Published on 19th August 2022.

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Happy Janmashtami to all the lovely people here. I've grown up listening to Krishna Ji's tales, so yup, this day's special for me.

Don't forget to drop your comments.

Bring your ear closer: It's free!!

♡ We're only gettin' older, baby

And I've been thinkin' about it lately

Does it ever drive you crazy

Just how fast the night changes? ♡

- S H R U T I -

"What the hell is wrong with you? You could've waited a bit longer. Atleast think about Ishant, he's not even 1. Couldn't you control yourself?!" Hearing Akriti's scoldings, I closed my eyes. She was right in her own way but it was how it was. I couldn't change anything now.

A tug on my chest made me look down. I sighed as my gaze went to the little man who looked at me with wide eyes. He demanded attention, nothing more nothing less.

I turned my gaze to Akriti and saw the disappointment in her eyes. Well, she cared for me and wanted me to be at the best of my health.

I don't know if it's good or not but for me it's the best news.

As little hands crawled up to the neckline of my shirt, I pulled them away from me in an instant. "Kya hua Ishu?" (What happened)

I regretted raising my voice on him when I saw a glint of tears in his eyes. Poor guy. He was hungry, maybe. It was too difficult to understand his mood nowadays. Since he had started teething, he had extreme mood issues.

"Shruti, what're you doing? Feed him." Akriti snapped and I took a deep breath before getting ready to breastfeed him. He just had his food half an hour ago but was still hungry.

It's been ten months he's born and I failed to understand his hunger cycle everytime.

We started feeding him solid food and mashed fruits from the day he turned 6 months old but he hated them with all his might. The only thing he loved was his mother's milk. I had no problem with it, I could do anything for my child. But the only problem was he would fill his stomach with milk, leaving no space for his baby food which was necessary for his growth.

"So, what have you thought about it? We don't want to put your health at stake. Ishu is still a baby and he needs your priority. You know you can termi-"

"Positive. I know your concern is genuine but trust me, nothing bad will happen."

"Have you discussed this with Rishabh?" She asked and I shook my head in negative. Ofcourse I didn't. I wanted to check it myself first, and it was confirmed now after I got the positive results from hospital. I don't know how he'd react when I'll break the news to him at night. "Shruti, I don't know what to say. I am really scared but-"

My eyes widened as she gave a halt to her words and rushed towards the nearest bathroom.

Damn.

Not this shit again.

I stood up from the couch with patience and took a breath of relief when I saw that my boy was sleeping. He's fast asleep, always, as long as his stomach his full. With slow and tiny steps I walked to the way of washroom and saw Akriti's back as she puked her guts out.

This is the third time I'm seeing this scene in this month, but strangely it's Akriti. The first one was Aditi and second was me, as I experienced it three days ago. I wanted to slide it off as a digestion issue but I couldn't. Symptoms were too similar to the time I was carrying Ishant.

"You're okay?"

She nodded and wiped her face with towel. "Indigestion maybe. I guess I ate too much last night. You know what a foodie he is."

How could her husband be at fault?

Just because he's a foodie?

But he never forced her to eat everything he does. Akriti has a mind of her own and can see what she intakes and how much.

"Sure it's digestion issue? I don't think so Akriti."

"Then what do you think?" She crossed her arms in front and leaned back on the wall. I shrugged my shoulders and something caught her mind which made her eyes widen, "Wait, no... How can this happen?"

"You know how it happens?"

It was my turn to give her a lecture!

She had been giving one to me since an hour, when I gave her the news. The ball was in my court now.

"I..."

"I have a home test with me. Try it if you want to." She nodded and didn't waste any second in rushing to my bag. I got too many testing kits to clear my mind, many of which were still left unused.

While she used the bathroom, I walked to my room and placed Ishant in the middle of bed. Mumma and papa had gone out to our relatives hence we were the only ones here. After bordering him with all the pillows I could find in entire house, I took a deep sigh until I heard a ring on my phone. I hated the person who wanted to disturb my son's sleep. May he or she rot in hell! Before the sound could be successful in waking Ishu up, I rushed to pick the call.

It was Rishabh's!

