TIA it has Abhi doing something you've explained he'd never do. I completely understand your point and yet I keep writing this scenario. I just love the angst too much 😳
I've been working on this for like...a week and a half I think? So it's not related to anything, but we have had some related conversations lately!
And technically this is the length of 20 drabbles 😆
DRABBLE: CHAMPU*AbhiGya make a Drunken Mistake*
*when the Consequence is that Pragya becomes pregnant, AbhiGya have A Very Big Fight*
*Pragya feels angry and rejected and decides enough is enough and LEAVES Abhi*
*Abhi hangs around being annoyed for a while but then he realizes that his FUGGY is going to have a BABY and he needs to get her back so he can take care of her*
*Abhi tries to make up with Pragya*
*Pragya refuses to see him*
*Abhi keeps trying*
*Pragya has a fainting spell and the doctors tell her to avoid stress*
*Pragya's family tells Abhi to back off because of her health*
*Abhi keeps his distance for the next months but he is agitated all the time and he gets secret updates from Rockstar Daadi*
*The baby is born!*
*The baby comes in the afternoon; Pragya's family stays with her in the hospital; Rockstar Daadi sends Abhi a text late at night letting him know he has a son and he should visit*
*Early the next morning Abhi comes to see his baby and his biwi...who he hasn't spoken to in five months...and the last thing she said to him was that she never wanted to see him again...but he has to see her! And the baby...!*
*Abhi manages to avoid being noticed as a rockstar and quietly enters Pragya's room - a private room he paid for via arrangement through Bulbul, Pragya doesn't know that he's been sending money and doing things like that*
*Pragya is asleep...she looks...very tired...and very fuggy...*
*And next to Pragya's bed there's a hospital-issue plastic cradle...*
*And in the cradle...*
*Abhi stares down at his son in silent awe...he feels so strange suddenly...in his mind he doesn't feel like a father but looking at the baby shifts something in his heart, in his blood, in his very soul...and he knows for sure that whatever Pragya says, he'll find a way to convince her that they all belong together, because they do...*
*Abhi wants to touch the baby but at the same time he's afraid to...he really doesn't have much experience with babies and his sleeping son looks so tiny and vulnerable and he doesn't want to do something wrong...his hand hovers over the baby for a while...*
*Finally he lets the back of one finger drift along the cozy cap covering the baby's head...and down to his soft little cheek...*
*Suddenly Abhi hears blankets rustling behind him, and in a hurry he snatches his hand back and turns around...*
*Pragya pulls herself into a seated position and rubs her eyes, blinking a few times. She reaches out for her glasses and finally gets a hold of them and puts them on, and when she can see clearly who is in the room with her she starts to frown*
P: What are YOU doing here
A: Fuggy...I...
P: I don't want you here, go away
A: But just listen -
*The baby wakes up! He starts to make snuffly noises and Abhi turns around to look at him...*
A: *in wonder* he's...awake
P: and he's probably hungry, hand him to me
A: what? me! no i can't lift him, i don't know how
P: oh ho don't be annoying. it's only two steps just carefully support his head and legs
A: but --
P: the baby is hungry!!
