Epilogue II
I felt a soft kiss on my cheeks which I might add became chubby as the months passed. I turned to the other side to sleep peacefully but there was another kiss placed on my other cheek and I heard a chuckle followed by another kiss.
"I love the way you wake me up," I caressed his cheek as I opened my eyes with a smile. His stubble bread made me feel ticklish and his eyes were filled with love and affection as he placed another kiss on my forehead.
"I love the way I wake you up too," He cooed as he brushed the hair strands off my face. He helped me sit up and we shared a hug before he helped me wear my slippers. Nav carried me to the bathroom door something he has been doing even though I said I can walk on my own.
'You don't need to strain your legs when I can carry my princess,' that's what he said when I asked why he picks me up randomly and won't let me walk on my own.
I completed my daily chores which was a little difficult with my 9 months belly but with Nav getting all my required things it became easy for me. The love and respect I have for him grew more and more as time passed. The way he cooks healthy meals for me, the way he feeds me like I was some baby, the way he carries me around, the way he massages my foot, the way he talks to my belly, the way he wakes me up showering me with kisses, the way he pampers me but becomes strict when it comes to my diet and exercise everything about him make my heart swell with happiness and love.
He carried me to the bed once I was out of the bathroom and made my hair. He took a pinch of vermilion, filled my hairline, and pressed a kiss to my forehead before crouching down and placing a kiss on my belly. Like every day, his angel, that's what he says, wished him morning with a kick. He placed another kiss murmuring 'I love you, angel'. He then got up and pecked my lips saying 'I love you, Princess'.
"We love you, Nav," I giggled as he bumped our foreheads together.
"Let's feed my two precious women," He got up from his place and walked to the door as I muttered, "It can be a boy too," to which he just shrugged saying, "I know it's my baby girl,"
After a while, he returned with a tray full of fruits and I made a face as soon as I saw the fruits. I don't want to eat them. And from the way he looked at me, I know he know that too but he is going to feed me no matter what.
"Don't give me those puppy eyes. You have to complete them," he placed the plate on the bedside table and sat on the bed back hugging me.
"Just for today, please Nav," I requested. He shook his head and took the plate in his hands.
"Okay, you just eat half of them and I will complete the remaining. I will also make your favorite milkshake for you after this," He cooed and fed me a grape. I huffed in annoyance and chewed the grape and gulped it down. I can never say no to this man and he feeds me like a pig.
"You are too bad," I whined as he fed me another fruit.
"Achha, why so?" he raised a brow in amusement and kissed my temple as he took a piece of apple in his hand and waited for me to gulp the fruit he fed before.
"You are feeding me too much. I became fat," tears started to swirl in my eyes. I can't even look down at my feet due to my weight.
"No, you are not. Your body is just getting ready to get our princess into this world. And you are glowing due to this pregnancy. Just let our baby come out, I will make you exercise and get back to your previous shape. I prefer you both the way though," That last sentence made me chuckle and I hit his shoulder before hiding my face in his chest.
He then wiped off my tears and kissed my forehead. Then we did a little walking exercise after which I took a bath and got ready. Then we went down to have breakfast.
"Good morning, Bhabi maa," Abir wished me coming out of the kitchen as he wiped his hands with a cloth. He placed a kiss on my forehead and we shared a hug before he took a seat to my left as Nav was already seated to my right.
"Bhabi maa, what are you going to name our angel?" Abir asked as he served poha to himself and me. Soon everyone else joined us at the dining table and we wished each other as they took their places.
"Bhabi maa, today we will go out in the evening," Abhishek said making me grin. Last month Priya finally disclosed about her family and I am happy that she escaped that pathetic being called parents. I can't say I understand her pain because I don't. I have always been pampered right from birth and am being pampered. But these brothers can feel her loneliness and try to cheer her up every chance they get.
"Bhai, bhabi maa was about to answer my question and you interrupted," Abir accused Abhishek and threw an apple at him which he caught with ease and started munching on it.
"What were you asking Abir?" Priya asked enthusiastically as she served herself another puri.
"I was asking her our angel's name, Bhabi," He replied with a huff. He doesn't call her bhabi maa. According to him I am already his mother and he doesn't want one more but he doesn't have a bhabi so Priya is perfect for his bhabi. I don't know whether to laugh at him or admire him for thinking so but my devar is such a baby at heart and so pure.
"I will tell you when she comes, Abir and you will be the second one to know the name," I assured him.
"Why not first?" He whined and he would have stomped his leg folding his hands if he was not sitting.
"Cause Angel's father already knows her name and he helped his princess in choosing the name," Abhinav replied as he wrapped his hand around my shoulder pulling me closer to him. They both scoffed at each other and turned away. Did I say only Abir was a baby? No, my husband is a bigger baby than Abir and I doubt he would be more childish than our baby.
"What name did bhai give you after your marriage bhabi maa?" Priya asked excitedly and everyone had teasing smiles on their faces while I lowered my gaze in shyness. The name was quite beautiful but the explanation he gave me when I asked him about it on our anniversary makes me feel a whole damn zoo in my tummy every time someone talks about it.
"Saanvi," Nav's voice held a teasing edge as he passed me a teasing look. I must be looking like a tomato by now.
"Any special reason for that particular name, bhai?" She further enquired. Can I just dig a hole and bury myself? Its meaning is beautiful but I turn into a puddle every time I think about it.
