SS:1+1 = 3 [PT3 PAGE 5] + note - Page 2

"Jalebi!" Paro shrieked when she saw the jalebi stall outside.

She licked her lips, the thought of the golden syrup in her mouth made her mouth water instantly "Major saab, look there! Theres a Jalebi stall! Mmm I can smell it from here, can we get some please?"

"Paro, you know what the gynaecologist said. She told you to keep away from the sweets, they're not good for you or the baby. Not now anyway, you haven't got long left. I don't want to risk anything happening to you" Rudra said

"but pleeease" Paro whined. "I'll only have one, I promise!"

"Yeah we will see about that, come on"

They both sat down at the table, Rudra admiring the way his wife took one small bite of the jalebi at a time, trying her best to savour it all. She closed her eyes with every crunch.

"you look like just like a child, one that has just received a tonne of chocolates" Rudra chuckled

"mmm you wouldn't know, this tastes so good! Try it"

Before he could say anything, paro shoved a piece of the Jalebi into his mouth.

"see it's amazing isn't it? Keep chewing on it, it gets better"

"Once the baby is here I promise I will buy you jalebi's whenever you want Paro" Rudra said while caressing Paro's hand. She smiled at him and he gave a gentle peck on her left cheek. She gave him a gentle nudge on his chest and looked around to see if anyone had seen what had happened, luckily for her everyone was doing their own thing. He smiled.

"Come on, let's get back to shopping, still lots to buy" Paro spoke

She took out the list from Rudra's pocket and read out the remaining things to buy. They entered the huge baby store, Paro's eyes instantly fell on the wooden cot. It had a soft animal toy mobile hanging from above, slowly moving to the soft music.

"Aww, this is so cute isn't it?" paro smiled

"Shall we get it?" Rudra asked, Paro nodded yes.

"So much has changed na?" Rudra asked "I don't remember seeing things like this before for kids

"My ma always use to say to me that I cried in the night whenever she left my side, I use to love sleeping in her arms, she always use to say" Paro smiled

"You know major saab, even when I was 10 years old I use to sneak into my parents' bedroom and find myself sleeping by their side, I guess there is no comfort than being next to your parents"

Rudra saw Paro's eyes were welling up, although it had been years since her parents death everytime she spoke about them she always use to get emotional.

"Hey" Rudra said rubbing away the tears from Paro's face

"You'll be a great mother to our child just like your mother was to you" he smiled, she smiled back. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and they then continued their shopping.

After purchasing all the baby bottles, clothes, dummies, steriliser etc they headed out the store. The staff at the store wrapped up the cot and helped Rudra put it into his jeep. They then set off to meet Rudra's parents.

***

Rudra rang the bell, Maasa immediately opened it, knowing that they were going to arrive soon. Her lips curling into a big smile, she embraced Rudra and Paro into a huge hug after not seeing them for a few weeks. Later that day they were all gathered around the living room chatting away after finishing their dinner.

"I cant believe how quick time is flying by! Just under a month left and my little baba will be here" Maasa smiled

"We're too young to be grandparents" babu-sa laughed

Maithalli and Samrat had also come to stay for a few days with their adopted child, Saira. Saira was 3 years old and she loved Paro to bits. She was always with her by her side whenever she came, she addressed Paro as Tai. Paro was feeding her, her milk while the family was engaged with their talks. Everyone had warmed to Saira and they all treated her like their own, Mohini had too warmed to her in a short period of time.

After they had finished drinking their tea, Rudra and Paro got up to leave. Maasa came back into the room with a rose pink saree in her hand, she handed it over to Paro

"Whats this?" Paro asked

"it's a Saree" Maasa laughed, "I saw it when we went to out yesterday and it reminded me of you, It will look so pretty on you. I hope you like it"

"I love it" paro said, she hugged Maasa goodbye and everyone else.

"You be careful, clumsy girl" maithalli laughed while hugging Paro

"Take it easy, call me if you need anything"

"Of course jija" Paro replied.

After waving goodbye, Paro and Rudra left the haveli and got into the jeep and began to drive home...