Chapter 45: Heyy Babyy
Ritu sat in the waiting room at the hospital, flipping the pages of a three month old issue of Femina, the glossy pages cool to her touch. She looked at her watch; it was an hour past her appointment. Because it was called a waiting room, the doctors seemed to think they could make you wait as long as they liked.
The room was softly lit and decorated in pastel shades. There was an aquarium in the corner where sleepy fishes swam, oblivious to the vociferous provocations of two boys outside. In front of her was a portrait of Mary with baby Jesus in her lap. Mary glanced at baby Jesus with an expression that was more 'Where did you come from?' or 'What am I going to do with you?' than the beatific motherly look the painter was aiming for.
The room was full of pregnant women, suffering husbands and bratty children. Dr Bharati Pande was a leading gynecologist of the city and seemed to command a committed following.