Part 3Rudra sat in the garden, his mind housing a tornado of unrestrained thoughts. He had always wanted to shed the title of the 'baby' of the house. When he married Saumya, he learnt things like adjustment. Everytime, it was a first as he shared his bed, room, almirah even his life. He remembered how excited he was when he came to know of Anika's pregnancy. Vani, Ved and then Shreya, he lost it bit by bit. He didn't realise the gravity of growing up even after he finally took over a few aspects of the Oberoi Empire. He would manage to take out time for meeting up with friends, having his share of parties. He managed. Adjusted. Maybe even adapted. Never did he change.
But ever since Saumya told him that they were pregnant, Rudra was expected to change. For someone who only changed clothes, gym routines and protein shake flavours, changing his very essence was terrifying. What did they mean by 'tu ab baccha nahi raha?' Weren't these very people teasing him that he'll always be their baby for them. Weren't they telling him that they love him for what he is...
His chain of thoughts was broken when he felt her hand on his shoulders. Saumya sat beside him on the bench, in front of Dadi's rose garden.
"Rudra..." Saumya's soft voice called him yet made him feel more agitated.
"Saumya, please. I know you'll tell me off thinking I am cribbing just because I missed out a few parties and okay, I am a kid. I am immature, not ready to change, stubb-" before Rudra could continue demeaning himself, Saumya placed a hand on his lips.
"Rudra, shaant. None of this is true."
When Rudra raised an eyebrow at that, Saumya chuckled. "Okay, maybe I keep calling you a kid but you know what?"
"What?"
"Rudra, everyone still loves you for what you have always been."
Rudra looked at her in amazement. How did she always know what he was thinking?
"Rudra, tell me, who has been your role model?"
"Shivaay Bhaiya. And a bit of O. Minus his shayaris, painting abilities and Harishchandra avatar. Oh and maybe-"
"Rudra, I get it." Saumya smiled. "Ab batao, haven't they been great Dads?"
"Saumya, both my Bhabhis have already told me. Shivaay Bhaiya doesn't shout in front of V and S. Om moved out his art supplies. I have even noticed that Shivaay Bhaiya's phone breaking rate has seen a huge dip. But Saumya, I can't change. I can't seem to bring myself to it. It is terrifying."
"Rudra, no one is asking you to change."
With Rudra's annoyed look, Saumya softly smiled, her gaze wandering to her bump.
"Rudra, you could've told me earlier that you weren't ready. Maybe we could ab-"
"Shut up Saumya." Rudra growled as he protectively took her in his embrace. "It is neither your fault nor our baby's. It's mine.
Saumya cupped his face. "Rudra, I promise nobody wants you to change. We only want you to grow."
Rudra looked lost. "Saumya, isnt growing up just another subtle synonym for changing?"
"Rudra.. Maybe it is. But you know, growing up is much more beautiful than changing. For example, take us Rudra. We grew up from our fights and arguments to becoming parents in a few months. But I changed when I decided I wanted to take revenge which didn't make sense. Not that every change is negative. Just that growing up is gradual and will give you a lot more to cherish. Change will give you lessons in life."
Saumya took some time. She wondered if she was even making sense.
Rudra only grinned. "Saumya, maybe you aren't making sense, but you look cute when you talk stuff that is too heavy for me."
Saumya smiled. "Rudra, I love you for the arrogant gym-freak that you are. The one that is a softy when it comes to his family, who cries for his brothers, who is a man with deep-understanding and hides behind a mask of jokes, childish tantrums and illogical 'logics'. Bade Bhaiya and Bade Baal Wale Bhaiya love their Dumbbell Oberoi who whines about his girl problems, that mean me right now." They both chuckled.
"Anika Bhabhi and Gauri Bhabhi adore you for the cute Rudy that you are. Maa-Papa and Choti Maa and Chote Papa love you for the jokes you share, for the cheer that you spread."
"It is you. You don't have to suddenly become sober and saint-like. You just have to maybe stop endless partying. Actually no. Let's just do something so you don't have to. I'll give you every Sunday free from daddy duty if you take me out for a dinner every Saturday." Saumya winked.
