Dedicated to the rape victims and rape survivors of this nation. Dedicated to the Nirbhayas, the Asifas, the Priyankas, the Dishas and all those who suffered brutality and cannibalism in the hands of those rapists. Rape is a heinous crime. It is unethical, immoral and unacceptable! May Justice prevail! India doesn't have fast track courts, hence rape cases remain pending in the courts for months, sometimes years... May things change soon... For the betterment of the society and the world!
_________

"You don't need to find reasons to love someone, if that someone gives no reasons for you to hate."

-Elegiac_Damsel
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8th April (because it is Papa's birthday on this date. He is the first man who I loved... And he will always be the foremost hero. We do have our tussles... But I will always love him... As will he love his princess)

Indrayan's pov:

We have the next hearing today. The justice is obviously a different one... A woman this time, Justice Nirmala Lokhande.
Sampurnaa is obviously coming today. I briefed her up about all the things that had happened at the court during all the hearings that she had missed.

"How long is this going to take?" I heard her say in a grumpy tone while settling on the passenger seat of the car

I started the car and replied, "I really don't know."

"On one hand, justice and law is supposed to be blind, yet they want visual proofs! How ironical don't you think?" she asked me

I pondered over what she said.
"Actually, you might have just given me a line that can be said at the court.
...

We were in the court and the bailiff just entered announcing the justice's arrival.
Sampurnaa and Sridha were sitting in the row right behind us and only a few more women had cared to appear today. There was no media involved as this case wasn't as juicy or catchy as the previous one... With no offence to Sampurnaa!

"Today's the 5th hearing of the case, State vs. Mr. Anubhav Sooryanvanshi +8. They have alleged that the judgment passed by the High Court of Justice in the trial State vs. Mr. Siddiqui +7 was biased. They have stated that the allegations for rape and molestation are totally baseless as they had paid to be at the brothel. Prosecutor, you may begin the trial." the justice gave the green signal.

I stood up tall and walked up to the centre of the courtroom, almost bored.

"Your honour, with your permission, I would like to call upon Ms. Sampurnaa Roy to the witness box."

She agreed and Sampurnaa walked to the witness box and was sworn in.

"Mrs. Chakraborty, please tell the court what had happened with you at Jannah."

She looked at the justice straight and began speaking with conviction, "Your honour, I had gone there as a part of a string operation. It was in July that I had gone for the first time and the incident took place in August when I returned to Jannah posing as one of the women working there. Ms. Anya Siddiqui was the boss there. Her sister in-law, the deceased Mrs. Zeenat was the one who helped all the women there... To dress and to eat etc. She was a puppet in the hands of her husband and sister in-law. I met Mr. Siddiqui at Jannah on the second day, in the morning. I had actually been sent to clean his room and had chanced upon several drugs there. I bumped into him in the room and he asked me if I was new and when I confirmed that I was, he body shamed me and then asked me to be ready as a few of his friends would drop by in the evening. I realised that 'the friends' he referred to were someone important when a special woman had been assigned to help me get ready. It was in the evening that Zeenat walked into the room. She wanted to check on me and that is when I took the opportunity to talk to her about her past. She promised to help me after I requested her. Shortly after she left, 5 men walked into my room; Mr. Anubhav Sooryavanshi, Mr. Gary Christ,  Mr. Ashish Pradhan, Mr. Richard Becquerel and Mr. Humza Shaikh. Your honour, I asked them to back away when they tried to approach me, but they never listened. One of them tried to grope me and I..." she continued speaking and I could feel my anger building up and my heart constricting painfully as she brought herself to share those painful memories

She finished her statement after 5 minutes and then looked at me. Sampurnaa blinked her eyes in reassurance, upon guessing my mood.

I turned to the justice soon after and told her that I did not have more questions to ask Sampurnaa.

"Defense! Your witness!" the justice beckoned to the defendant

It was a different lawyer this time, someone older to me, but I had never really heard his name before. I just know for a fact that he has been sent to prison before for presenting false evidence.

"Ms. Roy or Mrs. Chakraborty, my clients say that they 'paid' money to use you and sleep with you. Don't you think they had a right to do what they did... After all they had paid?" he asked Sampurnaa

I clenched my fist at his crude tone but Sampurnaa remained calm.
I really have no clue how she managed to keep on that poker face!

