A beautiful update
Ishita raman has lost their hope but nowgot the beautiful gift
Romi become the angel for sarika and donated money for her mothers treatment
Waiting to watch the pampering of ishita
Do update soon
Waiting eagerly for the update
Part 69
9 WEEKS PREGNANT
Raman's car somewhere on the roads of Delhi – Wednesday, April 21, 10 am
"Ishita, are you even listening to me?"
Raman weaved his car in and out of traffic, glancing at his wife in the passenger seat. But her attention was focused on the scans in her folder.
"Huh...?" Ishita shook her head to the present. "Aap kuch keh rahe the?"
"How long are you going to stare at the sonogram?" Raman chuckled.
Ishita colored up and averted her eyes. She picked up the sonogram again, and her watery, wondrous gaze focused on her baby again.
They had just been to their first gynaecology appointment. Her doctor – Dr. Asha Patel – had been happy to report that her pregnancy was progressing normally and that all was well. Right now, their baby was the size of a green olive, with a strong heartbeat, sprouting tiny arms and legs. And all Ishita could do was soak it in.
Raman looked over at his wife and smiled for the hundreth time. He threaded his free hand through her fingers and kissed the back of her hand.
"Madrasan, do minute ke liye chutku ko chod ke chutku ke papa ki bhi sun lo?" he whispered.
Ishita sniffed and wiped the emotion from her eyes before turning her attention to her husband.
"Sorry, sorry..." She closed the file and put away her sonogram. "Mujhe abhi bhi yakeen nahi ho raha hai..."
"I get it, my love." He kissed the back of her hand again, holding it close to his chest. "But we need to talk about some logistics here."
"Yes of course. Boliye. I'm listening."
Raman stopped the car at a red light before making a turn.
"Dekh madrasan, now that you're pregnant, you need to think about yourself first, okay? Tumhara kaam, ghar ki zimmedariyaan, bacchon ki parvarish... Sab ke piche piche bhaagte the apne aap ko mat bhul jaana."
Ishita nodded.
"Now," Raman continued, "I think it's time for you to think about when you're going to stop working. I know how much you love your job lekin is pregnancy ko lekar hum koi risk nahi le sakte." He kissed the back of her hand again.
"I know Raman." Ishita's free hand went over her belly. She had a life growing inside her. There was no scope for error. "I'm thinking of putting in a request for light duty at the clinic today. And I'll talk with Dr. Batra about going on medical leave as well."
"That brings me to my next question. When do you want to tell people?"
Ishita took a deep breath. "Let's wait for another month. Just until the end of the first trimester."
"Okay, sounds good." He kissed her hand again.
"Bas karo Raman," she giggled shyly. "Public mein hai hum!"
"Ab main kya karu? I just can't help myself. You look even more beautiful pregnant."
Ishita wrenched her hand free and hid behind her palm. "Kuch bhi," she whispered. "Chup chaap mujhe clinic drop kar dijiye."
Her husband maneuvered the car into the parking lot of the Batra Medical Center and parked. Ishita opened the door to step out but was pulled back by the arm.
"Ishita, I'm dropping you off today, but promise me you'll take care of yourself. And no extra work. Okay?" Raman clutched her hand and peered at her with all the love in the world.
Ishita smiled and nodded understandingly. "I promise. I'll even put in for medical leave and light duty immediately. Don't worry."
Raman kissed her hand one last time before letting her go. He watched her disappear into the building before switching the gear from park to drive and heading to his office. There was so much to do now that he had another baby on the way. He parked his car in the parking lot and ran a palm down his face to hide the euphoria coursing through his veins. With one last deep breath, he left the car and headed to his office.
"What's on the schedule today?" Raman asked his secretary as he walked briskly to his office.
His secretary jogged behind him to follow him, reciting his schedule as they went. "There's a staff meeting before lunch today with all the team leaders. You have a zoom call with the London party at two and..."
Raman noted down the line of meetings he had in the day before dismissing his secretary. With one last task.
"And send Romi to my office."
"Okay sir."
A knock sounded on his office door five minutes later. The door squeaked open and Romi peeked his head in.
"Bhai, aapne mujhe bulaya?"
Raman gestured for him to come in and take a seat.
"I want to talk to you about the money you took last week," he began, when Romi was seated.
Romi sucked in a harsh breath. "Okay bhai."
Raman interlaced his fingers. "Dekh beta, I'm still not comfortable with the fact that you took such a big amount without telling anybody. It borders on stealing."
"I'm sorry bhai, but I didn't have a choice. It was the last day-"
"I'm not done talking." Raman put up his hand to silence his brother. "I understand why you did it. But I still wish you would've come to me first."
Romi gulped and averted his eyes in shame.
"I'll let it pass for the first and last time... on two conditions," Raman continued. "First, you never hide anything of the sort from me or Mihir again. We may be family, but professionalism comes first at the office, understood?"
Romi nodded.
"And secondly, you will make up the losses as you promised. And on top of that, you will be the head of the French project. I'm going to take on the new London project, and Mihir will be in charge of the local domestic contracts. This is your chance to prove yourself. If you ever want to be the boss of this company one day, then you need become responsible. Got it?"
"Yes bhai."
"Good. You can go now."
Romi exhaled a shaky breath before escaping his brother's office. This would be his first time spearheading a major project. And he wasn't going to let him down.
.....................................................................................................................
Bhalla House – the next day, 8 am
"Ek aur paratha doon mummyji?" Neelu asked, bringing a plate of fresh hot parathas to Toshi at the dining table.
"Haan haan, de mainu. Aur Bhalla ji ko bhi de."
Neelu dropped a hot paratha on Toshi's plate and another one on Omprakash's plate before returning to the stove.
"Baki sab log kitthe hai Toshi ji?" Omprakash asked, between bites of paratha. "Naashta nahin karna kisi ko?"
As if on cue, Ruhi and Adi ran out in their school uniform.
"Aaja mera bhachungda," Toshi said to her grandchildren, laying their plates. "Neelu, bacchon ke liye parathe bana. Aur doodh bhi."
"Nahi Dadi." Adi shook his head. "I'll have toast and orange juice."
"Dadi, Ishimaa kahan hai?" Ruhi asked, noting her mother's absence at the breakfast table. "Woh kehti hai breakfast ke saath fruits bhi khaana chahiye. Aur mujhe strawberry milk chahiye. Chocolate milk nahi."
"Teri maa aa jaayengi puttar. Tum log naashta shuru karo."
Meanwhile, Raman guided Ishita out of their bedroom and brought her to the breakfast table. Ruhi had begun munching on a paratha, while Adi poured himself a glass of orange juice.
"Adi, main tumhare liye toast bana du?" Ishita asked. "And let me slice an apple for you Ru."
But before she could proceed, Raman interjected and sat her down on the table. "Woh sab main kar dunga. Tum baitho aur naashta shuru karo. Neelu, bhabhi ko paratha de!"
While Raman got Adi a couple pieces of whole wheat toast with peanut butter, Ishita cut up an apple for Ruhi and slid the plate of fruit to her. Neelu placed a hot paratha in front of Ishita before rolling a fresh one for Raman at Toshi's behest.
"Raman, tu bhi baith ja naashta karne puttar."
But as Raman pulled out a chair for himself, a sudden wave of nausea swept over Ishita and her face screwed up in discomfort.
"What's wrong, Ishita?" he asked, growing worried all of a sudden. "Kya hua tumhe?"
"Ki hoya puttar?"
"Ishimaa, are you okay?"
Before she could answer, Ishita shot up out of her chair and bolted off to the bathroom. Raman was right behind her, at his wife's heels. He found her in the bathroom, hunched over the toilet, and his heart lurched.
"Ishita..." Raman rubbed her back as she emptied the contents of her stomach.
"Tum theek ho madrasan?" He asked her, once she had washed up and could speak again.
"I'm okay, Raman," she assured him. "Pregnancy ke shuruaat mein aisa hota hai. Doctor ne bhi kaha tha na kal?"
"I know, I know... Phir bhi..." He swiped away some of her loose tendrils of hair framing her face. "I just get worried."
"I'm fine. Mujhe bas paratho ke smell se kuch ajeeb lag raha tha. Woh butter aur ghee ke smell ke kaaran mujhe ulti aa gayi."
"I see..."
He guided her out of the bathroom and brought her back to the table where four worried faces awaited them.
"Achanak kya hogaya Ishita puttar?" Omprakash asked.
"Teri tabiyat to theek hai?" Toshi inquired.
"Aap bimar ho Ishimaa?" Adi questioned.
"Main bilkul theek hoon," Ishita assured them, as Raman pulled out a chair for her. "Shaayad kuch ulta-seedha kha liya hoga kal."
Immediately, Raman swiped the plate of parathas from underneath her nose so as not to set off her aversion again.
"Ishita, tum kya khaaogi?" Raman asked her.
"I'll just have some cornflakes and milk," she replied.
While Adi & Ruhi finished up their breakfast, Raman served Ishita a bowl of cornflakes and milk. Both Toshi and Omprakash gave each other curious looks at his changed demeanor.
"Tujhe kya ho gaya, Raman? Ishita ke aage piche kyun ghum raha hai?" Toshi asked. "Woh khaa legi apne aap."
Raman had no believable answer. "Bas aise hi maa..."
Before his mother could ambush him with any more questions, Raman stuffed a bite of paratha into his mouth and chewed.
"I'm done with breakfast," Adi announced ten minutes later.
"Me too," Ruhi said. "Mumma, aap humein school chod doge?"
"Beta, aaj papa aap dono ko school drop kar denge," Raman interjected.
Adi and Ruhi exchanged quizzical glances.
"But Ishimaa's clinic is closer to our school. She always drops us on days she's working," Adi wondered aloud.
"Beta, I'm not going to the clinic today. I'm working from home for a while."
Ishita had talked with her superior yesterday, and although she hadn't revealed that she was pregnant, Dr. Batra had understood she was going through some personal life changes and had approved her for light duty. She was responsible for paperwork, research, and virtual telemedicine appointments, all of which could be performed from home.
Adi, Ruhi, Toshi, and Omprakash were all taken aback. Ishita hadn't worked from home in over 18 months.
"Sab theek to hai na, puttar ji?" Omprakash asked. "Pehle aap ko vomiting ho gayi, ab work from home. Kahin koi tension-"
"Kuch nahi papa," Raman interrupted his father. "Aapki pehelwaan bahu ko kya hoga? Woh to kisi patient ne case kar diya hoga, toh ab madam ka practice yahin se hoga, ghar se."
"Kuch bhi, Raman..."
Laughs erupted all over the table (including Ishita), as Raman ushered his children outside to drop them at school. Omprakash brushed his questions off, but a tiny smile crept up Toshi's lips.
.....................................................................................................................
12 WEEKS PREGNANT
Bhalla House – Saturday, 15 May, 12 pm
"And that's another victory for us!" Vishwa declared as he high-fived Ruhi.
Adi groaned, Shravu slammed his fists, and Bala slapped his forehead, as they lost another monopoly game. Ruhi had been smart in partnering with her Tata. After all, he always the one to win these games.
"Ab mujhe khelna hi nahi hai!" Shravu whined. "Adi bhaiya, let's go inside."
"You know what? Yeah, let's go!" Adi agreed. "We'll play video games. And Ruhi isn't invited."
He stuck his tongue out at his sister before running to his room with his cousin. Offended at the act, Ruhi shot up from the couch and ran behind them.
"Shravu! Adi bhaiya! I want to play too!" she squealed.
The adults chuckled at the kids' antics, as they cleared the living room table for a chess match. It was a chaotic but playful weekend, as the Bhalla-Iyer clan had gathered for a lazy afternoon, ranging from board games and snacks to gossip sessions and chats.
In the midst of the hubbub, Raman met Ishita's eyes... and he nodded. It was time.
"Miku, Akka," Ishita interrupted her sisters' chit-chat to get their attention.
"Amma! Mummy!" Raman beckoned his mother and mother-in-law in from the balcony. "Come in here for a minute please. Can we have everyone's attention please?"
The commotion died down as everyone's attention focused on Raman and Ishita, who stood up and faced their family.
"We have some very exciting news..." Raman placed his hand on Ishita's lower back, grinning until his cheeks hurt.
Crimsom color rose up Ishita's face as she smiled shyly. "I um... We are..."
"What is going on you guys?" Mihika asked.
"Chal kya raha hai tum dono ka? Seedhe seedhe bolo jo bolna hai," Vandu said.
Raman bumped his shoulder into a blushing Ishita. "Bol madrasan," he whispered.
"Aap bolo na," she nudged him.
"Tum dono mein se koi ek toh bolo!" Bala yelled, teethering on the edge of his patience.
"We're having a baby!" Raman blurted out in the next moment.
Bala's jaw dropped. Vandu gasped. Mihika slapped her hand onto her mouth. Rinki's eyes popped out of her skull. Romi's mouth formed an 'o' in surprise. Mihir's spine snapped straight. And then, exhiliration erupted as congratulations ensued.
"Congratulations akka!" Mihika hugged her sister followed by Vandu.
"Congrats Ishu! I'm so happy for you!"
"Many many congratulations Raman!" Bala hugged him and patted his back.
"Congrats Bhai! Congrats Bhabhi!" Mihir, Romi, and Rinki hugged both of them one by one.
Moments later, Toshi, Omprakash, and Vishwa walked up, faces lit up in joy.
"Kitni pyaari khushkhabri sunaai hai, puttar!" Omprakash exclaimed, blessing Ishita affectionately. "Dil khush kar diya aap ne!"
"Haay mere hanso ka joda!" Toshi hugged her son and daughter-in-law, barely hiding her euphoria. "Matarani ki kitni waddi kripa hoyi hai! Tum dono ko kisi ki nazar na lage!"
"Ishu, many many congratulations to you dear!" Vishwa hugged his daughter before hugging his son-in-law and the rest of the family.
It wasn't until the joyous crowd around Ishita thinned that she realized her mother hadn't come up to wish her yet. Her eyes fell on Madhu standing by the couch, utterly shocked, with tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Amma..." Ishita walked up to her mother and wiped the tears off her cheeks, only for them to get wet again. "Kya hua, amma?"
It was in that moment that Madhu finally processed the news that had transpired. The one bane of her daughter's life had been eradicated. Her prayers had finally been answered. Murugan had finally blessed her girl. And she was absolutely over the moon.
"Ishu... I'm so happy," she whispered, caressing her daughter's cheeks as bliss leaked out her eyes in the form of tears. "Congratulations kanna!"
Madhu embraced her daughter, sending her thanks to the gods above, as the rest of the family exchanged hugs and pleasantries, basking in the newest joy.
Hours later, Raman and Ishita broke the news to the last two members of their family who hadn't found out yet.
Raman brought Adi and Ruhi into their bedroom where Ishita waited for her children, snacking on a bowl of nuts.
"Adi, Ruhi, baitho bacche." She beckoned the kids forward and set aside her bowl. "Papa aur mujhe aap se kuch zaroori baat karni hai."
Adi and Ruhi sat down on either side their mother, peering at her curiously.
"We have some good news," Ishita began. "Ishimaa aur papa ko baby hone wala hai. Aap dono ko ek baby brother ya baby sister milne waala hai."
Ruhi's eyes popped out of her head. "Matlab... jaise Shravu ko baby hai waise?"
Ishita nodded.
"Matlab main badi sister banungi?"
Ishita nodded.
A wide grin brightened up the little girl's face. She wrapped her arms around her mother, excitement and glee inflating her chest.
Meanwhile, Raman glanced at his son. His face was frozen in shock.
"Adi? Beta?" Raman nudged his son's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Ishita turned to her son, even as she held Ruhi to her chest, gazing at him curiously. Adi found himself at the center of attention and gulped. He blinked his hesitation away and smiled.
"Congratulations Ishimaa!" the boy exclaimed, bringing his arms around his mother and hugging her close. "That's very exciting!"
"Lekin ek baat kabhi nahi bhulna." Ishita pulled back for a second and addressed her children. "Ishimaa aur papa ke liye aap dono bhi humesha utne hi important rahoge jitne humesha the. Aap humaare first babies ho. Okay?"
While Ruhi nodded contentedly, Adi smiled tenuously. The tightness in his chest eased up to make room for genuine excitement and joy. Ishita held her children close and Raman gazed at the trio fondly, knowing for a fact that his madrasan would never differentiate between the babies of her heart and womb.
.....................................................................................................................
16 WEEKS PREGNANT
Bhalla House, Raman & Ishita's bedroom – 17 June, 2 am
"Raman..."
