body and huge belly awkwardly until her head fitted into the crook of his arm.

"You're so tired na" she lovingly ran her fingers through his hair, giving him the piano massage she knew he loved.

"Hmmm" he sighed. "Just a little bit to the left baby"

"Theek hai?" (Okay?) She continued to apply gentle pressure, watching his tired face with concern.

"Hmmm" he murmured. "Tumhaare haathon mein toh jadu hai." (You have magic in your hands)

"Accha?" She murmured with a laugh. "Mujhe toh kisi ne Dara Singh kaha tha."
(Is that right? But someone called me Dara Singh)

"Toh kya Rajnikant kahoon?" (So should I have called you Rajnikant?) He caught her wandering fingers and brought them to his lips, planting soft moist kisses on her palms.

"Love me Ishita?" He asked, his eyes serious as they seared into hers.

"Of course I do Raman. Kyun aisa pooch rahe ho?" (Why do you ask?) She stared at him in surprise.

"Then will you hear me out, do something for me? "

"Of course Raman. Lekin aap itne serious kyun ho?" (But why are you so serious?)

"Ishita" he caught both her hands in his, holding them tight. "Maybe you were right about Ruhi. Maybe she is feeling a little bit neglected. She sees you here, and she can't understand why you can't do things with her anymore. But you and I know it's only a matter of a month or so, right? Once the babies are here, we will have a new normal, but Ruhi will have her mumma back."

"Yes Raman, But..."

"But Ishita, the coming month is very important. You see, if you don't look after yourself, if you don't stop trying to do things, stressing over Ruhi, putting pressure on yourself, then you are risking your life. And the babies life. And if something happens to you, then what will happen to Ruhi? To Adi? To me? Kya tumhe lagta hai ki mein tumhaare bina zinda reh sakta hoon?" (Do you think I can live without you?)

"Raman, no, aisa kyun keh rahe hain aap?" (Raman, no why are you saying such things?) Her eyes filled with tears. "I'm fine, I do rest."

"No Ishita" Raman shook his head wryly. " You rest when I'm here but when I'm at work, you don't listen to anyone. Not to mummyji. Not to amma. You still try to run after Ruhi. You call your office to check on patients that Dr Batra has re-assigned. You re-organize my wardrobe. Kya tumhe lagta hai mujhe yeh sab pata nahi hai?" (Do you think I don't know all this?)

"Raman, I'm sorry, lekin...

"No buts, lekin, agar, magar Ishita. I can't handle this anymore. I can't lose you, and this is such a crucial time, that for Ruhi, for Adi, for these two, for you and me, I have taken a decision."

His eyes filled with tears as he stared at his wife, imploring her to accept his dicta.

"Raman, please, I can't see you like this. What do you want me to do. Kya karoon mein?"

He brought her hands back up to his lips, salty tears mingling with his kisses. "Promise me you will agree."

"Yes" she said softly.

"All right then. You can't stay at home anymore jaan. I'm taking you to Apollo on Sunday. Dr Asha will meet us there. You need to stay there until the babies come Ishita."

"But Raman" tears filled her eyes now

"You promised Ishita."

"There's over a month left. Itne din mein Ruhi aur Adi ko akela kaise chodd doon? Aur aap..." ( How can I leave Ruhi and Adi for so long? And you...)

"Roz lekar aaoonga tumhare bacho ko. And yaar, I'm their father, I can handle them for a little while without you. Phir mummyji, amma, Rinki , Mihika, sab hai na. You need to focus on one thing only - to come back home with my two junior Jhansi ki Ranis."
(I'll bring your children over to see you every day. And I'm their father. I can handle them for a little while without you. Then mummy, amma, Rinki, Mihika, all are here too. You need to focus on one thing only - to come back home with my two junior Jhansi ki Ranis)

She smiled through her tears. "They kick me so much Raman, jaise football khel rahe hai. Mujhe pata hai dono ladke hai aur dono bilkul apne papa par gaye hai. Mere junior Raavan."
(They kick me so much Raman, as though they are playing football inside me. I know they are both boys and both just like their papa. My junior Raavans)

"I want them both safe Ishita. And you. We can't take chances, we can't take a risk. Meri baat maan jao please. Please meri jaan." (Please do as I ask. Please my love)

"Oh Raman" she whispered. "Mein aap ki har baat maan loongi, lekin raat ko aap ke bina neend nahi aayegi. How will I sleep without you?" (Oh Raman, I'll agree to anything you say, but how will I sleep without you?)

"Yaar, mein toh badi aaram se so paoonga. Stiff neck bhi nahi hogi aur Shweta neck ko chodd kar baaki jagah massage kar sakegi " He grinned wickedly at his wife.
(But I'll sleep very well. I won't get a stiff neck any more and Shweta can massage a few other parts instead)

"Ramannn" fat tears dropped from her beautiful eyes and he immediately kissed them away.

"Paagal" he whispered. "I'll come over every night. Tumhe sula kar hi ghar aaoonga"
(Mad woman. I'll come over every night. I'll only come back home after you fall asleep)

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Dil na umeed to nahi
Nakaam hi to hai
Lambi hai gham ki shaam
Magar shaam hi to hai

Yeh safar bahut hai kathin magar
Na udaas ho mere hamsafar
Yeh safar bahut hai kathin magar
Na udaas ho mere hamsafar

Yeh sitam ki raat hai dhalne ko
Hai andhera gham ka pighalne ko
Yeh sitam ki raat hai dhalne ko
Hai andhera gham ka pighalne ko
Zara der is mein lage agar
Zara der is mein lage agar
Na udaas ho mere hamsafar

Yeh safar bahut hai kathin magar
Na udaas ho mere hamsafar

Nahi rehane wali ye mushkilein
Ye hai agle mod pe manziliein
Nahi rehane wali yeh mushkilein
Ye hai agle mid pe manzilein
Meri baat ka tu yakeen kar
Meri baat ka tu yakeen kar
Na udaas ho mere hamsafar

Yeh safar bahut hai kathin magar
Na udaas ho mere hamsafar

Kabhi dhundh lega yeh karwaa
Woh nayi zameen naya aasmaan
Kabhi dhundh lega yeh karwaa
Woh nayi zameen naya aasmaan
Jisse dhundthi hai Teri nazar
Jisse dhundthi hai teri nazar
Na udaas ho mere hamsafar

Yeh safar bahut hai kathin magar
Na udaas ho mere hamsafar
Na udaas ho mere hamsafar