'Matlab?'
He stood there, still looking confused.

'Kya matlab matlab? Baat samajh nahin aayi kya? I said we are going home..'

'I heard you, but I don't understand..yun achanak? I thought you would complete that..Ma kya bolti hain..sawa mahina..here..'

'Han, woh to theek hai..'

'To phir? Abhi to two weeks baqi hain na..'

'To, koi rule hai kya? Ke uss se pehle maikay se wapas nahin ja sakte?'
Sonakshi reached over and pulled his cheeks, at his dumbfounded expression.
'You are so cute Rohit..pata hai?'

Rohit let her pull his cheeks, and made a face.
'Mujhe to pata hi hai, tumhe kabhi kabhi pata chalta hai..waise, yeh sudden change of plans kyun?'

'Aise hi, woh Mom bhi bol rahi thi..'

'Mom?'
Rohit lifted an eyebrow. 'Unhun ne bola tumhe? Did she force you? Mom bhi na..maine bola bhi tha unhe..woh..'

'Rohit! Rohit!'
Sonakshi stopped him by putting a finger on his lips.
'Suno to..Mom ne koi force nahin kiya! Abhi jab woh mujhe dekhne aayin thi Pari ke saath, to udaas lag rahi thi. She's really missing you! Or Arihaan ko bhi..'

'Woh to theek hai, but I told her..'

'Aray! Tumhari Mom hain! Kab se tum yahan ho, hamare saath. To yaad to karengi hi na. Or agar hum unko khush karne ke liye chale jayenge, to iss mein kya burai hai? Batao?'
Sonakshi tried explaining.

'But yahan Ma bhi to udaas hojayengi na. Ke tum time se pehle hi chal di..unka dil kyun torrna hai? Mom to samajh jayengi..'

'Or Ma nahin samjhengi? Come on, Rohit! Ma ko pata hai ke mujhe jaana to hai. Or phir, unke saamne hi saari baat hui thi Mom se. So chill..and don't feel so bad. Kya tum khush nahin ho apne ghar jaane se?'
Sonakshi looked up at him, stroking a hand up his arm.

'Maine tum se pehle bhi kaha tha, ke mere liye jahan tum or mere bachay hain, wahi ghar hai..so, I don't have a problem. Mein to bas tumhare liye..Ma ke liye bol raha tha..'
Rohit stroked his finger down her cheek, where the bruise from her fall had started to lessen now.

'To theek hai na phir. Done hai! Chalo phir, jaldi karo..baaten karne mein time kyun waste kar rahe ho?'

'What? Mein time waste kar raha hun?'
His eyes widened, and Sonakshi chuckled.
'Or mera samaan..'

'All packed!'
Sonakshi indicated his trolley case on the floor.

'Tum to poori tayaari ke saath ready ho! Ek mein hi hun jisse kuch khabar nahin hai..'

'Ab to hogayi na..to chalo, chalo..'
She began moving the bags.

'Oh, hello! Itna over honay ki zaroorat nahin hai! Leave that bag..'

'Aray, par iss mein wheels hain..I'll just drag them..'

'Sona!'
He gave her a stern look, and she lifted her palms in surrender.

'Okayyy..finneee!'
She emphasised.

There was a knock on the door, and Pulkit peeped through.
'Need help?'

'Aao saalay sahab! Tumhara hi wait kar raha tha..ab yeh kaam bhi mein karunga? Chalo..yeh bags neechay pohnchao..'
Rohit said in an authoritative tone, which Sonakshi was surprised to hear.

Pulkit didn't seem to find anything wrong, and quickly lifted two, and moved out.

'Rohit! Yeh kya tum..'
She gestured to Pulkit. And to  her surprise, Rohit chuckled.

'Zara Jiju wala roab jhaar raha tha..relax!'
Rohit clucked his tongue, and Sonakshi rolled her eyes.

'Wah, Jiju, wah!'

'Oye! Tum kisse Jiju bol rahi ho?'
Rohit pulled her by the waist towards himself.
'Tumhara Jiju ho ke aise thori kar sakta tha..'
And he bent and nuzzled against her neck.

