59
It had been a year since that fateful day at Mahakal temple. Life, ever since, had blossomed into a quiet, chaotic kind of heaven.
Nirmay Dattatriya Katha Agnivanshi - my baby, our son - was no less than a miniature hurricane in our home.
And his father? The mighty, ruthless Chief Minister Dattatriya Agnivanshi himself?
Equally mischievous, equally impossible.
The two of them were wolves in sheep's clothing.
Sweet smiles, big innocent eyes - and the next moment, they'd be plotting something that'd leave me sighing into a pillow. But I loved them. More than my life.
My biggest daily battle? Getting Nirmay to eat carrots. He hated them. Absolutely despised them. Every time I tried feeding him, he'd quietly pass them to Dattatriya with a conspiratorial look or sneak them to Sharaa, who-by now-understood the plan and would happily gulp them down.
Speaking of Sheraa, my precious snow prince had grown enormous. Gigantic, really. But to me, he was still my baby. He never left Nirmay's side-whether it was during playtime, naptime, or even during mischief-planning time. He was Nirmay's silent protector, his second shadow.
Jayash, Arya Bhabhi and Bhairava Bhaiya's little boy, was now one. A walking, babbling bundle of joy who always wanted to be near his 'big brother' Nirmay. Arya Bhabhi often brought him over just so the two boys could roll on the carpet and giggle endlessly.
Swarna Bhabhi had also given birth to a baby boy - Vardha Dyan Choudhury - now eight months old. With soft black curls and Dyan Bhaiya's intense eyes, he giggled the most around Nirmay and Jayash, as if their chaos was his favorite lullaby.
Adya Bhabhi, my soft warrior, had delivered Karna Gyan Choudhury just three months ago. The tiniest of them all, Karna was a little moonbeam. He had Gyan Bhaiya's brooding frown but Adya Bhabhi's tender smile. All three babies adored Nirmay like a superhero.
And Utsav, our boy genius, had flown to America. He was doing his Masters in Computer Science, chasing his coding dreams and lighting up the tech world. I missed my ladla, my chhota baby. But he called every night, always asking what Nirmay had broken that day.
Dattatriya... my Datta. Our life had turned calm and full, like a sweet, strong cup of tea.
He still took me on secret dates, cooked with Nirmay on Sundays, held me close every night like I might disappear, and shielded us both like we were his breath.
Even after all this time, he still pampered me like I was his empress.
And yes - he still made love like a beast. I'd never admit it aloud, but if I ever called him "old" in jest, I wouldn't be able to walk straight for a week. Ruthless man. And I loved it. Every moment, every kiss, every bruise he marked on my soul.
He had won the elections again. Still Chief Minister.
The people loved him, feared him, worshipped him.
But for Nirmay, he was just "Dada," his hero.
I still remember the day his face came on TV - Nirmay had run through the entire house screaming, "DADAAAA!
!!" until Datta returned from work and scooped him up, laughing.
We had never found out Nirmay's real birth date. So we chose the day we found him - tomorrow. He was turning four tomorrow. My baby was four. How time flew.
But today...
Today I wasn't feeling well. It had been weeks now - nausea, fatigue, this odd heaviness. Arya Bhabhi was the first to notice. "You're glowing weird," she'd said bluntly over tea. "Hospital. Tomorrow. No excuses."
So I'd agreed. Secretly.
Now, I stood at the hospital waiting room with my beautiful sister-in-laws - Arya, Swarna, and Adya - all pretending to be calm, all failing miserably.
"Katha, why are you fidgeting so much?" Adya Bhabhi asked, gently rubbing her own tummy as Karna slept in his carrier.
"I'm nervous," I confessed. "What if it's something serious?"
Arya Bhabhi rolled her eyes. "It's nothing serious. It's something scary. Like a parasite that cries at night."
"Don't scare her," Swarna Bhabhi chided, swatting Arya's arm. "Katha, just breathe, okay? Whatever it is, we're here."
Before I could reply, the door opened.
The doctor walked in holding a report. She smiled at me softly. "Mrs. Agnivanshi... can we talk?"
I nodded, hands clenched, heart pounding. Arya stood beside me, her hand slipping into mine. Adya and Swarna followed quietly as we walked into the consultation room.
"Have you been under stress lately?" the doctor asked gently.
I blinked. "Not really. I mean... just the usual chaos. Why?"
She placed the file on the table and looked me straight in the eye. "Mrs. Agnivanshi... you're pregnant."
The room spun. I couldn't breathe for a moment. My knees weakened.
"W-what?" I choked.
The doctor's face was kind. "You're six weeks along."
Pregnant.
I was pregnant.
But I- I couldn't- I had been told I couldn't...
"I- I was stabbed. They said I could never-"
"I've seen it before," she said gently. "Sometimes miracles... don't follow rules."