No answer.
"Raman..."
"Hmph."
"Raman, wake up."
Ishita turned over in the bed and poked her husband. Repeatedly.
"Raman!"
"Huh?" Raman's eyes fluttered open and he stirred awake. "What...?"
"Raman, it's me. Wake up."
His wife's voice seeped through the cobwebs of sleep and his eyes shot open. "What? Ishita? Kya hua? You okay? What happened? Is it time? Do we have to go to the hospital?"
Raman scrambled awake and threw his blanket off. "Come on! Let's go!"
"What? No! I'm barely in the second trimester!" Ishita whisper-shouted. "Just listen-"
Before Ishita could finish her sentence, a loud thud stopped her short. For her husband had rolled off the bed in a hurry, causing him to fall down and bonk his head on the floor.
"Oh my god! Are you okay?" Ishita crawled over and helped Raman back onto the bed, as he rubbed the back of his head.
"I'm fine. Are you okay?" Raman asked her.
"I'm... I'm hungry," she pouted.
Raman's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What?"
"Haan... Mujhe... Mujhe strawberries khaane ka man kar raha hai."
"Strawberries? Is waqt? Raat ke do baje?"
Ishita nodded.
"Madrasan, strawberries ka season toh gaya. Ab is waqt aur is mausam mein strawberries kaha se lau?"
As soon as he uttered those words, he regretted them. For tears pooled in his adorable wife's eyes and her lower lip began trembling.
"Okay okay okay..." Raman scrambled off the bed and grabbed his wallet, phone, and keys. "Tum ro mat. I'll get you some strawberries, okay? I'll find them somewhere. I'll be back. Tum bas please rona mat," he pleaded.
Ishita nodded and snuggled under the covers, as Raman darted outside. No shops or grocery stores would be open at this hour. And even if they were, he didn't know whether they would even have strawberries. Their harvest season had already passed.
And then an idea sparked in his head. There was only one other man who had any experience dealing with a pregnant Iyer woman. He paced back and forth in the corridor, as he called his brother-in-law. Unfortunately, Bala didn't pick up. So he called him again. And again. And again. And again.
"Yaar, yeh banda so raha hai ki mar gaya hai?" Raman muttered to himself, pulling up his text chain with Bala.
Raman: Bala
Raman: Wake up!
Raman: I need your help right now
Raman: WAKE UP!!!!
Raman: B
Raman: A
Raman: L
Raman: A
Raman: Wake. Up!!!!! 😫😤😡🤬
But Bala didn't answer. Groaning in frustration, Raman headed downstairs to the parking lot. He had to find strawberries somewhere. Fortunately for him, his phone chimed with a reply as he was getting into his car.
Bala: What. The. Hell.
Bala: Fourteen notifications?!?!?!
Bala: FOURTEEN?! 😠😱😳
Bala: My phone literally vibrated itself off the table, Raman!! It almost woke up Vandu!
Bala: What kind of a lunatic sends someone 14 notifications at 2 am??
Raman rolled his eyes as he typed a reply.
Raman: The kind that's married to Ishita Iyer Bhalla.
Raman: She's craving strawberries right now. And I don't know where to get them from. Help me!!
Bala: Ohhhhhh
Bala: This is hilarious
Bala: 😂😂🤣🤣
Raman: You can laugh at me later. I'm in a crisis right now.
Raman: I helped you when Vandu was pregnant, remember? Now it's your turn.
Bala: I'll send you the location of an overnight convenience store. They might have some.
Bala: And technically, it was Mihir who helped me. Not you.
Raman: Fair enough...
Raman: But seriously, thank you so much 🙏🏼
Bala: I'll send the location on one condition
Raman: What is that?
Bala: You never – EVER – text me or call me at 2 am.
Raman: No promises.
Bala: 🙄🙄🙄
Despite his brother-in-law's vexation, Bala did send Raman the location of an overnight store. Raman sped his car to said store and ran inside, only to find that they didn't sell any strawberries.
"Strawberries ka season to chala gaya saab," the store clerk had said. "Ab seedha October mein milega."
Thankfully, Raman had then found a late-night café/bakery and pleaded them to sell him a box of berries. It was highly unorthodox, but the barista had agreed seeing his predicament. And so Mr. Bhalla came home twenty minutes later with a box of assorted berries.
"Yeh le madrasan." Raman handed his pregnant wife the box, sitting down beside her. "I got you your strawberries."
"Oh my god..." Gratitude pooled in Ishita's eyes as she gingerly picked up the box of berries. "And you got me raspberries and blueberries and blackberries too. You're so sweet, Raman. I don't deserve you," she sniffed.
Her lip trembled and tears leaked from her eyes, and Raman could barely contain his laughter. These pregnancy hormones were something else.
"Here, have some." Raman wiped her tears and fed her a strawberry. Ishita was newly reminded of her craving, and in the next ten minutes, she had gobbled up all the berries in the box.
Raman couldn't stop looking at her, love emanating from his eyes. Her skin was positively radiant and shining, as the iconic pregnancy glow enveloped her.
"That was amazing," Ishita moaned, placing the empty box on the side table. "Thank you so much, Raman."
"Isme thank you kehne ki kya baat hai? I like pampering you-"
His sentence was cut short when his wife threw herself into his arms, kissing him senseless.
"What's happening?" he managed to stutter between kisses.
"What do you think is happening?" she chuckled, nuzzling his neck.
Raman laughed, having realized the change in the course of events, and flipped them over and took charge. These pregnancy hormones were really something else.
.....................................................................................................................
18 WEEKS PREGNANT
Metro City Mall – Monday, 28 June, 3 pm
"How does this look, Simi?" Ishita walked out of the dressing room in a maroon ankle-length floral dress.
"Oh wow, yeh dress tere pe bahot changa lag raha hai. Bhai toh ekdum flat ho jaane wale hai!" Simi giggled.
"Kya Simi!" Ishita gasped. "Kuch bhi... There are kids around here."
Speaking of whom, Ruhi and Ananya ran over with another dress for Ishita to try.
"Look at this Mumma!" Ruhi exclaimed, adding a midnight blue sundress to the pile. "It has stars all over it."
"Maami, you look so pretty," Ananya gasped with wonder. "Pretty flowers."
"Thank you bacche," Ishita replied to her niece. "Aur Ruhi, aap itne zyada dresses mat lao. Hum pura maal nahi kharid sakte."
Ishita shook her head with mirth, as she disappeared into the dressing room with another dress to try. She was almost halfway through her pregnancy, which meant she had started getting bigger. Her blouses no longer fit, and her baby bump had started showing. And so, Simi had taken her out for a shopping session to buy a closet full of maternity wear. It was the middle of summer vacation and almost everyone was at work, so they had made it a ladies' day out with their daughters. Meanwhile, Adi was spending the day with Shravu at their grandparents' house, as he was absolutely uninterested in participating in a women's shopping spree.
Ishita gave one last glance to the floral dress and twirled in front of the mirror. Simi was right. Raman was going to go crazy over her tonight. But not because of the dress. Their love life had been transformed to a whole new level in the past few weeks. Maybe it was her pregnancy hormones. Maybe it was the quintessential pregnancy glow. Or maybe it was the fact that they had gone through so much and had still emerged victorious, their relationship stronger than ever.
Flutters erupted inside her at the thought. They were three years into their marriage. She was pregnant with her husband's baby. And even after so much, she marveled how just the thought of Raman caused her to have butterflies in her stomach. Her hand traveled to her baby bump on its own accord (something she found herself doing very frequently nowadays) and caressed her unborn baby. The flutters erupted anew.
Ishita changed into a new sea green floor-length dress and hung the previous maroon dress on a hanger. And she felt the flutter in her belly again. That's when the blood drained from her face. It wasn't butterflies. Or nerves. There was something wrong. There was something wrong with baby.
"Simi! Simi!" she called out in a panic.
"Kya ho gaya? Kya hua Ishita?"
Simi ran into the dressing room to find her sister-in-law panicking.
"Tu kyun chilla rahi hai? Kuch hua kya?" she asked.
"We need to go. We need to leave right now. I need to see a doctor!" Ishita rambled on.
"Par kyun? Hua kya, yeh to bata?"
"There's something wrong, Simi. There's something wrong with the baby. I feel this weird sensation, some kind of flutter..."
"Ek minute, mujhe dekhne de..."
Simi lowered her hand onto Ishita's belly. Moments later, she felt another flutter.
"Did you feel that?" Ishita asked.
Simi sighed with relief and shook her head. "Ishita, nothing is wrong with your baby," she whispered. "Everything is fine. Good, even."
"What do you mean?"
"Ishita, your baby is just moving around in there. Tera paanchva mahina chal raha hai na?"
Ishita nodded.
"Then this is completely normal. Your baby is just moving around."
Realization, wonder, and gratitude churned in Ishita's eyes, as she breathed a deep sigh of relief. It was a feeling unlike any other. The feeling of her baby moving around in her body, flutters and sensation abound.
That evening, the first person she shared that incredible sensation with was her husband.
"Raman, I want to show you something," she said from the couch of her bedroom.
"Other than the 15 dresses you bought today?" he asked sarcastically.
"Yes, come here."
Ishita beckoned him forward and guided him to kneel in front of her. She took his hand and gingerly placed it on her baby bump.
"What's going on? Tum kya-"
"Shhh. Just wait for a minute," Ishita urged.
A minute later, he felt it and gasped. A flutter swiping against the skin of her tummy.
"What was that?" he whispered in shock.
"Our baby is moving around," she whispered back.
"Wow... This is an amazing feeling."
"It really is." A sheen of emotion appeared in front of her eyes.
"But Ishita," Concern clouded Raman's eyes all of a sudden. "Is this normal? I mean there's nothing wrong here, right? With you or the baby?"
Ishita nodded. "Yes Raman, it's completely normal. I felt it today while I was shopping, and Simi told me what was happening. Then I called the gynec as well. Dr. Asha assured me that everything was well as long as I didn't feel any pain."
Relief seeped through Raman's veins. He felt another flutter in Ishita's tummy.
"The gynec also told me that our baby's ears have started developing," Ishita added. "He or she can hear us."
"Really?"
Ishita nodded.
Raman scooched closer and caressed her belly. "Hello baby. Main aapka papa hoon. Kaise ho aap?"
There was another flutter.
"Main bhi theek hoon," he whispered with mirth. "Main aur mumma aapko milne ke liye bahot excited hain. Aapke bhaiya aur didi bhi aapko milna chahte hai."
Ishita gazed at her husband talking to her unborn baby, and it was a sight she was never going to forget. Love, awe, thankfulness, and contentment all passed through her eyes.
"...aur aapko meri team mein rehna padega, thik hai beta?" Raman continued. "Kyunki aapke Adi bhaiya aur Ruhi didi ne toh already mumma ke saath team bana li hai."
And there was another flutter.
"Did you see that madrasan?" Raman said, pumping his eyebrows. "My baby is going to be on my team. Not yours."
"You misinterpreted that, Raman," Ishita giggled. "What my baby is saying is that mumma and baby are hungry now."
Raman chuckled in response and rose up to eye-level with his wife. He caged her in his arms and bumped their foreheads together. "Toh aaj kya khaana hai mere baby aur unki mumma ko?"
"Humein aaj rajma chawal khaane hai." Ishita locked her hands around Raman's neck.
"Thik hai toh phir. Baby ki dadi ko bolte hai aapke liye rajma chawal banane ko."
Raman planted a quick kiss on her lips before making Ishita stand and ushering her out of the room for dinner.
.....................................................................................................................
20 WEEKS PREGNANT
Bhalla House – Friday, 16 July, 4 pm
"No. Absolutely not."
"Please Ishimaa?" Adi pleaded.
"No Adi, I can't give permission for this."
"But papa is okay with it! Why aren't you?"
"Kyunki tum itne bade nahi hue ho ki tum late-night parties mein jao."
Ishita turned away on the dining table, hoping to end the conversation, and took another bite of her yogurt parfait. But her son was on a mission. Adi sprinted to the other side of the table and faced his mother.
"Pleeeease Ishimaa?" he drawled. "Pleeeease?"
Ishita sighed and put down her spoon. "Adi, enough. You can't go to a late-night party."
"But it's at Hardik's place. I've been there before. You've even met his parents."
"Yes, but this party is different. There will be older boys and girls. You're just not old enough for this."
"But dad said he'd take me and bring me back. And I won't do anything I'm not allowed to do."
Their negotiation went back and forth, at which point Raman stood up from the couch and joined his wife and son on the table.
"Madrasan, I'll take Adi there and supervise the whole time. Even Hardik's parents will be there. And I'll bring him back before his curfew. It's just pizza and movies," he assured her. "I think it'll be okay."
"Ishimaa, it's the last party happening before school starts. Please maan jaayiye na?" Adi added.
Ishita's eyebrows relaxed as her stance wobbled. But she wasn't convinced all the way yet. That's when Adi brought out his secret weapon.
"Please Amma?"
Ishita's head whipped around to his son. This was the newest trick he had learned, and he knew very well it always worked. Because there were two things Ishita couldn't say no to: Ruhi's puppy dog eyes and Adi calling her Amma.
"Okay," Ishita sighed. "But your dad will take you there, he'll stay there the whole time, and when he says it's time to come home, you'll come home without a single argument, understand?"
"Yes! Absolutely!" Adi threw his arms around his mother and hugged her. "Thank you so much, Amma! I love you!"
Ishita returned her Adi's hug and kissed him on the cheek before sending him off with his father. Satisfied that her son was just as happy and secure in their love (even after the introduction of the pregnancy), she decided to spend the evening with her daughter. Her pregnancy had taken over such a huge part of her life, but she wanted to make sure the children of her heart never felt neglected in favor of the child of her womb.
Ishita and Ruhi spent that evening watching Barbie re-runs like the old days, when it was just the two of them. Ruhi even brought out her old pink blanket that was too short for her, just to reminisce their first memories together. Their bond had strengthened immensely over the last four years as they formed a family unit with Raman and Adi, but it had been a while since the two of them had spent some exclusive mother-daughter time. They snuggled together on the couch, under a fortress of blankets and pillows, as Ruhi's favorite movies played on the TV.
"Ruhi, are you hungry at all?" Ishita asked in the middle of the Swan Lake movie.
"No mumma. I'm still full from dinner," Ruhi answered. "Kyun? Aapko bhookh lagi hai? Already?"
Ishita nodded. "Aaj kal mumma ko humesha bhookh hi lagi rehti hai."
"Kyunki aap ke tummy mein baby hai, right?"
"Yes baby." Ishita chuckled at her daughter's perceptiveness. "Aap movie dekho. Main kuch khaane ke liye banaati hoon."
"Nahi mumma!" Ruhi yelled, startling her mother. "Papa ne mujhe strict instructions di thi. Mumma ko koi kaam nahi karna hai."
"Accha? Lekin agar mumma khaana nahi banaayengi, toh kaun banaayega?" Ishita asked. "Dadi jagraate pe gayi hai aur papa Adi bhaiya ke saath bahar gaye hai."
"Idea!" Ruhi snapped her fingers together and her eyes sparkled. "Main Paati ko bolti hoon."
Ishita's ball of fire ran next door and conveyed their dilemma to Madhu. Thirty minutes later, the grandmother arrived with a tray full of Ishita's favorite childhood dishes, much to her delight.
"Amma, itni takleef kyun ki aapne?" Ishita asked, even as she bit down on the crispy dosas and vadas.
"Isme takleef kaisi kanna?" Madhu chuckled. "I love doing this for you." It was a miracle pregnancy after all, and Madhu was determined to pamper her daughter to her heart's content.
Three generations of women came together that night, relishing on myriad Tamilian dishes and reminiscing memories they had shared over the years.
.....................................................................................................................
A very cute update please add about Ishita craving for chicken please update next part soon
Part 70
24 WEEKS PREGNANT
Bhalla House – Saturday, 14 August, 10 am
Ishita draped her dupatta over her shoulder and surveyed herself in the mirror. She was wearing a bright red and blue maternity salwaar suit with gold hoops and her silky hair tied back in a half-braid. Her baby bump was more than visible now. She had stretch marks around her abdomen and was beginning to get a double chin.
"Kitni moti ho gayi hoon main..." she muttered to herself, rubbing her swollen belly. "Haina baby? Mumma is getting so fat, isn't she?"
Ishita maneuvered her dupatta, draping it over her belly in various ways, but there was no way to hide her chubbiness.