'Rohit!'
Sonakshi tried to move him away, but his lips had found the pulse beating at her neck.
'Stop!!'

'I'm your husband and your lover..and that's what I want to stay..forever!'

'Oops! Sorry!!'
Pulkit's voice had Rohit jump away from Sonakshi.
'Woh mein to samaan lene..'

'Yeah..it's okay..'
Rohit was a bit red faced, and Sonakshi couldn't help but giggle.
Rohit gave her a quick glare, and turned to Pulkit.
'Kharay kharay kya dekh rahe ho? Uthao samaan..'

Pulkit looked a bit embarrassed himself, and quickly averting his eyes, hurried out with more bags.

'Rohit! Bechara..'

'So? He should known better, and have knocked..'

'But usse kya pata hoga ke do minute mein hi tum kamray ke door pe kharay ho ke shuru ho jaoge aise?'
Sonakshi was laughing at him now.

'Hans lo! Lekin mujhse bach ke ab jao gi kahan..time is nearing..and I will take my badla..'

'Hang on! What? Time is nearing? Take badla? Kis cheez ka time? Or kon sa badla?'
Sonakshi knit her eyebrows together, looking puzzled.

'Waqt aane pe pata chal jayega..'
He gave her a secretive look, and picked up a couple of bags, before turning around, and leaving the room, while Sonakshi stood there looking after him.

***************************

'Sona! Tum jaanti nahin ho, tumne kitni khushi di hai mujhe..hum sab ko! Yeh ghar bohot hi zyada soona hogaya tha..'
Veena looked emotional, as she hugged Sonakshi.

Rohit and family had arrived a while back, to a lot of excitement. Everyone had gathered around, hugging Arihaan, and Mishaye, the latest Sippy member.

Leaving Rastogi House had been an emotional time too, especially for Sonakshi, who felt as if she was leaving it for the first time.
Rohit had had to hug her close, as she cried and cried.

'Come on, Sona! Aise kyun ro rahi ho? Mujhe dard hota hai tumhe aise dekh ke..please..'
But Sonakshi had continued sobbing against his shoulder, wetting his t-shirt in the process.
'Or phir, jab chaho aa sakti ho..Sona! Aise karo gi to mein saara samaan wapas nikaal dunga gaari se..abhi ke abhi..'
Sonakshi shook her head vigorously against his chest.
'To bas, chup karo..right now! Dekho, Arihaan bhi pareshaan ho raha hai..'

Sonakshi lifted her head slightly, to see Arihaan looking at her, unsure of what was wrong.
He had been a bit apprehensive around her, ever since she had come back from the hospital, after he had seen her lose consciousness. He had been hiding behind Rohit, then Suman or Anil, whenever Sonakshi would come to him, before talking to her.
But Rohit, and her parents both, had assured her, that he was just in a bit of a shock, never having seen her that way.
He would chant 'Mama, owie! Mama, owie!'

Right now, he looked from her, to Rohit, trying to comprehend what was going on, and why his mother was crying.

'Arihaan, come here!' Sonakshi moved away from Rohit, and spread her arms wide.
After a moment's hesitation, he came running to her, and wrapped himself around her legs.
'Mera beta..kya hogaya?'

Rohit lifted him in his arms, so that Arihaan could be on level with Sonakshi, since Sonakshi still wasn't lifting him or heavy things.

'Mama, sad? Owie? Ihaan sad!'
He reached over and touched her wet cheek. Sonakshi closed her eyes, a fresh set of tears, threatening to fall.

'Mama thori sad hain. Apne Mama Baba ko chorr ke ja rahi hain na, bas iss liye..'

'Ihaan jaye Mama Baba saath..sad no!'

'Yes, Arihaan is lucky. Uss ke paas uss ki Mama, Baba or baby sister hogi na..'

'Baby nahin jaana. Ihaan jaaye Mama saath.'

'Aray, mera monkey..'
Rohit smiled at him.
'Baby ko chorr diya to Mama Baba dono sad hojayenge na..'

'Baby Nano Nanna paas..happy!'
Everyone looked at him in wonder, surprised at his words.

'What a sharp kid..us ki samajh mein araha hai ke baby ko yahan chorrne se hum khush hongay..'
Anil was awed.

