"Anamika come out right now. Time to go to school"
Geet looked around all over the house to find her shetan daughter who was very good at hiding at the age of five. Today was her first day for kindergarten and the princess decided herself that she does not want to go to school. She sits on the sofa giving up when an idea pops in her head. Geet marches upstairs toward her bedroom where she knew Maan will know where Anamika is. After all, she is daddy's little girl and all she has to do is show Maan her puppy dog eyes and he will melt right away like wax. God, he was so naive when it comes to the kids. I swear to God they could get away with murder if it was up to him.
I opened the door to see Maan fixing his tie causally in front of the mirror. I placed my hands on my hips looking at him with anger. He knew I was in the room, my bangles made noises giving him signal that I was here but still he didn't pay attention. He was guilty and I knew it that is why he is not looking at me. I could read him like an open book. Whenever he is hiding something he avoids me and tries not to look into my eyes like a guilty prisoner. Well, am the sheriff of this town and he doesn't know who he is messing with.
I marched toward him with a smile as I looked around the room for Anamika. She is here in this room somewhere and if I look around now I know Maan will signal her to leave and hide somewhere else. This has been always the case whenever Anamika started school. Last year, when she was in pre-K he did the same thing. It took a lot of threatening and angry glares from me to get him to spill the beans. Looks like I have to come up with different strategy this time. Tit for tat.
"Here Maan let me help you with this tie"
"No Geet its okay. I will do it"
"nonsense. I am your wife and you liked it yesterday when I fixed your tie. What happened today?"
She looks at him with a smile. The bait is in the hook she thought. There is no way Maan will deny her this time. He sighs and puts his hands down letting her fix his tie. Geet looked at him with a smirk as he avoided all eye contact.
"Maan its almost time for kids to go to school. I was thinking of dropping them off myself."
"huh uhh. Geet are you almost done am getting late for office"
"hmm almost" (She brings his tie up close to his neck almost chocking him with anger. Maan tried to loosen Geet's hold on her hands)
"Geet what are you doing? You are chocking me"
"tell me where is Anamika"
"You are acting like a gundi...let go of me." (He holds her hands to loosen but she only pulled the tie closer to his neck stopping him in his movement.)
"Tell me where she is or else" (She whispers something in his ear making him shock.)
"She is behind the bed hiding"
"NOT fair daddy. You snitched on me"
She comes out of her hididng spot looking at him with anger. She lets go his tie with a smile. She forwards toward Anamika holding her hand. Anamika sticks her tongue out toward Maan with anger as she leaves the room with Geet. Maan sighs and sits on the bed..he was being ruled by his wife and daughter.
Maan came down after getting ready and he smiled looking at his happy family. Geet was getting Vicky's and Anamika's lunch ready while both ate at the table. Of course, Anamika copied whatever Vicky did; the way he was sat and ate. She loved doing what Vicky did, it fascinated her. Although, I know Vicky has been annoyed but he loves it when Anamika follows him around. He is more protective of her than I am.
Vicky is growing up so fast he is 13 years old now and he was becoming such a man at his age. He is too smart for his age just like I was but way ahead of me. He already has his future mapped out. He doesn't want to do this family business instead he wants to be a photographer of nature. I have already seen his skills and last year for his birthday I got him one of a kind camera that will last him life long. Ever since then where he goes, he makes sure to carry the camera with him. I also even made a private stuido for him where he can display his creativness in the open.
Right now his favorite project is taking pictures of his prescious Di. Everyday he would take a picture of her stomach and he will continue to do that everyday till she gives birth to our second child. That's right she is pregnant. He wants to show how woman's body changed each day as the months pass. What a great idea isn't it? Of course, with his great idea I have to pay. He would not let me be in the picture at all. I would try to sneak my hand on her stomach to show how "supportive" I am well mostly to touch her stomach to make her nervous. Well, whatever the case is I should be able to touch my wife, right? I shook my head as I went toward the dinning area.
I took my seat at the dinning table. I looke at Anamika who turned her head away in anger. I need to come up with a way for her to forgive me. Lucky for me, there is one thing that she cannot resist, cadburry chocolates. I looked at Vicky who ate silently while using his ipad. I took it away from him knowing how much it annoys me.
"No devices on the dinning table, Vicky."
"Sorry bhai."
"Chachu I will be taking a bus today."
"Don't call me chachu Anamika..called me bhaiya. I am too young to be called chachu."
"But you are not young. You are this tall" (She raises her arm above her head to emphasise how tall he is) "And you even have little mustache here" (She points to Vicky's chin which he immediately covers up. It wasn't really a mustache but a little peach fuzz which strangly he was proud of.)
