This is the last for today. I promise!
Inner voice: really?
Outer voice: *With finality* YES
Inner voice: Ok then.

*

A FEW MONTHS LATER

She sat with her old entrance books once again as she caressed the cover slowly. Last few months were no less than a fairy tale for her as the babies grew up to be chubby cheeks. Though there had been countless sleepless nights, dirty clothes, bouts of vomits and endless cries, she learnt to find sweetness in those. With Shivaay by her side, it wasn't as difficult as she thought it to be. From staying awake with her to make the babies sleep even when he was tired with office works to sitting with her in half sleep and listening to her complains and talks with whatever concentration he had, he was her greatest support system.

She was about to open the book when he heard the babies crying.

“Sit and study. I'll take care of them” He told with a frown seeing her about to get up from her place and she smiled sheepishly.

“Shivaay——”

“You've been doing this since last two days. Saying the babies are crying, you kept your book away. It's not happening today” He told while taking the babies in his arms and walking out of the room.

She sighed and opened the book uninterested. Studying after taking a long break of almost an year was such a boring business but Shivaay was hell bent of making her do that.

She took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the book but all she could think was what the babies would be doing that moment. Looking at the book, she simply sat there playing with the end of her kurti. After sometime, she got up and walked around the room trying to find something to motivate her to study but all she saw the toys of the babies reminding her of them all over again.

Sighing, she walked to the kids' room where all their toys are kept. Shivaay was sitting on the carpeted floor while making the babies play with the toys as they were shaking their hands while lying on their stomach. They were alone that day as everyone had gone for a function while they decided to stay back.

“Shivaay” She called standing at the door of the room and he raised his head to look at her.

“I don't feel like studying” She told pouting.

“And why is it like that? Don't you know entrance is next month? Have you decided to fail?” He asked and she sighed.

“Let's be practical. I'll take one more year break, work a little and then join university next year. Good idea right?” She told happily and he turned to look at her.

“Really? Nice idea. Come and sit here” He told pointing at the space near him and she rushed to him happily.

“Come closer” He told and she looked at the babies.

“They're watching” She told looking at him in a reprimanding manner and he raised his eyebrows before twisting her ears making her squeal.

“It's hurting Shivaay” She squealed while trying to take his hand off her ear.

“What was your idea?” He asked and she pouted.

“I don't have any idea. I'll go and study” She told and he left her ear.

“Good girl! When you don't feel like studying, remember this” He told and she frowned as she rubbed her ear.

“I don't feel like studying. I don't know why” She told and on seeing her helpless eyes, he knew she was serious.

“What happened?” He asked caressing the back on her palm.

“All I can think is about them Shivaay. My mind is not clear now” She told as her eyes lined up with tears.

“If I go to university, who'll look after them?”

“Everyone are here! Except that I have to go to Delhi every week to just check on everything, everyone are here” He told and she sighed.

“May be you're right. I'm just over thinking” She told sadly.

“Remember all your struggles Anika. How hard did you study for the first entrance to join MBBS? All those five years of hardwork. You yourself told me so fondly about what you felt when you got the license as a doctor” He told and she smiled faintly.

“Who dreamt of being cardiologist? Who sat up till late night and reached where you're now? If you know how to reach here, there you might as well know how to reach where you want yourself to reach” He repeated her words and she looked at him with tears rolling down her eyes.

“You can do it alright. I trust you” He told kissing her knuckles and she nodded.

He gave a peck on her forehead before flicking away her tears with his thumb.

“Go and study. This time you'll be able to do it well” He told and she nodded.

He took the babies in his arms.

“Give a best of luck kissy to mom” He told while making the babies' lips touch on Anika's cheeks making her smile.

“Happy?” He asked and she nodded before rushing out of the room, pumped with motivation. All it required was a small talk with him. She should have done this earlier.

*

He raised his head from the laptop briefly to look at her as she hummed the lullaby to the babies. She had made them so used to that lullaby that they won't sleep at night without listening to that. As she hummed the "mm..mmm" tune, the babies coo-ed after her making her smile. Bending down, she kissed their tiny fists soundly as her heart brimmed up with love.

Once the babies slept, she placed them in the cradle before bending down and giving a kiss on their foreheads.

She walked to him before sitting near him and keeping her head on his shoulder.

“How did the studies go today?” He asked softly as he closed the monitor of the laptop.

“I feel good actually! I know it's weird but I missed studying” She told softly as well so as to not wake the babies.

“Is there more work left?” She asked.

“My work was over long back. I was just waiting for you to make them sleep” He told and she smiled.

“Why?”

“Why means——to hug you tight like this and hold you close to me” He told clasping her in his arms and she closed her eyes as she took in his scent.

“They slept early today?” He asked while checking the time and she nodded.

“I made them sleep early. I wanted to sit with you. I don't get to even see you properly nowadays” She told pouting and he chuckled.

“Shh! softly” She told with wide eyes and he kept his finger on his lips.

Pulling her closer to him, he caressed her cheek with his thumb as she looked away.

“Let's do something silently then” He whispered huskily near her lips and she closed her eyes with a blushy smile.

“What say?” He asked as he nuzzled his nose on her cheek as her breath slowly turned heavy.

“All of me belongs to you so this question shouldn't even arise between us” She whispered pressing his shoulders with her palms.

Sliding his fingers between her hairs, he looked at her before peppering kisses all over her face making her smile with closed eyes.

“Anika”

“Hmm” She managed to hum with all the sensations going on in her.

“I love you” He whispered against her lips and she pulled his face closer before kissing him.

“I—I love you too” She whispered panting heavily as he buried his face in her neck not waiting to catch enough breath.

••|To Be Continued|••