[53] SECOND GOOD NEWS
The winter sun had just begun to warm the room, golden light spilling across the marble floor and catching the faint steam still lingering from the bathroom.
Abhiraj stood in front of the full-length mirror, towel slung over one shoulder, wiping the last traces of sweat from his neck and chest.
He wore only black cotton lowers, riding low on his hips.
After two hundred push-ups and a quick set of crunches, his body was tight-every muscle defined, abs sharp and ridged, shoulders broad, arms thick with veins standing out from the workout.
He flexed once, casually (watching the way his torso tightened, the lines deepening), a quiet, satisfied smirk on his face.
Not vanity.
Just a man appreciating the strength he kept for his family.
The bathroom door creaked open behind him.
Amisha stepped out, steam curling around her like a soft halo.
She was wearing one of his white cotton shirts (way too big, sleeves rolled multiple times but still slipping down her arms, the lower buttons left open to make space for her massive, round belly).
Below it, a simple cream gagra tied loosely.
Hair piled in a messy bun, damp strands escaping and sticking to her neck and cheeks.
She looked soft, glowing, impossibly beautiful (and completely his).
Her eyes met his in the mirror.
A teasing smile spread across her face (slow, mischievous, pure Amisha).
She waddled forward (slow, careful steps) until she stood right beside him, both facing the mirror.
Abhiraj raised an eyebrow, flexed his abs harder (deliberately showing off now).
Amisha's smile widened.
She placed both hands on her huge belly and pushed it out proudly (flexing it like a trophy).
The baby kicked in response, a visible ripple under the shirt.
Abhiraj's smirk turned into a grin.
He lifted one arm, flexed his bicep (big, hard, veins popping).
Amisha copied him, lifting her own arm (small, soft, chubby, the long shirt sleeve completely swallowing her hand).
She tried to flex.
Nothing happened except the sleeve flopping down over her fingers.
Abhiraj chuckled (deep, warm, unable to hold it in).
He reached over, gently folded the sleeves up to her elbows, revealing her soft, round arms.
Then he stood straight (tall, sharp jawline, hard features, every line of him strong and defined).
Amisha stood beside him (small, round aloo-like cheeks flushed pink, eyes bright and soft, everything about her curved and gentle).
In the mirror:
He: tall, big, abs carved, sharp jaw, grumpy-protective expression.
She: small, chubby, massive glowing belly, rosy softness, caring eyes.
Opposites.
Perfect.
Abhiraj looked at their reflection, then at her.
She looked at him, smiling that knowing smile.
All things were perfect, right?
He wrapped one arm around her shoulders, pulled her into his side.
She leaned into him, hand resting on his abs, fingers tracing the lines.
He pressed a kiss to her damp temple.
"Haan," he murmured. "Perfect."
She giggled, flexed her belly again.
The baby kicked.
And in that quiet winter morning, standing in front of the mirror,
the king and his very pregnant queen admired their beautiful differences
and knew, without a doubt,
they were exactly right together.
After one month(delivery)
The living room was bathed in soft yellow light from the old chandelier and the glow of the fireplace.
The winter night pressed against the windows, but inside it was warm-thick carpets, heavy curtains, and the comforting smell of roasted peanuts and adrak chai.
Everyone was gathered in a loose circle on the plush sofas and floor cushions (the way they always did when something important was on everyone's mind).
Amisha sat in the centre of the long sofa, legs stretched out on an ottoman, a mountain of pillows behind her back and under her bump.
The baby was due any day now-her belly enormous, tight, skin stretched and shiny, every kick visible like a wave under the thin cotton of her loose kurti.
She looked tired but radiant, one hand absently rubbing the side of her bump, the other holding a steel glass of warm milk Minakshi Ma had forced on her.
Abhiraj sat right beside her, one arm stretched along the back of the sofa behind her shoulders, the other resting lightly on her knee (protective, always protective).
The conversation had naturally turned to the baby.
Dadi started it, eyes twinkling as she popped a peanut into her mouth.
"Ladki honi chahiye.
Ghar mein ladke toh kaafi hain-Abhiraj, Mihir, Shatish... teeno ke teeno shaitan.
Ek ladki aaye toh thoda sa sukoon milega."
Megha, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, immediately bounced.
"Haan Dadi! Ladki honi chahiye!
Main usko taiyaar karungi-braids, frocks, makeup!
Aur naam bhi main rakhungi-something cute like 'Mishti'!"
Shatish, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, grinned.
"Nahi nahi, ladka hona chahiye.
Bilkul mere jaisa-strong, handsome, thoda shaitan."
Minakshi Ma laughed, swatting the air in his direction.
"Agar tumhare jaisa hua toh ladki hi better hai!
