Safe & sound
Last Chapter
Madhu ran towards the door. But there was nobody. It was just an illusion.
'Rishu?' She called his name once again to clarify if he has really returned back. She went out of the room & searched all over the house. Everyone has gone to sleep & there was not a single sign of Rishabh. She came back to her bedroom. Her eyes were moisturized with tears. She buried her face under a pillow & cried her heart out.
Days passed, but there wasn't a single news about the missing aircraft. There were so many rumors spreading out that it was crashed, but Madhu & the family didn't want to believe it. Even the Air force commander denied them. The forces didn't loose their hopes, they kept investigating. They investigated on the clues of the plane being hijacked by the terrorists & some facts related to it was true. They failed to check whether the aircraft was destroyed or not. The details of the investigations were hidden from public.
Madhu was on her 4th month of pregnancy. Her pregnant belly was visible now. She had to take care of her self well despite of being sad without Rishabh. Her in laws took good care of her. But with each passing day Madhu felt Rishabh's absence more & more. Their baby was growing inside Madhu but the baby's father was not there to take care of the mother. In the previous pregnancy, Rishabh could hardly be with her.
After a few weeks they got to know that 70 out of the 90 air force officers have been killed by the terrorists. Only 20 were remaining alive but their lives were on danger too. That news almost shattered everyone related to those air force officers, specially the families. Some have lost their sons, brothers, husbands, fathers & colleagues. It was heart wrenching. It was more painful as the terrorists have burned them alive, the bodies were charred & could barely identify.
Madhu went mad with the news. What if her Rishu has left her already? No! she didn't want to believe it. After much anticipation they got a news about Rishabh and the crew that they are still alive. She couldn't describe her happiness in to words. That little news made her relieve, but still the fear in her has not faded. She wanted him back soon. The army forces were trying their best to get back the air force officers safe & sound.
Within a month, the air force troupes could track where Rishabh & other air force officers were trapped. They carried out the mission very well on finding them & at long last they could accomplish it. The 20 air force officers were released on a huge amount of ransom. Fighting back was too risky as their lives were at a threat. But later the armed forces could surrender a few of the terrorists, but most of them had escaped by the time they reached the place.
The 20 air force officers including Rishabh were brought back to India safely. They were sent off for immediate medical treatments as all of them were not in good health. They've been starving for an entire month & few of them were severely injured.
Madhu's happiness knew no bounds when she got to know the news about Rishabh being rescued. She shed happy tears. Her prayers have been finally answered. Rishabh was back. It's been 3 days since the air force officers were back in India & they were at the Army hospital under special care. The security was tightened both in & out in the hospital premises. Even the family members of the army officers were not allowed to enter the hospital till a certain span of time. Finally the officials informed the families that they could meet them. Madhu has been impatiently waiting till she gets a chance to meet her husband.
'Baby, daddy is coming back!' She whispered caressing her belly. She got dressed up soon to go & meet Rishabh at the hospital. She wore a maternity dress which was gifted by Rishabh 4 years back. It was one of his favourite outfits of her. She knew that Rishabh is going to be surprised today. She hurried her steps out of the room.
'Madhu? where are you going?' Radha asked her.
'Maa?' Madhu was surprised. Doesn't she know that she is getting ready to go to meet Rishabh?
'Maa? aren't you ready to go to meet Rishu?'
'Madhu'
'Yeah!'
'Madhu, doctor advised you to rest right?'
Madhu has been a little bit unwell for the past few weeks & the doctors advised her to bed rest for a couple of weeks. But Madhu was not ready to listen any of them. She just wanted to go to see her husband.
'But Maa! I wanna go & see Rishu.'
'Madhu! you are advised to rest!'
'Maa!' 'Let me go!'
'Madhu listen!' Radha raised her voice.
'Maa! please don't try to stop me! let me go!' She pushed Radha's hands stubbornly & went out of the room hurrying her steps.
'Madhu!
'Biwi! you still behave more childish than our sons!' Suddenly heard a familiar voice. She couldn't believe her eyes. It was Rishabh! He was standing facing to her opposite side. She couldn't see his face. She rubbed her eyes as she had a doubt it was yet another illusion of Rishabh. She looked around, Radha came towards her smiling brightly. Mohan winked at her. It was really Rishabh! He has returned home safely after almost 5 months.