Arya gasped. "Oh my god, Katha-!"
But I was already in tears. My hands shook violently as I placed them over my stomach.
A baby.
My baby.
Our baby.
Adya Bhabhi and Swarna hugged me, all of them crying now. Arya was the first to shout, "DATTATRIYA IS GOING TO FAINT!"
And I?
I was still crying, smiling through every tear, whispering only one thing over and over.
"Thank you, Mahakal... thank you..."
My family had come full circle.
The girl who once thought she'd never be a mother again was now carrying life.
The doctor's soft voice turned serious as she looked at me again, her hands folding over the file.
"But Mrs. Agnivanshi," she continued, "this pregnancy is not without risk. It's... complicated. Your previous injuries have left deep internal scarring. That's why doctors earlier told you it would be difficult, nearly impossible, to conceive."
I stared at her, my breath catching.
She continued gently, "You've done the impossible, yes... but this baby, and you-both are in a fragile state. One wrong move, one fall, even too much emotional stress... it could be dangerous. For both of you."
My heart stopped. The tears that had dried began to sting my eyes again.
"Dangerous?" I whispered, almost afraid to say it aloud.
Arya Bhabhi immediately held my hand tighter, her eyes flashing toward the doctor. "What do you mean dangerous? Like... life threatening?"
The doctor nodded slowly. "Yes. If you don't follow absolute medical advice and bed rest... you could lose the baby. And if it goes worse than that... there's a high risk of internal hemorrhage. It could cost both lives."
My mouth was dry. My entire body felt cold. The joy I'd felt minutes ago suddenly drowned in sheer terror.
Adya Bhabhi wrapped her arm around me. "We'll take care of her. Every second. She won't even walk without someone holding her hand."
Swarna Bhabhi added firmly, "We've all had babies, Doctor. She has three bodyguards now."
The doctor smiled faintly. "She'll need all of you. This pregnancy is a miracle. But it needs protection like one too."
I couldn't breathe. My hands clutched Arya Bhabhi's so tightly now she winced a little.
"I... I don't want to lose the baby," I whispered, voice trembling. "I don't want to die."
"You won't," Arya said immediately, cupping my cheek. "You're not alone in this. You've got Datta, and now us-me, Swarna, Adya. We'll smother you with so much love and care, the baby won't dare cause trouble."
"But Datta-" I looked at her, panic rising. "He's already so protective. If he hears it's risky-he'll stop me from breathing! What if he panics?"
Arya smirked. "Good. Let him panic. He'll wrap you in a thousand pillows and carry you everywhere. He's your husband. He should panic."
"I can't lose this baby," I said again, softly, shakily. "Mahakal didn't give me a second chance for nothing. This child... this is hope."
"And we'll make sure you hold that hope in your arms, safe and sound," Adya whispered, kissing my forehead.
I finally nodded, slowly regaining control of my emotions. Swarna handed me a water bottle. I sipped slowly, calming down.
"I want to go home," I said at last. "I just want to go home... to him."
Arya Bhabhi smiled, her voice turning gentle. "Then let's go, maa-to-be. Let's take our queen home."
Together, my sisters and I stepped out of the hospital.
But my heart? My heart was already home.
I was carrying a miracle - a piece of me and Dattatriya. And no matter the danger, no matter the cost... I'd protect this child with everything I had.
We reached home quietly, and the moment I stepped inside, my breath caught in my throat.
There, on the long couch, was the most peaceful sight I had seen in ages-Dattatriya lying back, his arms protectively wrapped around a sleeping Nirmay on his chest. Nirmay's tiny fists clutched his shirt, his head tucked under Datta's chin.
And just below them, curled at their feet, was Sheraa-alert, massive, yet so gentle near them both.
His tail moved slowly, rhythmically, like he was guarding their dreams.
I didn't move at first. I just stood and stared, my hand over my stomach, heart full and aching all at once.
Dattatriya's eyes fluttered open slowly, and when he saw me, his face broke into a slow, sleepy smile. He carefully shifted Nirmay from his chest to the soft cushions of the sofa, placing a little blanket over him. Sheraa lifted his head but stayed still, as if sensing the tenderness in the moment.
Datta walked up to me, his grin growing wider as he opened his arms. Without a word, I stepped into his hug, burying my face into his chest. His hands stroked my back slowly, and for a second, everything felt perfect-almost too perfect.
When I finally pulled back, he looked at me curiously.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
I took a deep breath, steadying my voice. "Datta... I have to tell you something."
His brows drew together in concern.
"I... I wasn't feeling well for the past few weeks. Arya bhabhi pushed me to get checked, so I went to the hospital today... with the bhabhis."
His expression changed instantly-tense, alert. "You were sick? Why didn't you tell me? Are you hurt?"
"No," I shook my head quickly, "I'm not hurt. But Datta..." I paused, and tears welled up in my eyes again. "I'm pregnant."
