Sulochana and Sana were working in the kitchen.

Sulochana: Bahu, shift to my room from today. You and Sidharth should maintain distance. I don't want my grandchild in your womb to be harmed in any way.

Sana: Aaa.. but he..

Sulochana: I will talk to Sidharth regarding this when he comes home in the evening. You get your clothes and belongings. I will do the remaining work here.

Sana hesitantly nods in agreement. She goes to her room opens the wooden cupboard and picks up her clothes little by little and shifts to Sulochana's room. She additionally folds his unwashed shirt and keeps it under her pillow. She was so habituated to sleeping in his embrace at night that she wanted to feel him close to her atleast by way of his sweat smell.

Sidharth came home and went to his room. He opened the cupboard to change his clothes when he saw Sana's side empty.

Sidharth: Sana.. Sana..

Sana: Hmmm.. what happened?

Sidharth: Where are your clothes? Your side of cupboard is empty.

Sana: (nervously) Aaa.. I shifted to Saasumaa's room.

Sidharth: What? But why?

Sana: Saasumaa is concerned for the baby. (Bit her lips)

Sidharth: So am I, but what has the baby to do with you shifting the room?

Sana: Saasumaa said she will speak to you. You check with her.

He looked at her perplexed and went straight to Sulochana.

Sidharth: Maa, why would Sana shift to your room?

Sulochana: I want you both to maintain distance so that the baby is unharmed.

Sidharth: Maa, I am also a responsible father of the baby in her womb. I know my limits, Maa. I won't do anything which will harm my baby.

Sulochana: Okay beta, then what is the problem if she sleeps here in this room?

Sidharth didn't know what to tell her. He just wanted her beside him while he slept. Her presence gave him peaceful sleep just like a little kid who wants to sleep with his favourite toy. He would just hug her to sleep or kiss her before sleeping. He couldn't give his mother this reason though.

Sidharth: Maa, it will be trouble for you when she wakes up at night to have mid night snack or needs to visit toilet. I can take care of her very well.

Sulochana: It won't be a problem for me. I can manage as well.

Sidharth: Maa, what if she needs any help? You also need rest, why do you want to struggle with sleep?

Sulochana: I said, I will manage Sidharth. I stay at home and can rest during the day as well but you go to work, so it's you who need to take rest without disturbance.

Sidharth looked at Sana who had been hopefully looking at him thinking that he would be able to convince his mother. She was disappointed now. They hardly got time to spend with each other apart from the sleeping time hence they always looked forward to spend that time with each other. But this decision was total painful for them.

He gave up as his list of reasons were depleted and Sulochana was still not convinced. They have their dinner in silence. He ate very slowly because he wanted to spend more time around his wife.

Sulochana: What happened Sidharth? Is there any problem with the food today? You are eating so slowly.

Sidharth: No Maa, it's tasty.

He finished eating food and sat in the hall holding a text book. Sana knew the reason because she was experiencing the same level of anxiety of distance. She sat on a chair opposite to him with her woolen knitting kit as she had been knitting a sweater for the little baby since few days. They both looked at each other from far.

(Aankhon hi aankhon mein ishara ho gaya, baite baite jeene ka sahara ho gaya. 👆)

Sulochana: Sidharth, aren't you sleeping?

Sidharth: Yes, maa. I was just preparing for tomorrow's lecture. Will sleep after this.

Sulochana: Okay, Sana you can do this in the afternoon tomorrow. Come let's go to sleep. You need to rest.

Sana: Aaa.. (looks at Sidharth) I was feeling a little bloated after eating so I will sleep after sometime.

Sulochana: Oh God! Let me get you something for the bloating.

Sana: No Saasumaa, you take rest, I will be fine.

Sidharth: Sana, how if we go on a small walk outside in fresh air? You will feel relaxed and bloating will also reduce.

Sulochana: Yes, that's a good idea but you have to finish your preparation for tomorrow's class, right? I will go with Sana.

Sidharth: Aaa.. no maa, I am done. You take rest. I will take her out.

Sulochana: Okay. Sana wear a warm cloth to keep yourself warm in this cold breeze. Don't take much time and come soon.

