Part: 22
Shabd walked into Mahi's room. His heart was pounding to take her in his arms. Mahi was standing at the window watching outside facing back. He knew that she was not focusing on any object outside the window. He slowly walked to her. Mahi noticed his footsteps and became stiff. Her heart was pounding. She was feeling shy to face him. Shabd stood behind her and about to put his hands on her shoulders and both heard some giggles behind at the door. They both turned their heads towards the door.
Raaji and Soni were giggling and trying to close the doors. "Devar ji! Jaldi dinner table per ajaayiye. Aap ke chating khaney ke baad puri raat bhar continue kar saktey hai." Raaji and Soni told together.
Shabd and Mahi blushed. Mahi looked into his eyes and lowered her eyes. Shabd touched her cheek after the door was closed. "How are you? I was missing you a lot."
Mahi couldn't control her tears and hugged him "I missed you too." Shabd circled his hands around her shoulder pressing her in his embrace. Both took deep breathes in the closeness. Shabd recovered first and lifted her face to him "Is it true? We are becoming parents?" Mahi's face became red and shook her head. He bent to press her lips. He gave big deep kiss "congrats, Rani!" She touched her lips with tongue tasting his kiss "you too." She hugged him tightly and hid her face in his chest. Both were enjoying each other's companion when the door was opened.
Veer and Jeet came settling their throat "humey bahut bhook lag rahi hai, agar aap donon hum par kuch reham karein toh.." Shabd and Mahi moved away from each other blushing. Shabd took Mahi's hand and walked into dining room. Mohini caressed Mahi's face affectionately as she noticed the glow in her daughter's face. "Bechari, pati sey jagda karkey aayi hogi. Ek din bhi door nahin reh payi. Maataji ki saya in donon par humesha rahey" she prayed in her mind as serving food to them."
After dinner Shabd wanted to leave. "Nahin, beta itni raat ko nahin. Yahin rehjao aur subha chaley jana." All elders tried to convince him. But Shabd wanted privacy with his wife and insisted to go home. DM, Mahi and Shabd took leave from everyone and headed home. Veer, and Jeet also took leave from elders and left along with their families.
DM boiled milk with badam and gave to Mahi. Mahi refused to take it but Shabd also forced her to have it. After half an hour struggle Mahi finished her milk. Shabd took her into room. He carried her after closing doors behind him humming some song. Mahi giggled "Lagta hai bachon ke khabar tumhey singer banadiya?" Shabd rolled her on bed "Bachon ke khabar nahin, tumhara do din ka punishment mujhey singer banadiya."
Mahi puzzled and looked coyly at him. "Do din door rakha, na khabar, na batein, na kusur ki pehchaan. Itna bada punishment aagey kabhi mat dena, Mahi! Mein jeetey hi mur jaaonga. I missed you a lot." He cuddled her kissing on her neck.
Mahi smiled with tears "mein bhi bahut dard mehsoos ki thi. I was missing you too." She circled her hands around his neck and kissed his two cheeks. Shabd looked into her eyes "Phir yeh punishment kiss liye? Mera kasur kya tha?" Mahi felt bad at his innocent question "I'm sorry, mein behek gayi thi."She lowered her eyes with guilt.
Shabd lifted her face "behek gayi? Kyon? Tujhey mera aur Suhani ki relation lekar kuch shak tha?"
Mahi shook her head sideways "keh rahi hoon na, mein behek gayi. Phir kabhi aisa nahin hogi."
Shabd moved his head sideways "wo toh mein samajh raha hoon. But I wanna know the reason behind it. I don't want this come up again in your mind in future. I admit again that I never did any wrong on purpose. Agar mera behavior tumhey aisey sochney par majboor kiya toh mujehy maaf kardo."
Mahi put her hand on his mouth "aisi baat mat karo. I wrongly took your intimacy. I'm apologizing again and again. I never do such mistake. I believe in your love. I certainly do." She tearfully promised and hid her face in his neck. He smiled and hugged her closer. "thanQ, Mahi! For understanding me. I never had anyone in my mind other than you. Tuhi mera jeevan hai tuhi mera pyar, aur sab kuch. Abb hum maa baap banney jaarahey hai. We should stay together our entire lives."
Mahi agreed to Shabd's opinion. Both had enjoyed the night as their first night.
Shabd arranged everything ready for Mahi in the morning. She got up around 7 and lazing in the bed. Shabd came closer to her kissing her cheeks "goodmorning, Rani! How are you feeling now? I put everything ready for you, your clothes, shoes, breakfast. Jaldi taiyyar hojaao and will go to work together. Aaj sey tum har jimmedari lerahi hai. I want you to get trained enough to tour with me in future."
