ACP Rathod was pacing in his office, wearing off the carpet on the floor.
Wondering why? Let me tell you. He was in no mood to leave his heavily pregnant wife home alone, (I don't know what dictionary he uses to define her being alone when she was with her parents), knowing she was due anytime in nearest future.
"RAUTE!!!!!" his voice boomed in the not so empty corridor and reached the destined person, making him shudder in his seat.
He scrambled n his feet and rushed to his boss' cabin.
"haan Jij... I mean Rathod... bolo... kyun bulaya mujhe?"
He very well knew that he was no where interested in being at work.
"mera iss meeting mein jaana zaroori hai kya? I mean kya tum akele isse handle nahin kar sakte??"
His face was soo funny and was bearing puppy dog expression, making his second in command to chuckle.
"sale, tu yahan khade hoke has. Jab teri baari aayegi to main hasunga..."
"sorry baba... par your face is so funny..."
"dekh... tujhe naa..."
"oki chill... hum wahan sirf thodi der ke liye to jaa rahe hai.. Jaldi waapas aa jaayenge... and uhuh...we can't leave you back as our dearest commissioner sir and ETF Chief have called me and you... to jaldi chalo..."
"chal... pata nahin wo kaisi hogi ghar mein..."
"tension mat le... aaraam se chal..."
**********
"ye set accha rahe ga naa?? I mean, dekho naa... blue walls hai, to ye thik rahe ga naa liza??? Aur ye princess furniture set????"riya asked liza browsing through various online stores.
"Hmm... par ek baar uss se bhi pooch lo..." liza chimed while sipping her coffee.
"Aisha... dekho naa... ye baby furniture set kaisa hai? Ye do sets select kiye hai maine.. " said riya showing Aisha what she selected.
"They are nice... dono nursery ke liye acche rahenge..."
"Dekha liza... maine kaha tha ki di ko zaroor accha lagega...
**********
They had wrapped their meetings long back but had to stay back in ETF due to some emergency work.
Raute and Rathod were in their respective cabins, going through the files. Rathod was getting agitated looking at the files he had to complete at the end of the day. All he wanted was to spend time with his wife at home, talking to his babies but his seniors had made him work.
He glanced at his mobile, hoping that his wife would call him. His wife... just that thought about her, brought a wide smile on his face.
Raute was observing him from his cabin intently. He was tensed for him. He was stressed lately, thanks to the work and his hormonal wife.
The second in command of ETF , who was known as ruthless and arrogant had mellowed down completely after this. No. That definite did not lower his tantrums at ETF, but at least he was making things easier for his chief by taking as much of work on himself as possible and relieve him to spend some quality time with his wife. But today, he could do nothing. He had finished his work and was waiting for him to complete his, he had no choice.
His attention was diverted from the scene in front of him when he received the call on his own cell.
"Hey jaan..." smile had bloomed on his face.
"Jaan nahin, jaan ki maa bol rahi hun. Its Aisha here..."
Smile was wiped off from his face. He saw the caller id and saw it was indeed his jaan's number.
"Umm... yeah boliye... call kyun kiya mujhe?" He said hesitantly.
"Tumhari jaan apna precious mobile ghar pe bhool ke gayi hai. Aur call karke boli hai ki ussae immediately chahiye. Ghar mein koi aur nahin hai jo ye le ja sake. Before you speak anything else I know it is lunch break at ETF n u still have not had your lunch. Ghar aao, mobile lo aur apni jaan ke paas jaake dedo aur saath me lunch bhi karlo. Samjhe ya samjhau ACP Rawte? "
He stared his mobile with his mouth agape. What had just happened.? He thought his jaan was the only one capable of speaking so long but here... he shook his head and replied to Aisha.
" oki... I will be home soon. Aur haan... Rathod jaldi aane ki koshish mein hai. Par kuch kaam aa gaya hai usse. Koi problem to nai hai na ghar mein"
"Ghar mein koi problem nahin hai. Bas tu jaldi aa aur usse mobile dene jaa. Tab se call karke mera dimaag kharaab kar rahi hai... aur sunn. Aate chocolate leke aa. Chocolate khatm hogaya hai ghar mein. Rakhti hun" with that the phone went dead.
