Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

Labor of love

Seetha was getting prepared by her Paati and Amma to deliver her first baby. She had to have an oil bath everyday. She was given a certain concoction of jeera kashaayam (home medicine) with a dollop of ghee, every morning in empty stomach. Her paati examine her stomach every week to see if the baby had "turned" downwards but this little rascal was extremely playful. One week Paati would say that the baby is in position only for him/her to move away again.

Seetha went to Pillaiyar pleading that she is barely able to carry her own weight so please let this baby come soon but it wasn't time yet. The baby was getting more and more active and Seetha was getting more and more tired. One afternoon Seetha was busy writing to Arun, " ange neenga sowkiyama iruppel nu nambaren. Inge unga kozhandai enna romba paduthadhu. Rathiri ellam thoonga vidaama odhakkardhu. Rathiri thookam illama pagal la romba ksheenama irukku. Idhula dhenamum ennai thechu kulikardhulerndhu, jeera kashaayam kudikardhulerndhu paduthara. Paati vera edho oru urundai chaapadardhukku thara. Inge vandhadhu lerndhu nalla bambulimaas madhiri ayitten. Ange neengal eppidi irukkel? Amma unga kooda irukardhu nenacha konjam nimmadhi ya irukku. Amma ku naan thaniya ezhudharen. Dhanam seriya varala velaikku? Saroja mami kitta kettadha sollungo. Apparam onbadhaam maasam thodangiyachu. Paati vayatha paathu sonna innime eppo venumnaalum kozhandhai porakkum nu. Neenga seekirama vaango." (Hope you are fine there. Here your baby is troubling me. Baby isn't letting me sleep at night and is constantly kicking me. Because of this I am tired during the day. On top of that I have oil bath and home medicine everyday. They are feeding me way too much and now I have bloated up like a balloon. How are you? It is a relief to know that your mother is with you. I will write to her separately. Hope Dhanam is coming regularly. Hope Saroja mami is doing well. By the way, it is past 9 months and grandma says baby will be here any time now. Come to me soon.)

Arun, on the other hand, was getting anxious. He knew that Seetha could deliver anytime now. He was busy at work with a new project but he had booked his tickets for the following week. They had been writing to each other and it was always a relief to receive one for her.

He was hurrying up to wrap up his work. He was going away for two week so he had to assign and delegate. He had a train to catch that same night. After the seemandham, Parvathi had decided to stay back with Arun. Parvathy and Arun too their train to Coimbatore that night. After dropping Parvathy at her brother's place, Arun had planned to freshen up and take a bus to Palakkad, hoping to be there before Seetha delivers.

Seetha was very happy. She knew that Arun was on his way. That evening though, Seetha was feeling more tired that usual. She had completed 39 weeks and had stepped into her 40th week. Paati had instructed her to stay home and not go out, not even to see her pillaiyar. Her stomach had tightened completely and baby's head had finally fixed. It was quite evident but the shape of her stomach.

It was around 9pm. Seetha had finished her dinner by 7pm and had just had some warm milk with saffron. She was feeling a little uneasy. Paati glanced at her face and said, "Kozhandhai. Inniki rathri ingeye paduthuko enga kooda. Mela yeri poganda. Unnoda mugatha paatha kozhandhai varathukku aayacho nu thonardhu." (Child, just sleep here with me tonight. Don't go up the stairs. Looking at your face I feel you will deliver soon) She then applied the vibuthi and kumkumam from garbha rakshaambika temple on Seetha's forhead and then took the little bit of the oil from the same temple and gently applied it around Seetha's belly buttons.

Seetha said a silent prayer to Pillaiyar, "Pillaiyar appa kozhandhai porakkum podhu avar inge en kooda irukkanum. Adhu mattum nee paathu telegram anupidu." (Pillaiyar please make sure he is here before the baby arrives. Make sure you send the telegram) She then laid down beside her Paati. Everyone went to sleep. At around midnight Seetha woke up. The uncomfortable feeling from a couple of hours ago had turned into sharp intermittent pain. She sat up and gently tapped Paati's shoulder, "Paati, Paati, ezhundhukko. Enakku oru vidhama vayaru valikkardhu." (Grandma wake up. My stomach is hurting) Paati jumped up and sat. She touched Seetha's stomach and immediately recognized the contractions. She touched Seetha's face and smiled, "Thodangiyachu kondhey. Vali vandhaachu. Uchakki kulla kozhandhai porandhudum." (You are in labor. Baby will be here by afternoon) She propped up Seetha's pillow against the wall, making her sit up. She then went and woke Seetha's parents and whispered, "Avalukku vali thodangiyachu." (Pain has  begun) Seetha's mother came quickly to sit next to her daughter. He dad too sat up but he stayed in the hall.

