Tender Storm

Chapter 13

Amrita switched off the kitchen lights and made her way towards their bedroom. She was exhausted and couldn't wait to get to bed.

It was her third and final trimester and she was eagerly looking forward to the birth of their child. The doctor was hopeful that everything was fine at her end. The only thing that mattered was the time of the delivery.

As she entered the room, she saw Rishab perched on the bed and looking at his phone which was unusual as he was always busy this time of the night.

"You're early" she remarked "didn't you have a meeting with the investors?"she asked, settling next to him.

Rishab looked up from his phone "it got cancelled so I came directly". She leaned on his shoulders "good...you always come late. Now it's time you change your priorities".

Rishab smiled and kissed her hair "of course sweetie...I'll try to fit in your schedule once the baby is due". She clasped his hands in affection and closed her eyes.

"You were planning for a baby shower party isn't it?"he asked "what happened?"

She raised her head to look at him "I did want to but now, after Amit's death nothing feels right"she said in a serious tone "and maa and baba are not in the right state of mind anyway".

"Don't let anything get in the way of happiness you deserve" he explained "I think we should host a baby shower even if it's a simple one" he smiled "it's our first baby and after a long time...obviously we should celebrate" he added hastily "I'm sure Amit would have wanted the same thing".

She felt a pang of grief at her brother's absence "yeah..he would have".

He fell silent for a while and then spoke up "I think this is an ideal opportunity to bring our family together...you call Aman and talk to him..invite him as well. That way we'll patch him up with baba".

Amrita gaped at her husband in surprise. What happened to this guy? She could only wonder.

"I don't think baba would relent" she said "Aman messed up real bad this time".

"It's okay...I'm sure if we talk to him, there are chances he might consider" Rishab consoled her "I think we should go ahead with the baby shower...it'll be a change for everyone".

She felt her heart lighten with his words and hugged him "that was really sweet of you Rish..I'm so glad you're concerned about our family.... even Aman".

"Your family is mine sweetie" he smiled "although your brother picks on me, I genuinely care about his wellbeing...he's like my brother too". She placed her head on his lap and slept peacefully.

Rishab gave a long sigh and leaned back. Sleep wouldn't touch him, all thanks to his plans being foiled.

He had planned everything meticulously to sell his in law's ancestral plot. He even had the meeting with the investors who had agreed to pay him a handsome commission if the deal was set.

The plan had backfired with Amit's accident and subsequent death. He couldn't believe his rotten luck as Amit was the one who had agreed to sell it.

The only thing remained was to convince his father in law but that hadn't been a problem since he listened to his darling son. But now he was back to square one.

He waited for few months to pass to open the discussion in order to give time for his father in law to grieve.

"Baba?"he said choosing his words carefully "those realtors I told you about? They're waiting to make the deal official...I know it's sad time for all of us but we need to think about the future too.."