This is a result of my brain bugging me for quite a few weeks now. 9K words since I didn't want to split it and lose the essence.
Special thank you to Sri who proof read small parts when she was free, to Suppu who's my google
And especially Ashu who helped me when my minimally-functional brain was stuck, and basically watched this come to life, and also pushed me to post this.
I love you all sm <3
Now enjoy! I love long comments :)
.....
Raavi stood by the window, watching Rishita and Dev play with their son, Rehaan, who just figured out that he can run using the chubby legs he was currently standing on.
She watched them, a smile creeping up automatically on her face, as Rehaan giggled and fell flat on his face, tripping over his own toes and wailing loudly.
Within seconds, his parents sat by him on the ground, consoling him and eventually convincing him that he's a strong boy and the grass should be afraid of him. It didn't even take 4 minutes for the baby boy to be back on his feet, chasing a poor puppy from the neighbour's house back through the fence.
Raavi chuckled at the innocent little boy. She loved babies, she always had. Rehaan was close to her heart, her only nephew and a very cute one, who somehow always managed to give her baby fever.
She couldn't help but wonder about the possibilities, of her own family with Shiva. He'd be such a great dad, she could vouch for him with guarantee, since she observed how soft and caring he was with little Rehaan ever since he was born.
They hadn't talked about it yet, but Raavi could feel the lingering question in the room, every time Rehaan ran behind his 'Shi-ba Chachu' and plopped into 'Vee Chachi' s lap.
A warm pair of arms wrapped around her waist, and she was immediately enveloped by a sandalwood and spice musk that she was all too familiar with.
"Kya soch rahi hai?" Shiva whispered, placing a kiss under her ear and his chin on her shoulder.
Raavi smiled and kept her tiny palms over his arms around her, "Rehaan kitna pyaara hai na?"
He peeked out of the window, and saw Rehaan trying to eat a butterfly and getting scared at the sudden movements of the insect.
"Bohot. Laadla hai woh, mujhe toh lagta hai hum uske favourites hai." He chuckled, and Raavi turned around in his arms.
"Sunn na." She mumbled, her fingers playing with the buttons of his shirt, the water from his freshly showered hair dripping down his neck, causing a lot of distraction to her, as always. "Tune kabhi family ke baare mein socha hai?"
"Humesha toh sochta hu." Shiva shrugged non-chalantly, and Raavi looked up at him, surprised. "Store kaise chalana hai, Krish se paise kaha chupaau, Maa ki dawaaiyaan-"
"Offo Shiva!" She shook her head and he stopped talking, "Mera matlab, biwi, bacche..." She trailed off, looking up at him expectantly.
Shiva looked at her honey-brown eyes, and knew she was beating around the bush to ask for something. "Biwi ke baare mein roz sochta hu, jab usse door hota hu. Aur jab paas hota hoon, toh sochne se kaam nahi chalana padta." He trailed the tip of his nose along the edge of her jaws , down her neck, and Raavi sighed in content.
"Aur bacche?" She asked hopefully, which made him look up.
The question lingered in the room, like always, and this time they both decided not to let it hang in there anymore. Shiva was very clear with what he wanted, and so was Raavi.
"We're both having great jobs, humari shaadi ko 2 saal hone aa gaye hai, I know hum dono bhi ek family hai par-"
"I want to have a baby. Humara chota sa squishy, chubby baby." Raavi whispered, looking up at him with bated breath.
"But I don't." Shiva said, biting his lip, and Raavi's heart sank to the bottom.
"Kyu?" She asked, with the possibility that maybe she could change his mind and convince him.
"Kyunki," He sighed dramatically, before looking at her, "Humari bacchi aadhi chipkali aur aadhi bhoothnath hogi. Ghar jad se ukhaad degi woh toofan!"
Shiva's face broke out into a smile, and a moment's silence later, when Raavi realised he was pulling her leg all this time, she punched him on his arm and chest, while he surprisingly didn't get affected in the least as he stepped away to dodge her punches.
"How mean!" Raavi whined, making Shiva laugh heartily. "Mujhe laga ki-"
"Kya laga?" Shiva asked softly, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer. "Mujhe humare aandhi toofan jaise mote gaalon waale bacche nahi chahiye honge?"
Raavi scrunched her nose up at his description of their potential children. "Ye koi tareeka hai bacche ko cute bolne ka?"
"Mai aisa hi hoon. Soch le, iss junglee bhoothnath ke saath hi bacche karne hai na tujhe?"
She wriggled her nose in annoyance, which amused Shiva, until she remembered something. "Tune 'aadhi chipkali aur aadhi bhoothnath' kyu bola?"
"Kyunki mujhe humari choti si, moti si, golgappe jaisi ladki chahiye." Shiva booped her nose with his finger, and Raavi gaped at him.
"Haww! Ladka hua toh? Pyaar nahi karega tu usse?!"
"Ladkiyan toh mujhse bohot pyaar karti hai, toh humari beti toh mere team mein hogi." Shiva declared, spreading his arms out, "Ladka hua toh uski chipkali maa ko dekh ke bhaag ke tere team mein aayega. Simple!"
Raavi chuckled giddily, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her forehead against his. "I know hum dono apne chote chipkali ya chote bhoothnath se bohot pyaar karenge. Par sirf ek!" She warned him.
"2 aandhi toofan ghar mein, baapre mai toh darr gaya!" Shiva dramatically placed a hand on his chest, before kissing her forehead.
"Let's make a baby." He whispered, as Raavi backed him against the room door and reached up for the lock.
.....
4 months later
Raavi paced around the room waiting for Shiva to return with the tests. Earlier that morning, when she realised she was 5 days late, a weird excitement bubbled up within her, and she practically pushed Shiva outside to bring 4 pregnancy tests.
When they had visited a doctor to do the routine fertility tests, the doctor had given them the green signal, happy to mention that their reports were normal and they shouldn't have a problem conceiving, since they were quite young anyway.
The first 3 months they didn't require a pregnancy test because her dates came like clockwork, a very straightforward indication that it wasn't time yet.
But this time, it was actually late, and a very high possibility of them having a baby. So when Shiva returned with the tests, she snatched it from his hands and ran back in excitement. Placing the tests on the marble basin, she waited 1, 2....4 minutes.
But nothing showed up. Not even on one of the tests.
She waited for another few minutes, but the strip remained unchanged, and she stepped out dejectedly, as Shiva nodded his head expectantly.
