Mine

Chapter 37

After seven months...

Nidhi woke up two weeks after her delivery from her induced coma. Abhimanyu was elated. Though his children were discharged a week before Nidhi gained consciousness, Abhimanyu could not spend quality time with his children. Still, when Nidhi woke from her unconscious, he prioritized his wife and children. He cherished every single minute he spent with them. Though Nidhi initially suffered from postpartum depression due to the physical condition that forbade her from breastfeeding her children, she couldn't see their growth. She was devastated, and that worried Abhimanyu to the core. He stood as her pillar at every step she took. He even thought of giving back her eyesight, but it was impossible to do so. Therefore, he started to find a donor for his wife. He knew the pain of being visually impaired. Nidhi was with him at every step when he was unsighted. He wanted to repay her with the same intensity. Nidhi wasn't vocal about her depression, but she was dwelling it herself. Abhimanyu sensed her behavioral changes and got help from her best friend, Asfandyaar. 

He was the one who convinced her to attend initial counseling sessions with a professional psychiatrist. She was able to overcome her depression just in her initial stage. For that, Abhimanyu and Nidhi were grateful to her doctor and Asfandyaar. Nidhi became more vocal about her emotions, and that eased Abhimanyu. He recorded every moment of their children for Nidhi as she would watch them when she got her eyesight back. He knew it wasn't easy to get a donor, but he didn't lose hope. He was ardent that sooner or later, Nidhi would get a donor for her eye transplant. They did their children's naming ceremony in a grandeur manner. Mousumi Abhimanyu Chatterjee and Mokshit Abhimanyu Chatterjee. 

Amidst all the chaos, Nidhi sensed that something was wrong with her husband as he became overprotective and over-possessive of his family, especially toward Nidhi. He would panic even with her slightest injuries. He tries to maintain a calm facade, but he fails miserably. He will force her for a weekly health check-up and be nosy about her eating and sleeping habits. He also will check on her from time to time. Though it agitated her, she knew he was suppressing something himself. When she confronted him, he admitted that he was afraid of losing her. Thus, he behaved in such a way as to make sure she stays fine next to him. She understood that he had thanatophobia, and she begged him to attend a few psychiatric sessions. At first, he was reluctant and threw a fit, but after a long logical persuasion by Nidhi, he agreed half-heartedly, which later, he felt grateful as he overcame his fears. 

Five years later...

Mousumi being the eldest, took her father's features and mother's nature. She is the sweetest and clever girl for a 6-year-old. She is very forgiving and a kind, innocent soul. Whereas, Mokshit had his mother's features and his father's nature. He's very possessive about his mother and sister. He is sometimes wicked, too. Like father like son. He is liberal and strict. Even at school, he behaves like a bodyguard to his sister. Their classmates are somewhat afraid of him because of his thug-like nature. Abhimanyu was well aware of his son's nature, and he always kept an eye on his children, especially his son. Abhimanyu was strict but an incredible father. He knows when to let loose and tighten the grip; however, his children love him as much as they love their mother. His children are his two eyes, but deep down, he knows he loves Nidhi more than his children. There were times where he got agitated because of his son's possessiveness over his wife, but he knows from where his son got the genes. 

He also noticed he was possessive over a certain girl, and it was none other than Haya, Asfi's precious daughter. Well, he doesn't mind her as his future daughter-in-law, though. However, the thought of how Asfandyaar is going to react in the future is rather life-threatening. Nidhi said it is just a childhood crush, but I saw beyond that. 

Eighteen years later...

Nidhi was busy working in the kitchen. She was reminiscing her life from eight years back. They managed to get a donor for Nidhi. She had a rough recovery. To date, she still has minor problems in her eyes. Either watery eyes or blurry eyes or irritable eyes. Thus landed her into permanently wearing spectacles. But she was glad that she was able to see the world again and she thanked God and her donor. Though her donor is no more, she wouldn't forget to visit her grave every year for her anniversary. Her donor was a middle-aged woman who suffered from heart disease. Her eyes were donated to Nidhi after her demise. Nidhi was able to see again. When she saw her family, she was elated. She saw her children for the first time when they were finely grown. Mousumi and Mokshit were 16 years old. She became numb not knowing how to react. 

Suddenly she was wrapped in a back hug. She was startled, but instantly felt relieved feeling the warmth. 'What is this Abhimanyu? We are in the kitchen... please behave. Kids will see us.' 'Kids??? Who? That devil or my beautiful princess? Come on, Jaan! They are twenty-four not four years old. They got better things to do than prying on us. At least my princess doesn't do that...' 'Stop calling my son a devil. He is a great lieutenant colonel in the Indian Army and a practicing army lawyer, too. He's way talented than you. Even you know that. And about your princess... she is an ER surgeon yet so soft by heart. I have seen her crying if she was unable to save her patients. But one thing in common... Both are so nosy just like you...' She laughed while saying that and earned a glare from her husband. Before he could say something, they were startled with a shriek, 'oh our innocent eyes!!!' There stood their children covering their eyes with their hands. Abhimanyu groaned as his moment with his wife was again spoiled by their children. He went near Mokshit and smacked his head saying that 'We all know that neither you nor your eyes are innocent. So cut the crap before I beat the shit out of you. I really wish your children will spoil your moments with your wife in the future... Mark my word!' Saying that he went to his daughter and kissed her forehead and side hugged her.

'Papa... you're so biased. You only love her not me. All the time I am the devil and she is always your angel and princess. This is not fair.' 'What are you, Mokshit? A five-year-old? Stop whining and help your mother in the kitchen. It's your turn today...' 'Incorrigible, papa... I came on holiday, you should treat me like a king but here you're treating me like a servant.' 'oye dramebaaz... bakwaaz bandh kar aur jaake jo bola wo kar... aaya bada!!!' (Hey dramatic creature, stop spouting nonsense and do what you were asked to do.) Nidhi knew Abhimanyu was still jealous of Mokshit and her bond. Mokshit turned out to be exactly like the father. Very protective and possessive. That irks Abhimanyu most of the time because they will be fighting for her attention and mostly Mokshit wins as he comes home only 4-6 months once. 'Who approved his leave?' muttered Abhimanyu under his breath and he got a reply as 'my superior papa... kyun unse bhi shikayat hai?' (Why? do you have a problem with him, too?) came a sarcastic reply. And like this their banter continues till he leaves for his regiment.

Abhimanyu knows no matter how many times they argue with each other, the father-son duo were always on each other's back when the situation deems fit. Both men were possessive for their family and they bend the hell when there's trouble arises. For both of them, what's theirs will be forever theirs... No turning back.