'That's great, Arihaan! Lekin phir baby miss karegi na Mama Baba ko..to usse saath le jaana parega. She's small na..'
Rohit tried to explain.

'Baby smallll..Ihaan bigggg..'

'Han, beta..'

'Chalo ab tum log niklo, iss se pehle ke Veena ji ka phone ajaye..'
Suman wiped the corner of her eyes, as she controlled herself, and hurried them off.

There were then more hugs, and goodbyes before they finally left.

'Han, Mom! Maine to bola tha Sona se. Ke kuch din or ruk hi jaate hain..magar iss ko bari jaldi..ouch!'
Rohit exclaimed, as Veena pulled his ear.
'Kya hua, Mom!'

'Achaa, tumhe wahin rukna tha? Bari dosti hogayi apni saas se, ke maa ko hi bhool gaye?'
Veena twisted his ear further.

'Aray, Mom..kya aap bhi! Aisa maine kab kaha..mein to bas..'
Rohit furrowed his brows.

'Sab pata hai mujhe! Uss din bhi jab mein gayi thi, to tumhari tareefon ke pull baandh rahi thi..'

'Aray..Sona..tum hi kuch bolo..'

'Sahi keh rahi hain, Mom! Bohot zyada dosti..meri khoob shikayaten ki hain un dono ne mil ke..'
Sonakshi made a face.

'Aray, bhaee! Chorro mere bete ko. Itne din baad to ronaq aayi hai ghar mein, Veena, or tum yeh sab kya le ke beth gayin.'
Naren freed Rohit from his mother.

'Thankyou, Papa! Koi to hai samajhne wala..'
Rohit gave Sonakshi a glare, while stroking his ear, against the assault to it.

Sonakshi just stuck her tongue out at him, while he gave her a 'wait-till-I-get-you-alone' look.

It feels good to be back..my family with me..

Rohit thought, as everyone sat and chatted together.

***************************

'Oh..my..God!'
Sonakshi gasped, as she entered their room, with Mishaye in her arms.

Rohit had been switching on the lights, and he turned to see what had gotten Sonakshi to react that way.
He stopped to look as well, because the whole room was decorated with balloons, pink in colour, and a banner, announcing the arrival of 'Princess Mishaye'.

'Wow!'

Sonakshi turned to look at him.
'I know!'

There was a knock on the door, and Ajit and Pari arrived, with Arihaan in Pari's arms.

'Kaisa laga surprise?'
Ajit asked, as he came in.

'Awesome! Bohot beautiful lag raha hai room.'
Sonakshi deposited Mishaye on the bed.
'Yeh tum logon ne kab..'

'Jaise hi Mom ne bataya, to Pari bohot excited hogayi thi. Itne calls kiye mujhe ke yeh le ke aana, woh leke aana..'
Ajit slapped his palm over his forehead.

'Wow! Thankyou, you guys! It's a wonderful surprise!'
Sonakshi said, again.

'Wait, Di! Watch this..'
Pari went and plugged in a wire, and turned off the lights at the same time, plunging the room in darkness.

'What..woww!'
Rohit said, as the room lit up with tiny fairy lights, that they hadn't noticed till now, all over.

'This is gorgeous! I love it!'
Sonakshi sounded excited.

'Chachu, magic!'
Arihaan clapped his hands, and everyone laughed.

'Yes, mera bacha! Magic lights!'
Pari gave him a peck on his cheeks.

'Chalen, Pari? Ab yeh log bhi rest kar len..'

'Hum kon sa foreign trip se laut ke aaye hain ke rest kar len?'
Rohit gave a sardonic laugh.
'Han, tumhe bari jaldi hai, to yahan kyun kharay ho? Jao, biwi ko lo, and go and rest!'
Rohit's tone and emphasis left no doubt of what he meant.

And Pari blushed, even in the low lights.
They all chuckled good naturedly, as Pari put down Arihaan, and moved towards the door with Ajit.

'Good night Jiju, good night Bhabi..'
They sing songed, as they left the room, hand in hand.

