I wrote this story in 2021. Hope you enjoy reading it.
Chennai. April 2020.
The world has come to a standstill due to an ongoing pandemic and they are locked up at home. However, Nisha & Avinash couldn’t care any less. They are in fact overjoyed that they are together in these uncertain times.
Avi and Nisha have made a timetable of their chores.
When Avi cooks, Nisha takes care of cleaning the house. When Nisha does the dishes, Avi takes care of washing the clothes, drying them, and ironing the ones already washed.
Never repeating the same chores on 2 consecutive days, they tend to get away with the added burden of housework along with their professional work.
It’s Friday night, the chores are done and so is the office work.
“What’s for dinner?” Avi asks
“Well, I have made spaghetti.”
“That’s perfect, let me put on some french classical music to go with the food.”
“Hey, spaghetti is Italian.” says Nisha while letting out a laugh.
“Oh is it, well never mind they are neighbours so I am excused.”
“You are so cute when you make these humble errors you know.”
“So, I would like to share an Italian kiss with you miss.” says Avi looking at Nisha with romantic eyes.
“IT IS a French ki… Ohhh I got it, you naughty boy.”
“I am good with puns as you already know by now.”
“I will tell you what I am good at after we finish dinner.”
Avi kisses Nisha on the forehead and they go back to watching Netflix while having their dinner.
An hour later Avi comes back from doing the dishes and he finds Nisha in her night suit sitting on the bed, her back rested to the wall with a book in her hand.
“Nish, you look so beautiful in these satin night pants that you wear.”
“Well, then it’s a shame since I am not going to remove them tonight.” Nisha says with a clever face while keeping the book on the side table.
“No, I mean.. like you know.. you look.. hot too so you should remove it…I mean.. not right now…” fumbles Avi as he slowly sits on the side of the bed.
“Hahaha, you come here my sweet boy, look at you fumbling and all. It’s like we are back to our college days when you used to fumble while talking to me.”
“Oh come on, don’t change the script of the story, you are reversing the roles here.”
“Wait, let our mouths discuss with each other.”
The young couple, jovial in their mood and spirits got on to each other as the night took its course. The exchange of words led to a long passionate Italian kiss as Avi jokingly called it.
Soon, the pants were off too and the lovers mingled in the dead of the night as the city slept.
“I hope you are not getting squeezed by my weight.” Nisha asks Avi while lying on top of him.
“No, it’s beautiful. Stay. I hope you are comfortable.”
“I have never felt so close to you ever.”
Avi caresses Nisha’s hair as she hums her favorite song. A few minutes pass by as the young lovers exchange an intimate silence.
“I guess it’s time you get off me before your songs turn to snore.”
“Noooooooo.”
“Haha okay okay, just let me use the washroom, and then you come to lie on me again and we can sleep like this okay?”
“Oh yes thanks for reminding me, I need to use the loo right now! My gynaec told me to always wash up afterward. Actually, I just recalled I am yet to hear from her about my routine test.” Nisha says as she got off Avi.
“Hey since when have you been…” Avi pauses while speaking
“Since when have I been what?”
“Oh no! Oh no no no. Fuck. What the hell man.”
“What happened, Avi?”
“Dude see this.”
Nisha stares at the torn condom and takes a deep breath.
“It’s okay Avi. It happens sometimes. We have dealt with this in the past haven’t we?”
“I know that Nish but there’s already so much going on around with the pandemic, the pill will be just another hiccup. I am so sorry to put this on you. I should have paid attention.”
“Hey hey, it’s alright. Look we are 24 and absolutely capable of raising a baby. How is Preeti for a name?”
“You gotta be kidding me. This is no time to joke Nish.”
“Exactly, it’s no time to stress either. I will take the pill, end of story”
“Okay. I got your point. I will run to the 24/7.”
Nisha and Avi brush their teeth. Nisha is back to bed now and Avi is wearing his slippers when Nisha says, “Avi, there’s a lockdown outside. We can call Manoj bhaiya in the morning. He will get it delivered. You can’t go right now.”
“Are you crazy? Doesn’t the pill work best when taken within 12 hours?”
“Of course I know that but we can wake up by 8 and get it. It’s 12 already. Ideally, we have 72 hours to get this done but yes I agree 12 hours is the best deal to crack.”