"What the!?" He stared and then went to chief's cabin.
There in the cabin chief was busy with his beloved phone now.
He smiled when he saw the mighty ACP Rathod grinning all to himself when he saw the phone ringing. It was regular occurrence lately, from the time he discovered he was to become father n not just of one but two.
"Hi baby... mere sweety kaisi hai?" He cooed in the phone making the poor second in command nearly fall down laughing, I mean trying to control his laughter.
"Oye Rathod. Main jaa raha hun. Kuch kaam aagaya hai. Lunch ke baad milenge."
"Saale tu kahan jaa raha hai?"
"Wo lunch ke liye jaa raha hun. Bas thodi dr mein aa jaunga yaar. Chal bye. Aur haan... research desk se mujhe Robert ka message aaya tha. He wants you there immediately. "
"What does that old hag want from me?"
"God knows. Jaldi jaa... bye"
"Arre sunn to... arre tumhe nahin baby... haan kaam kuch zyada hai. Main tumhe thodi der mein waapas call karunga. Take care honey..."
With that he kept his phone down and muttered to himself.
"Ghar jaana tha mujhe, par gaya ye saala. Meri to kismat hi phuti hui hai. Na jaane bhagwan kis janam ka badla le rahe hai mujhse" then he went research department.
************
Rest afternoon went in a flash for Rathod. He had asked his second in command to go home and rest for the day as he had no more work left in ETF. He was going through a file when he got call from commissioner.
"ACP Rathod. Kal ETF mein ek nayi recruitment hone waala hai. I hope you remember that" his voice was curt over the phone.
"Yes sir. I am aware of that"
"Oki. Kal subah 11 baje main and your chief will be there to introduce the new officer"
"Yes sir. We will wait for you"
"And if you have to contact me, call me on my personal number. Is that clear?"
"Aap office mein nahin rahoge"
"Nahin. Thats why I told you to call me to my personal number"
Phone went dead.
"Inhe bhi ghar jaldi jaane mil raha hai aur mujhe nahin? Ye kya ho raha hai mere saath?" Me muttered and hit his head with the file in his hand.
********
Riya shook her head at her husband who had recently taken fancy in roaming behind her whenever he was home. It irritated her to core but yet secretly she loved it. It was after long wait she had got her love of her life.
"Arjun, usse wohin rakho please."
"Par riyu main to bas tumhari help kar raha tha jaan"
"Dont jaan me Arjun" riya said while keeping her hands on hips. Her nose flared when she saw him making puppy face.
"Ye dekho tumne kya kiya hai yahan. Chai banarahi thi main aur tum?" She yelled loudly and put the saucepan in the sink.
"Riyu main to bas..."
"Tum kya Arjun?" She tucked her saree pallu in the waist.
"Main to bas apni biwi se romance kar raha tha" he said nuzzling his nose inthe crook of her neck.
"Arjun... kuch to sharam karo. Koi aa jayega"
She said closing her eyes. Everytime he touched her, she felt as if it was first time. She sighed when she heard him.
"Koi aata hai to aane do. Main thodi na kisi se darta hun jaan" he pecked her neck slightly.
"kam se kam apni umar ka to lihaaz karo. Do bacchon ke..."trailed riya as Arjun completed the rest.
"Baap hun par iska matlab ye nahin hai ki main tumhare saath romance nahin karsakta riya... biwi ho tum meri"
Their cozy moment was broken by
"Ahem ahemmm...highway ko tum log jungle ke beech waali jhaad banachuke ho? come on guys. Get a room..." Shree who came in chuckled seeing his sister and brother in law romancing in the kitchen. The duo jumped apart and saw him, embarrassed.
"Bhai wo... wo aap jo soch rahe hai aisa kuch nahin hai... wo to bas..."
"Haan haan jaanta hun. Wo tumhare baal wahan saree ke design mein atak gaya tha aur Arjun usse nikaal raha tha. hamesha to yahin bahana dete ho... wo chodo. Ye batao ki liza kahan hai? Dikh nahin rahi hai? "
Riya giggled and said in a conspiratorial voice.
