TS Pregnancy Cravings 

Part II

Arnav parked his car in the parking of the Raizada mansion. He has checked all the sweet shops within 10 kms and none of the sweet shops were open. The whole city was sleeping in darkness.

Dejected, Arnav sighed and walked inside the mansion. Yes, he was tired after a long day and the travelling did him no good. But he has grown to prioritize Khushi's needs before his.

When they were in relationship, it was always Khushi who would be flexible. She would put his needs before hers. She would plan surprises, gift him often and write him letters without expecting anything in return. Arnav was not that flexible.

But after their marriage, Arnav started understanding things from Khushi's perspective. He started putting her needs before his as he understood how a relationship works. She kept him grounded. She came to spend her life with him leaving behind her family. From the day he realized how she would feel, he has never stopped pampering her, be it with gifts or cuddles or his words.

Everyone in the Raizada mansion would tease him for that. Be it Akash or NK, they don't pamper their wives, Payal and Lavanya as Arnav pampers Khushi. Arnav doesn't shy away from doing it in front of his family and his family has grown to love this nature of Arnav.

When Arnav got to know that Khushi's pregnant from his mother, he was in the middle of a lecture. He picked the call after three continuous rings from his mother and as she said the news, Arnav couldn't handle his excitement. He excused himself from the class and rushed home.

That day Arnav felt as if he has fell for Khushi all over again. The feeling of holding Khushi's hands that day, the way they melted into each other's embrace, the way he touched her belly, Arnav could never forget those memories for the rest of his life.

Arnav remember the times he accompanied Khushi to the hospital for sonogram. When he saw the little dot, when he heard the heartbeat of his child, after days when he saw the image of his child, it pushed him to be a better person and husband than he was before. Khushi and the child changed his total life.

Arnav sat on the couch and buried his face in his palms.

'Ab kya karun? Kaha se Rasagulla lao?' He thought as he let out a frustrated sigh. Dealing with a woman raging with hormones is so scary! (What will I do now? Where will I get Rasagulla?)

Arnav sat in that position for few seconds before he looked up. A smile grew in his lips as he now knows what he should do.

'Why I haven't thought of this before!' Arnav thought to himself as he took out his mobile and walked inside the kitchen.

~ * ~

Khushi licked her fingers clean as she finished the pickle jar which she kept stored away from Arnav's eyes. Although it is normal for pregnant women to have pickles, Khushi developed a weird habit of finishing a whole jar of pickles by half the day. So, Arnav has placed restrictions on how much pickles she'll have on the day. As it was her doctor's suggestion, Arnav stood firm in front of Khushi's stubbornness.

"Baby" Khushi caressed her baby pump as she felt movements "Mujhe patha hai tum ko bhi acchar pasand hai na apni mumma ke tarah" She received a slight kick and laughed out "Mumma ko patha hai. Isliyeh tumhare papa se chupke hum yeh kha rahe hain" (I know how much my baby loves pickles just like me... Mummy knows. That's why we are hiding from your dad and eating pickles)

And then she added.

"Lekin jab tum bade honge, tab tum ko apne papa se chup ke jooth bol ke koi kaam nahi karne chahiyeh" Khushi gently talked to her baby by caressing her baby bump lovingly "Tumhare papa hum dhono se bahat pyaar karthey hain. Sabse zyadha. Dekho raat ke 1 baje humhare liye Rasgulle laane gaye hain" She then pouted "Aese mujhe kehne nahi chahiyeh the unhe. Tak ke aaye the. Mujhe kush karne ke liye kahan gaye, patha nahi" (But when you get big, you shouldn't do anything without your father's knowledge. Your dad loves us both so much. More than anyone else. See he went out to get Rasgulle at 1 am at night. I shouldn't have told him. He was tired. Don't know where he went to keep my heart)

Khushi looked at the time. It was more than an hour since Arnav left. She was so engrossed in reading a book while having pickles that she didn't know when time flew away. A sense of worry filled Khushi as she stood up and paced the room, her hand securely holding her baby bump.

"Yeh ab tak wapas kyun nahi aayeh" Khushi picked her mobile and walked to the balcony to call Arnav but stopped when she saw his car parked outside. (Why is he not back yet?)

"In ke car ghar par hi hai. Aa gaye kya?" She wondered as she slowly walked out of their room, her eyes looking for her husband. (His care is here at home. Is he back?)

Khushi walked to the living room, her eyes roaming around, looking for the trace of her husband. She saw the lights on in the kitchen. Puzzled, she walked towards kitchen. She stood out the kitchen and peeped in. What she saw in the kitchen surprised Khushi.

There he was, Arnav Singh Raizada, standing in all his glory, dressed in a teddy printed pink apron, his hand busy with whatever he's preparing. Khushi's mouth formed a perfect O. Is that really her husband? Arnav never steps inside the kitchen to cook. Heck, he doesn't even know how to cook.

'Yeh kya kar rahe hain?' Khushi thought to herself as she walked inside the kitchen. (What's he doing?)

"Kya hai yeh sab? Aap yehan kya kar rahe hain, Arnav?" Khushi asked, surprised. (What is all this? What are you doing here, Arnav?)

"Khushi, tum yehan kyun aayi?" Arnav spared a glance at Khushi and focused on the sugar syrup which he was stirring with the Rasgulla balls. (Why did you come here?)

