Cradles to Forever

1. The New Beginning

The monsoon rains had just begun to wash over Kolkata. The city, with its bustling streets and serene riverbanks, seemed to hold its breath in anticipation. Inside a bustling hospital in South Kolkata, the air was thick with excitement and anxiety.

Kritika paced the sterile corridor, her heart racing with every passing minute. She was only twelve, but the weight of responsibility already rested heavily on her young shoulders.

Her mother, Ananya, was in the delivery room, surrounded by a team of doctors and nurses, preparing for the arrival of the newest members of their family.

Hridaan, just a year younger than Kritika, sat quietly in the waiting area, clutching his favorite toy guitar. He strummed it absentmindedly, trying to drown out the sounds of the hospital—a mix of hurried footsteps, distant conversations, and the occasional beep of medical equipment. The twins were coming, and he could feel the tension in the air.

After what felt like an eternity, a cry pierced the silence. Then another. The twins had arrived.

A nurse emerged from the delivery room, her face beaming with joy. " Betiyaan huyi hain " she announced, her voice filled with pride. " Both healthy and strong."

Kritika and Hridaan rushed to their mother's side as soon as they were allowed in, their eyes wide with wonder. Ananya, exhausted but radiant, held the tiny bundles in her arms.

" Kriti.... Hri...., Apni behno se milo " she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

" Aishaani " Kritika said as she saw the elder one of the twins...

" Rishaani " Said Hridaan as he gazed at his youngest sister.

Both gazed at the newborns, their heart swelling with love and protectiveness.

Rishaani had a delicate face with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. Aishaani seemed more serene, her tiny fingers curling around her sister's hand, protectively.

Meanwhile their father, Devashish was out on a business trip to Gujarat. He had been anxiously awaiting news of the birth, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he couldn't be there in person. Kritika went outside the cabin and called her father excitedly. She could not wait much longer to share her happiness with her father.

The phone rang twice before Devashish answered, his voice filled with anticipation.

" Hello, Kritika beta? Sab kuch thik hai na?" he asked, his voice a mix of worry and hope.

" Ji papa... Sab thik hai, mummy bhi aur.... Humari do behen bhi.... "  Kritika exclaimed, her voice bubbling with joy. " Sundar do behenein humari, dono hi bilkul healthy aur strong hai, nurse aunty ne kaha kuch der pehle. "

Devashish let out a sigh of relief, his heart swelling with love. " Aur... Aur tum log ko mummy...? "

" Mummy thaki huyi hai lekin wo bhi mast hai papa... Wo bahut khush hai papa... Aap bhi jaldi aa jaiye na...." Kritika said, glancing back at the room where Ananya lay with the twins.

" Bhai aur hum mummy k sath hai, aap bilkul tension na le bss jaldi se aa jaiye... "

" Kaash hum is waqt tum sab k sath ho paate " Devashish said, his voice tinged with regret and sadness.

" Hum kaal subah hi pahuch jayege Kriti beta. Tum sab dhyaan rakhna apna aur mummy ka bhi...haan "

" Bilkul papa... Bss We can't wait for you to meet them " Kritika said, her voice softening. " Travel safe. "

As she hung up the phone, Kritika felt a sense of calm wash over her. She returned to the room, where Hridaan was now sitting on the edge of the bed, gently touching the twins' tiny hands. Ananya looked up and smiled at Kritika, her eyes filled with gratitude and love.

" Papa jald hi aa rahe hai mummy " Kritika said, sitting down beside her mother. " Wo Aishaani aur Rishaani se milne k liye kaafi excited hai....unse raha nhi jaa rha... " Kritika giggled slightly.

Ananya nodded, her eyes glistening with tears, looking at her children with a heart full of love.

As the rain continued to fall outside, the family huddled together, their hearts beating in unison.