"Bhai... wo kya hai naa... liza... I mean bhabhi terrace pe hai. Kapde sukhane gayi hai. Aap bhi unki madad karna chaho to ja sakte ho" and giggled. Arjun hid his smile and managed it with a fake cough. Shree nudged her hair and went out towards his room, whistling taking a bottle of chilled water.
"Uff Arjun. Ye bhai bhi naa... main nahi jaanti ki Karan inhe romantic kaise kehta hai"
"Tumhare bhai ka to pata nahin par... main to hun jaan" Arjun said and bent towards her lips, only to be interrupted by loud voice of front door banging open.
*********
Finally after the work he was able to leave office. He was excited to reach home. If anyone saw him now, they would definitely wonder what had this person done to ETF Chief ACP Rathod?! He was happy and smiling. He sat in the SUV and turned the ignition on.
He was halfway to the home, when his phone rang.
His face lit up looking at the caller.
"Hello.., main ghar hi aa raha tha... kya? Kab? Thik hai..main seedha Umang Maternity Hospital aa raha hun. Is Rawte there? Oki.,.. main aa raha hun"
He Turned off the bluetooth and pressed accelerator hard.
**********
"sir aap himmat rakhiye... hum hai naa yahan? Aap wo medicines leke aaye kya?" Nurse asked visibly worried Arjun in the Umang maternity hospital.
"Medicines laa raha hai Karan. I mean the one who was with me earlier. Par wo kaisi hai?"
At the same time riya came and stood next to him holding his hands tight in hers..
"Don't worry sir, mam. Wo bilkul theek hai. Contractions regular intervals mein ho rahe hai. Nanhe mehman ko aane mein zyada der nahin lagegi." Nurse smiled at the duo in front of her, and went in.
Arjun sat on the waiting chair outside and held his face in his palm.
"Arjun relax. Kuch nahin joga usse. Tum please tension matt lo. Its not good for your health"
"Tension kaise nahin hogi mujhe riya? Tumne dekha na wo kitne dard mein thi? She was unable to handle that... wo ro rahi thi dard ke maare. Main aise mein kaise??"
"Arjun... har ladki ko ye dard sehna padta hai. Par iss dard ke baad jo khushi milti hai usse dekho" riya kept hand on his shoulder.
"Iss dard ke baad uss ke haath mein unka baccha hoga. Wo khushi har dard se upar hai Arjun. Jab aap pehli baar Ariya ko haath mein uthaya tha to aapko kaisa laga tha? Aaj wo dono ye khushi paayenge..."
"Tum sahi keh rahi ho riya... par kya karun? usme meri jaan basti hai riya"
"Jaanti hun. Issliye kehti hun aap shaant raho. You are her strength Arjun..."
"Hmmm... by the way, baby kab aayega?"he said with a child like excitement which made riya chuckle at him.
"Arjun aap bhi naa... nurse ne kaha na, jald hi... intezaar karo..."she said giggling.
"Very funny... intezAar se yaad aaya, ye Rathod hai kahan? Aaya nahin ab tak?"
"Main yahan hun Arjun... kaisi hai wo? Sab theek to hai naa? Aur Karan kahan hai?"
"Hoga wo yahin. Aa wo raha..."
"Karan. Dawaai laaye tum?" Arjun asked him
"Ji. Main unhe deke aata hun" Karan went to nurse who came out of theatre.
"Arjun Wo theek hai na?"
"Sameer wo,.."
"Uff Arjun. Sameer bhaiyya, wo theek hai. Tension matt lijiye"
*********
all were waiting in the corridor, eagerly anticipating the arrival of two new members of their family. Arjun, Sameer and Karan were wearing off the hospital tiles pacing its length.
They all turned towards OT when they heard babies cry one after the other.
They broke into wide smiles and riya, Arjun, Sameer and Shree had tears in their eyes.
Karan eagerly waited for the doctor to come out.
