Few months have gone by of Akshara's pregnancy and she is in the middle of her second trimester.

........

It was a beautiful morning at Birla house. Abhimanyu was in his room. He heard his alarm go off and extended an arm to shut it with his eyes still closed.

Abhimanyu: Akshu!!! Baby get up...

He opened his one eye as he heard no response and sat upright with a start as he did not see his wife.

Abhimanyu: AKSHUUU!!!!

Akshara Birla was in the washroom when she heard her husband yell for her. She quickly rushed to the bed and jumped on it.

Akshara: Abhiiiii...mai itni khush hoon, itni khush hoon ki mai bata nahi sktii..

She started to giggle and jump on their bed. Abhimanyu got stressed and stood next to the bed with his arms extended just in case she falls.

Abhimanyu: Tumhe itna khush dekhr mujhe bohot accha lg raha hai Akshu...pr please aise mt kudo...mera baby dr jayega...

Akshara: Uff!! You are such a mood kill but you know what?? Nothing can dull my mood today, not even you...CHIDKURAAM!!!! (pokes his cheek)

Abhimanyu: Aye! ...aur aisa kya hua subah subah..

Suddenly, Akshara blushed and got down the bed- much to Abhimanyu's relief. She walked in front of him with her eyes down. Timidly, she took his large hand in her tiny ones and placed his palm on her belly.

Abhimanyu: (panicking) Akshu!! Is it paining my love?? Hospital chalte hai...

Akshara: (hits his head lightly) Budhhu docman!! Dard hota toh mai khush kyu hoti???

Abhimanyu: (Calms down hearing this and then gets excited) The baby kicked!?

Akshara smacks her head instead this time.

Akshara: Abhi! Taiji na sach kehti hai ki tum mere case me apni saari padhai bhool jate ho....baacha itni jldi kick krta hai kya baba?

Abhimanyu: (rubs the back of his head feeling a little embarrassed) Oh haa.....haha...toh tum ki batao kya hua hai?

Akshara took him near the mirror and asked him to look there.

Akshara: What do you see in the mirror patidev?

Abhimanyu: (back hugs her and kissed her cheeks) I see my world!!

He said while gently caressing her stomach. Akshara gets emotional.

Akshara: Tum kitne sweet ho ...

Abhimanyu: A side reserved for my special ones. Accha ab bolo bhi, don't get distracted...

Akshara: Haan...

She asks him to keep looking into the mirror. Then she turns sideways and lifts her tshirt. Abhimanyu frowns and then something clicked. Barely noticeable but present- it a small bump on Akshara's otherwise flat stomach.

Abhimanyu: Ye!! Ye toh...ye mera baby hai!!!

He bent down and touched it. Akshara shivered slightly at his cold hands on her bare skin.

Abhimanyu: sorry!!!

He rubbed his hands rapidly and then placed now warm hands.

Abhimanyu: Hi baby, this is your papa!!

He placed a kiss on her small bump and then rose to his feet. He hugged Akshara tightly. They both celebrated this small milestone in their journey to be parents.

Abhimanyu: Thank you jaan.....My days and nights are always special due to you...but this just made my morning extra special.

Akshara blushed hard specially as she met Abhimanyu's intense gaze. He slowly traced the redness of her checks with his fingers. Akshara closed her eyes and her lips parted on her own accord as a sigh left her mouth.

Abhimanyu felt her soft skin with his fingers and took in her expression. He felt something heat up in the depths of his stomach. Carefully cupping her face, he moved to trace her it- this time with his lips. His kissed her forehead, her eyes and her cheeks. Planting another kiss on her nose, he pecked the corner of her mouth. A moan escaped Akshara's throat. Abhimanyu put a thumb under her chin to lift her face and get better access to her full lips. He was about to taste them when his alarm rang loud and clear.

Akshara: Stupid Alarm!!!

Abhimanyu: (Frustrated at well) Very irritating yet useful. Tumhara wake up alarm to ab baja hai! Why were you up early?? I forgot to ask earlier in excitement.

Akshara: I woke up to pee and then I got distracted when I saw my baby bump finally appear!! You know how long I was waiting for one na!! Aur mai robot thodi hoon- ab utho, ab so jao...ab ye, ab vo....jb neend nahi aa rahi to kaise nini le loon?

She said all in one go. Abhimanyu raised his arms as if he is surrendering.

Abhimanyu: Shaant gada-dhaari bheem, shaant..

Akshara: Mai shaant hi hoon!!! Tum gussa dillane wale kaam mt kro...

Abhimanyu: Accha, maaf kr de meri maa..

Akshara: tumhari maa nahi, tumhare baby ki maa...

Abhimanyu laughed at her silliness and asked her to freshen up.

Akshara: Vo toh pehle hi kr liya..