Madhu couldn't utter a single word. Her happiness knew no bounds. How long she has been waiting for this moment? to meet her husband. She hurried her steps forward & was about to trip.
'Ah..' She touched the near by sofa to avoid from falling down.
'Madhu?' Rishabh looked back. He was a bit worried. He rushed towards her.
'Madhu are you okay?' He held her from her shoulders & helped her to get up.
Madhu was staring at him with extreme happiness. She still is in state of a shock to see her husband in front of her after 5 months.
In the other hand, Rishabh was shocked to see Madhu's appearance. She has changed. He was totally unaware about her pregnancy.
'Madhu?'
'Rishu' Madhu hugged him. She was crying. Rishabh wrapped her with his protective arms. Mohan & Radha were shedding happy tears, watching their reunion in a distance.
A silence crept between them. It was different & emotional. Both of them were longing to see each other. Madhu was spending a miserable life without her Rishabh for the past few months. In the other hand, Rishabh was fighting for life. When they were abducted by the terrorists, all of them had doubts of their life. He was lucky enough to escape safe & sound, but he couldn't bear up the fact that 70 of his colleagues are no more. They were brutally killed. But he had to accept the reality. You cannot simply let your emotions to take over you, as a warrior you are trained to face such circumstances in life.
After a few minutes, they broke the hug. They shared an intense eye lock. Rishabh noticed the extreme happiness in Madhu's eyes. Her eyes were filled with tears. Rishabh cupped her face. Madhu kissed his hand.
'Madhu, I never thought I...' Rishabh started speaking but Madhu covered his lips with her palm. She didn't want to recall the past.
'Rishu! stop it. I knew that you will come back to us safe & sound.'
'Yes Biwi! your faith & love brought me back home safely.' Rishabh placed a soft kiss on Madhu's palm. He wiped her tears. Madhu took Rishabh's hand & placed it on her 5 months old pregnant belly. She was smiling.
'Madhu?' He caressed her belly. 'Is this really...?' Madhu nodded, confirming it.
'Rishu! you are going to be a dad once again!' Madhu put her arms around his neck.
'OMG! Madhu! I love you!' He kissed her forehead.
'A part of you is growing inside me now. Rishu, you don't know how much hard it was when you were away! You scared away all of us!' Madhu made a face.
'Biwi! let's not talk about it. I don't want to recall that horrible past. It is just added to the history now.' 'By the way...' He put his hands around her waist & pulled her more closer.
'Seems like my anniversary gift to you has worked perfectly.' He whispered. It made Madhu blush in red. She punched him playfully.
'Papa! you didn't tell about me this news!' Rishabh chuckled.
'Of course! I didn't want to spoil the surprise!' Mohan smiled.
'And Maa, did you really know that Rishu was about to return home today?' Madhu questioned.
Radha nodded smiling.
'Haaw! that's why you were trying to stop me!'
'Yeah!'
'High five Radha! our plans worked perfectly. See! both Rishu & Madhu surprised each other!' Mohan chuckled.
'What a sweet couple!' Rishabh smiled.
'No less than you two! we are still young at heart. Right?' Mohan winked.
Radha smiled.
'Maa, Papa, thank you so much for taking care of Madhu while I was away.'
'No need to thank Rishu. It is our duty. She is carrying your child.' Radha smiled.
Mohan & Radha hugged their son. Radha was shedding happy tears.
'Maa please! see Madhu is following your foot steps! Don't be so dramatic! Why you both cannot stop crying even when you are happy?' Rishabh chuckled.
'And another thing!' Rishabh placed his hand on Madhu's belly.
'My princess will learn your crying tac tics too! I don't want my baby to be cranky! She will be like me! She should be able to find a reason to smile even in sorrow.' Rishabh winked. Everyone smiled at his gestures.
'Where are my champs?'
'Rishu! they are on the way home from the kindergarten. They will be surprised to see you.' Mohan smiled. Within no time they heard the giggling sound of the twins. They have reached home.
'Daddy!!!' They screamed top of their lungs when they witnessed their dad back home. They were jumping with joy. Both of them ran towards him & almost jumped on his arms. Rishabh was about to fall but he gained his balance, holding his boys.
'Daddy you are back!' Arnav hugged him tightly.
