May 10, 2002 - Part II

Although I didn't had much of an idea about the umbilical cord and its uses, we decided to do it anyway, if that is going to help some kid somewhere.

Well, back to the narrative, as I was sitting outside the operation theater waiting for the doctor to call me in, there was this female who was waiting besides me carrying a tray(or bowl). She is the one from the lab to collect the umbilical cord. She was from Philippines. We were talking about our experiences in America and she was trying to make me cheerful. I was really, what you say, depressed. I wanted to speak desperately to someone. And she was telling me about her experiences and how simple C-sections are. Huh, what does she know!.

Then, the nurse called us in. I only remember the name of the nurse as Mary. She said she is from Kerala. Anyway I went in.

Its like seeing a million lines of some alien programming code for me. I cannot understand what is going on. There was Dr Savla with some instrument in hand and another big guy standing opposite to her, assisting her. I sat next to Dr. Wu, the anesthetist, looking at what looked to me like some space ship controls. Actually he was administering anesthesia.

Its the classic fear of the unknown. I don't really know what is going on. Although the doctor explained to me prior to the operation, I had no idea that it will look like this. I tried talking to Jeysri but she was, at best, semi-conscious.

I dared once to look above the curtain which separated Jeysri's face and the rest of her body. I saw Dr. Savla standing there in her gloves full of blood, reminding me of Kali doing her spiritual dance. I still cannot forget that imagery. I had no problem about it but the picture of it is struck in my mind.

Those are really anxious moments for me. No body told me this is going to be this way. No body told me this is going to be this intense and I will need all my energy to sustain those minutes and hours. I was simply thrown there in the middle of it, without having any idea of how much it is going to change our relationship and how much it is going to change me. In retrospect, I can never forget this one day, not only because my son was born that day, but because it made our relationship stronger than ever.

It was 2.45pm. There I heard that sound. Familiar to me, from the countless number of Tamil movies. The sound of a newborn. I thanked all the Gods. And the nurse gave the infant to me. I cannot make anything out of him. He is MY son. It was the moment of realization and celebration. I never felt so happy at that moment. Then the nurse showed it to Jeysri(who by the way has a very vague memory of it!). Then they bathed the infant and put on the drops and everything. And Sibi is off to nursery.

I was standing there not knowing what to do. Jeysri is still semi-conscious and I was told that she will be moved to the room outside in a few minutes. I went out and waited for her. They brought her after a joyful, confusing, tense waiting of 15-20 minutes. She was awake and I was able to talk to her. I told her, "One kid is enough for us!". She smiled as if to say,"Huh! I know you!".

Then I was told that they will bring her to the post-partum room for her recovery and I can be with her after that. But now, I have to wait outside. So I went out and promptly fell asleep in the lobby couch.

Korah and Raja wake me up with the lunch from KFC. It was good to talk to someone after such a long day. I enjoyed my twister. I never told them how much I owe them for what they did that day (and ofcourse, all the days preceding to that). This is something which cannot be repaid in money and I will always owe them. They are really my great friends. Then I called up my parents to give them the good news

Oh yeah, I had a digital camera, camcorder and all sorts of gear to record every moment of it in memory. But since I was so preoccupied with myself and Jeysri, I didn't use them once between 6am and 3pm. Think the first snap of Sibi was in the nursery, after I took Korah and Raja to show them the baby.

There she was. My darling wife. Awake and tired. We talked for a moment and she slept after that.
I went home to pick some stuff.

It is indeed a great feeling to have a kid. I enjoy every moment I spend with Sibi these days. He is so full of energy and is already showing the traits of his papa and mama.

Till the day we brought Sibi home, it never dawned on me that our lives have changed for good. It was indeed an unique experience. Probably we experience it once or twice. Next time, atleast I know what to expect. So it may not be this intense for me.

But I should write a word about my wife here. Knowing that she has gone through all these pain and medications, just so that we may have a baby has really made me love her more than ever. I am sure that any woman who is willing to go through such an experience, should be acting on the basis of her love and that really shows how much she loves me also.

We spent about 9 months looking after each other culminating in that big day of our life, 10.May.2002. It is, undoubtedly, the best day of my life.

I may not have experienced all these first-hand, had we been in India. My parents and her parents would have been there to share it. But I think it is fortunate that we went through this all-alone and came out of it, loving each other more than ever. I could never thank the Gods enough for that.