The life 'we' create

Chapter 4. Advice

Naveen yawned and stretched his arms and legs. He smiled when he noticed the timing. He had slept till 2 p.m. After completing 14 hours of sleep and getting a warm shower, Naveen got the much awaited rest that he deserved.

He didn't tidy up the bedroom. He went to the hall room and noticed some food packaged on the centre table. A small pink note was stuck to one package.

'Dear hubby, I cooked something special for you. And don't worry, I didn't burn the house down. Please heat it up and enjoy your day. I will call you when it's time for me to return. Love, your wife.'

"Take all the time you need," Naveen said and heated up the food.

He plopped down on the sofa and rang up his friends while eating. All the guys confirmed arriving at Naveen's place by 4 p.m. Naveen watched a replay of a cricket match and delightedly welcomed his three friends once they arrived.

Chicken, pizzas, booze, cold drinks, cigarettes, Biryani, snacks, hookah: everything to enjoy a get together was there.

"So, Naveen, how are you doing?" Naveen's friend, Rohit, asked.

Naveen took a puff of hookah and waved his right hand in air. "I am alive."

Everyone laughed. Another friend named Chirag called for everyone's attention.

"Guys, look at our bro Naveen. Such a sweet and caring husband. Working day and night for his wife and unborn baby," Chirag said and patted Naveen's thigh. "But, bro, I can't bear this state of yours."

Naveen sighed. He knew what Chirag meant. Even though he got a long sleep, his physical condition was impossible to improve in just one day.

"Bro, it is tough. Really tough." Naveen shook his head dejectedly.

"Kusum is in her seventh month, right? Then why don't you send her to her parents' place? Get some rest, man."

Others agreed. One of the friends, Hemal, massaged Naveen's shoulders.

"Our Naveen is so kind that he won't do that. And I understand the love he has for his wife, but, doesn't Kusum see her husband's condition? Naveen will be dead by the time his baby arrives," Hemal said in concern.

Naveen was about to say something when Rohit stopped him. "We know you will take Kusum's side, so don't say anything. She might not be able to see it, but we do, Naveen. You are a human too; how much stress can you handle? Be honest with me. We have been making plans of trips since last two months and you cancel every time.

"You can't even come to Hemal's place, bro. He lives just half an hour away. Whenever we call you, you are either working or cooking for your wife. What is your wife doing all day then?"

Naveen raised his eyebrows. "She is pregnant."

"So what?" Rohit rolled his eyes. "That's the excuse to make you work 24 X 7."

Chirag joined in. "And Naveen, even if Kusum is pregnant, can't she even handle the house chores without you? Do you know our mothers used to work till the last month of their pregnancies without any complaints.

"And what's so great about getting pregnant, huh? If we men could, we would have also gotten pregnant. But using it as an excuse to sleep and relax while your husband toils all day? When are men supposed to relax?"

Hemal agreed with what Chirag said. "I mean it wasn't just your choice to have the baby, right? Then why are you the only one doing all the hard work? When my wife was pregnant, I had called her elder sister and mother to babysit her. I had even sent her to her home for delivery.