5 minutes later  at Dr Asha's clinic
"Dr Ishita, please don't look so worried. There is nothing to be worried about, just something that Dr Venkat noticed , so we need to repeat the scan to confirm it. I told you I had to review the results, but it's probably nothing at all and thus second scan certainly doesn't mean anything is wrong. It's just a precaution. You're a doctor yourself, you should understand. Please calm down and come with me."

Ishita heard what the doctor was saying, but her frantic heart refused to be consoled.  " Raman " she said desperately, clutching his hand, refusing to let go.

Dr Asha looked at the younger woman with concern. "Please my dear, trust me and calm down" she said soothingly. "Mr Bhalla can join us after a few minutes. First you need to get changed and come to the procedure room, and we will get you comfortable. We will call Mr Bhalla soon. Now please do come. Dr. Venkat is waiting. "

Saying so, Dr Asha walked away into the adjoining room, leaving the Bhallas alone.

Raman pulled his hands away from Ishita's tight grip and wiped the tears spilling from his wife's beautiful brown eyes, pulling her briefly into his arms.

"It's okay sweetheart" he said soothingly. "Dr Asha has said it's nothing, just another scan. So please don't worry. Now you go and I'll join you as soon as they let me......"

Her tears continued to flow and he shook her gently. "Ishita, Ishita.... Listen to me. It will be fine. What did I tell you when we got married hmmm? I will never let anything happen to you, but I need you to be my Jhansi ki Rani. I need you to be strong for me jaan. Please."

Ishita nodded and took a deep breath, willing her thumping heart to calm down.

"I am strong Raman" she said. "But when it comes to my children, I... they are my weakness, and this baby, he's not even born yet, Raman. How can I protect him from myself? This body is supposed to nurture him, to shield him, but...."

"Ishita, please......" her husband said, watching helplessly as she tenderly cradled her softly rounded tummy, hoping their baby was not troubled by their anxiety, hoping against hope that all was indeed well.

"It will be fine chotu" she whispered.

"That's right chotu. It will be fine" Raman placed his hands over Ishita's, cradling her tummy with her, the same anxieties running through his mind, but determined not to let his wife see his worry.

He gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead and then again held her close for a second.
"Now go"

She gave him a tremulous smile and walked away with heavy steps.

***********************************
15 minutes later
Raman stepped into the scanning room, to be greeted by the sight of his wife on her back, her lower half covered by a thin sheet while her stomach lay exposed, covered in scanning gel. Dr Asha and Dr Venkat stood poised over her with a scanner on her stomach, their eyes glued on the screen next to the bed.

"Come in Mr Bhalla" Dr Asha smiled at him.

Raman immediately moved to his wife's side and clutched her nearest hand, one hand caressing her forehead as she turned troubled eyes to him.

"Okay jaan?"He murmured

"I don't know" she whispered back, gripping his hand tight.

"Doc?" Raman looked quizzically at the two doctors, patting Ishita's hand reassuringly, while his own heart beat a mile a minute.

"Dr Bhalla, we haven't said anything to Dr Ishita because I wanted to tell you both together" Dr Asha began.

Raman could feel Ishita's hands tremble in his and he clutched it even tighter, wanting to transfer all his strength, his love and his energy into her. He was as petrified as she was, as scared of what this meant, but he was determined to be the strength that he knew his wife needed right now.

"Tell us what? " He asked as he willed his voice not to falter.

"Don't look so worried please " Dr Venkat pipped up. "It's just that nature plays tricks on us sometimes and medical science isn't infallible. Sometimes we can't see what is right in front of us."

"Can't see what doctor? " Raman demanded, his voice raising an octave as he felt his wife trembling.

"Mr Bhalla, Mrs Bhalla, look here, please "

Dr Asha pointed to a blob on the screen.

"Yes, thats our baby, what's wrong with him? " Ishita demanded, even as her vision blurred, tears blotting out the screen.

"Nothing, nothing at all Dr Ishita" Dr Asha replied. "But see this - and she pointed at another smaller dark shape on the screen.

"Yes, I see, but ..what does it mean?" Raman asked.

"It means Mr Bhalla, Dr Ishita, that somebody has been hiding from us behind their brother or sister"

Raman started at the doctor in stupefaction, his mouth open.

"Whaaat?" He squeaked.

"Brother or sister? Ishita repeated, not believing her ears. "You mean..."

"I mean Mr & Mrs Bhalla, that you are pregnant with twins. Congratulations."

