A/N: My previous OS RaghVi OS: Good News can be considered as a prelude to this OS.
The Unsaid Bond
Raghav looked at the three ladies, from a distance. His Amma, Aai and Pallavi were chattering animatedly, their laughter echoing the dining area. He could hear Aai gently reprimanding Pallavi for eating junk food and see Pallavi pulling a cute puppy face which had other two ladies shaking their heads. A smile crept on his face too. Pallavi looked more beautiful with the small bump and chubbier cheeks. He was happy, no doubt there, but he felt a little left out. Ever since the news of Pallavi’s pregnancy had been out, his home was overflowing with excitement, so was Raghav. He was waiting eagerly to feel the baby, hold her in his arms and sing her to sleep. However, after the initial high of congratulatory messages was gone, all the attention was directed only to Mom-to-be. “Fairly so, she is the one carrying our baby”, he thought. The fact that his people had accepted Pallavi as family and showered her with love and care warmed his heart, at the same time, he didn’t like the lack of attention to him. His short-comings made him nervous, ‘what if I mess up’ thought plaguing his mind. At times like this, he missed his Nanna the most. His father would have had wise words for him in this situation, perhaps he would have shared his experiences and stories. His father would have made sure he didn’t feel left out, like he did when he was a kid. If only...
“Raghav”, he heard Milind Deshmukh call him. The louder than usual pitch told Raghav that he was zoned out and Milind was calling him from a bit. Shaking his head slightly to clear his thoughts, Raghav turned to Milind. Milind smiled at him and offered him a cup of coffee. The two men sat on the couch in the living room sipping the coffee. Milind broke the momentary silence asking, “Kaise ho Raghav?” to which Raghav replied, “Mai thik hai”. Milind chuckled and said, “Yeh ‘how are you’ ‘I am fine’ ki formality nahi thi. Acche se batao kaise ho?” Raghav looked on, taken aback with the unexpected question.
“Accha, mai options deta hu”, Milind added on not receiving the answer. “Option A: Excited, Option B: Impatient, Option C: Nervous” Milind said in typical game show host style. Raghav looked at Milind, amused, pondering on the answer. “Ek aur option bhi hai, Option D: All of the above”, Milind spoke in a hushed voice as if they were cheating on a test. Raghav chuckled and nodded, accepting the last option.
“Phir toh tum sahi jaa rahe ho”, Milind concluded. Raghav wondered if Milind could read his mind. “You know it takes nine months, that long for fathers to stop panicking!” Milind said jokingly. “We men have it easy”, he stated sobering up, “No sickness, no weight gain, no mood swings but iska matlab yeh nahi hai ki tum important nahi ho”, he continued, his tone soft yet firm. Raghav looked on, surprised at how Milind read his thoughts. “Aane wala baby sirf Pallavi ka nahi hai, tumhara bhi hai. I know thoda disconnected feel hota hai kabhi kabhi because you are not physically involved, but you can make efforts to be connected”, Milind continued. Raghav felt a weight lift off his chest for he wasn’t the only man feeling like that. “Thank you”, Raghav said, his eyes silently expressing gratitude to Milind. Milind shook his head in a no, whispering, “Dosti me no sorry, no thank you” which made Raghav chuckle. “Lagta hai Bada Bindi tumko jyada hi TV serials dikha raha hai”, Raghav commented to which Milind laughingly replied, “Kya kare ghar par ek hi TV hai na”.
The two men then went on to talk about everything under the sun. While Raghav asked about latest Bollywood songs of Pallavi’s liking, Milind enquired about different types of jewellery. The conversation moved from Rupee rates to new-born baby essentials. Raghav looked at Milind Deshmukh, the father of three daughters, two by blood and one by heart, with pure adoration. He always had a special regard for him, for Milind always stood up with what was right, even against his own brother, wife and daughter, and today he became a friend Raghav never knew that he wanted. Milind raised his coffee mug for the customary Cheers which Raghav reciprocated with raising his own cup mouthing a “To us” celebrating a turn in their relationship.
My Previous One Shots:
RaghVi OS: Two Truths and A Lie
Pallavi-Keerti OS: Girls Day Out
Shiv Shakti
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Hindi TV Shows
