I Belong With You part 30 updated (Arsh ff) - Page 5

nice part

great update

Hey!
This was nice!
Rohan is probably Shilpa's ex!!!!
LOL
looking forward to next!

Jinszy!

heheh this story is SO cute! Armaan's scenes with Shilpa and little Shona are so endearing haha, it always makes me feel all warm and happy inside haha

hey sorry for the late comment!!!!!!!!!!!! my net was not working....................but u didnt send me any PM that u updated.......:((

anyways comin to the parts.................love both part 4 and 5....................Arman really liked the baby and it was sooooooooooooooooo sweet of him named the baby....................i really loved the name shona..............its like Shilpa's reflection.........................

coming to part 5................it was really nice but I missed Shilpa and Shona.........I think Rohan is the baby's dad.........plz Dont bring Rohan in between ArSh.............

Update soon...................

Afrin

part 6

Shona happily wriggled her tiny fists in the air while her mother put her in her pink blanket, ready to take her home. As she stayed leaned over the bed, getting the baby ready for the road, Shilpa rolled her eyes. "Ok, say it," she groaned and stood up, looking back over her shoulder to Armaan.

Armaan grinned and made a step forward from the doorway. "Her name is Shona," he kept grinning at the fact that Shilpa chose the name he had recommended.

"Shona Muskaan gupta," Shilpa mumbled as she turned her torso so that she could face him.

"You named her after your mother?" Armaan asked, surprised, already knowing the cold relationship between mother and daughter.

"My daughter will be a better person than her grandma is and I want the world to picture another Muskaan when they hear this name,"

"That's nice," Armaan smiled. "I am sure she'll come around," he added, trying to sound encouraging.

"I don't think so, but thanks," she answered with a slight smile and started throwing the few things she had on her nightstand into her bag. "Is it your mother's name?" Shilpa asked him matter-of-factly.

"What?" He asked back, not understating what she was referring at.

"The name. How did you come up with it? Is it your mother's?" she asked him again.

Armaan chuckled wickedly and shook his head. "No. Do you want to know how I found it though?" he asked her.

Shilpa smiled, rolling her eyes at his enthusiasm. "I have the feeling that you're going to tell me, although I am not very curious," she shrugged.

"True," Armaan chuckled, but he didn't say how he had found the name.

"So?" Shilpa looked at him, waiting.

Armaan grinned and moved fast to the door, his hand on the doorknob. "Take the baby in your arms," he suggested.

Shilpa frowned. "Are you crazy?"

"No. I just want to make sure that you won't be able to attack me," he answered, smirking.

"Why would I attack you for a name?" she asked him, confused.

Armaan kept grinning. "It's not about the name. It's about how I come up with."

"Armaan, just tell me already," Shilpa groaned.

"Take the baby first," he insisted.

Shilpa sighed and took the baby into her arms, now waiting for Armaan to say whatever he wanted to say.

"Ok," Armaan chuckled. "I found it on the internet," he said.

"Really?" Shilpa gasped sarcastically.

"And there's more," Armaan replied. "I typed in the mother's first name and the … the midwife's first name," he said with a chuckle. "And based on our names origins and meanings, the database generated this name."

Shilpa listened to his explanation, her face expressionless. She continued staring at him a moment longer after he finished explaining. "You're a freak," she muttered.

"Thanks," Armaan chuckled at first, but his smile froze when he saw her serious expression. "I guess," he muttered under his breath.

"Thanks for the name anyway. It's lovely," Shilpa smiled. "Now I have to go." She cradled the baby in one arm while she put the bag over her shoulder.

"I will give you a ride home," Armaan said quickly and came to grab the bag off her shoulder.

"I called a cab, thanks," Shilpa jerked her shoulder at his gesture.

"Are you going to ride with the baby in a cab?" Armaan shook his head disapprovingly.

"People from the car rental weren't very happy to find out that someone gave birth into one of their cars, so yeah I am taking a cab. Oh and by the way, thank you for taking care of my car. Actually, thank you for all your help," she smiled and made a step aside to walk past him.

But Armaan followed her and blocked her way. "And the flowers?" he asked, tilting his head towards one of the flower bouquets she still had in her room. "I will give you a ride home," he insisted. "And this way you can take all the flowers."

There was one thing that Shilpa hated about Armaan. The way he was smiling each time he was trying to get his way.

Armaan pulled the car in front of Shilpa's house. He quickly got out of the car and walked around it to open the door for Shilpa, helping her out.

"I'll get the flowers and the bag for you," Armaan offered, already taking Shilpa's bag.

"That's fine," she insisted and took the bag off his hand.

Armaan sighed disappointed as he understood. "I am not invited inside," he smiled sadly.

"I am sorry," she said quietly, unable to look into his eyes. "Maybe some other time," Shilpa smiled apologetically at him. She took out the keys, put the bag on her shoulder and took the flowers from Armaan. "Thank you… again," she smiled. "I really appreciate everything you've done for me."

Armaan smiled, still disappointed, and touched her cheek for a split second. "So, can I come visit you and the baby?"

"As long as you don't move in," she giggled.

"Thank you. Take care of you and you know already…"

"I know," she smiled. "I will call you in case of emergency,"

"Or if you need anything," Armaan added.

Shilpa just nodded, smiling. "Good bye, Armaan."

Armaan leaned down and gave Shona a soft kiss on the forehead. "Good bye, Shilpa."