Sameer strode towards the doctor, with Arjun, riya, Shree and Karan on toes.
"Simran... wo kaisi hai? Aur bacche?"
"Papa, relax. Bhabhi bilkul theek hai aur dono bacche bhi. Congratulations. ? Aap ek healthy pota and poti ke dada bann gaye... dad you are a proud nana now" she beamed towards Arjun.
"And mein maama bann gaya... simmi... you became maami... yippieee" karam whooped and jumped like a kid.
"Haan Karan... but babiyon ke dad kahan hai? Bhai kahin dikh nahin rahe hai"
They all turned around when they heard someone running down the corridor.
"Papa... dad... Ariya! Bacche... Papa... bolo naaa" ACP Rishi Rathod, chief of ETF, stood panting in front of his father Sameer, and father in law Arjun. panic, anticipation etched on his handsome features.
"There they are bhai. Aur bhabhi theek hai. You should be able to meet her in 5 minutes" simran said pointing towards two nurses holding two bundles wrapped in pink and blue. He slowly took steps, and simran handed him the baby in pink wrap.
"Bhai, aapki beti. Three minutes badi hai"
Rishi took his daughter and kissed her forehead gingerly. Tears of joy filled his eyes.
"Congratulations beta..." Arjun patted his back, controlling his tears.
"Thanks dad. To you too" he handed his baby and took his son in his arm.
"Dad... mai bhi gudiya ko pakdunga" Karan hovered around Arjun, sporting goofy grin on face.
"Baby pehle naani ke paas aayegi phir maama ke paas" riya said taking baby from Arjun. She took her near Shree and both cooed over the baby.
"Riya, ye kitni cute hai... kaash Aisha aur liza yahan hote"
Riya sighed and said "haan bhai. Sacchi... lekin Aisha se kaha kisne tha taang todke baithneko? Aur Aisha ke wajah se liza bhi nahi aayi..." they then went to Sameer, Arjun who were now holding the baby boy and simran-Karan stood aside, watching their fathers smiling and becoming kids with the kids.
"Dekh simi... sab kitne khush hai naa? Wo dekho dad aur papa... inhe ab koi dekhe to keh sakta hai kya ki ye commissioner Sameer Rathod aur national ETF Chief Arjun Rawte hai?"
"Thats what kids do Karan... aur tumne dekha na bhai ko? Khushi ke maare kuch bol nahin paa rahe the..." she said with a content smile on her face.
"Haan... simi... tujhe na, tere bhai ko ETF mein dekhna tha. Subah se bhus bhus kar raha tha... jab dad aur papa ne meeting ke liye bulaya na to unka chehra dekhne laayak tha. Maano wo mauka milte hi bhaag ke di ke paas aajaate..."he chuckled.
"Bechare bhai. Bechain na hote bhi ti kaise Karan? Bhabhi unki zindahi hai. Bachpan se hi... papa kehte the ki bhabhi jab paida hui thi tab hi indonon ka rishta tai kiya gaya tha... phir kya? I am amazed ki indonon ka ye pehla pregnancy hai. Warna maine to socha tha ki shadi ke nau mahine baad hi...heheh"
Karan smiled at his wife. He could not believe the famous gynaecologist in front of him was the same little girl who would wear two pigtails and roam after her elder brother Rishi. Something flashed in his mind and then turned towards their parents.
He roamed his eyes around and did not find his brother in law.
"Jiju kahan gaye?"
"Of Course buddhu... bhabhi ke paas...aur kahan? Chalo hum babies ke paas chalte hai"
"Pati hun main tumhara. Respect dena to seekh lo biwi" he said in low tone.
She elbowed him in ribs and he yelped in pain.
"Itna izzat kaafi hai na pati dev?" She asked him with extra sweetness in her voice.
These interactions were seen by the parents and were laughing internally.
Sameer chuckled at him and said
"Dada to main bann gaya Karan, simi... ab tumhari baari hai mujhe nana bananeka... mere gadhe bete jitna intezaar matt karwa mujhe" both Karan and simran blushed at this and all the elders laughed at their gestures.
