26 December 2015
7.30 am
Bhalla Residence

Ishita sat at the dining table, looking with love filled eyes at her husband as he stood at the stove, inexpertly turning a misshapen paratha on the skillet.

"Raman, let me na" she insisted for the umpteenth time. "Please baba"

*Flashback starts*

She had woken up ravenous at 7 am, and her husband, who had been holding her close in sleep, had woken up when she had tried to get out of bed. "It's a holiday jaan. Sleep" he had muttered sleepily, looking at the bedside clock, tightening his hold on her. "You go back to sleep sweetheart" she had responded quietly, stroking his cheek lovingly. "Mujhe bahut bhook lagi hai. Mein freshen up ho kar breakfast banati hoon."

That had been enough for him to sit up, pulling her up into his arms.

"No way" he told her. "I'll make breakfast for you. I don't want you lifting a finger"

"But Raman" she had protested and he had shushed her up in the best way he knew, bestowing a tender good morning kiss on her.

"No buts" he had told her firmly, caressing her stomach tenderly. "I'm not going to argue over this Ishita".

She had nodded and moved reluctantly out of his arms. "Theek hai, lekin mein bathroom toh ja sakti hoon" she questioned him as she stood up. Instantly, a wave of light headedness assailed her, causing her to sink back onto the bed.

"Ishita" He was by her side in a flash, holding her, his voice anxious. "Kya hua jaan?" (What's wrong love?)

"Nahi, bas chakkar" she whispered. (Nothing, I just felt dizzy)

"That's it" He retorted. "You are going to stay in bed. I'm getting your breakfast here."

"No Raman, no" she insisted. "This will pass baba. Aur mujhe yahan akele nahi rehna. Mujhe aap ke paas rehna hai". (I don't want to stay here by myself. I want to be with you)

"Okay" He said reluctantly. "But I'm not leaving you alone for a moment."

And he hadn't. He had accompanied her into the bathroom, dismissing her protestations, and after they had both showered and dressed, had carried her into the kitchen. She had blushed and protested, but luckily the rest of the household was fast asleep and no one had witnessed her blushes as he had deposited her into a chair with the morning papers, before he had busied himself with making parathas.

And he had steadfastly refused her help, insisting she sit down.

*Flashback Ends*

"No, bilkul chup" (Absolutely quiet) he admonished her now with a mock scowl. "I told you , I don't want you doing anything"

"But Raman..." Ishita's further entreaties were cut off as her parents in law walked into the kitchen.

"Raman" her mother in law exclaimed in astonishment, as she witnessed the never before seen sight of her daughter in law relaxing at the table, while her son wrestled with the stove. "Tussi kya kar rahe ho puttar? Ishita" she turned to her daughter in law. "Yeh Raman kyun birak phast bana raha hai? Teri tabeeyat toh theek hai puttar?"
(Raman, what are you doing, son? Ishita, why is Raman making breakfast? Are you feeling all right?)

Ishita looked desperately at Raman, as her father in law echoed Mummyjis words.

"Woh mummyji, mein theek hoon, woh Raman..." she stammered desperately.
(Mummyji, I'm fine, Raman just...)

She was rescued by her husband, who had walked up to the dining table, a paratha on a plate, which he now put before his wife.

"Mummyji, mein ne kal kaha tha na" he said easily, as he put a hand on his wife's shoulder. "Ishita ko Doctor ne rest karne ko kaha hai, she's overworked. Isliye mein breakfast bana raha hoon. Koi badi baat nahi hai." (Mummyji, I told you yesterday, the doctor has said Ishita is overworked, she needs to rest. That's why I'm making breakfast. It's no big deal. )

He stooped down towards his wife and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. "Kha kar batao theek bani hai ya nahin" he said anxiously.
(Taste and tell me whether it's any good or not)

Ishita looked down at the slightly charred misshapen paratha on her plate and then looked up to see the love shining in her husband's face. She swallowed a little lump in her throat and watched as he tore off a piece, holding it up to her mouth. She smiled tremulously at him and let him feed her, chewing carefully so that he did not see her tears.

"Well?" He asked anxiously.

"It's delicious Raman" she said truthfully, for she could taste nothing but the love her husband had put into his offering.

Toshiji had been watching her son and daughter in law curiously.