Shilpa looked away quickly as she felt something wrong with her eyes. She turned and walked along the path towards her house, without any other glance to Armaan. As she reached to the front door, Shilpa noticed that her both hands were occupied and it was a little difficult for her to unlock the door.

Armaan stayed, leaning against his cars and waiting for her to get inside. When he saw her trouble, Armaan smiled to himself and hurried to help her. "I am just unlocking it," he smiled when she started.

Shilpa smiled gratefully and waited for him to open the door. She walked inside and dropped the flowers on a small table beside the door. "Bye," she smiled at him and slowly closed the door.

"Bye," Armaan sighed in front of the closed door.

END OF PART 7

I WILL BE UPDATING THE NEXT PART IN AN HOUR OR SO SO I WOULDN'T BE SENDING PM FOR THE NEXT UPDATE

heyyy dear,
nice part
will be waiting for next part


love
Riddss

part 7

Shilpa gazed out her window to the rain that was washing the dark street, already unconsciously rocking the baby back and forth in her arms with slow movements. When Shona sighed, Shilpa's gaze broke. She looked down at her baby and smiled. Then she looked at the clock and sighed. It was nearly 5 o'clock in the morning and Shona had just decided to fall asleep.

She slowly stood up from the windowsill and carried the baby back to her bed. Shilpa lay down beside her, her hand slowly rubbing against the baby's tiny chest. "Baby Shona," she whispered, talking to her girl. "When you see dark outside, it means that we have to sleep. We sleep all night and then we wake up when the sun is up on the sky. I know it's confusing because you're only three weeks old and you haven't seen too much sun yet, but trust me… this is how things go around here."

The baby kept sleeping peacefully as if her mother's lecture would have been a lullaby.

Shilpa sighed and rearranged the pillow beside the baby so that she wouldn't fall off the bed and then she drew the blanket over them and lay down with Shona. Her eyes gazed out the window again and now the rain seemed to reflex in her eyes. She wasn't supposed to be lonely anymore, but she felt lonelier than ever. She wiped her cheek and took a deep breath. She had chosen this way so she was going to suck it up and move on. Shilpa watched her baby until the 3 sleepless hours she had spent with Shona that night wore her out and she drifted to sleep.

Later, Shilpa was struggling with her bag, which constantly was falling off her shoulder, and with Shona, who was sleeping in her arms. She sighed and ran the back of her hand over her forehead to wipe the perspiration. She watched how the elevator was dragging down to the main lobby while she tapped the foot against the floor, hoping for it to move faster so that she could get outside and get some air. With each stop, Shilpa took a deep breath, feeling refreshed for a second only. She was having two more floors to go when the door opened and someone's face lit up.

"Shilpa," Armaan smiled and walked inside as soon as the other passengers got off.

"Armaan," Shilpa smiled.

His smile turned instantly into worry as he noticed her tired look. Her face was still glowing, but her eyes looked extremely tired. "Is everything all right with you and Shona?"

"Yes, it is," Shilpa just nodded.

"May I ask you what are you doing here?" Armaan insisted.

"Do I have to give you a report?" Shilpa snapped angrily, causing Shona to fuss in her arms. "Shh," she whispered to the baby and rocked her slowly.

Armaan was caught off guard by her burst. "I am sorry," he apologized quietly.

Shilpa sighed as the guilt washed over and tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Shilpa," Armaan said softly and stopped the elevator. Gesture that made her throw a fist in his arm.

"What is wrong with you?" she snapped. "I have a baby in here," she scowled.

"Shilpa, what's wrong?" Armaan kept the tone of his voice calm. "We're friends, remember?"

Another tears rolled down her cheeks then. "It's nothing," she sobbed.

Armaan gently slid his hands under the baby and took her into his arms. As he cradled Shona with one arm, he wrapped his other one around Shilpa.

"I'm just very tired," she sobbed into his shoulder as she clenched on him.

"Shh," Armaan rubbed circles over her back, soothing her. "I know. It's not easy, but it will get better."

"When… she'll go to… to college?" Shilpa sobbed.

Armaan chuckled. "No. I am sure it's going to be sooner," he reassured her with a lighter tone and kissed her on the cheek.

Slowly she started calming down and she was able to hold back her tears. Shilpa stepped back and wiped her face, sniffing. "Try to ignore what just happened."

"If that makes you feel better," he smiled.

"It does," she smiled back.

"Ok, then. I will ignore it," he chuckled. "So she's a night person, huh?" Armaan smiled down at Shona.

"She is," she sighed. "Can you let the elevator go now?"

Armaan showed the intention of doing it, but his finger froze over the button. "Have lunch with me."

"Armaan," Shilpa groaned. "I asked you to ignore my minor burst."

"I already forgot about it," Armaan grinned. "I want you to have lunch with me," he insisted and gave her a pleading smile.

Shilpa giggled like a teenager and wiped her eyes. "Let's make it fast because Shona will be asking for her meal soon and I am only carrying it packed," she smiled, her brows motioning down to her chest.

Armaan laughed cheerfully and let the elevator go. "I can only offer you hospital food, so we'll be done with it quickly."

"Can I have Shona back?" she asked him, holding out her hands.

Armaan smiled curiously. "Are you asking me the permission?"

"Armaan," Shilpa just smiled and slid her hands under the baby.

"So why are you here?" Armaan insisted.

Shilpa rolled her eyes, this time smiling. "I wanted Dr. Henderson to see Shona."

"I knew there was something wrong with her," Armaan frowned.