"Sam, Rishi ko to gadha hona hi tha. Tera beta jo thehra" Arjun said and all laughed.
At the same time, Karan held simran's eyes and gestured towards the elders and in return she glared him hard. He made a puppy dog face.
"Pata hai hume ki tum dono aankhon aankhon mein kya ishara kar rahe jo Karan. Hum donon ke nazar se kuch chupta nahin hai.. on serious note, Karan, simi beta, ab indo bacchon ko bhai behn dene ka waqt aagaya hai. So..." Arjun said jn a mock serious tone.
At the same time riya's eyes went to two figures entering the corridor, one with crutch and another supporting her.
"Aisha! Liza?" Riya exclaimed.
Sameer held the baby to Karan and went to support Aisha.
"Tum yahan kyun aayi Aisha? You should not walk more remember? "
"Sameer, aap jaante to ho apni biwi ko? ! Meri ek maane to naa! Mujhe blackmail karke leke aayi hai yahan! ! Mrs. Khadoos"
"Oye liza... you called me khadoos?"Sameer asked to which liza just shrugged.
"Aane do tumhare bete ko.phir bolo mujhe khadoos.. huh" he made a face and liza chuckled. Aisha was busy admiring the babies, her pota and poti, when simran intervened.
"Dad, papa, mom, mamma, maama, maami, we should take them to their mom..."
"Chalo beta... boohut time de diya new parents ko akele mein. Main bhi mere bacchi se milne ke liye besabr hoon."
Arjun said.
"Bahu hai wo meri" glowered Sameer.
"To? Beti to meri hi naa?"Arjun said with nose in air."
Aisha and riya shrugged their shoulders and said together- "Men"
Shree stopped and whined.
"Maine kya kiya hai? Wo dono jhagad rahe hai" the two ladies chuckled and left liza to pacify her hubby dearest.
********
When others were admiring babies, and were fighting amongst themselves Rishi had quietly slipped into the room where his wife was. He entered the room and saw his beautiful wife, pale and tired in hospital gown, on the bed with eyes closed.
Wave of admiration and gratitude coursed through his veins. His love for the lady in front of him multiplied 100 folds. he walked to her with misty eyes and a serene smile on face.
He sat next to her and held her hand in his, gently.
Ariya opened her tired eyes and on seeing him gave him a smile.
"Rishi..." her voice was low, owing to the delivery.
"Shh Ariya... kuch matt bolo... dekhne do mujhe..." he locked his eyes with hers.
"Kya?" She asked.
"Tum mere zindagi mein ek nayi khushi leke aayi ho.. bachpan mein tum meri best friend thi, phir mera pyar, meri zindagi, aur aaj... aaj tumne mujhe wo diya hai jo duniya ke koi bhi tofe se match nahi kar sakti. Thanks Ariya... thank you so much" he tenderly kissed her hand and then leamed forward to kiss her forehead. She closed her eyes, and opened after a few seconds.
"Dont thank me Rishi.. tumne mujhe ye happiness, bliss diya hai. Ek maa hone ka ehsaas. Tum jaante ho ek aurat ke liya ye kitna maaine rakhta hai? Shhh... lemme speak... I am happy today Rishi.. our babies are with us... symbols of our love.aur mujhe ab kuch nahin chahiye"
Rishi bent and hugged her.
"I love you so much jaan..." he said looking at her, holding her close.
"I love you too Rishi..." she said and hugged him back.
After few seconds they parted from hug and Ariya sat on the bed with little discomfort.
"Tumne bacchon ko dekha?" Ariha asked looking at Rishi.
"Haan. They are angels... mom-dad, papa, maama ke paas hai wo dono"
"Haan angels... hamare angels"
Rishi looked into her eyes and slowly leant forward towards her, reducing the gap between their lips.
He slowly took her lips in his, gently, pouring all his love, affection, all his emotions. She too responded to him readily. After what seemed like minutes they parted and rested their forehead against each others.
"I love you"
"I love you too"
Their moment was disturbed by the opening of door, and with entry of simran, followed by rest of Rawte and Rathod clan. Rishi sighed and sat next to Ariya. Riya came forward and kissed Ariya's forehead. She passed baby girl to Rishi who forwarded his hands.
