24.
Preet smiled at Avni who was doing something on her laptop. Avni returned her smile.
"You come early today, Bhabhi," Avni asked, keeping her laptop aside.
"Hmm, I had no work there so come early. How are you now? I heard you were not well in the morning,"
"I am fine, Bhabhi. Don't worry. Just morning sickness," Preet nodded with a little smile.
"Go freshen up and rest for sometime," Avni told her, making Preet smile at her before she went upstairs.
She quickly changed her clothes after taking a shower and went down to prepare her and Veer dinner knowing their portion of food would not be considered in the family dinner.
Why keep her husband and herself hungry knowing no one cares about them. So just prepare food if that's what they want.
They had their dinner on their room balcony as Veer came late from home, around 11 pm.
Preet is staring at the dark sky aimlessly while sitting beside Veer as they are cuddling each other. His fingers caress her scalp, calming her restless mind.
Seeing her so lost and silent, Veer made her look up at him so that he could see her face.
"Is something bothering you?" She smiled and shook her head.
"Nothing is bothering me. I was just thinking," she said in a low voice as their voices would come loud due to the silent surrounding.
"What were you thinking? You can tell me," he told her, looking at her with an assured smile.
Preet hugged him, wrapping her arm around his torso and placing her face on his chest feeling his faint heartbeat.
"I was thinking how different our life would be if your parents were here with us," Veer smiled lightly, imagining the scenes in their house if his Mumma and Dad would be with him and Preet.
"It would be so much different and beautiful if Mumma and Dada were here," he told her in a daze as his mind replayed all his beautiful childhood memories in front of his eyes. Seeing a happy smile on his face, Preet also smiles.
"How were your parents? Did they love you? " He looks at her and smiles with slight glossiness in his eyes.
"They are the best parents in this world. They are really beautiful both inside and out. But Mumma was more beautiful even Dad agreed with me..." Preet smiled, feeling so much adoration in his voice for his parents.
"She was beautiful just like an angel. She is sweet and very warm. I love to hug her. Dad and I always trouble her and fight to stay with her. She used to get annoyed with us then we had to coax her," he chuckled, staring at the sky.
Preet lightly rubs his chest with her palm seeing him getting emotional in between.
"Did they love each other? " she asked curiously.
"Too much. They live for each other. They were the cutest couple I have ever seen. Even I felt jealous seeing them together. Dad never leaves her alone, and always sticks with her wherever she goes. He didn't even leave her in their last time and see how they left me alone here,
" He told her with a sad smile on his lips.
"They don't leave you alone, Veer. They will stay here, in your heart," Preet softly said, tapping his chest where his heart was.
"Your childhood must be really fun and wonderful, ..." she suddenly asked to divert his mind.
"It was. Everything was so beautiful then. I loved everything and everyone. I was one of the naughtiest kids troubling everyone around me. Dadi used to call me Baby Monster to tease me. But she was the one who gave me ideas. She was no less than me and Aarav,
" he chuckled remembering his happy childhood.
"But everything scattered after Mumma and Dad's death. She turned cold to me. Choti Ma no longer stays the same and has stopped talking to me. Everything changed, my life changed...my family changed," he whispered in a lost voice holding her hand tightly.
Preet squeezed his hand gently giving him support and strength. Placing her cheek against his warm chest she sighs sadly at his pain.
"Why do they behave like this with you? You love them so much, anyone can tell that. You are doing so much for them. Why can't they see that?" he smiled, hearing her sad voice.
"Maybe somewhere I was the reason why I lost my parents," He said and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, suddenly feeling guilty for the thing he never did.
Preet sat straight hearing him and frowned at him,
"What are you saying? You were a kid when they died. How can you be the reason?" she told him in a soft tone cupping his left cheek.
"You don't know that's why you are saying this," he whispered sadly, kissing her palm which was on his cheek.
"I know you could never do that. I can see the love you have for your parents. You say everything,"
He smiles thinking how much trust she has in him.
He pulled her closer making her sit on his lap. Gently brushing her hair strands behind her ear, he looks straight into her eyes which are filled with softness.
"You are so innocent. You know, I always find Mumma's reflection in you. You are kind and loving like her," Preet smiles brightly.
"This is the best compliment for any wife from her husband," she said and hugged him to feel his warmth.