"She's perfectly healthy," she reassured him. "I just wanted to make sure that her insomnia has nothing to do with any disease."

"Aww you are one of those moms," Armaan laughed.

"And I am proud to be one of those moms," Shilpa sniffed.

"I didn't say it was a bad thing," he smiled.

The cafeteria looked crowded at that hour, when Shilpa and Armaan walked inside. Armaan stopped beside the entrance and sighed disappointedly as he looked around. "It's a little too loud," he said.

Shilpa just smiled and walked ahead. "She's a night person, remember?" she looked back over her shoulder.

Armaan chuckled and sped up to catch up with her. "Go find us a table and I'll buy the food. Anything in particular?" he asked her what she preferred to have for lunch.

"No," she shook her head.

While Armaan went to buy their food, Shilpa scanned the surroundings, looking for a private table. Part of the hospital staff knew her already and she knew that most of them had heard about the Baby Malik incident, so she tried not to catch any curious eye.

There weren't many choices for her, but she did spot a free table in a corner of the room. She waved back to Armaan and pointed towards the table to know where he would find her.

Shilpa pulled one more chair beside hers and dropped Shona's bag in it. As she sat down, Shilpa noticed some curious faces, staring at her. "Oh great," she sighed. She stood up and looked around, wishing to get rid of the curious stares as soon as possible. However, the luck wasn't on her side this time. She sighed and sat down reluctantly, shifting her chair to have her back half-turned to the stares.

Shilpa looked down at Shona and smiled. She was sleeping so peacefully, no laugh and no shout seemed to get to her ear. Shilpa leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead, feeling calmer once she felt her daughter's warmth.

"Chicken salad and a tea," Armaan said, placing a tray in front of Shilpa.

"That's it?" Shilpa frowned.

"We have to watch for your silhouette," Armaan chuckled, sitting down across from Shilpa. As he glanced up at her, Armaan met her glare. Apparently, he wasn't a good joker. "Do you want me to go and buy you something else?" he asked her, serious.

"So that you can call me fat later?" Shilpa spat.

Armaan chuckled and muttered under his breath. "Hormones."

"What did you say?" she scolded.

"I am happy to be your friend," Armaan chuckled. He leaned over the table and opened the lid to Shilpa's salad, pushing it closer to her. "I can hold her for you," he said, his eyes gazing at Shona.

"You didn't wash your hands," Shilpa answered and stabbed her fork into the salad.

Armaan stared at her, offended. "I am a doctor, Shilpa."

Shilpa shrugged as she took a bite from her food. "You just bought lunch so you put your hands on dirty money."

"Fair money," Armaan corrected her quickly, amused. "And what are you going to do? Spit food all over her?" Armaan leaned back in his chair, smiling as Shilpa looked down and checked her baby.

Shilpa nervously threw her fork into the casserole and stood up. "How are you going to eat then?" she furrowed her brows.

Armaan smiled as he pushed his tray towards her. "I had something earlier, but I needed an excuse to invite you to lunch."

Shilpa rolled her eyes and tried to hide her smile. "Don't touch her face or her hands."

Armaan laughed, finding amusing her restrictions, and stood up to take Shona in his arms.

"Aren't you worried of what people might say about this?" Shilpa asked him.

Armaan gave her a genuine smile. "They talk even if they don't see us together."

Shilpa sighed, knowing he was right. She could have said no to his invitation, why didn't she do it? She reluctantly picked up her fork and started eating again.

"So…" Armaan cleared his throat conversationally. "Has life settled for you already here in Seattle?" he asked her.

Shilpa just nodded as she kept eating. As she glanced up at him and saw Armaan holding one of Shona's tiny hands, she rolled her eyes, but stayed quiet.

"Nothing new from your mother?" he asked her and Shilpa shook her head in response. "Shilpa, you really don't have any family here?"

Shilpa groaned, glaring at him. "No," she grumbled.

"Tell me you have at least one friend here," Armaan smiled genuinely.

Shilpa looked into his eyes for a moment and then looked down as she nodded. "I do," she muttered. She just didn't want him to know that he was her only friend.

"She has grown so much," Armaan said, smiling at Shona.

"She's only 3 weeks old," Shilpa replied.

Armaan smiled at her and shook his head, disapproving her answer. "You see her everyday, so you can't tell. You know…" he hesitated, smiling rather uncomfortable.

Shilpa almost chocked with the food, knowing what he was going to say. She put her fork down and took a sip from her tea, all this time avoiding Armaan's gaze.

"I came to see you ... twice," Armaan said softly, without any reproach as Shilpa had expected. "But you didn't answer," his disappointment came with the addition.

Shilpa cleared her throat and flashed him a faint smile. "Probably I was sleeping or uh I was with Shona."

Armaan smiled reassuringly, but he knew she was lying. "I am not forcing you to be my friend, Shilpa," he said, his voice was calm. "You can choose whoever you want as friend."

"Why do you want to be my friend?" she asked him, straight.

Armaan smiled and his smile was sad now. "I divorced last year and then I came here. I have nobody here, so this hospital is like my home. Though this place is huge, only the work is my friend."

Shilpa looked away, trying to hide the tears that were threatening to water her eyes again. Their stories were so alike. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, in attempt of calming down. "We're home tonight," she said quietly, her eyes shyly peaking to Armaan.

Armaan had a big smile on his face.

"Bring dinner with you," Shilpa added.

