𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐰𝐢

"88. Godh Bharai"

"Do nanhe kadmon ki aahat se,
Ab ye saara ghar gunjega,
Inki pyaari, nadaan kilkariyon se,
Ab Sabka dil jhumega"

-Vaidehi
(Fictionflare_)

Ruhanika was now four months pregnant, and her baby bump was more prominent than usual, an adorable reminder that she was carrying twins. She sat comfortably on the bed, dressed in one of Rudraksh's oversized shirts paired with leggings, her laptop open in front of her as she focused on work. Ever since she began working from home two months ago, she had been managing everything effortlessly. Balancing her professional responsibilities with her pregnancy, she was handling it all like a pro, with the kind of calm confidence that came from both experience and instinct.

Thankfully, the phase of morning sickness had passed, bringing her much-needed relief. However, her ever-changing cravings had become a new adventure, one that kept Rudraksh constantly on his toes. Whether it was an urgent late-night craving for something sweet or an unusual combination of snacks, he never complained. In fact, he found joy in pampering her, always ready to fulfill her wishes with a smile.

Rudraksh, too, had adjusted his schedule. He now worked from home most of the time and only went to the office when absolutely necessary. His priority was clear, being close to Ruhanika and ensuring she had everything she needed, every moment of the day.

Last month, they had shifted their bedroom to the ground floor for convenience and comfort, making things easier for her as the pregnancy progressed. The new setup was cozy and filled with warmth, a space that now echoed with quiet laughter, shared responsibilities, and the gentle anticipation of the two little lives growing within her.

Ruhanika noticed that Rudraksh was deeply engrossed in his work, so without disturbing him, she quietly set her laptop and a few scattered files aside. Stretching a little, she got up from the bed and stepped down, deciding to head to the kitchen to get something for herself.

She walked out of the room silently, thinking she was alone, but as she reached halfway through the corridor, she heard footsteps behind her. Curious, she turned slightly and was surprised to see Rudraksh following her.

Stopping abruptly, she spun around and planted her hand firmly on her waist. Her eyes narrowed into a playful glare as she looked at him, clearly questioning his motives. Rudraksh met her gaze with a sheepish smile, pretending to be innocent, but the way he was caught red-handed made Ruhanika raise her brows and tilt her head, waiting for an explanation.

Ruhanika: "Akshhh, aap phir shuru ho gaye??"
(Akshhh, you've started again??)

Rudraksh: "Jaana main toh bas help ke liye aaya"
(Jaana, I just came to help.)

Rudraksh had unknowingly developed a habit of trailing behind Ruhanika wherever she went. Whether she was moving from the bed to the couch or from the kitchen to the garden, he was right there, shadowing her every step like a loyal bodyguard. Ruhanika never minded his constant presence, in fact, she secretly adored it. Being close to her husband brought her comfort, especially during this delicate phase of pregnancy.

However, one day, Rudraksh got so caught up in his instinct to stay near her that he nearly followed her into the washroom without realizing. That was the moment Ruhanika's heightened mood swings kicked in. She turned to him with a frown and launched into an impassioned one-hour lecture about how she wasn't going to disappear if he left her alone for a few minutes.

Rudraksh stood quietly through it all, listening to every word with the obedience of a scolded schoolboy, not interrupting even once. But just as she was wrapping up her monologue, her tone softened, her lips trembled, and her eyes welled up with tears. In a broken voice, she mumbled, that she yelled at him... now he must hate her. She hate herself for this.