*Abhi has never heard Pragya speak in that absolute tone...it sounds like it's a mother thing...Fuggy always was a fast learner!*
*Abhi is super nervous but his nerves are not more important than his son's hunger, so he follows Pragya's instructions and picks up the precious bundle...*
*And then he just stops, standing still, cradling his son to his heart, because once the baby's in his arms, he finds he does know how to hold him after all...*
*Abhi stares down at the squirmy, cuddly miracle and it's...it's the best feeling in the world*
*the baby looks back at Abhi for a moment, going quiet because he's being moved, but when his father just keeps staring at him, rockstar jr gets annoyed and makes his voice heard*
*Abhi panics as the baby cries and he quickly leans over and hands him to Pragya, who had been watching them with a mix of impatience and something...something positive*
P: Allee allee allee what's happened to my darling? Are you hungry? I think you're hungry, mumma will feed you
*Pragya shifts the baby in her arms and deftly unhooks the top of her gown with one hand - a startled Abhi turns away just when she's pulling the fabric down*
*Pragya takes a moment to help the baby latch on...and then another moment just to watch, because she hasn't gotten used to this yet...*
*And then she glances at Abhi, who has his back to her, and so much tension knotting up his body that she almost feels like she can see it wrapped around him*
P: You don't have to look away, it's a natural function
A: But you - but the gown -
P: It doesn't matter
A: But before you used to hide from me -
P: This is different. Just turn around and tell me why you're here
*Abhi slowly turns around...he tries to respectfully look only at Pragya's face but his eyes have their own idea...and he finds that she's right, it is different, watching her like this, and his embarrassment fades and his wonder and curiosity return because there is his Fuggy, feeding their baby from her very own body...*
P: Well? Why are you here?
*Abhi is distracted and not really listening to her question*
A: Why is he so small?
P: Small! He's over 9 pounds! They said he was the biggest baby born yesterday.
A: *grins* My son, the record-breaker
P: *frowns* *looks at baby's head* *looks back at Abhi with a set expression on her face* No. My son the recordbreaker. To you he's just an accident.
A: Fuggy, please, I -
P: I don't want to hear it. You said you wanted nothing to do with us, why are you here?
A: I also said I was sorry! Twenty thirty times! Why don't you remember those, huh?
P: Because I don't believe you! You don't want us, and that's fine, but at least be honest about it!
A: Want? Want? Fuggy, this isn't about want! You're mine, and he's mine, and we're going to be together, and that's it!
*the baby stops nursing and Pragya stops paying attention to Abhi so she can burp the baby*
*Abhi watches...blushing...fascinated...*
*the doctor arrives*
*it is a male doctor and Abhi feels a flash of annoyance because Pragya's gown is still open*
Doctor: Hello Ms. Arora! How are you and baby Arora doing today?
A: *annoyed* growling* Mehra. Mrs. Mehra. Baby Mehra.
*Doctor turns to Abhi, looks him over with a raised eyebrow*
D: Ah. And who do we have here?
P: *answers quickly without looking at Abhi* He's, um, he's the father. *settles baby in her arms and hooks up her gown*
D: Oh. Well you can stay then.
A: *gnashing teeth* *glaring* *thinking 'I can stay'? damn well I can stay...*
*Doctor examines jr rockstar, pronounces all is well, shares results of basic newborn blood tests. Asks Pragya a few questions about how she's feeling, does a quick physical check - Abhi looks away for a second when the Doctor puts his head under the blanket, but then he snaps his gaze back because that - that - creep is looking at his Fuggy and he doesn't like it so the least he can do is keep an eye on the creep*
*Pragya notices his scowl and rolls her eyes at him. She clicks her fingers to get his attention, and when he looks at her she mouths 'he's a DOCTOR'*
*Abhi makes a face and mimics her saying 'DOCTOR' in an exaggerated way - yes of course he's a doctor! Otherwise Abhi wouldn't even let him touch the blanket, let alone allow him to put his head under it*
*Doctor withdraws from his inspection, takes off his gloves and smiles cheerfully*
D: Well Ms. Arora -
A: Mrs Mehra
D: Looks like you're healing alright. And the nurses said you were able to walk around this morning?
P: Yes doctor, I'm feeling fine. Can I go home soon?
D: Yes, I think since you and baby are both doing well, you'll be better off settling in at home. So I'll sign the discharge papers for this afternoon.
A: WHAT! It's only been a day - he's too small - she's too weak -
P: *glares* I'm not weak!
D: *amused* Don't worry Mr. Mehra, that's a common reaction with fathers. They'll be fine. Just take them home and keep the stress to a minimum, hmm?