Rohit noticed and came towards her.
'How lucky they are..'
He put his hands on both sides of her waist from behind, and pulled her towards himself, so that her back was touching his front.
Sonakshi was a bit startled, when he planted an open mouthed kiss on her neck, his stubble causing her to shiver.

'Rohit..'

'Hmm..'
Rohit moved his lips to the other side of her neck.
'Or kitne din tarrapna parega..'

'Rohit..kya kar rahe ho? Chorro na..'

'Hmm..ek kiss hi de do, to tide me over..'

'Tide you over for what?'

'Till we can get our version of rest so to speak..'
His mouth shifted to her ear, and Sonakshi shivered, as his breath fanned in her ear.
'A kiss..'

'Mama! Ihaan kissie please..'
Sonakshi and both looked down, to see Arihaan tugging at Sonakshi's shirt.
Sonakshi threw Rohit a look, and he also couldn't help but grin, at the innocence of their son's request.

Rohit lifted him in his arms.
'Mera monkey..'
He leaned Arihaan close to Sonakshi, and she kissed him soundly on the cheek.
He in turn kissed her back, imitating the same sound she had made, making Sonakshi smile.
'Or Baba ka kiss?'
Rohit made a sad face, and Arihaan slapped his forehead, with his hand.

'Sorry!'
And as Sonakshi and Rohit looked on in delight, he kissed Rohit on the cheek too.

Rohit kissed Sonakshi, who kissed Arihaan, then Arihaan kissed Sonakshi.
Just then, they heard Mishaye give a wail.
They both laughed at their kids timings.

'Sona! Mein pakka bata raha hun, in dono ke andar sensors hain..'

'Rohit! Kuch bhi..'
Sonakshi shook her head at him, as she moved to the bed, and lifted Mishaye in her arms.

'Kya matlab? Hamara 'we' time kab hoga?'
Rohit complained, as he began to change Arihaan's nightsuit, while Sonakshi was busy feeding Mishaye.

'Yeh 'we' time hi hai, Rohit! You, me, Arihaan, Mishaye..'

'I understand..'
Rohit said meekly, as he placed Arihaan in his playpen, and Sonakshi looked at him in surprise.

'You do? That's gr...'

'Ab itne din se door ho, maanta hun, to asar hogaya hai shayad..'

'Kya bolay ja rahe ho?'
Sonakshi asked, puzzled, as Rohit walked over to the bed, where she sat.

'Yehi..ke mere 'we' mein there are only two people included..'you' and 'me'!'

'Par, Rohit..'

'Lagta hai yaad dilaana parega..'
He came to sit next to her, and leaned over to kiss her.

Sonakshi gave him a funny look, and poked a finger on his chest, pushing him back with it.
'Uss ki koi zaroorat nahin..'

'Nahin, Sona! Bilkul hai..tum apne husband ki aadaton ko bhool gayi ho..to mein tumhe yaad dilaana chahta hun..'

'Mein apne husband ko bohot achi tarha se jaanti hun..or uss ki aadaton ko bhi..'

'Nahin, nahin! Jaanti hoti to khud hi bolti..'

'Acha? Kya bolti mein?'

'Yehi..ke Rohit, mein tayaar hun, tum poori tayaari rakho..'
Sonakshi snorted at that.
'What? Sahi bol raha hun..'

'Kya bol rahe ho, can you hear yourself?'

'Han na, I want to know that you are waiting for that moment like I am..'
His tone became husky, as he ran a finger down her cheek,  sending a shiver down Sonakshi's spine.

'Rohit..tumhe sadma hua hai koi, aisa lagta hai..'

'Sahi kaha..sadma..yeh dukh tum kya jaano, Sonakshi Sippy?'

'Sab jaanti hun..'

'Jaanti ho to bolo..'

Rohit pretended to look shocked, as she pretended to think over it.

'Finnnee!'
Rohit hmphed, pouted, and stood up to leave, but Sonakshi caught his hand.

'Aray, aray, hero! Ruko to! Kahan chalay..'

'Kahan jaunga? Sonay..'

'Aray..'

'You do what you want to..I have to..what?'
He stopped, as Sonakshi grinned at him.
'Kya hai?'

'Mein tayaar hun...'

To be continued..