'Yay!' Arjun too hugged him tightly. Rishabh hugged them back, caressing their heads.
'Where have you been all this time huh?' Arjun questioned.
'Daddy went on an adventurous journey!' Rishabh winked.
'Really? where?'
'It is a scary place! filled with lots of monsters.' Rishabh chuckled.
'Wow! so you fought with them & came back?' It was Arnav.
'Yes champ!'
'Yay! daddy is the best! daddy is our hero!' The boys chanted in unison.
'Daddy! when you go there next time, take us too!' Arjun giggled.
'No Arjun! daddy won't go there ever!' Rishabh replied looking at his wife. He clearly saw the pain in Madhu's eyes.
'It's okay! don't go anywhere daddy! we missed you so much!' Arnav spoke.
'Daddy missed all of you so much!' Rishabh replied.
'So where is my welcome kiss?' Rishabh chuckled.
The twins leaned to place a kiss on their father's cheek.
'Ouch daddy!' 'It hurts' Arnav made a face.
'Yeah daddy! shave your beard.' Arjun giggled.
'Sorry guys! daddy didn't have time!' Rishabh chuckled. Madhu was smiling at them.
Then the twins updated their father about everything. How they used to miss him, what happened while he was away, & how much they are excited to welcome their baby sister.
'Madhu' Rishabh called Madhu forward. Madhu took Arnav in her arms. Rishabh placed his arm around Madhu's shoulder & holding up Arjun. He wrapped his protective arms around his wife & kids.
'Daddy! promise us that you won't go again!' Arjun requested his father.
'Arjun, daddy cannot stay with you all everyday.'
That made Madhu sad. Rishabh noticed it.
'But don't worry, daddy will be here till our little angel comes.'
Madhu looked at him. Rishabh nodded.
'Yes Biwi. I have missed a lot of moments of fatherhood. Specially when you were carrying our sons. I don't want to miss them again. I know I have missed a couple of months already but I will be there by your side till our little princess comes. And also till she grows up a little bit.' Rishabh smiled.
Madhu was overjoyed. Finally her husband is going to stay by her side at this significant moment.
'I will inform the commander soon & request for leave. I'm sure he will grant me permission. I cannot describe how difficult it was to stay without my family. I felt is so much for the past few months. Nothing is important to me than you all' Rishabh's words made Madhu emotional. The family joined for a hug. Mohan & Radha smiled at the cute family & silently thanked god for bringing happiness into Kundra mansion again. It was a lovely reunion.
The pregnant phase was a new experience for Rishabh as he couldn't stay by Madhu in the previous pregnancy. He purchased a lot of pregnancy books & gathered information. He could thorough his knowledge on those facts. He fulfilled Madhu's needs as a caring husband. He knew about Madhu's mood swings & midnight cravings. He dealt with it perfectly. He managed to supply according to his wife's demands. He took her for check ups & he could feel his baby for the first time via the sonography test. He had tears when he saw the growing fetus inside his wife, it was his blood, his child.
Rishabh used to talk hours to his unborn baby placing his head on Madhu's belly. The kicks of the baby made him more excited. He was impatiently waiting for his baby. He almost purchased a whole shop for his to be born baby. Madhu chided him for filling the house with so many toys & baby items. He wanted to do the best for his baby. In the other hand the twin boys became so much co-operative. They didn't bug their mom like before. They were excited about being big brothers soon.
Finally the much awaited day dawned. Madhu was on labor. She was in the theater screaming with pain. Her screams became louder & louder with each contraction. The doctors had informed that she could go for a C-section but she wanted to give birth to her baby normally. In the previous pregnancy too, she somehow managed to give birth to the twins as a normal delivery. That made a a gap of 7 minutes between Arjun & Arnav. She was strong enough to bear up all the pains. After all they were Rishabh's children. She could do anything for him.
Rishabh chided her for being stubborn, but Madhu pointed out that C-section can cause complications & even deformations later so she didn't want to take a risk. She preferred a natural birth. Rishabh was permitted to be inside the theater. Rishabh couldn't see her wife in pain. Madhu was panting hard. She was sweating & the cloth which was put on her was drenched with blood. Rishabh held her hand tightly. He placed soft kisses on her forehead.