And then Raman Bhalla fainted, pulling an iv stand down with him, as his wife burst into tears.

************************************
30 minutes later

Raman opened his eyes to find himself lying on one of the clinic beds, an anxious looking Ishita  hovering by his side.

"Raman " she cried out with relief. "Are you okay? You hit your head so hard, the doctor said you could have concussion."

"I ... I'm fine "

Raman winced as he sat up, grabbing Ishita's hand.

"Kya hua tha? I could have sworn I heard Dr Asha say something about another baby, but then it was all blank. I must have been having a nightmare."

"It's not a nightmare Raman" Ishita said slowly, watching her husband anxiously. "We... we are having twins."

Raman fell back against the pillows, his face turning an ashen white.

"Raman" Ishita cried anxiously. "Are you going to faint again?" she turned toward the door, scanning . "Doc..." she was calling out as Raman grabbed at her hand.

"No, Ishita, no, I won't faint again. It's just... it was just..."

He focused on his anxious wife and then sat up abruptly, pulling her down on the bed beside him.

"Are you okay sweetheart? I mean, you must have had a shock too, Are you..."

"Haan Raman" she replied, anxiously clutching at his hands again. "Mein bilkul theek hoon. Lekin Raman, aap...aap khush nahi hai? " (Yes Raman, Im fine. But you.. you're happy, aren't you?)

"Khush? He repeated in a strangled voice. "Twins Ishita. Two. Two babies. Ek saath" (At once)

"Mujhe maloom hai twins kya hote hai Raman. Lekin aap ko Twins nahi chahiye?" Her eyes filled with tears.
(I know what twins are Raman. But don't you want twins?)

He immediately looked contrite and pulled her into his arms.

"It's just a shock Ishita. I am happy, I will be happy , I just never expected ... "

He pulled away and scanned her face anxiously.

"What does this mean for you Ishita? I mean, how will this affect your health. How..."

"Dr Asha said all multiple births increase the risk of complications Raman, but she also said that there's no reason to worry unduly."

"Still..." he continued to look at her anxiously.

"Theek hoga Raman. Everything will be okay. It's what you always tell me na?"

She touched his face lovingly and he grabbed her hand, smothering it in his.

"I'm so worried about you."

"Don't be " she whispered, snuggling into him. "Everything will be fine. Our babies will be healthy and I will be just fine."

"Healthy toh honge " he chuckled.  "After all, Raman Bhalla ke baache hai. But I'm worried about what will happen after they are born. We will be outnumbered Ishita. Chaar baache. Chaar."
( Of course they will be healthy, after all they are Raman Bhallas children. But I'm worried about what will happen after they are born. We will be outnumbered Ishita. Four children. Four!)

He threw his head back and started to laugh, his infectious laughter bringing an answering smile to her face.

"Jab mein itne bade Raavan ko sambhaal sakti hoon, toh yeh toh chotu Raavan honge na? Saath milkar sambhal lenge."
(When I can take care of such a big Raavan, then why can't I look after two little Raavans? We will take care of things together)

He stopped laughing and drew her into his arms.

"Pehle unki mumma ko mein sambhal loon. Lekin Ishita, you do realize na, ki in dono ke aane ke baad tumhaare paas mere liye bilkul waqt nahi rahega."
(First let me take care of their mumma. But Ishita, you do realize right, after they arrive, you won't have any time for me)

"Aap toh mere sab se chotu baby ho na. Toh waqt toh banana padega"
(You're my littlest baby. I'll have to make time, won't I?)

"Promise?"

"Promise."

He thought for a moment and then pushed her away slightly.

"Ab kya hua Raman ?" Ishita asked, surprised.
(Now what, Raman?)

"Doctor Asha ne tumhe choone ki green light di, toh yeh ek se do ho gaye. Ab aise paas chipkogi toh kahin teesra na aajaye"
(Doctor Asha gave me the green light to touch you and one became two. Now if you stick so close to me, who knows they might turn into three)

"Kuch bhi " She chided him with a smile, snuggling into his arms. "Itna hi hoga, aur ye kaafi hai. Bas aap yeh fainting bas kijiye, aap ko dher saara paisa jo banana hai, itne saare bacho ke liye. Aur unki mummy ka bhi toh khayal rakhna hai na"
(Whatever. Two is all we are having, and that's enough. Just stop all this fainting, you need to make lots of money for so many children. And you need to look after their mummy too)

"No more work for you Ishita" he frowned at her. "I will call Dr Batra straight away. And I do not want any arguments, okay? You are not working, and that's that."

