BA SS: The Maharaja's Surprise - Epilogue - 24/5 - Page 41

Part Fourteen:

Surrounded by all the family Aditi felt a bit overwhelmed, but immensely content too. They were all buzzing around, stroking her head, patting her back or laying a hand on her tummy. Thoroughly thrilled that her family, and finally she felt like they were "her" family, were as happy as she and Bharat, Aditi felt relief steal over her. She hadn't understood why she had been so nervous, especially as everyone was so ecstatic at the prospect of two new babies in the family. Until Divya hugged her and whispered a tearful "shukriya" in her ear, adding "for making Bharat so very happy and bringing "Mr. India" back to us." She had been a worried that Divya would feel a little sad that her pregnancy might be over-shadowed with their news. Aditi shook her head mentally, she should have known, of everyone and anyone, Divya would be the happiest of all for them. Aditi felt her contentment expand just a bit more when she looked at the proud, shy smile on Bharat's face as Amar clapped him soundly on the back as he hugged him. Over Amar's shoulder Bharat's smile broadened as he winked naughtily at her. Flushing a bit, Aditi returned his smile shyly, dipping her head when Divya grinned at her over the rim of her tea cup.

It took a few weeks, but Aditi and Divya finally caught on to their pati's plan of keeping them "quiet". If Divya was doing something Amar felt she shouldn't be, he would enlist Aditi's help to get her to stop. And if it was Aditi, Bharat would sweetly beg Divya to keep Aditi from doing too much. Thus both women were aiding and abetting the other's pati's plan to keep them from doing anything. At first, it was cute and they felt very loved and pampered. But after weeks of being "pampered" by everyone in the house, both were feeling claustrophobic and suffocated and worse yet, bored. Every time one of them went to try to help or clean, or do anything their over-protective pati's thought was too strenuous, they would step in and guide them to a chair, the couch or to their room to "rest".

Bharat hovered over Aditi every second he was home, he barely let her breathe on her own, let alone do anything else. Amar was as just as bad as Bharat, admonishing her to rest and sleep. "If I rest anymore I'll be in a coma!" she told him with a humpf. To which he only smiled and patted her shoulder before leading her to the couch so she could "put her feet up". The only thing that stopped her from bopping him on the head was seeing him do the same to Divya. Who made her giggle and cover her mouth when she bunched up her nose and poked her tongue out at Amar's back as he left the room. Divya flopped back against the couch, moaning "save me from over-protective husbands" the back of her hand pressed to her forehead, feigning dramatically. Aditi could only roll her eyes and nod vigorously as she smothered her laughter with a pillow. Least someone come in admonish her belly laughs were too strenous on the baby.

Chandra hadn't stopped talking about baby names and who was going to have the honor naming which baby. And both women were happy she was so happy, but her chirping and singing of baby songs and nursery rhymes was driving them batty. And of course, Mahua did her part, though Divya and Aditi weren't quite sure how she thought was helping them. She kept reviling them with horrible stories of morning sickness horrors. Which made both of them turn green more than once, as if they needed any help with that! Surprisingly, even Karuna had softened and joined the conspiracy. Shooing both out of the kitchen every time they tried to help, and asking Gauri instead. And of course, Gauri jumped right in and did, much to their chagrin. Both women were beginning to feel fat and useless, and supremely irritated. Then they would feel guilty at feeling so ungrateful for everyone's care and concern. But finally they had had enough of everyone trying to "ease their burden" and keeping them from doing anything.