Raavi threw the tests in the dustbin in front of him, nodding 'no' and sitting down on the bed next to him, fiddling with her fingers.
"Muh kyu latka rahi hai?" Shiva rubbed his hand up and down her back, her disappointment written all over her face.
"I thought this was the one." Raavi pouted sadly, and Shiva kissed her head. "Doctor ne toh kaha tha hume problem nahi honi chahiye. Toh baby kyu nahi ho raha Shiva?"
"Humne abhi toh start kiya hai, din hi kitne hue hai?" He caressed her head, and she looked at him with her doe-like innocent eyes, who does not-so-innocent-things. "Thoda time de chipkali, sab sahi ho jaayega, hmm?"
A bright smile flashed across Raavi's face, because he was the only one who managed to always elicit an opposite reaction of whatever she was feeling at the moment. And it worked exactly that way this time, too. She was sure next time would be the one.
"Aur waise bhi," Raavi said, nodding her head, "Tujhe maine pregnancy test laane bheja tha, tu ek drawer bharke baccho ke kapde le aaya excitement mein. Kisi ko toh ye kapde pehnane padenge na?" She chuckled, making Shiva go red.
"Mera mazaak mat uda, samjhi!" Shiva muttered, wriggling his nose in annoyance, "Ho gaya excite, gunaah kar diya kya?"
"Our babies are going to have you wrapped around their tiny little chubby fingers!" She giggled, and Shiva walked out of the room in embarrassment, muttering "mai nahi pighlunga" under his breath
"Arre Mr. Chattan Mai-Nahi-Pighlunga Pandya, kaha jaa raha hai, meri baat toh sunn!" She called out and laughed, running behind him to fix his sour mood.
.....
7 months later
"Chipkali chal na, kitna time lagati hai, fashion show mein nahi jaana hai hume!" Shiva yelled across the hall, and Raavi yelled back, "5 minute ruk nahi sakta kya?!"
"5 ka 50 minute kar diya hai tune! Pinky ke godh bharai mein jaa rahe hai, Ranveer Singh se milne nahi!" Shiva said, and Raavi walked out fiddling with her watch.
"Ranveer Singh se milne jaa rahe hote toh mai aur time lagati. Samjha?" She argued, but he didn't have a reply, as he stood tongue-tied and awestruck at his beautiful wife, who was clad in a pastel yellow, embroidered floral ghaghra-choli, which made her look nothing less than a princess.
"Hello?" She snapped her fingers, in front of his eyes, which broke his trance. "Ab nahi der ho rahi tujhe?"
"You look so beautiful." He whispered, keeping his hands on her bare waist and pulling her closer, in the open aangan. "Mann kar raha hai ki tujhe yahi khaa jaau. Godh bharai cancel kar de, let me take you back to our room." Shiva nuzzled his nose against her cheek and Raavi blushed bright red.
"Accha?" She whispered back, his husky voice in her ears sending shivers down her spine. "Show me what you've got, then maybe I'll think about it."
"Dekh, chipkali." He looked at her, his eyes full of desire. "Mujhe challenge mat kar, accha nahi hoga-"
"Ghar ke beech mein romance karna hai toh dande se maarke bhaga dungi dono ko!" Suman yelled, covering her face with her dupatta, her voice making then jump apart. "Kamra kis baat ka diya hai tum dono ko?!"
"Mai- ow!" Raavi yelled as Shiva pinched her waist, immediately letting go with one glare from her. "Mai mera bag bhul gayi. Toh....mai....woh-"
She ran away, unable to face Suman, and as soon as Shiva tried to run away, Suman called out to him, beckoning him towards her.
"Kya hua, maa?" Shiva asked, sitting down next to her. "Kuch chahiye kya?"
"Dekh, mai jaanti hu ki tu aur Raavi ek doosre se bohot pyaar karte ho." Suman began very seriously, "par agar tum dono raat ko awaaz neechi nahi rakh sakte, toh hotel room book karo!"
Shiva nodded his head, until he realised what his mother was insinuating and his eyes widened in surprise, which morphed into embarrassment.
"Maa, woh-"
"Kya woh!? " Suman nudged his head with her hand, "Kal aake Rehaan ne angrezi mein kuch pattar pattar kiya mujhse, toh maine jab patrani se pucha, usne pata hai kya kaha?"
Shiva nodded his head, he definitely didn't want to know what that poor child thought of their amorous activities.
"Usne pucha, 'Why chachu and chachi making noise?' " Rishita said from the kitchen across the room, going back to whatever she was doing in the kitchen.
"Bacche pe rehem nahi hai dono ko, besharam!" Suman said, and Shiva squeezed his eyes shut. "Apne paison se hotel room bhej dungi par mere chote se pothe ko tang mat karo. Samjhi gayo?" She nudged his shoulder, and Shiva nodded embarrassingly.
"Let's go, Shiva?" Raavi said, keeping her wallet and phone in her bag. "Godh bharai mein der ho jaayegi!"
Shiva nodded, and got up to leave when he heard his mother make a comment under her breath, "Kaash Raavi ki godh bharai bhi dekh paau jaldi. Somnath, meri iccha puri kar de."
Shiva looked at Raavi, and it was obvious she didn't hear that comment by the way she was smiling at herself in the mirror by the door. His mother meant no harm, because she hadn't been able to see Rishita's godh bharai due to unforseen circumstances which had her caught up in her home town, along with Rishita staying at her maika post-delivery for 4 months.
Shiva looked at his mother, who craved to carry out all the responsibilities of a mother and a 'dadi' during her daughter-in-law's pregnancy, and then at his wife, who was now tossing Rehaan in the air, as he wobbled towards his 'Vee Chachi' on his 2 chunky feet to give her kisses and tell her she looked 'peetiii'.
His chipkali was already a mother, without a child. And she wouldn't show it, but he knew how much she craved for those core memories parents make with their child, how much she longed to hold their own tiny human someday. He knew her fears and worries, for they were confined to their four walls only; they appeared every time with each negative test, but she'd put on a smile and tell him that next time will be better.
Each negative test made his heart sink, not only because they wouldn't have a baby, but also because it made his chipkali's heart sink as well. All Shiva ever wanted was to take care of wife, and his little baby growing within; that was one of the wishes he had never revealed to anyone, because that would dissolve his sakht launda image.