A: You can't be serious. Do you know who she is? Do you know who I am? We could buy this hospital four times over -
D: Yes, I know, you're a new dad, and you're anxious. If you have that much money to waste you can hire a nurse to stay with them, but it's not necessary. Ms. Arora -
A: MRS MEHRA
D: Is young and healthy, and her recovery should be uncomplicated. And I know your son is small in comparison to you today, Mr. Mehra, but he's very robust. You have nothing to worry about. And I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being bigger than you one day.
A: Well he'd BETTER
D: The best thing you can do for them now is listen, do you know what I mean? And again, keep the stress to a minimum. That goes for you too Ms. Arora -
A: Mrs Mehra
D: Don't take unnecessary stress, and remind anyone who's getting to you that it's bad for the baby, alright?
P: *smiles at doctor* *burns Abhi with her eyes* Of course doctor, thank you
*Doctor leaves*
*Abhi finds himself in an eyelock with Fuggy but after only a few moments he breaks it and runs off to catch the Doctor*
A: DOCTOR! Eyyy doctor babu!
D: Yes? Please don't shout, we're in a hospital
A: Right, sorry. Are you sure she's ok to go home? She's very delicate, shouldn't she be resting here?
D: She should be resting at home, where she can be comfortable and have her loved ones around her. Her mother and sister are ready to take care of her, you have nothing to worry about.
A: What? No, no. They're coming home with me.
D: Well wherever they go, I meant what I said. Don't stress them out. The delivery was uncomplicated but she had pressure issues during her pregnancy and the last thing she needs now is a relapse along those lines.
A: But -
D: Sorry Mr. Mehra, I have to see other patients. Your wife and son are just fine, and they need you to be calm, can you do that?
A: I...I...pfft of course I can. I can do anything.
D: Good. So you go back there, and I'll go do my job.
A: Right. *wanders back to Fuggy's room, telling himself fine, he can be calm, but he's still not ready to let her go back to Chembur, nonono*
*when A comes back P is whispering to the baby but he can hear her*
P:...and then Papa will argue with the doctor, and then the doctor will confuse Papa, and then Papa will come and say 'we're all going home now!' and then what will we say Champu? we will say 'Papa, you are too naughty, we don't want to go home with you,' and then
A: Are you calling him 'CHAMPU'?!
P: Yes.
A: Fuggy, I get to pick the nicknames.
P: Then you give birth to the next one.
A: I - wait, next one?
P: I don't like you.
A: WHAT?!
P: Well, I do like you, but you're awful
A: Fuggy -
P: But Champu is here now and we have to think about him
A: YES. So -
P: And I feel sad for lonely children so one day Champu has to have a sibling
A: ...Fuggy...you just gave birth and you're talking about having another one?
P: SOMEDAY. Anyway I don't really want to go back to your house with you
A: But -
P: Because there are so many damn stairs
A: I'll carry you up the stairs!
P: But if my mom can stay with me for a few days
A: As long as you want!
P: And you promise not to be stupid -
A: HEY
P: And you promise not to be stupid
A: I...I can try
P: I guess we can go with you.
A: YAY FINALLY. *abhi kisses pragya's forehead* *abhi kisses the baby's forehead*
A: But we're not calling him Champu
P: I am
A: But Fuggy!
*A & P argue about what to nickname Jr Rockstar*
*Arora ladies come and find them bickering*
*Sarla considers confronting Abhi but then she sees that Pragya is happy, and besides BB and RoDaadi have told her about Abhi's behind-the-scenes attempts to help*
*Abhi sees Sarla, jumps up, touches her feet*
A: MUMMYJI please make your daughter understand champu is not a fit name for the baby
P: MUMMY please make your damad understand that he doesn't get to have an opinion because he didn't do any of the hard work
*Bulbul goes and takes jr. rockstar from Pragya's arms; Pragya trusts her sister so instead of objecting she gladly lets the baby go and turns in the bed a bit so she can face Abhi better and argue with him more*
BB: *whispers to baby* yes sweetheart...welcome to the madhouse.
Edited by -mina- - 10 years ago
Real Estate
Cryptocurrency
Financial markets and global economy
Book Talk
Aami Daakini
621