"Tum theek ho beta?" Riya asked Ariya, slowly cupping her cheek.
She nodded a yes and said
"Haan mamma... main theek hun. Bas thak gayi hun"
"I am so happy beta..." riya said wiping the tears.
Arjun came forward and kept a hand on her head and said
"Congratulations baccha... you are proud mother of 2 babies now" he hugged her and Ariya reciprocated it.
Just then Sameer and Aisha came forward and hugged her.
"Congrats beta... and thank you"Sameer said and handed baby boy to her. Aisha kissed her crown.
Shree and liza came forward and congratulated her. Rishi sat with his daughter and observed everything.
Just then Karan hugged his sister and kissed her cheek loudly.
"Congo di... main maama bann gaya aur aap mamma... and bacche kitne cute hai, bikul aap ki tarah" he placed his head on her shoulder and touched baby's cheek.
Ariya ruffled his hair and said "ab teri baari hai ACP Rawte... mujhe bua bananeki baari tumhari"
Simran blushed and Karan said bashfully
"Soon di... very soon... aapke bacchon ko dekhne baad mujhse bhi raha nahin jaa raha"
Simran blushed and pinched him, Ariya smacked his head.
"Ouch...di please... ab aap maa bangaye ho... ek maa ki tarah to behave karo... bechare iss bacche ko maar rahe ho" he whined and everyone smiled at the bro sis duo.
All this was observed by Rishi. He looked down and saw his daughter gazing him with wide eyes.
"Dekha... mujhe to koi yahan poochta tak nahin. Par papa aur princess ek team me rahenge theek hai?" He kissed her forehead.
This was seen by Arjun and he smiled at him.
"Rishi, this is common beta... but hamesha yaad rakhna oi hum sab tumse bohot pyaar karte hai."he kept a hand on his head.
"I know dad... aur wo hi pyaar hum sab milkar indonon ko denge..."
"Arre waah!!! ACP Rathod aur pyaari pyaari baatein" Karan mocked him and Rishi grinned.
"Haanto? Lekin yaad rakh saale.. jab teri baari aayegi to main hasunga. Aur itna kaam doonga ki..."
"Jaise aaj tumhe mila tha right?!" Karan mocked him.
"Chup baccho... ghar mein nanhe mehmaan aaye hai air tum dono..., aaj bhi chote bacchon jaise behave kar rahe ho" Aisha scolded the jeeja saala duo.
"Ab batao Rishi, Ariya... bacchon ka naam kya socha hai?" Aisha asked and the new parents looked at simran.
"Simmi..." Rishi called out and simran was startled.
"Tum bacchon ki bua ho to naam tum rakhogi naa..."Ariya smiled at her.
"Bhabhi main?"she said uncertainly.
"Haan tum. Ab jaldi bolo..."
Simran took a minute and in a low voice she asked
"Rakshit aur Aditi kaise rahenge?"
Everyone's face went wide with big smiles.
Ariya whispered in her son's ears-"Rakshit...Rakshit Rathod... mera prince"
At the same time Rishi whispered her name in his daughter's ears-"Aditi... Aditi Rathod. ?., meri gudiya"
Simi and Karan hugged each other. Simran saw the time and ushered everyone out.
"Ab sab chaliye. We should go out now... let them rest..." everyone hugged the new parents and kissed the babies.
"Take care beta..."Aisha said to Ariya who nodded.
"Aap bhi ma... aur aap zyada chaliye matt...aapke pair ko rest chahiye"Aisha nodded. All went out leaving babies with their parents.
Rishi slid next to Ariya and hugged her sideways, securing babies in their arms.
"Did I say you look beautiful?"
She glared at him.
" You mocking me?"
He laughed out and kissed her cheek
"No jaan... you look beautiful... I love you"
"Love you too"
Outside all had tears of happiness. After all it was the day the newest members of family came to this world.
~~~~~~
done...
now its your turn...
you know what to do😉
Cricket
Bigg Boss 19
49