"I'll stop by the most expensive restaurant in Seattle," Armaan promised. Shilpa smiled, displeased. "And I will buy a lot of food," Armaan added, chuckling. "Maybe I will stock your refrigerator."

"That wouldn't be bad," Shilpa giggled. She felt more relaxed now. Armaan was right; people were talking about them anyway and she needed a friend. One thing she knew for sure, she couldn't allow Armaan to become more than her friend. She already had a child and she didn't even finish her year as surgical intern.

Shilpa tucked the baby with another pillow to her side and smiled as she leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead. "Now Baby Shona, don't wake up while Mommy is taking a shower, ok?" Baby Shona wriggled her tiny nose and sighed in her sleep. Shilpa giggled and leaned down to kiss her again. "I am going to leave the door open to the bathroom, so scream if you need me. I know you can do it," she told her and then she slowly got out of the bed. "Armaan is coming to see us and you don't want Mommy to scare her only friend away."

As she had promised to Shona, Shilpa left the bathroom door opened and she stepped under the shower. It was still early in the afternoon and she didn't expect Armaan to show up any time soon; therefore, she decided to fill the bathtub with hot water and relaxing bubbles. It felt good. She wasn't back at work yet, but she was tired as if she had been. Staying up all night with the baby and struggling to read some of the medical books for her exam, Shilpa felt her body tensed most of the time.

Lying there and enjoying the silence, Shilpa slowly drifted to sleep. She stirred awake when she heard the doorbell. Confused and surprised, Shilpa glanced out the small window, checking if she had slept for too long. There was still light outside and judging from her slight headache, Shilpa was sure she hadn't slept longer than 5 minutes; besides, the water was still hot.

The doorbell rang again, this time with more insistence. "You idiot," she gritted her teeth as she stumbled out of the bathtub. She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her as she walked out of the bathroom. The doorbell rang again, shorter this time but enough to make Shona whimper. "Crap," Shilpa muttered and hurried to calm her down. "Back to sleep, baby. I am going to smack the idiot's head, don't worry," she whispered, caressing gently Shona's chest. Shona sighed as she calmed down and Shilpa sighed as well.

She wrapped the towel tighter around her as she walked out of the bedroom. She was climbing down the stairs when the doorbell rang again. "Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!" she almost yelled as she walked to the door.

Shilpa was ready to say some sweet words to whoever was at her door, but her words got stuck in her throat as she saw Armaan standing on her porch. She remembered to breathe when she felt her towel loosening from around her body. Shilpa started and wrapped her arms around the towel, holding it securely. "Armaan," she breathed out.

Armaan was left speechless by the view in front of his eyes. Her skin was glowing because of the water that was still dripping off her body and was matching with her messy hair, which had wet strands now. "Hi," Armaan smiled, his eyes staring at the shape of her breasts.

Shilpa giggled and wrapped herself better in her towel. She cleared her throat and suddenly she remembered. She was mad of him because of the way he had decided to harass her doorbell. "What is wrong with you?" she snapped at him. "Did you forget that I have a baby in here?"

"Sorry," Armaan smiled apologetically, clearing his throat and avoiding to look at her skin. "But she's a night person."

"Armaan," Shilpa spat.

"Sorry," he laughed. "I wanted to make sure that you wouldn't ignore my visit again."

"I was in the bathroom," she explained.

"Obviously," Armaan chuckled and just glanced down at her body.

"Oh just come inside," she stepped aside and let him in the house. "What are you doing here so early?" she asked him then as she remembered the early hour.

"I got off from work earlier. My last surgery was canceled," Armaan answered, stepping inside. "I didn't buy dinner," he admitted. "But I can cook."

Shilpa smiled and shook her head. "You should have come later then."

"No. I wanted to see my girl," Armaan grinned at her. "Is she sleeping?"

"Your girl?" Shilpa folded her arms across her chest.

Armaan chuckled. "I birthed her," he pointed out.

"Really?" Shilpa laughed. "Oh well, I guess I am curious to see you birth another one now."

"You are?" Armaan gasped, excited and took a step towards her.

Shilpa realized how that had sounded. "Shut up," she giggled. "I pushed her out so I birthed her."

"But I was there to catch her," he remembered her. "And let's not forget that for a few hours she had my name."

"Yeah but she's still mine," she pointed out. "She's upstairs sleeping."

"Can I go see her?" Armaan asked excitedly.

Shilpa was tempted to say yes, but then she remembered that Shona was sharing the same room with her. "I need to change my clothes first."

"Don't change them. I like these," Armaan teased her.

"Funny guy," Shilpa smiled.

"I will wash my hands and then you can show me her room while you change your clothes," Armaan suggested.

"Armaan," Shilpa groaned.

"Please," he smiled pleadingly.

Shilpa felt a limp in her throat and again she felt her heart drumming inside her chest as Armaan smiled like that. "Follow me," she gave in and motioned for him to follow her upstairs.

Shilpa led him into her room, where Shona was still sleeping in the middle of the bed.

"Try not to wake her up though," she suggested as she walked over to her closet and looked for clean clothes.

Armaan paused in the doorway for a brief second, a little surprised to see that Shona wasn't sleeping in her crib. Then he found it cute how Shilpa loved to have her baby close to her.

"The bathroom is over there," Shilpa pointed to her bathroom.

Armaan smiled and nodded as he followed her direction. He washed his hands- as Shilpa had asked him to do- and then he returned in the bedroom. Armaan lay down on the bed beside Baby Shona, just smiling as he watched her sleeping. After just a little while, Shona started whimpering quietly and fussing, so Armaan stood up quickly and picked her up into his arms.

