Sana was in her 7th month of pregnancy. Sulochana asks Sidharth to send a telegram to Sana's parents inviting them on Sana's godh bharai (baby shower).

Sidharth obliged to his mother's instruction and sends a telegram inviting Sana's parents. Exactly after two weeks, they celebrate the godh bharai function where the guest ladies invited blessed the mother to be with gifts and pampered her with all her favourite food items.

Sana was elated to receive so much love. Each lady had some advice for her on pre, during and post delivery stage. She nodded and agreed to everyone as a sign of respect.

After the function got over, Shakuntala Devi seeks Sulochana's permission to take Sana with them to Lakhanpur as per the custom for her delivery and post natal care at her maternal house.

Sulochana agrees and asks Sana to pack her bag. Since it was a ladies only function, Sidharth was unaware about this decision.

Sidharth: Sana, what are you doing sweetheart?

Sana: I am packing my bags to leave to Lakhanpur with Amma and Bapu.

Sidharth: What? But Why?

Sana: That's the custom, a  lady delivers her child at her maternal home. Saasumaa already gave the permission as well.

Sidharth: But I can't agree to this. You ain't going to Lakhanpur.

Sana: Huh? How is it possible? We need to follow traditions. Everytime we cannot be selfish thinking about only us. We should consider our parent's decision as well. In couple of months we will be parents too and imagine our child disrespecting us by going against our decisions.

Sidharth: (stares at her with a straight face listening to all the lecture she had to give him) Are you done? I can wait until you to allow me to speak.

Sana frowns.

Sidharth: I wasn't acting selfish but I am talking for our child's good. Lakhanpur doesn't have better delivery facilities than here. They still have a midwife deliver a baby at home whereas we have a proper healthcare facility in the form of hospital and doctors here in city. I can't let you risk your and child's health. Do you understand?

Sana: I was also born at home and so was Sunaina didi. What's the problem in having home birth?

Sidharth: What about the two stillbirths Saasumaa had, one before Sunaina and the other after you? No Sana. I won't give up if it's for your and our child's health.

He goes out and talks to everyone where Mahinder and his wife were of an indifferent opinion as they couldn't stay at their married daughter's house as they considered it against their custom.

Sidharth: Fine, if y'all are adamant on following traditions rather than being worried about my wife and my child's safety then I won't force y'all. Maa, Sana is staying with us and I am going to take unpaid leaves for 3 months once she approaches 9th month. I will take care of her and the baby myself.

Sulochana: It isn't so easy as you speak Sidharth. If you are so much determined to keep her here then I will take care of her. Afterall it's my grandson as well.

Mahendra: We feel mortified as even after us being alive our daughter has to deliver her maiden child at her husband's house rather than ours.

Sidharth: I understand your concerns, tradition of girl's parents not staying or eating food at her husband's house was practiced to save the girl's parents from being taunted or insulted of accepting favours by her in-laws. They avoided any future dispute or humiliation by staying far from her family. I assure you that none of us will insult or behave in such a way that it causes insult to you or your family. But the final decision to stay is left to you.

Shakuntala Devi and Mahendra look at each other and then at Sana. Sana shook her head in disapproval.

Sana's thought: I trust my husband but the way Saasumaa behaves at times, I can't let my parents being humiliated by her which will further make my husband feel guilty of unable to keep his promise. It isn't a matter of one or two days here. It's going to be for atleast 5 months. Besides Bapu has his railway job and Amma can't stay here leaving him alone in Lakhanpur for such long duration.

Mahendra: Forgive us Jamaai babu. We will not be able to stay here. Hope you will understand. (Folds his hand)

Sidharth nods with folding hands asand Sana's parents bid adieu to them.
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Sidharth was upset with Sana. Sana went and hugged him from behind though he didn't push her away but he didn't reciprocate to her.

Sana: What happened? You look annoyed.

Sidharth: When you know, why are you asking Sana?