Just then, two other arms came snaking around her from behind. She looked up in the mirror to find her husband embracing her, dressed in a rich blue kurta, his chin resting on her shoulder.
"Kya bol rahi thi tum?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at her.
Ishita sighed. "Look at me, Raman. Nothing fits me anymore. My center of balance is all off. I'm getting fat all over. I even have a double chin now." She elongated her neck and pulled her cheeks in, critical of her rounded face. "I feel so unattractive."
"Har minute kuch na kuch khaati rehti ho. What did you expect madrasan?" he chuckled.
Ishita gasped and elbowed him. "You are so mean! Raavan kumar kahin ke! Chodo mujhe. Mujhe baat hi nahi karni aapse!" She wiggled out of his arms and nudged him away, frowning at her husband's antics.
But Raman pulled her back and grasped her shoulders to make her face him. But Ishita didn't budge.
"Chodo mujhe!" she grumbled. "Maine kaha na mujhe koi baat nahi karni aapse."
"Fine. Main bhi tumse baat nahi kar raha." He kneeled down and kissed her baby bump. "Main apne baby se baat kar raha hoon."
Raman caressed Ishita's belly and cleared his throat. "Hi mera baby... Aapne suna mumma kya bol rahi hai? She thinks she looks unattractive. Isn't she being foolish?"
They felt a sudden jerk in her tummy, as their baby kicked in response. "See?" Raman looked up at his wife and smirked. "Even your baby agrees. You're being foolish."
Raman brought his ear closer to her belly. "Hmm? Kya bol rahe ho aap? Haan, bilkul sahi kaha aapne. Abhi mumma ko bolta hoon."
The frown on Ishita's face transformed into a shy smile, as Raman stood up and pulled his wife closer.
"Suna baby ne kya kaha?" he asked.
"Kya?"
"My baby is saying that mumma will always be beautiful for papa." He tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Mumma has never looked more beautiful than she does now. And papa is falling in love with her more and more every single day."
"Raman... That was... so sweet." Ishita sniffed and swiped her finger under her eyes, but it did nothing to stop her from crying.
"Arey yaar, tum har baat pe itna roti kyun ho aaj kal? Kahan gayi meri Jhansi ki Rani jo mujhe lecture diya karti thi?"
"Toh main kya karu isme? Aap itni sweet baatein bologe toh aisa hi hoga na? Ab toh main aapko Raavan kumar bhi nahi bula sakti."
"Accha? Toh koi aur naam soch lo..."
Raman inched closer and closer until their lips were only a hair apart.
"Bhai! Bhabhi!"
Rinki's booming voice had them springing apart. She was at the door in the next instant, dressed in a bright orange salwaar suit. "Mihir-Mihika aa gaye hai. Chaliye bahar, rakhi ki taiyyari karni hai."
Ishita nodded at her sister-in-law, who bolted off in the next instant, floating on cloud nine from the excitement of raksha bandhan. Meanwhile, Raman groaned at having been interrupted – again – while his wife dragged him out of their room for the festivities.
.....................................................................................................................
"Pehle main Adi bhaiya ko rakhi baandhungi!" Ruhi demanded.
"Nahin, pehle meri baby sister ki baari hai! Kshitija apne big brother ko rakhi baandhegi!" Shravu retorted.
"Romi, agar is saal tune koi dhang ki gift nahi di na, toh main aur Rinki teri pitaai karenge!" Simi threatened.
"Rehne do Simi di, aapki dhamkiyon se darne wala nahi hoon main!" Romi threw back at her.
"Aiyyo Vishwa, mere anna ko meri rakhi kyun nahi mili abhi tak?!" Madhu questioned.
"Madhu, delivery wale thodi late chal rahe hai. Unhe shaam tak mil jaayegi," Vishwa assured her.
"Toshi ji, phone chaalu hai. Shaila behenji se baat karni hai aapko?" Omprakash asked.
"Nahi Bhalla ji, aap baat kar lo. Mainu thoda kaam hai," Toshi replied.
"Jab bhi Shaila behen ji ka phone aata hai toh aapko kaam aa jaata hai. Mujhe aaj tak samajh nahi aata aap dono ki kyun nahin banti."
Every festival or holiday at the Bhalla-Iyer household was a huge deal, but if there was any special day that was the most chaotic, then it was Rakshabandhan. Blood siblings, soul siblings, and cousins all got together to tie rakhis to each other, and when they got together, it was complete mayhem.
Raman brought Ishita outside and sat her down in an armchair as they rolled their eyes at the craziness that their family was.
"Shaant ho jao sab log!" Raman yelled, clapping his hands together to quiet everyone down. "Sab log ek-ek karke rakhi baandhte hai. Itna dhamaal machaane ki koi zaroorat nahi hai."
"Shuruaat bacchon se karte hai," Ishita suggested.
"YES!" Ruhi and Shravu jumped in joy.
"Adi bhaiya, come here!" Ruhi yelled, grabbing the pooja thali.
"Amma, Kshitija ko lekar aao na!" Shravu screamed at the same time.
And just like that another fight broke out.
"Me first!" Shravu shrieked, snatching the rakhi out of Ruhi's thali.
"No, first me!" Ruhi squealed, pulling at the rakhi in her cousin's hand.
Their tug of war continued, despite the adults' interference, until the rakhi they were fighting over tore in two pieces, beads falling out and scattering everywhere.
"Shravu! Ruhi! Yeh kya kiya aapne?!" Vandu admonished them. "You know what? Because of this now, you guys will go last."
"But amma-"
"Periamma-"
"No arguments! Finger on your lips!" The school principal in Vandu appeared and the fight was immediately squashed.
While Mihika and Vandu cleaned up the beads and broken strings, Rinki and Simi stepped forward with their rakhis and pooja thalis.
"Raman bhai, Romi, tum dono aa jao idhar," Simi instructed.
Raman and Romi sat down on the couch, and Rinki and Simi stepped forward to apply a tilak and tie a rakhi. While Raman gifted them each a new gold bracelet, Romi handed them an envelope full of cash.
Next up were Ishita and Mihir. Mihika handed Ishita a pooja thali, while Mihir sat down on the coffee table in front of the armchair she was seated on. Ishita applied a tilak to his forehead and tied a rakhi on his wrist.
"So... where's my gift bhaiya?" Ishita drawled with an outstretched palm.
"Right here didi." Mihir picked up a box covered in silver gift wrap and handed it to his sister. "Khol ke batayiye kaisa laga."
Ishita opened the box and gasped. Out of the box came a baby blanket, a tiny cap, a pair of socks, and two adorable little custom-made onesies.
"Awww Mihir!" Ishita squealed with delight. "This is so cute!"
"Humein bhi dikhao," Raman urged.
Ishita unfolded the onesies and showed them to the rest of the family: A pink onesie with a golden crown captioned 'Tiny Jhansi ki Rani' and a blue onesie with a lion cartoon captioned 'Tiny Raavan Kumar.'
"Now you have a onesie for whether you have a boy or a girl," Mihir explained.
"This is incredibly adorable," Raman laughed. "Thanks yaar."
Next up, were the kids. And to avoid another fight breaking out, Simi suggested that the youngest sister goes first (much to Ruhi's chagrin).
Vandu came forward with Kshitija and Shravu. She helped her daughter tie a rakhi to Shravu.
"Mela plesent?" Kshitija cooed, opening her tiny palm to her brother.
That's when Bala came in and handed his son a gift wrapped in purple wrapping paper. Kshitija opened it with Shravu's help to reveal a horde of her favorite Paw Patrol action figures, much to her awe.
Ananya came up next to tie a rakhi to Adi with Simi's help. Adi tied a handkerchief over his head as Ananya applied a tilak to his forehead. With her mother's help, she tied a rakhi on his wrist. In response, Adi revealed a present for his cousin, containing a pink teddy bear and a small doll house.
"Thank you bhaiya!" Ananya squealed, giving him a big hug.
Finally, it was Ruhi's turn. She tied a rakhi to Shravu first, despite how annoyed she was at him. Then she put forth her hand demanding her gift.
"I don't have any presents for you," Shravu huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.
Ruhi gasped at the atrocity. "Periamma! Periappa! Look at him!" she whined.
"Shravu..." Bala scolded him. "Give Ruhi her gift."
"Ugh... fine."
Shravu handed Ruhi a box wrapped in pink gift wrap. She tore off the paper to find a new acrylic and watercolor set.
"Thank you periamma! Thanks periappa!" she exclaimed with joy.
"Oye Ruhi chuhi! Mujhe toh thank you bol! Gift maine diya hai!" Shravu yelled, planting his hands on his hips.
"Okay... thank you," she said hesitantly, rolling her eyes.
Before they could start fighting again, Ishita beckoned Adi to come forward so Ruhi could tie a rakhi to her brother. Ruhi applied a tilak to Adi and tied a rakhi around his wrist. They fed each other laddoos before Adi dragged over a large gift bag for her sister.
"Itna bada gift?" Ruhi wondered aloud.
She pulled out her present from the gift bag and gasped. It was a hot pink Barbie-themed backpack.
"Thank you so much bhaiya!" she squealed with delight, hugging her brother. "This was exactly what I wanted! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
By the time each rakhi had been tied and each present gifted, the clock had struck twelve. The family gathered around in the living room for an elaborate buffet style lunch, reveling in the glee and joy floating through the atmosphere.
.....................................................................................................................
26 WEEKS PREGNANT
Vidya Shakti Public School – Tuesday, 31 August, 3 pm
Raman parked the car and turned off the engine, as he and Ishita left the car. They slammed the door shut and walked towards the entrance, concern etched in their faces.
"Kya hua hoga Raman?" Ishita asked, voice trembling with worry. "Why would the principal call us to her office at this time?"
"We'll figure it out." Raman held onto his wife's hand, as they made their way towards the principal's office. "Just please don't worry too much, okay?"
Ishita took a deep breath and nodded.
They arrived in the principal's office to find Adi and Ruhi standing on the side with another older boy and his parents on the other side of the office.
"What happened?" Ishita asked, going over to her children.
"What's going on?" Raman asked the principal.
"What's going on is that your kids have gotten into a fight with another student here," the principal answered.
"No! What happened is that your kids beat up my son!" The other father in the room stormed towards Raman. "Look at him!"
Everyone turned towards the older boy to see him hugging his mother, sporting a split lip and bruised cheek.
"I demand that these two be rusticated!" his father bellowed. "They hit my Vicky for no reason!"
"That's not true!" Adi protested.
"He's lying!" Ruhi yelled.
"ENOUGH!" the principal boomed. "Mr. Zhakar, I'll decide what punishment to give. But rest assured, both of them will be reprimanded for breaking the discipline of our school," she said to Vicky's father.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" Raman spoke up. "I think Adi and Ruhi should be given a chance to tell their side of the story too, right?"
"Exactly," Ishita chimed in, putting an arm around her kids, showing her unwavering support. "Humaare bacche bina kisi baat ke kisi ko chot nahi pohcha sakte."
"Okay." The principal turned to Adi and Ruhi. "Tell everyone what happened please."
"Ma'am, this Vicky is always bullying my friends," Ruhi began. "He stole my friend's new compass box once. Then he broke our classmate's ruler. He even scribbled all over my old backpack and wrote mean words on it."
"No! She's lying!" Vicky stammered.
"Shush Vicky!" the principal interjected. "Let her speak. And if she's lying, then I'll bring Ruhi's classmates here to confirm her story."
That was enough to shut up Vicky.
"And ma'am, today Vicky came up to me and my friends at lunch," Ruhi continued. "We were scared so I complained to Adi bhaiya about him."
Then Adi took over the rest of the story. "I told him to walk away and leave the girls alone. But Vicky just laughed at me and pushed me. That's why I punched him. He started it!"
"No, he started it!" Vicky insisted.
"Fine then," the principal interrupted. "Let me just get Ruhi's and Adi's classmates and ask them what really happened. How does that sound?"
"Yes, do that!" Ruhi agreed.
"Yes, they'll tell you the truth," Adi declared.
"No!" Vicky yelled.
Every face turned to Vicky, who had colored up pink in shame. Instantly, he averted his eyes and hung his head low.
"But that doesn't excuse the fact that this boy punched my son!" Zhakar roared.
"Are you kidding me right now?" Raman gritted out. "You found out that your son has been bullying my daughter and her friends, and that's your response?"
"Listen you Raman Bhalla-"
"Enough gentlemen!" the principal roared. "Mr. Zhakar, this is another complaint we've received against your son. So now it is time that he be disciplined for it. And Mr. Bhalla, while I appreciate that your son was just protecting his sister and her friends, violence is never an answer."
Raman could barely stop himself from rolling his eyes. He had more than enough experience with bullies (Ashok, Suraj, Oberoi, etc.). And sometimes violence was the answer. Adi was completely in the right if he had anything to say about it. But he didn't want to argue that with the person in charge of the disciplinary actions against his children.
Ishita took a nervous breath, glancing between her children and the principal. It enraged her to no end that someone had hurt her kids, but it worried her that Adi had resorted to physical violence rather than asking for help from a trusted adult. She couldn't tell whether this was her newly minted teenager acting out of insecurity, or he was genuinely protecting his sister. Or both.
"Mr. and Mrs. Zhakar..." The principal addressed Vicky and his parents. "I am hereby suspending Vicky for the next two weeks. I am also assigning him an anti-bullying workshop. We do not tolerate any form of bullying in our school."
The Zhakar family begrudgingly left the office giving dirty looks to Raman and his kids before the principal turned her attention to the Bhalla family.
"Mr. and Mrs. Bhalla, I understand that Aditya was acting in the interest of his sister. But there has to be some disciplinary action for the way he has acted today. Aditya, I am giving you lunch detention for the rest of this week. No recess for you. You will spend your lunch time in my office, working on homework or reading."
"Okay ma'am." Adi was bummed out knowing that he'll miss out on recess with his friends for the rest of the week, but spending half an hour every day reading a book was hardly a punishment for a bookworm like him. Of course, he was never going to tell the principal that.
"The school day will be finishing up in a few minutes." The principal glanced at her wrist watch. "If you like, you can take your kids home, Mr. and Mrs. Bhalla."
"Okay ma'am."
Wordlessly, Raman and Ishita beckoned their kids outside and led them to the car. While the parents sat down in the front, Ruhi and Adi climbed into the back. They glanced at each other and shrugged. Mom and dad were going to be really mad now.
"Mumma..." Ruhi murmured.
"Dad..." Adi whispered. "Are you guys mad?"
Ishita and Raman glanced at each other, silent words passing between them.
"We're not mad beta," Raman said, locking eyes with his kids in the rear-view mirror. "But we need to talk."
.....................................................................................................................
Burger N' Bite – twenty minutes later
"Here's your order." The waiter laid down a tray of four burgers and two large fries at the table. "Enjoy!"
Ishita distributed the burgers amongst the four of them, as Raman brought packets of ketchup and napkins from the counter. When Adi and Ruhi were a few bites into their burger, Raman began the conversation.
"Dekho beta, sabse pehli baat, Ishimaa aur main aapse gussa nahi hai. Adi, you protected your sister and her friends. And Ruhi, you stood up for yourself without being afraid today. I'm proud of both of you for that, which is why we're treating you to burgers and fries."
A smile crept up on Ruhi's face, and relief washed over Adi as the anxiety dissipated from his chest.
"But," Ishita interjected, "you must know that physical violence is never ever the answer. And which something like this happens again then we won't be this forgiving, do you understand?"
Adi and Ruhi nodded.
"Beta, agar aapko koi pareshaan kar raha tha toh aapne mumma ya papa ko kyun nahi bataya?" Raman asked.
"Papa, woh Vicky sabko bully karta rehta hai. It wasn't a big deal," Ruhi shrugged dismissively. "The teachers knew and they gave him punishment sometimes but he never changed."
Just then, realization dawned on Ishita. "Ruhi, at school you said that Vicky scribbled on your old backpack. Adi, is that why you gifted your sister a new backpack for Rakhi?"
Ruhi gulped. Adi nodded.
Ishita and Raman exchanged concerned glances.
"Aapne yeh sab humein kyun nahi bataya?" Ishita asked.
"Um... Hum aapko pareshaan nahi karna chahte the Ishimaa," Ruhi replied. "Aapko aur baby ko rest ki zaroorat hai na?"
"Aur waise bhi..." Adi lowered his eyes and gulped. "Jab baby aa jaayega, tab usko aapki zyada zaroorat hogi. Toh humein apne aap ko khud hi manage karna hoga na?"
