One Week Later
25 July 2016 - 6.00pm
Akash Ganga Society Mayur Vihar

It was seven days later. The babies and their mumma were finally coming home today and their papa could not hide his joy.

He had spent the time she had been in hospital, when he was not with her, in completing a project that he hoped she would approve of. The project had started earlier, but everything had been completed in the three weeks she had been away from home, and he now eagerly awaited her reaction to his surprise.

He had picked her up from the hospital that afternoon, and after a leisurely drive in his brand new SUV, bought to accommodate his growing family, they had finally arrived home.

A soon as he had parked the car, he jumped out and crossed over to the passenger side, after beckoning to her to stay put.

He opened the passenger door, and gave her his hand, helping her to step down from the car. Ishita was dressed in a loose blue Kurti teamed with equally comfortable patiala pants , her face tired but elated, her movements still a little hesitant, still a bit tentative. She had wanted to wear the sari that amma had bought her for her home coming, but Raman knew her caesarian incision, although healing well, was still painful, and he had insisted that she dress for comfort.

Apart from the residual pain from the caesarean, she was also deeply fatigued, waking up at all hours to feed her demanding twins, her breasts sore, and her arms aching from holding them close to her. And yet, she wouldn't have changed anything, wouldn't have missed a moment of this exciting new journey.

She smiled up at her husband now.

"It's so good to be home Raman" she said happily, looking around. "It feels like I've been away for so long. I've missed everyone so much. And everything. I can't wait to move back into our room again"

"Hmmmm" He said enigmatically, opening the rear passenger side door, and starting to unhook the Twins baby carrier from the seat. "I've had to make some changes, to fit Chunnu Munnu into the picture."

"I'm sure whatever you've done is fine Raman" she smiled as he handed the baby carrier to her while he closed and locked the car.

The babies were both fast asleep, the movement of the car having lulled them both into slumber. Raman and Ishita stood quietly for a moment, admiring their week old twins, marveling at this miracle of their love. Even at this tender age, the babies personalities were becoming evident - Ishaan was placid and quiet, happy to get his feed and retire into repose. Raashi was loud, irritable and demanding, wanting to be held and rocked all the time when she was awake. And she had a special affinity with her father - quieting in his arms instantly.

"Ab dekho, kaise angel ki tarah dikh rahi hai, neend mein" Ishita smiled lovingly at her husband, stroking her little daughters forehead softly. "Bilkul aap par gai hai"
(Look at her, she looks like an angel in sleep. She's taken after you)

"Toh kya mein angel ki tarha lagta hoon neend mein?" He asked with a grin, as he gave a final check to the car doors.
(So do I look like an angel when I'm sleeping)

"Yes" she laughed. "Lekin sirf sote hue. Jaagte hue toh bilkul alag baat hai"
(Yes, but only when you're sleeping. It's another story when you're awake)

"Mujhpe toh yeh gaya hai" Raman took the carrier from her and kissed his sons downy head. "Sirf sota rehta hai, meri tarha. Jhansi ki Rani junior toh tumhari clone hai. Isliye mujh se zyaada pyar karti hai. Accha ab chalo inko lekar ghar, warna kahin jaag na jaaye tumhaari beti aur lecture shuru ho jaaye, apni mumma ki tarah"
(He's the one who has taken after me. Look how he sleeps all the time, just like me. This junior warrior queen is your clone. That's why she loves me more. Okay, let's go inside before she wakes up and starts giving a lecture, just like her mumma)

He held the baby carrier securely in one hand, giving the other to his wife as they walked up to the stairs to their apartment.

"Kuch bhi" (whatever) Ishita retorted, holding his hand tight and walking happily alongside her husband and their precious bundles as they finally took the little Bhallas to their home.

*************************************
One hour later

"But Raman. When did you do all this?"

The babies had arrived home and had been greeted by everyone, Ishita and Raman standing proudly, a baby each in their arms, as mummyji and amma had performed the arti to welcome them home. Luckily, the noise had been hushed and the babies had slept through their welcome.