She turned to the justice and said, "Your honour, is a woman equivalent to an object? Can anyone have the right to claim a woman's body for sexual favours without her consent? Is it ethically correct for someone to consider a woman like some object or item at an auction? They may have paid... But was the money so powerful that they had their brains and senses blocked? It was a brothel where someone illegally accepted money in return of sexual favours from our end... But neither did she care for our consent nor did the men who raped us or molested us against our will! I do not know if the law gives anyone the right to use a woman's body like an object, hence I cannot comment rightly on what the defendant asked me. However, I'd like to ask this in court today: They mentioned that they had 'paid' in order to be with the women, but did the women not scream themselves hoarse while repeatedly declining and rejecting? I know that I have been labelled a 'prostitute in the brothel' who they gave money to use.... Let me consider for a moment that I am a prostitute; your honour, does a prostitute not have the right to deny someone or say no? Isn't a prostitute like all other women, an Indian citizen who has the right to freedom? Sex workers do not deserve to be looked down upon and treated like trash! Even if I am a prostitute who has accepted money in return of sexual favours, doesn't my consent hold some significance? Isn't it ethically and immorally wrong of a man to violate any woman's personal space without her assent... Even if the woman happens to be a prostitute?"

I was sort of overwhelmed by what she said. She had actually called herself a prostitute!

The justice took some time to absorb her words and then asked the defendant to question but he seemed to be stupefied.

I was given the chance to speak.

"Your honour, she was the last witness who was yet to give her statement. I am afraid that the evidences and proofs that we had have already been submitted in the court. I honestly do not have anything more to say or do... I would just like to give the closing statement now." I told the justice

Over the 5 hearings of the case, I had questioned each and every man who had filed a PIL and even the women. They cried, they broke down... All over again... Yet there is no justice!

This time however, Sampurnaa helped me with the closing statement. She helped me write something elaborate that may urge the justice to take immediate action against the rapists. The hashtag on social media did become popular and we had support from the people too... Now for that damned justice that we are entitled to!

The justice asked the defendant if he had anything to say and he requested to give the closing statement as well.

The justice asked the defendant to go first.
"Your honour, my clients have been denied what they had a right upon. They had paid quite an amount for what they did and the claims of rape and molestation are absolutely baseless. The sentence that my clients have been asked to serve was biased and the only request that I would like to make to this court of Justice on behalf of my clients is to ensure that innocent people go unpunished. None of the proofs that had been submitted by the prosecution show anywhere if the women had consented or not. My humble appeal to you, Your Honour, is to insure that justice prevails. That's all your honour, I would now like to rest this case."

"Prosecutor, your closing statement." the magistrate directed me to speak

I stood up from my seat and buttoned my suit. I went and faced the justice, took a deep breath and began,

"Your honour, over the last few years, the number of rape cases and molestation have only increased... There are no fast track courts in India that can give the victims justice timely hence they are forced to drag themselves to court every single hearing for months... Sometimes years. There are several Nirbhayas, Asifas and Priyankas in our nation who suffer silently... Some are brutally killed while the others die at the court trials each day even after being alive! Your honour, rape and intercourse can be distinguished only by one factor; and that happens to be the woman's consent. There cannot be any legitimate proof of a woman consenting unless or until there is a video recording camera and also an audio recorder. I am afraid that the only proof that I can present in this case is the victim's statement.The men here have been trying to defend themselves by saying over and over again that they 'paid money to be with women at a brothel' and that 'they had a right to demand sexual favours in return'. Irrespective of what they say, the truth is that every sexual act that is not consensual is a heinous crime and is considered punishable. Your honour, we have submitted all the proofs that we could... Medical reports, visual proofs, statements etcetera, but at the end the question is 'was this a rape or simply intercourse?'. Your honour, that is for you to judge. Being an Indian, I feel disappointed and devastated to read the newspapers where at least 3 out of 10 articles report rapes or molestations... My humble request to this court of justice is thus, to ensure that the criminals don't go unpunished. Your honour, the dignity of the women here in the court today, and the future of all the women outside, depend on your judgment! If the crime goes unpunished today, then criminals would be more and more inclined to outrage a woman's modesty in the near future. That's all that I have to say, Your Honour. I now, rest the case."

The justice made note of what I had to say and then announced,
"The verdict would be given in 15 minutes' time."

