Chapter 2: Oberoi babies
Kalyani always felt that she must have wronged some fertility goddess, it was for that reason that both her sons still did not have children yet. Tej gave enough pain and stress to Jahnvi when he was around that she was in no state to conceive. When he was not busy hurting her, he was away.
Shakti and Pinky had issues as well. Conscious of her body image which did not match up to Jahnvi's Pinky went on a freak diet. This made her sick and confined her to a bed for more than a year. Corrective surgery and counseling sessions put her on the road to recovery, but they were far from having children.
And so when Pinky announced that she was pregnant, words did not do enough justice for the Oberoi clan to express their happiness. Each expressed this joy in their own style. Prithviji decided to make some real estate investments for the baby and promised to take Kalyani on a pilgrimage to Amarnath. Kalyani organized mass charities and other such initiatives. Tej was touched as well. Tej decided to invest internationally and entitle the entire enterprise to the young Oberoi to be. Jahnvi was ecstatic. She hired the best gynecological team available. She pampered, spoiled and fussed over Pinky. Shakti was over joyed and designed an elaborate nursery which took up an entire floor of their home turned mansion. As for Pinky, this was her moment to shine. For once Pinky was the reason for it all and was happy about it. She would mother the Oberoi heir.
But it seemed like Pinky's sweet cup of joy was laced with a tinge of poison. Amid the best doctors and nurses attending to her, Pinky with a painful cry pushed her first born out. The baby boy opened a pair of black eyes and emitted a shrill and tired cry. Jahnvi and Kalyani were besides themselves with joy to hear the baby cry, yet Kalyani's heart sank a little. She was not feeling good about this. Soon Pinky emitted yet another painful scream and out came another boy, who opened a pair of blue-green eyes, yes the very same color as Prithviji's. This boy did not cry, he seemed to glare at them all. Until, with a weak cry the baby with the black eyes fell silent and went still. It was then that her green eyed baby cried or rather roared.
That was the first and last time that Shivay Singh Oberoi failed to protect his brother. It seemed as though Shivay glared at the doctors and screamed and yelled at them for losing his brother. Baby Shivay barely few hours old was inconsolable. He calmed down only when rocked by Jahnvi and sung to by Kalyani.
Pinky recovered but her happiness was not complete. The fact that she lost a child when she was to have two weighed in on her soul heavily. She could never get over losing her Mahi and chose not to have any more kids after Shivay. She did not have to for two years later Omkara Singh Oberoi would claim her heart and sooth her soul.
As for Shivay, the baby had the Oberoi clan wrapped around his fingers. Prithvi and Kalyani loved him to bits. Kaylani finally had her wish come true, the baby had her Prithviji's eyes. Shivay ever since a baby remarkably resembled Tej. Tej was overjoyed that it was only his nephew that would stare him down. Jahnvi experienced motherhood through Shivay. Pinky wanted the best for her Shivay and felt Jahnvi would be the best to mould his tastes and choices. This meant that it was only Jahnvi's english lullaby for Shivay and not her Punjabi one. It was only Jahnvi's choice in baby clothing and not her hand knitted sweaters. Jahnvi had protested telling her that her baby would find anything she did for him the best. Yet Pinky did not relent, after all he had to be perfect for both of them. Jahnvi soon gave up complaining and enjoyed all that baby Shivay had to offer her. Shakti enjoyed racing with the toddler Shivay and watched in delight at his son's joy in defeating him.
Two years after Shivay ruled the house hold Jahnvi was pregnant. Both Pinky and Jahnvi were worried as to how Shivay would take to the new addition. After a fairly quick labor Omkara was born. The baby cried when smacked on the bottom and then went back to smiling serenely. The serenity never left his face except when in Pinky's arms. Baby Omkara gave Pinky a toothless smile and opened his kind brown eyes to Pinky for a second before closing them, winning her over at that very instant. Few days later, a very nervous Pinky and Jahnvi led Shivay to baby Omkara. The instant Omkara was placed in Shivay's arms the usually placid baby giggled and laughed dashing around his plump arms and feet. At that very instant the ever scowling Shivay broke into one of his widest smiles. This smile signaled the beginning of the Oberoi brotherhood. Shivay was the prince of this kingdom and he demanded that baby Omkara be spoiled silly. Finally Shivay found someone to lavish his attentions on.
Three years later, Jahnvi added to the brotherhood baby Rudra. Rudra would cry and cry and cry. The only person who had any success with calming him down was Shivay. One smile and a silly song from Shivay and Rudra would stop wailing and even attempt a smile. It seemed like as though Rudra's Ishqbaaz was clairvoyant, several years later she aptly christened him Cry Baby Oberoi.
A year later the family would be complete when the Oberoi princess Priyanka arrived. This little angel had all three brothers wrapped around her tiny finger. It was endearing to watch Shivay rock her cradle, Omkara try to compose a symphony for her with his musical toys and Rudra wiggle his arms about her.
Kalyani and Prithvi were content and at peace. Sadly though it was only Shivay that got to spend the most time with his grandpa. Prinku and Rudra had to do with stories of him and a huge album of his photos. Prithviraj Oberoi died peacefully in his sleep, leaving behind a sad and now incomplete Kalyani. But Kalyani plastered the bravest smile she had and continued existing with a part of her soul gone. She healed with time but she was never whole again.
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