8 months

D's mom: Sweep that side Sweety...bend well and sweep...

S was sweeping the hall while D's mother sat like a queen and munching fruits.Seeing his heavily pregnant wife with broom in hand doing housework like a maid,the Bahubali was furious.

D: Amma!!😡

He snatched the broomstick from her hand and chucked it aside.

S: Pupsoo I have to sweep...🥺

D: You keep quiet!😡

D's mom: Why you did that?She hasn't finished...🤨

D: This is how you have been torturing her when I am not around?Can't you see her state?She takes so much effort to take a step forward and you're making her sweep??I did not expect this from you!Bangaram,atleast you could have called and told me no that you're being ill-treated?😡

S: No pupsooo...she's not...

D: I said don't talk!You never complain.It is your nature to endure silently but I won't turn blind to injustice before my eyes.If I could save you from Raajamatha I will save you from your athaa you don't worry bangaram!Amma,what you did is wrong!!

He said the dialogue for the second time off screen.S tried to calm him but he wouldn't listen to her.His mother stood patiently waiting for him to finish his lecture.

D: You want to sweep right?I will do it!Let her rest.You sit puppy ma see how I sweep...

Rolling his sleeves and folding his pants up,he took the broom.His mother clapped.

D's mom: Wow very good!Might as well you only give birth instead of Sweety.

D: How can I do that?I'm not having a baby inside me...😟

D's mom: That is why she has to sweep!As her delivery is nearing she needs to bend and stretch so that it will be easy for her during labour.We tried telling you that but you wouldn't listen and shouting at me!!😡

D: Oops there is such an explanation behind this?🤔

S: Yes pupsooo...it's good for me.

D's mom: When I was expecting you my mother-in-law made me pound spices on a huge stone mill with a long pounder.That's why you have grown to this height.Those days we used to work until the day of delivery hence there was no need for cesarean but these days it's not the case.Going to gym and dieting to stay slim but if asked to lift a rice sack they can't whereas we used to balance babies on waist and carry pots on head.

D: Sorry amma...I don't know all this...😞

D's mom: If you don't know then you should shut up not talk like you have experience.I've given birth to two children and a monkey.I know better.Pass the broom to her.

S stifled her laugh.

D: Huh...uh...monkey is Prabodh not me hihihi...

S continued sweeping.Even though it was for her good he couldn't bare to see her straining her body so he went beside her fanned her face with a hand fan.When she paused feeling tired,he made her sip water and dabbed the sweat off her face.

When she finished,he congratulated her.

D: Yaayyy!Sweety...First round winner!!Amma Sweety passed no??😃

D's mom: Yes she has!😄

Not minding his mother he lifted her in his arms and took her to their room.

D's mom: This fella!🤦🏻‍♀️

He placed her gently on their bed and massaged her aching feet.

D: Sweetu ma you want to eat something?

S: Don't want pupsoo athaa gave me fruits I had.

D: Mmm...you sleep bangaram.

S: I shouldn't sleep during day time pupsooo then baby will be a sleepyhead.

D: Then what to do ?

S: Tell a story.Something that teaches good values and morals.He can listen and absorb.

D rested his head on her bump and she ruffled his hair.Clearing his throat he began narrating a story.

D: Once upon a time there lived a guy.He was good,tall and handsome but shy.One day he met a beautiful,tall and good-natured girl at an event.She wore a light blue saree.He decided only she could be his baby's Amma and so he chased her...

S: Pupsooo...I said a story that teaches morals and values.Not to chase after sarees.🙄

D: Ok.I have another one. 'Ludo in bed'.Shall I tell that?😉

S: Karma,karma!Knowing your dirty mind I asked you no I should be thrashed first.You don't need to tell any story.I will ask athaa to read for me the Ramayanam later.

D: Bah...so boring every baby would have heard that and eventually they will be introduced to that in school.Should we also torture him with the same stuff?Btw,what he is going to do knowing Rama's greatness?Let him atleast know about his nanna's.😎

S: Abbo...what are your merits sir?

D: Not 1-2 there are many!I've saved girls from baddies,washed Amma's feet with my tears,planted trees,fed my co-stars with good food mmm then retrieved the black box!

S: Pls...not that...🙏🏼

D: Huh...uh...ok...fine...I will say Bahubali dialogues in my royal baritone that will give him motivation and courage.What say?