A few days later, after having her father-in-law wag a finger and tsk tsk at her for straightening the magazines on the coffee table, Aditi decided to talk with Divya. Maybe she would have some ideas how to get everyone to relax and stop hovering. Divya hugged her with a heartfelt "Sach?! I'm so glad you feel the same. First, we need figure out how to get our very wonderful, but anxious pati's, to stop treating us as if we will break if we just cough. And then maybe everyone else will calm down too" she said with a hopeful sigh. Unbeknownst to the women, their wonderful pati's were giving themselves a small pat on the back as they talked over lunch in the office. "So far we are keeping Divya and Aditi out of trouble" Amar said with a wink and mischievous smile. "But for how long bhaiyya? Aditi is already starting to shoot daggers at me every time I try to do anything for her" Bharat said with a slight frown, thinking of how Aditi had pushed him out of the bedroom after he tried to help her with her sari that morning. She knew how much he enjoyed watching her get ready, fiddling with all the pots and potions on her dressing table. Grinning when she pursed her lips as if making a momentous decision as she looked through her clothing, before nodding and smiling when she found a sari or salwar that was just right. And especially when she brushed out those long thick auburn waves hers. A roguish gleam entering his eye as he remembered Aditi all rosy and fresh-faced this morning after her bath, sitting in her robe at the dressing table, drying her hair with a towel.

Amar snapped his fingers in front of Bharat's face to bring him back, laughing heartily when he flushed and ducked his head, pushing the food around in his tiffin with his spoon. "I know how fascinating you find your patni bhaiyya. I feel the same about my beautiful Divya" flashing a brief wry smile. "But, we can't let that deter us from keeping our patni's corralled and under control. You know as well as I do, if we don't keep an eye on them every minute they will be climbing ladders or trying dig flower beds or some other such nonsense." It was Amar's turn to frown as the image of Divya, with dustrag in hand on a ladder cleaning something, popped into his head. Bharat nodded and dropped his chin into his hand, spoon dangling. "Oh I know bhaiyya, I know" he said, sighing heavily. "But how do we keep doing that without our beautiful patni's wanting to push us off a ladder?" he asked with a baffled sigh. He had really thought Aditi would love being pampered and cosseted. And would understand why he felt the need to keep her and the baby wrapped in cotton wool. But instead, she was as testy as tiger with a thorn in it's paw every time he tried to do something for her. Frowning, Amar wrinkled his brow in thought and shrugged. "I'm not sure anymore Bharat. It's getting more and more difficult to come up with excuses why they shouldn't be doing anything. And Divya is just as impatient as Aditi" he added with a sigh of his own.

While they loved their pati's and family dearly, the women decided to give them a taste of their own plan. And so, operation "Go For" was put into action. They began sending "the troops" on errands whenever they were being to be a bit too imperious about keeping them "resting". Looking for a shawl that had been "misplaced", a cup of chai or a lassi, an unusual ice cream or street snack for a sudden craving. Even as a very last resort, a baby outfit or toy they saw in a magazine. Anything that would keep one, both, or all of them occupied, or even out of the house for a bit. After a few runs for ice cream, yarn, and "special" creams for stretch marks, and that elusive shawl that never seemed to be found, the guys finally figured out they were being duped. At first they were hurt and put out that their patni's would send them of such wild goose chases, when they were only trying to protect them. But when their somewhat contrite patni's explained how useless and claustrophobic all that hovering was making them feel, the couples came to an understanding privately. And then the pati's had a chat with the rest of "the troops", asking them to stand down. And to everyone's surprise, all were much relieved and much happier. The last few months of each woman's pregnancy were quietly content, and more importantly, hover free.

When Dia was born, no one could stop commenting on what an angel she was, so dainty and small, so beautiful. When Divya and Amar brought her home, sweet was added as she was such cooperative and quiet angel too. With Dia, there was no fussing, crying or being irritable. To which Divya would laugh and say "she's an angel now, but just wait until she's two. She will have saved up all her mad and demanding and then let loose" her smile lighting from the inside as she cuddled her sweet angel. Dia was a precious bundle of joy for her parents. And a delightful ray of sunshine for the family. And as the days passed, everyone would smile and pat Aditi's tummy gently and say "it will soon be your turn next to have a sweet angel." Aditi couldn't help but place a hand over her bulging tummy as she watched Divya bathe Dia and wonder what her little one would be like. Would he or she be an angel like Dia? Or would her baby be a hellion, letting everyone know the minute they brought arrive home, baby is in the house! Her eyes softened to a deep velvet brown as she dreamed and wondered.