Which he was pretty sure had already dissolved and become non existent at this point. Trying for a baby was an emotionally taxing process; to see negative tests each time, his own heart sinking a little, and most importantly, to see Raavi's dejected face.
"Vee Chachi, want bikki." Rehaan pointed to the jar of biscuits his mother had hidden away.
"Baba," Raavi said, distracting him from the jar, "bohot raat ho gayi hai. We'll have bikki tomorrow morning okay? Vee Chachi is going tata, I will bring chippy for you, if you'll be a good boy. Rehaan is a good boy?"
"Yes! Good Boy!" Rehaan clapped, asking Raavi to put him down, as he ran away to grab his sketchpens and notebook, as Shiva walked up to Raavi.
"Kya dekh raha hai?" She smiled, and Shiva nodded his head, admiring his chipkali for everything she was, is and always will be.
The house was decorated in twinkling lights and bright lamps, and Raavi felt that jostle of happiness in the room. Pinky was seated in the middle of the room, her husband next to her, while everyone mingled, danced around them and the elders blessed the soon-to-be parents.
"She looks so happy!"
"He looks so scared!"
Shiva and Raavi looked at each other, and burst out laughing, spending the next few hours catching up with their friends, playing a few games, lots of dancing and finally blessing the couple.
Raavi waited patiently, handing over the gift they bought for the baby and mom in Shiva's hand, excitedly going to hug Pinky.
By age, she was younger than Pinky, but by relation, she was technically older, because for Pinky, Shiva was like her older brother, whom she visited person and tied rakhi to, in person, without fail, every year; and he always vowed to protect her.
Shiva was over the moon when Pinky informed him she was getting married, more so when she called to tell him he's going to be a Mama soon. So when she invited them for the function, he was sure he was going to go. And Raavi loved spending time with his friends, so she immediately agreed.
"Congratulations!" Raavi hugged Pinky and her husband, Vishal. "Aur kya bolu pata nahi, congratulations ke aage." She shrugged sheepishly as they all laughed.
"How's the pregnancy been so far? Ekdum glowing haa? Pati or baby?" Raavi teased, and Pinky slapped her arm.
"Kya tu bhi!" Pinky chuckled, secretly telling Raavi by her gestures that her MIL, was standing a few feet from them.
"Namaste kaki!" Shiva greeted her with a hug, and she reciprocated with a smile. "Kaisi ho aap, ekdum beautiful as always!"
They all spoke for a while, until Raavi asked Shiva to hand over the gift. "We bought something for the baby, par tere liye kya laaye kuch samjha nahi! So there's some cute clothes and an envelope for you, okay?" Raavi said and kept the bag next to her chair, while Shiva was talking to the husband.
"Technically, tu mujhe aashirwad de sakti hai." Pinky pointed at the coconuts and rice next to them, and Raavi happily agreed, moving to take a coconut and some rice in her palms.
A swift hand reached out to hold her wrist, and Raavi looked up at Pinky's MIL, staring at Raavi.
"Kya hua kaki? Maine kuch galat kiya kya?" Raavi asked, looking around to see if she had missed a step before this.
"Tum ye nahi kar sakti." The lady said, and Raavi looked at her confused, "Aise shraap nahi lagne de sakti mere pothe aur bahu pe."
Shiva was taken aback, enraged at what this lady was insinuating, while Raavi was still confused as to why she was saying such things.
"Mai toh aashirwad de rahi thi-"
"Shaadi ko itne saal ho gaye, aur tumhara khud ka toh koi baccha nahi hai. Yaha chali aayi, mai ek baanjh ka saaya kaise padne du-"
"Maa, please chup kariye!"
"KYA BAKWAAS HAI YE!" Shiva yelled, pulling Raavi behind him, her own mind taking a few seconds to process the words she just heard.
"Aap ko kisne haq diya meri aur Raavi ki insult karne? BATAYE!" Shiva yelled, his voice echoing through the now silent hall.
The lady began, "Tumhari kaha, mai toh iss-"
"EK SHABD NAHI! EK BHI NAHI!" He raised his voice, towering over her, glaring in anger.
Raavi stepped in between them hurriedly, this was a matter that needn't be solved now, she didn't want to ruin Pinky's function or her mood.
"Shiva," Raavi turned towards him, placing a hand on his cheek, "abhi nahi. Iske baare mein baad mein baat karte hai na!"
"How dare she!" Shiva seethe, and Raavi placed her other hand on his cheek, making him look at her, "Abhi nahi. Pinky ka function hai, mai nahi chaahti tera gussa koi wajah bane uska mood kharab karne ka."
Shiva was quick to retaliate but his chipkali’s pleading eyes were enough for him to rein in his raging emotions. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly through his nose as of to let go of the steam that had been building up within. Shiva enclosed both of Raavi’s hands with his own and brought them to his lips before walking back hand in hand to observe the ceremony.
"Raavi ruko!" Pinky called out, and she turned around hearing her name.
"Aashirwad is aashirwad, usme koi bhed bhaav nahi karta." She said, giving a side-eye to her MIL. "Tum mujhe aur baby ko aashirwad nahi dogi? Tu bhi nahi, Shiva?" Pinky asked, in a small voice.
Raavi looked up at Shiva, who nodded encouragingly and allowed himself to be pulled to wear Pinky was sitting, consistently staring down at the vile woman who got away only because Raavi said so.
Raavi excitedly grabbed a handful of rice and a coconut while Shiva put his arms around her, pouring it into the dupatta Pinky held out in her arms, together, and placing both her palms on her head.
"I pray that tera chota baby ekdum healthy, golu molu, cute se golgappe jaise paida ho." Raavi said with a smile, bending a little to kiss her forehead. "Tu apna pura dhyaan rakhna delivery ke baad, samjhi? Teri nanhi si jaan tere sahare hi toh jee paayegi. Isliye jiju ko poore kaam pe laga dena, woh bhi utna hi papa hai kitni tu maa." She looked at Vishal and chuckled, who nodded his head in agreement.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Raavi." Pinky whispered, holding Raavi's hands, and Raavi nodded 'no' with a small smile, keeping her hand on her cheek.
"Sunn," Shiva clapped Vishal's back, "Teri zimmedari hai iska aur baby ka dhyaan rakhna. It's not easy after a baby, especially maa ke liye. Isko jab bhi aisa lage ki ye kuch galat kar rahi hai, ya kuch bhi sahi nahi ho raha, tujhe hi uska support system banke khada rehna hai, samjha?" He advised, and Vishal nodded, holding Pinky's hand.
