Mehak reached her 3rd trimester, her swollen belly made her movements slower than usual. She was checking her self on the dressing mirror and didn't notice Shaurya looking at her from the door. He controlled his laughter as she rubs her belly and speak to their baby.

Mehak: Baby, how are you today? Today I slept well and now I don't know what's for breakfast. Looks like you have grown a bit more, mumma's tummy is bigger compare to two days ago.

She turned when she heard the door opens and pouted when she saw Shaurya giggle out wildly which only irritates her. She scrunched her nose at him.

Mehak: You started again your teasing mode, instead of helping me to tie this dory for me you are standing there and laughing at my misery. After so many days I slept last night or else our baby will keep me awake throughout night.

Shaurya: (still laughing) yes, yesterday our baby let both of us to sleep well and of course you didn't start your craving drama, you always have some weird cravings at midnight which I need to go around and find them. There are some streets in Delhi which I myself never explored, thanks to you, you made me to go there to eat all these junks. By the way, earlier you were size of potato now you became like a pumpkin, round big pumpkin. (pulling her chubby cheeks)

Mehak: So now I am pumpkin for you, first you made me pregnant then you blame me for my cravings , daily asking me to do this that, and when evening you made me to walk along with you, morning breakfast I need to eat healthy food and you don't let me eat my favorite spicy stuff, you wait, (she looks around for something, then she found a brush and aim it at him)

Shaurya: Mehak, what you trying to do, you want to hit your own husband, you are getting violent and this is not good for our baby. (trying run away from her and climbed on the bed)

Mehak: The baby is in my team.

Shaurya: what teasing you, I am just stating the fact. My baby always supports me.

Mehak: ouch

She bends down holding her belly. Seeing her in some pain, Shaurya jumps down from the bed and run towards her.

Shaurya: Mehak, Mehak.. are you alright?

He made her to sit on the bed and kneel to her to check on her.

Mehak: I am okay Shaurya. Just that...

Shaurya: what happen? Is it time but doctor said there is another 3 weeks.

Mehak: (wrapping her arms on his neck) I am alright Shaurya just your baby kicked me so hard. See your baby not in my team. (pouting cutely with her playful upset face)

Shaurya rest his head on her lap and wrap his around her waist. Mehak combed his hair with her fingers and caressed him. She knows he gets panic whenever she cries in pain even at the slightest ones. He holds her tightly and Mehak bend to kiss his head.

Shaurya: Mehak (he cupped her face), I am very tensed that you need to go through a lot of pain during childbirth. If there is a way, I can take all these pains from you. I don't want you to suffer. Do you know, there is something I want you to know, I wanted to tell you these, but I feel awkward a bit.

Mehak's eyes glinted as she looked into Shaurya's eyes smiled happily as a sign for him to continue to speak.

Shaurya: Do you know, I never had a normal childhood, when my mom died, and I was growing alone. Till maa bring me back here and she never even once treated me differently. She gives me a home, good education, name in the society and even give me all her wealth to me. My dad he did nothing for me, so I always hate the word Dad. I thought having good fame in the society and earning well its enough for the rest of my well. Then one day I met my "laddoo" (planting a kiss on her palm), we fought a lot then I realize we are meant for each other. We were only two and now we are going to be three soon. I am so happy, so excited to see our lil one. My life is going to be complete and I will be the happiest man in the world. Thank you so much for giving me this happiest moment in my life. I love you so much my laddoo.

As he leans closer to her bump, their baby kicked as both Shaurya and Mehak giggled. They know, every time Shaurya express his love their baby gets excited.

At evening, Mehak was wearing a party wear for pregnancy. A fancy gown which suited her well and she did her hair . She cant zip them well and struggled a bit but Shaurya who walk in from the wardrobe, came to her aid and helped her to zip up her dress. He hugged her from behind as he looked at Mehak who blushed as she pouted.

Mehak: What is the need to go for a party now Shaurya. I don't feel like going to any party, look at me, I look terribly fat with a huge bulky tummy.

Quickly turn her to face him and caressing her bump Shaurya smiled at her innocence.