We rose as she walked out of the court.
Zakir told me that the speech was a praiseworthy one. I glared at him in return. This wasn't some speech at an elocution contest! It was simply the reality and the plight of our nation!

I really don't know what the verdict would be... But I hope this just gives a closure to the case!
I genuinely do not have more proofs that can be presented... And well, there usually is no proof to know if a woman had consented or not. Now, it is all up to the court and the judge... And well I hope this brings justice.
...

After 15 minutes

The justice walked back to the court shortly after the bailiff. She took her place at the judge's seat. Sampurnaa and Sridha were sitting next to me this time. I could hear Sampurnaa mumbling prayers under her breath... Sridha had her gaze fixated on the justice while the other women sitting behind were totally silent and still.
The justice banged the gavel in order to grab our attention... She already has our attention!

I could practically hear Sampurnaa inhaling and exhaling deeply. I stealthily took hold of her hand and intertwined her fingers with mine, while stroking the back of her hand with my thumb. She turned a few degrees and I smiled at her silently. Her grip on my hand tightened a bit and I could feel some moisture on her palm that spoke heights about her nervous state.

God, let these women get some peace in their lives... Things have just gone too far now! There is no way we can get anymore proofs... How do you prove if someone consented, anyways?

The justice began speaking just then, bringing me out of my thoughts,
"In the trial, State vs. Anubhav Sooryavanshi +7, Review petition for PIL no. 132019, the court has listened to the statements as given by the witnesses and complainants of both the sides and reached the conclusion that..."

I heard Sampurnaa inhale sharply yet again, her grip tightening further.

"... the deceased Mr. Vijay Desai, Mr. Paul Isaac, Mr. Imad Qureshi, Mr. Jay Vamana, Mr. Victor Sequira and Mr. Janak Kar are guilty of rape, molestation and manhandling. The medical reports, the statements from the other witnesses at the brothel and the victim, Ms. Sridha Ranjan's statement all go in favour of the previous verdict. The complainants are obviously sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment and further one year for molesting and abusing someone under IPC section 376, 354 and 294 respectively. The court dismisses the PIL filed by them."

I could feel Sampurnaa's grip on my hand relaxing after she heard this.

The justice continued, "The court thinks that Mr. Anubhav Sooryavanshi, Mr. Gary Christ,  Mr. Ashish Pradhan, Mr. Richard Becquerel and Mr. Humza Shaikh had been misled into thinking that it is fine to force a woman at a brothel just because they paid money. Forcing anyone against their will is a crime and the court will not entertain any outrageous behaviour against any woman, neither a prostitute nor any other woman! The visual proofs as submitted by the prosecution in the form of images of the men and even the audio recording where the victim, Ms. Roy is heard saying 'no' each time, proves that they tried to outrage a woman's modesty. Further, the medical reports and the injuries sustained by her show that there had been attempted abuse and manhadling in order to restrain movement. They are sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment under section 354, 298 and 334 of the Indian Penal Code for outraging a woman's modesty (molestation), abuse and manhandling. The court however, clears all charges of marital rape pressed against Mr. Ibrahim Siddiqui since Marital Rape isn't recognised as a crime in India by the constitution.
The court further directs that no other review petition will be entertained in the near future as all the proofs, statements and evidences are clearly against the convicts. The court however wouldn't direct the government to pay any compensation as the victims had been in a brothel where men do have the right to be with women in return of a given sum, however only consensually. The court orders an enquiry to be set up in the red light areas immediately as a precautionary move to prevent such incidences in the future. The court is adjourned."

The justice banged her gavel and then rose to leave the court. We all stood up simultaneously in order to show respect. Sampurnaa let go of my hand and hugged Sridha. They both started crying.

"Why are you crying Sampurnaa?" I asked her baffled

She wiped her eyes with her hand and then replied, "You heard that the men are going to be punished, but the women are not getting any compensation because they worked at a brothel! Not that the compensation would make much difference in my life... But this is still like partial justice! None of us there worked on our own free will! I earn... I have a job... But the women who did not know world outside Jannah... What will happen of them? And seriously? Marital Rape isn't recognised by our constitution? How pathetic is this? Marriage gave Mr. Siddiqui to do whatever he felt like with his wives! This is unacceptable!"

