The day I was born.. :)

18th November 1994,

She was wriggling in pain...she felt as if she would die, any moment...she could sense her lower body going numb...complete palsy, perhaps...the pain was getting unbearable...she held on to the pillows, as those were the only things around her, which could tolerate all the scratches made by her neatly manicured nails...

"Aaaahhh!! save me...I can't bear this any more...pllleeeaasseee"


She shouted her lungs out!
Satish stood outside the emergency ward. Rubbing his temples, he looked at the clock. It was 2:24 a.m.


05th February 1994,

The results were in her hand, and they were positive! She walked out of the room, to the hall where her husband was anxiously waiting for her.

"Satish , it's positive...the pregnancy test is positive!!!"


Rashmi was always the perfect person, according to Satish ...perfect human, perfect daughter, perfect sister, perfect wife and now, she would be a perfect mother! The calmness reflecting on her face, even when she broke such a big news, was something that made him fall in love with her...each time he saw her!
Rashmi walked upto him slowly, Satish got up and embraced her...She felt secure and safe, she always did when he held her close to his body...the warmth of his body and his voice made her go weak on her knees!


He moved the hair near her ear and whispered, "I love you Rashmi.."
He then, moved his hands towards her stomach...he realized that in it, she was carrying something that was his...something that would be a beautiful, living epitome of their love..
Rashmi couldn't help but smile at all this..She sensed the first feeling of being a mother..the tingling sensation in her stomach! It was wonderful...and more than anything else, Satish was happy!

Then began a journey...which cannot be expressed in words! It can only be experienced, by a woman! 9 months..19th November was the expected due date. The "to-be" parents were in a state of ecstatic bliss 24/7...

"You feed me one more dose of that bitter sticky thing, and I swear I'll throw you outta here."
"But you gotta have it baby, there's no alternative"
"No no no...I'll throw up AGAIN..."

But Satish had already stuffed the spoon inside her mouth.Hardly a month or so was left, and Rashmi looked perfectly plump, round and glowing. She had grown accustomed to all the nausea, the periodic kicks, the regular visits and tests in the hospital, attending counselling sessions, thinking twice before eating or even speaking anything! Talking to the li'l one...browsing names...she had even grown immune to the discomfort in sleeping in a single position...She had to do it, she wanted to do it! It was HER baby!


Satish wanted a girl...he was very sure it would be a girl...he had even decided the name of the child...

"What would you do if it's a boy? You won't love it that much?"
"I am telling you naa...it's gonna be a girl...take it from me!"

Satish even spoke to the child referring to it as a "she"...All this made Rashmi a li'l tensed.

The labor pain began on 17th November, a little late after midnight...just as predicted!

"Man, this child is on-time!" Satish thought to himself...holding Rashmi's hands and trying to calm her down was proving to be a herculean task..

"Breathe, Rashmi, don't scream continuously...break le thoda beech mein!"
"Tereko nahi samjhega...I AM THE ONE GOING THROUGH ALL THIS..."
And, she screamt again...Satish was almost sure that by the time the baby was born, he would go half deaf!

They reached the hospital and Rashmi was hurried into the room for some tests to ensure that the baby is safe and sound. 

The doctor came in, all ready and dressed, "Would you like to see how the delivery takes place?"
"No, doc! Please! I am fine here", Satish said, wiping the sweat off his forehead. The last time he felt soo nervous and dumbstruck was when he saw Rashmi for the first time...big eyes, long hair and a smile that could melt anyone!

Satish sat on the couch, dreaming and assuring himself that everything is going to be fine. Rashmi would perfectly handle it...she went to work till the 8th month of pregnancy, hanging from Mumbai's crowded local trains...she could do this too...THIS was the last part! And, he dozed off. After a while, he could hear his mother-in-law's voice asking him to wake up!
He woke up with a start , and felt bad that he had fallen asleep.
"The doctor is calling the father" his mother-in-law said..

He went in, hoping that everything was fine...and saw a child, moving its limbs...as he neared the child, it turned its face towards him...
And, that was the most beautiful thing he saw...big eyes, long forehead garnished with black, curly hair, red cheeks, fair and chubby with a visibly big depression in the chin! IT WAS A GIRL!!
His daughter was lying on the weighing scale, staring the room, with eyes wide open!

The doctor came upto Satish and said, "She is a beauty!"
Satish smiled and asked, "Can I hold her?"
The doctor nodded and he lifted that tiny thing and brought it close to his heart 'coz that was her rightful position!
That day he made a silent promise...that he would always, come what may, protect her...He would not allow anything in the world harm his doll..he would stand by her come what may! He realized that it wasn't the last part...It was the beginning! It was the birth of an important role of his life- as a father...
He waited for this moment 9 months...and his daughter was staring at him, in his arms giving a slight smile without any teeth!

He took the child to Rashmi, emotional as she was, burst into tears...
"She's a scorpion!"
They both gazed at the child and Rashmi asked Satish,

"What are we gonna name her?"

"What I had already decided...!"

The entire family clapped..

And as far as the tiny tot was concerned, she loved being the center of attraction! :)

Do you remember the first time you held me, Dad?

Each one's "story of birth" is special...So go ahead, ask your parents about yours...

And don't forget to thank them

Afterall, as Karan Johar says:

"It's all about loving your parents!" 

A father is someone who

holds your hand at the fair...

makes sure you do what your mother says...

holds you from playing when you are sick...

brushes your hair when it is tangled because mother is too busy!

lets you eat ice cream for breakfast.. 

but only when mother is away!

he walks you down the aisle...

and tells you everythings gonna be ok...