Shaurya: First and foremost you are not ugly, bulky fat. You are pregnant. You are 8 months pregnant and waiting to pop in another 3 weeks. I agree you put a lot of weight but that doesn't change how I feel about you and my love for you. My business partner is holding a party and he invited both of us to attend. Maa is not at home and I don't want to leave you alone that's why I got you this beautiful dress and we are going. Don't worry about anything, I guarantee you, tonight everyone going to look at you.

Mehak quickly brush off and turn from him as she checks the drawer where she stores her earring. She was looking for a matching earring till Shaurya walks.

Shaurya: I think this one will be the perfect match for this dress, what you say? (he opens and show her the earring container, Mehak quickly tried to grab from his hand but he avoided and take them out to wear it in her ears by himself)

Mehak: (giggling as she looked at him at the mirror) wow Shaurya this earring looks stunning. But I never seen them before.

Shaurya: That's because its my gift for you, and I just got them today when I was collecting your dress.

He nuzzled her and Mehak rested on his warmth as his palm went to caress her bump.

Mehak: if we keep going to stand like this then the party will be over Shaurya.

Shaurya: Oops come let's get going okay.

He held her palm as he guided her the stairs to go downstairs. Mehak lifted the gown a little as she walks down slowly. As she reached the floor, Naughty came barking at her wiggling his tail. Mehak giggled looking at him and she started to talk to him in baby language. She cant bend as her bump was not helping her. Quickly Awara came there and picked him up, as Shaurya told him that they are going out and take care of Naughty. Shaurya walked her to the car and make her sit comfortably, as he buckled her up and runs to his seat and start the ignition to the event location. In the car, Mehak turned on the radio as she hums the song. Though Shaurya focused on the road, his left palm will find his way to her bump and caress them occasionally. They reached the posh hotel lobby, he gets down from the car as he handover the key to the concierge and one of the guards open the door for Mehak. Shaurya quickly gets to her as he brings her out of the car. Mehak looped her arms with Shaurya and walked in slowly. Shaurya was busy replying his mobile and Mehak looked the decoration, they entered the event hall and the hall was filled many guests, many faces were known to Mehak and some were new to her, the hall was decorated ornately. She quickly pulled Shaurya near her to whisper to him.

Mehak: Shaurya, your business partner has a good taste, look at the decoration, looks wow. By the way I didn't ask, what function is this. This looks extremely grand, is it his family function or business event?

Shaurya: Glad you like the decoration and setup. Come let's check everything around.

Mehak: But Shaurya most of the guests here all look familiar. I think I have seen them somewhere.

Shaurya: Yeah we have seen them all, now you need to meet some big group guests too.

In a blink of an eye, the entire Sharma clan and Karuna maa with Vicky came in front of her and Mehak was taken aback.

Mehak: Maa, chachi, PD , Chachu, what you all doing here? Mohit , Sonal when did you both came?

Karuna Maa: Beta, it's a surprise for you, this your husband has planned something for you.

Kanta chachi : Shaurya , you still haven't told her right? ( As she looked at Shaurya and Mehak too looked at him confusingly)

Mansi chachi and Kanta chachi came to Mehak's side.

Mansi chachi: Mehak beta, today is your baby shower. We have always been asking Shaurya we want to do this function and he have been planning this for weeks and this place, decoration color themes etc. its all are his ideas. In fact to give you surprise he even asked Karunaji to lie to you about some other function so we all can gather here before you guys come. He makes sure Mohit and Sonal also attends this function. So everything planned well to see you happy.

Mehak was overwhelmed with the news that both chachis breaks to her and they didn't wait any second. They slowly bring her to the dais which was decorated with colorful flowers and balloons. They make her to take her seat as Karuna maa covered her head with a bright colored "chunni". She fed her with a sweet piece and PD came to bless her and feed her with a sweet morsel too.

Her face lifted with immediate glow as Nehal came to place a headpiece made of floral pieces which matches her attire. Shaurya watched her from distance as she whispers something to Sonal and Nehal. Nehal and Sonal came to him and pulled him to Mehak and made him to sit next to her. Mehak moved a bit as she gestured him to sit next to her. He obeyed her

Mehak: So Mr Husband, this is what you have been doing secretly is it?

