Dawning an apron and OT slippers, Amarendra almost flew like a bird into the OT. Doctor Alok followed in.

And Amarendra went transfixed. His eyes wouldn't move from the little fluffy ball, that had just been dried and clothed up by Sister Vasundhara. She smiled.

Amarendra walked in small steps, not being able to contain the amount of bubbles bursting inside. He slowly took the little creature from her hand. And immediately went numb.

" She's so.... so beautiful.... .. " , his eyes watered, as he looked at Doctor Alok.

He nodded back, smiling wider.

Amarendra looked at her again. He couldn't believe he was holding his own blood in hands. His daughter.

Their daughter.

" Is she alright? " , Amarendra looked at Alok again.

" Absolutely. She's waiting for you. Show her your baby, Nancy will take her to the nursery then. "

Assuring Amarendra, Alok left.

" Cabin number 3, sir! " , Sister Vasundhara informed.

Amarendra almost walked in a trance to the cabin just beside the OT, carrying the warm feathery bundle in his hands.

He slowly pushed the door, and got in.

In the middle of the room on the bed, with dark circles, messed up hairs, in an oversized blue hospital gown, lay she, still the most beautiful in world.

Tears streamed down her eyes, as she followed his track.

Her daughter, in his arms.

Amarendra slowly settled on a stool beside.

He did not hand her the baby, nor did she claim.

" They'll take you to the lactation room in two hours or so. You are tired after a C-section. Then onwards, she's all yours. "

" I had wanted you to be beside me..... "

" Trust me, I wanted just that. But Doctor Alok is the senior most obstetrician, and though he's extremely humble, he's rudely disciplined. Even his interns and staffs are allowed selectively. I belong to a different zone altogether. Plus I knew, you are the strongest on earth.... "

She smiled and held out her hand to carress his beard, and then, the ball of joy's head..

The door opened and Sister Nancy walked in.

" The nursery is ready sir. I'll do the labeling and stuffs. May I take the baby? "

Amarendra looked at her. She nodded.

He placed her in the sister's lap.

" Take care. I'll be there soon. "

" Sure sir! Momma needs you more now. " , the sister left throwing a heart warming smile at the new mother..

Amarendra settled down again while his phone began vibrating.

" Oh shit, how did I forget? "

He swiped the green icon up.

" Yeah.... It's done...

It's a princess. My princess. Her princess. " , he knew his voice was trembling.

" Yeah.... She's just here next to me... Talk. "

He fast transferred the phone to her.

With weak hands, she pressed the phone against her ear.

" Katappa mama.... " , Devasena choked.

"I.... I... I got a...a girl.... I...am...a mother.... Mama.... Do you realise??? I'm a mother mama..... I... " , she let go off the phone, sobs taking over words.

Amarendra took the phone, hugging her softly, wiping off her eyes.

The old man on the other side kept showering blessings, crying as well.

Amarendra talked again,

" I'll call you back mama...

No... It's 5 in the morning, you can well wait for another two hours. I promise I'll bring you soon. Love you, take care.. "

Amarendra kissed Devasena's forehead.

" It hurt a lot, right? "

" Not the surgery. Your absence did. "

Cuddling her cheeks, Amarendra said,

" Forgive me. Will you? "

Devasena pulled him down and plopped a kiss on his cheek.

" Forgiven. Now go to the nursery. I can hardly wait. "

Amarendra smiled and pressed the bell.

Sister Vasundhara walked in.

" Take care of her. "

Amarendra left the cabin kissing Devasena's hand.

****

Amarendra hadn't forgotten Avanthika's presence, and was quite guilty of having her feel left out. Neither could he afford to inform Devasena of her return. He didn't want his wife to face the slightest anxiety.

He had rather decided to send Avanthika home now, to ask her to come in the evening.

He'll get Devasena prepared by then.

He therefore visited his cabin before going to the nursery.

Avanthika wasn't present, but her strolly said she wasn't gone. And Amarendra didn't have to wait for long.

She pushed the door and came in. She looked fresh, hence probably was gone to the washroom.

" Avanthika, I really am very sorry, I ran that way without even caring to.... "

" It's alright Amarendra, it's the best day of your life. And as far as of the statement you left incomplete, I know it wholly.

You had been invested in the past till that day you lost Devasena in the bhool bhulaiyaa. Maharani Devasena got lost there forever, and who returned was only Devasena..your wife, the one you couldn't afford to lose, because you loved her despite any past story.... Am I right?? "

Amarendra stood, speechless.

" My job is done. I had come to assure that Deva is in safe hands, so is her child. Since I had lost connections with you, I wanted to make sure your child is born under the best security, with you around.

Promise me, don't let her out of your sight even for a second. She, the baby, is your asset.

And I'm relieved to see the hospital, the kind of atmosphere, your manly presence. Thank you so much Amarendra....

I'll come back once before I leave for America... To check everything is good... "

" I don't really get a word Avanthika! "

" Take care. " , Avanthika side hugged Amarendra, and left.

Amarendra stood, awkward.

****

The commotion near the nursery reached Amarendra's ears as he walked towards it.

Close, he saw a subtle gathering of tense and terrified staffs and his colleagues, and the best part was, they got more terrified seeing him approach.

The gathering was centered by Doctor Alok, who was shouting on top of his lungs, at someone who stood bowed down before him.

Sister Nancy.

Amarendra slowly walked in and placed his hand on Alok's shoulder.

" What's wrong, Doctor Alok? "

Doctor Alok had turned red, and was terribly precipitating.

Looking at the sister another time, he distinctly uttered,

"Without any introduction, I inform you Doctor Amarendra,

Your daughter...

Has been...

Misplaced. "