It was the day of Khushi's graduation and Arnav sat in the audience, along with his and her parents. She was nearly two months pregnant. While she had spent the last two months poring over course books, Arnav had bought every book available in the market on pregnancy. He had painstakingly read each and every word, made sure Khushi had all her medicines on time, ate the proper food and he wouldn't let her lift a finger to do anything but Khushi firmly put her foot down at that, "Arnav, let me do a few tings at least, or else I'll be too bored and tired. Just a little please" Arnav relented reluctantly, but little meant very little.
To nobody's surprise, Khushi graduated with top honours, her cheeks were flushed in pleasure as she collected her degree and the award. When the ceremony was over, she ran towards them but meekly started walking when Arnav shot her a glare. After meeting her parents and her in-laws, she turned to Arnav who pulled her in a hug. Then he lowered himself to her stomach and started talking to their baby, "Look at your mother, such a brilliant student! But luckily for you, you can follow your father's footsteps who is nowhere near her in the academic department. So little one, get ready!" Khushi punched him lightly on his stomach at that, laughing.
5 months later
"Arnav wake up" came Khushi's distressed voice as she shook him. Arnav grunted but jerked up when his blurry vision cleared and he saw Khushi. "Khushi What's wrong? Are you alright?" he asked anxiously, feeling her forehead and then her stomach.
"I need fruit salad and chocolate fudge ice cream with brownie" she said desperately. Staring at her uncomprehendingly for this, Arnav repeated, "You wake me up at two in the night for this? Your cravings are going to kill me one of these days." He sighed and pulled on a shirt before making his way downstairs. Khushi held his hand and said, "I also want to come." "Khushi you should rest."
"Carry me" Khushi said and wound her arms around his neck. Unable to resist her cute expression, Arnav kissed her temple and carried her to the kitchen, carefully putting her down on the counter. The books on pregnancy he had read on pregnancy had come in handy and the last six months had trained him well. He was accustomed to Khushi s cravings for odd things at even odder times by now.
The freezer was well stocked with all imaginable flavours of icecreams – chocolate, raspberry, caramel, rocky road, pistachio, vanilla, strawberry, mint, anything. He handed Khushi a boewl and watched her happily did into it. He assembled the ingredients of the salad and muttered to himself, "Alright chef Arnav get to work." Khushi looked up and said, "Arnav I want apples, cherries, strawberries, pomegranates, grapes and oranges. No bananas, I hate them"
Confused Arnav said, "But you bought two dozen bananas just yesterday!" "Don't argue with a pregnant lady Arnav" she said crossly. Knowing it was useless to argue, Arnav did what he was told, handed her the bowl and before she could complain, scooped her up in his arms and carried her to their room, placing her gently on the bed. He adjusted her pillows and lay next to her. She took a few small bites and said, "I am done." Arnav immediately got up and nearly bellowed, "You woke me up at two in the morning and can't even finish the damn thing!"
Khushi's lower lip quivered and she started howling, "You don't love me now. I am fat and ugly and cranky. You don't even kiss me that often now. I am not pretty, you hate me!" she repeated, her wailing getting louder by the second.
Taken aback, Arnav stared at her for a few seconds and then remembered what to do. He kissed her. Softly, gently with patience and sweetness till her trembling ceased and she stopped crying. Their lips were still locked when Arnav broke it and cupped her face. " You are beautiful Khushi. Even more than our wedding day. My love for you grows with each passing second. Don't forget, you are "fat" because I love you and can't stay away from you. I have a little problem hugging you though, our baby insists on coming in between!"
Khushi s eyes were glowing and she held his collar while murmuring against his lips, "I love you too. And I love the way you shut me up even more. "she said naughtily. "You do, huh?" said Arnav, gently laying over her. "Funny, so do I sweetheart!"
Arnav strained his ears to hear any sound. Khushi had gone into labour a few hours ago and his heart was beating at a dangerous rate. When he thought he could no longer stand it, he heard a baby's cry. His baby's cry. The doctor came out carrying a little bundle which was their baby wrapped in layers of blankets."Congratulations, you had a boy" Arnav took his son in his trembling hands, slowly. He was tiny, fit in Arnav s large hands easily, and Arnav softly kissed his cheek, staring at him in awe. He entered the room and saw Khushi lying in the bed, looking tired and a little weak. But her face was glowing and she looked more beautiful than ever, ethereal in fact. Arnav sat next to her and handed her their son, watching how joyfully she held him, tears running down her cheeks. Arnav took her hand and kissed it. "Thank You." Khushi just whispered, "You are welcome too, after all you can also take some credit for this." They held each other and gazed at their bundle of joy, their son, their love, looking forward to many more. They had given love a chance and love gave them everything. Each other. Arnav and Khushi Forever.