“Hmm, yeah I think that should do. So shall we sleep then?”
“Absolutely my love. Come let me lie down on you now.”
“Hey, you were crushing me. Let’s cuddle.”
“Argh someone said they were a man of their word. Cuddle is okay though. Tomorrow, me on top.”
“Yeah, we will see. Come now, let me hug you tight.”
Day 1 – 72 Hours to go
Nisha and Avi can be heard snoring within seconds. They both had had a really long day.
It’s midnight and they have set an alarm for 8 am to go and get the pill.
The sunlight peeping through the curtains hits Nisha’s eyes first. She turns and faces Avi to save her eyes from the sunlight. Nisha looks at Avi and gives him a peck. Avi groans and brings Nisha closer to him. Looking at the opportunity, Nisha slyly shifts herself from Avi’s arms to the shoulders and then to his chest.
She is on top of Avi. Avi’s labored breath can be heard as well as felt. Avi wakes up within a few minutes and pushes Nisha to the side.
“Were you trying to kill me?” Avi asks Nisha while mildly coughing.
“Sorry Sorry I didn’t realize you can’t take my weight when we are NOT having sex.” says Nisha in a clever tone.
Avi woke up in an instant.
“Manoj. Chemist. What’s the time?”
“Let me check.. Oh shit Avi it’s past 10 am.”
“Why didn’t you wake me up, Nish? I gotta run to the chemist right now.”
“It’s alright Avi. It’s just been 10 hours. You are being too panicky about this.”
“Hey, I don’t want a Preeti in the house. I haven’t even learned to be around you.”
“Haha, okay go then. Run forest run!”
Day 1 – 62 Hours to go
Patting his face with the hand towel after a face wash, Avi puts on his slippers and walks briskly to the chemist 2000 steps away from their home.
“Manoj anna, listen.”
“Yes, Avi. What do you want?”
“Anna, 1 Durex and 1 iPill” Avi hisses to Manoj, saving some embarrassment from the lady in the chemist shop.
“We don’t have the iPill. Rakesh, 1 Durex air for Avinash” Manoj shouts the order to his colleague Rakesh in the loudest voice possible.
Avi looks around to see that the lady had gone. He feels comfortable and asks Manoj.
“Why don’t you have the iPill? Okay leave it, give me Unwanted 72 please it’s urgent.”
“Avinash bro, no iPill, no unwanted 72, only condoms, ring, and lube.”
“What do you mean? You don’t have any pills? Is nobody having sex in the city or what?”
“Avi bro, very low supply of pills here. The government says iPill is very dangerous so there is an unofficial ban. We used to have stock through the black market but it’s lockdown so there is no supply here. Sorry, Avi bro.”
Avi felt numb. He didn’t know what to do. He nods his head and comes out of the chemist shop. Avi starts walking to the Honest chemist, the chemist of the locality neighboring his. Whenever Manoj didn’t have the brand of condoms that Nisha and Avi used, they would go to Honest.
Avi reaches Honest chemist dodging the local police because of a lack of a good enough reason to step out during a pandemic. Avi takes a deep breath before he enters Honest and says a small prayer in his mind.
“Hi sir, 1 iPill, please. Even Unwanted 72 would do. Actually, just any pill is fine.”
“Aaah sir, we don’t have any pills at the moment. There is a lockdown so supply is very limited right now.”
Avi although a very patient guy by all means and often very mindful of his words speaks in a condescending tone.
“Sir do you have a lock?”
“Lock? Sir, I didn’t get you. Why will we keep locks here?”
“Forget it” Avi barges out of Honest with rising blood pressure. He takes a few deep breaths.
Avi looks back at Honest and goes inside again.
“Sorry, sir. It’s really urgent for me to get this pill within an hour. Can you please help me? I can pay you extra sir. I am your regular customer”
“Anna anna, I remember you. You always come with your friend. If I had the pill, I would have given it to you. I don’t want the extra money. How can I give you something that I don’t have?”
“Is there any way I can get this pill today? I think you understand why I need it so badly.”
The chemist thinks hard. He picks up his pen and writes down a number.
“Here, this is my distributor’s number. He is your man. He is the guy who brings the medicines to the shop every Saturday. His name is Raja. I am sure he will have some leads.”
