Sunlight pierced into the room of the 2 BHK flat, forcing Omkara to open his eyes. He looked at the clock and saw it flashing 6am. He woke up carefully and closed the curtains completely to prevent the sun rays from entering the room. He turned back and looked at the person on the bed. He knelt beside the bed and planted a small kiss on her forehead. "Good morning Gauri" he whispered in her ears, careful enough not to wake her up. He stood up and went to the crib placed beside the bed. There lied their daughter, sleeping peacefully unaware of the havoc happening in their lives. With a small smile Omkara took his clothes and walked to the bathroom.

Omkara Singh Oberoi worked as an Art professor in a college. Gauri, his wife, works as an English professor in the same college, supports his every decision. They shifted to this flat when Omkara decided to continue his job permanently. Their family members pays frequent visits so the problem of missing them never rises.

When Gauri's pregnancy was announced, his brothers and their wives had stayed with them as he couldn't get leave from the college. Gauri's carrying period was a bliss. Her excitement and mood swings were perfectly handled by Omkara. 1 month back, they welcomed their first child.

The problems started there. The first week was extremely tiring for Gauri. Unending fatigue and lack of interest became frequent. She found it difficult to handle the baby. When sleep deprivation started, Omkara took her to the doctor.

Postpartum depression; Omkara was hearing that word for the first time. The condition was something some women experienced post delivery. She may feel sick, alone,difference in sleeping and eating habits, trouble bonding with the child, fatigue, lack of interest and many more. Fatigue, sleeping problems and lack of interest was more in Gauri's case.

But that was not what worried Omkara. She couldn't handle their baby. She feeds her but cannot calm her down. Omkara had to take leaves from the college. Nights became miserable for both Gauri and the baby. Gauri's condition was not improving.

Omkara walked into the kitchen with a sigh. No, he was not having problems with doing household works. But he missed the old Gauri. Who always had a beautiful smile on her face. All these thoughts came to a halt as he heard the calling bell ringing. Not wanting wake up his girls, he quickly went to the door.

"Good morning Om" that was it. He didn't get the chance to reply as all of them had entered. "Guys! What are you doing here?" Omkara asked shouting carefully. His family sometimes became overprotective. Especially his brothers and their wives.

"Shivaay, I told you, I'll manage" he said with a sigh. He didn't like troubling them. "Om, it's okay to take help" Shivaay said in a serious tone and Omkara knew there was no point in arguing. "I'll handle the kitchen. You go and get ready" Shivaay said and Omkara nodded his head with a smile.

Omkara walked into the room and saw Gauri sitting on the bed all awake. "Good morning" she said as she saw him. He smiled at her and went to take his outfit. "It's ironed" Gauri said and he smiled in surprise. His black shirt and pants were neatly folded and kept on the table. He slowly sat beside her wrapping one arm around her.

"Shivaay and Rudy are here with Bhabhi and Bhavya. Do you want me to stay?" he softly asked and she nodded in a no with a smile. "I'm fine" she said and he kissed on her forehead before getting up. Gauri felt her heartbeats increase as time passed. Omkara would soon leave for work. She was feeling lonely. No, she couldn't let this control her. She had to get a grip on herself.

Omkara cradled the baby in his arms as Gauri walked to the kitchen. She was trying to engage in things. Counselling was working. Omkara smiled as his daughter played with the button of his shirt. "I know you need her. But she needs some more time sweetheart. Don't worry, you'll be soon in your Ma's arms" Omkara said unaware of the fact that Gauri was standing outside.

She felt her eyes getting blurry as tears clouded her vision. How she wished she could do that! But she just couldn't. It was difficult. She immediately wiped the tears off as she saw Anika coming. She lightly smiled at Anika and again walked to the kitchen. She needs to keep herself occupied.

Omkara quickly grabbed his art supplies and hurried to the door. He was getting late. He quickly kissed his sleeping daughter and was about to walk out when he felt a tug at the cuff of his shirt. He knew who it was.

"Gauri.. I" before he could complete she spoke. "Drive safe" she said and tiptoed to kiss his forehead while he stood in a daze. Normally, she would stand near the door and smile lightly. But this was something she used to do. With a smile of hope, he walked downstairs. Gauri stood there, with racing heartbeats. No, she'll not let this overpower her. Turning, she smiled reassuringly at Shivaay and decided to mend it.