"You're not scared of me, are you?" he started talking to Shona. "Have you forgotten me already? I am Armaan," he spoke softly and Shona seemed to recognize or like his voice because she calmed down and continued to sleep peacefully. "So, you remember me," Armaan smiled as he paced around the room, slowly rocking her.

With Shona in his arms, a pink teddy bear caught Armaan's eyes. Armaan smiled as he saw the bear on one of the nightstands beside the bed. Then, another teddy bear- smaller but still pink- caught his attention and Armaan paid more attention to the room. There were baby clothes pilled up in one of the chairs, diapers and other baby care products, all along with Shilpa's medical books. Armaan's first impression: Shilpa was a very messy person.

"You'd better not learn this from your Mommy," Armaan whispered in Shona's ear. "Do you think she will get mad if we go see your room?" he asked her, but then he smiled to himself. "It's not her room, is it? It's your room and I am sure that you don't mind."

Baby Shona sleepily ran her tiny fist over her face and Armaan smiled as he took her gesture as an answer. He walked out of Shilpa's bedroom and paused in the hall as he listened to the water coming from Shilpa's other bathroom. "She can take her time," Armaan whispered to Shona.

Armaan felt a little disorientated as he looked around him. He didn't know exactly which one was Shona room and he didn't want to be indiscreet and peaked in all the rooms. Therefore, he stayed and thought. The nearest room was the one across from hers and he thought that should be the room. Armaan opened the door and his eyes grew huge as he looked inside. It was indeed Shona's room, but it didn't look like anyone was sleeping in there. The walls had been painted in nice tones of lilac, simple but with a calming mixture of color. The only furniture standing in there was a pink small closet. Leaned against one of the walls were parts of what was supposed to be Shona's crib, beside them a carpet had been rolled up.

Armaan lifted Shona and kissed her softly on the forehead. "I see that you're redecorating in here," he whispered. Armaan walked out of the room when he heard the bathroom door opening.

"What were you doing in there?" Shilpa frowned as she saw him walking out of Shona's room.

Armaan answered with a reproaching frown. "And you wonder why she doesn't sleep at night. She has no place to sleep."

Shilpa glared as she came and slid her hands under the baby, taking her from Armaan's arms. "She has a bed to sleep in," she grumbled.

"She needs her own place, Shilpa," Armaan pointed out.

"And what were you doing in there?" Shilpa scolded him. "It's still considered rude to barge into people's rooms," she hissed as she turned around and carried Shona into her bedroom. She slowly put her on the bed and tucked the pillows around her.

As she stood up, she saw Armaan leaning against the doorframe and smiling genuinely. "I didn't feel inspired enough to arrange her room," she said quietly. "Besides I have a lot to study for the test."

As he heard that, Armaan smiled and rolled his sleeves up. "If you had let me inside earlier I would have spared you of many sleepless nights."

Shilpa tried to ignore his comment. Slowly she walked towards him and put her hands on his chest, pushing him out of her bedroom. She quietly closed the door and then folded her arms across her chest, staring at Armaan. "What are you waiting for?" she asked.

Armaan grinned and turned on his heels, walking in Shona's room. Shilpa's study books were everywhere, so she picked one and followed Armaan inside, sliding down against the wall, ready to study and supervise Armaan in the same time.

Shilpa bit her lip to hide her smile each time she glanced at Armaan or heard him cursing. Apparently, building up a crib wasn't a boring puzzle as Armaan had thought it would be. Neither of them kept the track of the time, so Shilpa was surprised to see that the light was fading outside and the room was getting darker. She stood up and went to turn on the light. As she flicked the light on, Armaan squealed victoriously, making Shilpa shriek, scared.

"Sorry," Armaan chuckled, grinning. "I made it!" he beamed pointing to the standing crib in front of him.

"Yay," Shilpa beamed sarcastically. "That was quit a challenge, huh?"

Armaan frowned at first but his face turned bright again as he smiled at her. "It was," he admitted. Shilpa came to his side, giving a closer look. She had to admit that the exterior looked exactly like in the model picture. "It was easy," Armaan shrugged smugly.

"Was it?" Shilpa asked as she leaned over the crib. "Then why does the mattress rise up and down? Are you trying to break her ribs?" she scolded.

Armaan smugly smile faded instantly as he leaned over and looked inside the crib.

Shilpa groaned, rolling her eyes, and propped her hands against the mattress. As she pressed a little more power against it, the mattress knuckled under her pressure. "shit," Shilpa shrieked in pain as the edge of the mattress fell on her foot.

"Why did you have to do that?" Armaan reproached, sliding an arm around hers to give her more support.

"Why?" Shilpa yelled and threw a fist in his chest. "You could have killed my daughter."

"You're overreacting," Armaan replied.

"Am I?" Shilpa continued yelling. "I guess we also found out that the screws weren't well tight," she lowered the tone of her voice and she felt the pain fading, so she jerked her arm from Armaan's grip. "She will grow up and when she will be able to stand, she'll start jumping," she explained calmer.

"I was going to check them," Armaan muttered, offended.

"When? After Shona was landing under the crib?"

Shilpa just shook her head and started taking each screw out of the crib that Armaan had tried to build. Armaan wanted to tell her to give up as he would do it the next day, but then he decided not piss her off even more. Therefore, he took Shilpa's previous seat on the floor and picked up her book, convinced that they would be in there at least until Shona wakes up. Armaan put the book the book aside soon as he saw how fast the crib was starting looking like a crib.

