"Arnavji give it back to me"
"No more Khushi"
"I said give it back to me"
Khushi tried to snatch the bowl from Arnav's hand but he raised it, making it unreachable for her. She looked at him with a pout, which she knew worked on him, only to find nothing but determination on his face. She huffed in annoyance and sat down, all fight leaving her body. Before Arnav could release a sigh of relief, he noticed tears streaming down her face.
"Khushi don't cry over this. Look at me" he said trying to dab on her tears with his fingers only to have Khushi push his hand away.
"I don't want to talk to you. Aap bahut bure hain"
"But you know you have eaten enough for the day. Doctor has advised you against eating so much sweet. You have controlled for so many months, just few weeks more sweetheart" He said trying to make her see sense.
"But I want to eat halwa" she said crying some more but didn't push his hand away this time as he hugged her to himself patting her head, trying to shush her.
Khushi was in her last trimester, last month to be exact. Given Arnav's diabetic condition her gynecologist had advised them to keep a check on sugar intake which was the cause of their argument at the present moment. For Khushi who could not think about a day she had gone without something sweet, this was a complete torture.
"Yeh sab aap ki wajah se hua hai, sab aap ki galti hai" She said in a low but firm voice.
"Sirf meri?" Arnav asked giving her a wicked smile.
"Uff!! You're so shameless Arnavji. Baby can hear you. Isn't it written in all those books you keep on reading?"
"Obviously I know. But what about all the useless TV shows you keep watching?"
"Huh.. My TV time is so limited, thanks to you. And you don't even let me watch any movies or news"
"If by movie you mean your favorite star's movie then I don't want our child to become senseless like him. Oh and it'll be better if we don't talk about the news you watch" he said getting up.
"Hawww... You are so mean. Salman Khan ji is very cool and Kamlesh Khabri ji is quite informative" she said following him.
"Seriously do you want them to be the role model of our child?"
"Nahi nahi... Hum toh chahte hain hamara bachcha bilkul aap ke jaisa ho. Kadwa karela who bhi neem chadha. Huh.."
Arnav turned hearing her retort and Khushi bumped into him.
"Araam se Khushi" he steadied her, holding her for a moment longer, caressing her swollen tummy. "I'll be at poolside for a conference call with Aman. Call me if you need something"
"There are many people at home to take my care. You can attend your meeting without any worry" she smiled, forgetting all about their argument.
"All right but still in case.."
"Ok ok.. got it" she said pushing him.
"Don't try to eat anything sweet" he added as an afterthought.
"Aye aye Captain!" she mock saluted him and started sliding the glass door to close it. Before it could shut completely Arnav stepped in the door frame and pulled Khushi close. She got no time to say or ask anything as he lowered his face and kissed her. The kiss was firm and gentle, more giving than taking. As they separated, Arnav dropped a kiss on her forehead and slid the door shut. They looked at each other across the glass. Khushi came forward, dropped a kiss on glass making Arnav shake his head in amusement with a smile.
Khushi turned away with a smile on her face. She patted her belly thinking if only her husband knew that his brand of sweetness could give her favorite jalebis a run for their money. But she had no intention of sharing this little secret with him. He was already enough arrogant, no need to give more boost to his ego otherwise she would not be hearing end of it.
***
"Khushi sweetheart everything will be fine. I'm here with you" Arnav kept repeating, holding her hand as she was wheeled in to operation theatre. He kept reassuring her, not ready to leave her for a moment. It was only when a nurse asked him to wait outside along with all the family members that he stopped talking to Khushi.
"I'll be with her" he told the nurse shifting his eyes between the nurse, his di, Akash, Payal, Nani and everyone from their families ready to repeat in case anyone defies him.
Fortunately for him neither Raizadas nor Guptas were in mood to say anything. What could they possibly say after watching his behavior for last nine months? He had been on complete alert mode during the pregnancy, not wanting anything to go wrong. Their drive from Shantivan to hospital wasn't an easy one either. Payal had told them all about how much her Jethji has shouted on Mohan to drive carefully, that too when Mohanji was driving safely. But this was not new for his family. The man who used to brake hard every other day, now never sped beyond 40-50kmph. This had made him a butt of Khushi's teasing quite often but he had ignored it all for his wife and their child. If you ask his family, this pregnancy was more difficult for Arnav than Khushi. He was always on his toes; accompanying her for her temple visits, cooking for her, taking her out for midnight cravings and most importantly taking care of her. Although Khushi was no child, her being magnetic to trip and fall wasn't a secret either. Like he had saved her on various occasions before, he kept on continuing it till date and this may be considered as an additional ability in his CV for all his remaining life since he met Khushi.
"Arnavji hum theek hain" Khushi's voice broke his glaring match. She knew well how much nervous he was and thought it was better for her if he remained outside. Her cramps were getting more painful. Doctor was about to reach operation theater.