Raman's spine straightened and muscles stiffened in discomfort. Tears pooled in Ishita's eyes. This was her worst fear: Adi and Ruhi distancing themselves from her now that another baby was coming.
"Adi, Ruhi," Ishita addressed her children. "Ishimaa ne aapko pehle bhi kaha tha... Aap humaare liye humesha sabse zyada important rahoge. Aap humaare first babies ho. Haan, jab baby aayega tab use humaare attention ki zaroorat hogi, lekin aap ko bhi humaari attention ki zaroorat hai, right?"
The kids nodded.
"Aap dono ki wajah se hum parents bane," Raman added, "aur aap dono ke liye humaare dil mein jo pyaar hai woh roz roz badhta hai. In fact, naya baby aane ke baad bhi woh pyaar badhta rahega. All three of you are pieces of our heart, and we'll love all of you the same. We promise you that."
"Ab kya aap log humein ek promise karoge?" Ishita asked.
"Yes."
"Of course."
"Then promise us that whenever you have any problem, or if you're ever in any kind of trouble, you will always come to me or papa. Don't ever think what we'll say or whether we'll be mad or if you'll annoy us or anything like that. You will always come to us whenever you need us. Promise?"
"Okay mumma," Ruhi nodded.
"We promise Amma," Adi smiled.
"Now, finish your burgers before they get cold."
The family of four dug into their burgers and fries, and the atmosphere significantly lightened up.
"Raman, can I have a bite of your burger?" Ishita asked, when she had finished her burger.
Raman's eyes popped out of his head. "You want a bite? Of my burger?"
Ishita nodded. "It smells so good."
"Madrasan, this is... chicken."
Horror dawned on Ishita and she gasped. "Oh my god..."
"You can have the rest of it if you want," Raman chuckled, offering his burger.
"No!" Ishita flinched back. "I can't eat chicken! I can't believe I'm craving chicken right now!"
"I mean if the baby wants chicken..." Raman let the end of his sentence dangle as a tease.
"Come on Raman! I don't care if the baby wants chicken. I. Am. Not. Eating. That."
She dropped her head into her hands and groaned. Raman chuckled aloud. Adi and Ruhi giggled as they munched on fries.
"Raman?" Ishita lifted her head and looked over at her husband.
"Yes dear?"
"Can you just get me another veggie burger? I'm still hungry," she pouted.
"Okay madrasan. I'll go give the order."
Raman went to the counter and returned after giving the order. Ten minutes later, a waitress arrived with two veggie burgers and a bag of fries.
"Here you go sir!" she exclaimed, laying the tray down.
"Raman, I only asked for one burger," Ishita said. "What's all this?"
"I know you and our baby now," Raman replied. "You're always underestimating how hungry you are."
"That is so sweet," the waitress chimed in, as Ishita took a bite of her second burger. "You're a very sweet husband sir."
"Thank you for the compliment miss," Raman smiled.
"Raman," Ishita interrupted in a sweet voice. "Why don't we go home now?"
"Don't you want to finish eating first?"
"I'll eat in the car. Let's go."
"But-"
Before Raman could figure out what had changed, Ishita was packing up the leftover food and ushering her kids out of the fast food joint. All throughout the car ride, she chewed on the burgers, never speaking to him, not even looking at him, and the alarms started ringing. It wasn't until they were alone in their bedroom that she exploded.
"You were flirting with her!" she yelled accusatorily, throwing her purse down on the dresser and plopping down on the couch, handling her baby bump.
"What?" Raman asked, startled in the process of untying his wristwatch.
"That waitress! You were flirting with her in broad daylight!"
"N-No... Absolutely not," Raman stuttered defensively. "I was not flirting with her!"
"Yes you were. Aapko main ab acchi nahi lagti na? Mere saamne aur bacchon ke saamne kisi aur ke saath flirt kar rahe the!"
"Madrasan, all I said was 'thank you.' How is that flirting?"
"I get it. You don't find me attractive me anymore, isn't it? You want that hot young waitress, don't you?" Ishita crossed her arms against her chest and glared angrily at her husband.
Raman rolled his eyes and sighed. "You've got it all wrong Ishita. I promise-"
"You know what?! I don't want to hear it!" Ishita stood up from the couch and grabbed the lapels of his shirt. "But listen to this, Raman. Agar aapne mere alaawa kisi aur aurat ke baare mein socha bhi na, toh main aapka woh haal karungi ki aap soch bhi nahi sakte."
"Lekin maine kab-"
Before he could protest any further, his wife let go of him roughly and stormed out of the room. Raman couldn't even wrap his head around what had just happened. He stood in his room, eyes bulging like a deer caught in headlights, and groaned out loud.
He had asked her a few days ago where his Jhansi ki Rani had vanished. Well, his warrior queen was back now and he almost regretted even asking that. Careful what you wish for, Mr. Bhalla. Careful what you wish for.
.....................................................................................................................
28 WEEKS PREGNANT
Bhalla House – Friday, 17 September, 5:30 am
"Ouch."
Ishita turned over on the bed and scrunched her brows in discomfort. Her baby had been especially active lately, meaning it was kicking at all hours.
"Kyun mumma ko sone nahi de rahe ho baby?" she groaned, as she sat up and sighed.
She was up now and there was no way she could fall asleep again anytime soon. Which meant she was going to sleep during the day, something she found herself doing quite a bit lately. She was always either sleeping or eating. Speaking of which, she was hungry now. Again.
She got up from her bed and tiptoed to the kitchen, ravenous and jittery. She rummaged through the cabinets, looking for spicy masala snacks to satisfy her hunger pangs.
"Kya ho gaya madam?"
Ishita turned around to see her husband standing in a soft white kurta with sexily tousled hair.
"Your baby isn't letting me sleep," she pouted. "And I'm hungry. Again."
Raman couldn't help but laugh. He had grown accustomed to his wife's hormonal mood swings by now. One minute she was crying, another she was mad, and then another she was overtly loving. It was one heck of a wild ride.
"Come here." He led his wife to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair for her, urging her to sit. "I'll get you something to eat. Kya khaana hai?"
"Kuch teekha aur chatpata."
He kissed her and his unborn baby before fishing through the cabinets to find her favorite murukku and aloo bhujia. He served it in two plates and set it in front of her on the table.
"Here you go." Raman sat down beside her, gazing at her lovingly, as Ishita munched on her favorite snacks.
"Aap so jayiye na, Raman," she suggested. "You wake up every night when I do, and then you work at the office all day long. You're going to overwork yourself. Aise toh aapki tabiyat kharaab ho jaayegi."
"I'm fine Ishita. I love these moments with you and our baby. Besides, it's almost time for me to wake up anyway."
He placed his hand on her tummy, his heart bursting with pride as the baby kicked and moved. Their attention was diverted when they heard the creak of a door opening. Toshi emerged from her bedroom, having woken up from the shuffling noises, to find the two lovebirds snacking at the kitchen table.
"Ki hoya puttar? Itni subah-subah kya kar rahe ho tum log?" she yawned.
"Ishita ko bhookh lagi thi Maa. Use kuch chatpata khaana tha," Raman answered.
"Agar kuch chatpata hi khaana hai toh ruk. Main tere liye garama-garam aloo ke parothe banaati hoon. Tu yeh sab rukha-sukha naashta mat kha. Parathe ka atta aur aloo ka masala pada hi hai."
"Nahi mummyji... uski koi zaroorat nahi hai," Ishita insisted.
But Toshi ignored her daughter-in-law's protests, as she turned on the stove and removed the dough and potato mixture from the fridge.
"Raman, itthe aa, meri madad kar," Toshi instructed.
"Nahi Raman, mummyji, is sab ki koi zaroorat nahi hai-"
"Shhh." Raman pressed his index finger against his wife's lips and silenced her. "Tum chup-chaap baitho. This is happening, and you can't do anything to stop it. So just sit and relax."
Ishita leaned back on the chair as Raman joined his mother in the kitchen. While Toshi rolled out parathas on the counter, Raman fried them on the stove and served them steaming hot to his wife on the table. Ishita ate one paratha after another with finger-licking pickle and yogurt, while Raman and Toshi cooked one paratha after another.
"Kitne parathe aur khaaogi madrasan?" Raman asked from the stove.
His mother smacked him across the shoulder in the very next instant. "Oye khotte de khur! Khaane de na use! Woh jitne marzi khaaye, tujhe kya?!"
"Arey waise nahi maa. Main toh isiliye puch raha hoon taaki pata chale ki aur kitne parathe banaane hai."
"Yeh sahi keh rahe hai mummyji," Ishita chimed in between bites of paratha. "Ekdum bhukkad ho gayi hoon main. Har time bhookh hi lagi rehti hai mujhe."
"Koi ni puttar." Toshi rolled out another paratha. "Aise time pe jyada khaana accha rehta hai. Tu tension na le."
"Bilkul, ghar ka raashan khatam ho gaya toh Amma ke ghar se le aayenge," Raman chuckled.
Toshi and Raman cooked while Ishita ate and laughed until the sun came up. The workday began for the adults and school started for the kids in the next hour. Ironically, it was only then when her unborn baby finally calmed down, allowing Ishita to sleep soundly.
.....................................................................................................................
30 WEEKS PREGNANT
Bhalla House – Wednesday, 29 September, 4 pm
The ring of the doorbell chimed through the loft, and Rinki opened the door to reveal a dusky young woman dressed in a sea green kurti and jeans carrying two large boxes.
"Hi, can I help you?" Rinki asked.
"Hello, I'm Sarika," the woman answered. "I work with Dr. Ishita. Well technically, I used to work with her now that she has quit. I'm just here to drop off some of her stuff."
"Oh yeah... Of course, come in. She's right over here on the couch."
Sarika smiled and walked in to find Ishita reading a book on the sofa in the living room. Meanwhile, Rinki headed back into her room.
"Hi Sarika!" Ishita beamed, putting away her book on the side table. "Kaise aana hua?"
"I'm dropping off the stuff you left back in your office." Sarika gently placed the two boxes on the living room table and sat down in the adjacent armchair. "Ma'am, do you really have to quit? Aapki kami bahot mehsoos hogi humein."
"I know Sarika, but I have to do this." Ishita ran a hand over her baby bump. "When my baby comes, I want to be here at home to take care of him or her. For at least a couple years. I can't get that long of a maternity leave, so this is the best option."
"I understand ma'am. But still, I hope we can still keep in touch."
"Of course we will. And who knows, maybe I'll be back at the clinic a few years later. Or we'll work together in another way. You never know."
Sarika smiled ruefully. She didn't have many female friendships in her life. Ishita was one of the few women she admired and respected from the bottom of her heart, with whom she had a genuine friendship. She was disappointed to know that this was the end of their working relationship.
"Anyway..." Sarika cleared her throat and opened the boxes on the table. "This box has your extra white coats and the change of clothes you kept at the clinic. And this one has your office supplies and medical equipment. Oh and more thing..."
Sarika pulled out a gift wrapped basket from one of the boxes and showed it to Ishita.
"This is for you. From me."
"Oh my god... You didn't have to do this, Sarika..." Ishita unwrapped the paper covering the basket and smiled with gratitude. "What is all this?"
"It's a care package. I hope you like it."
Ishita surveyed through the items in the basket: an electronic back massager, fragrant soaps, silky loofas, moisturizing lotions, revitalizing face masks, and scented candles.
"Pregnancy mein back pain hota hoga na? Isiliye woh back massager," Sarika explained. "And these soaps and lotions and face masks are for you when the baby comes. So you can find some relaxing time for yourself too. Sab log babies ke liye gifts bhejte hai lekin mumma ke liye kabhi kabhi bhul jaate hai. I hope you like it."
"Like it?" Ishita gazed at her with admiration and gratitude. "I LOVE it, Sarika! This was such a thoughtful gesture! I'm extremely touched."
"I'm so glad you liked it ma'am."
They chatted for a few more minutes before it was time for Sarika to leave. She hugged Ishita and left the apartment, descending the steps of Akash Ganga Society. But before she could leave to find a rickshaw, she found herself privy to a conversation that shook the earth beneath her feet.
.....................................................................................................................
A few minutes earlier
Romi parked his bike in the parking lot and spun his key to kill the engine. Being in charge of an international contract was more work than he had bargained for. Raman and Mihir were on his side, helping him as much as they could, but the majority of the responsibility had fallen on his shoulders. Today was one of the rare workdays when he was able to come home before sundown.
Before he could get off the bike and take his helmet off, his phone rang. It was Raman bhai, and Romi knew better than to ignore his call. He picked up his phone and set it on speaker.
"Hey bhai, you're on speaker. I'm just parking my bike," he said, as he climbed off his bike.
"No worries," Raman answered. "I'm calling to ask where you put the audit file. Mihir and I can't find it."
"I gave it to your secretary before I left. She'll know."
"Okay then. Thanks. Oh and one more thing... I've been meaning to ask about that money you gave to your friend. We never talked about whether he's returning that money. Was it a loan? Or was it just a generous gift?"
"Um... it was an anonymous donation. So to answer your question... No, they're not returning that money. I never asked."
"Oh okay then. Tere dost ka kaam ho gaya phir?"
"Yeah, kaam ho gaya."
"Okay. That's good to know. I'll call you later then, okay?"
"Okay bhai. Bye!"
Romi pocketed his phone and keys, removed his helmet, and hung it on the handle of his bike. He turned around to go home, only to find Sarika standing behind him with her jaw on the floor. She had heard everything.
"Sarika... Listen, I-"
"Woh paise tumne diye the?" she asked, a glossy sheen of emotion materializing in her eyes.
"Haan, maine diye the, and I know you didn't want that, par tum itna pareshaan ho rahi thi, aur payment karne ka aakhri din tha, toh mujhe jo sahi laga woh maine kiya. Please tum is baat ka koi galat matlab-"
His defensive ramblings were cut short when Romi found the wind knocked out of his lungs. Sarika had run forward and thrown her arms around her boyfriend, with gratefulness, awe, love, and complete adoration flowing through her veins.
All her life, it had been just her and her mother. Every man they had known (family or otherwise) had some kind of hidden motive. This was the first time anyone had done something for her – and more importantly, her mother – out of complete and utter selfnessness.
"Thank you, Romi," she whispered, voice brimming with emotion. "Thank you so so much! Tumne bilkul farishte ki tarah meri maa ki madad kari hai. Main jitna thanks bolu utna kam hai."
Relief flooded through Romi's chest and he returned Sarika's hug, as he realized his girlfriend was appreciating his gesture instead of getting mad at him for crossing a line. He was afraid that he had butted his head somewhere he shouldn't have, but even then, he did what he had to do. He could take Sarika's anger, her irritation, and maybe even separation from her if she had opposed his anonymous donation. But he couldn't take the lines of worry in her face and depth of sadness in her eyes at the thought of her mother's ailment and pain.
"Thank you mat bol, yaar," he whispered, kissing the crown of her head. "I love you."
"I love you too."
They were so lost in each other, they forgot that they were in a public place... That too smack-dab in the middle of Romi's society. Consequently, a particular pair of eyes landed on them from the balcony above, eyes that popped open in shock.
Rinki almost spit out her coffee at the sight beneath her. Her brother Romi... hugging and kissing Sarika... Ishita bhabhi's receptionist and secretary... She rubbed her eyes over and over but the sight never changed. She pinched herself but she wasn't dreaming. And that utterly shocked her to her core.
.....................................................................................................................
This means so much to me. Thank you for recognizing the thought and nuance that goes behind writing. I have always tried to keep the essence of Ishita and Raman alive, because they weren't just any hot and happening couple of ITV. They had so much uniqueness, this sense of maturity and responsibility, but also fighting like children, along with this heart of gold wrapped in heartache and troubled pasts. They will forever be my favorite fictional couple of all time. ❤️
These lines are just pure gold.😭 U are making me miss IshRa so much right now 😭
Pink:- One of the best descriptions of IshRa, I've ever come across👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Busy cuz of Christmas, waiting to get full fledged free time so that I can fully cherish what I read, don't want to absent mindedly read all the updates ☹️, hence postponing so that I don't miss a single detail😍
Part 71
32 WEEKS PREGNANT
Bhalla/Iyer Residence – Saturday, 16 October, 10 am
Raman buttoned up his tan coat and ran a comb through his hair for the last time. With a final deep breath, he turned from his dressor mirror and waded his way through the bedroom. Packages of diapers and tissues and other baby supplies were stacked and piled along the walls. Baby clothes and blankets were piled on the bed, a combination of old clothes of Ananya, Shravu, and Kshitija as well as new items bought and gifted by family and friends. A new packaged crib sat on the couch waiting to be assembled and put together.