Okay, I take my words back.

I don't want the father of my kids to rot in hell.

"Umm... What is Ishu doing?"

"Sleeping. I just put him to bed."

"And, what're you doing?"

I took a deep sigh before thinking about what to answer him. I laid my back on the bed and looked at Ishu to see if he was sleeping peacefully. "Nothing much." We hadn't talked since last night after we had an argument and things were getting too awkward now.

"I..... Shruti, I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have started-"

"I'm sorry too, Rishi."

I didn't even remember what happened last night and what instigated the fight, and I don't even what to think about it. Such stuff is normal. Arguments do take place, but the only thing we can do is learn how to solve them faster.

"Do you-"

"Rishi, can we talk about this later? Not on call."

"Hmm. Okay. I'll try to finish my work earlier."

This wasn't something I had to worry about. I was extremely nervous for tonight. I don't know how I'm gonna break the news to him.

I stood up from the bed and walked to Akriti as I heard the door of her bathroom opening. When I saw her face my mouth hung wide open. She was crying!

"Akriti, why are you-" Words died in my mouth as I saw the test stick in her hand. It read positive. But why was she crying? It was a great news.

"Shruti, everything's okay?"

"Yeah... yeah, it is. I'll talk to you later."

"What happened Shruti?! You don't sound good."

"Akriti, she's pregnant."

"That's a great news. Wait, let me talk to bhaiya. Does he know?"

Akriti glared at me and shook her head in no. I took the cue and immediately stopped him. "No, don't. Actually she wants to surprise him. You know what I mean to say."

"Okay, I won't tell him." He chuckled. "Give her my wishes."

"I will. Bye." I placed the phone on table and walked to her. My arms wrapped around her while my palms rubbed her back to console her. "Akriti, why are you crying? It's a good news. Are you not happy?"

I passed a glass of water to her and she slowly took a sip. "I don't know. Kids are not in our plan. Heck, we have never talked about kids!"

"I understand Akriti. Don't worry. I'm sure he'll be happy with the news." I was in the same horizon as her, unsure of what was about to happen. The only plus point was that Rishabh and I had already discussed the idea of having another kid. But not so soon. We planned on waiting until Ishant turns three or four.

But as we say, things never go by our plans.

"I know. But I'm scared. What if he's not ready?"

"You don't know Akriti. He would be over the top when he hears this."

"I hope..." She sighed and leaned her head on the headrest. I took the glass from her hand and placed it on the table. Before I could leave, my gaze fell on the clock.

"Akriti, you need to pick Adit from school, don't you?" Adit was in second grade and him complaining about how much he is forced to study is something I could never understand.

"No, it's Yash's turn. Adit will stay with him today." They were sharing his custody, a step they should've taken earlier. If not for a good husband, he was a great father, Akriti used to state. If they were happy in what they were doing, I was too.

I nodded and walked back to my boy to check if he was sleeping with comfort.

✨

- R I S H A B H -

After finishing my work for the day, I drove back as fast as I could. I wanted to go home and have good rest as fast as I could. Crossing all the jammed roads, I reached back home and parked the car. I waited after ringing the bell and felt my patience slipping as no one answered the door.

Where was everyone?

I was about to walk to the back door which was on the opposite side of our house but halted when I heard the main door opening. There stood my seductress of a wife who loved teasing me.

Damn!

Just looking at her makes my pants tight. I mean, who was I kidding to. Pregnancy just pulled the best out of her. I remember the time she was carrying our son. Weird cravings, mood swings, morning sickness, swollen feet and increased sex drive were a small part of the pregnancy package.

We got the results out for her blood test, three days after our second anniversary. It was positive. She was a month along. Everyone was elated when they got the good news. We were too. Those eight months were crucial for us, we took all the precautions and consulted her doctor and our mothers before each and every step.

"You're so late? You know your wife would be back by any moment." She blinked her eyes, pure innocence dripping from them and I smirked.

Well, two can play a game.

"I know, sweetheart. Let's get to work before she's back." I closed the door on my way inside and she giggled. I picked her up in my arms and she hit my chest as I spoke, "Thinking about doing naughty stuff? Let's get to bed soon."