"How did you do this?" Armaan asked in awe when Shilpa smiled and pointed to the crib.

"I never said I couldn't do it," Shilpa giggled. "I just never felt inspired, but now seeing you blowing it off after you had just bragged about how great you were…" Shilpa smiled and shrugged. "The inspiration struck me."

Armaan chuckled and shook his head. "You're a strange woman, Shilpa."

"I am strange?" Shilpa giggled. "You're the one stalking a single mom."

"I am not stalking you," Armaan replied defensively. Shilpa raised a brow knowingly. "I wouldn't call it stalking," he smiled.

Shilpa was ready to give him a reply when Shona started crying. Both hurried outside and Shilpa went to pick her baby up from the bed. As Shilpa took her into her arms, Shona calmed down and just started fussing in her arms.

"Is she hungry?" Armaan asked her as he came by her side and caressed Shona's head. Shona looked at her mother and then her blue eyes watched Armaan. She looked back at her mother and smiled, wriggling her hands in the air.

"She smiled," Shilpa said quietly, her voice being overwhelmed by the moment.

"Is it for the first time?" Armaan asked, surprised.

Shilpa gazed down at her baby girl and shook her head. "No, but… this time it looked different."

"Are you sure she's not hungry?" Armaan asked her.

"She's not," Shilpa leaned down and kissed her on the forehead.

"Then why did she start crying?" he insisted.

Shilpa looked at him and rolled her eyes. "I am her mother. If she is hungry, China can hear her scream."

"You're overreacting," Armaan laughed and slid his hands under the baby, taking her from her mother's arms, this time without asking for Shilpa's permission.

Shilpa wanted to say something about it, but then she changed her mind. It looked natural now to see Armaan cradling her baby girl. She let her arms fell to her side and smiled as she watched them.

"I am overreacting a little," she smiled at him. "China can't hear her, but Mexico can."

Shona let out a whimper as she frowned.

"Don't worry," Armaan laughed. "I don't believe her," he said to the baby and kissed her on the forehead.

Shilpa remembered then about their dinner. "I won't cook for you. You invited yourself here tonight," she warned him.

Armaan gave her one of his best genuine smiles. "You invited me, but I am not going to argue with you about this, so I will make something for us."

Shilpa took the baby from Armaan and cradled her to her chest. "I will show you where the kitchen is, but you'll have to do it by yourself because I want to give her a bath."

"A bath?" Armaan asked, his face lightened up by excitement. "I want to help."

"How about dinner?"

"Are you hungry?" Armaan asked her, obviously telling her to say no.

"No," Shilpa giggled.

"Great," he beamed. "Me neither. Let's give Shona a bath," he suggested and pointed towards Shilpa's bathroom.

"Ok," Shilpa watched him, smiling so hard that her cheeks were hurting her. "She has her own bathtub. It's in the bathroom. Can you set it up?"

Armaan nodded, thrilled to take part to such a big event like giving Shona a bath and walked ahead into the bathroom. Armaan set up the bathtub and filled it with water, carefully checking its temperature, while Shilpa undressed the baby.

"Hold her," Shilpa said and put Shona in Armaan's arms, walking then to the cabinet and taking out two bottles. She poured a little from each bottle and as she pressed a button, bubbles started mixing the two essences into the water.

"She has her own Jacuzzi?" Armaan laughed.

Shilpa smirked at him. "God bless the internet. I am broke now but my daughter is enjoying a Jacuzzi bath."

Armaan smiled, but he did it with slight disagreement. "Was it necessarily?"

Shilpa sighed as he asked her that. "I though it was," she admitted. "I even bought her lavender and vanilla essences to help her sleep at night."

He looked at her, smiling as if he was smiling at someone innocent and who did something wrong. "And it has never really occurred to you that she might be able to sleep because she doesn't have her own bed?"

"Shut up," Shilpa giggled and took Shona from him, carefully placing her into the water.

Armaan knelt beside the bathtub, rolling a towel, and put it under Shona's head to keep it up above the water while Shilpa was slowly splashing water over the baby. "Can you give me her soap?" she asked Armaan.

Armaan was obviously more that thrilled to help her. "Which one is hers?" he asked.

"A pink one," Shilpa answered, smiling down at Shona –who was looking at her mother with curious eyes. Shilpa tickled her under the chin and Shona answered with a delighted smile. "She's so wonderful," Shilpa said to herself, contemplating at her baby.

"No doubt of that," Armaan agreed as he came by Shilpa's side.

Shilpa held out her hand for him to give her the soap. Armaan showed the intention of giving it to her at first, but then he pulled his hand back and held the soap.

"Can I have it, please?" Shilpa insisted, slightly irritated. "The water is getting cold."

"I want to wash her," he grinned.

"That's not possible," Shilpa shook her head firmly. "Now give me the soap," she demanded.

"Why isn't it possible?" Armaan frowned, standing up.

"Armaan," Shilpa moaned and stood up as well, determined to take the soap off his hand.

"I want to wash her. Please!" Armaan insisted, hiding his hand to back so that Shilpa couldn't reach to it. "You get to wash her and change her and feed her and play her anytime you want."

"Obviously, because she is my child," Shilpa rolled her eyes. "And considering how the things are right now… I am sure you'll get the chance to give her a bath."