Avi has a smile on his face. He picks up the paper and thanks the chemist profusely and starts dialing the number on the way out.
Tring, tring.. The bell rang.
“He..hello Raja anna?”
“Yes, who is this?”
“Raja anna, Mr. Devesh from Honest gave your number”
“Hmm yes, tell me fast. What do you want?”
“Anna, I urgently want an iPill. It’s very urgent. Devesh anna said you will have some leads.”
“What’s your name?”
“Avi..Avinash.. Why what happened? Do you have the pill?”
“Avi, I can try to find you snow in Chennai but the pill is next to impossible. The supply is zero here. It was always too little. The chemists in your area used to keep the pills because of the young population but now nobody can afford the black market rate, anyway, everyone is buying cough and cold medicines for corona so no one cares.”
“You said black market rate anna, tell me about that”
“Hmm, well there is a black market for everything. I can try to find out if you want.”
“I will be very grateful to you, Raja anna. Please help. I will keep you in my prayers.”
“Boss, prayers are fine. Right now money is more important, I have to go back to the village soon. Tell me how much are you going to pay for the deal?”
“It costs 100₹ normally so I guess you can take 500₹ from me. I will collect it from wherever you are.”
“Boss, you take drugs?”
“What?! No, NO! Hell No! Why are you even asking me that?”
“No wonder you don’t know how the black market works. Keep at least 2,000₹ ready in cash. I will call you in 30 minutes.”
“Sure.”
Avi looks at his phone. 3 missed calls from Nisha. He calls her back while walking briskly towards home.
“Hey babe, tell me. I am on my way back.”
“Avi, have you gone to Delhi to get the pill? There is a pandemic outside, I am worried for you. Come home fast.”
“Hmm, Nisha actually.. Okay leave it I will come and tell you.”
“What happened Avi, are you alright?”
“Yes yes absolutely. Keep the lunch ready. I will be back in 30.”
Nisha immediately goes on to prepare Khichdi for both of them. Avi finally reaches home at 1 pm
Day 1 – 59 Hours to go
“Welcome back. Come give me my pill doctor.”
“Nish I couldn’t get the pill. Chemists around our locality don’t have it. I went walking till Honest. Even he doesn’t have it. His distributor Raja is arranging a pill for us from the black market. The supply is tight is what everyone is saying.”
When worry arises, Nisha is probably the last person to get affected. However, it had been more than 12 hours. She felt a slight sense of worry within her. The creases on her forehead confirmed the fact. Avi wasn’t oblivious to her change of face. He nodded at her to acknowledge her rising concern.
Nisha holds Avi’s hand and takes him to the kitchen.
“Our situation has nothing to do with us skipping our meals. Come let’s have lunch, then we will sit and brainstorm about the next steps. Hopefully, by then your black market guy will also call.”
Avi is far from feeling hungry but his stomach is growling for food. Realizing that there isn’t much to do but wait, he proceeds to prepare the table for lunch.
Nisha is highly skeptical of this black market pill. In fact, her whole reason for worrying was this black market pill that she thinks she might have to take as a last resort.
In the middle of having lunch, Avi’s phone rings. With his unwashed hands after the meal, he puts his hand inside his pockets and takes out the phone.
It was Raja.
“Hello, Abinash?”
“Hey Raja, Yes Avinash here. Did you get the pill?”
“Yes anna, send your address I will get it delivered by evening.”
Avi has a huge smile on his face. He raised his hand to give a high five to Nish. Nisha let out a faint smile. She still wasn’t sure of taking this black market spin-off pill.
“Thank you so much, Raja. I will see you in the evening then.”
Avi is just about to hang up when Raja calls out to him.
“Anna anna listen, hello are you there?”
“Yes tell me, Raja”
“Anna, I am buying it from a bigger distributor. I have to pay him money for the pill. Can you transfer 5,000₹ to me on my number?”
Avi got a frown on his face.
“5,000₹ for a 100₹ pill? I have never bought drugs but still, this is insane Raja. Are you taking advantage of my situation here?”
“Anna, I made 50 calls for you in the past one hour, and look what you are thinking of me. No problem, I will pay from my own pocket. You can keep your money. I will get you the pill in the evening.”