"Absolutely." Vishal replied, thanking them both. "Maa ke liye sorry, Shiva. Unhe aisa bilkul nahi bolna chahiye tha."
"Tumhari galti nahi hai, hmm?" Shiva replied, throwing daggers at his mother standing a few feet away, clearly apprehensive of the happenings in front of her.
"Aur tu," Shiva pointed at Pinky, kissing the top of her head, "No taking any stress at all, samjhi? Bachpan se exam time pe stress lene ki aadat hai. Ab nahi chalega, understood?" He warned and Pinky pouted.
"Tu aashirwad de raha hai ki daat raha hai?" She complained, as the three of them around her laughed and Shiva blessed her with good health a healthy baby, as Raavi slipped her jittery hands into his warm ones, walking back down to the edge of the room.
Raavi’s insistence on civility had prevented Shiva from further lashing out during the rest of the ceremony. However, the rage within him had begun to increase exponentially. Stolen glances towards Raavi had confirmed his suspicions; his chipkali’s heart had been stomped on and now she was facing the brunt of hiding her pain. He watched as Raavi mustered up a fake smile, one that stretched so wide across her face that it was seemingly painful rather than radiating happiness. It was as if this had been the last nail in the coffin.
The vein in his forehead pulsated in anger as he clenched his right hand into a fist. Shiva’s knuckles turned white and he felt the blood rush up to his brain, contributing to the heat of his hot-headed nature. The fire in his eyes was reflective of the hostility and fury he felt towards HIS chipkali’s perpetrator, and no amount of water could extinguish the pain he felt for his chipkali.
"Shiva?" Raavi's small hands came to rest on his arm, tilting her head in question, "Gussa thook de, please?" came her question, in a small voice.
Shiva's heart pained for her, for every single word that was lashed at her, for something that wasn't her fault at all. His angry expressions morphed into a painful one, the pain in his heart reflecting on his face.
"I'm okay." She said, unconvincingly, holding up a bag of biscuits. "I found nankataai for Rehaan! Toh maine Vishal se kehke pack karwaaye thode. Vee Chachi promised Rehaan, aur mai apne promises nahi todti!" Raavi said happily, her hands sliding down to undo the tight fist his hands were clenched in.
"Mai apne promises nahi todti, Shiva." She whispered, looking up at him, letting her guard down for just a moment, enough for him to know what she was talking about.
I promise you Shiva, hum itna cute baccha banayenge, ki Somnath ke saare logon ka dil bhar aa jaayega! Dekhne se dil nahi bharega, itna cute hoga humara chota baby!
Shiva knew she still wasn't showing it, she wouldn't let her guard down completely until it was just the two of them. He knew she was just holding on until they reached home. Just until they were home.
So, he placed his hand on her cheek, his soft touches unlike the raging bull a few seconds ago soothing her, comforting her as much as he could.
"Let's go home."
.....
Later that night, when Shiva entered the room and found Raavi lying down with her back facing him, he thought she had slept already and turned off all the lights, getting into bed with her when he heard a slight sniffle.
He calmed down since the function, but Raavi hadn't budged from her stance the entire time, only being distracted when her favourite nephew showered her with kisses for bringing 'bikki'.
Raavi wasn't sleeping, she couldn't get any sleep, the words of that aunty ringing in her head, echoing in her ears. What was so wrong if they hadn't had a baby yet? So what if it was taking time?
It hurt her, and she knew that Shiva knew how she felt, the way he was fretting around her the whole evening trying to elicit a reaction from her when it was just them. It caused this weird constriction in her chest that she couldn't get off unless she let out her feelings, but Shiva was right next to her and she was sure he had just heard her sniffle, because a few seconds later, a warm pair of arms engulfed her, a soft kiss placed under her ear.
"Mat soch na kaki ke baare mein." Shiva whispered.
Raavi twisted around in his arms, as Shiva pulled her into a tight hug flush against himself, her tiny inaudible sniffles muffled against his skin, his comforting words the only sound she wanted to hear.
Shiva laid her against the mattress, breaking the hug, and wiping her damp eyes, kissing her forehead, not leaving her out of the range of comfort she needed.
Raavi looked at Shiva, and knew she had everything she ever needed. She found everything in him, and he'd be there for her, through thick and thin, through sickness and health, like he promised when they got married.
His love was what completed her, and right now, she just needed him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him closer, all her love for him residing in her eyes.
"Love me." She whispered.
"What?"
She kissed him softly, before looking at him again. "Love me."
"Chipkali-"
"You have a challenge to complete." Raavi whispered, pulling him into a harder kiss. "Yaad hai ki haar maan liya?"
Shiva kissed her eyes, pulling her into himself, dropping harder kisses onto her skin, causing her to gasp.
"Raavi Pandya, ek baat samajh le. Shiva Pandya haar nahi maanta."
.....
1 year later
"Shiva! Kitna time lagata hai, date pe jaa rahe hai, Deepika Padukone se milne nahi!"
"Deepika Padukone se milna jaa raha hota toh tujhe saath bilkul leke nahi jaata, samjhi?"
"Ek number ka-"
"Pata hai, pata hai." Shiva waved his hand, searching for his wallet.
"Mai bahar ruk rahi hoon, tu aaja." Raavi said, putting her phone into her bag and stepping outside into the aangan.
She was happy to see Suman and Kanta talking to each other, she definitely needed friends at this age to pass some time.
Raavi almost didn't pay attention to their conversation across the room, when heard something out of the blue.
"Suman, tu toh kehti thi ki tere 4 bete hai, aur tera aangan toh gunj uthega kilkariyo se."
"Haa, ab kya kar sakte hai. Bhagodi ki beti ko ab bacche nahi chahiye, Rishita toh ghar badalne ki baat kar rahi hai, aur Krish toh abhi padhai kar raha hai." Suman sighed.
"Aur Shiva-Raavi?"
"Pata nahi unhe bacche chahiye bhi ki nahi. Raavi din bhar toh Rehaan ke saath rehti hai jab woh patrani ghar pe na ho." She placed her head in her hands, worried, "Ab Rehaan se kitna bhi pyaar kar le, hai toh woh patrani ka beta. Uska nahi."
