8 months later.

"Shiva! Shiva!" Raavi whispered, trying to make him get up.

He stirred in his sleep, until he realised Raavi was calling out to him, and his eyes shot open.

These few months, he did everything he could to help out his very pregnant wife. He was ready at every beck and call. Initial months were crucial for the baby, but later months were crucial for the mother.

Even through her mood swings, he handled it all. Sometimes she was hungry, sometimes angry, most of the times she would be crying because it was so uncomfortable.

He couldn't even imagine what it was like, to have so many hormonal mood swings, not being able to eat whatever you want to, having to take utmost care so as to not fall sick, and so many other things.

Her feet would feel swollen, back would ache, head felt heavy, she would be sweating due to the heat.

No doubt she was happy about the little life growing inside of her, but it came with so many effects.

If he could take away even 25% of her pain, he would happily do it. He'd take it all away, if he could. But he couldn't. So, he supported and helped her as much as he could.

He'd sit through all her mood swings, without complaining, even when she yelled at him for the smallest of things. Of course, the yelling was worth it because 5 minutes later she'd come and apologise to him by giving him a kiss.

Whenever she woke up at night uncomfortable, he'd massage her feet, or keep a hot water bag on her lower back, and give her small hugs until she fell back asleep in his arms.

Sometimes, she craved for things she simply wasn't allowed to eat during pregnancy. So he'd figure out an alternative and make it for her, even at 3 A.M

Raavi felt so proud about having a husband like him. She had seen men not supporting their wives at all during their pregnancy, and here this man was, doing everything in his power to ease this process for her.

And all the little moments of their baby growing, was a different sense of happiness.

The first sonography. Both of them couldn't see the baby at first, Shiva found it. But Raavi started crying, saying she couldn't see her baby. He wiped her tears, and gently showed her the small bean on the screen, and it was as if her tears evaporated

The first heartbeat, Shiva cried more than Raavi. He hugged her and didn't stop crying for 20 minutes.

The first movement. Shiva had his hand on her stomach, as he was reciting all the names he had kept for the mom-to-be. The baby suddenly moved when he said mami-ki-behen-ki-beti, and Raavi laughed, saying that the baby didn't want him calling her that anymore.

The first kick. Raavi had been listening to some music, when she felt the first kick. It was so special, but Shiva wasn't around to feel it. Only that day, he had some important work at his job.

One day it so happened, that while Raavi wore one of her old tops, which obviously rose above her round stomach, she could actually see the baby's foot print on her skin. Just for a split second. Maybe she was imagining, but Shiva sulked the entire day about it.

"Raavi, kya hua? Tu theek hai? Kahi dard nahi ho raha na?" He sat up, concerned by the way she was calling him at this hour.

"I love you." She giggled, struggling to sit.

"Yeh mai jaanta hu." He smiled.

"Nahi sacchi mein. Maine itna pareshan kiya hai in 9 mahino mein, tujhe bina matlab ka daata, kabhi kabhi raat ko galti se laat bhi maari. Raat ke 3 baje tujhse khaana banwaya kyuki tez bhook lag rahi thi. Aur tune bina complain kiye meri har baat maani." She almost immediately had tears in her eyes.

"Ae meri chipkali, tera pati hu. Aur ye jo tere pet me baccha hai, uska papa hoon. Toh mere biwi aur bacche ke liye itna nahi kar sakta?" He wiped her tears.

"In 9 mahino mein, najane tujhe kitna sehena pada. Akele thodi jhelne deta ye sab tujhe. Tune apne zindagi ke kuch mahine humare bacche ke liye sacrifice liye, toh mai kyu nahi? Sab aadha aadha, okay?" He kissed her forehead.

She wanted to hug him, but couldn't, so she settled for resting her head on his shoulder and entwining their hands.

" Accha waise..... " She said with a sly look, only Shiva knew.

"No. Nahi. Kitni baar mana karu tujhe." Shiva strictly said, knowing that it was her I-want-ice-cream face.

"Please. Ek chota cup please." She whined.

"Isliye itni meethi baate kar rahi thi na? Mujhe makkhan lagane ke liye." Shiva faked anger.

"Woh maine dil se kaha, Shiva. Aise mat bol." She frowned.

"Janata hu. Mazak kar raha tha. Muh mat latka, fridge me dekhta hu kya bana sakta hu. Chal."

He helped her up, and into the kitchen. He had specifically kept a small sofa-chair for nights like this. She stood there, holding her back, as he brought it from the store room.