Omkara climbed the stairs in a hurry. He was in the class when Shivaay called him. Calls like these always worried him for he knew what scene would be waiting. He opened the door and saw Shivaay and Rudra standing there worried. Anika was cradling his daughter who was visibly red with crying. His eyes travelled to their room and he saw Bhavya at the door too scared to enter.

"Om.. I'm sorry" Shivaay said as he looked down in guilt. Omkara patted his shoulders and shook his head before walking inside the room. Bhavya immediately backed off and closed the door, giving them the much needed privacy.

Omkara scanned the room and saw everything messed up. His paint bottles were scattered on the floor, books and papers lay all over. And, at a corner, there was Gauri, sitting with her knees wrapped at her chest. Her eyes were probably exhausted with the crying. Omkara swallowed the lump in his throat and slowly approached her.

He sat beside her and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned onto him as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. "I'm sorry" she said in a hoarse whisper and buried herself into his chest. Omkara felt his shirt dampening. He engulfed her in his arms and kissed her hairs. Gauri's sniffs slowly turned to sobs which then increased to screams. Omkara stroked her hairs mumbling sweet nothings to calm her down. "Shh.. It's not your fault" he said a while after she calmed down.

Few minutes back>>>
Gauri closed the bathroom door and was drying her hair when soft whimpers were heard. She looked back and saw her child wide awake. She hesitated for a moment but calmed herself. She couldn't let the feeling control her. She slowly approached the bed and took the baby in her arms. It was fine but out of blue, the baby started crying loudly.

Gauri tried cradling but nothing seemed to work. Sweat beads formed on her forehead as the babies cries grew louder. Gauri felt darkness enveloping her. She felt as if she was hurting her daughter. By luck, Anika had rushed inside hearing the loud cries. Anika immediately took the little one and managed to make her sleep. She looked at Gauri who was standing like a rock.

"Bhabhi" Anika looked at the door and saw Bhavya. Anika was about approach Gauri but she started moving backwards. "I'll end up hurting her" Gauri's incoherent mumbling brought tears to their eyes. Bhavya felt her heart breaking seeing her Gauri Bhabhi so vulnerable. Gauri balled up and sat in the corner as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Gauri.." Anika started but was interrupted. "Leave!!" Gauri shouted which made Anika walk outside. Bhavya stood there, keeping an eye on her for if she decided to do something drastic.

"I'm trying. But I just can't" Gauri whispered. Omkara was trying hard to control his tears. "You are free Gauri. You're not compelled to do anything. Take your time. Remember what the doctor said? Your mind is fooling you. Don't fall for it" Omkara said and kissed her forehead. Gauri closed her eyes feeling the warmth. Slowly, Gauri fell into a sound slumber. Omkara made her sleep on the bed before leaving the room. He made a quick glance at Shivaay before going to the balcony of the other room.

The sun had just set. The pink hue flashed all over the sky, making it look beautiful like a newly wed bride. Omkara sadly smiled. Everything around him was beautiful, everyone around him were beautiful, it was just the fate that was horrible. He turned back as he felt someone touch his shoulder. "Shivaay" he immediately wiped off the tears and smiled.

Shivaay felt his yes turning glassy. His brother was a person who tried to be optimistic about life but his biggest support system was falling weak. "She'll be fine Om" he said assuring himself and Omkara. Omkara nodded his head as his eyes brimmed. "It feels so bad Shivaay. I can't see her like this" Omkara said. Shivaay looked at him without saying anything.

"Om, she's stronger than you think. She'll overcome this" Shivaay said and Omkara smiled lightly. Shivaay knew that smile was not genuine. He made a silent prayer to bring back happiness to their lives.

Days passed on and Gauri became more distant. Omkara had been staying home since that incident. Rudra and Bhavya went back on Omkara's insistence. Shivaay and Anika had firmly argued that they won't go back until Gauri is fine. Omkara knew he couldn't argue more so he agreed.