Ishita's due date was now two months away. They had begun shopping for baby supplies and setting up their room for the arrival of their new bundle of joy. And in the long line of such preparations, today was the day of her baby shower. Or Godh Bharai according to Toshi and Valaikappu according to Madhu.
In one more iteration of the constant North vs South battle of the two mothers, they had argued over how and when and where to host Ishita's first baby shower. But in the end, Madhu had won. Her joy over Ishita's miracle pregnancy was leaps and bounds beyond that of anyone else in the family.
"Thik hai madrasan..." Toshi had laughed. "Tu karle apne armaan pure. Main kuch nahi kahungi."
And thus Madhu had organized Ishita's baby shower at the Iyer house. The families were currently gathered there preparing for the function. Adjusting his coat, Raman left his flat and headed over to his in-laws' place to join the preparations.
The walls and hallways were lined with marigolds, chrysanthemums, orchids, and carnations. Dangling crystal and rhinestone strings shimmered while drum and tabla music radiated through the house.
"A little to the left."
Mihir slid the blue and pink baby shower poster to the left at Bala's instruction.
"Is this good?"
"Okay, now it's too much to the left. Thoda right mein."
Mihir moved the poster again.
"It's slanted on the right now," Bala sighed. "Teeny bit left."
"Oh my god jeeju, aap sahi se instructions do na?! Kab se left right left right kare jaa rahe ho?!"
"Tum sahi se lagao na yaar!"
"Calm down boys," Raman chuckled. "Mihir, it's straight enough. Laga le poster. No one's going to notice if it's a bit slanted."
"But Raman-"
"Let it be Bala..."
Raman patted Bala on the back, as Mihir taped the poster and climbed down from the chair. Meanwhile, the kids played games and watched TV as the muhurat (auspicious time) grew closer. Chatter sounded from the kitchen as Madhu, Toshi, Vandu and Simi set up the food.
"Madhavi, tune chawal ke alaawa kuch aur banaya bhi hai ya nahi?" Toshi asked, lifting lids off the pots.
"Yeh humara tradition hai Punjaban," Madhu replied. "We make seven types of rice and seven types of sweets. Mother aur child ko bless karne ke liye. Lekin phir lunch ke liye sambhar aur sabzi bhi hogi rice ke saath. Don't worry."
"Phir bhi, kuch paneer-shaneer ya chicken-wicken hota to mazaa aa jaata."
Simi chuckled as she helped Vandu lay out the rice and sweets for the ritual, while the mothers worked on the lunch feast.
"Are all these rice dishes different? Matlab sab ka taste alag alag hai?" Simi asked.
Vandu nodded. "Tamarind, lemon, curd, mango, mint, tomato, and coconut rice." She pointed to each dish as she explained. "All different. Even these laddoos are different. Besan, multigrain, motichoor... And this one-" Vandu picked up a two-inch laddoo. "-is made of ginger, jaggery, and ajwain. It's good for digestion isiliye pregnancy mein mother ko khilaate hai."
"Maine bhi Ananya ke time pe khaaye the aise laddoo. Romi ko itni baar maine buddhu banaya hai aise laddoo lekar, pata hai?"
"Really?"
"Yup. Just wait and watch."
Simi looked around the room and found Romi coming out of the bathroom.
"Romi! Itthe aa!" Simi beckoned him.
Romi walked up to the kitchen. "Ki hoya Simi di?"
"Ishita ki godh bharai ke liye yeh sab mithai banai hai. Tu chakh ke bata na sab thik hai ki nahi?"
"Main kyun? Aap hi chakh lo na?"
"Maine taste kiya aur mujhe sugar kam lag rahi hai. Lekin Vandu maan nahi rahi. You need to break the tie."
"Okie dokie," Romi shrugged.
Simi handed him a laddoo and Romi gobbled it up without a second thought. Instantly, his eyes shot open and face screwed up in disgust. Simi and Vandu burst out laughing.
"Ewww..." he groaned, coughing up the laddoo. "What is this?"
"Sauth aur ajwain ka laddoo hai," Simi said between laughs.
"Ugh... Not again," Romi groaned. "Mujhe baat nahi karne aapse di."
Romi left the ladies for a better – and kinder – group towards the front.
"...French wala contract is almost done. Local contracts are also being renewed. Ab bas London walo ke saath deal sign karni hai," Mihir was saying.
"Yaar Mihir, weekend pe bhi kaam ki baat karta hai..." Romi groaned.
"Karni padegi beta," Raman interjected. "Kaam badh raha hai aur staff kam ho raha hai."
"Matlab? Who's leaving?"
"Well, Tej is in Mumbai now so we're already a man down. But more importantly, I'll be taking time off starting next month."
"Lemme guess... Paternity leave?" Bala asked.
"Kind of. I'll still go to the office when I can or work from home when possible. But no more long hours. No more spearheading projects. That's on the two of you now." Raman pointed at Mihir and Romi. "Hire more people if you have to. But remember... this is still my company. Don't drive it into the ground," he said jokingly.
Romi rolled his eyes and Bala chuckled. Mihir glanced at his wristwatch, wondering when the function would begin.
"Bhabhi kab aayengi?" he asked. "Godh bharai shuru nahi karni?"
"Abhi waqt hai. Muhurat 10:21 am ka hai," Bala answered. "Mihika aur Rinki toh abhi tak use taiyyar hi kar rahe hai."
Just then, his phone rang. It was a video call. While the conversation continued between Raman, Romi, and Mihir, Bala stepped aside to answer his phone. And grew irritated at the name that popped up.
"Can you please stop calling me at all hours like this?" he gritted through his teeth. "I'll contact you when I'm ready to talk."
"Bala please... kab tak naaraz rahoge?"
"Amma... this will take time. I'd like to mend our relationships too. But you have to give me space."
"Anna please..." Subbu appeared on the call behind his mother. "I get to meet my son for two days every week. Ragini won't talk to me unless it's through a lawyer. In the past few years, I've lost almost every family member I held close. And it was my fault. All I'm asking for is the chance to make amends. Please..."
Bala's heart melted. Regardless of what had happened between them, Devyaani Chandran was still the woman who had raised him. And Subramaniam was still the boy he had grown up with... His brother, his friend, his partner-in-crime.
But he had to think about his wife, his children, and the repercussions on his family before he decided to reconnect with his mother and brother.
"I'll call you guys later when I have a chance. Okay?"
"Okay. Take care son."
"Anna?" Subbu spoke up before Bala could end the call. "Is there some function happening there? Piche diwaar pe flowers aur decorations lagi hai."
"Yeah, it's Ishita's baby shower."
Devyaani's jaw dropped. Subbu's eyes popped open.
"Did I hear you right?"
"Did you say Ishita's baby shower?!"
Bala's face hardened. This was another reason why he was wary of reconnecting with them. Their treatment of Ishita.
"Yes. I said Ishita's baby shower. She's seven months pregnant. And both the mother and baby are healthy. Thanks for asking by the way."
"No Bala-"
"Anna that's not what we meant-"
Before either of them could say anything further in their defense, everyone's attention was diverted to the women entering the main room.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Mihika clapped her hands. "Please welcome the woman of the hour..."
"Our very own..." Rinki joined in.
"Ishu akka!"
"Ishita bhabhi!"
Mihika and Rinki brought Ishita out and guided her to the living room, eliciting a string of oohs and aahs from the room. Madhu gasped as her hands flew to her mouth. Toshi cracked her knuckles on her forehead, shielding her daughter-in-law from the evil eye. Everyone gazed at her with immense affection and awe.
Well... not everyone. In his haste, Bala had switched the camera from front-facing to rear-facing. Devyani saw a beautiful pregnant Ishita and her teeth ground together so hard, they almost turned to dust. She couldn't believe that the woman she had rejected for her son – because she couldn't have children – was now pregnant. Behind her, Subbu gulped and blinked, seething with jealousy, anger, regret, and god knows what else. The tables had turned and how.
Bala shook his head, ended the call, and joined his family. He could deal with all of this later. Today was Raman and Ishita's day. Speaking of whom, Bala found Raman gazing at his wife, eyes glowing with pride and love. Ishita's eyes met his, face blushing with shyness and heart bursting with love.
Ishita was dressed in a purple puffed-sleeve blouse and a magenta kanjeevaram saree with gold embroidery. She was decked with gold earrings and a thin gold necklace. A gold kamarband was loosely tied above her swollen belly, keeping the saree pleats in place. In short, she was an absolute vision.
Raman stepped towards her and whispered in her ear, "You look stunning."
"Really?" she asked.
"Really," he smiled, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
A series of exaggerated coughs and hiccups and laughs broke out around them, distracting the happy couple.
"Raman, Ishu ko yahan bithaao," Madhu instructed.
Ishita was then seated in a flower adorned chair and the rituals began. The ladies and girls gathered close while the men stood back with cameras and flowers petals.
Madhu garlanded her daughter with a rose and jasmine garland. Vandu brought out a chandan (sandalwood) and haldi (turmeric) paste, and one-by-one the ladies applied the paste to Ishita's hand and face.
"Paati, what's this paste for?" Adi asked. "Amma ki shaadi thodi ho rahi hai?"
"Baccha, yeh paste lagaate hai taaki mumma aur baby ko calm aur relaxed rakh sake. It's to reduce body heat and quell any fear and anxiety," Madhu explained.
"Ohh... Cool..."
Adi continued taking pictures on his phone, as the rituals continued. Vandu and Simi laid out the rice and sweet dishes, while Mihika and Rinki brought out red and green glass bangles at Madhu's instruction.
The ladies fed Ishita small bites of rice and sweets. Toshi slid a few bangles onto Ishita's wrists and pecked her forehead.
"Matarani tainu aur tere bacche ko buri nazar se bachaaye puttar."
"Ruhi, aapko bangles pehnaane hai Ishimaa ko?" Vandu asked, beckoning the little girl.
"Yes!"
Ruhi jumped up and came forward excitedly, grabbing the remaning bangles from Toshi. She gently slid the bangles onto her mother's wrists. Ishita peered at her daughter – her first child, her first baby that made her a mother – grateful that this angel had come into her life. She bent down and kissed Ruhi on the cheek, careful not to smear the haldi-chandan paste onto her daughter.
"Love you baby," she whispered, eyes glimmering with happiness.
"Love you too mumma," Ruhi grinned.
Slowly but surely, she climbed up into Ishita's lap, balancing herself on her mother's knee. Ishita clutched her daughter close, carefully handling her swollen baby bump.
"Be careful Ruhi!" Simi warned. "Ishimaa ko chot nahi lag jaaye."
"Mujhe toh yahin baithna hai," Ruhi insisted. "Main Ishimaa ki first baby hoon!"
"I'm okay Simi," Ishita assured her.
Ishita held Ruhi close as the rituals continued. The function ended with a brief aarti after which everyone came forward to shower the mommy-to-be with flower petals and blessings.
As the baby shower came to a close, Ishita looked around and found her son standing beside his father, continuing to take photos and videos of the event.
"Adi, tum bhi aao na idhar," she beckoned him.
Adi lowered his phone. "Um... I'm good mom. I'd rather just stay here... with the men."
Raman laughed and patted his son on the back. Ishita narrowed her eyes at Adi. "Young man, tum jitne bhi bade ho jao, mere baby hi rahoge. Now get over here to your mother."
Adi pocketed his phone and rolled his eyes, even as he hid a smile and walked forward. He hugged his mother from behind, earning a kiss on the cheek.
Raman gazed at the three (soon to be four) most important people in his life, heart full and overflowing. His son was slowly turning into a young man; his daughter was growing up fast; and they had another baby on the way with a whole new set of adventures.
Madhu was now crying in earnest, unable to hold in her tears of joy. She could still remember the time when they thought there was no hope for her Ishu. There was a time when she could never be a mother. But now, she was Amma, Mumma, Mom, Ishimaa... A mother in more ways than one.
.....................................................................................................................
12:40 pm – a couple hours later
Lunch had been a simple yet festive affair today. Apart from the rice and sweet dishes prepared for the event, helpings of sambhar and sabzi were prepared to accompany the former for lunch. The family was now gathered in the living room, chatting and winding down after an eventful morning.
"You didn't have to do this, Sarika," Ishita asked, surveying the diaper bag full of teddy bears. "Is sab ki kya zaroorat thi?"
"It's a gift for the baby, ma'am. It's nothing really."
"That's really sweet. Thank you. And you don't have to call me ma'am anymore. I'm not your boss, right?"
"Right," she chuckled.
Sarika had arrived a few minutes ago, right after her shift finished, to make her presence known at the baby shower. Her relationship with Romi was still a secret, but it was serious. She hoped it would turn into marriage, but until she knew Romi was ready, she didn't want to raise the issue. In the meantime, she could at least start getting to know the Bhalla family. And she was already to a good start with Ishita.
Speaking of which, while Ishita got caught up in a chat with Bala, Sarika hesitantly walked over to another Bhalla member. She introduced herself to Simi and struck a conversation, unaware of the two pairs of eyes catching glimpses of her. Romi kept sneaking glances at his girlfriend, barely hiding the emotion in his eyes. Meanwhile, Rinki kept a close watch on both of them.
The couple times she had tried to confront Romi on his "relationship" or "fling" or whatever it was with Sarika (she had no clue at this point), he had shut down and sent her away. But it was clearly growing bigger and taking on a life of its own. She needed answers before any of this got out of hand.
"Humare kamre mein itni cheezein hai ab, mujhe dar hai ek din chalne ki jagah nahi milegi," Raman groaned, complaining about the growing baby supplies and clothes piling in his room.
"It's just going to get worse when the baby comes, trust me," Bala chuckled.
"Raman, the real problem is that you can't keep your stuff organized," Ishita added. "Aapki aadat hai kamre ko phaila kar rakhne ki. Jab main nahi hongi wahan toh kaise kaam chalaaoge, huh?"
A chill ran down his spine. "Ek minute, what do you mean? Tum kyun nahi hongi wahan?"
"Aiyyo Raman," Madhu interrupted. "Ishu ki pehli delivery hai toh agle do mahine woh yahan rahegi na? Apne Amma-Appa ke ghar pe?"
Raman's jaw dropped in shock. Adi and Ruhi's heads swiveled to the adults' conversation, and their faces fell.
"Kyon? Kaunsi kitaab mein likha hai ki maayke mein rehna padta hai? Ishita apne ghar mein nahi reh sakti?" Raman protested.
"Raman, it's an unwritten rule," Vandu explained. "Main bhi Shravu ke time pe Appa ke ghar aayi thi apna sasural chod ke."
"Aur bhai, Simi di bhi toh Ananya ke waqt humaare ghar aayi thi. Remember?" Romi reminded him.
"Yeah but... Ishita ke jaane ka kya matlab hai?!" Raman retorted. "We live right next door!"
"Exactly jeeju," Mihika added, raising her eyebrow. "You live right next door. So what's the big deal?"
Raman opened his mouth to argue, only to find Ishita pressing her lips together to suppress her laughter. His annoyance turned into irritation, his mouth merging into a pout. Clearly, she was okay with staying away from him. So why should he bother?
"Fine," he conceded. "If that's the norm, then so be it."
With one last irritated glance to his wife, Raman stood up and walked away, fiddling with his phone.
"Oooh someone is mad...!" Vandu and Mihika teased.
"Mumma, are you really going to stay here?" Ruhi asked, walking to her mother. Adi set aside his book to listen to the conversation, his mind full of the same questions as his sister.
Ishita's eyes softened as she stroked her daughter's cheek. "Yes beta. Just for a few weeks, until the baby comes. But the great thing is you guys can come here anytime you want and stay as long as you like. And I'll make sure to come next door as well. Hmm?"
Ruhi nodded. Ishita looked over at Adi and nodded reassuringly.
Meanwhile, Romi stood up covertly and tiptoed away, hoping to speak to Sarika, who was still engrossed in a chat with Simi. Unfortunately for him, Rinki cut him off in his path, eyes firm and stubborn.
"We need to talk," she said.
"Not now, Rinki," Romi whispered.
"If not now, then when bhai?! It's been long enough. Come with me."
Rinki dragged her brother outside into the apartment corridor for a long overdue confrontation.
"What the hell are you doing with Sarika?" she whisper-shouted.
"That is none of your business!" Romi countered.
