OS 2: Baby Birla on Board

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Akshara Birla couldn't sleep. She was tired but all the emotions running inside her wouldn't let her sleep. She was really excited to share such a big news with her husband- she was pregnant! She was slightly scared too. She suddenly recalled an incident from a few months ago.

Flashback~

Akshara was working at one of the top hospitals in Udaipur. Abhimanyu was asked to perform a surgery at that very hospital as a visiting doctor. The case had become complicated and they could use his expertise. After performing the hours long surgery, Abhimanyu came out and decided to wait for his wife to wrap up her day so that they leave together.

He asked a nurse where she'd be at and reached there. He found her sitting surrounded by children. She had just wrapped up a session. They all pecked her cheeks before leaving. Abhimanyu smiled looking at his wife- she was really beautiful- inside out. He noticed she had something in her hands. Moving closer he realized it was a small baby.

Abhimanyu: Akshu?

Akshara turned to see her husband. She smiled and enquired about the surgery. Then she informed him about the baby.

Akshara: His mother is sick. Nothing life threatening but she needs rest and this little one was keeping her awake. She is a single mom Abhi so maine socha isse thodi der mai sambhal leti hoon....he loves music toh shaant rehta hai mere saath..

She cuddled him and made faces at him. The baby chuckled showing his toothless smile. Akshara hummed while pulling him closer to her chest. Soon the baby slept and Akshara handed him to the nurse to take him back to his mother's ward.

Abhimanyu pulled her towards him as soon as the room was finally empty. He breathed in her scent and relief washed all over him.

Akshara: Kitna cute hai na vo baby Abhi?

Abhimanyu: No more cute than my baby..(pulls her cheeks)

Akshara: Please (rolls her eyes) You are partial... mujhe na babies itne cute lgte hai...unhe dekhr bohot pyaar ata hai

Abhimanyu: (frowns) Mujhse bhi zyada pyaar?

Akshara: Haw! Tum jealous ho rahe ho Abhi? Ek baache se..

Abhimanyu: (looks down) Nahi..

Akshara: (laughs) Abhi! Baby hai vo bs...kl ko humara bhi hoga..

Abhimanyu: NO!

Akshara paused at his sudden outburst. Abhimanyu noticed her sudden drop in expressions and cupped her face.

Abhimanyu: Tum jaan ho meri Akshu...mai tumhe kissi bhi takleef me nahi dekh skta..kabhi bhi...Labour kitna painful hota hai pta hai? I will not put you through it....aur tumne dekha hai khud ko? Hath agarbatti, pair mombatti...Agar baby ne tumhari health ko negatively impact kiya toh...Nahi, I will never risk your health!

Akshara: pr what if I want-

Abhimanyu: we'll discuss it when the day comes...

Flashback ends~

Akshara felt a sudden wetness on her cheeks and raised her hands to wipe the stray tear.

Akshara: (thinks) I know you said you did not want a baby...pr shyd tb vo tumne bina soche bs aise hi bol diya...(keeps a hand on her stomach) ye humare pyaar ki nishani hai Abhi...humara baby..I am sure tum isse positively loge...You'll be as happy as me...

She twisted to see her husband sleeping while spooning her. She tried to get up but his arms where too firm around her. Even asleep, he couldn't let her go. Akshara shook her head at this and reached over to grab her phone. She typed 'ways to share pregnancy news with husband' and read the articles that popped up, mentally making notes.

Akshara: (thinks) just you wait Dr. Birla...kl apko ek beautiful sa surprise milne wala hai...

.................

Abhimanyu woke up the next day to see his wife rolled on top of him. He kissed her forehead lovingly and carefully put her on the bed. She had a habit of rolling over in her sleep often and climbing on top of him. He loved how she sprawled over him so he never complained. Plus, she hardly weighed anything. He noticed her phone was in her hands.

Abhimanyu: Pagal! Sari raat phone chala rahi thi shyd...wrna ye to mujhse pehle hi uthti hai..

Shaking his head, he put her phone to charge and left to freshen up. Then, he left to go to the lawn for his morning exercise. He came back an hour later to see his wife all bathed and ready. She was filling her hairline with sindoor. He got closer and pecked her cheeks. A lovely red spread over and he felt his heart soar.

Abhimanyu: haye! Subah subah jaan lelo apne deewane pati ki tum...

Akshara: (blushes more) Tum bhi na....accha batao mai kaisi lg rahi hoon?

She twirled, showing her dress.

Abhimanyu: Bohot bohot pyaari...pr aaj kyu pucha? Kuch special hai kya?

Akshara: Hmm...vo chodo ye color konsa hai ..pta hai?

Abhimanyu: um? Pink?

Akshara: haan pr konsa?

Abhimanyu: ye kaisa sawal hai? Pink pink hota hai...

Akshara: Uff...pr ye mera favourite wala pink hai...

Abhimanyu: light pink?

Akshara: Nooo....BABY pink Abhi...BABY...