Raavi's heart cracked. She knew that Rehaan wasn't her son in any way or matter, but she loved him just as much. Whenever she'd tell him that she and Shiva Chachu may have a small baby, he'd always cuddle up to her and say 'My Vee Chachi' because he didn't want to share her with anyone else.
Rehaan was like her baby. Her adorable practise baby who she wouldn't trade for the world. And being around him prepared her in a way, for a baby of their own. If they ever had one...
"Unhe bacche chahiye bhi, toh hue kyu nahi hai abhi tak? Shiva ko toh bohot pasand hai na bacche."
"Pata nahi." Suman grabbed a glass of water for herself, "Kuch logo ki kismat mein nahi hote bacche. Shaayad mere baccho ki kismat mai bhi nahi likha hai."
"Suman, mai kya kehti hu." Kanta interjected, "Shiva ko baccho se bohot lagaav hai, agar Raavi nahi toh koi aur-"
"Ae chup!" Suman yelled, pointing her finger at Kanta. "Tujhe pucha maine-"
But the rest of the conversation buzzed out, and her heart dropped to the ground. What was the need to discuss this with Kanta Kaki? Raavi was right there and she could have asked her instead, she thought that their relationship was improving, at least enough for them to talk to each other about anything.
Apparently not enough, since she was discussing her and Shiva's personal life with Kanta Kaki. She felt like the little box that she’d hidden her pain in, of not having conceived yet was shuddering and threatened to burst open. She wanted to leave from there, not here anymore where she knew it would hurt her, but she stood rooted to the spot, her brain focussing solely on the pain that was spreading.
Raavi stared at a pillar in the distance, when her view was blocked by a certain someone, and she looked up slowly, only to find his onyx eyes staring down at her, his pain for her reflecting in his eyes.
Shiva had just found his wallet and was ready to leave, when he stepped out and heard the entire conversation that his mother had with their neighbour. He knew his mother just wanted someone to talk to, but personal matters were not to be discussed with outsiders, that's the first thing Suman has taught her kids.
Shiva would talk to her later, but right now what broke him was the pain in Raavi's eyes, her blank expression making her vulnerable to him yet again.
He cupped her face, nodding his head, just wanting her to forget what she just heard, not pay attention to any of the things that were just said. But he knew that was difficult, because she just gently eased his hands off her face.
"Mujhe kahi nahi jaana, Shiva." Raavi said, dully, voice hoarse with emotion.
"Raavi-"
"Mujhe KAHI NAHI JAANA!" She yelled, throwing her bag to the floor, looking at Shiva as her voice dropped to a barely audible whisper, "Please?"
Shiva shut his eyes tight, sighing as Raavi walked away into their room, his fury rising up within him, tapping his foot impatiently in the hope that he'd clamp down his anger.
Kanta turned towards where Raavi stood a few seconds ago, "Arre, kahi Raavi ne sun toh nahi liya? Shiva bhi yahi hai, Suman baat kar le usse-"
"KANTA KAKI!" Shiva turned around, his voice thundering across the room, the fury in his voice evident to his spectators.
"Ghar nahi hai kya aapka? Itni raat ko yahi padi hui ho, JAAO NA GHAR!" He pointed irritatedly at the door and Kanta stood appalled.
"Suman, ye Shiva kaise baat kar raha-"
"JAAO NA. PLEASE! CHALE JAAIYE!" He pointed at the door again, and watched as Kanta huffed and puffed, muttering something that was irrelevant.
"Ae Shiva," Suman turned to him, surprised at his behaviour, "Ye kaise baat kar raha hai tu?!"
"Maa please!" Shiva snapped, "Ye koi baat hai Kanta Kaki se karne ki? Mai hu, Raavi hai, par humari hi baat tu Kanta Kaki se karegi? Haa?" He argued, taking Suman aback.
"Ghar ki baat ghar mein hi honi chahiye, tune hi sikhaya tha na? Toh phir kisi bahar waale se karne ki KYA ZAROORAT THI!"
"Tujhe kya pata," Shiva tapped his feet impatiently, "Tujhe kya pata kisi ke mann mein kya chal raha hai! Bas aise hi bol diya kisi se, 'bacche naseeb mein nahi honge', bina soche. Raavi ke mann mein kya chal raha hai, usko kaisa lagega tune socha nahi?"
"Itni mushkil se," His voice croaked, swallowing his own emotions. "Itni mushkil se usse manaaya tha maine, ki hum kahi bahar jaate hai saath mein, dinner karte hai, woh bohot upset thi iss baat ko lekar ki-" Shiva began, but stopped himself before he said anything else.
"Maa," He calmed down, looking at the floor and back at his mother, who's colour had drained from her face, "agar tu kuch accha nahi bol sakti, toh bura bhi mat bol. Haath jodta hu!"
Folding his hands, Shiva walked back to his room to check if Raavi was okay, leaving his mother stunned in the hallway.
.....
Raavi sat at the edge of the bed, shaking her legs, frenzied, her mind racing with unnecessary thoughts of the past few minutes.
She stared outside the window, gripping onto to the wooden edges of the bed, biting her lips to prevent her tears from surfacing. She blinked a few times, gulped the air around her, and closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing.
The bed dipped and she felt a warm hand enclose her tight fisted ones, hearing him call for her, tension laced in his voice.
"Chipkali?"
"Shiva, jaa yaha se." Raavi's voice wobbled, and his arm shifted from her hand to her arm.
"Meri taraf dekh."
No reaction.
"Look at me, Raavi."
Raavi looked at her feet, before looking at him, her eyes brimming with tears that threatened to flow.
She knew how much Shiva loved kids. He thought she had no clue, but she did. The way he would talk about taking their kid for vaccinations, or the first day of school, or even papa-daughter dates; it was quite evident that he wanted a child as much as she did, and he would probably love their baby twice as much as they loved each other.
"I'm sorry." Raavi whispered, and Shiva frowned.
"Kya?"
"I'm sorry mai tujhe baby nahi de paa rahi hoon."
Her entire resolve broke and she burst into loud, painful sobs, her body raking with each painful twist in her chest, as she clutched his shirt and cried against his form.
Shiva gathered her closer to himself, cradling her head where it rested against his shoulder, his eyes shut tightly in pain, hugging her as close as he could, wanting to just take it all away.
"Teri koi galti nahi hai, jaan." He whispered in her ears, rubbing her back in comfort, his voice drowned out by her cries, as he wiped his own tears away with his thumb. "Koi galti nahi hai."