"You know what? Normally, I keep my nose out of all the girls you get involved with. But this... This is different. Sarika is Ishita bhabhi's friend. Which makes her a family friend. And when your fling blows up-"
"Enough!" Romi yelled. "What the hell makes you think this is a 'fling' or that this is going to 'blow up'?"
"Can you blame me? We all know your track record with girls. Your longest relationship has lasted less than two months."
Romi rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Rinki, you do know that I never force anyone to do anything, right? I've never misled anyone, and I've never lied to anyone. All the girls I was involved with knew that I wasn't looking for anything serious. And they were okay with it."
"I know that bhai. I know you, and I trust you. That's why I never interfered with any of it. Heck, I've even covered for you in front of mom, dad, and Raman bhai. But this girl... She's not casual. Bhai, Sarika is head over heels in love with you. I can see it. And if anyone else were paying attention, they'd see it too. I mean, for heaven's sake! She's here making an effort, trying to gel in with your family! How many girls that you've dated have made that effort?"
Romi gulped. Sarika truly was a one of a kind girl. Unlike anyone else he'd ever met. He was the first girl he had fallen in love with. And now, years later, he had fallen in love with her again. A whisper inside his heart tried saying it was meant to be, but another voice from his head kept pulling him back.
"Bhai..." Rinki began again, gentler than before. "Please don't break her heart."
Romi's eyes darted up to his sister's. "I'm not going to. Ever."
Rinki knew he meant it.
But the woman who had overheard them from the other side of the door didn't believe it. Sarika didn't even know about all the other women Romi had dated. She had never had another relationship after Romi. Partly because her job and her mother's injuries took all her time. Partly because she could never get Romi out of her heart. She had thought Romi was probably in the same boat.
They had dated each other for two years now. They had shared all their secrets with each other. Or so she thought. Apparently she had been far too naïve. She brushed off her tears and went inside to gather her purse. She couldn't be here. Not when she had begun dreaming of a future with Romi, of a lifetime with the Bhallas. How could she be so stupid?
"Ishita ma'am, main chalti hoon," she said with a watery voice. "Maa ghar pe intezaar kar rahi hongi."
"Are you sure itni jaldi jaana hai?"
"Haan ma'am, jaana padega. Bye..." Sarika hoisted her purse on her shoulder and made it out of there. "Bye Simi ji, bye aunty," she waved to the other Bhalla women.
"Come, I'll escort you out," Ishita offered.
"No ma'am that's not necessary! Main chali jaaungi."
"I have to go anyway, Sarika. I think my husband is sulking next door. Come."
Ishita led Sarika outside. They found Romi and Rinki in the corridor.
"Tum dono yahan kya kar rahe ho?" Ishita asked.
"Nothing bhabhi. Just talking," Romi shrugged.
"Bye ma'am," Sarika said abruptly, before turning on her heels and heading down the stairs.
"Bye!" Ishita called out behind her. "And you don't have to call me ma'am anymore!" she added lightly.
While Ishita headed to the adjoining flat looking for her husband, Romi went down after Sarika to say bye. To his dismay, she slipped into a rickshaw and took off, ignoring his calls. A sinking feeling anchored in his chest.
Upstairs, another Bhalla brother battled with a similar sinking feeling. Ishita opened the door to her bedroom to find her husband scrolling through his phone in the balcony.
"This feels like déjà vu, you know," she said. "Walking into your bedroom to find you sulking, away from your family, scrolling through emails."
Raman turned around and found his very pregnant wife waddling in.
"The situation is a bit different. The building is different. But it's still déjà vu," she continued.
"What are you doing here?" Raman placed aside the boxed crib on the couch and made room for his wife to sit. "Here. Sit down."
Ishita plopped down on the couch, cradling her belly, rubbing her lower back. Raman sat down beside her, pocketing his phone.
"The déjà vu you're talking about? That was over three years ago," Raman replied, averting his eyes.
Ishita leaned into his shoulder and wrapped her hand around his arm. "Gussa ho mujhse?"
"Nahi, main kyun gussa hounga?" he lied. "Tumhe toh bada shauk hai na apne pati ko chod kar jaane ka? Toh jao."
"Raman, why are you being like this? I have to go."
"No you don't." Raman looked up at his wife. "Bol do sabko ki tumhe yahin rehna hai. Mere saath."
Ishita sighed. Truth be told, she didn't care about these customs as much as her parents did. Her maayka and sasural were so close together, she was being pampered by relatives on both side, so it didn't matter where she stayed. It had truly been a miracle pregnancy.
But even so, she knew she had to spend this time at the Iyer house. Her mother was looking forward to it, as was she, like any other woman undergoing her first pregnancy. Staying away from her husband wasn't going to be fun though. And they both knew it.
"Raman, Amma really wants me there for these last few weeks. And all women go to their parents' place until the delivery. Adi ke time pe Shagun nahi gayi thi kya apne maayke?"
"Gayi thi, but that was different."
"How so?"
Raman's eyes bore into hers. "She wasn't you."
Ishita smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "I'll be right next door. Jab chaahe chale aana."
"I know. But I'll still miss you." Raman leaned his head on hers.
"Sach kahun toh mujhe laga tha ki aap khush honge. Do mahine Jhansi ki Rani se chutkara mil jaayega. Koi kach-kach nahi, koi lectures nahi..."
"Shut up," Raman chuckled. "Tu bolti bahot hai madrasan."
He brought his lips down silenced his wife with a searing kiss.
.....................................................................................................................
36 WEEKS PREGNANT
Iyer House - Thursday, 11th November, midnight
Clang!
Bang!
Madhu snapped her eyes open. She got up and shook her husband awake.
"Vishwa! Aiyyo Vishwa, wake up!" she whispered. "There's someone in the house!"
"Huh... What...?" Vishwa asked groggily.
"Chor ghus aaya hai ghar mein!"
"Hey Murugan... Ab?"
"Aiyyo ab kya? Main dekhti hoon ise. I will beat him black and blue!" Madhu declared.
"Madhu! Madhu, wait!"
But Vishwa's zealous wife was already on her way. She gathered a blanket and tiptoed outside, grabbing the first thing she saw to use as a weapon.
"Aaram se Madhu," Vishwa whispered.
They tiptoed into the living room and found a moving silhouette along the wall.
"Now!" Madhu screamed.
She dropped the blanket onto the figure and swung her "weapon" at him. Vishwa brought down his fists. This thief was going to get his behind handed back to him.
"Chori karta hai! Sharif logon ke ghar mein chori karta hai!" Madhu yelled.
"Ruko tum! Abhi police ko phone karta hoon main!" Vishwa shouted.
"Wait! Wait, hold on!" a voice shouted through the blanket.
"Ab jo bhi bolna hai police ko bolna!"
"Amma, main hoon! Raman! Aapka daamaad!"
Madhu gasped. Vishwa almost yelped. By this time, Ishita had come outside, shaking off her sleep, awaken from the noise.
"What's going on here?" she asked.
"Aiyayayyo!" Madhu squealed, hastily taking off the blanket. Vishwa ran over and turned on the lights. Ishita gasped at the scene that appeared.
Raman was on the floor, hair and shirt disheveled, a tiny bruise appearing on his forearm. Madhu stood over him with a plastic hanger in her hand.
"Seriously Amma? Apne hi daamaad ko hanger se maara aapne?" Raman asked, shocked.
"Oh my god! Yeh sab kaise hua?" Ishita asked, coming forward.
Vishwa helped Raman onto the couch, and Madhu nervously fanned him with the pallu of her saree, as Ishita got him a glass of water.
"I'm so sorry Raman. Maine andar se aawaazein suni toh mujhe lagaa chor tha. Aiyyo murugan, apne maarumagan ko itna maara humnein..." Madhu whined.
"Lekin tum aise kyun aayein?" Vishwa asked. "Aur woh bhi itni raat ko?"
"Mujhe Ishita se milna tha," Raman answered between gulps of water.
Ishita slapped her forehead. This past month Adi, Ruhi, and Raman had spent more and more time at the Iyer house with Ishita. But none of them stayed overnight. Apparently her husband had chosen today for his first overnight stay. And he had decided to come in as a spy.
"Agar Ishu se milna tha toh insaano ki tarah aate na," Madhu scolded him. "What is this?"
"Galti ho gayi Amma, galti ho gayi. Aise pehelwaano ke parivaar mein shaadi karne ki galti ho gayi..."
"Kuch bhi Raman..." Ishita said. "Chalo abhi. Andar chalo mere saath."
"Kya kamaal ke log hai yaar..." Raman muttered.
Ishita helped her husband up. "Kamaal ke toh aap ho. Apne hi sasural mein choro ki tarah aate ho..."
They made it into Ishita's old bedroom, while Madhu and Vishwa went back to bed. Raman lied down onto the bed and Ishita joined him on the other side.
"Raman, you are reallly... just..."
"A hero?"
"No. You're a fool. Why would you sneak in like that?" Ishita asked.
"I was trying to surprise you."
"More like shock me. Aap bacchon ke saath aaye to the shaam ko? Humnein dinner bhi kiya tha. Toh phir aise kyun-"
"Shhh..." Raman pressed his index finger onto Ishita's lips. "You know other women would take this as a romantic gesture. Hero chori-chupke heroine ko milne aata hai. Isn't it romantic?"
Ishita narrowed her eyes. "I'm not other women." She brought her hand up and stroked his cheek, eyes softening. "You could've gotten hurt. And Amma-Appa, they could've-"
"Shhh... You really do talk too much madrasan. We're all okay. Everything's okay. And bonus, I get to sleep with my wife tonight."
Ishita rolled her eyes and giggled. She scooched closer and hugged her husband. "I am happy to see you, you know that?"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too."
Raman kissed his wife and held her close. Ishita snuggled into her husband's chest and for the first time in a month, she got a good night's sleep... even with the baby kicking and punching.
.....................................................................................................................
40 WEEKS PREGNANT
Akash Ganga Society Parking Lot – Friday, 10 December, 6 pm
"Ishita, be careful... Aaram se... Just breathe, okay? In and out, in and out..."
Raman opened the passenger door for his wife, balancing a baby bag on his other arm. Ishita formed an 'o' with her mouth and took in deep breaths, as she slowly slid into the passenger side.
"That's good. Just keep breathing. Just stay relaxed," Raman urged, as he threw the baby bag into the back seat.
"Raman, if you say the word 'breathe' again, I will punch you," Ishita hissed. "Just get in the car and – ouuuuch – just drive!"
Raman didn't need to be told twice. He got behind the wheel, shut the door, and drove.
Ishita's water had broken ten minutes ago, and according to Dr. Patel, it was finally time to go to the hospital. Raman had come home early when he heard of Ishita's early contractions. She had called her OB to ask if she should come to the hospital but apparently, she had to wait until her water broke. Which it had ten minutes ago.
Raman pressed on the gas and sped the car down the highway, keeping a cautious glance on his wife, whose knuckles were white and face screwed up in pain.
"Ishita, call Dr. Asha. Tell her we're on the way. Make sure she has a room for us," Raman suggested in an effort to distract her.
"Yes... Right, right... good idea."
Ishita dialed her OB and updated her on the situation, as Raman took the exit for the hospital. They were at the hospital fifteen minutes later, where Ishita was wheeled to a private room. After she was changed into a hospital gown and given an initial exam from a resident, Dr. Asha Patel came in to meet her patient.
"How's it going, Ishita?" she asked, slipping on a pair of gloves.
"I'm fine... Just... these contractions..."
"I know, I know. Let me just give you a quick exam and we'll see about that epidural, okay?"
"Oh thank god..."
Dr. Patel performed her preliminary exam and updated Ishita's chart. "Your labor is progressing well, Ishita. But you're only two cm dilated. Just hang tight for a couple hours, then you'll be ready for the epidural, okay?"
"Ughh..."
"Doc, what can we do in the meantime?" Raman stood by his wife's side, rubbing her back. "Ishita is in so much pain."
"Just keep doing what you're doing, Raman. Massage her between her contractions, feed her ice chips. Ishita, if you like, you can walk around. Roll on the birthing ball. Keep moving around, okay?"
Ishita nodded.
After a final note in her chart, Dr. Asha left to see other patients. Meanwhile, Raman sat down behind Ishita on the bed and massaged her lower back.
"Does this feel okay?" Raman asked.
Ishita nodded, leaning back into his chest.
"Do you want any ice chips? Or maybe walk around a bit?"
Ishita shook her head in the negative. All she could focus on was the sharp shooting pain of the contractions.
"Do you want me to call Amma or Mummy?" Raman asked. "We told them we'd call when it was time for them to come."
Ishita took in a deep breath. "No, don't call anyone right now. We'll call them later. Once the baby is here."
She wanted to keep this private. Just for the two of them. And truth be told, she couldn't deal with the overcrowding right now. Their family meant well, but some experiences warranted privacy.
Ishita stretched her legs as Raman kept massaging her back and belly, helping her into a comfortable position.
"Waise madrasan, kya lagta hai tujhe? Beta hogi ya beti?"
"Yeh kaisa sawaal hai? Mujhe kaise pata?"
"Phir bhi... Just take a wild guess."
"I don't know, Raman. You tell me."
"I think beti hogi. Just like you."
"Kuch bhi..."
Ishita leaned back and closed her eyes, growing tired. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead and her breathing grew labored. Raman wiped her sweat away with his handkerchief and kissed her on the crown of her head.
The next few hours passed by in a similar manner. Raman fed Ishita ice chips. She walked around the room in her hospital gown, breathing through contractions. She bounced on the birthing ball to relieve the discomfort. And to her relief, the anesthesiologist came in to administer the epidural.
It was a little past midnight when Dr. Patel deemed her dilated enough and her contractions close enough to start pushing.
"Okay mommy, with your next contraction, I'm going to ask you to push, okay?" Dr. Asha was seated between Ishita's legs at the foot of the bed, coaching her through childbirth.
"Okay..."
Ishita's next contraction began. Raman stood at her side, holding her hand.
"Push!" the doctor exclaimed.
"Aagghh!" Ishita pushed.
"You got this madrasan. Just squeeze my hand," Raman said, stroking her hair.
Moments later, the doc said, "Okay that's good... Stop now. Just relax for a bit."
This cycle went on and on for almost an hour. As each contraction peaked, Ishita pushed. As each contraction weaned off, Ishita relaxed.
"Ishita, this is it now," Dr. Asha said. "The baby's crowning. Just one final push, and the head will be out. And... go!"
Ishita's head fell back onto bed, sweat marring her hair and face. Exhaustion and fatigue screwed up her features.
"Ishita...?"
"I can't..." she groaned. "I... can't..."
"Yes, you can Dr. Bhalla. You have to!"
Dr. Patel was growing concerned. If Ishita didn't push on time, it could cause complications for the baby. Brain damage, airway complications... "Ishita, come on..." she pleaded.
Raman wiped the sweat off Ishita's forehead and pressed a chaste kiss. "Madrasan... hey, listen to me."
Ishita's eyes fluttered open.
"Tum meri Jhansi ki Rani ho na?"
Ishita nodded weakly.
"Aur tum apne jaisi hi Jhansi ki Rani ko janam de rahi ho, right? To thoda sa dard to hoga, haina?"
Ishita took in a deep breath and lifted her head. Her baby was almost here. She couldn't give up.
"That's it, my love. Just one last push. You can do this!"
"Come on, Dr. Bhalla...!"
Ishita mustered up every last ounce of strength left and pushed. "AAAGGHHH!"
Minutes later, the cries of a newborn rang throughout the room. Nurses and doctors were bustling about helter-skelter dealing with hospital monitors and the afterbirth. Pain and pressure radiated all through Ishita's body. But every background noise and sensation faded away. All Ishita could hear was her baby.
"Congratulations mommy!" Dr. Patel exclaimed. "It's a girl!"
She picked up the tiny wrinkly baby and gently placed her in Ishita's arms. A nurse helped her open her hospital gown for some skin-to-skin contact. Ishita held her baby close, crying in earnest, the pain of childbirth wearing away, giving way to instinctive maternal love. The wailing, wiggling baby calmed down as she felt her mother's heartbeat through her chest, and all Ishita could do was gaze at her girl with all the love in the world.
Tujhe godh me leke mai
Aj laad ladawan
Dekhe sapne neendon mein
Meethi loriyaan gaawan
"Daddy, do you want to cut the umbilical cord?" a nurse asked. "Mr. Bhalla?"