Shaurya: Oh yes of course, your family wanted to do baby shower function. I just wanted to add a hint of modernization into that and organize this in the hotel. I am glad you love the decoration, atmosphere the theme and all.

Mehak: But Shaurya how come you always do such surprises, you were with me all the time and still you manage to pull such a beautiful stunt. Anyway I love you so much for arranging all these for me and for our baby. Our baby going to be luckiest baby.

Shaurya intertwined his finger with hers as she looked at him in awe. He was surprised by Mehak's sudden kiss on his cheek. Their moment interrupted when Nehal came to pull Shaurya and Sonal came to get Mehak to dance floor. Karuna maa and Kanta chachi asked Mehak to move slowly. Mehak danced slowly but Shaurya who sees her moving around got worried and signed at her to go slow, but Mehak get Nehal to pull him to the dance floor too. He left with no choice but wrap around her protectively and enjoyed himself throughout the function. Mehak was exhilarated with the entire arrangements and wonders how her man never fails to surprise her. She is beyond happy that he painstakingly took his time off from his business matters etc just to be with her and she knows that every day he spends some hours in his office at home to attend his meeting via video conferencing. No matter how busy he was, he always makes sure she ate her meals on time and prepares her juice, smoothies on his own. She was even surprised to see Mr Rajeev and his wife came to congratulate them. She was speechless to see them, they handover her a gift and Rajeev clarified that, Shaurya and him had openly discussed their differences and now they have settled their issues amicably. Thus they are there to congratulate them. Mehak felt contented when Rajeev said that. She knew Shaurya has changed a lot but when he decided to move forward with Rajeev and inviting him to their baby shower function shows that how much he loves her and how much he means when he confessed to her earlier. They came back home, freshen up and Mehak was lying on the bed as her feet sore after walking around and standing too long. She was not sleepy but tired, Shaurya came out from the bathroom, he put some pillows behind her back and get her rest well and massage her legs slowly. His fingers did wonders as her feet aches slowly disappeared but her cravings kick in. She remembered Mansi chachi passed her a box of home made gulab jamuns, rabri and jilebis. She knows if she asked Shaurya for this right now, he will never be going to entertain but slowly he will coax her to sleep. So Mehak thought of new stunt. She yawned as if going to sleep and seeing her yawning Shaurya thought she is going to sleep, so he covered her with the blanket and leave the room to go to his office. Mehak slowly gets up and she tiptoed quietly to the kitchen. She saw the container on the kitchen and started to scoop the sweet morsel into a bowl and moans as she chews them. Little she knows that, Shaurya watching her discreetly.

Shaurya: (Clearing his throat and folding his arm on his chest as he leaned on the fridge)

Mehak: (hides the bowl behind her back) Shaurya , what you doing here? I just came to drink water.

Shaurya: I remembered the water bottle is at our room. (rubbing his thumb along her bottom of her lips wiping the syrup of the jamun and jilebi, he licked his thumb and looked at her questionably. I never knew water can taste so sweet like this. What are you doing so late in the kitchen? (he pulls the bowl from her back)

Mehak: Shaurya, Shaurya please let me finish this last piece of gulab jamun. Or else I can't sleep you know.

Shaurya who knows her well, just fed her the last gulab jamun from the bowl, and wipe her mouth, offered her some water and guided her back to the room. Back in the room, he put her to bed and tucked her comfortably and she doze off. Next morning, as usual Mehak refuse to wake up but slowly she was up but she felt unusual but slowly she her meals. By late noon, she felt uneasy at her lower abdomen. Shaurya was not aware of this as he was having meeting with some foreign investors. In the meantime, Mehak decided to call PD to talk to her.

Mehak: PD, how are you? I miss you so much

PD: Arey beta, I am good. You only saw me last night and so fast you are missing me?

Mehak: Don't know PD, I feel lilbit uneasy. Shaurya told me to take nap usually by this time I can sleep but today I can't do anything. Maa and chachi went to temple and only will be back tomorrow and today even I walk few steps I am panting heavily.

