Chapter 3

Part #3

 

"Aacha thik hai: Beta, if you won't join me in having something to eat, at the very least sit down. Your pacing is making me dizzy."

 

Shaurya came to a stop and sat; gazing stoically at his mother, hoping to find in her eyes, the reassurance he really needed this morning.

"She will be fine, beta. This is just part and parcel of her body adjusting to carrying the baby. It certainly hasn't been excessive so there is nothing to worry about."

 

Shaurya nodded uncertainly. Mom was repeating almost word for word what Mehek's obstetrician had said when they had visited a day ago, but it was nothing like confronting the malady directly for the first time.  Frankly the sight of his wife violently heaving over the toilet in their ensuite bathroom just now had scared him to death, and given him another avenue for worry. He was ready to cancel their agreement right there and then, and make her go back to bed for the day. But Mehek had only shushed him and asked for ten minutes so that she could gather herself, and then come and join her mother-in-law for their pre-fast repast. Shaury had agreed, with the last ditch hope that learning of Mehek's morning-sickness would finally have Mom in his corner this morning.

********

 

Truly, he hadn't meant to start the day with such pessimistic thoughts. In fact, resigned to the fact that Mehek would fast today, Shaurya had decided to face his fears head on and begin the day by assuring that his wife's predawn meal would be as fulfilling as possible, so that she would be able to complete the modified fast that they had compromised on, with her physician's approval.  At the same time, he would also be providing the same for the other female who meant the world to him.  His mother's surprise in discovering him in the kitchen, even before her had she had the opportunity had been worth rising early.

"Beta?"

Shaurya turned from the cooktop, rendering his mother speechless, as she took in her strapping son dressed for the day it seemed, if one were to discount the playful accessory he wore to protect his dress shirt and trousers. The whimsical "Kiss the Chef" apron, led her to do just that when she approached her son, and took the opportunity to check what he was up to. Shaurya was, she noted, already in the middle of preparing the sargi that she had come downstairs to prepare especially for her bahu this morning. "You've left me nothing to do, beta," Karuna  Khanna lamented, teasingly.

"Namaste Mom," Shaurya greeted her, leaning down to kiss his mother's forehead. "And you are right, you need do nothing this morning, but await your wayward bahu's arrival so the two of you can prepare for your day."

Karuna walked around to check on Shaurya's other preparations. "In that case, beta, I will just supervise and enjoy watching you at work. After all this is a very special occasion. I cannot remember the last time you were in the kitchen: alone that is."

She smiled, watching the ruddy hue come to her son's cheeks. Like a bee to honey, Shaurya would always find some reason to visit the kitchen whenever Mehek was present, but only in  latter days, when their  growing closeness was evident for anyone to witness, would the besotted man, be more or less hovering over his wife merely  for want of her company. If no-one else in the house appreciated it,: Shaurya's contentment in his marriage  had become her own joy, and now this...Karuna was more than pleased in the changes married life had brought about in her child.  

 

"Have you ensured that there is sufficient for Mami ji and Shruti as well, beta?"

 

Shaurya's head jerked up and a steely look came to his eyes. As far as he was concerned those two hags would starve before he would feed them this morning... as disingenuous the pair of them were, their hapless husbands would surely fare better, should neither of them fast on their behalves.

 

His mother clearly read the answer in his expression, and sighed, determining that it would be best to have something available should the women determine at the last minute that would celebrate Karva Chauth. "Beta, why don't you go and get Mehek before it becomes too late."

 

********

She was running out of time. If she didn't eat well, then the task ahead would be even more arduous for the both of them, as he wouldn't eat without her.  He would just take matters into his own hands and take her meal to her, Shaurya thought.

"Mom,"

"Haan beta," Karuna answered her son. "You have the right of it...it would be best to take the food to her. I'm done now, and you both need to eat soon." She met his look of surprise, with a patient smile. "Did you think I wasn't aware of your intent, Shaury?"

"She told you then..."

Karuna shook her head. "Nahi beta, Mehek would never. She has more respect for her husband, than to discuss a private decision the two of you have made.  Call it a mother's intuition," Karuna added with a smile. "I am very proud of you beta; this is a wonderful thing you are doing. And believe me, beta, despite your concerns, Mehek does understand her boundaries. She will not push past her limits to the detriment of her's or the baby's wellbeing. You on the other hand," she indicated the portion Shaurya was dishing up. "This will be new completely new for you, so make sure that you have sufficient this morning so that you can cope. Feel free to avail some of what I have prepared as well. Now, I will just check to see if the others intend to eat as well," she concluded before leaving the kitchen.

 

Shaurya was surveying the heavily laden tray with satisfaction when the arms reached around him; the decidedly angular limbs wrapping the circumference of his waist. Not for a minute did he misconstrue them for the softness of his wife's embrace. Impatiently, he grabbed the bony wrists, uncaring what pain he may or not inflict on the encroacher of his personal space: a problem that, as when he turned to glare at Shruti, his Bhabhi seemed more aroused by his manhandling than not.

