PART-2
Ishwari came out of her room next morning for breakfast, to hear the little clinking of Sonakshi's bangles. Her face elated immediately, her daughter in law was working around the table, arranging for the breakfast with Kichchu Bhaiyya cooking breakfast. When Ishwari came near, and Sonakshi noticed her, she came and touched her mother in law's feet... Ishwari blessed her and looked carefully in Sonakshi's face. She was pale, leaner, and may be- sick?
"Sona, beta, teri tabiyat toh theek hai? Kitni patli ho gayi hai beta..."
Sonakshi smiled back to her mother in law... It will still need her time to understand Dev and his mother fully... They had various shades of emotions that kept on switching invariably... After the wrath she had to endure some weeks back, was replaced by the motherly affection she saw on her face -not full-fledged emotions, but she tried to be as better as she could to have Sonakshi around. Sonakshi shook her head at her mother in law's question and said- "Auntie ji... Emmm... Main aapko maa keh sakti hoon na?" on Ishwari's nod Sonakshi continued- "Maa, main theek hoon... Ab aapke paas rahungi toh phir shayad theek lagne lagoon?"
Ishwari smiled this time, as she pulled Sona's cheek- "Tuney mujhe ghaas phoos khila ke theek kiya tha na? Ab dekhna main bhi tujhe khila-khila ke mota karke theek kar dungi..." Ishwari ushered Sonakshi to the dining table, when they heard soft sniffles from near by... Both of them looked at the door to see Asha, Sonakshi's mother holding lunch box in her hand, and had tears in her eyes- Her daughter's in-law family has finally accepted her, was such a peace to her eyes that she couldn't help her happy tears...
Ishwari went to Asha and called her inside for breakfast, when Dev came down the stairs, and was surprised to see his mother in law, and touched her feet along with touching his mother's feet... Asha finally spoke extending the lunch box to Ishwari- "Yeh... Sona ka kal bohot mann tha Sondesh khaane ka... Maine bohot kaha ki ghar aa jaa... par aayi nahi... Toh phir main apne haathon se banaake yahan hi leke aa gayi..."
"Arre aapne bohot achha kiya... Aaiye, baithiye, saath mein naashta karte hain..." Ishwari ushered Asha to the table , who reluctantly sat with them... Ishwari opened the box and kept in front of Sona to have what she wanted to relish so much... Sona took a spoon and put some pieces of Sondesh on her plate, and relished her craving, and kept on serving herself one piece after the other, when her mother finally admonished her- "Shonaaa, Ki korche? Sabko de beta sondesh..."
Sona as if finally became aware of her environment... She had been recklessly eating the dessert alone and not even asked others for formality sake... She held horror struck eyes, while her mother in law had indulgently smiling ones, who wanted to laugh out at Sona's antiques... Sona immediately served the dessert to others, when her eyes finally met with Dev's ... His eyes were astonished in a good surprise, when he whispered in her ears- "Miss. Bose..." ... Sonakshi immediately corrected him- "It's Mrs. Dixit or Sonakshi for you..." both of them smiled... He spoke again- "Mrs. Dixit, I thought, I have a sweet tooth, but seeing your eagerness at eating the dessert, looks like you too have one..." he wriggled his eyebrows teasingly...
Realisation dawned on her as she immediately pushed her plate away, looking horror struck- "Oh my God! Ye maine kya kiya... OH GOD!!! SO MANY CALORIES!!!"
The entire table roared with laughter seeing the Nutritionist of the house going away from her own regimen and taking in large quantities of what she forbids everyone the most... Ishwari pacified her immediately- "Arre Nootrishan... Theek hai... Kabhi kabhi chalta hai meetha... Arre jawaan ladki ho, abhi nahi khaaogi toh kya meri umar mein aake khaaogi, jisko uski Nootrishan kuch khaane deti bhi nahi hai aisa waisa..."
All indulged Sonakshi away from her guilt to eat so much sweet, and made her easy again, all talking at a mile per second... And Sonakshi long forgot her sin of diet...
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Things began rather smoother with the coming days... Sonakshi went to office with Dev, and in the other times spent as much time with Ishwari and the rest of the family as much as she could... Nikki and Rhea both took so much indulgence with her, that sometimes she would feel as if Elena was there with her around, she felt home... She was happy...
A week later, Sonakshi came back home at night, when her stomach started churning in hunger with the smell of halwa coming from the kitchen... She rushed in to see Ishwari has wrapped up her kitchen adventure, and the halwa was ready. Though she wanted to scold her for exerting herself, but the smell of halwa was pulling her for a taste... Ishwari immediately indulged her in to divert her mind from scolding her for exerting; asking if she would eat what she made...
Sonakshi immediately sat on the chair in front of where the halwa was kept in a bowl, and began eating it... With every spoonful of halwa she took, she was marvelling and relishing the halwa; complementing her mother in law of the unbeatable taste her cooked food has... Ishwari smiled an amused smile, apart from her children and family, this was a time an outsider was so relishing her cooked food... Then she immediately corrected herself in her mind- "No... No... No.. No... Sona is not an outsider any more... She is the daughter-in-law of this house; she is Dev's wife... She is not an outsider..."
Though Ishwari has been trying her level best to be cordial and humble with Sonakshi around, her insecurities would pop up sometimes; old habits die hard after all... But she tried not to be expressive about it, again making Sona and Dev uncomfortable...