Raavi sobbed harder, the pain that was piled up for so many months, all breaking loose at once, engulfing her completely, the only thing she was able to feel was the pain in her chest, and Shiva's arms around her.
"Shiva," She looked up from his embrace, as he gently brushed away her tears, only to make room for more, "Maa aur Kanta Kaki ko aise bolne ki kya zaroorat thi?" She cried, as he engulfed her in another hug and kissed her head.
"Nahi kehna chahiye tha." Shiva said gently, rubbing her back, "Jaanta hu nahi kehna chahiye tha."
"Mai-" She swallowed her tears, and looked at Shiva, her eyes now red and swollen from all the crying. "Mai thak gayi hu, Shiva."
Shiva caressed her cheeks, pulling her onto his lap and brushing her hair away from her face, tipping her chin up in question.
"Humein ek bhi test positive kyu nahi aaya abhi tak? Sacch mein humari kismat mein baby nahi likha hai?" She asked him, so innocently, that it really hurt Shiva in that moment. "Hum ek saal se try kar rahe hai, aur har baar, HAR BAAR negative test nahi dekh sakti, Shiva. Nahi dekh sakti." Raavi sniffled, as Shiva looked at her confused.
"Kya matlab hai tera, Raavi?"
"Mujhe nahi karna aur try."
Raavi's voice wobbled again, as she burst into a fresh set of tears, arms around his torso, burying her head where she could hear his heart. "Nahi karna aur try. Please."
Shiva took a few seconds to process what she said. She didn't want to try anymore? Did she not want their own mini dumpling anymore? The one they both craved for, for so long?
He knew she wasn't in the state of mind to be taking any decisions, let alone this one, so he decided it would be best to talk about this later, when they both are ready to talk about it.
"Kal baat karenge iske baare mein, hmm?" He said gently, wiping his tears with his shirt, rocking her back and forth in his arms, pressing kisses to her head occasionally until she had eventually fallen asleep in his arms.
....
Knock knock knock
Suman looked up from the sweater she was knitting, seated on her wheelchair, and found Shiva standing at her door.
"Aur kuch bolna baaki hai, Shiva?" She asked, going back to her knitting, not accusing him, just upset by the way he had yelled.
Shiva walked towards her, and knelt down in front of her, clasping her hands in his. "I'm sorry, Maa. Mujhe maaf kar de. Tujhpe chillana nahi chahiye tha aise."
Suman looked up at her son, and knew he was genuinely apologising, her son was anything but a liar.
"Awaaz unchi karke baat nahi karni chahiye thi." He said earnestly, as his mother placed a soft palm against his cheek and nodded with a small smile.
"Par maa," Shiva said, with the tone a parent takes while explaining something to their child, "Mai sirf mere gusse ke liye maafi maang raha hu, jis tarah se maine baat ki, uske liye. Par meri baat ke liye maafi nahi maang sakta."
Suman looked at him, confused, as he sat done in front of her, holding her hands.
"Maa dekh," He said, slowly, "Meri aur Raavi ki baat karni hai na? Mujhse aake kar, Raavi se kar. Par Kanta Kaki se iss baare mein baat kyu karna, hai na?"
"Humare ghar ki baat kisi bahar waale se kyu karna? Hum hai na yaha teri baat sunne ke liye." Shiva said, explaining slowly and calmly unlike before, as Suman nodded.
"Tujhe accha nahi lagta na, jab koi teri burai kare ya meri burai kare kisi teesre ke paas? Toh soch na, chipkali ko kaise laga hoga?"
He kept her kitting needles and sweater aside, seeing that she understood his point slowly. "Tujhe koi bhi shikayat hai toh mujhse kar na, mai ek uff tak nahi karunga! Bas Kanta Kaki, ya kisi aur se nahi, hmm?"
Suman nodded her head, understanding her mistake. Her son was right, she shouldn't have talked about it to Kanta, who knows where she will go and add mirch masala to their talk, multiplying ten fold than what it was.
"Suri." Suman said, as Shiva placed a hand on her cheek. "Mai teri baat samjhi. Agli baar dhyaan rakhungi, thik che?"
"Mera beta kitna bada ho gaya hai, maa ko samjha raha hai." Suman chuckled, and Shiva hid his own smile, as she caressed his head.
"Raavi kaisi hai?"
"Theek hai." He sighed, looking at the floor, "Rote rote so gayi. "
"Maine jo kaha, uske wajah se upar set hui na?" She asked, guiltily.
"Kya?"
"Tune ek shabd kaha tha na, woh..." Suman tried hard to remember what he had said, "Woh up-shet ho gayi. Na?"
Shiva smiled at his mother's attempt, and nodded in answer, as she looked at him with guilt. "Mai kal maafi maang lungi usse."
"Par mai nahi mangunga Kanta Kaki se." Shiva said, annoyed. "Raavi ko chodne ki baat ki unhone, ye kya baat hui? Mai, MAI, meri chipkali ko chod dunga? Aise bakwaas wajah ke liye? Kabhi nahi!"
"Mat maangna." Suman waved her hands in the air, dismissing the thought, "Maine bhi uska muh tab bandh karwa diya. Aa Kanta gandi thay gai che, tu chinta na karis, hu sambhadi lais ene."
"Shiva beta, ek baat bata." She asked worried for her son and daughter-in-law, "Tum logo ne bacchon me baare mein socha hai, isliye udaas ho gayi na Raavi?"
Shiva knitted his eyebrows, his tension visible on his face as he nodded and laid his head on his mother's lap.
"Aur abhi tak koi acchi khabar nahi aayi na?"
He nodded again, feeling his mother caress his head lovingly.
"Tu theek hai, Shiva?"
Shiva closed his eyes, the first time someone asked him that in a long time. And he really needed that in this moment, to be easily vulnerable to someone, when everything was getting so overwhelming and tumbling out of control. And that person would always be his mother.
"Nahi." He whispered, his mother patting his head and back.
Suman could see how tensed her son was, in the way that he yelled. He was not the kind to yell without purpose. Something had to be bothering him for him to lose his cool. And now that she knew what it was, she could understand why he was this tensed, but there was nothing she could do.
"Sab theek ho jaayega, beta. Tu fikar mat kar. Haa? Sab theek ho jaayega. Bharosa rakh. Ab jaa Raavi ke paas, usko teri zaroorat hai."