He wraps his arm around her, snuggling his face into her open hair taking her flowery fragrance which calms him.
They stay like this for a while, wrapped in each other's warmth. Their hearts are beating calmly in synchronization against each other.
"You are not alone, Veer. You have your parents and me. They will always live in your heart. We are here for you. I won't leave you alone," She murmured in a sleepy voice as she was, almost, lying on him now.
He kisses her head lightly, silently thanking her for being here with him. She is becoming his comfort, his peace without him knowing that.
He tightened his arms around her and looked at the dark sky with a content look on his face.
Soon she fell asleep in his arms. He can feel her soft warm breath in his neck. He looked down and smiled seeing her sleeping with her mouth slightly open.
Cute!
Taking her in his arms protectively, he slowly stood up from the couch and walked toward their room. She moved a little in sleep but then again went back into her dreamland.
Gently placing her on the bed, he also comes beside her and covers them with a duvet. Placing his arms around her waist, he pulled her a little closer to him. He stares at her serene face and lightly caresses her cheek.
"Don't leave me please," he whispered and lightly placed his lips on her, giving her a quick peck on her lips.
Preet wakes with an annoying frown due to continuous knocking on the door. She sighs in frustration covering her head with cover to stop the sound.
Then her phone started vibrating loudly. She groaned and opened her eyes. She looks at Veer sleeping peacefully while hugging her.
The knock on the door pulls her attention and she slowly comes out of his hold without disturbing his sleep. She wondered who could be here at this time and looked at the time as it was 2 am.
She opens the door and frowns seeing Aarav standing there with a sheepish look.
"Aarav? What happened?" she asked in confusion.
"Bhabhi, I need your help. Please help me," he requested, giving her puppy eyes.
"What help? Is Avni okay?" Suddenly she panicked.
"She is fine. But she is demanding Aloo Chaat at this time and when I told her to bring it in the morning she started shouting at me. And now she is crying like a stubborn kid. Please help me," Preet chuckles, seeing his state as he was begging her.
"Finally you are getting on track. I am liking it. Avni is doing a good job," Aarav pouted at her angrily.
"Trouble as much as you both want. Once my baby will come he will be by my side, then we will trouble his mamma and Badi ma together," Preet chuckled.
"Let go and feed my both babies," She said as they went downstairs.
When she was cooking, she saw Avni also come there and sat beside Aarav. Preet smiled looking at the grin on her face.
"Sorry for troubling you Bhabhi but I am craving them so badly," Avni told her, feeling bad for disturbing her sleep.
"Don't worry. It's absolutely fine. I am happy to pamper you during your most important phase of life. Don't hesitate to tell me if you want to eat anything, okay?" Avni nodded with a thankful smile.
"Bhabhi, you are so sweet. I promise you when you and Veer bhai will have your baby then me and my baby will take care of you. I will be there for you like you are with me," Preet smiled at her words. And also felt a little shy at the thought of her and Veer's baby.
"Me too Bhabhi. I will spoil our babies with everything they want. I will be the coolest uncle and Daddy," he proudly said with a big smile on his face.
Preet felt really happy imagining their little humans running around the house. A longing smile is there on her lips as look at Aarav and Avni who are discussing about their babies and laughing.
"Okay enough now. Here is your Chaat, Avni. And this is for the baby's daddy,"
She plates the dish into two plates for both of them.
"Where is yours Bhabhi?" Aarav asked and Avni nodded with him.
"I am not eating. It's morning already and won't eat my breakfast if I eat now, so you both enjoy," she said and started cleaning the kitchen.
"Leave it, Bhabhi. I will clean it. And sit with us. We want to tell you something," Avni grinned as Aarav made Preet sit beside them.
"What is it?" she asked looking at their faces.
"Actually Bhabhi, Avni and I are going on a small vacation to Bali. After the baby comes then we won't have much time with each other," Avni feels shy while Aarav is scratching his nape.
Preet bites her lips to stop herself from smiling widely, seeing them blushing like teenagers.
"It's a really good idea, Aarav. You both should go and enjoy. It will be good for Avni and she will feel good. But did you ask the doctor if she can travel or not,"
"I already asked her. She gave her green sigh," Avni told excitedly.
"Then, go enjoy your time alone," she told them, feeling happy for them.