The baby...
I will go slowly and sweep and mop the room. I will be careful not to disturb the sleeping baby...- said Kamala, our maid.
Hmm... I said - ok!
After five mins, I went into the bedroom for some work, I saw Kamala transfixed near the baby's bed, broom in one hand, a beatific smile on her face and saying helplessly - The baby is awake ! I turn to look at the three month old baby - with her legs folded over her tummy and hands tugging at the blanket, and cooing to herself - she seemed to be in her own world thoroughly in bliss. I smile.
Waaaa.. Waaaa.. Waaa.. she cried on my legs - as I was cooing to her massaging her body. Hearing her wails, Sahida, the cook runs in from the kitchen. 'Kya ho rahi hai sooo. Baby kyon ro rahi hai sooo. Thel dal rahin. Baby! Baby.. ! Idhar dekho .. !'( What is happening ? Why is the baby crying ? Are you having a oil massage ? Baby! Baby ! See here ..! ) She calls her in Urdu with a heart filled motherly smile. She tries pacifying her - but the little one is angry at being massaged without her agreement. And just when Sahida and me are succeeding in pacifying the baby - Sahida gets up in an exclaimation ! Oh ho ! Meri roti jal rahi hai !!! Beti ka awaaz sunkar mein aayee.. ! Offfooo!( oh ho ! The roti I have kept to cook is getting burnt !!! Because I heard the little one crying, I came running to see whats happening. Offfooo ! )Shaking her head helplessly, she turns to run back to the kitchen with a chuckle.
The baby is three and a half month old now. As a mother, I have hardly had the opportunity to go out and shop for her. Well, when there is a baby in the house, there are so many people visiting. Every visitor who comes gets a gift for her - and most of them end up buying a dress. So most of the dresses the little one has, is a gift from the umpteen number of uncles and aunties, grandpas and grannys, bhaiyas and didis she has. "The dresses are beautiful and more than sufficient, but, When will I ever get an opportunity to buy her a dress!" I complain to my ever patient husband. So last sunday, we pack her bag and set out shopping! Shopping in a shop that sold dreams!
Once we enter the shop, I cant just wait to get to the kids section. In the section that sold the girls dresses - it was almost as if I was in a fairy land. Blissful whites, pretty pinks, playful reds and navy blues, teasing lacy mauves and greens - the dresses were in all colours. Oh ! What was I supposed to buy and what was I supposed to leave ? All of them looked so - so beautiful. My princess would look beautiful in any one of them..! I debated and argued with myself in my mind and I picked up two dresses - a white dress with little blue flowers and a thick blue velvet ribbon tied into a bow in the middle, and another white dress with huge splashes of velvet and purple flowers, again with a huge purple ribbon in the middle.
My heart filled with joy !
Just three months back, all of us seemed to be preoccupied. Kamala and Sahida were busy in their daily routines. I was in my own world - complaining and being bitter about anything and everything. And today as the baby seems to complete around 3 and half months, mine and everybody's life around me had changed for ever. My cup of joy seemed to overflow.
As I get back to the car with my hubby and the darling, I think to myself - If there is anything called bliss - I guess I am experiencing it now. Dear God - Thank you for everything.. !