Sana nods. She goes in and wraps herself in shawl. Sidharth eagerly waited for her near the door. He smiled as soon as she came. They leave the house and walk slowly.

Sana: I miss you. How am I going to stay far from you? I was hoping you will convince saasumaa.

Sidharth: I tried my best sweetheart but she wasn't giving up. I miss you too. I can't really sleep without you. If it was for a day or two, I would have agreed happily but it's going to be for 5 months more until you deliver.

Sana: It's going to be longer than that since even after delivery they keep the new mother away from her partner for atleast 3 months. I've seen didi doing it when Vijay was born.

Sidharth: What? I am not ready for this. You were the one who wanted this baby. If this is the case before birth than I wonder what will happen after the birth?

Sana: Please don't say anything about the baby. If it wasn't for this baby, I wouldn't have been with you today. Saasumaa would have got you married to someone else if not for Renuka didi.

Sidharth: Please don't mention her name infront of me. My blood boils when I hear her name.

Sana: Okay sorry. But please don't say anything to my baby.

Sidharth: Right! It's mine as well but more than anything and anyone, you are mine. So am I. I will keep trying to convince maa, she has to give up. I can't even touch you here in public even after you being my wife.

They both sit on a bench near the park. There was no one around so he slides close to her and holds her hand in his and caressed them softly. She looked around before leaning her head on to his arm and he rested his head on her head. They sat there calmly for sometime before they headed back home.

Sulochana was standing and waiting for them at the door.

Sulochana: Thank God you both came. I was so worried. What took y'all so much time? It's too late at night, lets go to sleep.

Sana nods and glances at Sidharth before going to Sulochana's room with her. Sidharth grumpily went to his room. Sana lied on her bed and pulled out his shirt from under the bed and sniffed it before hugging it and falling asleep.

Sidharth on the other hand twisted and turned in the bed unable to sleep. At about 1:30a.m., he silently sneaked into Sulochana's room and went close to Sana's bed side. He knelt near her and kissed her forehead before caressing it. Sana opened her eyes and smiled at him. He gestured her to come outside the room. They both sneakily went outside to their room.

He hugged her as soon as he stepped inside their room. He then cupped her face and kissed her lips.

Sana: I should go back before Saasumaa finds out.

Sidharth: Argghh.. Are we committing a crime? You are my wife and I have all the rights to spend my time with you. Sleep here please and go back in the morning before she wakes up.

Sana nods and they both sleep on their bed in each other's embrace. In the early morning, she wakes up and goes back to Sulochana's room to sleep.

The routine continues for 2 weeks until one night Sulochana looks at Sana sneaking out of the room at midnight. She slowly follows her and finds her going to his room. She finds them sleeping in each other's embrace and goes back to her room. In the morning she observes, his shirt under her pillow while making the bed and realises how much they miss each other.

Sulochana: Sana, I was thinking that you should shift back to your room. The bed in your room is bigger and you will be comfortable sleeping there. Just be cautious while sleeping.

Sana: (blushes with a smile uncontrollably) Okay saasumaa.

She immediately shifts all her clothes back to her room. In the evening, when Sidharth returns home and opens the cupboard, he jumps in joy looking at her clothes back into the empty space.

Sana slowly saunters and stands leaning on to the door with a blushing smile. He goes and hugs her happily.

Sidharth: Did you convince maa?

Sana: No, she said the bed in her room is smaller and I won't be able to sleep comfortably. So she asked me to sleep here itself. But she said that you have control your desires and not kiss me or hug me or touch me or even look at me. So please don't touch me, we need to maintain a social distance.

Sidharth: (looks at her in shock) What? Did she really say all this?

Sana: (giggles) No, this was my extra fittings.

Sidharth: You.. (tickles her)

She giggles like a little baby trying to escape his tickling. He looked at her adoringly holding her face in his hand. Her smiling face was his piece of heaven and solace to his heart.

Sidharth: I love you so much sweetheart.

Sana: I love you too.

He hugged her before kissing her.
__________________________

To be continued.. ❤️❤️