Margu looked thin, weak and sad . “What’s with you , you should be blooming .”, Ammu asked her the next morning as she flung open the windows and let the fresh breeze sweep through the room .

Margu looked at her with tears in her eyes . “I am tired Ammu , there is no end to the work and I fell down as I was trying to serve them their breakfast , I stumbled over my saree pleats . The doctor said that if I exerted myself any further , I may lose the baby . So they sent me here , they said they will arrange for a cook . Ammu , they could have done that earlier , is it not ? Am I a cook in the family ? And if there is a cook , why did they have to send me here ? Can they not care for me there , till such a time as when I come here ? I am feeling so bad about the way they have handled the situation . The main concern for my mother- in- law was not my health , but rather - who will cook the food for Lakshmi , as she is on a separate diet , after her delivery . “, she sobbed and Ammu reached out and squeezed her hand .

“Can I have my coffee ?”, Ishwar asked no one in particular and Ammu rushed into the kitchen . “Please see that things are done on time , you will have the entire day to talk things over .”, he spoke in a stern voice as she handed him his coffee . Ammu nodded and went into the kitchen and busied herself with the work for the day .

Meenakshi came out just before the men left for work . After they left she looked at Ammu and said “ You did not even come to enquire why I had not come to help you in the kitchen . I had a bad headache , even you did not care to ask Ammu .”, and Ammu hugged her aunt and smiled. “Sorry Attah , I was so busy in the kitchen , but I did wonder

if you were unwell . “ , she said as she held out a large tumbler of extra strong coffee . Meenakshi sipped it , “Abbah , just right for clearing my head , I will go sit with Margu , did she have anything as yet ? Call us when Swathi comes down for breakfast .”

Ammu looked at the clock and ignored her grumbling stomach. She went into the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee . As she sat down at the table to drink it, Meenakshi called out from Margu’s room , “Ammu can you get Margu a cup of coffee ?” , Ammu walked to the room and handed Margu her coffee . “Good thing , she is atleast feeling like having something . Is Swathi down yet ?” , she asked as she smoothed her daughter’s head .

That night , Jaya looked at her in silence , expecting her to share her thoughts , but she had learnt the hard way that he was way too loyal to the family to sympathise with her . She held her silence and cuddled closer to him and fell asleep as soon as she had settled down . He sighed and tried to sleep but he was feeling strangely agitated.

She was up and gone by the time he woke up , she was asleep by the time he walked upstairs every night. The curves that delighted him were no longer visible and the angles were more pronounced . He was worried , but he knew that it was not the right time to voice his opinions . Swathi and Margu needed love and care . “But she needs love and care too , she seems to be growing thinner by the day , and Amma seems to be spending more and more time with Margu .”, he frowned at the ceiling as he tried to sleep . He turned towards her and looked at her face as her eyelashes merged into the hollows of her cheeks and winced at the sight .

“Amma , she is not looking alright .”, he confided one morning in the veranda . “Just some extra work , that is all , we will all pitch in when it is her turn , in a family there is always give and take .’, Meenakshi explained to him patiently , trying to swallow the guilt that was surfacing within her .

It was in the silence that followed that he heard Ammu’s sob , and he rushed into the kitchen . “Jaya , I am having terrible pain in my abdomen .” , she was bent over in pain and was sweating profusely . “Get her an antacid Jaya . I will stay with her .”, Meenakshi looked at her , worried at the spectacle . Soon Ammu was writhing in pain and was unable to stay quiet , she was sobbing loudly in agony . Jaya ran to her and held her . “Jaya , I am not alright , take me to the doctor .”, she said and he ran to get the car keys . “Ammu , it is alright , you will be alright , what did you eat yesterday ?”., Meenakshi tried to smooth her sweaty brow . Margu and Swathi were watching in horror , Ishwar was trying hard to remain calm .

Jaya brought out the car and Ammu climbed into the back seat . “Come here , next to me .’, he spoke softly , trying to hold his voice steady . “No Jaya , I need space to stretch my legs , she said and Meenakshi climbed into the back seat .

They were immediately taken to the doctor’s consultation room , and she asked them to wait outside . After a long wait, she came out . “She will be alright , but she has lost the baby .”, she said as she held Meenakshi’s hand . Jaya was stunned to hear the words . He felt the world reel around him and sat down with his head between his legs . “Jaya , Jaya , you did not mention this to me , not once , nor did she let me know , Aiyyo , how much of physical strain , did it cause the miscarriage ? Had I known , Jaya , Jaya ..”, he heard his mother call from somewhere far away and he held out his hand . “Amma , go and get me some cold water .”, he said in a weak voice and waited till she was out of sight , before he began to sob silently .

After sometime , he walked towards the doctor’s room , but the nurse there asked him to stay out . “My wife , I want to be with her .”, he tried to explain . “I know Sir , she is almost asleep , the doctor has asked us to let her rest here , so we are not transferring her anywhere else . Sorry , but I hope you can understand , it is in her best interests .”, she explained .

Meenakshi came with the bottle of chilled water and reddened eyes . “Jaya , what is this , why did you not tell me ?”, she asked him . “Amma , I did not know either . Wait till we meet the doctor again , we cannot go in to meet her ,she is sleeping .”, he said as she walked to the door of the room .

Ishwar was there in a few minutes and did not speak to either of them . He was pacing around , “How harsh I was to her all these days . “, he muttered to himself , time and again .

Meenakshi was cursing her laziness and her love for her daughter . “Ambi , what will I tell Ambi ? How will I explain anything to Anna ? I had given them my word to look after her , as if she were my own child !”, she was wringing the end of her pallu .

Jaya was lost in his own world , he had called his office and told them he would be absent from work for that day .

Ammu was under the effects of the tranquilizer and the IV drip , fed her with a constant dose of pain relief and blissful oblivion .