They were still fast asleep, under the gaze of their adoring grandmothers, grandfathers, aunties, uncles, cousins, and siblings. As well as Neelu and several aunties from the neighborhood who had come to admire them and all of whom seemed to want nothing more than to spend their time gazing at the newest and cutest Bhallas.

The abundance of experienced babysitters had given Raman the chance to whisk his wife away, and he now stood anxiously as he awaited her verdict on his surprise.

"When did you do all this Raman" she repeated in awe.

"I bought the apartment three months ago" he replied, searching her face for a reaction to his surprise. "All the changes inside were being done since then, and the connecting door to our apartment was done the week you went to hospital. But do you like it jaan?"

"Yes..." she said hesitatingly. "But why...I mean it must have cost you crores, aur phir kya zaroorat thi, hum adjust kar lete..." (What was the need? We would have adjusted)

"Kaise adjust karte Ishita" (How would we have adjusted Ishita?) He asked with a grin, as he forwarded his hand to her, beckoning her into the adjoining apartment beyond the connecting arch from the hall. "Romi and Rinki live at home, mummy and papa need their space, Simmi is always here for visits, Adi is growing up, so is Ruhi, and then these two. It would have been impossible to manage in a four bedroom house yaar, space has already been an issue since Adi came to live with us. And even if the babies slept in our room, we wouldn't have been able to manage for long. This way, everyone will have their own space and their privacy, and we don't have to move away from the family. Accha look here, let me show you"

She smiled at the eagerness in his voice, her hand clutched tightly in his as he showed her over the spacious duplex apartment. Downstairs, there was a open space living area, a small office for him, Adi's room, decorated in blacks and greys, a guitar having pride of place on the wall. Ruhi's room was feminine in pinks and purples, with her two faviroute keas sitting on her princess bed. Upstairs were three more bedrooms. A large nursery, decorated with animals and jungle prints, with an adjoining small room for a live in nursemaid. And then finally, set a little apart, their own private retreat, a large bedroom with a sitting area, beautifully decorated in muted silver, greys and blue, with its own private balcony.

"I hope this is ok sweetheart" Raman said anxiously, as they stood at the doorway to their bedroom, Ishita looking pensively around her. "I know I should have let you choose the colors and the scheme, but I didn't want to stress you, and I wanted everything to be ready for the babies..." He hesitated, watching her face, then turned her around into his arms. "You don't like it?"

"Raman, no, it's beautiful" Ishita reassured her anxious husband, cupping his face in her hands. "It's just that .....all this must have cost so much and I won't be able to work for a few years now, and ..." She looked anxiously at him, tears welling in her eyes "You already work so hard, and Raman I don't want anything to happen to your health, I...."

"Hey hey" he pulled her into his arms, hugging her close. "We can afford this my love. The Singapore partnership with Mr Lee has put us into the big leagues now, we can easily pay the mortgage. And this is a good investment too jaan. And as for my health, I'm absolutely fine. So don't worry about all that please."

She relaxed in his arms for a second, then pulled away again "But Raman, the babies. They need to sleep with us, and ...."

"Haan toh yeh dekho na" (Yes, but just see this) He pulled her hand, leading her to to an alcove she had not seen, with two cots and a nursing chair arranged cozily behind a latticed divider, shaded lamps keeping the area softly lit and distinct from the bedroom proper. "I know mumma will want her babies with her for sometime, so papa has made all the arrangements."

Ishita exclaimed as she touched the beautiful cots, smiling at the zoo motif mobiles hanging overhead, an abundance of soft toys peeking over the rails. "Phir woh nursery?" (Then that nursery?) She asked Raman quizzically.

Raman smiled at his wife and sat down in the nursing chair, pulling her carefully into his lap and holding her close.

"The nursery is for daytime sweetheart. It's where the nurse can stay with the babies, where their clothes and all their toys can be kept, and later in a couple of years, we can turn it into their bedroom and playroom, hmm. You see sweetheart, I know our lives are going to revolve around Chottu and chotti  for a long time now, and I know you are going to want them around all the time, but we need a private space just for us too, hmmm. And that's this bedroom. I don't want people traipsing in here as though it's the Grand Central Station, theek hai? This is our space, just ours."