"Meri biwi ko toh dekho, ekdum Santa Claus lag rahi hai." He chuckled, as he kissed her belly and helped her sit down.

Shiva looked through the fridge, took out whatever he needed and put it all on the stove.

"Kya bana raha hai?" Raavi eagerly asked, feeling a little uncomfortable, and adjusting herself.

"Kheer try kar raha hoon. Tab tak paani pe, ye le." He handed her the bottle and went to turn on the stove.

Raavi hadn't even opened the bottle yet, when she felt a bit of water fall down.

Bottle se gir gaya hoga.

She drank some water, wiped her mouth. And 10 minutes later, felt some more water trickle down her feet.

Abhi toh bottle bhi band hai

She looked down. Oh gosh ab ye Shiva panic na kare bas.

"Shiva, ye sab chod. Mujhe waapas kamre me leke chal." She calmly said.

"Ye kya baat hui?" Shiva said, back facing towards her. "Abhi toh tumne kaha tumhe kuch khaana hai, toh phir-" He looked back and saw the water fallen on the floor.

"Meri pyaari Raavi, I know, ki bladder handle nahi hota hai. Pehle bhi toh hua hai kitni baar." He explained.

"Hello. I haven't peed myself. Ye paani bhi nahi hai." She tried to explain.

"Toh mai andha hoon? Dikh raha hai mujhe kuch toh gira hai." He took a cloth to clean it up

"Shiva. Baby aa raha hai." She tried once again.

"Woh mai jaanta hoon. Isliye toh tere ek awaaz pe uth jaata hoon."

She rolled her eyes and tried one last time. "Shiva. Baby abhi aa raha hai. My water broke."

Shiva jerked his head up. Raavi could read the panic in his eyes.

"Baba-"

"Raavi, tu pagal hai kya? Mujhe pehle kyu nahi bataya? Aaj ki date kya hai? Oh no maine track hi nahi kiya. Baby bag bhi tayyar nahi." He began to run around frantically in the kitchen.

"Kuch nahi hua hai abhi tak, tu-" Raavi started to say, but groaned.

He stopped and sat down near her. "Kya hua?"

"Pain. Solid kick maarta hai ye baccha." She laughed in pain.

He helped her up to the room, after he had calmed himself down. He sat her down on the bed and packed the bag which he should have packed and kept weeks ago. It took about 20 minutes to find everything. Mentally cursed himself for that.

Raavi was groaning under the pain of the constant, increasing contractions. Each one hurt more than the last. She tried not to lose it, but it hurt like hell.

"Shiva, chal na." She sobbed, grabbing the bedsheet harder.

"Do minute, bas do minute, haa?" He couldn't see her like this. He had to be with her through the pain, and couldn't be driving the car.

He ran and woke up Krish, who had come home for the holidays. Initially, he fumbled in his sleep, but was on his feet when Shiva said that Raavi was having labour pain.

She wasn't in a place to walk to the car, and the hospital was half an hour away. He carried her to the car, while Krish brought the bag Shiva had packed.

Shiva sat with Raavi in the backseat, as she sat next to him and rested against his chest. Droplets of sweat were dropping down her forehead. Shiva tied her hair up loosely with the hairband on his wrist, and dabbed the sweat away.

"Kuch nahi hoga, tu theek hai." He caressed her hair, and continuously kissed her head, with one arm around her.

She squirmed in pain, sobbing and holding onto Shiva's other hand tightly. The contractions got quicker and more painful, with every passing minute.

She couldn't speak anything, that's how much pain it sent through her body. Shiva shifted between wiping her tears, and caressing her hair.

Yes, he was panicking and yes, he was in pain seeing Raavi like this. But she was going through the same, maybe 10 times worse. Even more. But, one of them had to keep it together, and she was in no state to. Understandably.

Krish couldn't see her like this either. His best friend, his sister more than sister-in-law, in so much pain. But he had the responsibility of reaching them safely. So he couldn't afford any tears.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they reached the hospital. Shiva put Raavi onto a wheelchair, and pulled Krish into a tight hug, whispering a small "Thank you." before nodding at him, knowing what he had to do.