“Raja, I am so sorry. Is this your Google Pay number? I will make a transfer of 5,000₹ right now.”
“Thank you, Anna. Yes, this is the one. This big distributor is asking for a commission of 3,000₹. Sorry, Anna.”
“No problem Raja. I will see you in the evening.”
Meanwhile, Avi transfers 5,000₹ to Raja on his Google Pay account and sits back while letting out a sigh of relief.
“Look what all happened because of last night’s spaghetti.”
Nisha looks at Avi with a confused look.
“What has spaghetti to do with all of this?”
“Italian kiss, french kiss, one thing led to another”
“Haha okay then from today we will just have khichdi”
“I would love that. You make amazing khichdi by the way. Come let’s go take a nap. It’s been a stressful day.”
Day 1 – 57 Hours to go
Avi dozes off the minute he puts his head to the pillow. Well, it really had been a very stressful day for him. Nisha follows through in a while putting away the book she was reading on the side table.
Tring.. Tring.. Tring.. Tring..
“What? Who’s there?” Avi wakes up with a shock leaving Nisha in splits like always.
He checks the time, it’s 7 pm. Avi freaks out but luckily it’s Raja on the other side.
“Uh.. hello.. Yes, Raja where are you? It’s 7 already!”
“Avi bhaiya I am coming in 10 minutes, a policeman has stopped me at the junction he is asking for an e-pass. I told him medicine is an essential service but it’s beyond the curfew time and I don’t have my ID so he is not letting me go.”
“Raja man, you had one job. I gave you 5,000₹ for a 100₹ medicine. Argh, okay give the phone to the policeman let me speak to him.”
“Anna he is not talking to me also, just asking for the license again and again. Do one thing, you transfer me 500₹ I will try to bribe my way out. Please be quick.”
Avi hangs up feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness. Without giving it much thought, he transfers 500₹ to Raja.
Day 1 – 53 Hours to go
It’s been 10 minutes since Raja called last. Avi calls him but he isn’t picking up.
Avi thinks to himself that Raja must be driving and that’s why he isn’t picking up.
Nisha comes and hugs Avi from the back.
“Raja is getting the pill within 5 minutes.”
“Finally! This is the first time that I am so excited about taking the pill. Sorry, you had to do so much of running around for a stupid pill.”
Avi lands a peck on Nisha’s forehead and checks his phone again hoping for any kind of communication from Raja.
“So what do we do about dinner, Avi? It’s your day to cook but I am going to make your favourite bean salad. You had such a heavy day. Plus the pill is on the way so we have all the more reasons to celebrate.”
The number that you are trying to reach is switched off at the moment. Please try again later.
Day 1 – 52 Hours to go
“Nish I am telling you I am going to smack this guy’s head. What the hell is taking him so long?”
“I swear, is he in trouble? I hope he didn’t get into any accident or something.”
“The roads are empty. It would take a really big fool to get into trouble even on such empty roads.”
“Yes but you never know Avi. Hey why don’t you call the chemist who gave you his number, what’s his name, Dinesh?”
“Devesh. Yes, I guess I should try calling him. I am sure he would have taken his cut too for connecting me with this jackass.”
“Hello, Mr. Devesh?”
“Yes, speaking, who’s this?”
“Hello Anna, I am Avi, I came to your shop in the noon asking for an iPill and you gave me Raja’s number.”
“Oh yes, tell me what happened? You got your medicines?”
“Sir actually Raja was supposed to get them to me by 7 pm. He even called me around 7:10 asking for money. He got stopped at T. Nagar junction by some policemen.”
“That bastard.”
“What happened anna?”
“He had a train to catch for his hometown. Didn’t he tell you he is going to his hometown near Madurai for a few months till the pandemic goes away?”
“N.. No.. No no, he didn’t tell me anything. I am sure he is gonna turn up.”
“Avi no chance. He has caught his train for sure. He has been packing for 2 days. That’s why he was in such a hurry today at noon.”
“Anna, you knew about this still you asked me to speak to the scoundrel?”
“I did but I thought he would arrange a pill for you and get it to you before going. I am so sorry.”
Avi hangs up and looks at Nisha.
Nisha reads Avi’s expressions and figures out that something is wrong.