The contractions had just begun. There was a long way to go. Meanwhile Arun was unable to sleep in the train. He felt uneasy. He had this overwhelming feeling that he needed to be with his wife now. He just wished the train would move faster. He eventually dozed off as he was sitting and woke when the train jolted to a screeching stop. He was relieved to see the Kovai station sign on the big yellow board. He sighed heavily and looked at Parvathy who said, "Ennada ukkandhe thoonginiyo? Seri vaa aathukku poitu kulichu nee adutha bus liye kelambikko." (Did you sleep sitting? Once we reach home you quickly shower and go to palakkad) It was just 5am and the first bus to palakkad wasn't until 9am. Although it was only an hours ride, Arun was too anxious for that. He had a very unsettling feeling and it wasn't good.

Seetha's contractions had become stronger and more frequent. She was in active labor. Paati was wiping off her sweat with a towel instructing her, "Kondhey azhadhe. Innum konjanerathulla aachi amma vandhuduval. Appa koopda poirukka. Appidiye mappillai oda mama ku trunk call um pesittu varvaa. Nee vali varatha ennoda kaiya pudichukko." (Don't cry. The midwife will be here soon. Your dad has gone to fetch her and also to make a call to Arun's uncle) Seetha's saree had been removed for her own comfort. Her upper body was wet with sweat. Not only was it due to active labor but also because of the power cut. Raji was trying to fan her face but nothing helped. By the time Arun reached his Uncle's house, he could sense anxiety there. He gave Arun the news of Seetha being in labor. He had also quickly arranged for a car to take him there. Arun dropped his luggage and quickly showered. He gulped down the coffee but refused breakfast. He knew that his wife needed him night now. So he quickly boarded the car and headed towards palakkad.

Seetha's water had just broken. She had been in active labor for almost 7 hours now. The mid wife had been brought in. Her request for some hot water and old clothes had been given. It was time to push but Seetha had no energy. Everyone was awake at this point and Arun rushed in to be welcomed by Seetha's father, "vaango maapillai vaango. Rathiri ye vali thodangiyachu..." (please come. Her labor pain started last night) but Arun did not want to hear anything. He wanted to see his wife he wanted to be beside her. He said, "Enakku ulla poganum" (I have to go inside) only for him to hear, "Ayo aangal ulla pogapdadhu." (Men should not go in) Arun heard the midwife saying, "Seetha mukku. Idhu paaru. Muzhichukko. Ksheenama irukku theriyum aana nee mukkina thaane kozhandhai varum." (Push. I know you are tired but you need to push the baby out) Arun heard Seetha's feeble voice, "Ennala mudila maami." (I don't have the strength)

That was it. No one was going to stop Arun now. He pushed the curtain and walked in only to hear the midwife yell at him, "Enna idhu? Velila pongo. Innum prasavam ayitillai" (what is this? Go out. She has not delivered yet) but seeing his wife exhausted and drained in sweat Arun rushed up to her, "Seethu naan Vandhutten maa. Kanna thorandhu paaru maa." (I am here. Look at me) Seetha gently opened her eyes and smiled feebly. She held out her hand and Arun quickly caught hold of it and kissed her palm. She had tears in her eyes. At this point Seetha's mother moved letting Arun take her place. Seetha smiled at Arun and began to push with all the strength she had. The midwife encouraged her, "Appidithaan, idho kozhandhaityoda thalai theriyardhu. Innoru thadavai." (I can see the baby's head. One more push) Seetha tightened her hold on Arun and pushed yet again. The baby was almost out. The midwife quickly cleaned the baby's face and then just one last push and the baby swam out of her body. Seetha's body trembled involuntarily and then there was a loud shrill cry. The little human, still attached to the mother's umbilical cord, took her first breath.

Yes, it was a baby girl. Paati took the baby from the midwife and cleaned as soon and the cord was cut and clipped,  while the midwife got busy birthing the placenta and finishing up. Both Seetha and Arun had happy tears. Their labor of love was here. He did not care about who was around. He quickly kissed her tired lips only for her to whisper a "Achacho". Paati placed the baby on Seetha for a few moments before handing her to Arun. That when the baby moved and kicked him right on his chest.

Brinda Subramanian