He looked mutiniously at her, and she grinned back at him.

"Theek hai baba, stop frowning. Ive been feeling so tired and it has been getting difficult to manage. But Raman, if I can't work, that means you can't neglect your career, so no more sitting at home with me. I will be just fine. Amma aur mummyji dono hai na." ( Both amma and mummyji are there)

"Lekin amma aur mummyji raat ko idli laane toh nahi jaa sakte na."
(But amma and mummyji can't get you idli at night)

"Haan, that's your job."

"Aur amma aur mummyji raat ko madam ko sula bhi nahi sakte"
(And amma and mummyji can't put madam to sleep at night either)

"Haan, that's also your job"

"And the goodnight kiss is my job too, hmm"

" Stop it Raman" she said blushing, as he tried to demonstrate his good night kiss to her. "We're in the clinic"

He subsided, grinning at her mortified face, and rocked her gently in his arms for a few seconds.

"Ishita..." He finally broke the comfortable silence between them.

"Hmmm"

"Let's keep second chotu just between us for the moment huh. I don't think I can explain twins to Ruhi. And I don't want the family stressing you out with excitement.All the expectations, I don't...."

"It's okay Raman" she understood the anxiety that lay behind his words."Sab ko pata chal hi jaayega 4-5 months mein"
(Everyone will know in 4-5  months anyway)

"Chaar baache"
(Four kids)

He shuddered again and she smacked him slightly, their laughter mingling as they held each other tightly.

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

"Raman?"

"Hmmm"

"Kya hua?" (What's the matter?)

"Jaan"

"Kya baba?"

"We don't have to, you know? I mean, I know Dr Asha gave us the green light, but if you're uncomfortable, then we won't..."

"Don't you want to?"

"Don't I want to?" Raman gave a short disbelieving laugh as he pulled his wife into his arms. They had been lying in bed together, looking at each other for the past ten minutes, hands entwining, eyes locking, but he had been strangely hesitant about doing anything further, about taking any further steps. She had waited and waited, and had finally asked him.

He kissed the top of her head, then pulled away, sighing as he sat up against the pillows.

"You have no idea how sexy you look these days jaan. I've been desperate for you these past three months, I don't know how I've managed to keep my hands off you, and God knows I want nothing more, but the babies...I don't want to make you uncomfortable..."

Ishita sat up as well and stared at her husband, pulling the duvet away from herself as she spoke.

"Have you even looked at me?" her voice was full of laughter.

"Of course I have jaan" he retorted, as his eyes swept over the sheer white slip she was wearing. He gulped, his eyes narrowing as he noticed one again the alluring curves that the slip barely covered, the peaks and valleys that left him dry mouthed with need.

She cupped his face gently" Why would I wear this if I felt uncomfortable? I missed you too Raman...."

Her voice trailed off as he grabbed her hand, taking it to his lips and covering it in slow languorous kisses.

"So I was right in what I told Dr Asha, hmmm" he whispered, as he gently pulled her into his arms, sliding a satin strap of the slip down one shoulder as he rained gentle kisses on her. "You're the one who has designs on me"

"Kuch bhi" she whispered, a delicious burn rising in her at his touches. She moaned as he pulled the other strap down, pulling the slip to her waist, his eyes greedily worshiping her voluptuous form.

"You're so beautiful my love" He whispered, his eyes glazing over with need as he laid her reverentially on the pillows, lying across from her as he continued to caress her.

"Oh Raman"she murmured, his touches leaving her gasping. "I love you...."

"I love you too baby" he replied, looking lovingly into her eyes. "You set the pace okay. I'll follow. And like I promised Dr Asha, no acrobatics baby"

"Kuch bhi" she whispered, before he claimed her lips, their soft moans and whispered endearments the only sounds until they fell asleep, sated and satisfied, in each other's arms.

Dekho Yeh Kaun Aaya
Meri sada pe
Bhul ke Rasta
Aye dil ye kaun aaya

Mujhko udaa layaa
Kis ke sada pe
Jhoka hawa ka
Mujhko udaa Laaya

Dekho Yeh Kaun Aaya 
Mujhko udaa laaya 

Mere viraane ko
Kisne sajaa diya
Ronak zara dekho
Khush toh nahi hai 
Kya jaane tum ko
Kaisa Nasha  chaaya
Dekho yeh kaun aaya