S: Sounds fine.Go ahead...

He cleared his throat.

D: Nanna,kaalam prathi pirikivadiki okka avakasam istundi aa kshanam idi...pranam posevadu devudu,pranam nilabettevadu vaidyudu,pranam kapadevadu kshatriyudu! How is it Sweetu?

S: He is moving...go on...

He said a few more dialogues.The little one was responding by his movements.

S: Tell that courtroom dialogue no...

D: My throat is dry.I can't do dubbing anymore.I've got an idea!

He took her phone and played the video that had all his dialogues.Increasing the volume,he kept the phone beside her bump.

D: Let him listen to that meanwhile...

D cuddled with S whispering sweet nothings in her ears while their little one was tricked into listening to his father's glory.🙄

9 months

S was due in two weeks.D's mom had gone to their native to pray for her smooth delivery.Incidentally,S's parents journey got delayed unlike their initial plans.Not wanting to leave her alone,D canceled his shooting and stayed at home.Since early that morning S was getting contractions at intervals however she did not take it seriously and presumed it was a false alarm as there was still time.

R came over to their place that evening.He and his bava were playing a game of cards in the hall.

D: So you got kicked out again?

R: How bava?😟

D: The 'vaasthu' of your face tells me so.The alignment is not straight.

R: How do you know all this?Have you learnt vaasthu shastra?

D: Vaasthu has to learn from me not the other way around for I am Bahubali.Jack of all trades.😎

R: 🙄Self-praise...

D: Of course!Now tell me what happened?

R: What to tell?You know I'm a straightforward person and I don't beat about the bush unlike some...

D: Rey...you will get one kick from me now!😡

R: Ok listen...I was watching tv,she came and sat beside me.She asked me what's on tv and I replied 'dust'.For that she got pissed and whacked me with cushion then kicked me out of the room.Where else would I go?So I came here...😔

D laughed.

R: You're laughing at my plight?☹️

D: Then what else to do?Like one big man you went and got married but still you're immature in relationships.Bava,your straightforwardness is fine on social media but don't apply that on wife.To them we have to shameless and lie.It's called art of life.

R scratched his head.

R: Huh,I don't understand bava...

D: You're still a kid that's why.

While all this banter was going on,S was in the kitchen preparing samosas for R.Placing those on a plate,S went to the hall.She felt uneasy and rubbed her lower belly.

S: Uff...those cramps...

Seeing her come with tray in hand,R got up and took it from her.She held D's hand for support and slowly sat on the sofa beside him.

R: Why did you take the trouble bro?There was no need for all these...

S: It's no trouble bro I myself wanted to have some treats too...

She rubbed her belly.D noticed her face was dull.

D: Are you ok bangaram ?

S: I'm fine pupsoo....

R: Bro,want to join us in this game?

She nodded.R shuffled the pack of cards and divided it among them.

D: Ok who goes first ?

R: Me!

They began playing.The discomfort increased making S squirm every now and then.After sometime,

S: Aaahh!!

D: What happened ma?

She squeezed his hand when one intense contraction hit her.Once it subsided,

S: Pupsoo...we have to go to the hospital.😖

D: I'll get the car.

R: Yes bro don't worry...relax.

When D was about to get up,S held him back.

S: Bro,if you don't mind...can you pls get the car.I...I want pupsooo to be with me...pls bro...

R didn't even wait to respond he quickly rushed to get the car.D supported her as she rose from the seat.

S: Sorry pupsoo this might sound silly but the scene where you leave me to save kattappa and you never return is reeling on my mind...I know it was a movie but still...pls don't leave my side Pupsooo...

He held her protectively.

D: I will be with you no matter what.

She smiled painfully at him and her face turned to frown as she felt another contraction coming in.Pursing her lips,she gripped his hand again.

S: Mmmm...

D: I'll carry you Sweetu...

S: It's ok I can walk.

With his support she walked slowly to the car.They were settled inside and R drove.D had one arm across her shoulder and other hand holding her hand.S rubbed her belly and held on to her hubby for support.She pressed her lips together tightly trying to suppress her moans.She squeezed D's palm crushing his knuckles as another contraction hit her.

S: I am hurting you a lot.Sorry pupsoo...

D: It is ok bangaram I don't feel any pain...you hold on.Just do what you feel like.Even if you slap me I am ready to take it!