He froze.
"I'm pregnant, Datta," I whispered again, this time with a small smile, my hand gently resting on my stomach.
He just stared at me, his eyes wide, disbelieving, like he hadn't heard correctly.
"I'm... we're going to have a baby," I said, voice trembling.
And then, his whole body shook as he pulled me into the tightest hug, his face buried in my neck. "Oh my God... oh Mahakal," he whispered, voice cracking. "Katha... sunshine... we're having a baby?"
I nodded against him, tears now soaking both our cheeks. "Yes. A real baby. Our baby."
He pulled back, holding my face in his palms, and I could see it-all of it-his awe, his disbelief, the storm of emotions crashing through him. "I thought... I thought it wasn't possible. You told me the doctors said..."
"I know," I smiled tearfully. "It's a miracle."
He laughed through his tears, kissing my forehead again and again. "I love you. I love you so much. You gave me Nirmay, and now this-our baby, Katha. Our baby."
But I had to tell him the rest. I held his wrists gently. "Datta... listen. There's something else."
He stilled again.
"This pregnancy... it's complicated. There's a risk. A big one. Doctor said if I'm not careful-if anything goes wrong... we could lose the baby. Or worse, I... I could-" My voice broke.
He didn't speak for a few seconds. His eyes dropped to my stomach, his face pale, lips trembling.
"Sunshine," he finally whispered, and pulled me into a hug again. "Don't ever say 'or worse' again. You hear me?"
I nodded slowly, letting the silence hold us.
"You'll rest," he said after a while, kissing my hair. "You won't walk anywhere alone. You won't lift a spoon. I'll do everything. I don't care if I have to carry you in my arms till delivery-I'll do it."
I chuckled through my tears, nodding. "Okay. But don't yell if I sneeze."
He smiled softly, finally leaning his forehead against mine.
"You, me, Nirmay... Sheraa..." I said, softly tracing his cheek, "and now the baby... We're going to be a family of five, Datta."
He nodded slowly, eyes misty again. "A family of five," he echoed, pulling me tighter against him, tears rolling down his cheeks. "Mahakal gave me everything. My world... my everything is right here."
And for the first time in a long time, I felt completely safe.
Wrapped in his arms, surrounded by our love, and holding our miracle within me.
I settled gently onto the sofa, resting back with a little sigh as I watched Nirmay play with his blocks on the carpet, his tiny mouth making explosion noises as he knocked them over, giggling wildly.
Datta came and sat beside me, resting his arm on the back of the sofa behind me, his eyes following our son with a soft smile.
I nudged him lightly. "We have to tell him, you know."
He raised a brow. "You think he'll understand?"
I chuckled. "He might not get the how, but he'll get the what. And he deserves to know."
Datta leaned forward and softly called, "Nirmay, baby, come here."
Nirmay looked up, blinking his big eyes at us, then scrambled up and waddled over, climbing right into my lap and snuggling in like it was his rightful place.
"Yesh?" he asked, resting his head under my chin.
I smiled down at him, brushing his hair gently. "Baby, Mama and Dada want to tell you something very important."
He blinked up at me curiously. "What?"
I glanced at Datta, who gave me a little nod.
"You're going to be a big brother," I said softly, watching his face carefully.
There was a pause. He stared at me, processing it for a moment. Then his eyes went wide. "BIG-bro-brother?" he asked, slowly.
"Yes," Datta said, kissing his forehead. "There's a little baby growing inside Mama's tummy."
Nirmay gasped loudly and immediately pressed his chubby hands to my belly. "My-my baby?!" he exclaimed.
I laughed, kissing his cheek. "Yes, our baby. You're going to have a baby brother or sister."
He pouted for a second and then declared with utter seriousness, "Sister. Me have baby sister. Pink, like Jayash dress."
Datta burst out laughing beside me. "Ohhho, decided already, huh?"
Nirmay nodded like a king making a royal decree. "Me share toys. She sleep with me. Me no let scary dog near her."
"There's no dog, baby," I chuckled.
"But if come-me punch!" he said, tiny fists up.
I kissed his chubby cheek. "What will I do with you, hmm?"
"My baby," he whispered proudly, hugging me and putting his ear on my belly. "Hi baby... me Nirmay... me big bro... I love you."
My eyes welled up, and I saw Datta blink away tears too.
And then, as if on cue, Sheraa padded over and plopped himself beside me, resting his massive head gently on my lap-right where Nirmay's ear had just been. His golden eyes were soft and alert, and his tail brushed against my leg as he settled close.
Datta chuckled. "Look at that. Your personal guards."
Nirmay whispered, "Sheraa protect baby too."
I nodded. "Always, my baby. Always." And with both my boys beside me, my protective snow leopard by my side, and my miracle growing inside me... everything felt perfect again.
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