She colored, as he pulled her deeper into his arms.

"I don't want to lose us Ishita" he whispered.

"Raman?" she said quizzically, pulling away slightly to stare into his eyes. "Kya matlab? (What do you mean?) Why would we lose ourselves."

"I mean us, Ishita" he replied passionately. "We have four children, my job is very demanding, and our families are crazy and always around us. I don't want to lose us, our relationship, in all the responsibilities and humdrum of everyday life. I want to come first with you Ishita, just as you come first with me. I want us to always have time that's just ours. I'm a very possessive man meri jaan, and I'm not prepared to be second best."

Ishita blushed at the passion in his voice. "Raman" she whispered "Aap ho toh mein hoon, aap jaante hai na"
(I am if you are. You know that, don't you)

He stared up at her, one hand softly tucking loose tendrils of hair behind her ears, his heart beats rising at her proximity, at the feel of her body in his arms. "I missed you baby" he whispered.

She looked down shyly. "Raman...I..."

"Don't worry my darling, I understand and nothing is going to happen until you are absolutely ready, hmm. It doesn't matter how long it takes. I just wanted you to know how much I miss you" His voice was rueful as he caressed her face, his eyes staring intently into hers. "But in the future, when you are ready, we are using contraception, samjhi?"

Ishita blushed deeply and hit him lightly on his chest. "Kuch bhi" (Whatever) she laughed as he grinned at her.

"Four is enough my love. I don't think I can cope with any more miracles. And listen, I know there's no chance of doing anything that has the potential to increase India's population at the moment, but can papa get one kiss, please mumma?"

"One kiss, yes" Ishita replied with a smile. "But then mumma has to go and feed her babies"

"I missed you so much" he repeated, as he tenderly tucked her hair behind her ears. She closed her eyes as he pulled her head down towards his, his hands drawing soft circles on the nape of her neck. Her lips opened involuntarily as she felt his hot breath on her face, and she raised her hands to caress his face, shivering as her fingers encountered his stubbled cheeks.

"I missed you too" she managed to say, before his lips swooped down on hers, softly caressing hers. She leaned in further as he deepened the kiss, his hands tangled in her hair, pulling her closer. "Ooh" She had not realised that she had stretched her torso too, until a sharp pain from her stitches reminded her of her surgery. He felt her involuntary flinching, and immediately pulled away.

"Baby?" He said anxiously as she straightened herself, getting up from his lap. "I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" He jumped up and stared at her with his heart in his mouth, watching her face anxiously.

"No, Raman, it's just the stitches, nothing else baba. Please don't look so worried" she moved slowly back into her husband's arms, throwing her arms around him, and he cradled her tenderly.

"We"ll try again later hmm" she whispered into his chest, knowing he must be berating himself. He didn't say anything, just clutched her tighter. They were still standing in embrace a minute later when Ruhi came barging in the door.

"Papa, mumma, Raashi ro rahi hai" she stopped abruptly at the sight of her parents in each other's arms.
(Papa, mumma, Raashi is crying)

"Awww" Ruhi shouted. "Romi chachu ne kaha tha aap dono huggie kar rahe honge"
(Romi chachu said you two must be hugging)

"Accha" Raman muttered, letting go off his wife. Ishita moved towards the door, as he bent and picked up his daughter. "Kitni heavy ho gayi ho Ruhi. Papa won't be able to pick you up much longer. Acha chalo, abhi dekhte hai tere chachu ko" He turned to grin at his wife. "Waise yeh tumhari mummy ki idea tha, woh har waqt mujh se huggie karna chahti hai, what can poor papa do?"
(I see. You're getting so heavy Ruhi. Papa won't be able to pick you up much longer. Ok let's go and I'll see to your chachu. But you know, this was your mummy's idea. She always wants to hug me, what can papa do?)

"Raman, kuch bhi" Ishita mock frowned at him, as Ruhi went off into peals of giggles.
(Raman, whatever)

"Baad mein madam" he responded, ushering her ahead of him. "Ab chalo apni choti ko khana khilate hain"
(Later, madam. Let's go and feed our little girl)

And they walked down together to attend to their babies.