Dev joined in on the table after getting fresh, and looked weirdly at Sona, seeing her eating halwa... A sweet again... But lesson learnt, he was not going to point it out to her this time about the calories, or she would surely start crying out her sinful act... He quietly ate his dinner, and relished the halwa, kissing his mother's hands for such a tasty treat... Sona was still eating halwa; her servings were not done with just a bowl... He didn't wanted to sound rude to her, or interrupt her meal; but her body wasn't so used to eating such heavy food items... She would get sick of indigestion; with a heavy heart Dev pulled her back to reality, letting her know that she should check on to her calorie intake, and as expected, but with little mercies, she did not wail, but sulked too much with a pouting mouth on another spree of sinful eating... She mumbled to herself that these mothers are spoiling her... They cook such delicious food, who can resist so much...? Thanking Ishwari again, she went in to change, and was later found walking all long the garden to any how compensate for the halwa she ate, and no matter how much Dev cajoled her, telling it's ok, but it was just not okay for her... She kept on being awake till late night, being angry on herself, and both of them didn't know when the both of them went to sleep...
Dev woke up early in the morning with the sound of Sona's retching... He shot up from the bed, and went into the unlocked washroom, where she was puking her guts out... Oh poor soul, she got sick eating the halwa... He helped her clean, and ushered her back to bed... "Miss. Bose...!" he began to admonish her...
"It's Sonakshi for you..." Sona sulked quietly...
"SONAKSHI... Happy? Ab meri baat suno. Tum na kabhi kabhi bilkul maa jaisi harkatein karti ho... The thing that doesn't suits your stomach, kyu khaati ho waisa?"
Sonakshi sulked all the more with getting scolded by Dev... It had always been the other way around, she always took care of everyone's diet, and he? she just gave up, sulking even more - "Mujhe bhi nahi pata... Mera Mann kiya toh kha liya na... Ab kya karoon..."
"Tum ab karo yeh, chup chaap bed mein leit jaao... Main aata hoon ek minute mein... And don't you dare get out of the bed until I come..." Dev warned her.
"Aur agar vomit aaye phir se toh bhi nahi jaaoon?" Sona asked cutely, and Dev just shook his head in an I-GIVE-UP look, and went downstairs...
He came back a few minutes later with a glass of lemonade, and handed it to her- "Ye lo shikanji peeyo... Kya kehti ho tum, Nimbu Paani... Have it, you will feel better..." Sonakshi obediently took the glass and began sipping, and wonderfully found it relaxing... She smiled and said- "It's really tasty... Par bichaare Kichhu Bhaiyya, itni subah unhe uthna pada ye banane ke liye..." she raised the glass in mid air to indicate.
"Bichaare Kichhu Bhaiyya nahi, Bichaara tumhara pati... Ye shikanji maine banaayi hai Dr. Bose."
"It's Sonakshi for y... Aapne? Aapne banaayi... Oh so sweet Mr. Dixit... Haan haan ok... I know, it's Dev for me... Thank you so much... It really is fantastic..." She hugged him tight and gave a firm kiss on his cheek... He smiled back to her and tucked her back in the bed-"Chalo ab so jaao Sonakshi... By the time you get up finally, you will feel better..."
Sonakshi gave her hand to him, and gently pulled him in the bed as well... Resting her head on his chest, she found her comfortable spot and tried getting back to sleep...
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"Maa... Kya baat hai? Teri tabiyat toh theek hai na?" Dev was worried seeing his mother pacing up and down in the kitchen, trying to prepare something...
"Main theek hoon Dev... Bas thodi ghabrahat ho rahi thi toh socha kuch pakaau (Cook)... Toh tum sab bachho ke liye chole bhature banaaye hain... Isse pehle tu daante... Main nootrishan wala naashta karungi..."
All sat on the breakfast table when Ishwari asked -"Sona teri tabiyat toh theek hai... Chehra kitna bujha bujha lag raha hai..." Before Dev could illustrate Sona's upset stomach Sona replied quickly- "Main toh theek hoon maa, lekin aapki tabiyat theek nahi lag rahi... Rukiye... Pehle main aapka BP check kar leti hoon..."
"Arre pehle naashta toh kar le nootrishan... Kichhu parosta (serve) hi hoga..."
"Do minute lagenge maa..." Sona stood from the chair to get the Sphygmomanometer from the room, when the entire hall seemed to move around her in a dizzy for a second, she held on to the table to avoid falling down... She looked around, and saw her little trip to dizziness was observed both by Dev and Ishwari... Ishwari again asked- "Meri chodh, Sona mujhe lag raha hai teri tabiyat theek nahi hai... Tu jab se aayi hai ghar wapas, tera chehra kuch bujha bujha sa hai, aaj toh thaki si bhi lag rahi hai..."
"Ohho maa, main theek hoon, pehle aap apna BP check karwaaiye..." Sona left to bring the instrument, but Dev's penetrating eyes did not leave her direction... She came back a few minutes later and took Ishwari's BP, somehow Sona was not satisfied, and told the same at the table... Sonakshi was talking when Kichhu Bhaiyya brought the breakfast and kept it on the table...