Abhimanyu: (confused) okay...

Akshara: aur maine aaj tumhare liye bhi kapde nikal diye hai...vo dekho...thik hai na?

Abhimanyu: whatever you chose jaan..

Akshara: pr dekho...BABY blue color ki shirt hai..You like BABY blue na..

Abhimanyu: I don't mind..

He said and moved to the washroom. Akshara let out a nervous breathe.

Akshara: Ye kya kr rahi thi tu Akshu...why is it so hard to tell??

Abhimanyu got ready while Akshara made breakfast. She fried really small kachoris. Later at the table, when Neil commented she said they were baby kachoris.

Abhimanyu: Bohot acchi bani hai Akshu pr kuch aur bhi toh khao...have this juice..

Akshara: Nahi, mera pet me BABY kachori hai...its full!

Abhimanyu frowned a little but let this go. Akshara looked around and saw Manjiri looking at her with question in her eyes. Akshara just smiled awkwardly. After breakfast, Abhira bid the family bye to go to work. In the front lawn of the house, Abhimanyu was starting his bike when Akshara commented.

Akshara: Vo dekho Abhi..garden me kitne tomatos lg gaye hai...BABY tomatoes..

Abhimanyu came closer to her face and sniffed. Akshara backed away with a frown.

Abhimanyu: subah subah nashe me ho kya? Kbse dekh raha hoon...thodi alag baaten kr rahi hoo.

Akshara: kuch bhi..(Moves her hands around nervously) Chalo...late nahi ho raha?

They left for the hospital.

................

Akshara was sitting at Abhimanyu's cabin. He was out checking on a patient while she had to go through some paperwork. She had her own cabin at the hospital but she loved to sit in her husband's chair. She read the papers in front of her but her brain kept thinking of ways to break the news to her husband.

Akshara: Koi cup ya tshirt order kr doon? Best papa ya aisa kuch likha hua?...Meri home tests ko kahin obvious jagah chupa doon??...kya karu? Kaise batau Abhi ko?....Abhi ke baby clothes laakr room me rakh deti hoon...nahi isse to maa ko pata chal jayega and mai pehle Abhi ko batana chahti hoon...

She kept thinking of all those things she could do. At last, she ordered some baby shoes, baby brush and a few other things that she planned to keep in their room at certain places. She looked at the time and realised she had a session in a few minutes and left.

.............

Akshara was exhausted! After her session she was urgently called to attend a patient who was panicking severely right before surgery. The doctors needed him as calm as possible so Akshara assisted. Then, one of her old patients came to visit her. She had major anger issues that Akshara had taught her to control with music. She wanted to discuss a recent lapse into old behaviour.

Amidst all this, Akshara did not get time for lunch. Moreover, she had not had much in the morning and also slept late last night. She was really tired and decided to grab a bite but the moment she entered the hospital cafe. She realised a nurse slipped and dropped a cup she was holding few inches away from Akshara. The smell of milkshake invaded her nose and churned her insides. Her senses revolted against the smell. She rushed out holding her nose.

Akshara ran into the corridor and tried to calm herself. She was already feeling weak but this sudden rush was making her dizzy. She took the support of the wall. A nurse, who was passing by, stopped.

Nurse: Akshara Ma'am, are you okay?

Akshara raised her eyes and nodded slowly but her body language did not look fine.

Nurse: Ma'am aap thik nahi lg rahe ..mai Sir ko inform kr doon? I think he must be done with his checkups by now....Ma'am?

Akshara started to sway. The panicked voice of the nurse faded as darkness surrounded her eyes and she succumbed.

................

Abhimanyu was in the conference room with his team of doctors. He was allotting them some work. He was about to finish his talk when a panicked ward boy rushed in.

Ward Boy: Abhimanyu sir...

Abhimanyu: (annoyed at the sudden interruption) This better be important...

Ward boy: It is Sir...Akshara Ma'am is really unwell. Vo nurses unhe ek ward me lekr gayi hai..

Abhimanyu: what!?

Abhimanyu rushed out and almost sprinted down the hall. The only thought left in his brain was his wife- his Akshu.

.................

Abhimanyu Birla entered the room where is unconscious wife lay on the bed. He rushed to her side and kneeled near the bed.

Abhimanyu: Akshu!! Akshu!? (turns to the nurse) Kya hua?

Nurse: P-pta nahi Dr. Abhimanyu. Ma'am corridor me thi...she looked weak and pale toh maine pucha if she is fine but she fainted before replying...

Abhimanyu checked her vitals and gave orders to run a few tests. Meanwhile, the news spread in the hospital that Akshara was unwell and Abhimanyu had rushed to her aid. Some interns were fanning over how romantic it looked while Harshvardhan Birla checked Abhimanyu's schedule. Noticing that no surgeries were lined up that day, he called a doctor.

