Chapter 8

Chapter 20

Caskett arrives...

"Arnav, do something..."

Khushi yelled, holding Arnav's collar. Dr. Kamlesh Khabri walked inside the room and patted Arnav's shoulders.

"Mrs. Raizada, I am afraid your husband can do anything at this moment. Its upto you, push harder with all your strength, trust me it will be over in few seconds, you are almost there.."

Dr. KK assured but Khushi was bubbling with rage. She glowered at Arnav who stood as if a deer caught in the light, afraid of her. He was sad, scared and god knows what. He could not bear to see his Khushi going through this pain, but it has to done.

"Bhagwan ji, why this kolaveri?"

"Could not you have taken precaution?"

Bhagwan ji blasted, and resumed his work. He was trying this new hair color in market and Devi Maiyya was helping him with the same. They giggled cracking some of their own jokes and Arnav shook his head in disbelief.

"I don't believe you two.."

***

"It's a girl"

Dr. KK exclaimed and handed over the baby to Arnav. He quickly gave the baby to Anjali who was standing next to him. She smiled and kissed the baby's forehead.

"She is beautiful. Arnav, look at her, she did not even open her eyes completely. Thank You Devi Maiyya for this precious gift.."

Anjali said hugging the baby close. Dr. KK wiped the lone tear escaped his eyes, as he watched the way Anjali was talking to the baby, in her sweet voice. He cleared his throat reaching her sides and she looked up at him.

"Aap?"

She asked nervously, looking around. Arnav had already left for the next room, where Khushi was resting.

"Aap inke saath hai?"

Dr. KK asked smiling down at her.

"Yes, Arnav is my brother. I cant believe I am an aunt now. And she is totally adorable, don't you think?"

"Yes, she is. I think she likes her aunt very much.."

Anjali flushed under his gaze and handed over the baby to the nurse for feeding.

"So, how come I never met you before?"

"Ohh, hospital is not my thing. And Arnav never let me accompany Khushi for her monthly check-ups..."

"How many kids do you have?"

"Ohh.. I am not married.."

She colored as she said those words.

"I am relieved"

***

"I swear, I was not really scared or something. And the pain, it was not that horrendous as I had thought. It's the scream of the pregnant lady next to my bed, who got me scared. I cant believe it was her third baby, and she was crying her heads off. Can you believe it Arnav? I was better than her for a first timer. Don't you think?"

Arnav agreed holding her close as she rested her head against his chest.

"Take some rest Khushi. You look tired and pale. What do you want to eat?"

Khushi started counting things on her fingers one by one and then looked at him, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

""Chef's Chicken Choice Pizza from Domino's. Aloo Parantha. Nan and Shahi Panner from Sukhi's Dhaba. Rajma Chawal. Then some hot chocolate. That's all for now.."

She finished and Arnav patted her hair lovingly.

"What? Are you going to order these things or just sit here?"

Khushi asked annoyed. Arnav kissed her forehead and hugged her before getting out of the bed.

"You really are hungry. I understand. I will be back soon.."

"Oops"

He banged with a nurse who was holding a tray in her hands.

"Watch out Mr. Raizada.."

She said and walked past him.

"Sorry"

"Mrs. Raizada, juice for you and some cut fruits. Here is the menu for you for the next two years, or until you continue breastfeeding..."

She read the whole menu and Khushi inhaled sadly. But, she can do anything for her baby, could not she? She asked herself with a smile.

"Thank you Sheela. Arnav, come back no need to order those stuffs. I am sure I am not allowed to eat spicy stuffs, yet.."

Arnav smiled at her affectionately.

"Sheela, where is Caskett?"

"Caskett?"

The nurse asked confused while Arnav stifled his laugh.

"My baby, My Caskett, where is she?"

"Ohh your baby, she will be with you in next few minutes. Dr. KK is examining her.."

***

Sasi and Manorama rushed through the corridors of the hospital, searching for room no 333. They were excited to see their grandchild and cancelled their left days of honeymoon to come back to Delhi.

"Oh my goodness, is that my Aashiyana?"

Manorama asked touching baby's cheeks.

"She is Caskett, not Aashiyana Mumma"

Khushi said correcting her.

"Well, she will always be my Aashiyana. You can call her Caskett.."

"I think Aashiyana is a better name Khushi. what do you think?"

Khushi did not say anything but glared at him. He got his answer. Well, he had promised her, did not her? Damn!!

"How about Aneekha?"

"Dad, no. Caskett... Call her Cassy.."

"Okay baba fine.."