The very first aroma of food churned Sonakshi's stomach and it started revolting... But on Ishwari's insistence, took a few morsels, and suddenly shot up from the chair again, her head gave another spin; Dev had held her arm firmly, for somehow he knew she wasn't well... She rushed into the nearest bathroom, and started puking again... Rhia went behind Sonakshi before Dev could go and helped her clean her mouth...
Ishwari looked upset -"Dev naashta achha nahi bana kya? Usne ulti kyu kar di?"... Dev pacified his mother -"Maa bohot achhe bane hain... Tujhse achhe chole bhature toh koi bana nahi sakta... Par maa, Sonakshi jhoot bol rahi hai, uski tabiyat bilkul theek nahi hai... Kal raat ka halwa bhi usko pacha nahi (digested)... Beech raat mein bhi ultiyaan kar rahi thi... Shayad usko aadat nahi hai itna heavy khaana khaane ki... Isliye..."
Sonakshi came back and seated, Kichhu Bhaiyya served her juice and light breakfast, from which she immediately turned her face away -"Le jaaiye Kichhu Bhaiyya, iski smell bilkul achhi nahi lag rahi hai... Main baad mein kuch kha lungi..." she turned to Dev- "Aapne Dr. Sinha ko call kiya? Maa ka test karwaaiye.. I think kya gadbad hai pata chal jaayega... Main maa ka chart review kar deti hoon..." She again began getting up, when he held her wrist and stopped her-"Chup chaap yahan baitho, Dr. Sinha aate hi honge..."
Sure enough Dr. Sinha was in the hall and came first to Ishwari and checked her; his assistant took her blood sample, while Sona stood to his side like an obedient junior and co-worker... When he was done with Ishwari, he turned to Sonakshi -"And now it's your turn Dr. Sonakshi... I have got complaints that you have become totally careless with your health?"
Sonakshi shot daggers at Dev who didn't have a face even close to being amused... He strictly stood, while she sat down and let Dr. Sinha check on her... He directed his assistant to take her blood samples as well, and though he prescribed no medicine to her, but asked to continue with the lemonade for a while whenever she felt sick...
Asking Dev to come and meet him in the clinic the next morning to collect the reports, Dr. Sinha took their leave... After seeing him off, Dev came back to the hall; his mother was getting back to her room to rest since she knew Dev must get very angry otherwise. He looked at Sonakshi, who still sat on the sofa sulking, throwing daggers at him... Dev smiled this time; she looked so cute this way... He came and sat on his hunches before her and took her thin but long fingers in his rough palms- "Sona, you yourself know, you are not well; why you want to pretend being fine? We are getting tests done for caution sake, just in case you caught with some infection. What's the harm?"
"I don't know... I feel like sulking, and so I am... What's the harm?" Sonakshi told him in cute annoyance...
Dev burst out laughing, and again as he always did, ended the conversation with the lovable monosyllable- "Seriously?!!!" he had finally cajoled her to continue her routine, and took her along to the office with him...
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The next morning, Dev was dutifully into Dr. Sinha's cabin, to collect reports for both his mother and wife. Dr. Sinha aked him to take the seat, and opened the envelope that had Ishwari's reports; he took a look once again through the reports and began telling Dev about his mother's health- "Mr. Dixit, it's either of the two situations; either your mother is just not taking her health seriously and is having a very unhealthy diet, or Dr. Sonakshi has lost her touch and is unable to treat your mother... I cannot believe in the latter case; I know how Sonakshi is, at no point of time would she let her patients suffer. The best Nutritionist I can ever recommend for... That comes down to the former situation- Your mother is not taking her health seriously... Look Mr. Dixit, you know it much more than I know how painstakingly Mrs. Dixit's health was taken into control. She is spilling cold waters on all the hard work Sonakshi has gone through as her nutritionist. Though the situation is not that out of hand that it was the previous time, when I had first recommended Dr. Sonakshi; but it has started to dwindle. She should better get back to her strict diet, she will recoup quickly. Not that big a worry if she does so..."
Dev nodded his head quietly. He knew Sonakshi's absence at home has brought this lapse; not that it was her fault. Even being away, she had diligently prepared their maa's charts and routines. She reviewed them regularly, yet not having Sonakshi around to pester Ishwari time to time, and him juggling between everything; Ishwari had conveniently started having whatever she liked, and the results were here. He needs to get his mother's health priorities straight. Not that he needs to worry so much; Sonakshi was back home now, she would be capable enough to put things right. She was an enchantress as far as health and proper diet is concerned...
That brought him back the thought; he needed to collect Sonakshi's reports as well... He kept looking at Dr. Sinha to continue and let him know about the famous Nutritionist's reports as well who herself was not keeping well. Taking the cue Dr. Sinha pulled another envelope that was Sonakshi's... "Mr. Dixit, since you have a doctor at your home itself, she herself is capable of reading her report... Just go and show her both the reports, she will know what to do... I don't want to spoil your moment." Dr. Sinha smiled cordially.
Dev looked confused... Why wasn't Dr. Sinha telling him directly? Any ways he wished him and left for his home... He needs to see both the ladies... Reaching home he went to his mother first- she was rearranging her wardrobe. Seeing Dev standing at the door, she gave a brave look. She knew he would get angry seeing her working again, but it lessens the chances when you look brave. Never the less Dev came, and scolded her as she had expected- "Tere kuch samajh kyu nahi aata maa, tujhe aaraam aur sahi khaan-paan ki zarurat hai... Kyu nahi maanti hai? Ye teri hi reports leke aaya hoon Dr. Sinha se... Bohot naaraaz ho rahe they ki tuney phir se apna dhyaan rakhna chodh diya hai... Sahi khaana nahi khaati... Tu aaj bata de kya chaahti hai tu? Kyu apna khayaal nahi rakhti?"
