Chapter 13
It was the day of Kripa's graduation and Angad sat in the audience, along with his and her parents. She was nearly two months pregnant. While she had spent the last two months poring over course books, Angad had bought every book available in the market on pregnancy. He had painstakingly read each and every word, made sure Kripa had all her medicines on time, ate the proper food and he wouldn't let her lift a finger to do anything but Kripa firmly put her foot down at that, "Angad, let me do a few tings at least, or else I'll be too bored and tired. Just a little please" Angad relented reluctantly, but little meant very little.
To nobody's surprise, Kripa graduated with top honours, her cheeks were flushed in pleasure as she collected her degree and the award. When the ceremony was over, she ran towards them but meekly started walking when Angad shot her a glare. After meeting her parents and her in-laws, she turned to Angad who pulled her in a hug. Then he lowered himself to her stomach and started talking to their baby, "Look at your mother, such a brilliant student! But luckily for you, you can follow your father's footsteps who is nowhere near her in the academic department. So little one, get ready!" Kripa punched him lightly on his stomach at that, laughing.
5 months later
"Angad wake up" came Kripa's distressed voice as she shook him. Angad grunted but jerked up when his blurry vision cleared and he saw Kripa. "Kripa What's wrong? Are you alright?" he asked anxiously, feeling her forehead and then her stomach.
"I need fruit salad and chocolate fudge ice cream with brownie" she said desperately. Staring at her uncomprehendingly for this, Angad repeated, "You wake me up at two in the night for this? Your cravings are going to kill me one of these days." He sighed and pulled on a shirt before making his way downstairs. Kripa held his hand and said, "I also want to come." "Kripa you should rest."
"Carry me" Kripa said and wound her arms around his neck. Unable to resist her cute expression, Angad kissed her temple and carried her to the kitchen, carefully putting her down on the counter. The books on pregnancy he had read on pregnancy had come in handy and the last six months had trained him well. He was accustomed to Kripa's cravings for odd things at even odder times by now.
The freezer was well stocked with all imaginable flavours of icecreams – chocolate, raspberry, caramel, rocky road, pistachio, vanilla, strawberry, mint, anything. He handed Kripa a boewl and watched her happily did into it. He assembled the ingredients of the salad and muttered to himself, "Alright chef Angad, get to work." Kripa looked up and said, "Angad I want apples, cherries, strawberries, pomegranates, grapes and oranges. No bananas, I hate them"
Confused Angad said, "But you bought two dozen bananas just yesterday!" "Don't argue with a pregnant lady Angad" she said crossly. Knowing it was useless to argue, Angad did what he was told, handed her the bowl and before she could complain, scooped her up in his arms and carried her to their room, placing her gently on the bed. He adjusted her pillows and lay next to her. She took a few small bites and said, "I am done." Angad immediately got up and nearly bellowed, "You woke me up at two in the morning and can't even finish the damn thing!"
Kripa's lower lip quivered and she started howling, "You don't love me now. I am fat and ugly and cranky. You don't even kiss me that often now. I am not pretty, you hate me!" she repeated, her wailing getting louder by the second.
Taken aback, Angad stared at her for a few seconds and then remembered what to do. He kissed her. Softly, gently with patience and sweetness till her trembling ceased and she stopped crying. Their lips were still locked when Angad broke it and cupped her face. " You are beautiful Kripa. Even more than our wedding day. My love for you grows with each passing second. Don't forget, you are "fat" because I love you and can't stay away from you. I have a little problem hugging you though, our baby insists on coming in between!"
Kripa's eyes were glowing and she held his collar while murmuring against his lips, "I love you too. And I love the way you shut me up even more. "she said naughtily. "You do, huh?" said Angad, gently laying over her. "Funny, so do I sweetheart!"
Angad strained his ears to hear any sound. Kripa had gone into labour a few hours ago and his heart was beating at a dangerous rate. When he thought he could no longer stand it, he heard a baby's cry. His baby's cry. The doctor came out carrying a little bundle which was their baby wrapped in layers of blankets."Congratulations, you had a boy" Angad took his son in his trembling hands, slowly. He was tiny, fit in Angad's large hands easily, and Angad softly kissed his cheek, staring at him in awe. He entered the room and saw Kripa lying in the bed, looking tired and a little weak. But her face was glowing and she looked more beautiful than ever, ethereal in fact. Angad sat next to her and handed her their son, watching how joyfully she held him, tears running down her cheeks. Angad took her hand and kissed it. "Thank You." Kripa just whispered, "You are welcome too, after all you can also take some credit for this." They held each other and gazed at their bundle of joy, their son, their love, looking forward to many more. They had given love a chance and love gave them everything. Each other. Angad and Kripa. Forever.
Edited by johnangad - 18 years ago
Ishaani
30