“That scoundrel ran away with the money. Fucking bastard. What are we gonna do now Avi? We really do need the pill man.”
“I know Nish. This is the last thing I wanted, to see you getting anxious. I am so sorry. I am gonna teach this fellow a lesson real soon.”
“What’s happened has happened. What do we do now? What’s up with no iPills in Chennai anyways?”
“Fuck this Raja guy, it’s the government’s fault. They have been very regressive about having contraceptive pills in the state. I was reading up online sometime back when you were making dinner. There is a roadblock Nish. This is real. I read many stories of couples facing the same problem but they somehow found a solution because they could travel around and find some way or the other, you know. We can’t even get out of the house at this hour let alone wandering around the whole city.”
“Hey listen, Avi, I understand that this is a state problem. Do you think other states in India have the same problem?
“So we can’t step out of the house but you are suggesting we take a flight to Maharashtra or probably Kerala or Karnataka and get our pill from there?”
“Listen to me, we need not go to another state, we can go to a union territory. That comes under the center’s rule.”
“Pondicherry?”
“Pondicherry!”
“That’s a really good idea, Nish.”
Avi and Nish check out a few chemist shops in Pondicherry on google maps and start calling them. They got the availability of ipill in their very first call itself. Nisha suggested that they call at least 2-3 more in the vicinity of the particular chemist shop just to be safe.
Avi & Nish end up calling 5 chemists each.
Good news – All of them have an ipill.
Bad news – They can’t get it delivered until Wednesday.
“Look Avi, there is some ray of hope. At least there is an ipill somewhere close to us. We need not fly to another state at all.”
“Close to us? Pondi is 150 kms away. The last time we drove there it took us 4 hours.”
“That’s because we were with Reaa and Shree. We stopped for lunch also, remember?”
“Okay but still let’s say we can reach there in 2 and a half hours. How in god’s name are we going to get a legitimate pass to travel in these turbulent times?”
“Shree! His brother knows the DGM. We can take his help, right? I am sure he will understand and help us.”
“Shree definitely will. His brother also might do but what about the damn DGM? What reason do we give him or her? It’s not like we are going one way. We have to be back home as soon as possible. What legitimate reason are we going to give to the DGM to permit us to travel back and forth within the next 12 hours?”
“Avi. Solutions. Okay. Problems are plenty. Let’s think about what we CAN do.”
Day 1 – 48 Hours to go
Avi and Nish eat their meal, clean the kitchen all the while thinking for reasons that could get them a permit.
“Death of a relative?”
“No, covid times nobody would let us go.”
“Checking up on parents?”
“Firstly, we will be asked for their proof of address and second, they are going to ask us to quarantine.”
“Let’s at least tell Shree what happened and maybe he will help us with something. I don’t think we are in the right frame of mind to think of anything right now.”
Nish calls Shree.
Shree picks up after a while. Nish engages Shree in some small talk before getting to the point.
Finally, when Nish was about to get to the main topic, Avi shakes her and signals a big no.
No no don’t tell him, Avi signals to Nish in a mix of sign language, gestures, and miming.
Nish kept the small talk going on for a while before finally cutting the call.
“Hey, what happened? I thought we agreed on calling him.”
“Look, if we call him right now, let’s say he also informs his brother to get us a pass. His brother will only get to speak to the DGM after 10 am. I don’t think that we will be issued a pass then and there. I guess the DGM will have many more requests to process. Even if it takes 3-4 hours to get our pass signed, we will have to leave only after 2 pm in the noon. I suggest we leave early at 6 am. If we are stopped, we will contact Shree and tell him it’s an emergency and ask him to help us get a pass. At least we will be on our way and there will be some element of urgency.”
Avi completed his monologue and widened his eyebrows waiting for a response from Nisha.
“Well, it makes sense but..hmm.. I don’t know Avi. What have we gotten ourselves into? For a damn pill, we have been running around for the past 24 hours. Do you think we should leave it to fate? Sex doesn’t always lead to pregnancy right?”
Avi got a sense that this situation was getting to Nish. It was getting to him too. However, they were racing with time. They had to take all these measures.
Avi comforts Nish. They go to bed. Avi tells Nish that he would definitely be leaving early in the morning but she could stay back at home and just take care of herself.