"Kyun Bhalla ji" she said now to her husband, who had been glancing through the morning paper. " Aap ne toh kabhi mere liye  parathe nahi banaye. Mein bhi toh overrr worrrk ho jaati hoon na."
(What say Bhallaji? You've never made parathas for me. I get overworked too you know)

"Mein ne do aur banaya hai ma" Raman piped up, tearing his eyes away from his wife, who has eating her paratha almost reverentially. "Papa nahi karne wala. Mein laata hoon"
(I've made a couple more mum. Papa isn't going to cook. I'll get them for you)

"Thank you thank you puttar" Toshiji responded. She waited eagerly as her son brought over another platter with two parathas, and then holding up a particularly crooked sample, she took a bite quickly. The next moment, her face screwed up as she quickly took a gulp of water.

"Kya hua ma?" (What's the matter ma) Raman asked anxiously, as he saw the look his mother was trying to hide, then looked over at his wife, who was still chewing blissfully, her paratha half eaten. He reached over and tore a piece from the remnants of the paratha on his wife's plate and popped it into his mouth.

"Chee" He said the next instant, as the overly salty potato filling assaulted his taste buds. "I'm sorry, namak kitna zyaada ho gaya. Mein phir banata hoon." (I'm sorry, it's way too salty, let me make another batch)

"Tu baith puttar, mein banati hoon" Toshiji was already on her feet and headed for the stove. "Lekin pehli koshish ke liye aacha tha, haan. Good good, very good." She looked again curiously at Ishita as she went past her, and shook her head thoughtfully.
(You sit son, I'll make it. But it's good for a first try, huh, Good good, very good)

Raman sat down next to Ishita, staring at his blissfully eating wife. His mother was now engrossed in her cooking preparations and his father had moved with his paper to the living room. They were alone at the table.

"Ishita" He whispered, holding her hand, stopping her from taking another piece to her mouth. "Stop"

Ishita looked at him in surprise. "But why Raman? Khane do na mujhe" (Let me eat)

"It's too salty Ishita. How can you eat it?" He shook his head ruefully.

"Salty?" She asked, smiling sweetly at her husband. "It's perfect Raman"

"Leave it" He said gruffly. "Too much salt is not good for you or chotu. Mein bachoo ko uthata hoon, phir hum Pancake World chalte hain, hmm?"(I'll wake up the kids and then we can go to Pancake World, hmm)

"I'll get Ruhi ready Raman" she said, half rising, but he gave her a stern look and she subsided, watching him with adoring eyes as he walked away.

She had known on some level that the paratha was too salty, but it had honestly tasted perfect to her. Its main ingredient was her husband's love after all, and there was nothing more perfect in the world for her.

*******************************************
28 December 2015
Dr Asha's Clinic

Ishita looked anxiously at the obstetrician, clutching her husband's hand tighter. She had spent the past two days secure in her husband's love, enjoying his pampering, but this day, this visit to the obstetrician had been weighing heavily on her mind.

Dr Asha had been her physician for her IVF attempts, and she was familiar with her medical history. Even though Ishita had seen for herself the scans that Dr Sharma had done, had seen the results of the blood tests, she had still wondered if her impossible dream come true had really come true. Even though Dr Asha had seen the emailed results she had sent her from Dr Sharma's clinic, and had confirmed her pregnancy 4 days ago, Ishita still feared, somewhere in her subconsciousness, that she would be told it had all been a mistake.

The past hour had been spent in more tests, Raman steadfastly by her side, and they now sat before Dr Asha as she looked at the results. Raman could sense his wife's nervousness, and he tightened his fingers around hers, bringing his free hand across her shoulders, pulling her to himself. "It's going to be okay" he whispered. "Everything is going to be fine" She gave him a tremulous smile in response, then looked down quickly, not wanting him to see the tears in her eyes.

"Your husband is right Dr Ishita" Dr Asha's voice made Ishita look up, and she stared nervously at the doctor."Everything is fine. You are about 6 weeks pregnant. Now tell me, why are you so nervous? Why do you look so worried?"

Ishita took a deep breath. "It's just... Doctor Asha, I couldn't even conceive with IVF, and then this just happened. I'm worried if everything will be all right, will my baby be all right, I..."