I could understand her annoyance, but the truth is that the verdict is a wonder that she should be grateful for... Several souls never get to rest in peace because their rapists never get convicted or punished... At least in this case, they were castigated and sentenced! No matter how technologically and digitally India develops; the law and order situation is still in a pitiful state... And that needs to be changed! Now isn't the time that a Nirbhaya cowers and hides herself... Now isn't the time that a Priyanka Reddy stops going out at night... Now's the time however to get the bloody rapists behind the bars. And as far as marital rape is concerned:
A true man would never make his wife's soul bleed by forcing anything upon her.
...

19th April

Sampurnaa's pov:

Dada is finally back from his official tour. He is currently staying along with us. Boudi is in the 37th week of her pregnancy now. Maa wanted us to take her home for shaad or the traditional baby-shower. I insisted her on conducting it at Pali Hill itself. She told me that she wanted to cook for her daughter in-law, as is the tradition. I reminded her that I am Boudi's sister in-law and that I would be able to cook just fine. She reluctantly agreed when I told her that she can definitely cook a sweet dish or two and bring it here.

Shaadh: the expecting mother is cooked and fed all her favorite dishes by her in-laws. She is showered with blessings and gifts. Traditionally, the shaadh took place only involving close family members.

We did not exactly make much elaborate arrangements. I just called up my darlings, Sridha and Priyanka who helped me decorate the living room of the house. Priyanka was back in Mumbai, this time with her husband. We had a lot of fun at her wedding in Chennai last month. I even helped her get ready for the functions and teased her a lot! She did cry during the main kanyadaan and the farewell ceremony.... But other than she was pretty happy. From the time I got back in Mumbai after her wedding, I have been staying in the room on the ground floor, adjacent to Boudi's. Now that Dada is here, I guess it will be safe for me to shift back into my old room.

I cooked a variety of dishes with Maa's help. Priyanka did try to help... But I threw her out of the kitchen as she is a vegetarian... And well, Bengalis can't do a single occasion without non-vegetarian food!
"Sampurnaa, what are you cooking for me?" Boudi asked me entering the kitchen

"That is for you to discover when you eat. Now, please get ready... You need to look like a Queen today." I told her.

She was still in her maternity gown!

"Is it necessary to dress up well? Why can't I just eat?" she asked me while inhaling the aroma that arose from the dishes that were cooking

"Priyanka... Please help Boudi get ready! She should look like a bride! Am I clear?" I instructed Priyanka while stirring the pulao that was cooking on a low flame

"On it!" she replied

"Sampurnaa, please add the salt. And I am going to get ready myself. You also go once you are done." Maa told me while walking out of the kitchen

I was still involved in my work when someone's arm snaked itself around my waist.
Instead of turning or reacting, I continued to do my work.
"Why are you ignoring me?" he asked me after a few minutes

"I am not ignoring you... I just have some work to do. Moreover, there is turmeric on my hands and also chili powder. I am sure you don't want them on your clothes or in the eyes." I told him

He immediately backed off releasing me.
"Not a problem, you continue your work. I'll go and check the decorations."

I smiled and he left me in the kitchen.

I don't know when or why, but this man seriously made his place in my life and in my heart. This 1.5 months that I have stayed in a different room, he never complained. And the best part is that we had arguments even after not sharing the same room! I have simply got accustomed to him and his presence. About our relationship, this past month has been more about talking, the bloody court case 2.0 and shopping than romance... And anyways 'heavenly romance' is better off in fairy tales and books! We haven't spent much time together after that kiss... And no matter how much I say that romance is all a load of crap, I can never deny how special that first kiss was.
Bringing my attention back to the kitchen, I turned off the stove when I felt that the rice had cooked well enough.

I washed my hands and then cleaned the kitchen island before going to change.
...
I draped a saree around myself quickly as it was already 1. The only make up I put on included a bindi and vermilion.

We haven't really invited many guests as this is a very close knit function. Boudi can barely move anyways! She was first made to sit on the sofa. Maa(Sampurnaa's mom) lit a lamp and prayed for her grandchild's well being. Adri Boudi was gifted a red saree by Maa. Next my mother in-law came forward and blessed her daughter. One by one, all those who are elder to Boudi completed showering blessings on her and the baby.
I was the last one to approach her. I had brought a gift for the baby actually; a cute blue dress which can be worn by both girls and boys. She was overwhelmed by all the love and even started crying at one point.

