34. Baby Shower #5
Looking at Shivika, he smiled softly.
"I am going to have a bath. I think I'll feel a little fresh after that."
Shivika nodded.
"Okay."
Rakshit went towards the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Shivika stayed back in the bedroom, resting after the long and emotional day.
The exhaustion was finally catching up to her, so she simply leaned back comfortably and closed her eyes for a while as Rakshit went to freshen up.
Rakshit came back after his shower and carefully slipped into bed beside Shivika.
The mattress dipped slightly, making Shivika open her eyes.
The moment she looked at him, Rakshit smiled.
Leaning closer, he pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"So, enjoyed today, to-be mother?" he whispered.
A smile immediately appeared on Shivika's face.
"To the fullest, to-be father."
Rakshit chuckled.
Then, without wasting a second, he leaned down and kissed her stomach.
His hand came to rest over it naturally.
"Baby, did you enjoy today?"
As if hearing him, the baby kicked.
Both of them laughed instantly.
"See?"
Shivika grinned.
"Someone definitely enjoyed it."
Rakshit's smile widened.
He gently rubbed her stomach.
Then another thought came to him.
"Did you like the song Papa sang for your Mumma?"
He waited.
And waited.
Nothing.
No kick.
No movement.
Rakshit frowned.
Shivika immediately noticed and had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing.
Rakshit looked at her.
She simply shrugged.
"I don't know."
Suspicious now, Rakshit shifted closer and rested his ear against her stomach.
"Baby?"
Still nothing.
"Wouldn't you reply to Papa?"
Shivika finally laughed.
The sight of him genuinely trying to have a conversation with their unborn child was too adorable.
Rakshit looked up at her.
"I think baby is ignoring me."
Another laugh escaped Shivika.
Rakshit placed his ear back.
"Baby, are you angry with Papa?"
Almost immediately-
Kick.
Both of them froze.
Then looked at each other with wide eyes.
"Wait."
Rakshit sat up slightly.
"What did I do?"
The genuine worry in his voice made Shivika laugh harder.
"I don't know."
Rakshit looked down at her stomach again.
"Baby, what happened?"
Shivika thought for a moment.
Then a mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"I think it's because you didn't sing for the baby."
The moment she finished speaking-
Kick.
Silence.
Then Shivika burst out laughing.
"See? Baby agreed."
Even Rakshit couldn't stop himself from laughing.
"Ohh, my baby."
He lovingly caressed her stomach.
"Papa will sing for you too. Don't be angry, baccha."
The tiny kicks continued beneath his palm.
Shivika watched the scene with a smile.
Then suddenly her expression changed.
"Aksh."
"Hmm?"
"You call me baccha."
"Yes."
"You can't call our baby baccha."
Rakshit blinked.
Completely confused.
"Why?"
"What do you mean why?"
Shivika frowned.
"I am your baccha."
Rakshit stared at her.
"You are serious?"
"Very."
She nodded confidently.
"Give the baby another nickname."
Rakshit looked between her and her stomach.
"Ika..."
"What?"
"I call you baccha because I love you."
"Exactly."
"And I love the baby too."
"So?"
Rakshit looked even more confused.
"Then why can't I call the baby baccha too?"
Shivika immediately wrapped her arms around his waist and moved closer.
"Because."
She said as if the answer was obvious.
Rakshit tried very hard not to laugh.
"You are jealous of our child."
"I am not."
Shivika denied instantly.
"Then what is this?"
"This is called setting boundaries."
That made Rakshit lose the battle completely.
A laugh escaped him.
"You are unbelievable."
"No."
Shivika shook her head.
"You can call the baby princess, guddu, golu, anything."
She pointed at herself.
Finally understanding what this entire argument was about, Rakshit's eyes softened.
He pulled her closer against his chest.
"Okay."
A victorious smile appeared on Shivika's face.
Then Rakshit added,
"My jealous baccha."
Shivika immediately looked up.
"I am not jealous."
"Sure."
"Why would I be jealous of our own baby?"
Rakshit nodded seriously.
"Yeah, yeah. I know."
The teasing smile on his face said otherwise.
"Aksh."
"Hmm?"
"I am serious."
"I know."
He replied, trying-and failing-to hide his amusement.
Shivika huffed.
Realizing he wasn't going to stop teasing her, she simply closed her eyes dramatically.
"I'm sleeping."
Rakshit smiled.
Looking at her for a few moments.
"My baccha."
He whispered fondly.
Then he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
A smile instantly appeared on Shivika's face despite her pretending to be asleep.
Rakshit noticed.
Of course he noticed.
But he didn't say anything.
He simply pulled the blanket over both of them, switched off the light, and held his wife-his very possessive baccha-a little closer as the house finally settled into peaceful silence after a day filled with love, laughter, and memories.
A baby fills a place in your heart you never knew was empty.