Krish parked the car, and went to fill out all formalities after which he called everyone at home.

~~~

Doctors surrounded Raavi, as she sobbed in pain. She had been in labour for nearly 2 hours.

Shiva was the only person allowed, as he was her husband. He continuously held her hand, and spoke calming words to her. Sure, the blood supply to his hand was cut off long ago, but it would be worth it.

"I can see the head. Come on, one last try. You've been doing so well." The doctor urged.

Raavi groaned and pushed, until she heard a sound that she never thought would be music to her ears.

A baby's cry.

She was exhausted. But, hearing the baby's cry brought a fresh set of happy tears in her eyes.

"Congratulations, mummy." Shiva cried, placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Tum bhi, papa." Raavi cried some more, clutching onto his arm.

"Congratulations, it's a girl!" The doctor happily announced, and some more tears were shed.

There, the baby girl was crying her heart out, while the new mom and dad sobbed with happiness. This little raisin was finally here.

The doctor cleaned, measured and wrapped the baby, handing her over to Raavi to hold.

Shiva sat next to her, supporting her back, as she took her baby in her hands for the first time.

"Hi babu. Mai mumma hoon. Aap finally yaha ho. Aur ye papa hai." She beckoned towards Shiva. He was too scared to hold the baby right now, so he just sat next to Raavi, cooing at her.

"Ye pata hai kaun hai . Mami ki behen ki beti. Aur tu kaun hai, pata hai?" He asked, nudging his daughter's cheek, "Mami ki behen ki beti ki beti" He joked, kissing Raavi's temple, as she rested her head on his shoulder.

The doctors slowly took the baby, to keep under observation by protocol.

"Shiva kaha leke jaa rahe hai use?" Raavi cried in his arms.
"Kahi nahi. Usko bhi sona hai, aur tujhe bhi. You did so well. I'm proud of you." He smiled and caressed her hair, and helped her lie down, she was knocked out in less than a minute due to exhaustion.

He disposed off the safety gear he was made to wear before entering the O.T, and stepped out to meet his family.

They had been waiting anxiously for some news. Krish, Dhara and Gautam were here, but Dev and Rishita said they'd join in the morning, since it was a school day for Ria.

"Kya hua? Bol na Shiva." Dhara asked nervously.
"Raavi theek hai? Aur baby? Baby theek hai." Gautam asked.

If people could be angels in disguise, it was these two people. And the entire family.

Raavi profusely used to apologise for her mood swings to all of them, but they'd understand. They even helped out Shiva with everything. Such a blessing they all were.

"Raavi bilkul theek hai. Soyi hai, thak gayi hai bohot. Meri ek beti hai." Shiva smiled through his tears, and hugged everyone.

The happiness bubble that surrounded them was unbeatable.

~~~

Later that day.

Shiva had fallen asleep on the hospital chair outside the ward. He was waiting outside, until the mom and baby were shifted to the room.

Someone gently nudged him awake, to inform him that Raavi had woken up. He rushed to meet her.

Raavi sat there, holding their baby girl, waiting for him to come.

Background song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZazZNkDx5nk

All that happiness came rushing back, as he sat down next to his beautiful wife.

"Kitni pyaari hai ye, kisiki nazar na lage." Shiva cooed at her.

"Tum isse godi mein nahi loge?" Raavi said, slowly handing their baby girl to Shiva.

He nervously looked at Raavi, as this was the first time he was holding a new born. She reassured him with her eyes, and slowly held his daughter for the first time.

His heart swelled up. From the moment he set eyes on her and held her, he vowed to protect her and love her with all that he had. No conditions.

Just then, the whole Pandya family had arrived. Shiva had requested the hospital to allow the whole family to be in the room, just for a while.

Everyone sat around the bed, taking turns to hold the baby and making funny noises and faces at it. Even Ria held the baby with Rishita's help.

Eventually, the baby came back into Shiva's arms. Honestly, every time he held her, his heart knew no bounds.

He placed a small kiss on the sleeping baby's forehead, before asking "Iska naam kya rakhe?"

"Maine ek naam socha hai." Raavi smiled.

"Tu jo bhi naam rakhegi, mujhe manzoor hai." He said, still cooing at his baby girl in his arms.

"Shivika."

He looked at Raavi, as if that was the most beautiful name he had heard. He handed baby Shivika back to Raavi, and put his arm around her.

"Shiva aur Raavi ki Shivika. Pyaar se Shivi."

Nothing felt better than this moment, that they were living in.

Everyone stood around, in a huge family hug, talking to each other and over each other.

Such a beautiful chaos.

Shiva thanked his lucky stars, everyday, that he chose to marry his mami-ki-behen-ki-beti.

The end.