Seeing Aditi lost in her thoughts, the love he felt for his wife and baby expanded inside him, until he thought he might explode from contentment and happiness. And Bharat being Bharat, in some dark part of him, he wondered if all that contentment and happiness were just too good to be true. Both those emotions and Bharat Singh had been strangers for a long, long time before Aditi came into his life. And he wondered if that darkness would let either keep it's place in his life now. But when he saw Aditi giving him the "is something wrong?" frown, he quickly shook it off. Smiling, he went to her, wrapping his arms around her from behind, holding her and feeling his baby move under his hands, he shoved back that darkness hard. Determined to keep it firmly and permanently in it's place.

One of the evening rituals Aditi had initially been surprised by, but looked forward to the most now was when the house was finally quiet, she and Bharat were alone, and Bharat would gently lay his head on her stomach and talk to the baby. Sometimes it was pure silliness, which she loved, because Bharat was too serious most of the time. Sometimes it was telling the baby how "he" was loved and how his papa would always protect him. Sometimes it was just listening to the baby, his hands caressing over her tummy softly. Or slowly tracing the movements when a foot or hand when it pushed against her, a brief impression imprinted on her skin. The one ritual which still embarrassed her and made her feel so shy was when Bharat had taken over smoothing cream over her tummy, to help prevent stretch marks. The first time he tried, she turned beet red and grabbed the cream back from him, and stammered out a weak nahi. The next few times, after he cajoled and teased, she blushed a little less and giggled when he tickled her. Then giggled even more when the baby kicked vigorously in response, making Bharat jump and goggle at her stomach. She still blushed when Bharat rubbed the cream over her belly. But inwardly, each and every time now, his nightly attention and care made her feel amazingly special,

surprisingly beautiful, and so very loved.

For Bharat, the evening rituals started out as a way to be part of the pregnancy and what was happening to Aditi as each month passed. But he realized, it actually brought him closer to the baby. Brought him closer to that feeling of being a father. And he looked forward to being alone with Aditi, and connecting with the baby. And as the baby grew larger, he grew more fascinated. He loved how he could feel the baby's movements as he brushed his hands over Aditi's stomach each night. He had worked hard at not letting Aditi's natural shyness keep him from enjoying both the growth of his baby inside her, and his patni as the pregnancy progressed. For Aditi truly did glow and grow more beautiful each passing day. And he also realized, he needed these quiet moments with Aditi and the baby - with his family. He was still stunned by the love that began to build inside him as the baby grew. The thought of having a child of his own. Of being a father to, and the protector of, this tiny, helpless creature. Who as the years passed, would turn to and rely on him for love, comfort and guidance. It made him feel proud and strong. But some nights, Bharat would wake in a cold sweat, feeling as if he couldn't breathe. Careful not to wake Aditi as he paced, the enormity of becoming a parent descending upon him. But then he would stand by the bed and gaze at Aditi. The serene smile on her face as she slept, one hand protectively over her belly, and he would be able to breathe again. And sleep again, with his wife snuggled warmly, comfortingly in his arms.

Of course the night his child decided to be born, and three and a half weeks early at that, all hell had to break loose, Bharat thought grimly. The rains were whipping the city, thunder shaking the air, white hot lightning flashing and cracking. And the winds sending anyone crazy enough to be out, scurrying for the nearest secure object, least they end up being swept away. Aditi was remarkably calm and serene for a woman in full on hard labor. It had all happened so fast. Aditi in her usual fashion, not wanting to bother anyone, waited, thinking it was just braxton hicks, confident the false labor pains would go away quickly. But by the time she realized it actually was labor, the contractions were coming hard and fast. From the time she told him, he bundled Aditi into the car and were on their way, Bharat wasn't sure he had taken a breath. Now he had a death grip on the wheel of the car as he inched along, visibility almost nil with torrents battering the windshield and the wipers trying vainly to keep up.