"Uh Saumy-"
"Sshh.. I was thinking"
"Saumya I don't want to give up on those 'duties'. They are my rights. Spending free Sundays with my kid, taking him from ice-cream treats, maybe even doing a bit of baby gyming. I want to defy all the Daddy rule books that exist, I want to be the best father my kid could ever have. It's just that I fail to bring myself to the understanding. I am scared Sumo. Scared to fail. Scared to let him or her down. What if I can't be as good as Bhaiya or O?"
"Rudra, you don't have to be your brothers. You have to be yourself. A Dad that our kid looks upto. Honestly, think how fun it will be for our kids when their Dad has no problems with them partying till late night. I'll play the annoying cop. Haww!"
"Sumo-"
Saumya only quietened him by placing her lips on his. A soft reassuring kiss.
"Rudra, believe me, I am with you. I'll help you and you help me. Everyone goes through this phase. Don't you remember how Shivaay Bhaiya was so scared. Remember your jokes about Shivaay Singh Oberoi being a scared of a nanhi si jaan? It happens with everyone. I don't know if you are aware but after Vani was born, Anika Bhabhi would come to me and Gauri Bhabhi every night after dinner for some time, and she would vent out all her fears. Gauri Bhabhi toh pure ghar ko sarr par utha deti thi when you were in France for your fisrt full fledged deal. I used to feel it's not that difficult, but even I am feeling that way now, Rudra. It's a phase, it will pass. I am telling you, we'll rock parenting."
Rudra smiled and tightened his hold around his adorable wife and chotu sa baby.
-
Rudra was working on a project when small hands wrapped themselves around his neck from behind.
"Papa!!"
"Bolo Protein Shake?"
Of course, while every Dad would call his daughter Princess, Darling, etc. Rudra had already used these endearments in his college for every other girl. His first love after his brothers, was protein shake and so that's how Riya loved being called protein shake, howsoever weird it sounded.
"Rehaan says you were furst going to marry his Mom! Does that mean I would have been his sister? But Mumma is the best!"
"Oho, what is Rehaan's mom's name now? And I know you Mom is the best. Isliye I married her."
"Accha, jaane do. See only twenty minutes more for Sunday. Jaldi kaam khatam karo!"
Rudra smiled. He still remembered how Saumya offered a duty-free Sunday when he felt he wasn't ready. Five and a half years later, Rudra would wait throughout the week to spend the Sunday first with his kids then a romantic dinner with his wife.
He loved it when Riya would come running to him with news about her finishing her milk, or successfully colouring the fruits that Gauri drew. Rudra loved every time she found it important to let him know how her day was, what she did and of course, the guys she talked to. Rudra knew all about flirts, he had to be careful of his little girl's heart.
As she chatted about her day, Saumya came to the room, their son Vansh in her hands. Immediately forgetting her story, she ran towards her brother and started talking to him, to which he replied in broken sentences.
"Saumya, it feels great." Rudra smiled.
"What feels great? That your daughter's friend's mothers tell her that you omce dated them." Saumya snorted.
Rudra chuckled as he pulled her cheeks.
"The fact that she loves me so much. All those fears seem baseless now."
"I know. It definitely feels great." She rested her head on his shoulders.
"How about taking them for the latest animation movie tomorrow and then leaving them with Anika Bhabhi? I want to take you somewhere."
"Oho, naughty thoughts huh?"
"Shut up Rudra! Your kids are in the room! Chubby had invited us for a party. He finally found a woman perfect as his wife."
"He did! Oh My God! Hasn't informed me yet. I am not going to talk to him."
Before Saumya could say something, Rudra cut it off. "Saumya, I want to spend time with them."
"Rudra, I can't believe it, even though it's usual now."
"My kids are as amazing as I am." He winked. "Totally the center of attraction."
They laughed.
"How about another?" She turned to him. "Some other time!" He grinned.
Rudra and Saumya didn't change, they grew up. For and with each other.
-
So, some of you are aware how nervous I am about this one. Not at all confident about what I wrote. It also seems half-baked. Sorry if it ruins the cutesy mood that Sanu and Lizzie set.
Also, all the Mommys, mere peeche mat bhaagna 🤣
You guys are going to decide whether I have to ever try this stuff ever again😆
P.S. Sacchi sacchi batana kaisa hai.
Edited by Black_Maniac - 7 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