– Anonymous

I love you, Dad..why?

"Because any fool can be a father, but it takes a man to be a daddy!!"

For a girl, a dad is her first and mostly last hero! :D

Regards,

Rithika

Being a girl-2

(continued)

9th std., where we were being polished and gearing up for the next "important" year of our life..Glimpses of friends getting into "first-relationships." By now, even started developing a certain manner of talking and interacting, especially with friends of the opposite gender. It wasn't the usual "jumping hyper" response that were given out! It became more subtle. Being taught how to cook for the first time, lessons given by mum on how to behave when guests come at home. Dealing with problems on monthly basis.! These were changes that took place over a period of time, yet went unnoticed. After completing of 10th, whenever there were talks on what career to choose, I would always be advised on choosing something, that would be flexible so that I could adjust with new priorities, in future. Those priorities, whose name was also yet unknown. Sometimes, I wonder...will that "priority" also be getting similar advice or instead, would be encouraged on doing what he likes to do!

Forwarding a li'l more, the first time I travelled alone by public transport, the first day of junior college. Usually, there used to always be someone accompanying, but the day I first time took a train, I still remember, my dad's 45 mins advise on "HOW TO TRAVEL IN MUMBAI"...and that too for a mere 10mins journey!! Right from how to buy a ticket, to taking care of the belongings, I was told everything...and the conversation went on till I reached the college safe!!

But, the lesson wasn't over yet! I had just learnt how to buy a ticket, board and get down the train...the main lesson was yet to come! Over the days, I learnt about staying alert as to the kind of people around me, ignoring crooks who sat on the platform and whistled, turn away when any man looks at you, carrying chilli powder and pen-knife, just in case!

I also recollect the first time, we girl-friends went out....out of our locality, alone, for the first time! Convincing parents, interrogation about who and all are coming, giving contact details of ALL the girls in the group...huff!! And finally, after getting a "yes" calling up and asking "Mummy ne haa bola...accha tu kya pehenrahi hai?" (Mummy told yes, what are you wearing anyways!) :P ;) :D

Such incidents happen only once in life! I call them "First-time experiences!".

No, it isn't that parents don't care where we go after we have grown but the hidden anxiety and care all those calls were filled with, which were irritating then, I somehow miss them now!!

I end here, for now...but before that all you girls reading this, I hope you've realized how special you were and are, maybe not for your boyfriends, but definitely for that Dad, who stayed up at night and changed your diapers when your mum was tired and asleep, who listened to all your annoying poems, who carried you every evening, home, when you stretched your hands up! You are special for that Mom, who sees her reflection in you and plays the role of a ''hidden lover"....who's ultimate goal in life is to get you married off to a guy and see you settled in life! :)

You must know, you are special...you deserve to be!

P.S: I apologize to the guys, that they do not have much to read...but then too...I hope there was something you liked! :)

Till then, have fun!

Regards,

Rithika

Being a girl-1

It was one of those days in class, when the teacher was taking rounds to see how many students had brought their notebooks. (God alone knows, what struck him that day, to do so!) For the boys, it was a whack and for the girls, it was just a "don't do it again look". I was one amongst, the girls who did not have their book! And, just as we heard, the boy behind us shouting "Ouch!", one of my friends whispered-"Aren't we lucky to be a girl? Soo many advantages naa? for example this one!" The teacher was anyways on a "whacking session", so I let my mind wander off, and started wondering how is it actually to be a girl...!!

I rewind to the time of my birth, my dad would have been the most happiest person on planet earth! He wanted a girl, and there I was smiling, with huge eyes!! My dad till date, becomes emotional when he speaks about it, and believe me...you feel extremely happy that atleast someone is happy that you were born! As far as mum was concerned, I was her "doll" apparently! She used to love dressing me up...! I guess, this "make up-ing" habit, is hereditary in girls! (We usually, dont prefer to be the one, "making-up" though!)

I don't remember too much about my childhood...But I guess, all the above holds true for most the girls, no matter how old they grow, aint it?

Okay, fast forwarding a li'l more, I remember the first time I got a doll..though I wasn't too fond of pinky-toys, I had just one doll (not Barbie, for sure!) and a soft toy...which were my favorite...I din't need anything else....!!

Later, came the kitchen set...

And then few years later...something which still holds on to me...

I vividly remember those days...When I was about 7-9 years old...the "dupatta" that we used to wear, with salwaar-kameez became one of my most preferred and favorite "toy". I used to love wrapping it around me, sometimes like a saree, used to love it when it used to fly in the air (just like Bollywood films!!). I used to love it even more when it used to fall over my face, and then gently glide down...!!! :)

Then we entered secondary section. We had grown up...atleast from what we were...started using a PEN for the first time!! I know, it sounds silly, but I still remember the first day of 5th std., when used a blue gel pen for the first time...and it leaked...spoiling the entire FIRST PAGE of my new notebook!:(

6 and 7th std. too passed by and I don't even remember much of it.

8th std. bought about many changes....Physical, emotional and biological...First crush...Friendship with seniors...Partcipation in more events, than before! Formation of "girl gangs"....Getting to know people, who I did not know even existed! Birthday party's venue changed from home to McDonalds...!!!

First vibes of "As a grown-up girl, you should/should not..."

Those days, I never understood why...but later on....things changed!! even more than I expected and wanted 'em too...

(to be continued)