Page 99 of Made in Mumbai

“Hi. Is something wrong?”

“No. I thought you might want to see it, since you get kicked by it all the time,” her eyes pointed at the screen beside her, where the doctor sat clicking buttons. Gautam did a double take. It looked like a real baby inside there. How was it so clear?

“Did you swallow a camera or what?”

All the three ladies laughed. The doctor was moving a roller on Maya’s lower stomach, pressing here and there, the video on the screen moving too, showing the baby from different angles. Then she froze at one place and they made notations. She turned up the volume and a gurgling-like sound filled the room.

“What’s that? The water she’s swimming in?” He inquired.

Maya laughed — “It’s the heartbeat.”

“So fast?”

“That’s normal for babies.”

“Everything looks good,” the doctor pushed her keyboard in. “But your sugar levels are too high for my liking. And your BP is not settling either.”

“BP?” Gautam tautened. “She’s just 34…”

“It happens during pregnancy. Women may develop gestational diabetes and sometimes even hypertension. Maya, I need you to watch what you eat. Nothing that causes a sugar spike. And try and relax. It’s just another two months. Let’s get through them smoothly. Age is now playing its part.”

Maya nodded, not even a little perturbed by the news.

“Let’s get you cleaned up. Gautam, you can wait outside.”

He exited behind the doctor and stopped her — “Dr. Rekha?”

“Yes?”

“Is it serious? This BP and diabetes?”

“If not kept in check, they may create problems during the delivery. Maya understands, she will take care.”

The gynaecologist did not cross her professional ethics. She gave him that vague answer and left. That is why when Maya came back and they set off to the office, he veered the car towards home.

“Where are we going?” She sat up. “You missed the turn, G!”

“I am taking you home.”

“Home? Why?”

“Because you are going on your maternity leave.”

“What? No. Are you mad? There’s still one month left for my maternity leave.”

“I changed my mind. It starts today.”

“G, it’s not a big deal. I know it sounds scary but I will watch what I eat.”

“And BP?”

“That’s just going to be there until the baby comes. I am not stressing anyway. Have you ever seen me stress?”

“No, but that doesn’t mean other things don’t affect you. Like today. Why did I make you sit in on that confrontation with Sahyadri! No,” he turned the car into his building and parked. “You are staying home, doing whatever you like, but you are staying healthy. If you want, you can design at home. I’ll get you whatever you need. But no management type of work.”

She closed her eyes, an amused smile on her face. Then she began to laugh.

“What?”

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