Calm Before The Storm

Nothing much happened in the past two months. Listening to my father’s advice, I made some new friends and spent my days playing with them.

 But now that I think about it, there was one thing that happened. My mother began to look like an actual pregnant lady. Due to which, dad told her to rest. He did all the household work. I also helped him a little. And just like that, days passed by, and the day we had been waiting for so long finally arrived.

“Dad, we’ve been out here waiting for an hour now…”

“Have patience. These things take time.”

This was really nerve-racking. My mother was inside giving birth to my sibling. I couldn’t control my excitement of finally meeting them.

I wonder if it’s going to be a boy or a girl…

As I was finding ways to calm myself, my father spoke lightly with a smile on his face. “I was just like you when you were born. Couldn’t stand still at all.”

“Really? You were also impatient like me?”

“I was way more impatient than you,” he said, patting my head.

At that moment, the midwife came outside. With a gentle voice, she said, “It’s a girl. The baby is healthy, and the mother is also fine. You can meet them.”

“I just got a sense of Déjà Vu.” My father muttered before thanking her, and then she left.

We stepped inside the house where I saw my frail looking mother holding the baby in her arms.

“Here Anant, hold her,” my mother said, her voice soft.

“O-Okay.” I gently but carefully held my little sister in my arms. She was so cute. Her tiny hands, innocent looking face, olive skin. She was looking like an angel.

“I think Anant should name her.” My father’s voice came from beside.

“Wa-wait, what are you saying?”

“Your dad’s right. As her big brother, you should name her.” my mother’s voice followed.

“But how can I… I mean… I don’t even know what to name her.”

Listening my words, my mother let out a chuckle. “You sound just like your dad when you were born.”

Thumping my back, with a grin on his face, my dad said, “Don’t sweat it. Just name what you think of her.”

What do I think of her…?

When I first laid my eyes on her, I felt this feeling… like she was born to protect me… Since she brought happiness to this family— to our family… If I had to name her, then I would— “I name her Khushi.”

“Hmm, that’s a good name.” My father nodded, smiling.

“You father and son sure know what to name a child,” remarked my mother, lying on the bed.

I carefully handed my newly born sister to my father. But she started crying as-soon-as he held her in his arms.

“Shh… don’t cry, don’t cry.” He tried calming the baby, swinging her slowly in the air. Few swings later, she fell asleep.

“Look how peacefully she’s sleeping,” my mother remarked, her voice soft.

“Yeah…”

“You should also go to sleep,” said my father. Tomorrow, we’re going to the temple to pay our respects. You have to wake up early in the morning.”

“Alright, dad.” After taking a glance one last time at my sister, I made my way to my room.

Still, I can’t believe I’m now a big brother. Tomorrow, I’ll play with her all day.

While imagining myself playing with my little sister, I slowly fell asleep.

….

“RUN!”

“WHERE’S MY CHILD!”

“S-SPARE ME!”

“AARRGGHH!”

My eyes suddenly opened. All I could hear were cries and screams of help.

What is going on…?

I got up from my bed and slowly walked to the window in my room. Removing the curtains, I looked through the window to see what was going on.

What the…

But what my eyes saw at that moment… I didn’t even know how to describe it. In simple words, what I saw was… hell, literally.