"Still don't call me chachu"
"chachu..chachu...chachu..." (she repeats until Vicky was annoyed)
Maan looks at her in anger. There was no way he was going to let her take a public school bus filled with germs. She was very vulnerable and innocent, what if kids take advantage of her? No, way I am going to let her go in a bus. I already made an exception when I allowed her to go to a public school with Geet but this is where I will draw the line.
"Beta I am dropping you off today."
"No. I want to take a bus. All my friends talk about how fun it is going alone. I want to do the same too. Mama already said yes to me."
"What. Geet come here right now"
"what happened? Why are you yelling?"
"Did you tell Anamika she will be going to school in a bus?"
"Yes, I did. She wants to spend some time with her friends. Nothing wrong with that."
"Geet, you should've asked me if that is alright?"
"What are you saying? I am not fit enough to make decisions for Anamika and Vicky? Ohh so I should be acting like a typical housewife that has no say in anything? I should just cook and clean and follow your orders quietly?"
"Geet that is not what I meant. You are taking things out of proportion."
"Ohh now am stupid, is that it?"
Anamika and Vicky turned their heads left and right as they listened to their fights. Maan was helpless he couldn't do or say anything without Geet twisting his words.
"Di what bhai meant was"
"Vicky, if you utter another word then you also will be in trouble" (Vicky noded quickly and left the dining table to grab his bag. He looked at his brother one more time and shook his head. He will be in trouble today.)
"Am sorry. Anamika I will drop you off at the bus stop. Happy?" (Maan looks at her with hopefull eyes. She kisses Anamika on her cheek ignoring Maan as she holds her hand. She also fixes Vicky's hair much to his annoyance.)
"Di I told you I don't like the way you do my hair. I like it spiked."
"You don't need to attract any girls at this age. Am sure your bhai taught you all of these tricks. After all, he thinks he is like a bee attracting all the honeys."
"You are the only honey for me" (He comes up from behind hugging her while Vicky and Anamika made annoying faces. Maan takes out chocolates from his pocket giving to Anamika. She smiles and hugs Maan.)
"I will drop you off at the bus stop. Vicky you can have the driver drop you off."
All three bid goodbyes to Geet as she waved her arm back and fourth. She sighs as she goes inside to clean the house. Maan stood few blocks away from home holding Anamika's hand as they waited for the bus. Anamika looked to her left waiting while Maan looks at her with a sad smile and nervousness. He kept asking if she is okay only to ensure himself. She jumped up and down when she saw the bus come and Maan's heart started beating fast with nervousness.
He kisses on her cheek as the bus door opened. She waves him goodbye as she steps inside the bus. Maan quickly gets in his car following right along the bus looking at Anamika laughing and talking with her friends. His face lights up and he relaxes a bit knowing nothing will happen to her. He stops the car looking at the bus as it speeds up toward the school.
Geet lies on the bed with her eyes closed patting her stomach when she felt familar warm hands caresses her hands on top of her stomach. She smiles with her eyes closed knowing its Maan. He kisses her on her cheek as he snuggles close to her putting his head near her neck.
"you are not going to the office today?"
"No. I don't feel like it. Everything is happening so fast. I just want to freeze the time forever"
"Are you talking about Anamika? She is growing up Maan and you know we can't keep her guarded forever. She needs to go out and experince the world."
"I know but I can't help it. Just yesterday she was learning how to speak and take her first walk and now she is all ready to go to school alone."
"Am sorry Maan for the morning. If I had known this decision of mine was going to hurt you then I wouldn't have allowed her to go in a bus"
"No, in a way its good that you did. You know I actually followed along side the bus just to make sure she was okay and you know what Geet seeing her happy and laughing with her friends made me realize I can't be there with her all the time."
"Hmm" (She quietly listens while running her fingers through his hair.)
"You know what that means right Geet?" (He lifts his head up until he was facing her. She shakes her head no.) "It means that I can give my 100% to you." (He whispers in her ear making her blush. She hugs him tight hidding her face against his neck)
"How do you always make me blush after all these years of marriage?"
"Because I am still handsome and desirable to you and I have great body as well. Runs in the genes you know"
"You are getting old. I see white hair on your head and your beared." (She laughs but hugs him closer) "But you are my old man who is about to become a father of another child."
"hmm and maybe more to come" (He pats her small little baby bump. She was four months pregnant and was barely showing. Geet pushes him away just as he was about to kiss her neck.)
"This is the last baby Maan."
Maan pulls her by her wrist making sure he doesn't hurt her as she colides against his chest. She turns around so her back was facing his chest while he places both of his arms around her waist. He kisses her neck until she gives him more access.