Doctor Asha smiled reassuringly at Ishita, as Raman tightened his arm around her. "This does happen sometimes Ishita. And your pregnancy is very real. Now, the fact that you had difficulty in conceiving doesn't mean the baby is any less viable, but given your history, we will need to be extra careful. I want you to keep completely stress free, no unnecessary worrying, no difficult physical work, no lifting. I need you to follow the diet I give you, and Raman, no more sex for a while, okay."

Raman only grinned, even as Ishita colored a deep red. "Why are you telling me Doc" he drawled. "She's the one you need to tell. She's the one always after me".

"Raman kuch bhi" (Raman, whatever) Ishita was mortified and hid her face in her hands, as Doctor Asha joined in Raman's laughter. "It's okay Doctor Ishita, I've gotten to know your husband well in the past few months you've been consulting me. I don't believe him for a moment. Raman, I'll tell you when it's safe again, hmm"

"What about work, Doctor?" Raman asked as the laughter died down. "Can you tell my wife she needs to stop working too now."

"Raman, no" Ishita protested, and they both looked at the doctor expectantly.

"You can work, Doctor Ishita" Doctor Asha said, looking at her thoughtfully. "But reduce your workload, and remember no heavy physical work or lifting. Now" she added, as Ishita looked triumphantly at her husband. "Have you told your family yet?"

"No..." Ishita said, smiling at her husband." We will soon. We just wanted to keep it to ourselves for a while."

"Telling the family brings expectations which can be a problem sometimes" the doctor said with a smile. "But in your case, it may be the best thing, since then the family will understand why you can't be as active and do as much as before. "Besides" her smile deepened as she looked at Raman. "Your husband is so extra protective that your family will wonder what on earth is going on if you don't tell them."

Ishita smiled at her shamefaced husband, as they stood to leave. Explaining her overly protective husbands attentions would indeed be a problem, for the few days they did try to keep their happy news their own little secret.

**************************************
Two hours later
Bhalla House

"Mumma..." Ruhi came barreling down the hall as Raman and Ishita walked into the door. Her little arms were outstretched, preparatory to throwing herself into her mother's arms.

Raman adroitly placed himself in front of Ishita, gathering Ruhi into his arms as she reached them, and scooping her up. "How about a hug for papa?" He asked, covering his daughters face with kisses.

He sat with her on the sofa, Ishita heading to the kitchen where her mother in law, Simmi and Rinki were busy preparing lunch.

"Nahi, mujhe Mumma chahiye" (No, I want mumma) Ruhi had woken up to find her parents missing and had been waiting for her mother to return. She pulled out of her father's arms and ran to the kitchen, putting her arms up to her mother again. Ishita was bending down to pick her up when Raman intercepted them again, scooping Ruhi up firmly then holding her up to Ishita.

"Aise mumma ko kissie de do" (Give mumma a kissie from here) he said firmly. 'Then go and play with all your new toys Ruhi. You're on holidays aren't you. How about, if you are a good girl now and don't trouble mumma, we will go to the movies later okay?"

Ruhi had been pouting as Ishita covered her face with kisses, but she brightened up at the promise of a movie. She wriggled down from her father's arms and ran away.

"Kyun bhai, aaj chutti hai kya?" (What's up bhai. Are you on leave today?) Simmi asked curiously, as her usually workaholic brother planted himself firmly in the kitchen, hovering over his wife as she attempted to help her mother in law.

"Yes, I'm on leave until New Year's Day" he announced, grabbing the colander full of vegetables his wife had picked up. "I"ll wash this Ishita" he said firmly. "Why don't you go and sit down"

"Bhai" Simmi butted in before Ishita could say anything. "Yeh aap Kitchen mein kyun ghum rahe ho? Waise toh aap chutti lete nahi, aur jab spare time hota hai, toh TV dekhte ho ya gym mein rehte ho. Phir aaj kya ho gaya? Aur Ishita ko kya hua hai? Woh help kyun nahi kar sakti, jo aap mana kar rahe ho?"
(Bhai, what are you roaming in the kitchen? As it is, you never take leave, and when you do have time off, you just watch tv or go to the gym. So why here today? And what's happened to Ishita? Why can't she help us, why are you stopping her?)

