Rab Rakha

Chapter 69

6 Months later:

It had been six months since Shehnaaz discovered she was expecting. The early days had been a whirlwind of excitement and nervousness, emotions only a soon-to-be mother could fully understand. She had always been a vibrant, independent woman and now, as she cradled the tiny life growing inside her, she felt a different kind of strength.

From the very beginning, her husband, her Sidharth had been attentive, perhaps a bit too attentive. The small things that usually went unnoticed in their everyday life now held a weight of importance. He would insist she rested, take breaks and wouldn’t let her lift anything heavier than a pillow. But she, stubborn as she was, found herself continuing to work late into the evenings, even though it meant she had to manage a load of responsibilities while carrying the life inside her.

It was the sixth month now and she felt the baby’s movements more distinctly. The little kicks were now sharp enough to catch her off guard, sending ripples of excitement and anxiety through her. Some nights, the husband and wife would lie awake, their hands gently resting on her belly, feeling the tiny feet that danced inside her.

Madhu, lived just one floor below in the same building had never been happier. They were close, so much so that it felt as though she was the second heartbeat of Shehnaaz’s home. In these last few months, Madhu had become her right hand in managing her pregnancy. Nothing changed after the couple got married. They still cooked together, shared stories and talked for hours about the new life she was about to bring into the world.

Her mother-in-law, Rita Ma, however lived half an hour away but she made a point to visit every two weeks, always bringing something special, whether it was a homemade sweet or a new pair of socks for the baby. Even now, she had started sewing a tiny sweater, something to keep the baby warm when it arrived. It was a symbol of the warmth and love that surrounded Shehnaaz from every direction.

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the small kitchen. Shehnaaz stood by the stove, stirring a pot of dal. The comforting aroma of lentils and spices filled the room. She hummed a little tune, a smile playing on her lips as she went about the task.

"Sana, khushbu toh badi acchi aa rahi hai. Sabzi mai dekh lungi putt, bhindi kal raat hi kaat ke rakhli thi maine. Aaja baith." came her mother’s voice from the corner of the kitchen. Madhu was seated at the dining table, chopping onions.

"Tere pati ne dekh liya na. Meri class lega." She added.

Shehnaaz giggled softly. "Ha. Ha. Aapko pata, mera toh roz ka ho gaya hai, kal garam doodh ka patila uthaya toh chilla raha tha." She told her mother.

"Usne khud bataya mujhe. Almost daily bol ke jata hai, usko bolo ek house help rakh lete hain." Madhu told her.

"Haaye, meko nahi rakhni ek aur kaam wali. Uske ghar jo aunty aati hai, jhadu, pocha, bartan, sara karke jati hai. Ab dusting ke liye aur kyu rakhna? Utna mai khud na karlu?" Shehnaaz replied.

"Aur delivery ke baad toh rakhni hi padegi ek full time wali. Abhi mai manage kar sakti hu, toh kyu itna insist karta hai?" She shook her head, turning off the gas stove.

"Ha thik hai ye bhi." Madhu nodded and noticed Sidharth joining them for breakfast at the same time.

"Aakhir hai toh beti, side toh uski lenge." He commented. His mother in law was the one he'd go to every time he wanted to convince his wife for something, especially these days.

"Mana rahi hu na!" Madhu replied, gesturing to him to keep his mouth shut for now.

"Leh! Aa gaya Sidharth. Chal khale, mai sabzi bana ke tum dono ka tiffin pack kar deti hu." She told her daughter.