Part 36

Night

Arnav was sitting beside sleeping Khushi, waiting for her to wake up. Because he knew she would wake up in a few minutes as she feels hungry in midnights. He saw the movements in her belly. He slowly touched it and felt ripples under his palm. He smiled feeling ecstatic.

Arnav(in gauzy sound): Didn't you sleep yet? Or did you wake up to eat something? (Arnav waited for a while keeping his palm on her belly) Did you wake up to talk to me?

He felt the movement this time. Arnav's eyes tear up instantly. He swallowed hard and kept his cheek on it. As he didn't feel anything, he kissed her belly and again he kept his cheek and sensed the movement again. It's not just a movement but his baby's kiss. He smiled closing his eyes.

Arnav: Do you know who I'm? I'm your father. I and your mother are waiting for your arrival. (pause) you are a good girl. You understand everything right? Listen BETA, Your mother is not as strong as both of us. She is so naïve. Being a good girl you should not trouble her. Come out of her without hurting her. She will not bear the pain beta. (he gulped) Do you understand what I'm saying? He felt the strong motion which made him kiss Khushi's belly again. 

Arnav saw Khushi waking up. What scares him is, he couldn't guess what she would like to eat. She gives a tough time to Arnav. If Arnav was ready with sweets then she would like to have snacks. If Arnav prepared something spicy then she asks sweets. Damn this MOOD SWING.

In the beginning, Arnav was suffocating to tackle her mood swing but nowadays he is handling her brilliantly as he become experienced. As expected, she is waking up.

Khushi: Arnav.... I'm hungry.

Arnav: Do you eat jalebi?

Khushi(keeping her hands on her chest): Don't say that again Arnav, thinking of jalebis itself makes me nausea.

Arnav rolled his eyes chuckling. Just yesterday she wanted to eat jalebis badly and she started preparing it in the middle of the night. But now its name itself gives her nausea.

Arnav: Fruits?

Khushi(nodded no): Hell no.

Arnav: Ok. Roti ?

Khushi: With? She asked excitedly.

Arnav: What do you want?

Khushi: Something spicy.

Arnav: Ok wait for few minutes.

He went to the kitchen and removed fried onions, tomatoes and boiled channa (chickpeas) from the fridge which he prepared last evening. He reheated it in the Owen after adding spices in it and gave it to her with roties. Khushi ate it relishing.

Khushi (licking her fingers): Superb Arnav.

She was about to lie down, Arnav stopped her.

Arnav: Wait. Don't sleep right away after eating.

Khushi: I'm sleepy...

Arnav: Few minutes baby.

Khushi: Do something to keep me awake. She wheedled.

Arnav: Work out some Math. You won't get sleep. He said smirking.

Khushi: You became Mr. Bore these days. You have changed. You don't like me. She said pouting.

Arnav(with his trade make lopsided smile): What do you think? If you utter such dialogues then I will do what you want?

Khushi (making face): Won't you? (Arnav nodded no folding his lips) you are punishing me for the act of getting pregnant.

Arnav (chuckled): Go to sleep... Crazy woman.

Khushi: I will cry if you continue like this.

Arnav: I said sleep.

Khushi: I know how to take revenge. I won't let you touch me after my delivery too. Mark my 

words.

Arnav: Ohh really?

Khushi (feeling sad): Don't you know you should not make me crave for anything in this stage? She said fiddling her shawl.

Arnav looked at her smilingly. She raised her hands asking him to hug her back. Arnav completed the hug without any choice.

Khushi: I do not understand how you control yourself

Arnav: Khushi we can't be like the same in all the stages. That's what life is.

Khushi: But what about my desire? It's really hard to stay away from you. Women would like to be with her husband in this stage. Seeing you staying away from me makes me feel insecure.

Arnav: Khushi do you really want it?

Khushi (Snuggling into his chest): Badly. Don't you see how I'm craving for you?

Arnav lifted her chin and kissed her softly. That's all. "BOOM" The control which he kept until now went in air. The distance which they kept between them burned them until now. One mere touch of each other melted them like ever before. Arnav never behave wild on bed no matter what. Then it's not necessary to specify here how the lovemaking could have been. He made Khushi demand more. Arnav will do everything perfect. Now also he did the same. After a long time, they spent together getting into each other. 