Shiva nodded, wiping his tears discreetly, but didn't unnoticed by his mother as she kissed his head, before he wished her goodnight and returned to his room.
.....
Raavi woke up to the sun shining harshly through the soft curtains, rubbing her eyes as she sat up straight, her comfy blanket wrapped around her, but Shiva nowhere to be seen.
She sighed, holding her head in her hands, her mind rewinding yesterday's conversation with Shiva. There was no way he had taken her words seriously, she had to find him. If he wasn't still asleep beside her at 8 AM in the morning, he definitely was mad at her for even suggesting what she did.
Freshening up as quickly as she could, she went up to the terrace and the backyard searching for him, before she finally found Shiva standing near the gas, making morning tea by the look of it.
"Shiva?"
"Bhoothnath, sunn na."
"Tu mujhse naraaz hai kya?"
But he didn't as much as turn around to even look at her as she called from the doorstep. Raavi's emotions clogged in her throat, willing herself not to cry again.
Raavi stepped into the small kitchen and stood behind Shiva, expecting him to turn around feeling her presence. When he didn't, she wrapped her arms around his torso and rested her cheek on his back.
"I'm sorry. Mujhse gussa mat ho, bhoothnath." She mumbled against his back.
"Naraaz hai? Maaf nahi karna chahta? Toh tu jo bolega mai karungi, par maaf kar de." She tried, but he wouldn't budge.
"Mai complain tak nahi karungi-"
"Maan jaa, please. Next time se aisa bakwaas kabhi nahi-"
"Kuch kaha tune?"
Raavi knitted her eyebrows together and looked up, as she watched Shiva turn around and set aside bluetooth earpods he was wearing 2 seconds ago.
"Maine abhi tak jo kaha, tune nahi suna?"
Shiva nodded his head, immediately feeling her arms wrap around his torso and her head near his heart.
"I'm sorry." Raavi mumbled, hugging him tighter as he engulfed her in a warm hug, "Kal date night cancel ho gaya."
"Date night ka kya hai," Shiva chuckled, resting his chin on her head, "waapas aa jaayega, uski fikar mat kar."
"Maaf kar de mujhe-"
"Sorry bolna bandh kar chipkali-"
"I'm sorry." Raavi looked up at him, still in his embrace.
"I'm sorry maine kaha ki mujhe try nahi karna."
Shiva tilted his head to look into her honey-brown damp eyes, and he already knew that she hadn't meant it last night. Still, there was this tiny bit of dread that loomed in heart, not knowing how he'd feel if she really had meant it, to take a break.
"Sab bakwaas kaha tha maine kal. All nonsense. Not true." She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I still want our baby. I still want humari aandhi toofan bacchi."
"Tu sure hai, chipkali?"
"200%"
Raavi's response came within a heartbeat, no hesitation whatsoever, not for a second.
Shiva kissed her forehead, swiping away at her unshed tears, handing her a glass of water.
"Paani pi. Itna roti hai, tere body ka water level kam ho jaayega kisi din."
*punch*
"Sacch chubta hai, phoolkumari. Samjhi tu?"
*pinch*
"Baapre, itni violent biwi hai meri. Bachaao, police!"
"Maar khaayega, Shiva!"
"Markundi! Idhar aa!"
Raavi and Shiva looked towards the door, hearing Suman call out for her, and Shiva nudged her, saying he'll bring their tea out in a few minutes.
"Ji maa?"
"Idhar aa."
She sat down next to her on the bed, as Suman beckoned for her.
"Kal jo maine kaha. Uske liye suri."
Raavi looked at Suman, not knowing what to say. "Maa-"
"Aise nahi bolna chahiye tha mujhe. Maaf kar de, Raavi beta. Shiva se maine maafi maang li, kal tere paas aane waali this par tu so gayi. Apne iss buddhi Maa ko maaf kar de?"
Raavi let out a watery chuckle, and hugged Suman, sniffling, as Suman patted her head and shoulders in comfort.
"Tu doctor ke paas gayi hai, beta?"
She looked up at Suman, before hugging her and resting her head against her chest, like a daughter would to her mother when she's troubled.
"Gaye the. Sab normal hi hai. Phir bhi-"
Raavi sniffled, as Suman caressed her head lovingly, "Tu tension mat le, Raavi. Acche logo ki kismat mein accha hi likha hai. Mai na, woh 11 suhaagan waala chota pooja rakhwa dungi, mujhe bohot vishwaas hai uspe. Meri saas ne bhi rakhwayi thi, jab mujhe Shiva aur Krish hone waale the. Tu ten-sun mat le, haa? Sab accha hoga."
Suman consoled her, holding her face wiping away her tears, "Chal. Ab subah subah aise rote nahi. Din ki shuruaat muskura kar shuru honi chahiye. Is-smile?"
Raavi paused for 2 seconds, before bursting into fits of laughter, which sent Suman into a series of giggles, which in turn brought a smile on Shiva's face, who was now standing at the doorstep with their tea.
Raavi looked around, surrounded by the people that really cared for her.
Maybe everything will be okay.
.....
1.5 years later
"Maa, aap samjho na, mai vrat nahi rakh sakti!"
"Mai kuch nahi sunungi, Raavi beta!"
"Par maa-"
"No mean-sh no, Markundi!"
Everyone stepped out into the aangan hearing Raavi and Suman argue, including Shiva who was getting ready.
"Kya baat hai, Maa?"
"Dekh na Shiva," Suman turned to Shiva, "Aaj vat savitri hai, aur ye markundi keh rahi hai isse vrat nahi rakhna."
"Maine YE nahi bola!" Raavi turned quickly towards to Shiva, "Maine kaha ki mai vrat nahi rakh sakti ye saal."
"Kyu jaan? Hum toh vrat har saal saath mein rakhte hai na?" Shiva calmly asked, getting teasing looks for calling her 'jaan'.
"Bas nahi rakh sakti."
"Mujhe pata hai!" Rishita chimed in, carrying Rehaan on her waist.
"Kya?"
"Ye kal behosh ho gayi thi, isliye vrat nahi rakh rahi."
"Rishita, shhh!"
"Mumma, Vee Chachi said shhh!"
"KYA!" Shiva stood in front on Raavi, hands on his waist, "Tu behosh ho gayi thi? Mujhe bataya kyu nahi?"
"Vee Chachi said don't tell Shiva Chachu."
"Rehaan, shhh!"
