Wedlock Epilogue

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EPILOGUE 

Two year Later – Delhi

“Ma’am, we have a lunch to attend with Mr. Williams”
“I do remember that. We will start in an hour”
“Sure Ma’am” Debby, Khushi Singh Raizada’s secretary headed out of the cabin.

Khushi looked through the glass walls of her Cabin, Delhi city was spread out everywhere her eyes roamed. She had joined as the Project Head of this Interior Designing Company, the one her earlier Client had offered her before leaving San Francisco and since then, things had taken a drastic change in her life. She got busy and busier as days passed to handle the work pressure of her new Role. It had been a year and half now that she stabled the reputation of this company like never before. She was even promoted last month. People who didn’t know her existence before had started to appreciate her efforts now and wanted to be a part of her life. All thanks to her husband Arnav for standing by her side, helping her throughout these months and never complaining for not being able to spend more time with him. In fact, he was proud of her that even after such hectic work schedule she still managed to look after every single duty of hers in Shantivan as the Bahu of Raizada family. She was a dutiful bahu when home, a loving wife to her husband and a caring aunt to two- and half-year-old Ruhi Jha.



Her intercom buzzed breaking her trance.

“Ma’am, you have a call from Dr. Minal” Debby informed.
“Yes, transfer the call here”
“Sure Ma’am”

Khushi sat back on her chair, waiting for the good news.

“Hi Khushi, how you doing today?” Minal, her obstetrician asked.
“I am doing fine Doctor. Just the morning sickness keeps me exhausted for an hour every day.”
“That’s normal. Do take the medicines regularly? Don’t skip them”
“I don’t, all thanks to my husband who sends me frequent reminders” she chewed the pencil in between her teeth to suppress the flashes of last night crowding her mind. She had skipped one of her shot even after Arnav’s reminder. When she came back home and realized, Arnav had been mad at her. He didn’t talk to her for 3 hours. She had a tough time convincing him she will never forget it again. And when he was convinced, they made love to each other like two hungry souls fighting for life. She was still in her first trimester of pregnancy and making love like that was still considered safe. But he had worried about it and decided to call Dr. Minal and check if that’s normal for Khushi and their baby. It was so embarrassing when he made that call to Dr. Minal, early hours of the morning. He accompanied her for a random scan to see if all is well. She had to re-schedule her first meeting for that sudden visit to the Clinic. But Minal had not arrived to the Clinic then. Khushi finished the necessary test whose results would be confirmed by Minal now over the call.

“Is all okay Minal?” she queried. “I mean.. the baby is fine right?”
“Absolutely” Minal informed. “You both are doing great. Inform that to your husband, I am sure he is being mad at himself”

No, he is mad at both of them for losing that much of control. Though she kept telling him it was alright. If it had been the end of her second trimester, it would be a matter of concern. Poor Hubby!!

“I will inform him. Thanks. I will be there for my next appointment on time”
“No problem Khushi, take care”

Khushi disconnects the call and types back an email to her beloved husband. The email communication has never stopped. It has spiced up, juiced up these days.

Dear To-be Daddy, 

Baby is fine. Just got it confirmed. Happy?

Your baby’s mother,
Khushi Singh Raizada 

After a minute she gets back a response

Dear Mommy, 

I am relieved, finally!! 

Did you eat the Salad I packed? 

Your baby’s Daddy, 
Arnav Singh Raizada 

**************

Dearest Daddy, 

Salad was yum. Your culinary skills are improving. Can I expect you to make something spicy for me tonight? The baby needs Spice. 

Your dearest baby’s Mommy,
Khushi. 

**************

Sweetheart, 

No spicy food for you until the baby is delivered. 

And no arguments. 

Your commanding Husband, 
Arnav  

**************

Honey, 

Please. What about my mood swings? Who else will take care of them if not you? 

Your pouting sweetheart, 
Khushi. 

*************

Sweetheart, 

Don’t lure me with your fake pouts. 

