Life As We Know It

shot 3

A week passed by with Omkara getting the hang of how to deal with Muskaan

The first evening Muskan had woken up crankily. Most of the day she had been sleeping. Only woke up for her drink and food and promptly went back to sleep

The social worker from the child welfare had mentioned that Muskaan had a terrible night the day before. She kept waking up at night asking for her mama.

Omkara had panicked seeing Muskaan jutting out her lower lip ready for another session of wailing

Roop kaki ,one of the care takers of Oberoi household had came in for rescue finally

She had instructed Omkara to take off his shirt and hold the baby close to his chest.

The skin to skin contact ,it seems ,helps in bonding

The baby ,initially wriggled in his hold ,but later snuggled into him

She had got that kind of warmth only from her mama before. And she lapped up all that warmth she was feeling after whole three weeks.

"Keep talking to her Omkara. Sing her a lullaby" Roop had instructed him then

"I don't know any lullaby" Omkara whispered

"It doesn't have to be a lullaby. It could be a discussion of stock markets for all she cares. Your voice and tone is what matters. Talk to her in a soothing way. Make her feel secure Omkara" Roop said

Omkara held the baby securely against his heart and talked to her in soothing voice

He talked about her mother and the years they spent together.

The baby looked on curiously not particularly understanding anything ,but liking the way he was talking

A week later Muskaan got used to her uncle being around

Roop kaki brought a bowl of baby food for Muskaan

Omkara placed the baby on the newly bought high chair

Muskaan made a face seeing the mushy paste in the bowl

"Don't make that face. You have to eat baby" Omkara said and took a spoonful of food towards her lips

"No.." Muskaan turned her face sideways

"The first thing you say to me is a No. Thats bad Muskaan" Omkara chided softly

Muskaan jutted out her lower lip again

"Mussy no bad" she said ,her lips trembling and eyes filling up with tears

"Awww. Sorry mussy. Mussy is a good girl. Now eat like a good girl" Omkara said coaxing the little girl to open her mouth

She had her dinner with lots of fuss that Omkara felt completely exhausted by the time she finished

Not even during a sports meet at university ,did he feel so exhausted

"Come on. Time to sleep again" Omkara said and laid her on her new baby cot

"Good night Muskaan" he kissed her on nose

"Ayt ayt Omki" she said

Omkara looked at her in surprise

"Mamu hei tumhari. Mamu bolo" Omkara said

"Omki" she repeated with a giggle

"Stubborn ,just like your mother" Omkara said

****

Next morning Gauri walked into the boss' cabin with his coffee ; with milk and sugar ofcourse.