Raman jerked to awareness as he realized the nurse was talking to him. All he could see was his baby and his wife. All he could hear was his baby wailing and his wife sobbing from joy and emotion. Tears leaked from his eyes and he hiccupped from sheer overwhelming elation. His baby was here. He had only felt her in Ishita's belly, growing and kicking. But she was finally here now. After months of struggle with fertility treatments, after highs and lows of all kinds, their miracle baby was here in the world.
"Mr. Bhalla? Would you like to cut the umbilical cord?" the nurse repeated.
Raman nodded wordlessly, tears of love and joy leaking down his cheeks. The nurse guided him through the process, handing him a pair of scissors. He snapped the cord in two as instructed, and the nurse tied off the cord.
Hai ye duaayein tu
Jug jug jeeve
Hai ye duaayein tu
Jug jug jee
Mai vaari jawan
Minutes of chaos passed. Nurses helped Ishita and the baby clean up. The afterbirth was dealt with. Dr. Asha performed a neonatal examination on the baby, blowing out a breath of relief when she was deemed perfectly healthy. Even so, it was a while before anyone could catch a moment of quiet.
But now, Ishita and Raman sat on the hospital bed, their tiny bundle of joy in their arms, who was now quiet and exploring the world with her big blue eyes. Ishita kissed her soft head, stroking her face and inhaling her baby scent for the nth time. Raman had one arm around his wife and the other caressing his baby girl swaddled in a snowy white throw.
Ankhein teri bheegein kabhi na
O meri bitiyaa raani
Rab ne khushiyon ke dhagon se
Buni ho teri kahani
"I told you na, beti hogi," Raman whispered. "Jhansi ki Rani Jr."
"That was a lucky guess..." Ishita laughed.
"Nope, a father knows. Haina bacche?"
Their baby girl wriggled her tiny body, poking her hands out of her swaddle. Raman caught her hand, her tiny fingers wrapping around his digit, and dropped a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.
"Welcome to the family beta."
"Thank you humaare parivaar mein aane ke liye." Ishita kissed her daughter again. "Thank you Raman... for her, for everything."
Raman hugged his wife. "Don't thank me. This was all you. You went through hell and back to bring her here."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Dhup ke saye na tujhpe aayein
Dhup ke saye na tujhpe aayein
Sar pe tere harpal bas
Ho thandiyan chanwan
The door opened up a few minutes later as the early hours of dawn came up. A nurse came in to break up the party to help Ishita through her first breastfeeding session.
"I'll go outside and call home, okay?" Raman said. "They must be waiting for news."
"Are they-"
"I'll make sure they don't come until later today. Don't worry." He knew his wife needed lots of rest after the ordeal of the past 20 hours.
Raman left the room and dialed his home number while Ishita got ready to feed her baby.
Tujhe godh me leke mai
Aj laad ladawan
Dekhe sapne neendon mein
Meethi loriyaan gaawan
.....................................................................................................................
City Hospital, Labor & Delivery – ten hours later, late Saturday afternoon
"Congratulations Bhalla ji!"
"Aapko bhi bahot bahot badhai Iyer saab!"
Omprakash and Vishwa hugged each other while Toshi and Madhu rejoiced at the new arrival in their family. Mihika, Romi, and Rinki distributed sweets and chocolates in the waiting room, unable to hide their joy. Vandu, Bala, and Simi had called and texted their congrats early in the morning.
Meanwhile, Raman escorted Adi and Ruhi inside to meet their little sister.
"Come in guys," Ishita said. "Look who's here."
Adi and Ruhi came in and approached their mother who pointed at the crib beside her bed. With wondrous eyes, they gazed down at their baby sister. Her big blue eyes were closed, tiny rosebud lips slightly apart, as she peacefully slept after her last feeding.
"She's soooo cute mumma," Ruhi cooed.
"What's going to be her name?" Adi asked.
"We haven't decided yet," Raman answered. "Paati ko proper naamkaran vidhi karni hai. Aur tumhari dono bua ko naam decide karna hai. Sab logon ke wishes sort karne mein thoda time lagega."
The baby girl stirred awake as she heard the voices of her parents and siblings in the room. Raman picked her up and rocked her back and forth.
"Do you want to hold her?" he asked.
"Can I?" Adi said.
"Of course you can. She's your sister..."
Raman carefully helped Adi hold his baby sister. Ruhi grabbed her dad's phone and began taking pictures of their little family.
Ishita watched her husband and children bond together, watched their little bundle of joy get fawned over by her father and siblings, and every last bit of pain, discomfort, exhaustion, fatigue, and lingering weakness vanished. Her ordeal of the last two days had been worth it. Her ordeal of the last two years had been worth it.
As Raman had predicted, the naming ceremony occurred ten days later. Madhu had insisted all Brahmin Tamilian rituals be followed to name the baby. After all, Adi was named according to the Bhallas. Even Ruhi was given a name her father had picked out. It was only fair that the Iyers could name Ishu's third baby.
But Simi and Rinki had held their ground. They were the buas (aunts) after all. It was their right to name the baby. Eventually, the two families had arrived at a compromise. Madhu will host the naming ceremony and determine the kid's raashi (horoscope). Rinki and Simi would come up baby names based on the baby's horoscope. And the final name will be chosen by the parents.
And thus the naamkaran – or naming ceremony – had come upon them. A small simple pooja had been organized at the Iyer house. Ishita and Raman sat in front of the temple with their baby as a Tamilian priest chanted sanskirt mantras and created the baby's horoscope, accompanied by their families.
"Kya naam socha hai aapne?" the priest asked minutes later.
"Simi, Rinki..." Raman beckoned his sisters forward. "What names do you have for us?"
Both aunts presented a list of names according to the baby's horoscope. After a few minutes of deliberation with Adi and Ruhi, a name was decided.
"Apne bacche ka naam is thaali par likhiye aur apne beti ke kaan mein boliye," the priest instructed. "Aur phir sabko announce kijiye."
Raman dipped his finger in a vial of kumkum and traced his daughter's name on a rice-covered bronze thali. Ishita cradled her daughter in her arms as her husband whispered the chosen name in her tiny ear.
"Everyone," Raman addressed the families. "Please meet our daughter... Pihu Raman Bhalla!"
.....................................................................................................................
Author's Note: Hello everyone! I'm back after a long time! It's good to be back 😊❤️ I hope you guys have enjoyed this vital chapter. My babies had a baby! Our precious Pihu is here! 🤗👶🏻
Now getting to a more serious topic... I know over 50% of my readers are women under 30, and that's why I need to get this out there. Pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood is rarely (if ever) as smooth and happy as shown in popular media. The toll that pregnancy and childbirth take on a woman's body is not something to take lightly. It is a one of a kind experience, but do not romanticize it. It is not always (if ever) rainbows and sunshine. Raising a child comes with the same risks. It's not always smooth sailing.
I decided to write Ishita's pregnancy as a rather smooth one, simply because of how much she had already gone through. But life is hardly ever that fair. So please... If and when you decide to get pregnant, make sure it is a decision you have thought over thoroughly. I wrote Ishita and Raman as two financially stable and mature adults. They have a safe and stable marriage, with two extremely supportive and loving families. It's the ideal situation in which a baby can be brought into.
If and when you decide to have a baby, make sure you have thought all of these through: finances, stability of your relationship, loyalty and support system of the people around you. Be realistic. Take off the rose-tinted glasses. If your relationship or marriage isn't stable, if your life isn't sorted, bringing a baby in will NOT fix it.
Do you know of a heartbreaking statistic I recently found out? The leading cause of death in pregnant women in the US is homicide. A pregnant woman is more likely to get killed by the hands of a partner than die of pregnancy or childbirth related complications where I come from. It's horrible... but it's the sad truth. So please, be realistic and cautious when it comes to decisions like getting pregnant or becoming a parent.
Other than that, thanks for reading and thanks for hanging around with this ever prolonging, never ending story! I love you guys! 🤗❤️✨
Part 72
Bhalla House, Ishita & Raman's bedroom – a few days later, 3 am
Waaahhhh....!
Ishita's eyes shot open. Again.
"Coming mera baccha... Mumma's coming..." she groaned.
For the hundrenth time that night, Ishita got up from her bed, stretching her arms and blinking her exhaustion away. She picked up her crying, squealing baby girl from the crib and rocked her against her chest, as she carried her to the bed.
"Bhookh lagi hai mere bacche ko, huh? Pihu ko bhookh lagi hai?" she cooed.
After a quick diaper check, her suspicions were confirmed. Her baby indeed was hungry. Ishita unbuttoned her gown and leaned back onto the pillows, holding her baby close as she breastfed her.
"Bas bas... aaram se bacche..."
Ishita sighed and leaned back. She had been up at all hours these days, feeding, soothing, burping, cleaning... It was an experience unlike any other, one she was never going to forget. And one she wouldn't trade for anything in the world.
While Ishita stroked Pihu's head as she fed her, she felt Raman toss and turn beside her. He had insisted on waking up whenever Pihu did but Ishita was concerned. She had the privilege of sleeping whenever Pihu was asleep, the privilege of asking Toshi or Madhu for help in the daytime. But Raman however, was still working during the day, either at the office or from home (even if it were reduced hours). And she worried for his health. She worried he was taking on too much stress.
"Are you done, Pihu?" Ishita patted her baby's back as she finished up. "Okay baby, there you go..."
"Madrasan...?" Raman turned onto his side and groggily woke up. "Pihu uthi phir se?"
"So jaayiye Raman," Ishita urged. "I've got this."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
Raman closed his eyes and fell back against the pillow. Having fed Pihu, Ishita was now patting her on the back and rocking her to sleep. But her daughter was a combination of Raavan Kumar and Jhansi ki Rani; keeping her calm and quiet was not an easy task. Even after minutes of rocking and soothing, Pihu wouldn't quiet down. Ishita held her mewling child close, looking at her with pleading eyes, urging her to go to sleep.
"Pihu, please go to sleep baccha... Aisa kya karte ho?"
"Ishita, give her to me."
Raman was now sitting up, blinking away his sleep and running a palm down his face. He held his arms towards Ishita and pried his daughter out of her mother's grip. He stood up and held his baby upright against his chest, as he walked around, gently patting her back and murmuring sweet nothings.
"I'm sorry to wake you. I just... I don't know. Sometimes she gets so fussy-"
"Ishita, don't apologize. I told you, we're a team here. We'll get through this together," Raman assured her.
A squealing, wiggling Pihu slowly steadily calmed down against her father's chest. Ishita saw her eyes close as she drifted to sleep. Raman heard the even breathing of his baby girl and gently placed her in the crib. He dropped a light kiss on her chubby cheek before heading back to his wife on the bed.
"How do you do that?" Ishita asked, gazing at her husband in wonder, eyes growing tired. "Every time I try she just keeps crying and crying."
Raman climbed into bed beside her. "Maybe because she's daddy's girl. Like my Ruhi," he teased.
"I'm serious."
"She cries because she's a newborn. She's going to cry with everyone. With you, with me... This is how babies are. Don't worry about it too much. Just go to sleep. Your daughter will be probably be awake in another three hours again."
Ishita chuckled and sighed as she lied down and got under the covers with her husband. She thought she knew everything about being a mother. She thought her medical degree had taught her everything about childbirth, babies, and the postpartum period. But she was quickly realizing she had a lot to learn. Thankfully, she had people on her side with experience to help her.
"Don't think too much." Raman brought his arm around his wife and caressed her lovingly. "This is a new phase for both of us. We all just need time to adjust. Hmmm?"
Ishita hesitantly nodded. She was naturally prone to anxiety which only got worse when it came to her children. Especially when she was nervous of not being a perfect mom to her newborn.
"Shouldn't this come naturally to me, Raman?" she asked, voicing her concerns. "Why does it take me so much to soothe her?"
"First of all, it is coming naturally to you. You are doing everything right. You understand what Pihu needs based on how she cries, how she looks at you. Secondly, no matter how much you'd like to believe, you're not a superwoman. You are one person, and you can't do everything alone. That's what all of us are here for. You're allowed to lean on us. Okay? You're the one who told me that, remember?"
"Yeah, I remember," Ishita chuckled and nodded. "Okay."
"Now go to sleep."
Raman shut off the bedside lamp, keeping on a dim night light, and burrowed his head into the pillow. Ishita glanced at her baby's crib one last time before drifting into sleep.
.....................................................................................................................
Bhalla House – a month later, late January, 7:45 am
"Adi, Ruhi, hurry up!" Raman called out. "It's almost time for school!"
As the family settled down for breakfast, the elder kids ran out in their school uniforms and backpacks. But before they joined the breakfast table, they had another stop in the living room.
"Hi Pihu!"
"Good morning Pihu!"
Adi and Ruhi approached their little sister as their grandmother rocked the baby in her cradle. The kids waved at Pihu, who flashed them a toothless grin.
"Oh my god, she's smiling!" Adi exclaimed.
"She's soooo cute!" Ruhi squealed.
Ishita chuckled at her tableau of babies from the dining room. "You can play with her all you want when you guys come home in the evening," she instructed. "Right now, it's time for breakfast and for both of you to go to school. Come on."
Adi and Ruhi blew a kiss to Pihu before joining the breakfast table, leaving her under Toshi's watch, staring fascinatedly at sequins on her dupatta. Meanwhile, Ishita and Raman served their elder kids toast, fruit, and cereals for breakfast.
"You guys ready?" Raman asked when their plates were clean.
"I'm ready dad."
Adi shouldered his backpack and headed to the front door to put on his shoes. Raman finished his tea and zipped up his laptop bag. Ruhi gulped down her orange juice, as Ishita munched on a paratha.
"Aaram se Ruhi, dheere dheere pio," she said.
Ruhi wiped her mouth clean and set down the glass. "Mumma, guess what?!"
"What beta?"
"I got this assignment from school. We have to make an ecosystem project-"
Before Ruhi could finish however, Pihu started crying, grabbing Ishita's attention. Toshi was picking up her granddaughter from the cradle, trying to soothe her but to no avail.
"Kya hua mummyji?" Ishita asked. "Pihu kyun ro rahi hai?"
"Pata nahi puttar. Shaayad bhukh lagi hogi use," Toshi speculated.
"Lekin maine adhe ghante pehle hi use doodh pilaaya tha." Ishita dusted her hands off and walked over to her baby, leaving a half-eaten paratha.
"Puttar, tu naasta kar le. Main sambhaalti hoon tab tak."
But Ishita couldn't stomach another bite while her baby girl was wailing. "Main baad mein kha lungi, mummyji. Pihu ko mujhe dijiye."
As Ishita picked up her baby daughter and fussed over her, she momentarily forgot her other daughter and their conversation that had been cut short.
Ruhi looked on at the scene and bit her lip. She wanted to talk to her mumma. But Pihu needed her mumma too. She was used to being the youngest Bhalla, the kid who was fawned over and pampered and catered to at her whim. But now, another crying, screaming child was here who demanded everyone's attention, and Ruhi wasn't used to that. An unfamiliar prickly feeling crawled up her skin. She saw her mother go inside with her baby sister, leaving Ruhi behind.
"Ruhi-chuhi, come on!" Adi called out from the front door. "Warna school ke liye late ho jaayega!"
Ruhi gulped and climbed down from the chair. She grabbed her backpack, slid on her shoes, and wiped the frown off her face, as she joined her father and brother and left for school.
Minutes later, Ishita came back outside with a now quiet and satisfied Pihu (who was feeling better with a clean diaper). She dropped the baby into her grandmother's lap and turned her attention to Ruhi to finish their conversation. But to her dismay, Ruhi was nowhere to be seen.
"Ruhi kahan hai, mummyji?" she asked.
"Woh toh gayi puttar. Raman aur Adi ke saath school chali gayi."
Ishita's face dropped. "Kya?!"
She ran outside to the corridor, to the balcony, but Raman's car was gone, and so was her daughter, leaving their conversation unfinished. Her worst fears were coming to life. She had just ignored the daughter of her heart, her first child, for her flesh and blood.
"Ishita puttar? Ki hoya?" Toshi asked, worried at her daughter-in-law's disposition.
"Woh... woh mujhse kuch kehna chaahti thi... Ruhi ko baat karni thi aur maine nahi suna... Maine-"
"Koi gal nahi puttar, bas tu shaant ho ja." Toshi gently placed Pihu in the cradle and guided Ishita to the table. "Jo baat adhuri reh gayi woh shaam ko puri kar lena. Tab tak tu naashta khatam kar."
"Nahi mummyji, mujhe bhookh nahi hai ab."
