Bikhre moti (Scattered pearls)

31. Heart Or Throne? (Epilogue)

This one was planned for blog but updating here for a dear reader, Anahita1999.

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The old, large clock in her office showed 5:10 p.m. Yet, one last task needed her attention, a file that required her review and signature to ensure the timely start of the new school building project she had promised in her election manifesto. The groundwork was already completed by the respective departments and now it only needed her final approval.

Sighing in tiredness, Khushi opened the file, hoping to get this done sooner.

And that was when she heard a knock on her office door amidst the stillness of her office. Assuming it was her PA, she murmured 'come in', her eyes still on the pages.

But as the door opened slightly, she looked up and there he was. Arnav. He stood at the threshold, with a smile on his face, along with Vanshika and Veer, their nearly 4-year-old twins. She had realized, these three faces had the power of dissolving her gloom, her tiredness! Especially these days when their family was set to grow, she thought caressing her baby bump.

With a beautiful, radiant smile on her face, she tried rising from her chair with some effort, while cradling her seven-month baby bump.

"Careful." Arnav said, coming further inside the big office and reaching near her in quick strides. He gently kept his hand and supported her back while their kids clung to her by then.

"Mommy!" both said in unison.

And as if on cue the baby in belly kicked, showing her/his happiness seeing its siblings and daddy. Khushi gasped and quickly held Arnav's hand to put in on her tummy where the baby kicked again!

Veer and Vanshika who were told they were going to have a new baby sister or brother soon who was currently in their mommy's tummy, also asked to be a part of it as they would do every time their sibling kicked and Khushi smilingly held her toddlers' little hands and kept it on the place where the little one continued playfully kicking away!

It was a few days ago when their mommy and daddy had first 'introduced' them to this 'kicking' wonder in their mommy's tummy who was their brother or sister. And since then, they would always want to feel that unique experience.

"Yay! He is kicking!" Veer said.

"No silly, she is kicking. We are going to have a sister." Vanshika said with confidence.

"Really? How do you know? Mommy said, we won't know it until baby comes out of her tummy. Right mommy?"

Khushi, overwhelmed by this moment, felt tears welling up in her eyes. She nodded softly at her son, with heart full of love...

"But I want a sister! I already have a brother." Vanshika exclaimed, "Daddy! You promised me a sister!" she said, keeping hands on her tiny waist, glaring at Arnav.

Arnav had an arm wrapped around Khushi, his own eyes showing similar disbelief of having this moment bestowed on him and khushi, to receive their kids' love, answered his daughter, "Daddy has tried his best, baby. But why don't we wait for a few more days and let this surprise be revealed? Hmm?"

Vanshika seemed satisfied with his answer and stuck her tongue out at Veer, who booed her in return, their playful fighting making their parents smile.

"Ready to go home?" Arnav asked Khushi, seeing their kids busy playing with each other. He had made it a practice to come to pick her up every single day in last 5 months. Since the day she took her oath as Deputy chief minister of Delhi.

"But I had to review that school project's file and sign it before tomorrow." She said, sadly.

Arnav thought for a moment before telling her, "How about I review it, jot down the key points for you and then you only review that short, concise summary tomorrow morning? That way, you can still relax tonight." He said with a warm smile.