44 | A first kick
_________________________________________
As the weeks passed, Avyukt somehow became even more impossible.
Every checkup was treated like a national emergency.
"Avyukt, the doctor said monthly."
"I know."
"Then why are we here again?"
"Just checking."
"Checking what?"
"Everything."
Poor Avantika had given up arguing.
The hospital staff already knew them by name.
The funniest part was that every time they came for a scan, Avyukt would sit there waiting for the same thing.
The heartbeat.
The moment he heard those tiny heartbeats, his entire face changed.
Every.
Single.
Time.
As if he was hearing them for the first time.
And every time they returned home, he brought something new.
Tiny socks.
Tiny shoes.
Tiny blankets.
Tiny toys.
Everything came in pairs.
Because there were two babies.
But then there was always a third item.
A bigger one.
For Avantika.
If he bought baby shoes, Avantika got new slippers.
If babies got blankets, Avantika got a shawl.
If babies got toys, Avantika got something too.
Finally she asked,
"The babies I understand. Why do I get gifts too?"
Avyukt looked genuinely confused.
"Because you're my first baby."
Avantika stared at him.
"You realize that sounds ridiculous?"
"No."
"It does."
"No."
And then he bought her another gift the next day.
---
Meanwhile, another important day had arrived.
Siya's result day.
The entire house was nervous.
Especially Krish.
He had been pacing around the living room for almost an hour.
"What if the website crashes?"
"What if the result is delayed?"
"What if-"
"Krish, sit down."
"No."
"Sit."
"No."
Everyone was more stressed watching Krish than waiting for the result.
Just then Avyukt and Avantika returned from the hospital and all of them gathered around together.
The result portal finally opened.
Immediately Krish grabbed the laptop.
"I'll check."
Everyone waited.
Silence.
A few seconds later- His eyes widened.
Then widened even more.
And before anyone could ask-
He jumped up.
"96%!"
The whole house exploded with excitement.
"WHAT?!"
"Seriously?!"
"You topped?!"
Without thinking, Krish pulled Siya into a tight hug.
"You did it!"
Siya herself looked shocked.
Then happy.
Then emotional.
Meanwhile everyone else was trying to reach her too.
"At least let us congratulate her!"
But Krish wasn't letting go.
Not immediately.
---
A few minutes later, after the excitement settled down, Siya came and sat beside Avantika.
Avantika smiled and gently placed a hand on her belly.
"Babies."
Everyone looked at her.
"Your maasi topped."
As if on cue-
A tiny kick.
Avantika's eyes widened.
"There!"
Immediately Avyukt moved closer.
"What happened?"
"They kicked."
"What?!"
He quickly placed his hand on her belly.
A few seconds later-
Another kick.
Avyukt froze.
Completely froze.
The entire room disappeared.
His attention was only on that tiny movement beneath his hand.
Then slowly, a smile appeared on his face.
A smile so soft that everyone around him became quiet.
"There they are," he whispered.
And for the next few minutes, the future father completely forgot about Siya's result, the celebrations, and everything else.
Because his children had just kicked.
And according to Avyukt Vardhan...
That was the greatest achievement of the day.
The excitement of Siya's result and the babies' kick had completely taken over the house.
___
Everyone was in a good mood.
So naturally, someone suggested making something special for Avantika.
Within minutes, the kitchen looked like a battlefield.
Renuka was giving instructions.
Dad was pretending to help.
Ruhi was tasting everything.
Krish was eating half the ingredients.
Siya was trying to save whatever food remained.
And somehow, after all the chaos, they actually managed to make something decent.
---
A little later, everyone brought the food to Avantika proudly.
"Made with love," Ruhi announced.
"And several mistakes," Siya added.
Avantika laughed and started eating.
Meanwhile, everyone gathered in the living room.
The discussion quickly shifted toward the babies.
"What if both are boys?"
"What if both are girls?"
"What if one boy and one girl?"
"What should we name them?"
"We should buy this."
"No, we should buy that."
The conversation became louder and louder.
Nobody noticed that Avantika had quietly finished eating.
Avyukt was busy checking something on his phone related to work.
Everyone else was arguing about baby names.
Not wanting to disturb anyone, Avantika simply picked up her plate and walked toward the kitchen herself.
She placed it in the sink and started walking back.
---
At the exact same moment- Everyone else was distracted.
Nobody was looking.
Avantika's foot caught slightly on the edge of the rug.
Her balance shifted.
For one terrifying second-
She slipped.
---
Before she could fall-
A hand wrapped around her waist.
Strong.
Fast.
Protective.
Avyukt.
He had crossed half the room before anyone even realized what happened.
The entire living room went silent.
Avantika blinked.
Avyukt stared at her.
Then immediately-
"Are you okay?"
She nodded.
"I'm fine."
His expression changed.
"Why were you carrying the plate yourself?"
Avantika opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"I was just-"
"No."
"Avyukt-"
"No."
And everyone knew they were about to witness a lecture.
---
He carefully made her sit down.
Then slowly turned toward the family.
The family instantly looked guilty.
Even though nobody knew whose fault it was.
"Wonderful."
Nobody spoke.
"Absolutely wonderful."
Still silence.
"My wife almost slipped."
Everyone looked down.
"And where was everyone?"
No answer.
"Discussing baby names."
Krish raised a hand.
"I think 'discussion' is a strong word. We were arguing."
"Krish."
"Sorry."
---
Then one by one, he started pointing fingers.
"Mom."
Renuka immediately sat straighter.
"Dad."
Dad looked away.
"Ruhi."
Ruhi gasped dramatically.
"Me?!"
"Especially you."
"That's unfair."
"Siya."
Siya immediately pointed at Krish.
"It was his fault."
"Traitor," Krish whispered.
"And Krish."
Krish sighed.
"I knew my turn was coming."
---
Behind him, Avantika was trying so hard not to laugh. She had literally hidden her face behind her hand.
Her shoulders were shaking.
Avyukt narrowed his eyes.
"You're laughing."
Immediately she stopped.
"No."
"You are."
"No."
"You almost fell."
"But-"
"No."
Now she was getting scolded too.
---
A few minutes later, everyone finally apologized.
"Sorry."
"Sorry."
"Sorry."
"Sorry."
The entire family looked like children being punished by their class teacher.
Satisfied, Avyukt nodded.
"Good."
Then he turned around.
As he did- The whole family burst into laughter.
Even Dad.
Even Renuka.
Even Siya.
Krish almost fell off the sofa laughing.
Avantika laughed the hardest.
And when Avyukt turned back again-
Everyone suddenly became serious.
Suspiciously serious.
Avyukt looked at them.
Nobody spoke.
He looked at Avantika.
She was trying-and failing-to hide her smile.
Finally he shook his head.
"I live with idiots."
"Correction," Krish replied proudly.
"A family of idiots."
And this time even Avyukt laughed.
The room once again filled with laughter, teasing, and happiness.
Exactly the way a family should be.