Toshi sighed. "Aise nahi karte puttar. Delivery ke baad sehat ka khayaal rakhna aur bhi zyada zaroori hota hai. Tu baith aur woh paratha khatam kar. Neelu, bhabhi ke liye do-teen aur parathe bana."
"Lekin mummyji-"
"Chup!" Toshi pressed a finger to her lips and stopped Ishita's protests. "Maine kuch nahi sunna. Tu parathe khaa. Main tere liye palak aur methi ka saag banaati hoon. Leafy greens are great for women after delivery."
Ishita knew arguing against her mother-in-law was futile. So she gave in. As Toshi and Neelu worked in the kitchen, Ishita begrudgingly finished her breakfast. But even so, her mind kept going back to Ruhi... And how she had to make things right that evening.
.....................................................................................................................
Bhalla House, Adi & Ruhi's bedroom – 4 pm
Ruhi unzipped her backpack and emptied it on her bed. Notebooks, pencils, crayons, and marksheets fell out. She dug through her stuff and found what she was looking for: the sheet of instructions for her newest science project.
Present a 2D or 3D model of one of the following ecosystems: Tundra, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Aquatic (Marine or Freshwater)
Ruhi drew in a deep breath. Science was not always an easy subject for her. But the artistic aspect of this project was right up her alley. She could do this.
Just then, her head shot up, as a knock sounded on her bedroom door.
"Mumma?"
Ishita walked up to her daughter's bed and sat down, moving away the contents of your backpack. "Why do you always empty your entire backpack when you're looking for just one thing, huh bacche?"
Ruhi shrugged.
"What were you looking for?"
Ruhi showed her mother the science project instructions.
"Is this what you wanted to talk to me about this morning?" Ishita asked.
Ruhi nodded.
"Come here." Ishita set aside the paper and pulled Ruhi onto her lap. "I'm sorry humaari baat adhuri reh gayi thi subah. But now, I'm all ears. Batao mujhe, what do you need?"
Instantly, the little girl's face lit up. "Well, I was thinking we could make a poster, right? So we choose the lake as our ecosystem, like acquatic life and all, and we could use blue posterboard..."
Ruhi animatedly went on and on about all her ideas for her project, and the nagging voice in Ishita's head quieted for the first time since the morning.
"Your ideas sound great beta," Ishita smiled. "How can I help?"
"Can we get the supplies and start working today? The project is due next week."
"Of course!"
"But mumma..." Ruhi's smile dropped. "What if Pihu needs you?"
Ishita dropped a light kiss on her angel's cheek. "I was with Pihu all day beta. And I already fed her. So she'll be okay with Dadi and Paati for a while. So while Adi bhaiya finishes his football practice, we'll start working on your project, okay?"
"Okay, mumma."
"Come on. I think we have some posterboard and paint in the storeroom from when Adi bhaiya was making his history project. But before that-" Ishita pointed to the mess on Ruhi's bed. "-you need to tidy this up."
Ruhi organized her bed and backpack at record speed before she dragged her mother to the storeroom. They emerged from the storeroom with a load of supplies, including posterboard, paint tubes, paintbrushes, markers, scissors, and glue.
The mother-daughter duo set up shop in the kids' bedroom and set to work. Ruhi drew the lake and bushes and began painting them blue and green. Ishita cut up and glued fish, frogs, and other aquatic life on the poster.
A couple hours later, when they were busy painting the clouds and sun, Neelu came in to break up the party.
"Bhabhi, Pihu chid-chid kar rahi hai. Mummyji ne kaha main aapko bolu."
Ruhi found the same prickly feeling crawling up her spine.
"Haa, use bhookh lagi hogi. Main bas Ruhi ka kaam khatam karke aati hoon do minute mein," Ishita replied.
She went back to painting the clouds but at twice the speed. Pihu needed her. But so did Ruhi.
Ruhi breathed a sigh of relief. Mumma was staying here, thank god. But the prickly feeling didn't go away. If anything, it only got worse. Because outside, she could hear Pihu's cries get louder and the thought of her baby sister sobbing made her more nervous than any kind of trivial sibling jealousy. Mumma needed to go. Now.
Ruhi snatched the paintbrush out of her mother's hand.
"Kya hua Ru?" Ishita asked, eyebrows scrunched in confusion.
"Aap jao mumma. Pihu ro rahi hai."
Understanding dawned in Ishita's eyes. "Are you sure beta? Aapka project?"
"Hum baad mein finish karenge. Aap pehle Pihu ko chup karao," Ruhi urged. She was a big sister now. It was time for her to grow up.
Ishita smiled at her little girl who was not so little anymore. She had grown from a scared, quiet, innocent four-year-old to the lively, fiesty, and yet mature eight-year-old.
"Okay beta. Why don't you wrap up painting these clouds and the sun for now? Then we'll finish the project later," Ishita suggested.
Ruhi nodded and smiled, as Ishita stood up and walked out to feed her baby girl.
.....................................................................................................................
Bhalla House, Ishita & Raman's bedroom – a few weeks later, early March, 2 pm
"And what about the increased production costs we're dealing with? How do we maintain our profit margin?" Raman spoke into the laptop. He was virtually attending a staff meeting with Mihir, Romi, and a few other top management members.
"We could lay off some staff. Or cut back on bonuses and promotions," a board member suggested.
"That's going to be detrimental in the long term," Mihir countered. "Less staff means less productivity. And a staff with no motivations or rewards is worse."
"The best solution is to increase our prices," Romi offered. "It's the only way to keep up."
Their discussion went on throughout the meeting as the group discussed their new policies and procedures. Raman kept an eye at the crib beside him, where Pihu lay asleep.
Ishita had just bathed and fed the baby less than an hour ago before going out with Mihika and Rinki for a yoga session as part of her workout plan to lose that adamant baby weight. She had more errands to run for the house, and school was ending early today which meant Ruhi and Adi would be home soon. And thus, Raman had decided to work from home today to look after the kids.
Speaking of whom, his baby girl let out a cry just as the meeting was ending. He pressed the end call button and picked up Pihu. After a quick diaper and clothes change, he held her against his chest and patted her on the back to lull her back to sleep.
"Dad!" The front door chimed open and Adi's booming voice rang through house. He came bustling through his parents' bedroom door to find his father rocking his baby sister to sleep.
"Shhhh!" Raman warned. "Don't wake her up."
Adi caught his tongue between his teeth. "Oops... Sorry," he whispered. "Why do babies even sleep so much?"
"Because they're little and growing," Raman replied. "What's up Adi? Why were you looking for me? And where's Ruhi?"
"Ruhi went across to hall. Tata was calling us for Paati's payasam. I'm going there in a bit, but I wanted to see you first."
Raman shifted Pihu from one arm to the other, gently patting her back. Adi fished through his backpack and took out a yellow form.
"We're going on a field trip next month to this museum and camp site, and we need a parent's signature. Can you sign it for me?"
"Yeah sure. Leave the form on my desk and I'll read through it and sign it, okay?"
"Okay, thanks dad!"
Adi left the form on his father's desk and headed over next door to join Ruhi for their Paati's famous payasam. Raman felt Pihu calm down on his shoulder and heard her even breathing indicative of sleep, as he laid her down in her crib. He turned his attention towards Adi's school form, only to be distracted by his vibrating phone.
A string of texts from Mihir indicated a hitch with one of their board members who was asking for an urgent phone call with company CEO. Raman made the call and dealt with angry board members and stubborn clients.
Unfortunately, that meant he forgot about Adi's school form that needed signing. And he didn't remember until the next morning when Adi reminded him.
"Dad, did you sign that form?"
Raman swiveled his head from the mirror as he buttoned his coat to find his son standing at his bedroom door.
"What form?"
"The yellow form for my field trip. The one I gave you yesterday, remember?"
That's when realization dawned in his eyes. "Oh yeah! The form for your field trip!"
Raman rushed over to his desk and shuffled through his papers to look for Adi's form. He found it under a stack of policy statements, skimmed through it, and quickly signed it.
Adi chewed his lip with upset. It stung that his father had forgotten about a trip he was so eagerly looking forward to. It stung that after the baby's arrival, attention was divided. He was already used to Ruhi being the center of attention, but he had also enjoyed being the apple of the Bhallas' eyes. Especially after being away from home for so long.
He couldn't help but feel like something was slipping away from his hands. Something he had found after years and years.
"Adi?"
His father's voice brought him out of his head.
"Here's your form, beta. I'm sorry I forgot about it."
Raman handed his son the form, nervously picking up on the frown marring his face. He knew how he must be feeling. And right now, he didn't know whether to gently apologize or be tough and explain the reality of life and relationships.
"Adi-"
"I have to go dad. Dadu's going to drop me and Ruhi off at school. Bye!"
And the boy was out the door and down the stairs before his father could get a word in edgewise.
.....................................................................................................................
Akash Ganga Society Garden – the next weekend, 11 am
"Dad, what are doing here?" Adi asked, following his father to the front of the building.
Raman led him to the landscaping garden at the society gates. "We are going to do some gardening."
"What?"
"Come here."
Raman beckoned his son to his nearby parked car and opened his trunk to reveal pots of rose, jasmine, and bluebonnet saplings.
"You know, every time we've passed this patch of soil this winter, someone from the family has commented on how badly it's maintained. How so many flowers and plants have withered away," Raman explained.
Adi nodded. "Dadi always comments on it. Even chachu," he agreed.
"Yup. But talking and complaining won't fix it, will it?"
Adi shook his head in the negative.
"Exactly. Bolna bahot aasaan hai lekin karna mushkil. So today, instead of talking, we're going to do something about this unkempt and withered garden. Help me plant these new saplings. Come on."
With Adi's help, Raman unloaded the trunk of his car. They rid the garden of drying plants and weeds and dug up holes for the new ones. Together, they planted new saplings of flowers, and Adi struggled to hold in his smile. It had been a while since he had some one-on-one time with his father, man to man.
"Beta, are you still upset about that field trip form I forgot to sign?" Raman asked, patting down some soil.
Adi sighed. "Not anymore. It happens, right? Everyone forgets something once in a while."
"That's true. And if your mother or I ever forget something again, you have to remind us, right?"
"Hmm?"
"You're growing from a boy to a young man. So as a big brother to your two little sisters, can you help us out when Ishimaa or I forget something? If we're falling back on anything?"
Raman held his expectant gaze at his son. He had decided to take another strategy with him. Adi was growing up. He was safe and secure, coccooned in a loving family, and it had been years since his cutoff from Shagun. They had brought his childhood back. But his responsible, mature side needed to be nurtured just as much.
Maybe the best way to get Adi to rise above sibling jealousy would be to encourage his protective older brother side, the part of him that clung to responsibility. If he understood that he was not in competition with Ruhi or Pihu, he would shed these insecurities.
Adi gulped and chewed his lip. Ever since the day he had met Ruhi, he had been instinctively protective of her, love and affection flowing through his veins for his little sister. Even when he was at odds with his father, even when he had considered Ishimaa as an outsider stepmother. Ruhi never warranted any ill will. He felt the same love, affection, and urge to protect for his baby sister Pihu. And he realized, in that moment, how silly it was to feel jealous of those baby girls.
He was an older brother to two younger sisters, and now, it was his turn to be responsible. Amma and Papa's love was a well that would never run dry. He knew as much in his bones. And that confidence was enough for him to rise above any lingering insecurities from his previous tumultuous life.
"Okay dad," Adi conceded. "I'll help you out. Don't worry about it."
Raman smiled and held out his fist. Adi flashed a grin and fist-bumped his father. They finished up with the saplings and dusted the soil off their clothes before they headed inside.
"We should water these plants too, right?" Adi asked. "And what about fertilizer-"
His question was cut short as the father-daughter duo bumped into two people exiting the building.
"Kahan chali savaari?" Raman asked. "Romi? Rinki?"
"Uh... we're just going out for a bite," Rinki answered.
"We'll be back soon!" Romi exclaimed.
Before their elder brother could ask more questions, Romi and Rinki got onto his bike and sped off.
It had been many weeks since Romi and Sarika's last peaceful conversation. Since she had found out about his ex-girlfriends at Ishita's baby shower, she had lost faith in their relationship. She wasn't ready to hear Romi's excuses, and he was getting tired of having to defend himself when he hadn't done anything wrong. And in the process, their relationship had crumbled.
That's when Rinki had intervened. She didn't know if her brother was serious about a long-term relationship with Sarika. But what she did know was that he would never hurt her on purpose. The least they both deserved was a chance to talk it out face to face. Best case scenario, they resolve their differences and get back together. Worst case scenario, they break up but at least have closure.
.....................................................................................................................
Starbucks – noon
"Are you sure she's coming?" Romi bounced his knee nervously, swirling his coffee in impatience.
Rinki sighed. "Yes. For the last time, I promise you she's coming. I called her to discuss something unrelated to you."
"What exactly?"
"I cooked up a story about working with someone from the medical field for a computer algorithm."
"How would that even work?"
"I don't know! It's not like I'm really going to talk about that stuff, am I? I just need to get her here so she can talk to you."
"Fair enough..."
"And stop being so nervous or else you're going to spill your coffee."
Romi set his coffee on the table but it did nothing to stop the nerves. The door chimed open and his nerves racked up as Sarika walked in. Even in a simple sea green kurti she looked gorgeous.
Sarika scanned the room and smiled at Rinki. And then her eyes landed on Romi and the smile dropped.
"What is he doing here?!" Sarika stormed to their corner table and tossed her purse on an empty chair. "Rinki? What is this?!"
"Okay, calm down..." Rinki stood up and urged Sarika to listen. "Just hear him out. One last time. Come on..."
"No, I can't-"
"Sarika, please..." Romi pleaded in a gruff voice. "Give me one chance. Just one. After that if you decide it's over, I won't say a word."
Sarika looked up at her boyfriend (or ex-boyfriend, she didn't know yet) with a heart pounding and aching at the same time. Against her head's better judgement, she nodded yes. Because at the end of the day, she loved him. So much that it hurt.
Romi took a deep breath and stood up, nervously pocketing his hands. Rinki grabbed her coffee and backed away to give them space.
"Sarika look..." Romi began. "Whatever happened with all the other girls is in the past. Right now, you are my present."
"Then why didn't you tell me anything about that?" Sarika countered. "I'm not mad that you had other relationships, I'm mad that you never told me! I mean... if I hadn't overheard your and Rinki's conversation the other day, I might have never found out!"
"I didn't tell you because they didn't matter to me! No other girl matters to me, only you do!"
Sarika swiped the budding tears from her eyes. "I have a hard time believing that. How do I know I'm not just another one of those girls for you? How do I know what we have is serious?"
"Because..."
"Because what?!"
"Because it was always you!" Romi blurted out.
Sarika was taken aback. Even Rinki blinked in shock.
"What?"
Romi sighed. "You were my first love. My first and... and only love. Yes, I had other relationships, I met other girls, but all of that never went beyond a few dates here and there. Cafés or restaurants or college events... But none of that went beyond a certain... limit. The only real, intimate relationship I've had... was with you. It was you all along."
Wind whistled in Sarika's ears. She couldn't tell whether Romi was sincere or not. Her heart screamed it was real. Their summer love a decade ago was real. Their budding relationship over the past two years was real. But her brain refused to let her believe it.
"Do you mean that?" she asked. "You're really saying what we have is real?"
"One hundred percent. I wanna marry you one day Sarika. If you'll have me. You're it for me, baby."
Sincerity dripped from Romi's eyes and voice, and without a second doubt, Sarika took the leap. She believed her heart. She threw her arms around the love of her life and tears of joy leaked out her eyes. Romi squeezed her in a tight hug, burying his nose in her hair, breathing a sigh of relief.
"I love you, Romi. So much."
"I love you too, Sarika. You're my whole heart."
Rinki smiled from behind her cup, almost chuckling at her brother. She knew Romi must have had real feelings for Sarika to be this distraught over her, but hearing his declaration that she was his one true love caught her off guard.
Now here was one more heartwarming love story added to the stories in their house. Her parents' old school love, Simi di's arranged turned love marriage, Mihir-Mihika's playful friends to lovers story, Raman bhai & Ishita bhabhi's enemies to lovers story, and now... Romi bhai and Sarika's second chance romance.
.....................................................................................................................
| topics | author | replies | views | reply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -SG- | 1 | 238 | ||
| ChanChanMan | 1.1k | 156.4k | ||
| -SG- | 1 | 274 | ||
| --PriyaRay-- | 7 | 1.2k | ||
| Phoenix- | 3 | 642 |
comment:
p_commentcount