40. Birthday Celebration #3
"I will, bhabhi. Bye."
"Bye, Shivika. Bye, little princess."
Rahul waved at them.
"Bye, Big B. Take care."
"Bye, Rahul."
The three quickly left the room, and Rakshit closed the door behind them.
He placed the bouquet carefully on the side table and immediately turned toward Shivika.
She was already trying to soothe their crying daughter.
Rakshit walked back to the bed.
"Give her to me."
Shivika looked at him.
"She might be hungry, Aksh."
Rakshit nodded.
"Then you feed her. I'll help you get comfortable."
He adjusted the pillows behind her back before sitting beside her.
Rakshit noticed the slight chill in the room and reached for Shivika's shawl from the couch. He gently draped it over her shoulders, making sure it was securely covering her.
"Now feed her. I'll be outside," he said, getting up.
But before he could take a step, Shivika reached out and caught his wrist.
"Why are you going outside?" she asked.
Rakshit looked at her innocently.
"Ika..."
She gave him a knowing look.
"It's not like you'll even raise your head to look at me if you sit here."
Rakshit immediately scratched the back of his neck, looking a little shy.
"Ika..."
"Sit here only," she said softly.
Rakshit hesitated for a moment before sitting beside her.
Shivika adjusted herself comfortably and began feeding their daughter.
Rakshit kept his gaze on Shivika's face instead of looking anywhere else.
But somehow, that made her even more conscious.
She could feel his eyes on her.
Her cheeks slowly warmed.
"Aksh..." she whispered, slightly embarrassed.
He didn't answer.
Instead, Rakshit leaned closer and buried his face against the side of her neck, careful not to disturb her or the baby.
Shivika's breath hitched at the sudden closeness.
"Aksh..."
"Shh..." he murmured, his voice soft against her neck. "You keep feeding her and tell me when she's done."
He remained there, his face hidden against her neck, while one arm rested carefully around her without disturbing their daughter.
Shivika smiled despite her flushed cheeks.
She continued feeding their little girl, occasionally glancing down at Rakshit, who seemed perfectly content to stay exactly where he was.
For a moment, the hospital room once again felt like their own little world.
Rakshit carefully took their daughter into his arms and settled her in the bassinet after making sure she was comfortable. He adjusted the little blanket around her before turning his attention back to Shivika.
He gently helped Shivika lie down properly against the pillows.
"Aksh... my head is paining," Shivika said softly.
Rakshit immediately sat beside her and started massaging her forehead gently, his fingers moving slowly over her temples.
"Just try sleeping. You haven't slept properly last night, and today too you're not getting proper rest because one person or another keeps coming. Now just rest. No talking."
His words made Shivika's eyes close.
A genuine smile appeared on her lips.
Rakshit noticed it.
"Why are you smiling?"
"You said not to talk," Shivika whispered without opening her eyes.
Rakshit shook his head at her answer.
Sometimes he just forgot who exactly he was talking to.
"Ika..."
She smiled faintly before calling him again.
"Aksh..."
"Hmm?"
"Did you whisper her name in her ear?"
Rakshit paused for a moment.
He knew exactly what she was asking.
"No. I wanted to do that when you were awake and she was awake too, but I didn't get the chance."
Shivika remained quiet for a moment before softly saying,
"Okay, then don't. Reveal her name properly after we're discharged and go home."
Rakshit's hand paused briefly.
"After we go home?"
"Hmm. I want us to reveal her name there, not in hospital."
A soft smile appeared on Rakshit's face.
"Okay."
He resumed massaging her forehead.
"Then we'll do it at home."
Shivika smiled.
"Yeah."
"Now no more words. Just sleep."
He resumed massaging her forehead, gently applying pressure to ease her headache.
Shivika gave a small smile.
Within minutes, the exhaustion finally took over, and she drifted into sleep under his gentle touch.
Rakshit continued massaging her forehead for a few moments even after her breathing had become slow and steady.
The next day passed much more quietly than the day before.
There were no visitors coming in and out of the room, no cake, no laughter filling the room every few minutes. It was just Shivika, Rakshit and their little girl, with the nurses and doctor coming in from time to time for their routine checks.
Rakshit had barely slept properly, but he still seemed more energetic than anyone expected. His attention remained divided between his wife and daughter.
If Shivika needed water, he was already reaching for it. If the baby made even the smallest sound, his eyes immediately went toward the bassinet.
By morning, the doctor came for Shivika's checkup.
She checked her vitals, asked about her pain, bleeding, appetite and sleep, and made sure her recovery was progressing normally. She also checked the baby's vitals and feeding.
Everything was fine.
But before leaving, the doctor spoke to Rakshit for a little longer.
"There are a few things you need to remember once you go home," she said.
Rakshit listened carefully.
Postpartum recovery wasn't just about the delivery being over.
The delivery was only the beginning of recovery.
The doctor explained that Shivika's body would take time to return to normal. She might feel sore, weak, exhausted or uncomfortable for days, sometimes even weeks. Her uterus would gradually contract back to its usual size, which could cause cramping, especially while feeding the baby.
There would also be postpartum bleeding, known as lochia. It wasn't the same as a normal period. It was the body's way of getting rid of blood, mucus and tissue left after pregnancy. It would gradually reduce and change in colour over time.
Rakshit listened without interrupting.
The doctor also explained that Shivika shouldn't feel embarrassed about discussing things like pain, bleeding, constipation, difficulty using the washroom or discomfort while sitting.
"These are things women often don't talk about," the doctor said gently. "But they're part of recovery. If something hurts, she needs to tell you instead of silently tolerating it."
Rakshit nodded.
There was something about hearing all of it that made him realize just how much Shivika's body had gone through.
The doctor continued explaining that exhaustion was another major part of postpartum recovery. Even when the baby slept, Shivika might not be able to sleep immediately. Her body would be tired, her mind would still be alert, and constant feeding could leave her drained.
"So don't tell her to 'sleep when the baby sleeps' as if it's that simple," the doctor added with a small smile. "Help her create the opportunity to rest."
Rakshit smiled faintly.
"I'll make sure she rests."
The doctor also spoke about food and hydration. Shivika would need enough nutritious food and fluids, especially while breastfeeding. Her body had spent months providing everything for the baby and would now need nourishment to recover while producing milk.
Then came something that Rakshit hadn't expected.
Her emotions.