"Hareey, pehle yeh toh bathayiyeh ki aap yehan kya kar rahe hain?" Khushi stood by Arnav and looked into the vessel, a confused smile broke out in her lips "Rasgulle?" (You first tell me what are you doing here?)

"You shouldn't have come here. Surprise karne ka plan kar raha tha" Arnav said as he switched off the stove and looked up at Khushi. He then added with a proud smile "Koi nahi, dekh, I have prepared Rasgulla for you" (I was planning to surprise you... no issues, see)

Khushi beamed at Arnav in response and hugged him while Arnav laughed as he caressed her hair lovingly.

"Mein ne Rasgulla lene ke liye gaya tha par ek bhi shop open nahi tha. Isliyeh socha banayi loon" (I went to get Rasgulla but none of the shops were open. So, I thought to make this)

"Par aap ko kais-" (But how did yo-"

"You Tube hai na" Arnav smiled "Mere bunny ne mujhe kuch pucha hai. How can I disappoint you?" (There's You Tube. My bunny asked me for something)

Khushi didn't say anything for a while and then said,

"Aap ne mere liye banaya" She said softly and stared crying against him. (You prepared for me)

Arnav panicked as he broke the hug and looked at Khushi.

"Khushi-" Arnav tried to speak but Khushi silenced him with a hug.

Arnav closed his eyes and tried to calm himself while caressing her hair to comfort her. He reminded himself that he's dealing with a pregnant woman raging with hormones.

"Kya hua, Khushi? Aese rothe nahi. Mujhe bilkul accha nahi lagtha" Arnav said calmly. (What happened Khushi? Don't cry like this. I don't like to see you cry)

After few seconds, Khushi broke the hug. She looked at Arnav who cupped her face and wiped her tears.

"Pagli! Aese roya math kar tu" Arnav said as he playfully pulled Khushi's nose. A small smile blew on Khushi's face before she pouted at him. (Idiot, don't cry like this)

"I'm sorry, Arnav" Khushi said in a low tone, staring at the ground while her hand was placed securely around her baby bump.

"Hareey. Kya hua hai ab?" Arnav asked as he lifted her chin up. (What happened now?)

"Mujhe na aap ko aese bejne nahi chahiyeh tha. You had a long day. You came home tired aur mein ne aap se yeh tak nahi pucha ki aap ne dinner kiya ki nahi. Bas zidd kar ke aap ke neendh ko bhi disturb karliya aur ithni rath ko bahar bhej diya" Khushi said slowly, her voice clearly reflects how guilty she feels. (I shouldn't have sent you like this. You had a long day. You came home tired and I didn't even ask if you had dinner. I disturbed you in sleep and sent you out at midnight because of my stubbornness.

"Khushi, bus ithni si bath pe sorry bol rahi thi?" Arnav sounded as if all this wasn't big deal when in real, he was tired. (You were saying sorry for such a small thing, Khushi?)

"Ithni si bath nahi hai. Mei-" (It's not a small thing, I-"

Arnav silenced Khushi by placing his finger on her lips.

"Chup. Agar mein tere liye nahi kartha toh aur kis ke liye karungi" Arnav said "Aur yeh sab bath ko chod do. Mein ne Rasgulla banayi hai. Khaogi?" (Keep quiet. If I don't do this for you then for whom else will I do this? And leave all this. I made Rasgulla. Would you like to eat?)

Instantly a smile bloomed on Khushi's face as she nodded excitedly.

"Now that's like my girl" Arnav pulled Khushi's cheeks lovingly making her giggle.

Arnav took a bowl and placed few Rasgulla in it while Khushi stared at him with a smile. After placing the rest aside, he took Khushi's hand in his and guided her to their room.

"Yeh lo, Khao" Arnav extended a piece to Khushi as they sat side by side in the bed. (Here you go, eat)

Khushi ate the Rasgulla with a big smile, her eyes fixed at Arnav who looked at her with a curious smile.

"Bathao ki kaisa hai" Arnav said while Khushi looked at him with a blank face. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. (Tell me how is it?)

"Yeh Rasgulla toh" Khushi paused as she studied Arnav's reaction "Bahat tasty hai. I love it! This is one of the best I had. Thank you" (This Rasgulla is very tasty)

Khushi said as she leaned in and placed a long kiss against Arnav's cheek while Arnav laughed out. Her one compliment took away all his tiredness.

"Par mera rasgulla toh aur bhi tasty hai and I love my Rasgulla more" Arnav said with a playful smile while Khushi looked at him, puzzled. (But my Rasgulla is even more tasty)

"Aap ke Rasgulla?" (Your Rasgulla?)

"Haan, mere Rasgulla" Arnav leaned in and placed a wet kiss against Khushi's cheek and slightly bit her "Tastes amazing" (Yeah, my Rasgulla)

Khushi's cheek flushed at the compliment while Arnav teased her. He fed the rest of Rasgullas to her. After a little banter and Arnav's talking session with baby Raizada, Arnav tucked in Khushi on the bed and slipped next to her.

Khushi shifted closer to Arnav and placed her head against him while Arnav holds her securely, careful not to bump his hand with her baby bump.

"I love you" Khushi breathed against him as she slowly fell asleep.

"I love you" Arnav said, caressing Khushi's hair. Soon his tiredness overtook him. Arnav slipped into sleep as he dreamt of his beautiful family.

THE END