"But Khushi.." He stopped mid-sentence when he saw her raising her eyebrows in question. She looked in so much pain. He discarded idea of another child watching her in so much pain. Why can't it be simple? Why he can't share her pain, he thought wistfully. He released a sigh and left the room after squeezing her hand in reassurance; much for himself than hers.
It was around two hours later when Arnav heard the sound of cries of a baby. He stopped his pacing and stood outside the door, waiting for doctor to come and give him the confirmation that his world was intact.
"Congratulations Mr. Raizada. It's a boy" Dr. Smriti told him as soon as she came out.
Arnav staggered back in relief for a moment before he barged her with more questions.
"How is Khushi? Is she fine? She must be fine? And the baby? Where is he? When can I meet my wife & son?"
Dr. Smriti smiled noticing his enthusiasm and nervousness. "Both are fine Mr. Raizada. You may meet them in few minutes. Nurse will take you in but Khushi is quite tired so please take care"
Arnav was the first one to enter the room. Everyone decided to give the couple some time before joining them. His eyes went to Khushi who gave her a watery smile. She looked exhausted but her smile never dimmed. He sat down beside her, wiping the sweat beads formed on her forehead.
"Mrs. Raizada shall I bring the baby now?" The nurse who had previously marched everyone out of the room approached them. Khushi nodded in agreement.
She had not looked at the baby, wanting Arnav to be with her when they will hold their baby for the first time. Arnav kissed her temple overwhelmed with her gesture. She has gone through so much in these nine months and yet waited for him. Will this woman ever stop surprising him?
The chubby cheeks of their son with a smile would be the first memory of their son for Arnav as he saw the angelic face when nurse handed the little bundle to Khushi.
"Arnavji.. our baby, our son.." Khushi looked from their son's face to Arnav. It all seemed like a dream to her. They both crooned softly to the baby. Arnav embraced Khushi and their son rubbing his soft cheeks with his one finger eliciting a small smile out of the little angel who looked at them with love in his eyes.
Soon they were joined by the family where everyone was trying to introduce themselves to the new addition to their family. Everyone was trying to find out whose face he resembled. Arnav and Khushi looked at their family who were busy taking turns to hold the baby and giving their expert comments about any resemblance they could find with either of them.
If it had been any other time Arnav would have commented about the ruckus everyone was creating but at the moment he was too overwhelmed to say anything. He still couldn't believe that he was the receiver of such good news. First he met Khushi all those years ago and now his beautiful wife has given him the best gift he could ever have - their child, their son. He had not done anything to get so much happiness, in fact he had only refused love all his life. Then how was it possible for him to have it all, he wondered. May be it was all fate, all Devi Maiya's wish as Khushi always said. Arnav kissed her on cheeks unmindful of the audience making everyone smile.
"Arnav bitua has becums bhery filmy, all thankswa to Khushi bitiya" Mami said much to Khushi's embarrassment.
"Chotey, Khushi bhabhi have you thought about any name?" Anjali diverted the topic.
"Khushi will decide the name" Arnav said much to Khushi's surprise. But given the pain she had gone through, Arnav decided it was the only right thing to do.
"Babua sankadevi ko toh mat hi pucho. Usne toh ladke ke liye Aalu kumar aur ladki ke liye puri kumari soch ke rakha hai bachpan se" Buaji said laughing.
"Toh Khushi kya hum log Aalu Kumar fix kar dein?" Payal asked teasing her.
"Jiji ab hamari pasand ka naam rakhna hai toh phir .. Adit" Khushi smiled secretly glancing at her husband. This was one name they both had loved immensely.
**
"Khushi sleep for sometime now" Arnav said caressing her forehead once everyone left and she had fed Adit.
As she gave him a reluctant smile, Arnav patted her head lightly, combing her hairs with his fingers to make her sleep.
"Thanks Khushi for everything. For bearing me, finding it in yourself to love me despite of everything and now giving me the most precious gift" Arnav said kissing her eyelids.
"Arnavji hum bahut samajhdaar hain. Pehle sirf hum thhe, ab aapko pareshan karne ke liye koi aur bhi aa gaya hai" Khushi replied making him chuckle.
Arnav may call her crazy but the truth was he could not think about a day without her craziness. He was in love with his crazy wife and he secretly wished their son, Adit, to be like her too. He wondered what would these two do together. Will they both mutter in their sleep or will they both dance on those absolutely ridiculous bollywood songs? He had no answers but he couldn't wait enough to start this new phase of fatherhood with the love of his life Khushi. He looked down at her drooping eyes thinking about the time she had all but fallen in his arms, like straight from heaven, only to be his till eternity.
NOTE: Lolwa you wanted to see a pregnant Khushi, so here it is. I hope it was worth reading. Keep rocking girl and spread smiles wherever you go.
Thank you everyone for reading. Hope you guys enjoyed it.
Anupamaa
Cricket
50