*************************************
Later that night

"Raman, wake up. Raman"

"What Ishita...sone do na please" (Let me sleep please)

"Raman, I need help, please"

The tinge of hysteria in his wife's voice got through to Raman despite the heavy sleep he had been in, and he sat up immediately. "Ishita, whats the matter" he rubbed his eyes and blinked furiously, jumping out of bed as he spoke.

Ishita was sitting in the nursing chair, holding a softly mewling Raashi in her arms, tears glistening in her eyes.

"She won't stop crying Raman" she said in despair. "I fed them both and Ishaan went back to sleep, but I've burped her and rocked her, and checked her diaper, but she just cries. And I don't know how you slept through it all, but...."

"It's okay, it's okay jaan, here, give her to me" Raman prised his daughter out of her mothers grip, and cooed tenderly at her as he walked her around the room, rocking her gently until her sobs subsided.

He continued to hold her to his chest, murmuring softly until he saw her eyes close, heard the even breathing of sleep.

He then placed her carefully in her cot, covering her, before kissing both her and his peacefully sleeping son softly. That done, he turned off the shaded lamp in the alcove, leaving the dim night light on, and walked up to his wife, who was sitting on their bed, looking at him in wonder.

"She's asleep now darling, and I'm so sorry I didn't wake up earlier" he said apologetically, trying to draw her into his arms. "You should have said something sooner"

"I'm.. I'm such a terrible mother Raman" Ishita cried out, bursting into tears.

"No of course you're not Ishita, come here" he succeeded in drawing her into his embrace, and rocked her as he had his daughter minutes ago. "You're just new to all this, and tonight is your first night alone with them, without the nurses to help. It's going to take time to get into a rhythm sweetheart, don't expect everything to happen at once"

Ishita wiped her eyes and pulled back to look at him. "But you managed to soothe her Raman. So how come I couldn't?"

"Babies pick up on anxiety my love. The more she cried, the more anxious you got, and so she cried more. You have to relax ok. You're her mother, so you're the boss, remember"

"Ishaan is so easy" she murmured, snuggling into his arms, tears falling afresh. "Raashi cries so much, she fights with me and I feel so helpless."

"Ishita, just take it easy, please" He shushed her, tightening his arms around her. "I know she cries a lot. They did say at the hospital that it could be reflux, like Ruhi had. We have the appointment with  the paedritician Dr Asha organized tomorrow, dont we? We can get her tested, it's not a big deal. Everything will be fine. And I'm sorry I sleep so deeply jaan. Wake me up whenever you need to, okay"

"I didn't want to disturb you Raman" she whispered. "You work so hard during the day, and then..."

"Ishita, listen to me" He held her away from him, and looked sternly at her. "We are a team, you and me. They are my children too. This phase will be over too quickly anyway, so as long as they keep waking up through the night, I want you to wake me up too. There's two of them, we need to counter the numbers, don't we? I don't want you doing things alone, or thinking you have to cope on your own. We are in this together, okay?"

"Okay" she nodded, a smile peeking through her tears, before a yawn eclipsed them all.

"Come on" He grinned. "Now I'm wide awake, so you sleep, while I keep guard for a while."

"You don't have to" she said sleepily, snuggling into his arms. "She's fast asleep now."

"I know" he responded, tightening his arms around her. "Lekin mujhe accha lagta hai, tum sab ko dekhna" (But it feels good to me, to watch over you all)

And he rocked her in his safe embrace, and held her as she slipped back into sleep.

Lori lori lori
Chandaniyaan chup jaana re
Nindiya ankhon mein aaye
Bitiya meri so jaaye

Lori lori lori mein lori lori lori

Paighaniya chun chun baje
Dheeme dheeme holay holay
Leke god mein sulao
Gaaon raat bhar sunaoon
Mein lori lori

Meri munia rani banne
Mahaloon ka raja miley
Leke god mein sulao
Gaaon raat bhar sunaoon
Mein lori lori

Lori lori lori mein lori lori lori