"Achha bas-bas" Ishwari pacified him... "Abse rakha karoongi baba... Ab Sonakshi aa gayi hai na, wo peeche padi hi rahegi mere... Sab theek kar degi..." Ishwari smiled indulgently... "Waise uski report ka kya hua?" Ishwari asked.
"Wohi dikhaana hai usko maa, Dr. Sinha ne kaha ki wo khud padh legi apni report... Hai kahan woh?" Dev asked looking around, realising he had not seen her around anywhere in the house since he came back.
"Arre wo toh office gayi na beta... Tu boss hai toh kya hua, usko toh kaam pe jaana hi padta hai na?" Ishwari laughed at it, Dev smiled too... He felt such immense satisfaction seeing his mother being happy and carefree around Sonakshi's discussion. Though she sometimes did go back to her little insecure self, but she was fighting it bravely. Since there was an effort, he was happy. He finally took his mother's leave and went for office... He needed to show Sonakshi both the reports the first thing he reaches there.
Reaching his office building, he took way towards Sonakshi's cabin, but just then stopped. Her patients would come and go there; he will not get the peace and privacy to talk to her on personal basis. His cabin would be a better place to talk without any interruption. Reaching his office, he instructed Tina to call Dr. Sonakshi to his cabin, and do not disturb them at any cost until he intimidates her. He needed to discuss something really important with Sonakshi.
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Sonakshi entered Dev's cabin, and he locked it behind her. He pulled one of the visitor's chairs for her as she seated, he pulled another visitor's chair and sat next to her. He gave her Ishwari's reports, which she studied carefully. As much as she read, there were lines of worry on her forehead- "Dev, main har baar maa ke charts review karke bhej rahi thi... Wasn't she following them?"... Dev shook his head in a no... She continued- "But why? Dev do you realise what is she doing with her health? She needs to get pretty serious about her health now..." Dev nodded his head in affirmation...
"She has promised to take care of her health from now on... Since you are around she would follow your instructions.." Dev assured her... Sonakshi nodded in response... Dev then brought forward her report to her- "Dr. Sinha keh rahe they ki tum ye khud read kar lo... He.. doesn't want to spoil... our moment." Dev shrugged his shoulder in confusion.
Sonakshi opened the envelope in her hand and began reading her report... A moment she had been sitting and reading, the other moment, she slowly stood from her chair and continued looking at her report... The words in the report looked like black blur, because her eyes were clouded by tears that began racing down her cheeks...
Dev was worried. He hadn't expected something that would break sona to the level of crying. He stood up as well... Holding her arms, he made her look at him- "What's... What's wrong Sonakshi? Kya hua? There can't be anything that we can't find a solution for... Please bataao mujhe Sona, What is wrong?"
Sona gave a watery laughter amids her crying as she said- "Nothing's wrong... It's time for everything to get right..."
"Main samjha nahi... Everything's right? Toh phir tum ro kyu rahi ho?" Dev asked still worried...
Sonakshi wiped her tears again, but her joy came back again from her eyes, and she did not mind wiping it again. She smiled instead, a very very fond smile as she spoke- "Dev, you have always been the man of the house... You were a father, a parent to your sisters all your life... Now is the time to do it again; this time along with me..." She paused to let her words sink and she continued a moment later- "We are going to be parents soon Dev... You are going to be a father Dev... Dev..."
Dev stumbled back against the table, and in an almost opposite first reaction that Sona gave, she had stood up from the chair and he started slipping down against the table... His face was an unmistakable gesture of unfathomable surprise... He had missed the chair; instead he plopped down on the floor in his own thoughts... His eyes were giving away how fast his brain is working to take in that little piece of information... A few seconds later, his surprised face split into a huge smile he could ever know he had... His fingers were in his own hairs, dishelving them... He just did not know to express his own joy... When your lips are unable to give away, your eyes become your companion... They were shining with such immense happiness, that it was difficult to draw a line where they started smiling and when there were tears of joy brimming in them... He was laughing and crying at the same moment... Sonakshi sat down on the floor with him, and he held on to her so tight to him in a huge hug that could be typically termed as their own personal way of hugging, with sonakshi's face hiding in his broad chest and he enveloping her to himself from everyone in the world... He did not need another confirmation from Sonakshi that she was pregnant... All he needed her to be by his side in their private moment of rejoice- The first feeling of becoming parents. Now he understood what Dr. Sinha meant by spoiling their moment... It was such immense joy to get the news right from Sonakshi and nobody else...
They broke the hug, and Sonakshi sat with him on the floor like two kids playing a game together; unmindful of where they are and what they were doing... Many minutes later when the silence could not be contained in Dev's heart any more; he spoke- "Aakhri baar itni khushiyaan kab aayi thi humare ghar? Jab Nikki ka janm hua tha... Purey school mein cheeni baanti thi maine... Apni choti si behen ke janm par mera aisa haal tha, toh apne shareer ke iss chote se ang (part) ke janm par kya karunga Sonakshi, mujhe bhi nahi pata... Main toh pagal hi ho jaaunga..." he had very tenderly kept his palm on Sonakshi's for now absolutely flat tummy... That suddenly reminded him to ask her- "By the way, how far are you pregnant...? Main itna khush ho gaya ki tumhare baarey mein toh poocha hi nahi..."
