Page 98 of Made in Mumbai

“It was long back, G.”

“When?”

“The day I announced my pregnancy downstairs. She saw us in the store room and insinuated those things.”

“You should have told me immediately!”

“And then what? Make more scenes? You were anyway angry at me and thought I was a weak woman.”

“I never thought that,” he strode to her, extending his hand to help her up. She straightened her loose pink shirt over her bump. It was getting so big that her shirts had a habit of riding up whenever she changed positions.

“M,” he squeezed her hand — “From that first day I saw you beating that man in the middle of the street, you have been the strongest force of nature for me. I was blasting out at you because I could not digest a woman as strong as you become so helpless, so undecided.”

She smiled. “It was a phase.”

“I know.”

“I had to make the right decision for this one,” she pointed down.

“And you did. Now come, we are getting late for your doctor’s appointment.”

“We no, I. You have work,”

“Which I am doing after I come back. Come on.”

He didn’t need to help her walk down the terraces and stairs. She was just as agile, even if a little off balance and in need of rail support. Gautam kept his distance but stayed there in case she needed him until they reached the Made in Mumbai area. There he stopped.

“Listen up,” he clapped his hands to get their attention. “Thank you for standing up for one of your own. I respect that you all have not pried into Maya’s or my personal life. Sahyadri’s contract has been terminated effective immediately and I would like it to be a lesson for all — that this office is a place to work. And if at all it is necessary,” he widened his eyes at the pain-in-the-ass grinning beside him — “Share some good things with each other. I will not take any toxic intentions or actions lightly. Now that everybody has come back charged from the Diwali break, let’s get back to work and get the Nilay Patel project on the tracks.”

The team cheered, sending them off with a round of applause.

————————————————————

He sat in the doctor’s reception as she went in. He didn’t want to go in of course, and she hadn’t asked. It was just how it was supposed to be. Gautam had come here to drive her here, not to be her partner. And yet, when the nurse had announced her name and she had said ‘I’ll be back,’ and turned to go, he had felt a pang. Should he have asked to go with her? Would that have been ok?

He shook his head, pulling out his phone to work. If nothing else, he could clear his emails. That would keep his mind off M and MM.

“Mr. Gautam Kumar?” Her nurse came and asked him softly.

“Yes?”

“Maya is asking if you would like to come in.”

“Is there a problem?” He pushed his phone lock.

“No, they are just starting the sonography.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. Gautam shot up and brisk-walked to the room. It was dark, darker than he had ever imagined an examination room to be. The AC was on chill.

“Gautam?” Her doctor called out.

“Yes.”

“Come in, Maya is here.”

That’s when he noticed the high bed where she lay, covered in a sheet to her thighs, eyes fixated on him. He padded in with hesitant steps until he stood by her head. There wasn’t any another place to stand.

“Hi,” she smiled up at him.

---