Part 39
Next morning the entire family came to visit Siddhi and the baby. SIa in particular was ecstatic to meet her little brother. Kunal stood in a corner and smiled as the entire family crowded around his Siddhi and his akdoo.
Suddenly little akdoo started crying. Veena and Raj began competing about who could placate the kid faster but neither of them succeeded in doing it. Kunal had to intervene and use his special charm to pacify his son.
After an hour everyone began to leave. Veena and Raj hung on for some time longer.
Veena: Kunal I think you should move in with us. You have a newborn baby and Sia,We will be able to take better care of Siddhi and the kids.
Kunal: Maa I really appreciate your offer. But I have taken a leave for 2 months and I can easily handle Siddhi and the kids.
Veena: Kunal, why are you so stubborn. Anyhow we wanted to give this gift to our grandson.
Veena handed property papers to Kunal and Siddhi
Veena: These are papers to the ancestral land we have left in Punjab. We had always intended to give it to your first child and he is here now.
Kunal: Ma I cant believe this. You still think of this baby as my first child. Sia is our first child. If you can't accept that, FINE. But i wont let the shadow of your beliefs fall on my children
Veena: Kunal baat ko samajh na.. this is ancestral property. It has to stay in the family. Siddhi tum hi isko samjhao.
Siddhi: Maa, I am sorry but I agree with Kunal. We will never let any discrimination happen between Sia and the baby.
Veena and Raj left miffed. Kunal too had become annoyed. Siddhi tried cheering him up..
Siddhi: See baby, your papa likes behaving like a kid He gets angry and starts sulking like a kid.
Almost as if he could understand what siddhi was saying the baby turned his eyes to Kunal. Kunal began smiling. He could never be angry in such terrific company.
Siddhi: Kunal he is a complete replica of you.If he turns out to be as stubborn as you are, we are in for such trouble. 😉
Kunal: Huh! Well if he does turn out to be like me, he'll love you more than anything else in the world
Siddhi blushed before replying.
Siddhi: Well it's only fair. Mother-son jodi can finally take on the father-daughter team.
Kunal was smiling. His eyes turned to the window and he suddenly saw
Harish Salve at the door. The smile on his face vanished. He excused himself and went to talk to.
Kunal: Harish what are you doing here?
Harish: Nothing, I just came to congratulate you on becoming a father. And papa also wanted to convey his wishes and blessings to both of you and the baby
Kunal: Thanks a lot. Harish about the case..
Harish: Kunal now is not the time to talk about it. But I am confident that you will take up this case. Sooner or later,
Kunal: Harish its very difficult for me. Siddhi is the center of my universe and I cant do something that jeopardizes her health and well being and our relationship.
Harish: I know its difficult for you. But its been worse than hell for us. You love your wife and kids. What if someone wronged them. Wouldnt you fight till the end to get justice for them.
Saying that Harish left.
Kunal couldnt stop thinking about harish. Last time he stepped back form the case because there was adirect threat to siddhi's health. But now everything was better. And he kept thinking about Harish's words "What if someone wronged them"
In many ways this case was also about Siddhi. After all Siddhi's parents had been murdered and their killer had never been brought to justice.
Siddhi and the baby came home a week later. Siddhi and Kunal decided to name him dhairya and they had a small pooja to do the same.Kunal was a perfect stay at home dad for the next two months. He devoted himself to pampering Siddhi and taking care of the kids.
Siddhi: Kunal ypou surprise me each day. You have always been very hands on with Sia. But she was older when she came to us. But with our newborn baby you are perfect. The way you take care of everyone is so amazing. I am falling in love with you all over again
Kunal blushed but was thrilled at the same time. His family meant the world to him and he was ecstatic to hear Siddhi's words. All this time he had been thinking about Salve''s case and he had finally decided to take it up. For the Salves. For his principles. For Siddhi
On the last day of his 2 month leave he tried to talk to siddhi about his decision.
Kunal and Siddhi were lying in bed, Dhairya and SIA were sleeping in the nursery next door.
Kunal: Siddhi I wanted to talk to you about a case I am taking up.
Siddhi: Not today Kunal. You get back to work tomorrow. And for the first time in months we have some time alone. I want this time to be just about us.
She snuggled closer to him and kissed him slowly. Kunal responded with equal passion. They made love for the first time in months. It was different and better.
Once they were done Kunal turned to Siddhi and said
You know people are right. Things change between a couple after the birth of a child.
Siddhi looked upset at Kunal's serious tone. He couldnt see her upset and smiled immediately.
Kunal: Arey buddhu! I meant things get better!
Siddhi smiled. She lay in his arms and fell asleep with the same smile on her face
Shiv Shakti
