Page 100 of Made in Mumbai

“Nothing. What happened to ‘Work from home will not be possible?!’” She imitated in that Rambo voice.

“Let’s go,” he tipped his head, his tone lacking heat. He had forgotten how to fight insubordination when it came to her. She could make him dance to her tunes, then sit on his head and play the orchestra and he would happily supply her the instruments. Gautam kept his expression stern though, because she didn’t need to know that.

He took her hand as soon as she was out and led her home, vowing to make sure her feet didn’t touch ground again until it was time to go deliver this baby.

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2 MONTHS LATER

“Gautam,” Maya’s urgent voice reached him through his open door. He turned in bed, throwing the duvet off and rushing out in the dark. “Gauta…” she met him halfway in the alley, in her nightdress of his borrowed T-shirt and her own loose pants.

“What are you doing so late?” He groaned, squinting in the bright light from the kitchen.

“I think I am going into labour.”

His eyes widened. “That’s not possible. Your due date is still two weeks away.”

“Oh, yes!” She glanced down at her belly — “Come after two weeks.”

He grunted.

“What do you want to do now?”

“I don’t know, try to push it back?”

“Be serious Maya.”

“Are you serious? I want to go to the hospital! I already called Rekha aunty and she is reaching there.”

“Then why didn’t you wake me up sooner?”

“I was trying to figure out if it is real or Braxton Hicks.”

He took her arm, grabbed the bag they had left packed by the door and pushed keys and wallet into his pocket. “You have had Braxton Hicks on and off all of this last month. Don’t you still know the difference?”

“Do you?”

“It is useless arguing with you today…” he spat, then recoiled at the sour look she dealt him.

“Listen G, don’t irritate me right now. Either you drive quietly or I will go on my own.”

He went quietly then, driving at breakneck speed through the empty roads of 4 am Mumbai. Dr. Rekha had already reached the hospital and he thought it would be a breeze. Maya would go in and out would come Mini Maya. After all, she had been so calm and normal through the drive. But no. The moment she saw Dr. Rekha, she began groaning and writhing in pain. That’s when Gautam realised that she had held herself steady for him.

“Only the father is allowed in the labour room with the mom,” one of her nurses warned him. He looked at a crying, screaming Maya and had nothing but four words to say — “I am the father.”

Thereafter, as Maya was transferred to the labour room, he was given a set of scrubs to change into. Ready and terrified, he walked into the labour and delivery room where the noises were already scary.

“Is he allowed in here?” Dr. Rekha questioned. “Maya?”

Her beautiful, pained eyes met his. And Gautam stood paralysed.

“Let me be here, M.”

She panted. Then nodded. A screen was placed between them and her nether regions, so it was safe enough. Nurses and midwife-like ladies were surrounding her, and yet her hand found his. He held on, thinking of this as some regular medical procedure where he would have to support her. If he thought too hard about the baby to come, he would break through the roof with excitement and fear.

“Shhiiiiit!” Maya screamed, crushing his hand.

“Owwww…”

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