"Rishu, I was joking! Put me down. Ma and papa are in the adjacent room. They'll hear us."

"I wasn't joking." She narrowed her eyes and I pecked her pout. "Come on, let's get to work."

"You're tired."

"A good excuse but no, I'm not." She passed me an uninterested smile and I chuckled, "I am tired but not for you."

"Uh huh?!"

"Hmm." I pressed my mouth upon her and walked to our bedroom before anyone could notice us.

✨

"You wanted to say something?"

"Huh?" She looked puzzled. I knew something was troubling her but couldn't put a finger upon it. I shook my head and encouraged her to speak ahead. She didn't have to hide anything from me. By anything I meant anything. "It's nothing."

"Shruti!"

She was sitting between my legs as I stroked her cute little protruding belly. While we talked, my gaze crossed between her and our son who slept just to our right. He was a heavy sleeper, just like his mother.

"Rishabh, I..."

Now I knew the matter was something big enough. It was rare for her to take my full name.

"Go on, I'm listening."

"I wanted to talk about last night." Although I could sense this wasn't the thing she was thinking about, I slid the matter aside. I wanted her to open up when she wanted to, not because of mere force.

"I'm sorry. I know you're tired after taking care of Ishant, yet I said that." Last night, Ishu acted grumpy and as I was too tired after a hectic day, I couldn't give time to him. I straightway hit the bed and was in such a deep sleep that I couldn't even wake up after Ishu started crying. Ofcourse, he always does that even he couldn't find his mother after waking up.

And that's how things boiled up.

The blame game of perfect parental figure started and we slept after having a huge fight. Now that I look at it, we both were at fault in some or the other way.

I should've paid more attention to him. We made him together and I have equal responsibilities towards him. Shruti stays with him the entire day, and she's right when she says that I need to separate some of my quality time for our son. I mean I do, but I should be with him more, in his every small step.

"No, it was my fault. You were tired after work, it was obvious from the way you were sleeping, yet I spoke so bad. I should've understood it." She sighed and I hugged her tightly. I couldn't see her but guessing her expressions wasn't a huge task.

I couldn't blame her actions.

Her cycle was going high-and-low after her delivery which caused such sudden hormonal rushes.

"Okay, it's over now." She hummed and turned around to face me. Her hands wrapped around me as she settled on my lap and her head laid on my chest, just below my chin. "What happened?" She shook her head and buried her hard skull into my chest.

"Rishu..."

"Hmm..."

"What do you think about babies?"

"Don't you think you're a bit late to start this talk? We already have a sample with us."

"I'm not talking about Ishu."

"Having Ishu is wholesome enough to experience what a baby is."

"I'm pregnant." My eyes widened when I heard what she said. I was hearing stuff, probably. It was not at all real. "We're expecting."

WHA-

My mind took minutes to process what she said. She just did not say that we were expecting again, did she? Why, I mean how? I did want a kid but not this early, when Ishu is too young. Plus, I want Shruti to become physically and mentally fit to go through the pregnancy phase again. Ten months was not a sufficient period.

"No..." I was dreaming, probably. When her moist eyes came in my view, I regretted my words. "You're sure? The results could be false."

"You're not happy, Rishu?"

"Answer me first Shruti."

I didn't want to do this. I had no heart to see her cry. But this talk was important. If she was joking, it was a bad joke. "Hmm. I got the reports today. They were positive."

"You went to doctor and didn't care to inform me?! Why Shruti?" I couldn't control my voice from raising. Her constant muffles ached me and I took took a deep sigh. "Shruti, please. I'm with you. I just want the best for us, that's it." I patted her back and in turn she hugged me tightly. Her head hid in the crook of my neck, as I supposed.

"I wanted to be sure if I was really pregnant. I didn't want to scare you."

"You could never scare me. You could've atleast informed me before visiting hospitals and taking such tests. We are together in everything, remember?"

"Hmm..." I smiled and kissed the nape of her neck. "Are you happy?"

I was.

It was our child growing inside her. I love him or her as much as I love Ishu. Internally, I was the happiest person. But the consequences of what would happen troubled me.