With all these thoughts running in his mind, Omkara was doing some paperwork. A big smile appeared on his face as he heard the calling bell ringing. He intentionally stayed rooted to his place waiting for Gauri to open the door.

Gauri, who was in the kitchen glanced at him and saw him busy, so decided to open the door. She walked to the entrance wondering who would it be. But as soon as she opened the door, she couldn't find a gap to speak.

"Gauri ma'am" a group of students surrounded her shouting her name. Gauri was beyond surprised. Her students. "Ma'am, how are you?" all of them asked breaking her reverie. Gauri couldn't bring herself to speak. She felt overwhelmed.

"She's fine" Omkara, who just came to the scene said wrapping his one arm around Gauri. Gauri's eyes were filled with happy tears. She really missed her job and her students. "We miss you ma'am. The substitute teacher is so boring" they said and she let out a chuckle. "No one misses me I guess" Omkara said dramatically to which all of them laughed.

After what seemed like ages, Gauri was laughing wholeheartedly. Omkara instantly knew his plan worked. The students had asked him for permission long back but Gauri's health did not permit. But now, this was the medicine. "Where is the little one ma'am?" one of the students asked and immediately, Anika entered with the baby. Omkara knew this question would be asked so he had already asked Anika to be ready. Soon, the students were around the baby and Gauri moved to the room. Omkara followed her trail and he closed the door the moment they were inside.

"You asked them to come?" Gauri asked with a smile. "No. They asked me whether they could come" Omkara replied. Gauri's face broke out to a grin as she heard his reply. "You're still the man of words" she said turning to face him. "And you're still the woman who never fails to amaze anyone" Omkara said and Gauri smiled in tears.

He slowly approached her and took her hands in his. "Gauri, everyone loves you. You are not failing anyone. We all have a bad phase in our lives. But we should never let it overpower us" he said and she nodded her head. "Now give me that smile that washes away my worries" Omkara said to which a beautiful smile spread on her lips. He warmly hugged her as their hearts soothed each other.

The students had been there the whole day. After everyone had left, Anika and Gauri were in the kitchen, washing the dishes. "Gauri can you get me a kitchen cloth?" Anika asked and Gauri nodded and left to the room. Gauri entered the room and started searching for the cloth. She was searching in the cupboard when she heard a small snivel.

Gauri turned and saw her child's eyes filled with tears. Gauri immediately approached the bed as her heart bled seeing her baby like that. She cocooned the baby in her arms and swayed her. Cries filled the room and Gauri sat down on the bed with the baby. "Shh.. Ma is here sweetheart" she whispered and continued swaying her. The cries subsided and the baby slowly drifted to sleep. Gauri's eyes held unshed tears. A smile of happiness and relief came to her lips as she held her child close.

Omkara had rushed to the room hearing the cries. He entered the room in panic but the sight halted his fear. His daughter in his wife's arms. "Omkara" Gauri called out as plethora enveloped both of them. He slowly sat beside them and engulfed both of them in his arms from behind. The little opened her eyes to look at her parents.

Gauri and Omkara smiled at her as Shivaay and Anika watched the sight with a teary smile. Shivaay drew in a breathe of happiness and remembered Omkara's words.

"Care and affection are the only possible cure. She should not feel alone or worthless. I believe her, she'll be fine" his words had come true.

Omkara smiled gratefully as happy tears dampened his cheeks. The little one was playing with Gauri's dress. He captured the scene in his heart to imprint it on his canvas. "What shall we name her?" Omkara asked and Gauri smiled. "Inaaya - A gift of God" Gauri said and looked at him and they joined their foreheads in bliss.

Mothers deserve equal care like babies. Because when a child is born, a mother is also born.

This OS is inspired from an advertisement I stumbled upon. Postpartum depression is a serious mental issue faced by several women post childbirth. They feel all alone and depressed. Love, care and support can only bring them back. What I wanted to say through this is in the last line. "BECAUSE WHEN A CHILD IS BORN, A MOTHER IS ALSO BORN". Mothers are one of the most beautiful creations of almighty. Respect them, understand them and love them. Remember, she was the first person who smiled at you. She deserves all the happiness in the world.

Thank you for reading💛.

Stay safe. Be happy😊💛.