Armaan couldn't help but grin at her statement. "Will I?" he kept grinning, but also hiding the soap to back.

"Yes," she rolled her eyes. "I want the soap now."

"No," Armaan refused firmly.

"Armaan!" Shilpa snapped at him.

"Shilpa," Armaan groaned pleadingly.

"No!" she retorted. "And you know what? I have more soaps," she smiled and went to take another soap out of the cabinet. As she turned around to go back to Shona, Shilpa gasped outraged when she saw Armaan washing the baby already.

"What do you think you're doing?" she scolded and grabbed his arm.

"Shilpa," Armaan protested and jerked his arm off her hand, making the soap slip out of his hand.

He stood up, his hands on his hips, glaring at her. Shilpa adopted the same attitude and both exchanged glares.

Feeling ignored and probably getting cold, Shona started screaming.

"Look what you've done," Shilpa scolded Armaan as she knelt down to Shona. "That's ok, Baby Shona. We'll be done soon." She rolled up her sleeves and looked through the water for the soap. As she found it, Shilpa held it up to Armaan, without looking at him.

Armaan smiled and took the soap from her, kneeling beside her. Shilpa let him wash her while she gave him assistance. Once the bath was over, Shilpa helped Armaan dress Shona.

"We smell delicious now," Armaan chuckled, sinking his nose in Shona's skin as he carried her back into the bedroom.

Ever since the grown-ups were struggling to dress her, Shona started fussing and whimpering. This time, Armaan had no calming effect over her and she started crying and fussing even more.

"She's hungry," Shilpa said, carefully taking her from Armaan's arms. Shilpa sat on the bed, leaning her back against the headboard and lifted her top so that she could feed Shona. As she found her mother's nipple, the silence fell back over the house.

"Do you mind if I stare?" Armaan asked, already sitting down at Shilpa's feet.

"At my breasts?" she giggled.

"My intention is to watch her eating but considering the fact that she's eating from your breast, then yeah… at your breast," Armaan chuckled. "Do you mind?" he asked her again.

She smiled at him and shook his head.

Armaan crawled to Shilpa's side and propped himself on his elbow, gently caressing Shona's head. "This look so…" he contemplated at the view but he couldn't find the right word. He smiled as he saw Shilpa looking questioningly at him. "It looks so sacred. Can you believe what men do to these?" he asked, sounding outraged.

Shilpa couldn't help but laugh. "I know. They do amazing things."

"I don't think I will be able to do anything to them from now on," Armaan stated, clearly staring at her breasts now.

"Are you talking about my breasts now or about breasts in general?" Shilpa laughed.

"You don't mind the subject, do you?" Armaan chuckled teasingly. He leaned down and kissed Shona on the forehead. As he did that, Shona threw a fist into his face. "This isn't the first time that she punches me," he complained.

"I don't know the reason she punched you before but I am almost positive that right now she didn't like to see you so close to her meal," Shilpa giggled.

"I was close, wasn't I?" Armaan laughed.

Shilpa hit him with her leg, laughing. "You're my friend now, right?" she looked at him, smiling, but also serious.

"Of course we are," Armaan smiled genuinely. "We're the best buddies."

"Ok," she giggled.

"Why?" he asked her, sensing that there was something serious she wanted to say.

Shilpa shyly peaked at him and then smiled down at Shona. "I talked to my lawyer and… I want Shona's full custody. He is going to contact him soon."

"The father?" Armaan asked, although he knew she was talking about Shona's father.

"The man," Shilpa corrected him, slightly angry just at the thought of calling that man a father.

"I am sorry," he smiled apologetically. "Do you think he is going to agree with it?"

"I am sure of it. Besides, this is … an interesting way of announcing him of the baby's sex," she smiled.

Armaan had to admit that everything she was telling him was surprising. "Do I know him?" he asked her. "I think you told me once that he worked at the hospital with you."

Shilpa nodded. "I am sure you know him, but…" she added quickly when she saw him wishing to find out more. "I am not going to tell you. There's no point. He's part of the past now."

"Not entirely," Armaan disagreed. "You have a daughter with him and as long as you have her, he is part of your present."

"No, he is not," she spat, making Shona whimper. She patted her on the back, rocking her slowly. "Once he quits at his parental rights, he will be part of the past."

"I am not judging you," he said softly, caressing Shona's head. "But sometimes you just need to know how to protect yourself if you're not able to keep your pants on." as he said that, Armaan could feel an intense glare coming from Shilpa. "I am not judging you," he reassured her. "You made a mistake and now you're dealing with its consequences. I think you're doing a great job here. But there are other people who might not … handle something like this so well. For example, my friend Rohan."

Shilpa felt the blood rushing to her head and her breathing stopped as she heard that name.

"He is very… dissolute. He likes women and … sex. I don't see him handling very well a situation like yours," Armaan continued, not noticing Shilpa's reaction to that name. "Do you know Rohan, right?" he asked her, suddenly curious.

Shilpa could feel her head spinning. Was he talking about the same Rohan she knew?

"Rohan Sloan," Armaan cleared up. "I am sure you know him because the strangest thing happened when he called me a while ago and I wanted to talk to him about you."

"Talk to him about me?" she spat. "Why would you want to do that?"

Armaan became suspicious at her attitude. He stood upright and looked carefully at her. "What's going on between you and Rohan Sloan?" he asked her straight.

"Nothing," she answered sharply.