"Good Morning Baby, you're looking hot here in the kitchen."

 

Shaurya pushed her away, but the leech of a woman, immediately countered his retreat, running her hand up and down his arm. "So hot, baby: that's precisely what you are: apron and all. Is that an invitation," she asked reading the cover-up he was wearing. She then looked at the meal he had plated. "You know I would fast for you, if you but ask, Shaury."

 

He didn't have time for this, as it was time was of an essence, so he turned his attention away from the loose female, and collected the tray.

"Thik hai," Shruti called out, as he made to leave. "I'll let you go now since I know that you will be looking in my direction when that whale of a wife of yours reaches her full potential, which judging by the amount she is eating this morning won't be long."

Her speech was stemmed when, in turning back to face her, Shruti comprehended that the full extent of Shaurya's wrath was now directed at her. She reddened as she was subjected to his perusal as he looked her up and down with not a hint of admiration. Rather he looked at her as if she was nothing: an undesirable, which made no sense at all. She knew she looked good; she worked out hard enough to make sure that her figure remained trim, and fashionable. She was everything a man would want; at least what Shaurya had always prized. Not like that hefty bitch he had married. But that hadn't stopped her face from turning a fiery red, when Shaurya snidely categorized her efforts as useless. "I honestly wouldn't recommend a fast for you today, Bhabhi; the emaciated look somehow isn't working for you as it did in our younger years," Shaurya commented as he turned and stepped aside  to avoid Mami Ji as she entered the kitchen. It was perfect timing, he thought viciously, as any jibe he would offer Shruti would be naught in comparison to what the vain woman's mother-in-law would dish out to her this morning.

*********  

Mehek was dressed, but honestly feeling a little worse for wear about now. And she saw, as she checked the clock, rapidly running out of time. However, she couldn't appear downstairs looking the way she had earlier. Not when Khanna Jr was making his presence especially known this morning. Even after finishing her absolutions, she realized how wan she looked in the mirror. Shaurya would have an even bigger fit, than when he had first come for her, so she had to take a few extra steps not rid herself of her waxen appearance. One final glance in the mirror and she was satisfied that the cosmetic steps she had taken had greatly improved her appearance. But then, she realized, her haste had been unnecessary   when Shaurya materialized in the doorway with her - and his breakfast too - she certainly hoped, noting the quantity of food he had brought with him.

 

"Dammit, I've forgotten your milk: start eating, Mehek, I will be right back," Shaurya ordered her.

Thankful to see the second set of cutlery when her husband set the tray down on the coffee table, Mehek began her meal, which despite her earlier discomfort, she was suddenly ravenous for.

 

"Enough: I'm going to be huge if you keep feeding me like this, Shaurya, and then my face will really look like a potato paratha. Here," she offered, "Please have some more. You will be going to work today, not me."

When he didn't partake of her offering, she put the spoon down. "Shaurya, what..."

"You're beautiful Mehek, absolutely beautiful. And I was a complete ass for ever saying such things to you."

 

She shook her head: she was so past that time of their lives...

 

"I couldn't recognize the beauty that was in front of me; the unique loveliness that I didn't understand would become the world to me," he continued, not knowing if it was Mami Ji's comments yesterday or Shruti's malice a few minutes earlier towards his wife, that made him realize the need to redress for this particular cruelty of his.  Now he saw clearly how he, like so many of his ilk had compartmentalized beauty into one rigid criterion: that he had been the standard bearer of this opinion. But most of all how much he needed to atone for his nastiness to Mehek for it.

 

How he could not have seen her beauty for what it was, he thought. But then, immediately he realized that he had: that from the very beginning he was intuitively attracted to her; that before long her soft, curvy figure would have him restless, and aching to come closer to her, no matter how much he denied it.  God knew he fought it; hiding behind his insults of her stature; ridiculing a barely existent weight issue, but it had been for naught, absolute nothing. And now, knowing the sweetness of the voluptuous woman that he had claimed as his, Shaurya recognized what an idiot he had been, in this respect. But then he had been a fool in so many ways.

 

"You will be all the more beautiful, carrying our child, Mehek," he announced reaching to cup her face, already envisioning their baby nestled in the  flawless body perfectly fashioned to safely carry their child.

"I would still want you to take care of your diet for health reasons, but believe me I will cherish every change, I don't want you ever to doubt..."

 

Mehek, leaned in and kissed him playfully on the lips. "I know Shaurya, I've actually figured out for a while how you feel," she said acknowledging their intense physical attraction for one another. "And I will cherish all of your changes in the coming months too."

"Excuse me: my changes?"

"Ji Shaurya, I expect you will have to start working out a little harder;  after all you will be lifting for two now Mr. Muscles," she teased, before placing the full spoon in his mouth.

 

"But not today, you have very little time before the sun rises, and we need to fortify you until then...you have a long day ahead for you. Chalo, our fasting waits."

Part#4

[NOCOPY]