Bharat wanted to wipe his hands, which were sweaty with anxiety, but he dared not let go of the wheel. So he kept his eyes glued on the road as he muttered to himself and Aditi. Seriously hoping that hot ball of fear roiling in his gut, wasn't reflected on his face. Aditi admitted, to herself, she was surprised at how calm she felt. Especially, when a particularly sharp contraction clenched her entire belly into a hard knot, then radiated around to cruise up her spine, and then back down to settle at the small of her back. But she also knew, though he was trying his best to hide it, Bharat was as on edge. So she mashed her lips together, pushed back into the seat and tried to concentrate on her breathing as another contraction hit her. Only this time it was much faster and gripped hard enough to have the material of her salwar rippling over her belly. The only thing that kept her from panicking was Bharat. She had every faith in her pati, and knew he would get them to hospital in time, and in one piece.

Aditi had a secret too, one she shouldn't have kept from Bharat. But she had just found out late that afternoon, when she visited her OB-GYN. She had needed time to adjust to what the Doctor found, before telling Bharat, and the family. But then the contractions had begun, slowly at first, then progressed so quickly, she really hadn't had a chance to think of anything beyond panting through

the pain. And now wasn't the time either, especially not now, with Bharat so on edge and focused on getting them to the hospital. She really hoped he would forgive her, actually she knew he would. But he was definitely going be angry. Sighing, Aditi rolled her eyes at the cajoling she was going to have to do when she did explain. "Hai Bhagwan, please give my pati a sense of humor by then, please?" she whispered on a quiet moan. Which had Bharat's head whipping to the side immediately, and saying shakily "don't you even think of having that baby in this car! You understand Aditi? We're almost there. And don't you dare push!!" he growled. Aditi bit her lip, to stop another moan, and a laugh. Not that Bharat would appreciate her finding what he said funny, but she couldn't help it. Her stalwart, take charge, I have everything under control pati was as panicked as she had never seen him. And she had to admit, it was sort of satisfying too. That even the unflappable Bharat Singh, could be so jolted by something as natural as childbirth.

Once the Doctors and nurses took charge Bharat felt strangely useless. All the tension was still there of course, but that sense of urgency was deflated. Now it was "wait here and we'll come get you" mode. The nurse told him once they had Aditi settled and the Doctor had examined her, they would give him an update. He was still waiting, and pacing. "Mr. Singh?" a hesitant, quiet voice inquired. As soon as Bharat looked at the nurse, he knew something was wrong. Instantaneously that dark part of him rose like an angry cobra, hissing and spitting whispers of forbodding. "Kya hua? Meri Aditi, err, meri pati, the baby? She frowned and repeated "baby?", looking confused for a moment, then reassured him quickly. "Haan, haan, they're fine" her head bobbing up and down quickly like some crazed bobble doll at the dangerous look in Bharat's eyes. But there's a complication and the Doctor is scrubbing for an emergency C-section." Barely holding onto what little calm he had left, Bharat fired questions at the nurse. "Kya?! If they are fine, kyun cesarean?" Where is meri pati, I want to see her, now!", the last word a quiet growl of warning that his patience had come to an end. "Mr. Singh, please sir, stay calm. The baby is in a breach position and the Doctor felt is safer to deliver by cesarean. Your wife has already been taken to the operating theatre. The Doctor will be out to explain as soon as he can" she said quickly, darting off like scared rabbit before Bharat could stop her and demand to see Aditi.

The Doctor immediately raised his hands in a defensive motion, speaking very quickly as Bharat stalked towards him, an furious scowl of worry darkening his face. "Everything is fine Mr. Singh. Really! Everyone is doing well. Once Aditi is settled in her room, you can go in and see her." He scurried off just as quickly as the nurse had, counting himself lucky that Bharat Singh hadn't flattened him. Bharat raked a hand through his hair, fire practically shooting from his eyes when the young attendant approached him a few minutes later and asked him to follow her. "Damn, she looks scared. No point in frighttening the poor little thing to death Singh" he told himself with a grimace. He wouldn't be completely satisfied, and happy, until he saw Aditi, And found out for himself that she was fine. But, he did finally let relief creep in and settle over him as he walked to her room.