Dada brought her back to smiling mode. I asked her to proceed to the dining table and she did so with Dada's help. Her stomach is really big now, so she does need help for moving from one place to another.
I brought out all the dishes that had been cooked for her: vegetable pulao, chingri r malaikari, rui er doi, alu posto, beguni, luchi, chholar dal, aam er chutney and paneer.
I served Boudi and she was eager to eat.

Maa had prepared two sweet dishes for her: payesh and malpua.

The function was over in no time and then Boudi was sent to her room along with Dada, so she could rest.

I went back to my old room after helping Maa clean up. Priyanka and Sridha left soon after.
Just as I was about to enter, someone grabbed my wrist and pulled me inside.
The door was slammed close.
"What is wrong with you? What would everyone at home think if you go about banging doors?" I hissed at him

"They would think that we are busy." he told me shrugging

"Great! Now leave me, I need to change out of this saree." I told him and tried to free my hand

"Why are you so eager to go?" Indrayan asked me while pulling me closer

I sighed and placed my hand on his chest.
"It is just too hot. I need to take a goddamn shower!" I told him

He did not pay heed to me, instead I found myself turning, still in his arms, my back touched his chest now.

"You look good." he told me in a low voice while placing a kiss on my neck. I inhaled deeply as his hand rested on my waist, where the saree did not cover.
He traced a pattern on my stomach and waist and I closed my eyes, still breathing heavily. I could feel him dropping light kisses on my shoulder and back.
I inhaled sharply each time his lips made contact with my skin. I caught hold of his hands that were still around me each time I felt my knees going weak. I could feel goosebumps arising each time his hand caressed my waist. He traced his nose along a path from my collarbone to a spot behind my ear. He shifted my hair to one shoulder and traced my bare neck with his lips, gently brushing my skin.
I held back a moan when I felt his teeth grazing my exposed skin as he sucked lightly.
The rush of adrenaline made my heartbeat accelerate to an incredible extent. I started feeling the rush of blood to my cheeks as the indescribable feeling overwhelmed every single bit in me.

I finally turned, after a few minutes, not being able to take more. I pushed him slightly.It took me sometime to steady my breathing.
"Could you please switch on the air conditioner? The weather is really hot! And yeah, I will be back after a shower." I informed him, with my gaze down and walked away

I was still in a daze, when I walked back into the room after a shower and changing.

I sat on the edge of the bed where Indrayan was already lying down.
"You know you can rest today. It is a Sunday... So all of us are taking it easy and it is your day off, so you can also take it easy." he told me with his eyes closed

"How did you know that I am back?" I asked him

"Well, it isn't very difficult considering the fact that you just shut the bathroom door with a clicking sound."

I was silent for sometime after that.
"Mark 10 days off, next month, will you?" Indrayan told me

I looked at him confused.
"What for?"

"We are going out... For a trip and since we are going out for the first time after our marriage, you can call it a honeymoon." he told me, sitting up

I gaped at him.
"We can't go next month. Adrija Boudi's due date is on the 5th of May!"

"I am well aware. We will be going on the 20th anyways."

"But what if Boudi needs anything? What will everyone at home think if you tell them that we are going out...?" I asked him not really able to say the word 'honeymoon'
...

Indrayan's pov:

Today we had Adrija's baby shower. Sampurnaa cooked most of the dishes and all of them were Adrija's favorites. My sister has really grown up! She's going to give birth to a child of her own very soon... It feels so surreal! She had always been the more mischievous of the two of us, but was everyone's favorite. No matter how indifferent I behave or try to act, but that crazy woman happens to be my sister. A few nights ago, when I had gone downstairs to meet Sampurnaa, I saw Adrija sitting on the sofa, crying.

Flashback:

"What happened to you?" I asked her while taking a seat next to her

"I am worried. What if the baby...? Or what if both of us survive and then I don't become a good mother?" she asked me, sniffing

"Nothing will go wrong, sis! Really. Just don't lose hope so soon! And believe me, you will be the best mother to your baby! No one who becomes a parent for the first time, has the experience of raising a child. Things will be perfect in the near future, really." I told her reassuringly

"You don't have kids either... How do you know that things will be fine?"