"We will see. I love seeing you pregnant. It makes you look more beautiful"
"Maan but am the one that has to do all the labor"
"Who said? It took just as much as effort from my side too. It wasn't easy making baby"
He whisperes in her ear making her shiver to her core. She tried to come out of his hold but he just held her tighter bringing her closer and closer. Geet turned around hugging him while his hands played around her back, slowly messaging her knowing she was in pain since morning.
"Are you feeling okay now?"
"How did you know that my back was hurting?"
"I don't need you to voice it Geet. I could see it. We trouble you a lot right?"
"No. I love doing this looking after you and the kids. This all makes me happy"
"hmm but not me. I don't like to see you in pain like this." (Maan lifts Geet up in his arm and gently makes her sit on the bed.) "Don't move from that place. I will be back" (He disapeears through the door before Geet could voice anything. After few minutes, he comes back holding a bowl in his hands. He places the bowl on the table while sitting behind Geet.)
"Maan what is all of this?"
"shh Geet just relax."
Maan takes Geet's hair placing it over her shoulder so her back was clear. He opens her blouse hook much to her surprise. She brings her hands up holding the blouse in place as she felt it slipping down the shoulders. Maan than played around her back with his hands hovering over her bra hook. He opened it in a jiffy without giving her a chance to say no.
"What..."
"I am messaging your back Geet."
He takes the bowl in his hand gently as he dips his fingers into it. Geet closes her eyes as she felt some warm liquid touching her skin and not to mention his fingers doing some magic on her. Soon, she forgot all about her back pain and only concentrated on Maan's message. She felt his hand on top of her arms that were holding her blouse up and slowly brought it down. He removed her tops leaving her bare from waste up.
"You don't have to be shy, Geet."
She nodes her head as both of his hands slowly messaged her back and her stomach at the same time. She felt totally relaxed now. Just what she needed. Maan sits in front of her looking at her. Geet didn't dare open her eyes feelings shy. A blush creeped up on her cheeks when she felt his gaze on her. Slowly, he makes her lie down on her back as he hovered over her. She places her arms around his shoulder bringing him closer to hide herself. She gasps when she felt his hands on top for her chest messaging her firmly.
"Maan..." (She moans as he kissed her lips moving downward toward her neck while his hands did his magic. Geet slips her hands inside his shirt feeling his skin making him loose control.)
"Don't do that Geet or else I don't know what I will do"
"I want you Maan."
"Are you sure Geet? What if the baby is hurt?"
"Please..." (She pouts which was enough for Maan to melt. He kisses her fully on her lips while taking his shirt off. The kids were in school and no one was home to disturb them. Soon the whole room was filled with their cries of love for one another)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Okay, Vicky you know not to laugh when you see Maan."
"Di I will try but can't guarentee it."
"What is happening, mom?" (Anamika looks at her chachu and her mother talking about something she couldn't understand. Geet pulls her cheeks with a smile)
"you will see, baby."
"Maan come out now. We are waiting"
"No. I won't. This is so stupid."
"Maan you promised and don't tell me you are teaching the kids how to break a promise. Imagine what that will do to Anamika. Right?" (She looks down at Anamika signals her to say yes and handing her the index card with the dialogue)
"Yes, dada. Promise is a promise. You know my teacher says if one makes a promise than one should fulfill it. Did I say my lines right mom?" (Vicky playfully smacks her head which in turn receives a smack from Geet with anger. Making him pout in sorry)
"See listen to your daughter."
"I know you guys are ready to laugh at me."
"We won't."
"Fine but if you guys do I swear to god"
"oOo mommy daddy said the bad word, swear."
"Don't worry we will punish him for that. Okay Maan come out now"
After few seconds of waiting Maan finally comes out with his one hand behind his back for support while he wore baby bump pouch made for men to show how hard it really is for pregnant women. The pouch weighed roughly around 6 pounds strapped around his stomach giving the full effect of being pregnant. Vicky took pictures of Maan's stomach asking him to pose for the camera. He was about to grab his camera when Geet stood besides him placing her hand on his stomach posing for the camera together. Maan frowns and turns her face away feeling embarassed.
Anamika claps her hands going forward to touch his stomach making everyone laugh.
"mama dad looks just like you with big stomach."
"yes, baby. Your dad wanted to know how it feels to be pregnant. He will wear this the whole week without taking it off."
"Ohh I can't wait to develop the pictures tomorrow."
Vicky says as he kept snapping pictures of Maan. Vicky is lucky that I can't hurt him with Geet around. He knows very damn well, too that is why he is taking advantage of my helplessness. Geet is like his body guard even my daughter is making fun of me. Its all my fault, I had to make a bet with Geet. It all started last night, when I was talking about having more children.
"Maan no. I am done with having kids."