An exhausted and beaming Aditi greeted him as soon as he walked in the door. Her eyes shining with happy tears. Her face aglow with joy and delight. "Bharat, oh Bharat, did you see them? Aren't they beautiful? Our children Bharat, our babies!", her sweet smile lighting up the entire room. Bharat stopped breathing and just stared. Then stammered "ba-ba-babies!?! What are you talking about? Ba-babies" Realizing her joy had overwhelmed her need to break it to her pati gently, Aditi bit her lip, held up two fingers and then whispered "twins." The room began to spin as the floor rocked beneath him. He barely made it to the chair before slumping limply down into it. "Twins?" he asked quietly, slowly, confused and disbelieving. Aditi was playing some joke on him, he was sure of it. "How? When? Are you sure?" then felt like an idiot, when she nodded and grinned at him.

Sitting up and glaring at his wife, Bharat barked "Ad-i-ti!" Explain. Now!" Aditi had hoped that Bharat would be so thrilled he would forget to be angry. Looking towards the ceiling she scrunched up her nose, thinking "no sense of humor, eh Bhagwan?" Then looked back to her husband, who was waiting for an explanation, and not very patiently either. "Ad-i-ti!" Having the grace the look chastened she apologized, sort of. "I'm sorry darling, truly, but everything just happened so fast. I just couldn't think about anything but our babies. Our twins Bharat!", smiling brightly, hoping to diffuse some of the anger by distracting him with his now "doubled" fatherhood. Now it was Bharat's turn to feel contrite. His wife had just given birth and he was barking out questions and orders. Realizing he hadn't even asked if she was all right, how the, he had to take a deep breath before saying "babies" were, he sat on the side of the bed. "First things first, how are you jaan? You're all right?" he asked quietly as he gently brushed away a curl from her temple. "Oh Bharat" her eyes instantly filling with tears, "I'm wonderful" she sighed. "I didn't think it was possible to be even happier than you have made me, but it is mera Raja, it is", taking Bharat's hand and laying it against her heart.

All his anger and worry disappeared as he gazed at his beautiful wife. Leaning down, he whispered "I love you baby" against her lips, kissing her softly. "Now tell me about our ba-babies. It's going to take a bit for that to sink in jaan" his tone wry for a second. But the happiness in his eyes belied his tone. And finally the "cloud nine" feeling was beginning to sink in with the news. "So two babies! I should have expected nothing less from you meri pyaari Rani" his grin expansive, his eyes mirroring the joy in his pati's. "Where are they? When can I see them? Wait! What are they?" his laughter echoing in the room as it occurred to him he didn't even know if he had sons or daughters. Aditi laughed softly, "one of each Bharat, we have a son and a daughter. They are so beautiful Bharat, so beautiful! And perfect!

But I won't spoil it for you. The nurse will bring them in shortly, and you can see them for yourself." Before Bharat could respond there was a loud commotion in the hall and a nurse's stern voice admonishing "please, you must be quiet and calm down. Patients are trying to rest and you are trampling around as noisy as a herd of elephants!" Bharat couldn't stop grinning like an idiot, and didn't care one wit. "I think our family has arrived! Hai Bhagwan, the surprise on their faces. At least I'm not the one!" his laugh booming as he got up to go open the door.

Everyone rushed in at once, almost knocking Bharat over in their enthusiasm. "Really, you must be quiet" the nurse admonished again, before closing the door with a decisive snap behind them. Amar and his father both embraced him as the women went over to see Aditi. "So, you're a father bhaiyya! Feeling a bit dazed, confused, happy and scared?" Amar asked with a knowing grin. Bharat responded with a laugh and wink before saying "you don't know the half of it bhaiyya! Come on, I'll let Aditi explain to all of you all at once" leading a confused Amar and his father over to Aditi. "I guess you had better explain Aditi, since all of us are here now, eh?" Turning a bright red Aditi didn't get the chance. The nurses chose that moment to bring in the babies. And of course, amazement, confusion, excitement and happiness exploded at their entrance.

Everyone laughing and exclaiming at the same time had one of the babies adding to the noise and confusion by showing what healthy lungs it had. The nurse handed the sleeping baby to Bharat, thinking he might be more comfortable, and she was right as he gave a her grateful smile. She handed over the screaming hellion to Aditi with an apologetic smile. Aditi's blissful smile as she held out her eager arms made her grin, and think "everything is wonderful the first few hours and days, but just wait."