Sonakshi laughed in a very fond way... She was so amused, as well satisfied to see Dev being so happy... It was as if it was raining happiness for him, and he wanted to catch every single drop from every direction... Being so eager and confused was a ready deal to handle for her... She smiled... He kept on waiting for her answer, and she felt blush creeping up her cheeks, she was looking at her lap as she spoke- "I guess five weeks done... Rest of the details would be known once we meet an Obstetritian..." Sonakshi informed him...
"Toh chalo then quickly, we will have you get checked then Sonakshi... I just can't wait..." Dev started getting up, when Sonakshi held his hand- "Dev, aapko aisa nahi lagta ki pehle maa ko bataa dete hain? Wo kitni khush hongi... Nahin?"
Dev nodded and gave a very childish smile... He it seems has already returned to his childhood, and has started cherishing it what he hadn't been able to do back then... He began getting up again... She looked astounded and asked- "Abhi? Dev aap boss hain toh kya hua, mujhe toh kaam karna padta hai na? There can be any patients coming.."
Dev sniggered- "Kabhi-kabhi na, tum aur maa ek hi dialogues maarte ho... Abhi-abhi ghar par bhi yahi sunke aa raha hoon... But khargosh, you can sometimes ditch your patients, and accompany your husband somewhere... After all we do not break this news often... Please na... Please... Ab chalo..." Dev was on his feet and had given Sona a hand to get up as well...
"Oh God! Sonakshi... Mera bachha! Aane wala hai..."
"Ya phir aane wali hai..." Sonakshi added...
"Haan... yaa aane wali hai... Doesn't matter... My baby!" Dev had been squealing in childish enthusiasm until they reached the door of his cabin to leave...
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"Maa, main aur Sonakshi tujhe kuch bataana chaahte hain..." Ishwari was lying in her bed, when Dev and Sonakshi had come into her room... Dev like everytime sat on the corner of the bed with his mother lying, and Sonakshi stood by the bedside... Ishwari's face gave a little of the tension of her insecurities lying inside her taking surface- "Are ... Are they here to tell her that they want to live separately? Or am I becoming a burden on them? What could it be...?" thought Ishwari... Dev immediately assured her nothing that could be bad- "Maa... Tu kuch bhi sochti rehti hai... Hum dono toh tujhe bohot badi khushkhabri dene aaye hain... Maa... Tu daadi banne wali hai..."
Ishwari sat up in such a pleasant surprise, that she couldn't help but smile that unconditional smile that Sonakshi didn't remember last when she saw this... Ishwari seemed genuinely happy... She had hugged Dev so happily that if ever Sonakshi had a trace of bad memories in her heart from this house, she wanted to wipe it off from herself... This day has brought a new beginning and how... She just was happy with the way Ishwari was accepting the changes in their lives...
As if realising, Ishwari left Dev a few seconds later- "Chal hatt yahan se Dev... Meri beti ko baithne de... Maa banne jaa rahi hai wo..." Ishwari had pulled Sonakshi's hands softly towards herself and made her sit on the bed where Dev sat previously- "Sona... meri beti... Main bohot khush hoon beta... Bohot..." She had kissed Sonakshi's head... Dev faked being affronted- "Arre! Ye kya baat hui... Agar Sonakshi maa banne wali hai toh main bhi toh papa banne wala hoon... Mujhe bhi toh importance do..."
Ishwari laughed at her son- "Haan-haan milegi... tujhe bhi milegi wohi... Jo tu keh raha hai... Par beta... Aaj kyuki tum dono mata-pitah banne ki dehleez pe khade ho, aaj tum dono ko ye baat samajh aayegi... Bachha jab iss duniya mein aata hai na, toh sirf uska naamkaran nahi hota... Uske maa-baap ka bhi hota hai... Wo uss din se apni pehli santaan ki maa aur pitah ban jaate hain... Jaise tere janm par Dev, main "Dev ki maa" kehlaane lagi... Sonakshi, tu dekhna, jab tera bachha iss duniya mein aayega na, toh khud ki chinta chodh uss nanhi si jaan ki zyada chinta hone lagegi... Koi aisa iss duniya mein hoga, jisse tu and tujhse wo nihswaarth (unconditional) prem karega... Duniya mein isse zyada such aur kuch nahi hoga..." Sonakshi had smilingly hugged her mother in law... This was one of the first lessons of parenthood she was given... And she accepted it with utmost delight...
"Toh kab aa raha hai mera pota ya poti? Haan?" Ishwari asked...
"Pata nahi maa... Abhi tak hum doctor ke paas gaye nahin... Sona ne kaha ki sabse pehle aapko bataate hain, isliye seedha ghar aa gaye... Ab jaate hain doctor ke paas..." Dev told his mother, as he touched his mother's feet taking her blessings after the good news... Sonakshi did the same... Dev after instructing his mother to keep resting and taking care; as he always did, left with Sonakshi...