***

"I think Khushi is totally nuts.."

Devi Maiyya said giggling. She could not believe Khushi had named her after a fictional character. And that too, a jumbled up name of main leads of a fictional drama.

"What was that again?"

She asked and Bhagwan ji burst into laughter.

"Castle"

"Yeah right.."

"Stop it you two.."

Khushi's annoyed voice startled them both and they covered their mouth with their hands.

"Oops, I think she heard.."

***

"JP, she is expecting. Its her first week.. Can you believe it?"

Arnav looked at Aman horrified.

"Could not you have taken any precaution? Is not this too early man? What was the hurry? Trust me, the nine months are not easy for the fathers also.."

Aman bit onto his lips his eyes widening.

"She said she wanted to be a mother soon, so Khushi and her child would almost same age. I mean how ridiculous that sounds, right?"

Arnav rolled his eyes.

"Anyways, congratulations man, enjoy the fatherhood.."

"Payal? What a err...surprise?"

Arnav said shaking hands with her. He invited her inside his house while Khushi came walking towards the living room holding her baby in her hands. Caskett was two months old now, and she cried a lot. A hell lot.

"Payal? You look different..I mean happily different.."

Khushi said hugging her. Payal smiled at her adjusting her glasses and a girl emerged from her behind.

"This is Helena, my girlfriend.."

Helena greeted everyone with her beautiful smile. She was not Indian, and had beautiful curly blonde hair.

"Nice to meet you..Helena..You are beautiful.."

"We are engaged"

Payal breaks the news and Khushi smiles at them both showing her teeth. No wonder, her boss Payal was always against guys. She loved, girls. Ohh god.

"Ohh congrats to you both.."

Aman and Arnav shared a look and then congratulated them both.

They talked, exchanged pleasantries and had coffee.

"We never knew this secret of yours. You are one bad girl.."

JP said seating next to Payal, her eyes never leaving Helena's beautiful hair. Why did she never try to have some curls? She was sure she will look good in curls. JP thought grinning at them both.

"Ohh, I thought you would never want to work under me after finding out. So, it has to be kept as a secret. Besides, Helena lives in Tokyo she has her business there. We meet every month when she travels to India for her conferences.."

"Aww you two are so cute.."

JP exclaimed cupping her cheeks.

"Now we know where you get disappeared during work!"

Khushi said giggling.

"No Khushi, I never skipped work because I had this huge crush on you. I mean look at you woman, you are perfect even after having a baby. Now, that's real beauty.."

Payal said winking at her. Khushi felt the whole air blocked off her lungs and she smiled sheepishly at everyone. Arnav stifled his laugh as he looked at Khushi's pale face. He sat next to her and grabbed Caskett from her hands.

"Khushi, tum theek ho?"

He asked nudging her shoulder and she glared at him in response.

"Don't worry Khushi, its over now. I have Helena, and she is the best partner anyone could have. We are so happy together.."

"Now, I know, why she was always against our relationship. She really thought she had a chance with me?"

Khushi whispered into Arnav's ears and Arnav burst into laughter.

***

Anjali's eyes misted as she waved goodbyes to her family. She was going away from everyone it was her farewell time. Dr. KK was everything she ever wanted in a man. But, she was little sad for leaving Arnav and Khushi. And she is going to miss Caskett like hell.

"Bui, why are you crying? Dr. KK wont take you to school. Trust me, he is a good boy. Are not you Dr. KK?"

Caskett asked smiling up at him. He bend down and gathered her in his arms.

"No, I wont send your Bui to school, promise."

Casket smiled and placed a sloppy kiss on his cheek.

"Bye di, take care of yourself. And call me as soon as you reach Thailand.."

"Okay baba, where is Khushi?"

"Main yahaan hoon"

Khushi yelled and ran towards them holding Devi Maiyya's idol in her hands.

"How can you forget this Di?"

Khushi asked handing over the same to Anjali. She spilled some tears and placed inside the vehicle.

"Thanks Khushi. you are the best..I am going to miss you all.."

Anjali managed and climbed inside the vehicle.

"You cant be serious Khushi. She is leaving for her honeymoon and what am I going to do there?"

Devi Maiyya asked with a straight face while Khushi stuck her tongue out at her.

"You dare tease me for naming my daughter as Caskett, well, this is why you get in return. Have a safe time at Thailand.."

"If there ever is a Season 3 for this Random Shot, I swear you are going to have 5 or 6 kids in total..."

"Squeezeee me? I am not going to write a Season 3 okay!"

Fried rice ji yelled from the top of her voice.

***