Bharat stared at his son, and like every parent, counted fingers and toes and marveled at how such a wee thing could change his world in an instant. Then marveled that he could sleep so peacefully and serenely with his sister howling her head off like that! As quickly as the thought came, the baby stopped crying. Aditi was speaking to her very softly, soothing her. And soon her mouth pursed, just like her Mother's Bharat thought, and she drifted off to sleep again. Bharat was reluctant to let go of his son, when Divya asked to hold him. But as soon as he laid him in her arms, he cooed softly, turning his head into her arm, content and safe. "Your son is beautiful Bharat" her eyes beginning to glisten with tears. "I know bhabhi, he's a miracle, like your Dia" putting an arm around her and squeezing gently. "Bharat, explain, now, please" his father said with a tone that said while he was overjoyed with being a grandfather, he was tired of waiting to find out how it came to be of twins.

"We didn't know Papa. At least not until today" Aditi said softly, hesitantly. It wasn't until the sonogram this afternoon that the Doctor was able to say for certain that there were two babies. He told me he suspected that might be the case, especially since I was getting so big, so quickly" she said with a bit of a grimace. Her bulging tummy had been a constant source of embarrassment. Divya had never been as big as she had gotten those last few weeks. And she should have guessed when most of the weight settled in her stomach, but really hadn't shown as much in her face, or settled in her butt, thank Bhagwan! Shaking her head to clear the thought, Aditi continued. "But since nothing was showing up on the sonograms, and oddly enough on the fetal heart monitor, he didn't say anything, not wanting to upset me. But this afternoon, finally, our girl pushed her big brother out of the way just enough to make her presence known. When the Doctor told me, I was in shock I think. All this time there was one baby, then suddenly there were two babies. You can understand, she smiled hopefully, encouragingly, how flummoxed I was at the news? I just needed little time to adjust. But the babies had other ideas and I went into labor. And now we have two babies, our babies, our family Bharat" she ended softly. Amazement, joy and most of all love shining as she gazed adoringly at her pati and her children.

Divya quietly signaled to everyone it was time to leave and let the new family have some time alone to get acquainted. After everyibe left, Bharat and Aditi had to take a moment to get used to the quiet, and let the idea that they were parents really sink in. Bharat brought his son over and sat on the side of the bed, gazing at this daughter. She was so small, too small really. But if her lungs were any indication, she was definitely going to make sure no one made the mistake of thinking she was weak. Aditi scooted over gingerly, her sore muscles and stitches pinching and pulling and making her grimace. She shook her head and mouthed "main theek hoon" when Bharat's face filled with concern. Indicating she wanted him to sit beside her fully, Bharat brought his feet up and leaned back, careful not to wake his son. Aditi motioned for Bharat to settle the baby into the crook of one arm and handed him his daughter, placing her in the crook of the other. Then she leaned her head on Bharat's shoulder and asked "so, do you think ready for them ... Papa?" a mischievous smile curving her lips. Bharat blew out a quiet breath "I have no idea, but I am going to love finding out ... Mama" his grin matching hers. When they looked at their babies, it was to find two sets of eyes staring blurrily back at them.

Gently smoothing a finger over her daughter's downy crown of raven hair she smiled lovingly. Quietly and with immense joy she said "hello my precious ones. I'm your Mama, and I love you so very much. And this beautiful man holding you with so much love and pride is your Papa. He is the most wonderful man in the entire world." Her finger rising to lay against Bharat's lips, stopping his protest. "He is going love you like no other, protect you from all the bad, be there to care for you your whole lives, teach you what you need to know to be strong and proud, and make certain nothing ever hurts you - for the rest of his life. You are so very, very lucky and so very blessed. And so am I" she whispered against his lips, their tears mingling. Carefully handing Aditi his daughter, Bharat wrapped an arm around her and hugged his family close and tight to him. Finally, that dark place deep inside him was vanquished and banished. Replaced by overwhelming love and joy as it filled with warmth and light, and immense hope.