The couple thought to decide the rest later and they went to sleep.
Day 2 – 43 Hours to go
The alarm rang at 5:00 am.
Nisha woke up to the alarm, she let Avi sleep for a while. He had had a long day the previous day. She takes a bath and then decides to wake up Avi. She goes on to prepare breakfast for both of them.
Avi gets up, gets ready and the couple sits down after packing the breakfast to plan for the day.
“So if we are taking the east coast road, we will reach Pondicherry by 7. We will call the chemist shop, collect the pill and then just come back home and sleep for 100 hours”
“If we are just going to collect the pill and not take it, we will still be having a Preeti to take care of” Nisha said jokingly.
“Nish, you know what I mean.”
“Yeah yeah I know, a joke or two never hurts.”
Avi smiles at Nish and pauses for some time. He just felt so grateful for her. She perfectly balances his worrisome anxious nature with ease.
They get out of their building wearing masks and gloves and start their drive to Pondicherry. It’s Sunday morning and they are hopeful that they will be able to reach Pondicherry and back without having to take the trouble to speak to Shree and the DGM.
1 hour into the drive near the Chennai district border, they come across police barricades.
However, there is no policeman around. Nisha is driving, she thinks aloud that if they can pass their car without making any noise, they might be able to pass through without alarming any guards. Stealthily, Nisha accelerates the car in the second gear and with a speed of 20kmph maneuvers her car through the barricades all the while keeping her headlight off.
They let out a sigh of relief as they cross the last barricade but to their surprise, just on the immediate turn after the barricades, they come across 2 police vans with the police officers standing outside drinking their morning tea.
“Oh my god Nish, we haven’t even thought of a good reason for why we are traveling like fools during a global pandemic.”
“Hmm don’t worry I got something.”
The police officer signals Nisha to stop the car.
“Yes mam, where are you going early in the morning? Sun hasn’t even come up. There is a pandemic going on. You want to go on vacation with your husband?”
“Sir, it’s very urgent. I need some important medicine for myself. It’s personal, I can’t tell you. We have to go to Pondicherry. We will be back by 11.”
Avi is startled and he slowly turns to look at Nish. Avi is wondering why Nish honestly told the police officer.
The police officer goes back to his mates to discuss the situation. They come back and hand over a receipt to the young couple. Avi has his mouth open. Nish takes the courage to ask.
“Sir, what is this for? We have our masks on. We have a license, RC, insurance, PUC, everything.”
“Yes mam but you left your common sense at home. Who goes to Pondicherry to buy medicines? Are you guys crazy? You look like good innocent people hence only this receipt or else I would have taken you both to the lock-up.”
Nish is startled. If it was a regular non-pandemic day, they would have taken the time to discuss with the police officer and come to some conclusion. However, today, Nish isn’t in the best mood. She collects the receipt and reverses the car in an almost aggressive manner and takes the road to their house.
“Nish, are you sure about this?”
“Don’t worry Avi. I am going to go to each chemist shop in town and ask for the bloody pill.”
“I know my city well. People never let go of a chance to earn an extra buck.”
“Nish we tried, do you remember? We already lost 5,000₹”
“That bastard fooled us. Now we will only pay once we have the pill in hand.”
“Okay if you say so. The shops will be closed now though.”
Nish looks at Avi with a straight face.
“Okay sorry sorry, please look at the road. We will catch some sleep, eat something and then start on our expedition.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too Nish.”
Day 2 – 40 Hours to go
Nish and Avi go home and rest for a while. They have been mentally and physically exhausted for the past 32 hours.
Day 2 – 27 Hours to go
It’s 9 pm. They spend the entire day going to medical shops, non-covid hospitals, and clinics.
Most places shooed them away because of the pandemic. They had to reroute many times to avoid police barricades. They had to come home twice in between to have lunch and take a break. Both Nish and Avi can’t even gather the energy to shift to the bedroom to sleep. They collapse on the sofa and find each other snoring within seconds.
Day 3 – 14 Hours to go
They wake up at the sound of the doorbell. Avi wakes up to get the door. It’s the building security guard.
“Sir, your keys were in the car.”
“Oh, I am sorry. Thank you, sir, thanks a lot.”