Arnav. 

************

Darling, 

What should I lure you with then? 

How about kisses and hugs? 

P.s why am I yawning so much?

Only yours,
Khushi. 

**************

Baby, 

You need a good sleep. I recall we sleeping hardly for an hour or two last night. 

Now since you yawning because of me, I will reconsider your request for spicy food. And because Dr. Minal has allowed us to make love for some more weeks, I will be obliged to be at your command again tonight. Love you sweetheart.

Only and forever yours,
Arnav. 

She blushed reading his sugar-coated reply. Another night of love making is enough to energize her for the next few days. She locks her laptop screen to head for lunch with Williams, their client when Lavanya’s call buzzes on her phone.

“Hey Mommy” Lavanya chirped from the other end as Khushi answered.
“Hello to you too Mommy” she replied.

Both the girls giggled like teens.

“I can’t believe we both are pregnant at the same time. Our delivery week is also the same. I wonder had Arnav and Rohan planned it that way?” Lavanya asked.
“I have that doubt too. Should ask them tonight. What do you think?”
“Yeah we should. Anyways, I called you because I need to go shopping. None of my clothes fit me anymore. I am running out of options”
“Same here. Lets go out and shop. How about tomorrow?”
“Cool” Lavanya agreed. “Just the two of us, like old times”
“Yeah, like old times”

Nothing was old times for Khushi anymore. Things had changed drastically in her life. If anyone had showed her this future some 3 years back, she would have laughed at it. This kind of life where she had a stable career, doting husband, loving in-laws, caring parents was her dream. She is currently living it and enjoying every second of it.

*****************

12 months later 

Khushi came in the kitchen looking for Nani who was filling warm water in the baby bottle.

“here it is” Nani offered her the bottle. “Is she asleep?”
“Not yet. Playing with her Daddy” Khushi replied with a giggle.
“He is such a good father already. I didn’t know Chotte had so many skills in him to look after such a small baby”
“He is good at everything he does Nani. And I love him for that”
Nani nodded in agreement.

“Go feed her some water before she falls asleep”

Khushi hugged Nani and wishing her good night she retreated back to her bedroom. As she opened the door, she saw her husband Arnav, kissing their baby’s forehead while she was fast asleep. Khushi stopped right there, not willing to disturb this moment. Ever since Aashi was born, it was hard to contain their happiness. Arnav had strictly taken 2 months work from home. And Khushi extended her maternity leave for another few months too. Until Aashi was one year old at least, she decided not to resume work. Aashi needed their attention and love and if they don’t devote it for her, who else will they share it with then?

Arnav wrapped Aashi comfortably before putting her in her crib. Khushi tip-toed inside and stood next to her husband, wrapping her arm around his waist, both admiring their little bundle of joy.

“She looks so pretty when she sleeps” Khushi mumbles.
“Just like her mother” he taps on her nose.
“And she snores like you.. soft” she adds.
“That reminds me, we should be off to bed too before she wakes up in the middle of the night feeling hungry”

Khushi giggles softly. That’s true. Every midnight, Aashi wakes up and she has to feed her again to put her to sleep.

“She is always so hungry” Khushi complains.
“Just like her father” in one swift action he sweeps Khushi off her feet. “And now… he is very … very hungry”

Khushi laughs beating his chest to put her down but he doesn’t accept her fake demands. He drops her straight to bed and joins her there after shutting the night lamps.

“You know half the time we wake her up every midnight because of our actions” Khushi protests.

He hovers over his wife, pinning her on the bed.

“Not actions.. That’s called moans baby, let me show you how that sounds”

Khushi giggles hard as he kisses her everywhere, but controlling her sound to ensure they actually don’t disturb Aashi’s peaceful sleep. That’s the last thing they would want.