After her son and daughter in law left; Ishwari's smile faded somewhere... She repeated Dev's words- "Sona ne kaha ki sabse pehle aapko bataate hain." ... Something broke in her- "Sona ne kaha, isliye aaya tu sabse pehle apni maa ko bataane, warna ye bhi nahi bataata tu mujhe dev?"... Her insecurities were slowly simmering back...
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"World famous Khargosh apna favourite food Gajar (carrot) khaakar so gaya tha, aur race mein late ho gaya tha... Ishwari Mansion ki famous Khargosh bhi gajar khaakar sone ke mood mein toh nahin hai?" Sonakshi stopped chewing on her carrot salad, as Dev came from behind her sofa, and sat down next to her. Sonakshi was at the end of her second trimester, and had a happily showing baby bump... But what worried her was not only was she growing in a pregnant sense, but she was getting fat too... A tad little bit... But that worried her... She made a face- "Dev, you are not supposed to make fun of me... It is not my fault that this baby has taken on you, and is forcing me to take all those oily and sweet things... I sometimes wonder if I am going to turn into one Bhatura myself, the way I am loving eating those Chole- Bhaturey... So, I am taking carrots... They have ample Vitamin-A, and good for me and my baby..."Sonakshi told him...
"Our!" Dev corrected her...
"What our?" Sonakshi was confused
"Our baby... Not just your's..." Dev was adamant
"Yeah! Alright... Our... So I am already on a mission to make her like some of my food as well... And no, I don't sleep all day after all, so I am not going to sleep... Coz I need to start sorting my things to pack my bags..."
"Pack your bags? You are going no where now Sonakshi..." he had held on to her arm to have her full attention...
"Ofcourse, not now... Abhi thodi na jaaungi... Lekin ek-do months ke baad main apni maa ke paas chali jaaungi... But I need to sort things out... With the office still going on, I can't devote all the time to my sorting and packing..." Sonakshi calmly explained to him...
"You can't do this to me Khargosh... Why do you have to go there? Milne toh jaati ho na tum... Main pagal ho jaata hoon tumhare bina... Aur aisi haalat mein you will not be with me, main kaise rahunga? Dont do this yaar!" Dev was agitated...
"Dev, it's the first baby na; its a tradition to have Shaad... Unh! godhbharaayi as you all say; and to deliver the baby at my mother's place... phir uske one month ke baad toh waapas yahin aana hai na..." Sonakshi tried explaining him calmly... If it had been her own choice, she would have avoided going there for Dev and her own sake at the very first place... But her daadi had personally come and asked Ishwari ji for this, and her mother in law had agreed at the very first moment, not leaving any choice for Sonakshi... She did not want to upset Ishwari.
"What??? Delivery ke bhi ek mahine ke baad aaogi tum..? Tumhara dimaag kharaab ho gaya hai khargosh! Hell no! I want to have my baby in my arms as soon as he or she comes, and you are telling me one month?" Dev looked incredulous...
Sonakshi laughed as she said- "Dev, my maa's place is in Delhi only. I am not going to Kolkata to deliver. You WILL have the baby in your arms the first thing he or she comes... Why do you worry so much..." It looked Dev was still not satisfied and was further going to argue, she changed the topic... "Achha ye bataaiye, aap kyu pooch rahe they ki main sone jaaungi ya nahin?"
"Haan wo, main soch raha tha ki aaj main bhi office se jaldi aa gaya toh hum dono kahin baahar chalein... A long drive, and a dinner outside?" Dev told her...
"Hmmm... Long Drive done! Dinner back home... Maa is preparing something especially for me with Kichhu bhaiyya's help... It won't look good if we eat outside... Main change karke aati hoon..."
"Khargosh!" he called her, as she was leaving... Just then Nikki popped up...
"Bhaiyya! Aap meri Bhabhi ko Khargosh kyu bulaate ho? Haan... Maana ki wo cute hain, par na toh unke bade-bade daant hai, aur na hi wo ghar mein uchalti-phirti hain... Phir khargosh kyu?" Nikki complained...
Dev gave a loud laugh- "Arre Nikki teri Bhabhi bohot darpok hain... Gaadi chalaate mein aankhein band kar leti hain... Aisa koi karta hai?"
"Haan karta hai... Main karti hoon... Aise!" Nikki tightly shut her eyes and showed it to her brother... "Koi bhi band kar sakta hai agar usko darr lage toh!" Nikki explained...
Dev laughed at both the ladies- "Tum ladkiyaan matlab hoti hi darpok ho... Main toh apne bete ko pehle hi driving sikha doonga.."
"Dev!" Sonakshi admonished him...
"Achha, beti ko bhi sikhaunga... Par khargosh nahi banne dunga..." he laughed...
Sonakshi raised her fist in a mock punch in his stomach, which he held on, and started ushering her outside the home, not letting her go for a change of clothes...
And Ishwari kept looking at the two of them from her room balcony... Her son did not even care telling her that he and his wife are going for an outing... Who was she? Their servent to cook while they are enjoying? She was fuming...
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"Maa aapko kya lagta hai? Bhabhi ko beta hoga ya beti?" Rhia asked her mother, as they all, Ishwari, Rhia, Nikki and Neha were seated in the hall after returning from Sonakshi's Godhbharaayi and pooja... Dev was to return later on as he wanted to stay back until all the guests departed... And the rest of the Dixits sat at home discussing how the function went...
