Saga of Newborn - One event, Varied fears.

**Uzahh..Uzahh.. Loud sound of a baby’s cry echos from the confines of ward room 69. A middle-aged man pacing up and down the corridor outside, stops and smiles at his 3 year old daughter who seemed lost in her world. They glance at the ward room as a nurse storms out.

‘Mr.Akash, Congratulations. It’s a baby boy. You can go see your prince after 3 hours.

Appa. I want to see Amma. Shall I go in please?.

Wait Krithi. Amma needs rest for sometime. Lets go to canteen and, once we are back, we will go and see her. Ok?’**

**Hours later, Krithi & Akash enter the ward room to see the tiny little prince wrapped up in a neat white cloth and slowly moving inside the cradle.

As they peep together to look at the baby and each one gets lost in their world of thoughts.

Aww.. he is so tiny now. I need to feed him well. Oh my god! Why isn’t he crying now? Is he ok? Doctor said he is normal, but I’m worried. Krithi cried so much. Need to ask Akash to check with doctor. That astrologer told he has good future. I will make him study well. Oh! Also we should put him in music class once he starts to speak. Krithi started speaking when she was turning 1 itself. My charming dear boy. I should also keep him away from the bad eyes of this nagging neighbor Shanthi.

Kavitha was earnestly looking at her son and gave a sigh.

Oh! Amma is looking more at this baby now. She didn’t even look at me properly after I came inside. Will Amma forget me. Will Amma not like me anymore? I don’t like this boy. He is smiling at me now. Oi, baby they are my parents. Not yours. I will tell Amma and Appa that I won’t do mischief and ask them to leave this baby in hospital itself. When should I tell them? I won’t give him my barbie and scooby is also mine. I will pinch him when Amma & Appa is sleeping, then the boy won’t like to come home. That’s better idea.

Krithi was filled with apprehension looking at her younger brother.

How cute he is! Kavitha and Kriti must be happy now. He is already smiling. Before I could realise he’ll start going to school. Kavitha will be hell bent in enrolling him in all stupid extra classes just like she did for Krithi. Krithi’s school is very expensive. Then college. Already Krithi says she wants to be doctor. What if he also says doctor or engineer. How am I going to afford the fees for all this? I wish I get the strength to fulfill all their dreams. I’m afraid already... Can I be a good father to them? Will I be able to afford all the expenditure without compromising?

Akash was having mixed feelings looking at his new born son.

Who are all these strange people? Where am I? What am I doing? This guy with black thing above his lips. He is so scary. He looks like he is going to kill me with just his look. This girl here... she is ready to throw me down and rip me apart any moment now. She is angry at me. I don’t know why. Oh! This lady is sweet. But she is also scary. What big eyes she has…everyone is staring at me. I don’t want to be here. Please take me away from this strange place. *bwaaaaaaaaaaahhh*

The baby started crying.

Nurse enters the ward and asks Akash & Krithi to leave the room as it is time to feed him. As they hesitate to leave, she urges them hard to leave the room terrified of the Doctors’ scolding.

- Divya Venkatesan