Arnav( kissed her hair lovingly): Is this the drama for myself?

Khushi(surprised): How do you know?

Arnav: I know you.

Khushi: And I too knew that you are longing for me.

Arnav: But Khushi...

Khushi: Don't you think you are overprotecting?

Arnav: Is it wrong?

Khushi: Not wrong but irritating. (she tapped his nose) This is my seventh month. You don't need to be scared.

Arnav: I have to. Hamara bacha hai....

Khushi cuddled him smilingly. 

...

Arnav was watering plants while Khushi roaming around the garden. Suddenly there was uneasiness in her belly. She felt a sharp pain in her pelvic bones. She clutched her belly and screamed. Arnav threw the water pipe and rushed to her. He got panicked seeing her eyes pouring. Without any delay, he lifted her in his arms and made her sit in the car. Within half an hour they reached the hospital.

As Arnav already got permission to be with Khushi at the time of delivery, he entered the labor ward. But Khushi didn't want Arnav to be with her. He could bear anything but he couldn't see Khushi in pain.

Khushi: Arnav please stay outside.

Arnav: No. I will be with you.

Khushi: Arnav, please. She pleaded in between the killer pain.

Arnav: Khushi Stop concentrating on me.

Khushi: But Arnav...

Arnav: I can't leave you alone in this crucial moment.

Khushi: Don't see anything which is happening around us.

Arnav: Ok fine. I won't see anything around us ok? (Khushi sighed) Hold my hand.

Khushi holds his hands. Arnav faced a tough time to control his tears. He never saw Khushi like that and he never wants to see her like that again. As Khushi was well prepared for the delivery by doing proper exercises, she delivered the baby soon. Should say, as per Arnav's advice, the baby didn't trouble her mother a lot. Khushi dropped herself on the bed completely exhausted. Arnav cried hugging her like a child while Khushi smiled on his shoulder panting.

Arnav was asked to wait outside to complete further steps. He went outside half-heartedly. After a while Nurse handed over AASHI to him. "Evidence" of their LOVE who was being rolled with a towel, looking like a doll. A lonely tear fell on her cheek which was slipped from her father's eyes.

Aashi has become the world to Arshi. Her constant progress made them excited. They started waiting for her next step keenly. She crawled... stood... walked... Finally said Daada.... making her father totally flat. That day Arnav distributed sweets to the students who were studying in Khushi's private class.

Yes... as they planned, Khushi started teaching for poor students who couldn't spend money on their studies. Their house was open to all who were interested in studies. Our passionate teacher was doing her level best to the society as per her wish.

If we pour Arnav and Khushi in a bottle and shake them well, the mixture will be Aashi. She took every best quality from her parents. Reading Books, understanding, maturity and beautiful face from her father, Interest in Math, teasing, bubbliness and long silky hair from her mother.

She made her parent's jaws hung by solving trigonometric problems so easily at the age of seven which was twelfth-grade syllabus. She likes to listen to math sitting beside her mother when she teaches to the students. She would like to spend her leisure time reading books like her father. We could find her in AR Book Mart if she was in holydays. So that Khushi was freely doing her work without stress.

As Arnav planned he got close to Aashi more than Khushi. It was much needed for Khushi because she was busy in her carrier. Arnav and Aashi made a good team so Arnav didn't get the opportunity to show his possessiveness on his wife. Of course, still, our Hero is possessive. No one can change his nature. "Khushi" she is everything to him who gave the meaning to his life... became his life. Aashi might be part of their world doesn't mean he gave Aashi an equal place in his heart. It's different. We shouldn't compare it. Wife and daughter can't be equal, ever.

Khushi was so stressed free seeing their bonding because she was escaped from Arnav's possessiveness. But Khushi being Khushi, she never stops complaining. She fought with Arnav saying that "you have changed. You are no more possessive" But she didn't know that Arnav will remain Arnav no matter what.

To be continued......