3D: Baby

The house was too quiet. No laugh tracks on TV or clicking of keys on the computer. Only the clanging of dishes and splashing of water. Maya hated washing dishes. Well, she hated all chores, but dish washing was especially abhorrent. As a child, her parents pleaded with her, explaining all she had to do was load the dishwasher and run it. What a scam! Whenever she’d run the dishwasher, they expected her to unload it too. Bait and switch! But Ranveer was so good to her. He washed her clothes, put them away, cleaned the bathroom and cooked. The least she could do was keep the kitchen clean.

Maya ran the dishwasher, swept the floors and wiped the counters. Still, there was no sign of him. If he took a shower or went for a run, he always announced his disappearance. Whether or not he thought she didn’t like being alone, she enjoyed the sweet gesture. It wasn’t like him to vanish without a word. She didn’t recall hearing the front door slam, so she sauntered upstairs and found him laying in the dark clutching his stomach. At 8:30, it was much too early for bed.

She gasped. “Ranveer? Are you ok?”

Even without light, it was hard to miss his eyes fluttering to stay open. He shivered even with the heat on. Craning his neck to see her, he said, “B-b-babe? Is that you?”

Who else would it be? Her first reaction was to laugh, but he looked so pitiful and could barely keep his eyes open. Did he really not recognize her voice? He must have been very sick!

“Where are you?” His body convulsed through a coughing spell. “I can’t see you!” His voice was so weak.

She’d never seen him so desperate. The heart-wrenching scene alarmed her, and she dashed to his side. “I’m here, baby! I’m here!”

“Oh. There you are,” he said in a soft, nasal voice. “Thank the Watcher. I feel like I’m dying. I don’t know if I can make it. I love you, Maya.”

His words quickened something inside, not because she believed he was dying, but because something was very wrong. “No! You can’t leave me. I’m gonna help you. Can you sit up?”

He attempted pushing himself up, but fell back like a rag doll. “Oh, Maya. I’m so weak. I’m not gonna make it.”

“Grab onto me. I got you.”

He embraced her as instructed, gazing into her eyes and stroking her cheek. “You’re so beautiful. We could have had lots of mini Mayas.”

Life without him was not an idea she’d entertain willingly—not even in jest. “Please don’t talk like that. You’re not dying.”

Ranveer was a sack of muscles and provided minimal help, but she finally got him upright. “Baby, you’re burning up!”

“Tell my mother and Baba I love them and that I’m sorry they didn’t get to come to the wedding.”

She stroked his cheek, trying to refocus him. “Hey, hey. None of that. Ok? Hey, open your eyes and look at me. You will be fine, ok?”

“You’re so good to me, babe. Just like an angel. Wait, are you an angel? Is it time?”

She sighed. “I’m not an angel, and it’s not your time. I’m gonna get you something. Do you promise not to die while I’m gone?”

He flashed a weak smile. “I think I can hold on for a few more minutes.”

“Ok. I’ll be right back. No dying.”

She left the room quietly and ran downstairs in a panic. No one got delirious from a common cold! Whatever illness he had was serious. But was it serious enough for a hospital trip? Or maybe just a drugstore run? While she panicked downstairs, he suffered upstairs! This scene was one of many scenarios which gave her pause before moving in with Ranveer. Her lack of experience and preparation might make him even sicker! Before the emotions took over and rendered her useless, she called the only person who would have all the answers.

“Mom, you gotta help me! Something is wrong with Ranveer!”

Skyla gasped. “Oh goodness! What happened?”

“He’s upstairs in bed holding his stomach! He says he feels like he’s dying, and when I walked in, he said he couldn’t see! And then, he was coughing and, it looked so painful! He keeps telling me he loves me and saying goodbye to everyone! I don’t know what to do! And, he’s burning up! Should I take him to the hospital? I’ve never seen him like this before! Tell me what to do, Mom!”

Faint giggling reached her ear.

“Are you laughing?? Ranveer is very sick and you laugh? You’re supposed to be helping me!”

“Pumpkin … Please calm down. Ranveer isn’t dying.”

“I know, but it’s something serious, right? Did daddy have something like this? I don’t even know what this is!”

“I’ve been married a long time. I’ve seen it all.”

Maya gasped. “So only men can get this illness?”

Skyla giggled. “He has stomach flu, pumpkin. Let me give you some womanly advice.”

The flu? What a relief! Ranveer’s suffering still pained her, but at least the culprit had a name she recognized. 

“Men are the biggest babies when they’re sick.”

Maya snorted. Ranveer was a man man. The only baby-like thing about him was the pet name she called him. Skyla should know this. “Maybe some men. Not my man.”

“All men, Maya. Trust me. They’re different from us. I mean, think about it. We carry whole babies around in our bodies like it’s nothing, but a man will stub is toe in the middle of the night and wake up the whole house. They may be bigger and stronger physically, but they can’t handle things like we do.”

That made a lot of sense. Jonathan bent toward dramatic and made Skyla’s eyes roll, but Maya assumed it was just the goofball in him. Ranveer was a goofball too, but he wouldn’t joke about dying.

“So, no hospital then?”

“If it will make you feel better, take him. But, you can save yourself the hassle and expense by giving him some medicine.”

Her nose wrinkled at memories of swallowing the thick, nasty liquid. “That nasty stuff in the brown bottle?”

Skyla snorted. “You want him to get well don’t you?”

“Fine. I’ll give him some.”

“Just … Don’t panic, ok? If you panic, he’ll go even more over the top. Just stay calm and say ‘yes dear’ a lot. Let him lay in your lap. Stroke his hair and tell him everything will be fine. He’ll be better in no time.”

“Heh, that really works? I’ve never seen Daddy laid out like this.”

“Like I said … He’ll be better in no time.”

Maya sighed. “Ok, if you say so. Thanks for the tips, Mom.”

“Everything will be fine, Maya. You love him very much, and he knows this. Trust me, he wouldn’t be so dramatic if he didn’t think you cared.”

“Thanks, Mom. Thanks a lot.”

“You’re welcome. Now, go fix your man.”

Maya retrieved the panacea from the medicine cabinet and returned to her sick patient who grinned at her. “Look who’s still alive.”

“Barely. I held on so I could see you one last time,” he said, reaching his arms to her.

Even in his misery, he still made her laugh. “I appreciate that. Drink this. You might wanna hold your nose, though.”

He drank the syrup, and she invited him to lie in her lap.

“You’ll be ok, Ranveer,” she said, stroking his hair.

“You’re such a good nurse,” he mumbled before drifting off to sleep.

Ever since coming down with baby fever, Maya wondered if she’d be a good mom. A child would alter her life in ways she never dreamed and required much more energy than she’d ever exerted. But maybe she had it in her. She rushed to Ranveer’s aid and didn’t miss a beat save the freak out phone call. Just like her hidden talent for decorating, maybe a Mom of the Year also lurked beneath the surface. Caring for Ranveer felt great and gave her hope for having more in common with her mother than just her fetching looks and dope skills on the dancefloor. None of her idols compared to the woman who gave her life. Skyla was the epitome of poise and grace, but they were so different; Maya thought they’d never share similar traits. Everyone warned against trying to be anyone but herself, but where’s the harm in drawing inspiration from another’s life?