"It is one of the names of Goddess Lakshmi, also means divine, one who will be followed and my wife is all of them to me." I dug my nails into my palm and bit my tongue to keep my expressions in check but due to pregnancy my emotions were extreme and every time he said something loving to me, tears pooled in my eyes and it happened again.
"Princess, are you crying?" Nav softly cupped my cheeks and wiped off the tears. Frown lines appeared on his forehead as his concern-filled eyes bore into mine.
"I love you, Nav," I confessed truthfully as I threw my hands around him hugging him.
"I love you, Princess," He wiped off my tears again and placed a kiss on my forehead. We heard a series of 'aww's and I hid myself in my husband's chest. He wrapped his hands around me protectively and fake glared at them making everyone go back to their works.
Soon everyone left for the office leaving me and my husband along with grandparents at home. Abhinav stopped going to the office completely as I entered 9th month. Before too, he just went to attend important meetings after we got to know about pregnancy.
Nav helped me back to our art room. I stood there admiring the painting we both drew together. It gives me immense peace whenever I see it and the feeling of being protected under the gaze of Radha Krishna as they showered their warm blessings on us.
I felt a sudden pain shoot through my abdomen and then it increased. I clutched my stomach as I seated myself in the chair and called out for Nav. He along with Abhishek and Abir rushed to me panic evident on their faces. Nav kneeled in front of me as he took my hand in his while I gritted my teeth in pain and tears streamed down my face.
"Our baby... baby is going to come. My water...water broke," I managed to complete and sheer panic rose in the room as Nav hurriedly hoisted me in his arms and I snaked my hands around his neck as I had no strength to take a step.
"Abir, bring the hospital kit and inform Maa (Isha's mother) about it. " With that being said Nav rushed me down and Abhishek was already out waiting for us in the car. Priya too joined us as we drove to the hospital with me clutching my stomach and my nails digging into Nav's hand due to the unbearable pain.
We reached the hospital after what felt like an eternity. I was laid on a stretcher and when I was outside the OT and when the nurse asked Nav to leave my hand, fear started to rise in me and Nav's hold on my hand tightened as he glared at the nurse. I don't want to face it alone. I want my Nav, my life with me when the life we both created comes into this world. Nav passed me an assuring smile and looked at Abhishek who understood the assignment and scurried away to talk to the authorities.
Within two minutes I was changed into the hospital gown and was being observed by the doctors as they waited for the dilation to start the procedure. Nav was standing beside me clearing my sweat and whispering sweet words in my ear. Though the old nurse who asked Nav to wait outside appeared to be unimpressed with a man being in OT during delivery, the doctors and others were very sweet and welcoming. After two hours of horrible pain, I felt myself falling unconscious when I heard the most beautiful cry of my life, our baby.
As I saw the baby being taken out by the doctor, I felt a soft kiss on my forehead followed by a whisper, "I am proud of you, my love," from my husband after which I gave in. I woke up, still feeling weak and the sight in front of my eyes was no less than a blessing.
Abhinav was holding our baby wrapped in a white towel, with Bhai, Abhishek, and Abir on either side of him cooing the baby. All the elders were looking at them with eyes filled with love and admiration while Abhigya on the other side was in literal tears.
"Nav..." My voice came out hoarse and I doubted if anyone could hear me but Nav snapped his head in my direction as soon as that whisper left my lips. He, with a huge smile plastered on his face, walked to me and bent a little to show me our baby.
"Our angel, Princess," He said with full of love in his voice and I nodded at him smiling. He then placed our baby in my lap and poured a cup of water for me. He helped me drink the water and wiped my lips after that.
"Bhabi, at least tell the name now," Abir grinned enthusiastically and I looked at Nav who was already looking at me with admiring eyes. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead and nodded at me, asking me to reveal the name we both decided for our princess.
"Aashvi," I replied.
"Aashvi Abhinav Singh Rathore," I announced her full name and Abir grinned at me along with Abhishek all the elders smiled at us, satisfied with the name until Abhinav interrupted.
"No, she is not Aashvi Abhinav Singh Rathore," I looked up at Abhinav to see whether he was joking but his face was serious. He was the one who suggested the name, then why is he not happy with the name? Frown lines appeared on my forehead while all the others too looked at him, prompting him to continue further.
"Her father's name is Abhinav Isha Singh Rathore, so she, our daughter will be Aashvi Abhinav Isha Singh Rathore," He declared with a kiss on my forehead followed by a kiss on our little one's forehead and sat beside me as I scooted a little to give him some space to sit.
"I told you already Princess, only you can't have the privilege to have my name with you, I do too," With that, he hugged me wrapping his hand around my shoulder and we admired the new addition to our family, our blessing. Nav named her Aashvi because Aashvi is another name for the goddess Saraswathi and also means blessed. We want our child to be a blessed one so she is our Aashvi.
"I love you," I confessed genuinely as I placed a kiss on his jaw once I saw everyone walk out leaving us alone.
"I love you, my princess," he calls me princess even after I was crowned Queen because according to him, I am a Queen to everyone including him when we are in the presence of others but when we are both alone, I will always be his Princess, a princess whom he wants to spoil with all his love and pampering.
We heard a small whimper from our baby probably irritated due to the negligence of her parents. "We love you, angel," we both said together and a small smile graced her lips making us smile heartily at our little bundle of joy.
(The painting they made together after Abir's case)