"Mujhe kuch nahi hua hai" (There is nothing the matter with me)Ishita said firmly, grabbing the colander back from her husband. "Raman, please go and book the tickets for the afternoon show. We"ll all go. Jao yahan se" She gave him an exasperated look, rolling up her eyes until he relented and moved a few feet away. He wouldn't leave though, leaning against the wall, occasionally staring at her as he flipped through his phone to find the cinema's website.

"Mummy, yeh kya ho raha hai?" Simmi nudged her mother.
(Mummy, what is happening here?)

"Mainu nahi pata puttar" Toshiji replied. "Lekin kuch zaroor ho raha hai"
(I don't know what, but something is certainly happening)

***********************************
Later that Night
Raman and Ishita's Bedroom

"Raman" Ishita complained as she snuggled into his arms. "The way you are behaving, everyone will know. Everyone suspects something anyway."

"But I don't want to tell them" he pouted, tightening his arms around her. "Just for a few days baby"

"Yes but Raman, you're making it so obvious" Ishita laughed. "You wont let me carry Ruhi, you won't let me do any work, you won't leave me alone. I know everyone suspects."

*Flashback starts*

Her husband had been at his protective best that afternoon, treating his wife as if she was made of porcelain, eliciting puzzled looks from his sisters, mother and children, who had accompanied them to the cinema. Ruhi in particular had been furious with her papa, who simply would not let her mother carry her.

"Lekin Mumma mujhe kyun nahi utha sakti" (But why can't Mumma pick me up) she had insisted, after the movie had ended, and tired and sleepy, she had wanted her mother to carry her to their car.

"Because you are a big girl now Ruhi" her papa had said firmly. "And I said I"ll carry you, so what's the problem?"

"But I want mumma" Ruhi had wailed and Ishita's heart had cried with her.

*Flashback ends*

"Raman" she said now, secure in his arms. "If we tell Ruhi, at least she will understand why I can't pick her up or carry her. Please baba"

"You're spoiling her Ishita" her husband warned, stroking her arm softly. "And we will tell her, we will tell everyone after New Years Day, before Adi goes to Shagun for his holiday. It's just three four more days jaan. Karlene do mujhe meri dil ki khwahish puri. Waise bhi aur kuch nahi kar sakta" (Let me do what's in my heart, after all, I can't do anything else)

She laughed at the rueful tone of his voice, knowing what he meant.

"Kiss toh kar sakte ho na" (You can kiss me can't you) she whispered, turning around in his arms, until her lips were almost touching his.

"Yes, that I can do" he smiled, before suiting action to words, kissing her gently as she slipped away into slumber, their secret safe for one more day.

Aise na mujhe tum dekho
Seene se lagaa loonga
Tumko mein chura loonga tumse
Dil mein chupa loonga

Hmmm hmmm

Tere dil se ai dilbar dil mera kehta hai
Pyar ke dushman log mujhe dar lagta rehta hai
Tere dil se ai dilbar dil mera kehta hai
Pyar ke dushman log mujhe dar lagta rehta hai
Tham lo tum meri bahen mein tumhe sambhaloonga
Tumko mein chura loonga tumse
Dil mein chupa loonga

Aise na mujhe tum dekho
Seene se lagaa loonga
Tumko mein chura loonga tumse
Dil mein chupa loonga

Dheemi dheemi aag se ek shola bhadkaya hai
Dur se tum ne is dil ko kitna tarsaya hai
Dheemi dheemi aag se ek shola bhadkaya hai
Dur se tum ne is dil ko kitna tarsaya hai
Mein ab is dil ke saare armaan nikaloonga
Tumko mein chura loonga tumse
Dil mein chupa loonga

Aise na mujhe tum dekho
Seene se lagaa loonga
Tumko mein chura loonga tumse
Dil mein chupa loonga

Pyar ke daaman mein chun kar hum phool bhar lenge
Raaste ke kaante saare dur kar lenge
Pyar ke daaman mein chun kar hum phool bhar lenge
Raaste ke kaante saare dur kar lenge
Jaaneman tum ko apni mein jaan bana loonga
Tumko mein chura loonga tumse
Dil mein chupa loonga

Aise na mujhe tum dekho
Seene se lagaa loonga
Tumko mein chura loonga tumse
Dil mein chupa loonga