PD: Laddoo, you are nearing to your due date and all this uneasiness will happen. Don't worry too much, you can ask Shaurya to make some kaada to relieve the uneasiness.

Mehak: Ok PD. I will have that kaada first. Anything I will call you. Love you PD.

After the call with PD, I walked to check on Shaurya, he was in a call and I decided not to bother him. I walked down slowly towards the kitchen. I remember the kaada recipe for the cramps and back pain. Recently I am getting terrible back pain as the baby drops. I do adjust my sitting position or while I am sleeping but the uneasiness is totally unbearable. Last night, Shaurya doze off shortly but when I was almost going to my deep sleep, my baby decided to keep me awake. I was rubbing my tummy and calm our baby which took such a long time then only I manage to get some sleep, that explains why I can't wake up in the morning. I feel like want to remain in the bed the whole day but these days I can't even hold my pee too long, so I need to wake up every now and then for toilet break. I thought after lunch I can have my noon nap but , again our baby decided to do summersault and the cramp at my lower abdomen. Its like the one we get during the menses time but this one is a bit strong wave. Each time the wave of pain hit me, I start to take a deep breath. Is this the actual labor pain? No it cant be, I still have another 3 weeks. Tomorrow is my weekly appointment, I will check with doctor about this. Since maa and both maasis went to temple which is located in the outskirts, they will be back by tomorrow evening. Awara is away to buy some groceries. So its only me and Shaurya. I started to pound some ginger and other spices while the water to boil. Suddenly a sharp excruciating pain pierced my lower abdomen. I bend down to hold my tummy and notice that something trickling in between my legs. OMG my water broke, I cant even call Shaurya as the pain started to come in waves one after one. My knees give up , I see everything around me spinning heavily and the next minute when I try to call Shaurya my voice choked.

I had a long meeting today as we are finalizing some new investor's project and the paper work matters. My secretary together with few key people involved were in the video conference and we were wrapping up the matter. Next few months there will be new project roll out and I am super excited. My baby is going to be born soon, then my new idea on this project will kick start too. I checked the time as I stretch my arms, its early evening. Almost time for Mehak's evening walk. I am sure she is watching some random tv show as she munches some of her unhealthy snacks. God knows how she gets them, must be my mother been feeding her all these stuffs. I looked at the garden from my room, its getting dark too. Just then Naughty came to my door barking loudly. I opened the door as the retriever continue to bark. I patted him and walked towards my room to check on Mehak, I saw the room was empty, I walked downstairs and check the living room and I didn't see anyone at the kitchen too. But Naughty went to the other end of the kitchen island and I notice that there is a pot on the stove while the stove turned on. I quickly went to turn off the stove and I was shocked to see Mehak on the floor leaning on the cabinet in the puddle of water crying.

Shaurya: Mehak, Mehak, what happened?

Mehak: (taking a deep breath) My water bag broke, I think its time to go to hospital.

I carried her as Naughty looks at us, now I know why he was barking loudly and signing me to come to kitchen instead of my room just now. I slowly put Mehak at the seat and pecked her forehead few times, maa, maasi all are out of town and I need to really keep myself calm down. I quickly speed off to the hospital. During our ride Mehak took my left palm placing it on her lower abdomen as she cries in pain. But doctor told me she still has another 3 weeks for her due date. I hope this is not something serious. Every second when the pain gets worst she cried more which made me to cry too. We reached hospital and I quickly run to get wheelchair. Immediately we get to the delivery ward and Mehak was still holding my hand tightly worrying as if I will leave her. Earlier I have discussed with Dr Geeta that I want to be present in the labor room when Mehak going to deliver the child Dr Geeta stopped me when they wheel Mehak to the delivery suite.

Dr Geeta: Mr Khanna, please wait here , we are going to check Mehak and see what is her condition now.

Shaurya: But Dr Geeta, she still have 3 weeks, how come she is having pain now?

Dr Geeta: Sometimes all these kind of unexpected situations does happen Mr Khanna. She is having pre-labor pain now. Let me check and will update you.