Ek Shatish kaafi hai ghar mein."
Everyone burst out laughing.
Rajveer Papa shook his head, smiling.
"Jo bhi ho, healthy ho.
Bas itna hi maangte hain."
Karishma, curled up beside Mihir, added softly,
"Ladka ho ya ladki, bas meri jaan jaisa ho-pyara sa."
Mihir nodded solemnly.
"Haan... aur thoda mera jaisa bhi-smart."
More laughter.
Amisha looked at Abhiraj, eyes soft.
"Aap kya chahte ho?"
Abhiraj didn't hesitate.
"Ladki honi chahiye.
Bilkul teri jaisi-pyari, thodi ziddi, bohot sundar."
He paused, then added with a grin,
"Par agar ladka bhi hua... toh bhi best.
Koi farak nahi padta.
Jo bhi aayega, mera hoga."
Amisha's cheeks went pink.
Dadi clapped her hands.
"Dekha? Yeh hi baat hai.
Ladka ho ya ladki-bas Shekhawat ka khoon ho.
Baki sab theek hai."
Megha leaned over, poked Amisha's bump gently.
"Oye chhote Shekhawat! Jaldi bahar aa!
Bua tujhe shopping karwayegi!"
The baby kicked hard in response, making everyone laugh again.
Amisha winced a little, rubbing the spot.
"Lagta hai yeh sun liya."
Abhiraj's hand immediately covered hers, stroking gently.
The family kept talking (names, clothes, who the baby would look like), the mood light and full of love.
No one cared about boy or girl.
They just cared that the baby was coming soon.
And the haveli was ready (warm, waiting, and already in love with the little life that would soon fill every corner with new joy).
Megha, ever the dreamer, leaned forward dramatically.
"Bhabhi, baby kya banega socha hai?
Police officer? Engineer? Actor? Singer?"
Karishma giggled.
"Actor toh bilkul nahi!
Woh toh bohot drama hota hai."
Mihir grinned.
"Engineer best hai.
Solid career.
Ya doctor-sabki izzat."
Minakshi Ma smiled.
"Doctor achha hai.
Log bolenge, 'Shekhawat ji ka beta doctor hai'."
Dadi nodded.
"Ya singer-gaana gaayega toh pura gaon sunega."
Amisha rubbed her bump thoughtfully.
"Jo bhi banega... bas khush rahe."
Then Abhiraj spoke, voice calm but with that familiar possessive edge.
"Waise... mera empire bhi toh hai."
The entire room went dead silent.
Every head turned to him.
Then-
"Nooooo!"
The word came from all the women at once (perfectly synchronized).
Minakshi Ma: "Nahi beta, us sab mein nahi padega baby!"
Dadi: "Khoon-kharaba wala kaam? Bilkul nahi!"
Karishma: "Bhaiya, please no!"
Shushila (quietly but firmly): "Wahan danger bohot hai."
Megha (dramatic as always): "Bhaiya, baby ko businessman mat banao!
Woh toh boring hai-meetings, files, fraud!"
Even Rajveer Papa chuckled and shook his head.
Abhiraj raised both hands in surrender.
"Okay okay... nahi banaunga."
Dadi patted Amisha's knee.
"Ladka ho toh thik hai, par ladki hui toh bilkul nahi.
Hamari pari us khoon-kharaba mein nahi padegi.
Bahut dangerous hai."
Abhiraj's eyes softened as he looked at Amisha's bump.
"Agar ladki hui... toh main usko itna dangerous bana dunga ki koi uske paas aane ki himmat hi na kare."
The women all went "Awww" at the protectiveness.
Amisha smiled, hand over his on her belly.
Shushila, who had been quiet, suddenly cleared her throat.
"Waise... ek khush khabri hai."
Everyone turned to her.
Shatish, sitting beside her, grinned wide.
"Shushila bhi pet se hai."
The room exploded.
Minakshi Ma gasped, hands to her mouth, tears instant.
Dadi thumped her stick on the floor, laughing.
"Hayee ishwar! Do-do khush khabri ek saath!"
Megha jumped up, screaming.
"MAIN DO BAAR BUAA BANNE WALI HOON!"
Karishma hugged Shushila tight.
Rajveer Papa stood, proud smile splitting his face.
Abhiraj reached over, clasped Shatish's shoulder.
"Badhaai ho, bhai."
Shatish, usually quiet, was actually blushing.
Amisha's eyes filled (hormones again), reaching to hug Shushila.
The room filled with laughter, blessings, tears, and plans for two baby showers now.
Two little Shekhawats on the way.
The haveli had never felt more full.
And outside, the winter stars twinkled brighter,
like they knew the family was about to grow
in the best possible way.