Sonakshi was in her last month, and looking wonderfully glowing in the traditional silk Bengali saree... She was made to eat all her favourite food and basically all she craved for, and ended up getting all Dev's favourite dishes ready, since all she ate these days were those food only, thanks to the little imp who was a disciple of his/her daddy dearest... It was one whole lot of teasing that Sonakshi was getting at the Bose household... The Dixits too had fun on her expense... Dev was so much into Sonakshi, that his pampering her was palpable to everyone... Something that irked Ishwari...
Rhia nudged her mother asking again to tell what she thinks will be the gender of the newest member to the house... Nikki was herself top on the world to finally have someone younger to her after Twenty one long years, and was eagerly listening to what her mother might say... Though Ishwari was being fine, but somehow her mood was off, as she said- "Kuch bhi ho... Kya farq padta hai... Par joru ka gulaam na baney..."
All the sisters looked at each other at their mother's answer, as Rhia said- "Toh aapko lagta hai ki beta hoga Bhabhi ko?"
"Maine kab kaha aisa?" Ishwari asked...
"Toh Joru ka gulaam toh ladka hi banta hai na?" Rhia asked...
"Mujhe nahi pata..." Ishwari was irritated as she left for her room leaving her daughters bewildered...
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"Maa, ye tu mujhe kin kaam mein lagaaya hui hai... Mujhe jaana hai... Ye kaam toh koi house help bhi kar dega..." Ishwari had deliberately held Dev back at home, making him do idle works that were just not necessary... Ever since he had got a call from Sona's father that Sona has gone into labour and was taken for the hospital; Ishwari was keeping her son busy... And now finally Dev couldn't take it any longer...
"Kahan jaana hai tujhe?" an irked Ishwari asked Dev. She had taken his phone with her so that he concentrates with her...
"Maa... Sonakshi hospital mein hai... Usey meri zarurat hai..." Dev explained the obvious...
"Aur tu kya karega wahan jaake...? Arre Dev ye auraton ka kaam hai... Mard nahi jaate inn sab mein... Pehli maa nahi hai jo Bachhe ko janam de rahi hai... Jo doctor aur nurse hain wahan wo karwa denge... Tujhe wahan jaane ki zarurat nahi hai..." Ishwari was rough... Dev was in a helpless situation... He felt like screaming at the top of his lungs... Where the hell has his life stuck in... He can't leave his mother in the mids of the mess she has created, or she will get herself sick with stress... He can't even go to his Sona, who needed him the most at this time, when she was about to deliver their first baby...
Nikki who was in the alley outside her mother's room heard this... She needed to help... A few minutes later Rhia came into the room with worry etched up on her face- "Bhaiyya, aapka phone kahan hai?"
"Mere paas hai, kyu?" Ishwari asked her daughter in the same rough tone...
"Bhaiyya, UK wale foreign delegates aapko kitna reach karne ki koshish kar rahe they... Par aapka phone toh laga nahi... Toh Tina ne phir mujhe call kiya... Bhaiyya crores ka nuksaan ho gaya hai... Aapko jaldi se jaldi office jaana hai..." Rhia told them...
Ishwari was immediately sorry... Because of her own insecurity she had led loss to her own son... Rhia decided to help her mother whereas Dev went to leave... He switched on his phone at the gate of the house, when Rhia's message popped up the screen- "Bhaiyya, Bhabhi ki delivery abhi hui nahi hai... Deluxe Labour ward, Room no. 14... Get there quick... They will take her to the Labour room soon."
A huge smile crept on his lips... He quickly texted her back- "Thanks Chashmish! :-*" and he himself drove to the hospital...
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Dev was on cloud nine... The first person who held his little bundle of joy, his little tiny boy; it was him... Right in the labour room, until Sonakshi had painstakingly delivered their little baby; Dev had constantly been with Sonakshi... The pain of being parents together was a moment they would remember for life time... The unmatched happiness he had felt taking his baby boy in his arms was in his eyes... True and pure... Sonakshi had hugged her baby to her chest the very first time she held him... The first time mother and father were hell emotional after all...
Sonakshi was shifted to her Deluxe room afterwards and now all the visitors were paying visits to the new mother and child... Dev was there with the both of them, as an inseparable part of the trio, not wanting to miss a single moment with his wife and new born child; that was also an indispensable part of his life...
Ishwari entered in the room along with her three daughters to pay their visits as well... Dev was in the washroom, so she had no idea about him... If anyone doubted the happiness on her face seeing her grandson, they would be proved wrong; because there really was no pretense in those love-filled eyes... Neha, Nikki, Rhia too were getting awed by the little boy yawning every now and then; playing with him, taking turns to hold him... all three of them had come and hugged Sonakshi, congratulating as well thanking her for this little member in the family...
The four of them were about to leave, when Dev came out of the washroom; and Ishwari was astounded seeing him there- "Tu toh office gaya tha na..."
"Haan maa... wo..." Dev wanted to say, but Sonakshi's grandmother told the truth...
"Na Ishwari ji... Dev babu toh delivery ka time se yahin par hai... Bada saath diya usne humari shonaa ka..."
Ishwari's gave was giving away her anger, as she left the room, with her daughters helplessly following her, just in case she spoils her health...