Trying to make sense of the day, time, and situation, Avi mindlessly walks to the kitchen and pours himself a glass of water. He sees the time. It’s 10 minutes past 9. He has slept for 12 hours. His body doesn’t react to the time. He feels immune to the situation, almost stoic.
He lets Nisha sleep.
He prepares breakfast for both of them and opens his laptop looking at the possibility of Nish becoming pregnant.
He feels the presence of someone behind him. He turns to find Nisha standing calmly looking at what Avi was reading.
“Let me call my gynaec. I will ask her the worst possible outcome for this and the solutions for the same.” says Nisha while calmly keeping her hand on Avi’s shoulders.
“Hey, you woke up! I made breakfast for you. It’s your favourite. Come let’s eat. Call her after 11 am. She must be having breakfast herself.”
Avi takes Nish to the kitchen where they both help themselves with a serving of Quinoa salad and blueberry smoothie. Nish feels a million times better. Although, the couple still can’t help but worry about the pill. They share a few smiles and smirks while having their meal.
Day 3 – 12 Hours to go
Nisha’s phone rings. It’s the gynaec.
“How uncanny is that!” Nish exclaims
“Tell me about it. God is listening to us. Nothing is gonna happen to you.” says Avi with a comforting gesture.
“Hey, Pooja. Hi, you will live for a million years. I was just about to call you.”
“Hey, Nisha. Tell me what is it? Everything alright?”
“Not exactly but you go first. Mine is a long story.”
“Please get seated. It’s about your report.
Nisha, there is no easy way to say this but you will never be able to conceive. It’s not your fault. There are many new ways we can explore when the time is right. It’s too common these days with the environ….”
Nisha screams in joy! Avi holds her.
“What happened, Nisha? What is the doctor saying?” Avi asks Nisha.
“Avi, I will never be able to conceive! I will never be able to become a mother! We are safe! Thank you, doctor. You are amazing. You just saved our lives.”
Avi has a straight face. The doctor is confused but more concerned.
“Nisha, this must be difficult for you to process. It is alright, please take your time. I am sending you your reports. I will have a call with you today evening regarding the same. Please find some time. It’s very important.”
“Okay Pooja thank you, thank you so much.”
Nisha hangs up the phone and looks at Avi. Avi has tears in his eyes. He looks scared and vulnerable. Nisha has never seen him like this before.
She feels cold within herself. Her hands seem weightless just like the rest of her body. She just realizes what the gynaec told her.
A howl.
Tears roll down her face.
She is not able to hold herself.
Avi runs to hold Nisha. They both cry their hearts out while rolled up in each other’s lap.
Thank you so much for reading the (long) short story! I wrote this story during the pandemic, affected by the Tamil Nadu Government’s decision to shadow ban contraceptives. Read more about it here. There is still a shadow ban on contraceptives in Tamil Nadu, and it is truly sad that even in 2025, people are fighting for their basic rights to a safe and secure sexual life. It is time that the government focuses on what it should rather than coming into our intimate bedroom decisions.
I invite you to reflect and write on the following prompt:
Write about a recent government decision or policy that left you frustrated.
What does this reveal about the kind of world you wish to live in?
As a feature of all my newsletters, I share one song, one book, one plant-based meal, one film/video that inspired me, and some photographic updates from my life.
Song: Loved listening to Mohit Chauhan’s new song.
Book/Newsletter: I am reading :
Meal: Absolutely loved having coconut jaggery plant-based laddoos that my friend got for me! The entire neighbourhood enjoyed having it. So grateful to Aunty for sending it all the way!
Film/Video: Brilliant video on “Are Indians Scientific?”
Photograph(s):
Visit to the local mela
Read my other newsletters :
The story of moving to the mountains
Why I Ran from Vipassana
My relationship with failure
Photography, my first love
Read my short stories :
Socratree
Quenched
Chetak
Compilation of all recommendations :
Video recommendations
Music recommendations
Books
Free Journaling eBook:
Last year, I compiled a journaling ebook for myself for times when I feel I have nothing to write. I am offering it to you for free. Whether you’re starting your journaling journey or feeling stuck in a creative block, this guide will help you find your way.
Download your free journaling e-book here.
Thank you for reading my work
Rishabh Khaneja
Creative Writing Laboratory
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