Mahi realized it as a change coz of her behavior and felt guilty. "Shabd! Tum kyon mujhey sharminda kar raha hai? I apologised last night. I'm not coming with you. I want to be home. Pehley mujhey bachon ke khayal rakhney dijiye. Baad mein sab kuch seekh loongi."
Shabd laughed "I'm not taunting you or pointing your mistake. I realized my mistake for not recognizing your enthusiasm earlier. You can work with me till eighth or ninth month. Ghar bhaitkar kya karogi? Mera baat mano aur mera saat chalo. You need some exercise too. And I'll be glad to have you in front of my eyes all the time."
Mahi blushed and got ready in half an hour. Shabd fed her breakfast when she tried to skip it "mujhey nausea ho rahi hai, Shabd! Please force mat karo."
Shabd pinched her cheeks "you have to try it, baby! Tumhari liye nahin humara bachon ke liye"
Mahi blushed and had some little bites of the toast. "Yeh 'bachon' ka kya matlab raha?"
Shabd shyly smiled "I want a daughter pata nahin tumhey kaun chahiye. So, I thought it's better to have both."
Mahi giggled "good idea but it will be more difficult to carry twins."
"No problem, Mahi! mein madat karunga. I will do everything for you. You just carry them." He bent and kissed her stomach. "I wonder how those little kids fit in your sleek tummy." He pulled her top up and kissed her bare stomach. Mahi giggled "little kids ke saat saat tummy bhi badi hojayegi. Wohi bhagvan ka miracle hai."
Shabd kissed her lips and neck and stomach again and again till she finished her breakfast.
"Chaley?" Shabd shook his head for Mahi's question "Haan, mera breakfast bhi hogaya" he winked mischievously at her. Mahi blushed and walked out to the car after bidding bye to DM.
Suhani congratulated both of them as Shabd told about the news. Suhani came and hugged Mahi "I know you are too ambitious. But first take care of your health. Don't forget we are here to help you in all aspects. Jab bhi chaho mujhey madat ke liye bula sakti ho." Mahi thanked her feeling guilty for thinking wrong about Suhani. Suhani announced the news to all the employees in spite of Shabd warning her.
Deepti felt more jealous after hearing the news. Raj congratulated Mahi and demanded a party in the company. Mahi ordered for sweets for everyone in the company.
Raj approached Mahi into her cabin when Shabd went out for a meeting. "Aao, Raj! Kya baat hai? Any new designs?"
"Tum humesha designs ke alawa kuch aur bhi sochti hai?"
Mahi surprised for his irritating tone as she never saw him so serious. "Kya huva? Sab theek toh haina?" She showed little concern.
"Mahi! first tell me why did you left office when Shabd Sir came back from Bangalore?"
Mahi surprised for his keen observation. Raj continued "I was observing you from the time we joined Fashion Designing School. I was really admiring you from the day one. I knew you were married. So, I kept my dreams in my heart. I always thought good for you. I knew Deepti and you are best friends and share almost every feeling and event in your lives. But somehow I felt Deepti is jealous about you. She doesn't like you having Shabd Sir as your husband. I observed many times her giving wrong thoughts on relationship between Suhani Madam and Shabd sir. I warned her several times too. I'm glad you came back to work and gave us good news. Keep Deepti from you away and concentrate on your own life. You are so lucky to have Shabd sir as your husband. He is like a Gem of men. Don't spoil your life with unnecessary suspicions. I always admired you and wished good for you. Think about it wisely."
Mahi stuck dumb as Raj was explaining about Deepti's real face. Raj stood to leave the cabin and Mahi smiled with pale face "thanks." Raj smiled back "I feel it's my responsibility to show right path to my friend." Mahi's eyes filled tears and shook her head as agreeing to him.
Raj left and Mahi fell into thoughts of recollecting her behavior for past a week.
She was repenting when Shabd entered the room. Mahi didn't notice him. Shabd slowly hugged her from behind and kissed her cheek "meri Mahi ko rulaney ki himmat kisney uthaya?"
Mahi startled and tried to hide her tears. "No need of hiding tears. I already noticed them. Iss halat mein itna rona dhona kyon ho rahi hai? Phir sey kya yaad agaya hai?"
Mahi smiled "kuch nahin, I'm repenting for my ill-behavior with you. I had hurt you a lot. Can you ever forgive me?"
Shabd sighed and started thinking seriously. Mahi chuckled for his dramatic expressions. He laughed giving side glances at her "maaf karna kuch mushkil lag raha hai. Why don't you do one thing? Kiss me first on my cheeks and lips and pamper me until I had been impressed by you."
Mahi blushed and giggled "Shabd! Tum bhi na meri jaan hi nikaal diya."
"So are you ready to pacify me?" Mahi blushed and hid her face in her hands. Shabd carried her into his bonus room adjacent to his cabin.
Mahi started wondering as she was melting in his arms if he asked her to pamper him or told that he would pamper her.
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