After a final push, their symbol of love stepped in to the world with a loud cry. That made Rishabh numb for a while. He couldn't express his happiness in to words. His eye moisturized with happiness.
'Thank you Madhu.' He placed a soft kiss on Madhu's forehead. Madhu was lying on the bed with tears. She was conscious but seemed to be so much exhausted after a painful delivery.
Their prayers have been finally answered. It was a baby girl. When Rishabh held his new born baby girl for the first time his whole word changed. His happiness knew no bounds. She was so tiny & fragile. He feared in holding her up. 'Welcome princess' he whispered.
The twins were impatiently waiting to meet their new born baby sister. Madhu & the baby were shifted to a private room from the theater. The baby was on good health. After cleaning up her she was handed over to Madhu. Rishabh accompanied his sons inside the room to see their baby sister. The new born baby was snuggled up to her mom, seeking warmth.
'Yay! our angel has arrived' The twins jumped with joy. Rishabh took both of them in his arms & leaned towards Madhu to show their new born baby sister. They clapped with excitement.
'Aww she is so tiny' Arjun commented on his baby sister.
'She is pink! she looks like a cotton ball.' Arnav smiled.
'Daddy! can we call her by that name?' Arjun inquired.
'Of course you can!' Rishabh winked.
'Which name?' Madhu questioned.
'Biwi! our princess will be called as Sneha' 'Isn't that a beautiful name?'
The dad & the boys have already planned a name for the baby girl.
Madhu agreed with a smile. 'Yes Rishu, it perfectly suites her.'
'Hello Sneha! I'm Arjun your eldest brother'
'And me, Arnav your other big brother.' The twins introduced themselves to their little sister. Later the baby was introduced to her grandparents. It was indeed the happiest day in Rishabh's life as he got another partner to his team. Finally he can challenge the other team of mom & sons along with his new born baby girl.
Madhu & the baby were discharged after 2 days. Radha blessed the new born baby & Madhu before entering the house. The twins were waiting for their little sister. They wanted to hold her. Rishabh & Madhu were cautious about it. Finally Rishabh fulfilled his sons' wish to hold their sister. He made Arjun & Arnav sit on the bed & covered their laps with pillows to make it more comfortable for the baby. Then he slowly placed the baby there. Arjun & Arnav wrapped their tiny arms around their sister protectively. Both of them placed soft kisses on her tiny forehead. Arjun showered kisses on her tiny fingers in her hands while Arnav kissed her sister's tiny toes. Rishabh & Madhu was looking at their children smiling.
Later at that night, the twins wanted to sleep with their new born sister. Madhu carefully placed her daughter between her brothers. She arranged pillows all around her to avoid any disturbance to her sleep. The protective big brothers placed their arms on her tiny abdomen.
Rishabh back hugged her.
'Rishu...' Madhu was trying to loosen his grip with embarrassment.
'Shh.. biwi' 'Our princess will wake up.'
He pulled her more closer. Madhu rested her head on his chest.
'Madhu... Thank you so much for bringing happiness in my life.'
'Thank you for gifting me 3 beautiful kids & making my life colorful.'
'Rishu... it wouldn't have been possible with your love & support.'
'Rishu...' She looked at him.
'Hmm?'
'You won't go back any soon nah?'
'Rishabh wrapped his arms around her.
'Are you afraid?'
'Yes!'
'Why?'
'Rishu. You clearly know why! I can't let your life be in danger once again.'
'Madhu..' He cupped her face.
'Try to understand. If we are afraid, we cannot gain anything. Madhu, life is a battle, we have to face it.'
'Hmm..'
'I know Rishu, and you a warrior! a real brave warrior in the battle of life.' 'I am proud of you.' 'I don't think that no wife in this world is ever lucky as me. I am so lucky to have you in my life. I am forever thankful for god'
'I love you Biwi'
'I love you too Rishu.' She hugged him tightly. Rishabh placed a kiss on her forehead. They looked at the bed, where they felt so much proud as parents, looking at the 3 wonderful creations they brought up to life, their twin sons & little daughter. What more they could ask for? They've been blessed with the BEST!
The end!
Hope you liked it 😳 Thanks a lot for sharing your feedback on the previous updates & hope the final part reached up to your expectations 😊 Will see you with another story soon 😳
Real Estate
