Being pregnant, apparently isn't easy! To all the mothers in the world, and to all the mothers existent in timelines of past, present and future, you have my heart which is filled with massive respect, with questions on how did you pull it all off, and more massive respect!

I am in that phase of my pregnancy where I am ridden by morning sickness and ironically, also by weird cravings. Things I hated before are some of my favourite foods now and I cannot stand the smell of certain dishes at all. The weakness slowly has started to wear away but I am loathed with the change in my diet.

The doctor and my mother in law assured me that this is perfectly normal and I am doing fine!

FINE, SERIOUSLY?

DO THEY NOT HEAR ME THROW UP?

Oh, hormones!

What intrigues me is whenever I go for an ultrasound and the doctor shows  and reassures me that my baby is also doing fine, my mind is soothed with calmness and joy. Each time I am filled with tears of happiness and Raj ji holds my hand to share this feeling.

Wow!

In between these variations of emotions, the journey of being pregnant brought in new experiences. Life seemed less chaotic and more meaningful and these sorts of epiphanies hit me during the sunset walks that my husband takes me, during the evenings.

"You look beautiful!", Raj ji whispered in my ears.

"Ji! I look-", I spoke in an embarrassed tone.

"Yes, beautiful!"

I smiled.

He was very careful that I do not step on a twig or a rolling pebble.  He even shooed away kids who were playing cricket or laghori!

"These kids!", he grunted.

"Ji!", I spoke in a shrill voice.

"Is this how you are going to treat our child as well?"

"No no Pavi, our kid's gonna be a genius, like it's mom..."

I blushed and finished his sentence by saying, "and handsome and loving and caring and one hundred percent mine, like it's father..."

God, he smiled and that makes my heart skip a beat. I feel like a teenager drunk in love. But even before more cute things could unveil themselves, Raj Ji's phone rang.

It was from Ma ji. Oh, well that's our call!

We immediately took an auto back home while Raj ji informed Ma that we are on our way back.

I felt a bit of nervousness as I always can make out whenever my husband thinks. He thinks too loud and the silence is deafening. I turned to look at him.

" Ji, what are you thinking?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you even here with me, baby?"

His face turned, to a different and a very different expression.

I again felt a flush of embarassment and shyness conquering my inner bones.

I just 'baby-ed' him!

"Did you just-?", He asked, making things more awkward by discussing about it.

"God!", I turned away.

"Hey don't shy away from me, I loved it..."

And after a deep pause, he said, "baby!"

I blushed again.

But then I remembered, I felt nervousness because my husband was thinking, God, romance with this man makes me forget everything.

I circled back to my question, this time, without babying him!

"Woman, you do know how to create and kill the mood, don't you?"

I chuckled but I felt persistent to know the answer. Finally he felt the need to give in.

" Pavi, I was thinking about talking to Ma about everything...

She has been attending all the doctor's appointments and one thing that the doctor told was to always keep you happy. This is going to keep you happy and there is no better reason to give to Ma.

I also met the doctor the other day, personally, to discuss about your health condition and ask her for guidance.

She was so thrilled to know that you are an aspirant of Medical Sciences. She suggested me to enroll you into the tution centre which her daughter goes.

That centre is really good and is only a 5 minute walk from our home. I also discussed about the fee structure and all, and if you can take up the tuitions, then we'd not feel the burden at all. Also, when I pitched her this you taking additional tuitions for kids, the doctor said that it's really good for you, to be around children, especially during pregnancy. "

He also spoke a lot more logistics  but my soul was swelling with all sorts of emotions to the heights that my husband can think and plan, just to make my dreams come true. I took his hand and kissed him.

He once again flashed his heart-ache causing smile and pulled me closer into his arms. I am his wife, and we are now accustomed to a bit of PDA.

But what bothered me the most was, how was Ma ji going to accept all of this? It seemed logically strong, but to a woman who has been rendered with past ideologies, no amount of rocket science would make sense.

I prayed the Lord. I should somehow accomplish this, not just for me, but for two other lives that depend and live solely on it.

The familiar turn was taken and we were there, right near our home. But just then, I saw two familiar people, a boy and a girl, behind the chat shop.

I immediately identified them and I wished with all my heart that my husband didn't. He is in a great mood today and has a lot on his mind. This would just infuriate him.

I felt the auto stop and not in front of our home but a few steps much ahead of it. I could feel my husband's breath fasten and hands stiffen.

It is too late. I knew it.

"Ji", I barely whispered.

My husband turned a deaf ear towards me.

Sushant and Rekha were caught red handed. Well, this is it!

💫💫💫