"I don't know if you remember, but when the two of us where 17 years old, Maa and Dad had gone out of town leaving you and me at home. I was an idiot and too much engrossed in studying for CLAT to see if you were alright, but you weren't like me. In spite of the fact that you were preparing for CAT and that your examinations were nearer than mine, you would come and check on me every hour. For a sister who is just 18 minutes older to her brother, if there exists so much love and compassion; then I am sure that the baby who you nurtured and carried for almost 10 months, will get the best love from his/her mother."

She smiled when I finished and then took my hand on her baby bump. "Meet your maternal uncle, darling." she said to the child

I don't know if it was my hallucination, but the baby sure did respond. God! I am excited to become a maternal uncle!

End of Flashback

Bringing my thoughts back to the present, I saw Sampurnaa who was about to enter our room. Without giving her a chance to enter on her own accord, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside. We 'interacted'for sometime, before she decided that it was apt for her to go and take a shower. 

Adrija spoke to me yesterday and asked me if I was planning to take Sampurnaa out. I explained to her that I have been meaning to, but that my wife isn't very keen to leave everything and go. She suggested me to book the tickets for our trip sometime next month and I did. I even asked Maa, Dad and even Abhimanyu if they had any problem, but they had none.
Now to convince Sampurnaa.

"Mark 10 days off, next month, will you?" I told her

"What for?" she asked me confused

"We are going out... For a trip and since we are going out for the first time after our marriage, you can call it a honeymoon." I replied, sitting up

She gaped at me.
"We can't go next month. Adrija Boudi's due date is on the 5th of May!"

"I am well aware. We will be going on the 20th anyways." I told her

"But what if Boudi needs anything? What will everyone at home think if you tell them that we are going out...?" she asked me

"Adrija doesn't mind. In fact she's the one who asked me to take you out somewhere, soon. Abhimanyu, Maa and Dad have no objection. And I am sure that your parents would be totally okay too. The only question now is that, are you willing to accompany me?" I asked her

"Yes. I guess I am if they are okay with it. I won't ask where you are going to take me, because I'll come to know the day you take me to the Visa application office anyways!" she agreed finally

I smiled and she mirrored my expression.
Then she came closer and kissed my cheek.
"Thank you."

"What for?" I asked her

"Because you said that you will be taking me out! And thank you for tolerating my absence from home... I know that I just don't pay attention to anything that happens here... And..."

I silenced her with a kiss, pulling her close by snaking my arm around her neck. She was shocked at first, but then she reciprocated.

When we broke apart, she asked me after she had calmed her breath, "You didn't strike me as romantic when I married you. I mean I never thought that the angry, hotheaded lawyer had such a side to him. I mean really... I was talking and you just..."

"You want me to do that again?" I asked her naughtily

She shook her head vigorously.

"And to answer your question, you weren't my wife back then. We were just getting close to one another then and now I'd like to believe that there is love between us. And yes, every human has a side that is preserved and reserved for a select few. We both were born because our parents married and..."

She cut me off, "I am not interested in the details."

I chuckled at her expression.
"I wasn't getting into details. What I simply wanted to say is that love and affection is something we can still portray and display in public through simple gestures and actions... But every human has a romantic side that isn't revealed to the world. You are my wife... Hence, you know now. Romance and marriage isn't like the stories that movies promote; in reality, marriage is getting used to one another and living together whereas romance is showing your love. And that's that... There are no flowers, birds or moon involved." I told her

She smiled at my explanation.
"I believed in fairy tales till I was 21. I still believed a bit till that incidence, last year." she began
I took her hand in mine and stroked it comfortingly
"After I met all those women, I sort of couldn't differentiate between love and lust. I began thinking that husbands and wives also... I mean..." she was trying to continue, but I guess she didn't find the right words

"I understand what you are trying to say. You needn't continue." I told her

"I want to continue actually. All the books that I have read, describe the female protagonist as flawless... When stories are written from the male point of view, the man describes everything like a picture... It is almost like there can be no woman without a hot figure or flawless skin etc. You sort of cleared my misconception. I don't know what you liked in me, but I liked you from the very beginning because there was something in you and about you that made me feel beautiful... In every way. I know I am not supposed to get my self-esteem dependant on anyone else's opinion, but I'll admit, truly, you made me believe that I am a beautiful person and that physical beauty is secondary. I know that I am beautiful to you... And that is all that matters."  she told me while hugging me
I smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"I love you." I told her sincerely

We both aren't perfect... But I guess marriage sort of makes you accept all imperfections as perfection.
...
3rd May

Sampurnaa's pov:

I was in the studio at 8 p.m., prepping myself for my segment. The sound engineer sent the green signal for the camera to start rolling. I prepared myself to speak the opening lines.