Abhimanyu: schedule mt follow kro tum bs, tumhara docman toh aise hi bana deta hai...haina!?....aaj chor raha hoon, kl se nahi chalega... Chalo you get ready for the morning walk while I go get your juice.

The past months had made Akshara realise that there was no use to argue with Abhimanyu. He's carry her into the park if he had to but he will make her follow his written routine anyhow so she dragged her feet to get dressed. Abhimanyu got her herbal juice and made her drink it while he got dressed as well. He noticed her sulk and made her drink by closing her nose. Akshara made a face.

Akshara: Eeee....dekho baby. Kitne sitam krte hai papa mumma pr...

Abhimanyu: Kaisi ho na tum?? Mere baby ko bhadkana band kro...

Akshara: Abhiiiii....

Akshara said in a low voice..

Abhimanyu: Kya hua??

Akshara entered his arms and hugged him tight while resting her head on his chest.

Akshara: Nini aa rahi hai...

Abhimanyu: Nice try Akshu pr walk pr toh jaana hi padega..

Akshara got out of his arms angrily.

Akshara: Jao phir, mujhe nahi baat krni tumse...

She ran out of their room. Abhimanyu panicked seeing her run.

Abhimanyu: Akshuuu!!!! Aram se.....don't run...

The entire household was in the hall and looked up to see a very usual scene. Akshara acting as per her wishes while Abhimanyu ran after her worried.

Harshvardhan: Ye ladki kya kr rahi hai!! Akshu! Bhago mt....ye mere bete aur mujhe, dono ko pagal krke chodegi..

Everyone chuckled.

Akshara: Maa dekho na...dekho..

Manjiri: kya hua Akshu??

Akshara tightened her t-shirt and showed the small bump to Manjiri. Manjiri smiled and got happy. She kissed Akshara's forehead while Nishtha and Neil started to talk to Akshara. They were very excited.

Harshvardhan: Bhaisahab, ye to choti si hai...baby andr thik toh hoga na? Aur ye bump bhi itna late..

Anand: Arey normal hai Harsh ....16-20 weeks me hi ata hai baby bump... aur bohot log to show nahi krte isse pehle...baaki tumhe aur chinta hai to Dr. Radhika se baat kr lena....

Abhimanyu: Maa! Mere case me bhi aisa tha kya??

Maa: Bilkul bhi nahi! tu to paida hi aur baccho se bada aur healthy hua tha.... mera bump to bohot early ho gaya tha..

Abhimanyu: Akshu!! Humara baby kahin weak toh nahi???....lets go to the hospital. I'll call and get-

Maa: Chup kr Abhi...Kyu dr raha hai aur usse bhi dara raha hai...sb thik hai...tu na itna stress leta hai...hr pal khushi se reh...enjoy kr is phase ko...

Abhimanyu hugged his maa and Akshara joined in. Everyone was happy. Mahima sulked looking at them.

Mahima: (in mind) meri bahu aisi nikaami nahi hoti toh mai bhi dadi ban rahi hoti...Manjiri dadi ban jayegi, iss khandaan ka pehle pota/poti.....vo mera hona chahiye tha...pr mera ye useless beta aur bahu..

She was very jealous and couldn't digest this. She left faking an important call. Parth looked at Shefali angrily and left as well. He was happy for Abhira but wanted a baby too.

Shefali had been really positive all this while but recently, even she started to resent Abhira. She craved the pampering Akshara got. Moreover, the constant taunts were getting to her mind. She saw how Abhimanyu took care of Akshara and felt envious.

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

Abhira were at the park. Akshara had walked a few rounds and sat down tired. Abhimanyu bought coconut water of her and then got her home. He gave her ten minutes to shower and then took a quick one while he asked Nishtha to watch her.

Akshara: Nishu dekho na....aisa lg raha hai hitler ke saath reh rahi hoon...

Nishtha: Lol..kuch bhi bhabhi!!

Akshara: arey sach me...tumhare bhaiya na kissi dictator se km nahi behave kr rahe... ek ek minute ka hisab kiya hua hai...10 minute se uppar bathroom me hoti hoon to knock krne lgta hai ki mai thik hoon na...mtlb mera kabhi lamba shower lene ka mn ho toh??

Abhimanyu: (comes out of the shower) to mere saath le lo..simple.

Akshara's eyes widened while Nishtha started to cough. Abhimanyu realised what he said in front of his little sister and got embarrassed. Nishtha ran out of the room while Akshara started to hit Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu: Arey mu se nikal gaya...bs kro..waise bhi college me aa gayi hai, koi choti nahi hai vo, samajhti hai..

Akshara: ugh!!!

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

Later, Senior Birla were at the hospital and Shefali was at work. Abhimanyu had delegated all his work. He kept his weekends free ever since Akshara's pregnancy and only went in case of emergencies. Goenkas came to visit Akshara. Abhimanyu came down and touched the feet of the elders twice and hugged Vansh twice too.

