His Grumpy Wife

yeh hei toh jindagi hai

The third trimester had Alisha on a rollercoaster. Her moods were as unpredictable as the Mumbai monsoon. One day, she'd be craving spicy street food, the next, a whiff of coffee would send her running for the hills. Despite the drama – or maybe because of it – the Maheshwari family had rallied around her. They treated her like royalty, anticipating her every need. It was as if Alisha possessed a magical "come hither" button – one press (or cry, or giggle) and a family member materialized at her side, ready to fulfill her every need. A single call from Alisha, and uncles would abandon business meetings, aunts would postpone social gatherings, even the usually stoic Abhimanyu would appear with a tray of her favorite mango lassi.

This morning, however, Alisha was a picture of peace. Curled up under Aniket's arm, bathed in the soft glow filtering through the curtains, she slept soundly. Sunlight, a mischievous intruder, peeked through the curtains, rousing Aniket from his slumber. He inhaled the sweet scent of his wife's hair, and a wave of love washed over him. Aniket, his heart overflowing with love, watched her. Her once sharp cheekbones were now pleasantly rounded, and her once slender frame had a newfound fullness that spoke of the miracle growing within her. Even her eyes seemed to radiate a different kind of beauty, a pregnancy glow that outshone anything he'd ever seen. She was radiant, a queen in her own right, ruling the hearts of the Maheshwari family.

Aniket couldn't help but lean down, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead and another on her lips. Alisha stirred, a soft groan escaping her lips. He chuckled. He playfully brought her hands to his eyes, mimicking a subject bowing before his queen he had been doing this the  past 5 years . "Seeking your blessings, My Majesty," he whispered with a wink. He leaned down and kissed her rounded belly. "I love you, little one," he murmured. "Dada is so blessed to have you."   With that, he slipped out of bed, leaving Alisha to sleep a little longer, his heart overflowing with love for the two most important women in his life.

With a final loving glance at his sleeping wife, Aniket slipped out of the room, ready to face the day and whatever cravings his queen might have next.

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"Aniket, humari baachi kaha hai?" Nalini asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Bhai, bhabhi kaha hai?" Shlok chimed in, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for her.

"Aniket bhaiya, boliye bhi Alisha kaha hai? Aap phir humari bahu rani ko akela chod aaye? Kya karte hain yaar aap?" Meera chachi complained, her voice filled with mock exasperation.

"Are, bol bhi kya? Humara munh dekh raha hai Alisha kaha hai?" Aviraj, Alisha's father-in-law, joined in the chorus of concern.

Aniket, playing along, feigned surprise. "Aree yaar, mein aap logo ka suputr hun aur aap Alisha ke baare mein puch rahe ho!" He pouted dramatically, trying to lighten the mood.

The family looked at him, their faces a mix of amusement and impatience. "Ho gaya ab, batoge humari baachi kaha hai?" Nalini insisted.

Aniket, still in his playful mode, gasped dramatically. "Kisi ko  humari yahan fikr hi nahi hai!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with mock hurt.

"Aniket, hum aakhri baar puch rahe hain," Nalini warned, her voice laced with a hint of sternness.

"Yeh rehe maa, hum so gaye the. Thodi jyada thakwat ho rahi thi," Alisha replied, her voice soft and apologetic as she descended the stairs.

She was about to miss a step when Aditya, her brother-in-law, rushed to her side. "Aaram se bhabhijaan," he said, gently guiding her down the last few steps.