A beginning of something new

OS

"It's okay Shivay, take all the time you want to have a child. Until you have a child, I won't have a child"

Gauri's husband, Om, said this to his older brother Shivay who had given quite a long lecture about children. 

"Same here Shivay bro! Besides I am too young to be a father."

Her brother-in-law, Rudy, said to Shivay.

The last hour and a half was basically Anika and Shivay talking about children with everyone else in the conversation and Shivay trying to prove his point that children are a lot of work and he wouldn't want one now. The whole thing started with the idiot Rudy thinking Bhavya was pregnant just because of a joke Dadi made up. The three brothers then spent all day with babies only to come home to know that Dadi was joking. Shivay then decided to tell everyone that even he got stressed as he is not ready to take such a big responsibility. So then an hour and a half passed with Anika, with the assistance of Dadi and herself, trying to tell Shivay the importance of a kid in a couple's life and then Shivay explained his point of view. He even gave a presentation about how societal pressures or expectations affects a person's entire life. He explained the root cause of the problem following the conclusion that a couple should only have kids when they are prepared and not if they don't want to.

She and Om were ready for one. They were planning to have one and 1 month ago they actually consummated their marriage but the words her husband had just said, it stabbed her hard.

"Until you have a child, I won't have a child"....the words rang in Gauri's head as a servant came with some red wine since Anika and Bhavya asked for it. As the servant started to pour the wine in the glasses, the words Om said was ringing in Gauri's ears but she was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt a nudge. She looked at her husband who said: are you ok?

Gauri gave a small smile: haan.

Om: do you want some wine or no?

Gauri: no, I'm fine thanks.

Om: pakka?

Gauri: haan Omkaraji, pakka. 

Om: ok.

Gauri: um guys, I feel tired. I am going to sleep for a while. Bye.

Anika: do you feel well?

Gauri nods and said: yeah, just a little tired.

Anika: ok, but we'll wake you up for this movie we all want to see later.

Gauri: ok.

Gauri goes upstairs as everyone started to talk. She went into her and Om's room and closed the door. She looked around the door looking at one pink and one blue balloon on the recliner. Boht balloons said the same thing - "I can't wait to meet you daddy".  She looked at the bed looking at two small teddy bears, one pink and one blue. The bed also had a letter and a small slim stick. She went up to them and looked at the letter. 

"Until you have a child, I won't have a child"

It was back in her head. She kept the letter down and got an earring. With the pointy bit of the earring, Gauri pop the two balloons and kept the mess in the bin. She then got the teddies and kept them in their wardrobe. Finally she kept the letter and the small stick in her bedside table top drawer. She went in the bed and mumbled to herself: why can't he think before he speaks? Stupid jatadhari. 

She kept her hands on her stomach. A tear fell down her cheek. The words were playing back in her head again and again and again. She closed her eyes.

"Gauri? Gauri??" Gauri, wake up. Baby, please."

Her eyes fluttered opened as she saw her long-haired husband in front of her.