Kismat

Chapter 41: Baby Shower

"Shourya, dekhiye na! Aapke baache mujhe bohot pareshaan kr rahe hai!"

(Shourya, look! Your kids are really bothering me!)

"Mere baache? Aur yeh tumhare kuch nahi hai?"

(My kids? and they are nothing to you?)

Meera huffs and turns back to get dressed for her baby shower. She gazed at her reflection with a pout on her face as she struggled with doing her hair, seeing her struggle Shourya came over and managed to put her hair up in a bun. Then he helps her put on her jutti and adjusts her dupatta. Seeing this, Meera's lip wobbled and tears became to fall out of her eyes. 

Shourya was taken aback by the sudden tears of his wife. Since she was eight-month pregnant, he's been on the lookout for tears and pouts. Seeing his wife cry, he checked through his mental checklist of things that could be a cause and there was nothing that could think of. 

"Meera, what happened? Kahin dard ho raha hai kya?"

(Meera, what happened? Does it hurt somewhere?)
Meera shakes her head and harshly wipes her tears away and gently pulls her husband together, stuffing her face into his chest. 

"Meera, baba. Kya hua hai?"

(Meera, baby. What happened?)

Shourya helped Meera over to their couch and sat down next to her before peppering her with kisses and waiting for her to be ready to share her thoughts. Soon she had calmed down and was gulping down a glass of water. She turned to her husband and fiddled with Shourya's fingers. 

"Mein. . . Mein. .  .Agar mein aachi maa nahi ban payi toh?. . . .Mein khudh ek baache ki tarah roti rehti hun, mujhse aapne baal nahi bana pati khudh se aur shoes bhi nahi pati mein. . . . S-sab ke liye aap ki za-zaroorat hai. . .Baachon ka khyal kaise rakhungi?"

(I . . . .I. . . .What if I'm not a good mother? . . . . I'm always crying like a child, I can't do my hair myself, and can't wear my shoes. . . . I need you to help me with everything. . . How will I take care of the babies?)

Shourya awed at his wife before lifting her chin to look him in the eyes. 

"Oh jaan, you need my help because you're pregnant. But once we have the babies, you won't need me for these things. And you'll be an amazing mother, don't for one second ever doubt that. You're the perfect daughter, sister, wife, and daughter-in-law! And let's not forget what an amazing aunt you are to Jai. Meri pyaari biwi, tumhe kisi cheez ke liye daarne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Aur agar tumhe meri help ki zaroorat huyi bhi toh kya hogaya. Agar tum maa baane wali ho, to mein bhi toh inka papa hun! Meri bhi toh loi zimedaari banti hai. And we are taking six months of maternity leave, so we'll be with them at all times! Aur dheere dheere hum sab seekh jayenge. Jab shaadi huyi thi tab pata tha ki patni kaise bante hai?"

(My sweetest wife, you have nothing to be scared of. And if you need my help, then what is wrong with that? If you are becoming a mother, then I will also become their father! I also have a responsibility towards them. . . . . .And slowly we'll learn everything. When we got married, did you know what being a wife is like?)

Meera gently shook her head at her husband's question, "Pr itni aachi biwi ho. Aur mujhe toh bilkul pata nahi tha ki pati kaise bante hai. Lekin thik thak pati to hun. Haina?"

(But you're such a good wife. And I had no idea about how to be a husband. But I'm going an okay job. Aren't I?)

"Aap perfect hain!"

(You're perfect!)

Shuourya pecks her lips and hugs her tight.

"Toh tab toh hum akhele the na, abhi toh hum saath mein hai. Aur hum akhele nahi hai, maa, Rohini maa, dad, baba, Neel chachu, chachi, Rohan, Muskaan, Virat bhai, Anushka bhabhi, Aarav, Riya. . .yeh sab humare saath hain."

(And we were alone then, but now we have each other and everyone else as well.)

Meera felt a lot lighter sharing everything with her husband and when he put everything into perspective for her she felt a lot less scared. Soon Riya rushed into the room to bring the couple downstairs. Suman and Rohini helped Meera onto the seat where everything was prepared and the rituals began.

Shourya was all smiles seeing his wife being pampered during the rituals and soon when the guests were engaging with one another, he helped her off the seat and held her hand as she engaged with the guests. Shourya was on high alert with her, whenever he felt she needed to sit down he would help her to the nearest seat, and be ready with water when she felt thirsty. At one point he was even on his knees adjusting her clothing. 

Later that night, Meera was lying in bed as Shourya sat near her feet and massaged them, whispering sweet nothing to his babies who were in their safe haven in their mother's womb. Meera smiled at the sight whilst opening some of the presents given to her.

"Suniye, Yeh sneakers kitne pyaare hai nai! Hum bhi aise hi lenge, taki hum chaaron matching kr ke pehne!"
(Listen, these sneakers are so cute! We'll also get some like this so the four of us can match!)

Shourya smiled before helping her open the other gifts And the couple enjoyed the rest of their night sorting out gifts for their babies. 

"Yeh kitna sundaar hai na! Kitna pyaara teddy hai!"

(This is so pretty! Such a cute teddy!)

"Meera, yeh dekho yeh maa ne knitted sweaters banaye hai! Sachi Rohini maa is so good at this."

(Meera, look at these knitted sweaters! Rohini maa is really amazing at this.)

"Aare we have a cute firsts book too! I'm going to document everything!"

The moonlight was overshadowed by the bright light of the bedroom of the couple, where the couple sat on the bed sorting gifts and boxes they were given today. The room was slightly rearranged to accommodate the two cots waiting to be assembled. It was not possible for the babies to have their own room yet. Shourya was strictly against the idea.