She saw the worry on his face.

S: Look at your face,as if you were asked to liplock with Shraddhoo...Lol...😆

D: You are teasing me in this state?🥺

S: Why not ?I will tease my husband at any given chance.. Owww!!

D: Sweetu pls you do whatever you want after baby is born for now just keep calm and breathe.

They reached the hospital.R went to park the car while S was wheeled in.D followed her holding her hand.

S: Pupsooo...😢

Tears rolled from the corners of her eyes while looking at her Pupsoo.

He kissed her hand suppressing his own tears from flowing.

D: Don't worry bangaram be brave.

The nurse stopped D from entering when S was taken into the labour room.He stood outside trying to catch a glimpse of his Sweetu but the nurse closed the door.

R: Where is bro?

D: They have taken her in ra bava. She is in great pain I don't know what to do ra!😭😭

R: She will be fine.Calm down bava.

D was made to sign the formalities.Like a kid he leaned on R's shoulder and began weeping.R consoled him.He saw doctors and nurses going in and out of the room.When the door opened he tried to go in,

R: Bava!Bava!You can't...

"Sir,sir you can't go in.."the nurse stopped him.

D: I want to see Sweetu I want to know how she is!!

R: Bava pls!!Come back!!

SSR and Rama garu entered the scene.R had called them as he felt it was better to have someone with experience to calm his restless bava.They were tensed as well.

SSR: Where is Sweety?😰

R: She went into labour and they have taken her in we know nothing else.😟

D: I heard her screams Raj!!😭They're not letting me inside ask them to let me in Raj...she is all alone she needs me!!I've given word to her that will be by her side!

Ra: Hey crazy fellow what will you go inside and do??There are doctors and nurses they will look after her.

However D was in no mood to listen and sobbed like a kid whose toy had been snatched away.

SSR: Darling calm down ra this is a hospital don't cry!!

He was not willing to listen and sat on the floor infront of the labour ward with legs crossed as if he was part of a strike.

The doctor opened the door and seeing the gap,D tried to crawl in only to be pulled back by R and SSR.

D: Leave me!!I want to go in!!I want to see my Sweety!!

"Sir,pls don't make noise this is a hospital if you do we'll ask you to go out!"doctor warned him.

D: You will ask me to go out ??You know who am I ??I am Bahubali...Bahubali the great!! See this is SSR,the director,he will make Kalakeyas enter your hospital and destroy...See,this is Bhallaladeva he will smash this place with his mace and I will burn it with petrol smeared tent cloths.Beware!!!😡

SSR and R stood like innocent kids holding D on either sides.Rama garu slapped her forehead.The doctor raised an eyebrow at him.

R: Bava pls keep quiet ra looks like you'll make me sit in the police lock up in my boxers.

SSR imagined himself and R squatting in their boxers in police lock up.

SSR: Chi...it doesn't look good on me.Rey darling pls ra darling be calm.😥

"Sir,pls control him or take him away.He is causing nuisance to us!!"

Ra: Sorry doctor he loves his wife very much he wants to be with her can you pls allow him in ?

"Does he have guts ??"

D: What do you mean by that huh??Ask a child he will boast about my valour!!I am a one-man army!!!I fought the Kalakeyas and Pindaris!!I am the don of all dons!!!Illuminati of the world!!!I am the bravest of all!!!I am so flexible that I can fall back easily and do potty step...I am the strongest!!!I can carry three manoharis on me I can carry you also...Blah..blah..blah..

He blew his own trumpet annoying the doctor.

"Ssh!Shut up or else I will give you a anaesthesia and put you on a bed next to her!Nurse,give him the sterile gown.Mr.Prabhas,enter at your own risk!"

He threw a victory smirk as he got his way.Rubbing his face on Rama garu's duppatta,he wore the sterile gown and cap.

Ra: Do you really want to go in ??😕

D: Yes bangaram.How do I look ??Like a medical doctor no...bava,take one photo of me...later I will post on my Facebook with caption Dr.Prabhas Uppalapati.😎

SSR: Hmm go in then we will know who is doctor and who is patient.

R: God save you bava!😟

As if going on a vacation,he waved them a bye and entered the room with great energy calling out to S.

D: Puppy ma!!I am here...Aaahhh blood!!!!!😱😱😱

*THUD*

To be continued...