Harshavardhan: Dr. Rohan, today you will do the check up of all of Dr. Abhimanyu's patients and Mr. Gupta wala case Dr. Arohi ko de dena..

Mahima: What is all this Harsh?

Harshvardhan: Suna nahi apne...Akshara behosh ho gayi hai...ab aap aur mai dono jaante hai ki Abhimanyu kahin nahi jayega usse chodkr so I'm just adjusting everything..

Harshavardhan had adjusted to Abhira over the years. He knew they cannot see beyond each other and if one of them was unwell, then there is no way he can keep the other away. He had accepted that his son loved Akshara unconditionally and knew he wouldn't budge from her side now that she wasn't well.

Mahima: Ye ladki bhi na...apni health ka dhyan nahi rakhti...phir Abhimanyu worry krta hai..

Mahima muttered and left. She still had a bittersweet feeling about her.

Meanwhile, Akshara's friend from hospital and the doctor who had run her tests earlier heard this too and came to check on her.

Divya: Hello Dr. Abhimanyu? How is Akshara..

Abhimanyu: (looks at the door and then at his wife) She seems fine. I am waiting for her tests..

Divya: What wait? I already gave her the reports!

Abhimanyu: Which ones?

Divya: She came to me earlier for tests...maine reports kbki mail kr di thi Akshara ko...hardcopy bhi de di thi..

Abhimanyu frowned. Was his wife hiding something from him? Was she unwell and hid something about her health from him? He quickly picked up her phone and unlocked it.

Divya: Anyways, congratulations Dr. Birla! Aap dono ko bohot bohot Mubarak ho..

Abhimanyu turned to get with a confused look before opening the mail he had been searching for. The report blowing his mind off... He was shocked as a million thoughts and feeling ran through him. Before he realised what was happening to him, tears started to run down his face as an ear splitting smile graced his face.

.................

Akshara opened her eyes and shut them back as the bright light blinded her. Abhimanyu moved and dimmed it. Then he leaned over her to block the remaining light.

Abhimanyu: (softly) Akshu? Ab ankhe kholo...

She opened her eyes and noticed the worried look of her husband's face. She got up and held his hand.

Akshara: I am sorry for worrying you..

Abhimanyu kept a finger on her lips.

Abhimanyu: Shhh...no worries okay.

He pecks her forehead and puts his large warm hand on her stomach. With tears in his eyes, he smiled at her.

Abhimanyu: Aaj toh humari life ki itni acchi news milli hai hume...aaj ke din koi worries nahi...

Akshara opened her mouth like a fish.

Akshara: You- you know...mtlb kya bol rahe ho..

Abhimanyu: You are pregnant my love. We are pregnant..

Abhimanyu said softly however, his eyes couldn't hide his excitement. He was grinning ear to ear but his smile started to die as he noticed his wife lip started to wobble.

Abhimanyu: Akshu? Kya hua? (cups her face)

Akshara: Abhiiiii....sniff*

She started to cry. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks and Abhi wiped them as fast as he could. Her sobs were crushing his heart and making him panic.

Abhimanyu: Akshu...baba...shaant...

He shifts closer to her.

Abhimanyu: If you don't want this baby then it's okay. Let's talk and figure it out. Share your fears with me but don't cry please...its kills me...Akshu

Akshara's sobs slowed down listening to his please.

Akshara: Sniff* Maine kitna kuch socha tha... Sniff* Sniff* tumhe surprise dungi...kaise bataungi ... Sniff* aur dekho na...tumhe pta chal gaya...meri saari planning waste..

She pouted. Abhimanyu looked at her in disbelief before laughing out loud. His carefree laughter rang across the room.

Abhimanyu: Pagal! Bs itni si baat pr aise mote mote ansu? Aise darogi na to tumhare docman ka heart fail ho jayega...

Akshara rolled her eyes and got up. Abhimanyu held her hand and pulled her for a hug.

Abhimanyu: Tumhe kb pta chala?

Akshara: Kl...I wanted to make it a surprise...but..

Abhimanyu: It is okay love....ye news apne aap me ek surprise hai..accha ab sad face mt banao...mere baby ko bhi sad kr dogi tum...smile..

Akshara gave him a small smile and he kissed her cheeks. She blushed and smiled a little wider.

Abhimanyu: Better...

He chuckled before picking her up and twirling her hard.

Abhimanyu: I cannot believe this still!! Hum parents banne wale hai...Abhira ka baby!!!!!!!!!!!!...humara baby!!!!!!!!

Akshara: eee.....mujhe neeche utaro pehle...

Abhimanyu stopped and muttered a sorry before setting her on her two feet. She wobbled a little before holding his hand. Abhimanyu pressed their foreheads together before going on his knees in front of her and kissing her stomach.

Akshara: Abhiiii?

Abhimanyu: Welcome to the family baby Birla.

.......................

Next OS of this series: Abhira tell the family.

I will try updating sooner but weekdays are a little hard for me to keep up. Sorry!

xoxo