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"Maa... maaf kar de na mujhe... Kab tak usi baat par naraaz rahegi..." Dev was pressing his mother's feet, pacifying her... On the other hand he could hear his son's wailing and Sonakshi pacifying him...
After her discharge from the hospital, Sonakshi decided to get back to the Dixit house instead of the bose's ... She knew it would get very difficult for her to handle alone the little baby as a first time mother... But she also understood Dev's need and helplessness... He was getting very agitated and felt split between his need to take care of his mother and not make her feel anymore insecure; and his desire to be around his baby... She did not want him to continue feeling guilty about missing caring about the each of them... And so here she was... Though all the members here took turns to take care of her son, yet Ishwari was still a bit aloof from both Dev and Sonakshi for the lie they had conjured the day of her baby's birth... Though she was not the one to conjure or take part in any of that lie, but she had to take all that, since it involved Dev as well... Right now her son was not at all sleepy, but was not in a good mood as well... Nikki had to go to finish her homework; Rhia needed to sleep to get back to the office and Neha was at her home; she had to entertain her son any how, who was just not in the mood... She had finally kept him in his crib, and went to Ishwari's room, but stopped in her tracks just before she could enter the threshold...
"Was Dev crying?" she thought to herself... She could tell listening to his tone itself... She heard more clearly- "Maa, ye kaisa insaaf hai mere saath... Main tere paas har samay rehta hoon, toh lagta hai mere bachhe ko bhi toh meri zarurat hai; uske saath nainsaafi ho rahi hai... Uske saath samay bitaata hoon toh tu naraaz ho jaati hai... Kyu aisa nahi ho paata ki mere dil sab hisse ek saath reh sakein... Kyu tu kabhi apne kamre se baahar aakar, ek baar apne potey ko apni baahon mein nahi le leti? Kyu Sonakshi ko bhi wo sazaa de rahi hai tu, jo galti usne ki bhi nahi hai... Maa mere samajh nahi aata main khud ko tukde-tukde mein kaise baantoon..." tears were flowing out of his eyes... The sheer helplessness in his voice broke both Sonakshi and Ishwari's hearts... Sonakshi left the place immediately...
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"Maa dekhiye na, ye aapka pota meri toh sunta hi nahi hai..." Sonakshi had returned a minute later carrying her baby, as well his little makeshift beddings to Ishwari's room, and had settled herself beside her mother in law on her bed, and placed the baby in his grandmother's lap... "Ab aap hi sambhaaliye isey... Ye mere jaisa bilkul nahi hai... Bilkul apne papa jaisa hai- "Aubhodro!"... Both Ishwari and Dev looked at her in an offended way... Dev's was a more amused one... Sonakshi clarified- "Aur nahi toh kya maa... Kabse roye jaa raha hai... Mujhse toh behel hi nahi raha... Aapne toh Dev ko paala-posa hai na, aapko toh pata hoga ki kaise ye rona band karega..."
Ishwari asked without holding the baby still- "Dudh pilaaya?"
"Ji" Sonakshi answered.
"Dakaar? (Burp)"
"Ji..."
"Hmmm... Aise nahi maanega... Ruk... Dev, zara batti(lights) ki roshni kam kar de..."
As Dev did so, Ishwari finally held her grandson to her shoulder, resting his head there, and began humming and caressing his back in a certain rhythmic way- "Chanda hai tu, mera sooraj hai tu... O... Meri aankhon ka taara hai tu..."
Sonakshi never knew her mother in law had such a melodious voice... But she was amazed how quickly her son stopped crying... He definitely understood his grandmother's love... Ishwari saw the same in Sonakshi's eyes as she said- "Dev ko bhi main yahi sunaati thi... Jhat se so jaata tha..."
Just then he began crying again, since Ishwari began talking... Ishwari laughed finally- "Haan baba... Tu sahi apne papa ka beta hai... Mujhe kisi se baat nahi karne dega na, jaise tere papa karte they bachpan mein? Chalo aur gaati hoon... Soja ab..." and she hummed the lines of the song... And finally, he was asleep... In his grandmother's lap...
Ishwari kept on looking at the little baby... She was crying in the dim lights... Dev and Sonakshi both held on to her... "Mujhe maaf kar dena tum dono... Kuch zyada hi pareshaan ho gayi thi, ki mera beta phir mujhse door chala jaayega... Par ye toh bhool hi gayi ki Dev ko kaisa lagegi jab uska beta use door rahegi toh... Uska dard sunke toh mujhe khud par sharam aa gayi... Mujhe maaf kar dena Dev- Sonakshi..."
Dev and Sonakshi held her, requested not to say a word like that... But she said again- "Par Sona... Tu sach mein sona hai... Hum dono maa-bete ki dawaa tuney ek minute mein kar di... Na tuney mujhe mere bete se door rehne diya, aur na hi Dev ko uske bete se... Thank you beta... Thank you..."
Sonakshi hugged her mother in law, and then diverted the topic- "Achha maa, ye toh bataaiye... Iss chote maharaj ka naam kya rakhein? Aubhodro toh nahi rakh sakte na naam?"
Sonakshi sniggered as Ishwari mock slapped her shoulder... Dev laughed off too... Ishwari smiled- "Devaansh... Mere Dev ka ansh... Theek hai?"
"Perfect!" both Sonakshi and Dev said...
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