"There is something," Armaan contradicted her. "He had the same reaction as you're having now. You're angry with each other. What happened? Have you two gotten into a disagreement or what?"

"Yes," she answered. "He is a jackass and … and if you ever watched him teaching his interns then you know what I am talking about," Shilpa muttered, letting Armaan understand that whatever problems she had with Rohan Sloan were professional only.

"I know that, but why is he mad of you? What have you done to him?" he asked her.

Shilpa looked down at her answer, but Armaan couldn't read it. "How well do you know each other?" she asked quietly.

"He's like a brother to me," Armaan answered sincerely.

Shilpa swallowed a lump and glanced at Armaan. "He didn't tell you?"

"No. He didn't want to hear anything about you," Armaan became even more curious now.

"Nothing at all?" she asked.

"No. Shilpa, we are friends. We can talk about it if you feel like you need to. He is my friend but you are my friend too. I won't take sides," Armaan said softly.

"I rather not talk about this," she muttered. She looked into his eyes and smiled faintly. "I don't blame him for anything. I was aware of what I was doing and he told me straight that he didn't want me to keep the baby."

"You're talking about Shona's father now," Armaan concluded.

"Shona's man," she corrected him.

Armaan chuckled a little. "That sounds weird."

Shilpa chuckled along with him. "The man," she corrected herself.

"So you're not going to tell me what you have done to Rohan," he smiled. "It must be something very ugly."

Shilpa looked down at Shona again. "I don't know how ugly it is. It was ugly my gesture, but … what I did was not ugly."

"Ok, you lost me there," Armaan laughed. He came by Shilpa's side and leaned his back against the headboard. "Did you sleep with him?" he asked her, quietly as if he was ashamed of his own question.

Shilpa bit her lip to keep it from trembling as she watched her baby.

"I am not judging you," he reassured her once again as he got his answer.

"Do you want to burp her?" she asked him, handing him the baby and trying to avoid the imminent question.

Armaan's face became a grin at her suggestion and Shilpa sighed discreetly, relieved of having him distracted from their conversation.

"You're good with babies," she smiled, watching the careful and loving way he was holding Shona.

"I love babies," Armaan smirked.

"How come you don't have at least three then?" she asked.

Armaan smiled, but this time his smile was sad. "It was never the right time for my ex-wife."

"Sad," Shilpa sighed, staring at her hands. "Did you talk to her about it?"

"She aborted one," Armaan muttered, gently caressing Shona's back. He flipped her into his arms and started rocking her back and forth.

Shilpa shyly touched his arm and gave him a comforting squeeze. Armaan answered with a reassuring smile. "My time will come," he said.

"I am sure it will," she smiled back. "She's sleeping already," she whispered as she looked at Shona, who was sleeping in Armaan's arms.

They stood there without talking and just watching the baby sleeping. Shilpa was thinking of what other jokes fate had prepared for her. There she was, standing with the brother of her daughter's father. Everything made her feel dizzy. She couldn't be friend with Armaan now. … Could she? While Shilpa was lost in her thoughts, Armaan was having his owns. Spending an amazing evening with Shilpa and her even more amazing daughter, he wondered how anyone could not want to be part of their life. Then his thoughts flew back in time when his ex-wife had announced him about the abortion she took.

Later that evening, Shilpa walked Armaan to the door. As he got outside on the porch, Armaan turned and smiled at Shilpa. He leaned his side against the doorframe, wishing to delay his departure. "Thank you for the great evening, Shilpa! And for the sandwiches."

Shilpa giggled as her cheeks turned pink. "That's all I could do for you."

"I helped you with Shona's room so now you owe me a dinner," Armaan smiled, trying his luck.

And the luck was on his side. "I guess I do owe you," she smiled.

"I am coming tomorrow to help you study," Armaan promised as he pushed himself from the doorframe.

Her heart stopped when Armaan stroked her cheek and leaned forward. Her mind was in haze as she felt his warm breath against her forehead, but became all clear once he pulled back. She hated herself in that moment for the fact that she couldn't feel his lips against her skin. She hated herself, because she couldn't start anything with Armaan. Not after she found out who was his best friend. That would be wrong and unfair to Armaan.

Armaan smiled as he ran his thumb against her cheek and reluctantly let it drop it off her skin. "I will see you tomorrow."

Shilpa swallowed a lump. She shouldn't accept his visits anymore. "Ok," she nodded and hated herself once more.

Armaan didn't move. He was still there, his smile lingering over her face. "Bye," he stirred himself from his gaze and waved.

"Bye," she smiled and slowly closed the door. She leaned her forehead against it and waited until she heard his car leaving her driveway. "You're so stupid, Shilpa," she muttered under her breath.

She returned upstairs and walking past Shona's room, she made a turn and entered into the room. She walked over to the crib –which Armaan had placed it by the wall across the window- and leaned down to pick Shona up. Shilpa carried her to the window where her rocking chair had found its place. She sat down and started swing slowly. "What are we going to do now, Baby Shona?" she whispered. "We like Armaan, don't we?" Shilpa sighed as she stared across the room, lost in her thoughts. And then she concluded. "Rohan is not going to tell him about us. He doesn't want anyone to find out, so Armaan doesn't have to know… right?" she talked to the baby.

As answer, Baby Shona let out a sleepy yawn and cradled her face to her mother's chest. She was letting her decide if that was wrong.

end part 7

that's enough for today as i have to write the other part see ya later

loved it to d core...
cud u plz pm me as well...pls pls pls...