“Happy Anniversary Hubby” she wishes him in between their love making. He meets her gaze and holds her securely in between his arms for a hug.
“Happy Anniversary to you too Wife” he kissed her forehead.
“Where’s my gift?” she shamelessly asked.
“How about one more baby? This time a boy?” he answers.
She pats his arm denying his request.
“I want a non-human gift”
“What do you want?”
“Umm” she takes a minute to think. “Just don’t be mad at me” she pouts.

Arnav takes a minute to think why would she say that? What did she do this time to make him go mad at her?

“Mind telling the reason behind such a request?”
She nods and cuddles him closer.
“I.. I have arranged a surprise anniversary party tomorrow for us”
He smirks.
“Why will I be mad about that?”
“It’s organized in Sheesh Mahal” she bites her lip, staring carefully at him.

Arnav rolls his eyes. Sheesh Mahal? Though she has already transferred the property on his name, he never stepped there all these years.

“Whose idea was that?” he snaps.
“Totally mine. It’s a beautiful place, Arnav and I really want it to be part of our lives. Please don’t deny”

That puts a weak smile on his lips.

“As you wish” he murmurs.
She is super excited by his approval and squeaks in joy.
“Now shall we please continue?”
“As you wish” she repeats his sentence exactly in his tone. The moment they kiss again, Aashi cries in her crib. The couple look horrified at that sudden cry and rush to soothe her down. That’s the beauty of their relationship. They have always been together in every little duty towards Aashi and it will remain so for the rest of their lives.

******************

Sheesh Mahal 

“Kyle” Khushi hugs Kyle and then her father, welcoming them to Sheesh Mahal. “I expected you guys to come early. Do you both realize the party is about to begin?” she frowns.
“I was ready early. Shashi delayed” Kyle replies.
“I am so sorry baby” Shashi kisses her forehead. “But we will be staying in Sheesh Mahal for 2 days with you all. Afterall even we want to spend time with Aashi. Where is she?”
“With her father”

She points at Arnav who is holding Aashi in arms, taking wishes from the guests for the anniversary.

Khushi leads Kyle and Shashi inside.

“She is so delicate” Kyle takes Aashi in her arms and starts patting her gently. Arnav tells her about Aashi’s naughty acts while Shashi and Khushi admires them from far.

“Thank you, Khushi” Shashi mumbles. “Kyle have always missed being a mother. But now.. look at her.. She is also a mother but a grandmother too. She always keeps talking about you both. This has never happened before. She forgets my office schedule but nothing related to you… right from when the next vaccination should be given to Aashi. She is so fond of you both”

Khushi nods in agreement. During her entire pregnancy, Kyle took good care of her. She stayed in Shantivan from the last few weeks of her pregnancy till a month after Aashi was born. She always surfed the internet to learn what precautions have to be taken for the mother and child and ensured Khushi follows it. That period Khushi realized the changes in Kyle and her desperate need to be a mother to her.

“Happy Anniversary darling” the familiar voice of her best friend Lavanya interrupted their conversation. Khushi turned around and hugged her bestie.
“Thanks for coming. Where is Rohan and Ruhaan?”

Lavanya gave birth to a baby boy and named him Ruhaan.

“Rohan is babysitting Ruhaan and right now…” she points out towards them. “he is sharing his pain and joy both to your husband”

Khushi laughs aloud.

“They make such good fathers, you know” Khushi praises.
“That they are” she nods.

“Khushi.. Arnav” Anjali intervenes. “Lets cut the cake. Come on”

Everyone circles the table where the anniversary cake is waiting to be cut.
Shyam carries little Ruhi in his arms and makes her clap with the others. Arnav and Khushi grip the knife together and cut the cake.

“I love you” she whispers while feeding him the cake.

“I love you too dammit” he feeds her next and pull her for a tight hug.

Pic credit to uploader

The End

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Taking a lift in the dark? Beware!! Sonia loved thrillers. Liked to Blog about them too. But little was she aware that it could all turn back upon her. How far can you go to trust a Stranger in the dark? A short story which explores the dark side of over trusting your instincts and making wrong decisions which can even take your life. 

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