"Raavi tu BEHOSH hui thi!" Shiva worriedly said, "Rehaan, tu good boy hai, teri ye chachi hi bad girl waali harkatein karti hai."
"Meri bahu ko mere bete ki lambi umar ke liye vrat nahi rakhna! Kaise din aa gaye mere!" Suman dramatically cried, covering her face with her hands.
"Arre maa tu-" Shiva stepped forward, but motioned for his bhabhi to handle her, "Tu kya ro rahi hai, mai dekhta hu, ruk. Chipkali, tu mere saath chal."
He held Raavi's wrist and pulled them into their room, locking the door firmly.
While Suman paused her dramatic crying, and peeped through her finger gaps, smirking internally before crying dramatically again.
"Chipkali, kya baat hai? Teri tabiyat theek nahi hai kya?"
"Nahi toh." Raavi shrugged, feeling Shiva's warm palm on her foread and neck.
"Fever toh nahi hai. Phir behosh kyu hui?"
"Shiva-"
"Dhang se khaana nahi khaa rahi? Tch, Mat kar woh bakwaas keto diet sab-"
"Sunn toh-"
"Khaana khaake insaan khush hona chahiye, depress nahi."
"Arre par-"
"Nahi tu sunn-"
"SHIVA!" Raavi yelled, to shut her husband up or his train of rants about food would never stop. "It's none of that."
Shiva watched on as Raavi opened her cupboard and took out a file, handing it over to Shiva, who immediately noted it was a hospital file.
"Hospital? Chipkali tu pakka theek hai na? Tujhe kuch hua toh nahi?" He asked worriedly, checking her hands and legs for any injuries.
"Open it."
Raavi watched on, biting her lip to contain her excitement and tears, as Shiva read the contents of the folder.
Shiva's eyes skimmed over the blood reports, until his eyes fell upon something one usually didn't find in a blood report.
hCG level - 2700 mIU/mL
Ref.Range : <2 mIU/mL
Results - Pregnant
Week: 4-5 weeks.
Shiva stared at the reports for a long time, his eyes reading only one word over and over again, as if wanting to etch it into his brain:
Pregnant.
He looked up at Raavi, who was nearly in tears, lips trembling in anticipation, looking closely to see his reaction to their little secret, her face radiating the happiness that she couldn't contain any longer.
"Raavi dekh," Shiva's voice wobbled, looking at the reports again, "Agar ye mazaak hai, toh ye BOHOT ganda mazaak hai, mujhe bilkul pasand nahi.
"Mazaak nahi hai." She whispered, barely holding it together, cupping his face.
"Tu...." He placed his hands gingerly on her waist, pulling her closer, sniffling already.
"Say it."
"Hum...."
"Say it, Shiva."
"We're having a baby?" Shiva whispered.
"We're having a baby!" Raavi sobbed, crashing and burying herself into his chest, with Shiva pulling her tightly into his embrace.
He couldn't believe it. They were having their little toofan, their mini dumpling, their baby! Their tiny little baby who was growing within her, right now, in this moment; a moment they've waited for, for so long. So, so long.
He tightened his arms around her, holding her close as she cried in happiness, months and months of waiting for this day that was finally here, his own cheeks damp from his tears.
"Oh my god." Shiva cried, tears trickling in his eyes as he placed numerous kisses on her head.
Kissing her forehead, "Thank you." her eyes and nose, "Thank you." her cheeks, "Thank you." and her lips, "Thank you, meri jaan."
Raavi looked up at Shiva and dabbed his tears away gently, pressing soft kisses against his lips, chuckling through her tears.
"Kab pata chala?" Shiva's voice hoarse with emotions, as he brushed the strands of hair away from her face.
"Last weekend, tu jab doston ke saath Silvasa gaya tha," Raavi wiped her tears against her wrist, chuckling, "Maa ko hospital leke gayi thi, toh socha blood test kara du. Mujhe ek ajeeb se feeling aayi, Shiva. Bas ek feeling aayi thi-" She laugh-cried, hiding her face in his shoulder.
"Tujhe parso tere birthday pe batane waali thi. Par usse pehle ye vrat aa gaya, mai aur chupa nahi paayi."
"I'm almost 2 months along. We've been trying for so long, aur tere birthday se pehle-" Raavi sniffled, as Shiva cradled her head.
"Bas, bas meri chipkali, kitna royegi." He kissed her head, brushing her tears away.
"Ae, I'm pregnant. I'm allowed to cry." She pouted, and Shiva just wanted to kiss her pout away.
"And I'm not?"
"No, you are not. Tu mera pura dhyaan rakhega, mujhe aadhi raat ko khaana khilaayega aur meri har demand puri karega."
"Which reminds me," Shiva made her sit on the bed, kneeling in front of her,
"Tujhe koi vrat rakhne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mai hum dono ke liye, nahi, TEENO ke liye ye vrat rakhunga. Baby aur tere liye accha nahi hai bhooka rehna. Bahar sabko koi bahana de denge." He said, sneaking his hand under her kurta to rest on her stomach.
Their baby.
"Baby ki photo kaha hai, chipkali?"
"Mai appointment ke liye nahi gayi. Mujhe baby ki pehli sonogram tere saath dekhni thi." She cupped his face, her face breaking out into a wide smile.
"Humara baby. Meri choti chipkali." Shiva chuckled, pulling her into another hug he just didn't want to let go, not anymore.
"Shiva waise....."
"Kya?"
"Maa ko pata hai."
"Kya pata hai?"
"Baby ke baare mein." Raavi bit her lip and Shiva broke the hug, his face spelling betrayal.
"Unhone pucha nahi mujhse. Lekin 4 din mein, roz 2 baar nazar utaar chuki hai meri."
"Tune mujhse pehle Maa ko bataya? MAA KO?!" Shiva asked, pouting.
"Nahi!" She corrected him immediately, "Maine kisi ko bhi nahi bataya. Mujhe toh sabse pehle tujhe batana tha."
"Toh maa ko kaise pata?"
"Mujhe kya pata!"
While Raavi and Shiva sought to figure this out later, they stepped outside to tell the family that Raavi wasn't feeling well and she would be skipping the function, wanting to keep this news to themselves for just a while longer.
What they didn't notice was Suman smiling to herself, an equal keeper of their secret, all thanks to her little innocent grandson who had accidentally brought Raavi's file when she had asked, instead of her own.
.......
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