Akhilesh: Ye do do ka kya hisab hai??

Abhimanyu: Vo Akshu ko jhukna nahi hai so uske hisse ka bhi maine touch kr liya...

Manish: waah!!

Vansh: vo toh thik hai pr mujhe do-do hug?

Abhimanyu: Vo kya hai na aap bohot zor se hug krte ho, so Akshu ko kahin suffocated na lage so maine-

Vansh: Accha beta!!!

Vansh ran towards Akshu and acted as if he is going to give her a big hug. Abhimanyu panicked and rushed towards them. Vansh then just patted her head with love. Everyone laughed at Abhimanyu.

Suhasini: Accha hum na ye ladoo laye hai, khaas Akshu ke liye. In dino me khane chahiye...

Akshara gulped. She didn't like their taste but Suhasini had been sending boxes full of them every 10-20 days.

Abhimanyu: Ye thode alag lg rahe hai...aap mujhe iske ingredients bataoge??

Suhasini: Kyu beta??

Abhimanyu: Vo kya cheez kitni hai, kya calories-

Manjiri smacked his head while Akshara slapped his arm.

Abhimanyu: ow!! Aap dono gang up mt kro...I need to know what her intake is. Aap to samajh rahi hai mai kya keh raha hoon Mimi?

Suhasini nodded and then laughed. Abhimanyu's phone rang as it was the hospital, he left to attend the call.

Manjiri: Aap log baat kijiye, mai abhi aayi...

She went to see if the snacks were ready to serve. Parth and Neil were talking with Goenka siblings while Manish and Akhilesh spoke with Akshara.

Suhasini: Abhimanyu ko dekhr na hume bilkul kittu ki yaad aati hai hai...

Swarna: Maji Kartik toh books padhta tha aur doctor ki baat ko pathar ki lakeer maan leta tha...pr Abhimanyu to khud hi doctor hai- usse bhi ek kadam aage...

Suhasini: ye sahi kaha..

They laugh.

Swarna: Naira aur Sirat ne toh Kartik ko pregnancy me jaise-taise jhel liya.... Bs Kanhaji Akshu ko himmat de...

They jest. Akshara then sits between them and points her small bump to them. Swarna hugs her while Suhasini gets teary ears. She looks to the side and says 'thu thu thu'...

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

It was night time, Abhimanyu Birla was driving through the streets of Udaipur. Finally, he finds what he was looking for after an hour of searching and stars driving back home. He calls Neil.

Abhimanyu: Neil..

Neil: Bhai dhoond raha hoon..

Abhimanyu: Nahi, mujhe mil gaya hai. Tu ghar aaja, mai bhi bs aa hi raha hoon.

Abhimanyu reached his home and sees Neil was parking his bike as well.

Neil: Bhai apko pehle stock krke rakhna chahiye na..

Abhimanyu: Poora fridge bhara hua Akshu ki favourite ice cream se...pta nahi aaj kahan se madam ka matka kulfi khane ka mn ho gaya......pr thanks meri dhoodne me help krne ke liye pr abhi mai jata hoon isse pehle ki ye aur pighle..

Abhimanyu rushed inside his room to see Akshara sitting on their bed- cross legged with an angry pout.

Akshara: You have it??

Abhimanyu gave her the packet. Akshara got excited seeing this and her angry pout got replaced by a smile. She took a bite and then grimaced.

Abhimanyu: Kya hua?

Akshara: Maza nahi aa raha...

Abhimanyu: To mt khao..

Akshara: haan, aur bhuki rahu na???

Abhimanyu wanted to point out that she had full dinner and post dinner snacks but kept shut.

Akshara: Mujhe pta hai taste kaise better hoga...you go get me some bhujiya..

Abhimanyu: WHAT!? WITH KULFI??

Akshara: yes...now go before it melts..

Abhimanyu shook his head and got her what she wanted. Akshara put it on top of her kulfi like sprinklers and ate it. She saw Abhimanyu make a face and got angry.

Akshara: Aise mu mt banao...tumhara baby hi hai ye sb ant-shant khane wala....mai toh pehle kulfi khati hi nahi thi...

Abhimanyu: Yeah right.

Abhimanyu recalled all her past cravings and weird combinations that she liked to eat. He took out a list on his phone and added 'Matka kulfi' to the list of things he always wanted to be kept at the house. He was already maintaining everything she ever craved in case she asked for it again.

He made her brush after this and wear one of his tshirts since she only found them comfortable for sleeping despite the fact that her clothes still fit her well. They cuddled and soon sleep took over Akshara. Abhimanyu spooned her and kept a hand on her small bump. Caressing it, he kissed the back of her head.

Yes, he worried but who else would be worried for if not his wife and baby? He knew she was getting a handful but he was more than glad to be where he was- in a delightful present with his wife and looking at an inviting future with his baby in it.

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

xoxo