Could I love it when my wife's life was at stake?

"I'm happy Shruti."

"Thank you Rishu. I thought you would regret it." I sighed as she wiped her nose with my shirt. I didn't mind it though. Ishu was already a big drooler and he never leaves my shirts clean. His mother is just the same.

Like mother like son!

I placed my hand on her belly, our child's comfortable residence. "This child is not just yours but mine too. I would never regret it. But, Shruti, if this pregnancy causes any complications with your health, I'm sorry but I can't support you." It didn't take a second for her face to fall down. "I want the best for you and Ishu. He's just ten months old. He needs our full attention Shruti. We can't compromise-"

"Who told you we won't be able to take care of Ishu? Ma and papa are here, Ishu is the apple of their eyes. We're here. Pregnancy doesn't mean I can't give time to our son."

"Okay, we'll handle Ishu. But what about you?"

"What about me?"

"I worry about your health. You had a delivery ten months ago. Do you think you're strong enough to carry another life inside you? I don't want to put your life at stake!"

"I am fine Rishu, it will be all well. Remember, ma had Radhika when you were just a few months old. It's the same."

"It's not same. I was almost two and a half when Radhika was born. Ishu would barely be eighteen months old when you deliver. See the difference?"

"Rishi, I..."

"Okay, listen to me. I'm with you, trust me, I'm with you in all the decisions you take. We'll go to your doctor tomorrow. If there are no complications with this pregnancy, I'm with you. We're with our child. But if there's any threat to your life, I won't support this decision of yours. You are my priority, nothing else comes first."

"Okay. Let's visit my doctor tomorrow." She sighed in a low voice and rested her head on my chest. I couldn't even guess how big of a storm her mind would be battling with.

"Shruti, I love you and I'd never want anything bad to even touch you. This... this is my child, my own flesh but you're more important for me. I've heard about many such pregnancies and only a few of them are successful. I can't see you going through that phase. You're my life and if something happens to you, I won't be able to live." I could hear her cry, but the tears I shed glistened my view. "Okay, it's enough for today. We'll see what happens tomorrow. Hmm?"

"Hmm. I'm sure it will all be fine. Nothing bad will happen to us."

She smiled and pulled me closer, as if her life was dependant on it. My arms wrapped around her back and my nose went deep into her neck to inhale her intoxicating fragrance. She was my safe haven and there was no doubt in it.

I know life changed a lot in these years.

But some things didn't.

My moment of tranquility got broken when her hands cupped my face and her lips met mine. I wasted no time in pulling her closer -although we had no visible space between us- while my fingers found their way into her locks. I tasted each and every corner of her mouth as our soft flesh molded perfectly together.

I wanted to continue further and take it to the next level but I knew she'd be tired after what we did a few minutes ago. I didn't want to waste her energy, which I doubt she barely had, on some mere moments of pleasure.

A tug on my pants made my gaze narrow down to the same direction while my mouth worked with their perfect pace. A sitting Ishu came in my view and I knew what I had to do. I immediately created a distance between mine and Shruti's head and earned a confused glare from her. My eyes directed her towards our little bomb which left her mouth wide open.

She got off my lap with a jerk and sat miles away from me. Seeing his territory free, Ishu crawled towards me and tried to get on my legs. I made his work easier by making him sit on my lap and in turn he smiled.

"How was your day?"

He mumbled some incoherent words which were out of my league. Shruti laughed and sat beside me, pulling his soft and tiny cheeks on the way. He threw some angry words here and there and we laughed more.

His speech was unclear, or I could say it was barely audible. He didn't like to use words much. The only thing he knew was how to shout loudly when he need someone's attention.

"He slept a lot today."

"I can see the good amount of sleep he had in his eyes." He had only a few thing to do which includes sleeping, filling his stomach, playing and entertaining his grandparents.

His tiny hands held the fabric of my shirt and tried to stand up. I let him do what he was trying to and saw a big smile on his face when he accomplished growing taller than me. He had only a few goals in life.

"Shit, it's time for dinner. I need to help ma." Shruti rushed out and I shook my head in disbelief.