I'll Be There For You (Abhira fic)

Chapter - 21

Abhimanyu is sleeping peacefully. His one hand is on Akshara's belly and the other is under his head. Akshara smiled looking at the sleeping face of her husband. He is sleeping like this after so long. There were no stress lines on his forehead. His hair was falling on his forehead, making him look cuter. He is looking so handsome right now. Akshara caressed his face lightly. She tried to tame his unkempt hair but it was all in vain. 

He is looking so peaceful right now, and Akshara tried her hardest not to disturb him. But she has no choice. Her babies wanted to disturb their father's sleep and she couldn't do anything about it. So, with a heavy heart, she had to do it. She shook him lightly to wake him up but Abhi didn't get up. Akshara shook him again, this time more forcefully but still no effect. Finally, her patience snapped and she shouted in his ear. "Abhi, get up". 

Abhimanyu jerked. He woke up within a second completely disoriented. "Kya hua, kya hua", asked Abhi looking here and there thinking about what woke him up.

"Bhu kamp aa gya", said Akshu sarcastically while rolling her eyes.

"Kya, bhukamp". Abhimanyu stood up from the bed instantly. "Akshu, chalo tum yha kya kr rhi ho phir. Come on, we have to go outside instantly", babbled Abhi. He moved to the other side of the bed to pick Akshara up and to take her out of the house in the time of crisis. 

"Abhi, tum pagal ho gye ho. Tumhe kuch hilta hua dikh rha hai kya", said Akshara and hit his chest lightly. Abhi got confused for a second, he looked up and saw everything in its place. Nothing is shaking. He cannot feel any vibrations either. If it is not an earthquake then what woke him up?

"Maine uthaya hai tumhe", said Akshara answering his unasked question.

"Huh?" said Abhi dumbly.

"I woke you up, Abhi. Koi earthquake nhi aya hai", said Akshara. 

"Ohh!" said Abhi. Finally, understanding what is happening here. He rubs his eyes to evade the sleep. 

"Yes, ohhh!! Ab ise pehle tum mujhse poocho that why did I wake you up, mai pehle hi bta deti hoon. Your babies are hungry and they need Black Current ice cream as soon as possible", said Akshara in one breath.

"Akshu, no ice cream. The weather is already freezing. You will definitely catch a cold if you eat ice cream at this time", said Abhi. He could not let her eat ice cream in this weather.

Tears started leaking from Akshara's eyes. "I want to eat ice cream", said Akshara while sobbing. Abhi sighed. He sat down on the bed close to Akshara and held her in his arms. 

"Akshu, stop crying baba. You know the ice cream is not healthy for you", said Abhi. He wiped her tears with the pad of his thumbs.

"I cannot. I want to eat ice cream. Please, Abhi. I promise mai sirf ek scoop ice cream hi khaoongi. Or ice cream toh ghar ki hai. Bahar ki thodi na hai", said Akshu while sniffing loudly.

"Akshu, bahar ki cheez ko ghar mai khane se woh ghar ki nhi ho jati hai", said Abhi.

"Abhi, stop teasing me. I want to ice cream. Your kids wanted it. Kya tum apne bacho ki itni si demand bhi poora nhi karonge", said Akshu pleadingly. She made a puppy face with a cute pout. Abhi sighed, he could not refuse anything to her after she made this face. It is his weakness.

"Okay, fine. Chalo. But only one scoop", said Abhi. Akshara clapped her hands lightly. She put her hand in Abhi's. Abhi helped her in getting up. They slowly walked into the kitchen, where Abhi helped her sit on the chair. 

"Tum yha baitho mai ice cream lata hoon", said Abhi. He opened the freezer and put one scoop of ice cream in the bowl and handed it over to his wife. Akshu is eagerly waiting for the ice cream. She squealed when Abhi handed her the bowl of ice cream.

"Thank you, Abhi. You are the best", said Akshara and ate her ice cream. She put the bowl on the slab as soon as she took the first bite.

"Kya hua, Akshu", asked Abhi worriedly.

"I don't like it. Yeh bilkul bhi achi nhi lag rhi hai", said Akshu. 

"Kyu, yeh kharab hai kya", said Abhi and checked the expiry date from the ice cream box.

"No, something is missing in it", mumbled Akshu. She is thinking hard about what is missing from this ice cream.

Abhi tasted the ice cream and everything was fine in it, nothing was missing in it. "Sab toh sahi hai Akshu, nothing is missing in it", said Abhi.

"Haa, I got it. Mujhe pta lag gya kya missing hai isme", said Akshu happily.

"kya", asked Abhi.

"ketchup", said Akshu.

"Huh? ketchup? As in tomato ketchup?" asked Abhi. Akshu nodded her head.

"Yes, tomato ketchup is missing. Abhi tum please woh do na mujhe", said Akshu. 

"Akshu, baby. Ice cream mai koi ketchup nhi dalta hai. Maybe you need chocolate syrup", said Abhi.

"No, Abhi. I know what I want. Tum bas mujhe ketchup pass kro", said Akshara. Abhi did what he was told. He passed her the bottle of ketchup. Akshara generously poured the ketchup into the ice cream as if it was chocolate syrup. She happily took a bite of it but made a face as soon as she ate it.

"Hmm, something is missing", mumbled Akshara. 

"Akshu, everything is missing in this ice cream. Yeh dekhne mai hi itni bhayanak lag rhi hai, pta nhi khane mai kitni hogi", said Abhi.

"Haa, I got it. Abhi pass me the peanut butter and Soy sauce", said Akshu happily.

"Huh? Akshu tum pagal ho gyi ho kya", asked Abhi.

"Nhi, Abhi. Tum please mujhe do na jo mujhe chahiye", said Akshu. Abhi had no choice. He gave Akshu soy sauce and peanut butter. Akshu happily mixed everything. So, now her ice cream consists of ketchup, peanut butter and soy sauce. She took the first bite of it and moaned loudly.

"Wow, it's so tasty Abhi", moaned Akshu. Abhi is horrified right now. He cannot believe that Akshu is eating that disgusting concoction. 

"Abhi, it's so wonderful. You should also try this", said Akshu and put the spoon filled with ice cream in front of him. Abhi blanched.

"No, I am good, baby. I don't need to taste it", said Abhi and turned his face to the other side. 

"Ok, as you wish", said Akshara. She is enjoying her delicious snack while Abhi is diverting his mind from this concoction or else he will puke his guts out. 

"Finish!! Woooow, this is the best snack I have had in a while", said Akshara and wiped her face. Abhi turned his face and looked at his cute panda. He kissed her chubby cheeks. He took a bowl from her and put it on a slab.

"Good, you have enjoyed it. Ab sone chale", asked Abhi. Akshara cutely nodded her head. Abhi held her in his arms and took her back to the room.

Akshara kissed his cheek. "You are the best husband in this world", said Akshara.

"I know", said Abhi cheekily. Akshara wrapped her arms around his neck and went back to their room. Abhi put her back on the bed. He cleans her face with a wet wipe. 

"Sleep, baby", said Abhi. He helped her to lie down. He put a pillow between her legs for her comfort. He put a blanket on her and then pulled her into his arms. 

"Good night, Akshu", said Abhi and kissed her forehead.

"Good night, Abhi", Akshu replied and kissed his forehead too. Both of them sleep in each other's embrace.

TO BE CONTINUED