"But Geet, Anamika needs a little brother and sister, too"
"Maan I know you. After you will say oh our kids need another brother or sister and so on. You don't understand how tough it is to have kids. You men just think that ohh I did my job of making her pregant now am done, let the women handle it. You know Maan if you knew how tough it is to carry around 6 or more pounds every day until you give birth? (Maan was about to open his mouth) "no you don't and on top of it giving birth. You know I should make you watch video of live birth and then you will know"
"Geet, I understand" (She looks at him with anger) "Okay fine I don't understand what you go through but..."
"Well, there is one way and if you go through it than I will consider having one more child"
"okay what is it?"
She leans toward him whispering in his ears. He shakes his head no.
"Am not doing that at all"
"You don't care about me and my pain. If you did than you would've said yes"
She cries in front of him. Maan raises his hands in defeat. Last thing he wanted was to get killed by Geet's pregnancy hormones. Geet smiles and hugs him tight while she smirks behind his back.
"Bhai smile.."
Maan comes out of his thoughts as his family prades him around as if he was in a circus. Maan goes toward the sofa to sit. He spreads his legs a little while slowly leaning back with his hands supporting his back. After a minute, he sighs in relief at his victory. He looks at Geet who sat on the sofa so easily. This is going to be a long week, he thought, pretending to be pregnant. Thank god they live by themselves or else Yash would not leave any chance to tease him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Maan am scared. What if this pregnancy is not normal like with Anamika?"
"ssh Geet nothing of that sort will happen."
"Dadmia is not even with us anymore Maan. I miss her so much."
Maan looks at her in pain and hugs her to hide his tears. It was true, Dadima had passed away three years ago due to her sickness. Maan and everyone was by her side taking care of her until her last breath. It was more difficult time for Geet to accept her death as Dadima was not only her Dadima but also she was like her mother and her best friend. Dadima always supported Geet, was there for her when she really needed a support and she just couldn't accept that her best friend was gone. If it wasn't for Maan and the family Geet would have never been able to come out of that depression.
After that, Maan decided to leave the house in India under Yash and Meera's name where they can live with Geet's father. Of course, they visit them every day for three or four months during summer break. Meera and Yash had a healthy baby boy, Karan, who was only six months younger to Anamika. They love playing with each other and have become great friends. Of course, Anamika takes advantage of being the oldest and bosses him around much to our dismay. At this age she is already bossy.
"Geet nothing will happen. I am with you and plus all the family members will be with us by next month when you deliver"
"I know but sill. I had Anamika way before around the same time. I am 8 months pregnant now and I don't know why this fear is inside me"
"Sshh Geet. You were never alone before and you are not alone now. Whatever will happen we will be with you. Now, why don't you relax while I message your back and stomach"
Geet nodes her head and lets Maan message her which was like a normal night for them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Move out of the way"
Maan yelled down the hallway as Geet laid on the bed screaming in pain. Modhindar was carrying Anamika as she cried seeing her mom in pain and her dad yelling like a lunatic.
"Maan calm down..she is going to be fine. Meera was also like this yelling and screaming in pain"
"Are you trying to consol him or scare him Yash?" (Meera looks at him with anger. Yash bites his tongue standing behind their son as a safety guard)
Maan looks at the closed door where he could hear Geet's yelling in pain while she gave birth. Vicky hugs his brother consoling him making Maan feel little bit better. After few hours, they finally heard crying of baby. Everyone hug one another. Maan hugs Anamika who was sleeping on his shoulder tried from the all the stress she faced today.
Nurse came out congratulating them with another baby girl. They already had decided the name of the baby, Muskaan. One by one everyone went inside to see the baby. Maan sat beside Geet holding her hand with a smile while she slept peacefully.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Maan stop..."
Geet ran from one room to another as Maan chased her. Only them two were alone in the house while Vicky, Anamika and Muskaan were spending the whole weekend with Yash and Meera and her dad.
"Geet you promised"
"No...I told you before..."
She looks over her shoulder to see Maan almost catching up to her. He holds her sari pallu twirling her around until she hits his chest. He backs her up against the wall. She couldn't get out of his holds as he caged his arms on either side of her. He leans forward to kiss her when she turns her face away trying to push him.
"Maan, no."
"Come on Geet. I told you want I want for our anniversary."
"NO!...I told you am done..."
"But Muskaan needs a brother. Remember she was telling you about it yesterday?"
"Yes, I remember and I also know that you had bribed her to say it."
"Well whatever the case is, I want to fullfil her wish. I can't disapoint her." (He smirks)
"Maan..no..."
She yells when she picks her up throwing her over his shoulder walking toward the bedroom.
Kumkum Bhagya
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
Cricket
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