"Good evening everyone! Welcome to Primetime at 8 with me, Sampurnaa. Today's news is..."

I continued to read the news which ranged everywhere from the Olympics to the Euro Cup, from fleeing fugitives to closing banks. It was 8.45 when someone messaged on my phone.

I ignored it and continued but then Dada called. He knows very well that I am on AIR at the moment... Why would he call unless there isn't any emergency?
I can't take a call while I am reporting live, so I chose to suppress my curiosity and wrapped up my segment at 9.

The first thing I did on getting off air, was to check my phone.

Message from Baba: Adrija has gone into labour

Oh shit! I need to go to the hospital!

I called Baba but he did not receive my call. I called Maa and it was the same with her. Dada? Not a good option if his wife is in pain!
Indrayan? He did not pick the call up.
I decided to proceed towards home... Wherever they took Boudi, must be surrounding Bandra only! I tried calling Maa again and she picked up.

"Which hospital are you taking Boudi to?" I asked her
"Holy Family! We are already here... Come soon, Shona." she told me and then disconnected the call

I did not have the car or even my scooty with me... I decided to hail an autorickshaw.

Fortunately, the man was kind enough to agree to ferry me when he heard 'Hospital'. The roads weren't very crowded either as it is a Sunday.
I reached the hospital in no time and saw Maa sitting in the waiting area of the emergency wing. I was really out of breath!

"Maa, where is Boudi and the others?" I asked her while taking a seat next to her.

"Your Dada went to talk to the doctor once. He said that she isn't fully dilated yet, but maybe within a few hours, she will be. And the others must be around."

I nodded and went in search of Baba. He was standing outside Adrija Boudi's room along with Dad and Maa. Dada and Indrayan were inside talking to the doctor.

Indrayan stepped out of the room a few minutes later, "Doctor, ki bollen?" I heard Maa ask him
(What did the doctor say?)

"He said that things seem pretty normal and as of now, a normal delivery is solicitated. I am going to get the paperwork done, let Abhi be there with Adrija." he replied

I followed him to the reception where he had to fill the paperwork.

"Where were you, Sampurnaa? I tried to call you, but your phone was unreachable. As it is there was so much tension here and to top it all, I was worried because I couldn't reach you."

"I was at the studio. Dada called me when I was On Air. I obviously couldn't take the call then... Later, I saw Baba's message and got to know from Maa where you all were. It did not occur to me then that I had to call you too." I told him guiltily

"That's okay. You are safe and that is all that matters."
The two of us filled in the paperwork simultaneously and then went to the waiting area. Everyone other than Dada were present there.
"The doctor said that she would be taken to the labour room by 11." Baba informed us

I nodded and took a seat. Indrayan followed suit. Although we were all optimistic about the child, silent prayers were surely being made to the Almighty.

"Sampurnaa, she was in so much pain." I heard my husband say
"My sister has to go through so much pain... She can't even rest to relieve herself."

I hid a smile at his concern.
"She will be fine. For now, do me a favour, instead of worrying about her, why don't we pray?"
He nodded and I could hear low murmurs from all the 6 people seated in the same room as me.

God! Let all be well.
...

It is 1.30 a.m., but none of us are even feeling close to sleepy. There is an air of worry and excitement mingled together. The doctors took Boudi to the labour room at 11.15 or so. It's been 2 hours!

I am the only one who is seated in the waiting area... The rest are waiting outside the room. I couldn't bring myself to go there for some reason unknown to me.

My head rested in between my hands and prayers came out of my mouth continuously in low murmurs. Let all be well!

"Sampurnaa!" I heard someone calling

I looked up. It was Maa... She had tears in her eyes.

"What happened?" I asked her frantically, standing up

"It is a Baby Boy." she told me and my lips stretched into a smile while tears rolled down my cheeks simultaneously.

I am finally an aunt!
_________
To be continued...