Winding down with Zoya - pt23 updt pg 60 - Page 4

Asad the crane!

Zoya now preferred sleeping slightly differently. First she insisted that Asad stop wearing his deodarant because it felt like she was "smelling a skunk". This was a the same one that Asad a 12 minute lecture on why she smelt him even after he left for work,and how she loved the woody fragrance some 2 months ago!. Then she wanted him to turn into her and press his palm on her lower back because she wanted to feel the warmth of his palm against her bare skin as it was soothing and took her pain away. After he fitted himself to her - to her satisfaction- she threw her leg over him and drifted off to sleep. Asad did not think of this as hard work. He loved doing it for her. The entire last week he had seen her throw up countless times. He saw doubled over the pot throwing up every morning, evening and night. She almost always looked up at him with smile, when he bent down to help her up and wiped her mouth and brow. He flushed while she rinsed and washed and carried her back to the bed. "Asad you are not just Jahanpannah 6 packs now ..you are Lofty - the crane." Asad looked bewildered " oh that was in the kids book in Dr.Chaaya's office...what was it called??? ahh... Bob the Builder series". Asad shook his head with a small smile. He was so proud of her his Braveheart. She did not feel sorry for herself even for a nano second. But Asad knew her discomfort must be tough. His heart swelled again with love for his feather.

He was so glad that Ammi was around. As was Zoya; she always enjoyed Phuphi's company and now she loved listening to stories of "embryo Asad and embryo Najma". She felt that sounded better than phuphi's first pregnancy and second pregnancy. Asad left for work leaving his heart and head at home. Th Dragon lady - Ria Raj - turned out to be a great client; no nonsense and decisive that made working with her an absolute pleasure. It also helped that she brought in millions worth of business for Dilshaad Constructions. His staff were the same mostly - ever dependable. Ever since they heard about Zoya and Asad the broken hearts began to mend and Asad was even more ir-resistible for the young girls at the office. Adonis of course had eyes and ideas only for his Zoya.

He got back that evening and found Ammi and Zoya in the garden eating ice-cream at 4 in the afternoon. When he remembered last that was tea time. But then what Zoya wants Zoya gets. He was back early because they had to visit Dr. Chaaya today. "Asad let me go with Phuphi" Zoya insisted he would hear nothing of it and took them out earlier than needed. Ammi was with them because she wanted to shop with Phuphi. He could come with her but could not look at what she wanted to buy. "I always prefer to look at you without your clothes Zoya, so it's ok I guess I'm not missing much. " he winked at her grinned just out his Ammi's ear shot. Zoya giggled. They stepped into the store and Asad was happy to stay out of the underwear section because that was what she needed. And with good reason Asad smiled in his head. He was browsing through the shirts when Zoya caught some action in her peripheral vision. She saw a group of four girls circle around Asad with a shirt in their hands, eyes all over Asad and drool filled mouths!!!!!

ARGGGH thought Zoya. She called the red faced Asad over to help pick sleep wear for his wife and refused to take her hands off his waist. " Did she really need them" thought Asad, he was amused and always enjoyed jealous Zoya. His tigress was very very territorial and he was glad she was. His male ego enjoyed being wanted and being out bounds for lesser mortals! Ammi had thoughtfully picked some sickness bags for Zoya. She did want Zoya running to the loo to throw up, She wanted her to use the bags when she felt sick and they - Asad and Ammi would dispose it. "It's much safer beta than you running across to the restroom." Asad strictly forbade her from running too but it was reflex. Phuphi got a hug for her thoughtfulness and Asad only a smile. "Mine" asked Asad "later" she dismissed him.

On their drive upto the hospital anxious Asad prayed for an all clear from Dr,Chaaya and that was what it was. They were all relieved. Najma was informed of the same. They skyped a lot less now because Najma was mostly in her library working her bone off. She however kept close tabs on Zoya and verified the information she gathered from them all independently. Najma prayed that the first trimester go peacefully. Zoya surely deserved that. She knew her Ammi and Bhaijaan would treat Zoya with all the imaginable care and Dr.Chaaya was fabulous. Zoya was safe she told herself.

They came home enjoyed a good dinner. With relief written all over Asad and Ammi's face. Zoya was her usual cheerful self. She jumped with joy when the doorbell rang and she got her supply of "Dosas" from Harish's sister her fave for the season. She also got a hug and some girl company. Asad and Ammi where glad Ipshita visited Zoya as often as she could. Zoya enjoyed the foot massages that Ipshita administered even more. Asad was always embarassed at " ummm"'s because it always made him head for a cold shower! Ammi was concerned as was physio Ipshita at Zoya shiny, podgy feet because it was water retention that made it so...it would go away once Zoya could walk more Ipshita assured Ammi.

Asad got back to his calls and his drawings. When he got back Zoya was already in their room. He wished Ammi for the night and was ran up to join Zoya hoping she would be awake. He wanted to talk to her. Zoya was changing when he walked in. She was standing sideways,looking at herself in the mirror running her hands over her tummy and her waist. He realised last week that she was getting thicker around the waist. His hands had more to hold and inches were easy for him to guess - he was an Architect after all! Then he saw her hands move up to her breasts. He also saw her gasp, he was there in a jiffy asked her what was wrong. "Asad" she cried looking down at the faint purple cracks on the sides of her breasts. Asad held her breasts and kissed them and told her not to worry they were just stretch marks. They would fade away eventually. She crashed into Asad's chest smiled sadly and said " at this rate there will no part of my body that won't have scars or marks". He bit back his thought " your soul my love" he wanted to tell her, but that would make things very serious. He winked instead and asked her if she was ready to be kissed all over and he lifted her chin and asked to her hear him right ..."all over Zoya ..you get that right" he said. " Oh yes"!! she said Asad scooped up Zoya by her bottoms and she eagerly wound her legs around his waist ,arms around his shoulders and giggled her way to the bed.

Her bedside was stocked like every other night - with crackers, folic acid, grapes, water and now sickness bags. Asad set her down and got her ready for the kissing game. She kissed with equal fervour. "Asad" do you miss inter...being intimate" she asked. "What is this Zoya"? he groaned into her chest. He fitted into her like she liked it, and let her fall to sleep.

Later he set her aside went to check on the doors and Ammi before he would hit the bed. He felt like a coffee today. Wished he could have his Thursday routine back. He knew his life had changed now. He was happy he did all that he did with Zoya. Now he had to grow up again. And this is just the start he thought looking at the stars while he set his coffee down. He would brush before he called it a night because coffee made Zoya throw up. If he knew what to do he never would ever let her throw up again this lifetime.

Asad slept peacefully kissed his angel before he went for his run in the morning. Came back and froze with fear when he saw bright red on his white comforter.