Sana: I want to know the reason. I am your wife afterall.

Sidharth: Yes, you are my wife but you chose to insult me by asking your parents to take a decision against my suggestion. What do you think that I didn't notice? You signalled them to not accept the idea of staying here.

Sana: They wouldn't have been comfortable here. Plus Bapu has his own railway job so how could he stay here and if he wasn't here, how can Amma stay here?

Sidharth: If they were uncomfortable then they would have spoken for themself, why would you manipulate their reply?

Sana: It's nothing like that. It's just that I didn't wanted them to accept things which their heart doesn't agree. Being a girl's parent, they often oppress their feelings and opinions infront of her in-laws just because they fear that their actions might spoil their daughter's life. Were you comfortable staying at Arvind jiju's house as you are in your own house? Even after bringing me up for 14 years, they accepted your decision of keeping me here for my delivery. Don't you think that itself should be appreciated?

Sidharth: So you are annoyed because I didn't let you go to Lakhanpur?

Sana: (facepalms) We were discussing about my parent's feelings and not my feelings.

Sidharth: But what about you?

Sana: Does it really matter? I just have to follow other's instructions. Besides you have your own reasons to not send, so I can't argue.

Sidharth: (felt bad for his wife he cups her face) I am sorry Sana, I love you and respect your views but I can't take risk in this matter.

He hugs her and slowly pats her back.
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Sidharth was giving his lecture when the peon asks him to go to principal's office.

Sidharth: May I come in Sir?

Principal: Yes Sidharth. I had got a telephone call from JJ hospital. Your wife is in labour and you are needed there. You can leave and I'll ask other lecturers to take up in lieu of you. All the best.

Sidharth: Thank you Sir.

Sidharth rushes to the hospital and meets Sulochana who was praying while sitting outside the labour room. She narrates how Sana started her labour and how she got her to the hospital. They both sit outside in silence waiting for the good news.

Doctor: Congratulations, your wife delivered twins, a boy and a girl.

The two nurses come out holding a baby each wrapped in white lenin cloth. Sulochana and Sidharth smile from ear to ear.

Sidharth: Thank you doctor, how is my wife?

Doctor: She is doing fine.

Sulochana: Which one is boy?

The nurse with boy comes forward and hands her the baby. Sulochana holds the baby and rocks him in her arm.

Sidharth looks at her and then forwards his hand to another nurse to ask for his daughter. He delicately holds her and smiles.

Sidharth: Aww.. She reminds me of Radhika (niece). So cute.

Sulochana: Look at your son, Sidharth, he looks just like you.

Sidharth: Yes Maa, ofcourse these are my children so they have to. (Smilingly)

Nurse: Patient will be sent to ward shortly, you can ask her to feed the babies.

They both nods. After sometime they go to the ward where Sana was shifted. The baby in Sidharth's arm was crying while the one in Sulochana's hand was sleeping.

Sulochana: (forwards the baby) Here take him bahu and feed him the milk.

Sidharth: (shocked) Maa, let her feed her first because he is sleeping whereas she is crying of hunger.

Sulochana: Girls should know to wait and tolerate hunger, that's how they learn to eat after the male members in the family.

Sana and Sidharth looked at her in surprise.

Sidharth: But she is just born, how would she learn so quickly? Wait Maa. Sana feed her first please, my heart wrenches to see her cry so much. She has already turned red due to intense crying. Maa give him to me. Let me also see my son.

Sulochana frowns and forwards the baby to him. They both go out while Sana feeds the baby. After sometime, the baby boy starts crying.

Sulochana: Now? Atleast now can he have the feed?

Sidharth: Yes Amma, I am going to give him to Sana only.

He gives the baby to Sana while Sulochana sat outside the ward.

Sidharth places his sleeping daughter in the cradle and sits beside Sana as she feeds their son.

Sidharth: I am so happy that you gave me two cute little babies Sana. I was worried as they came out early but the doctor said it's natural for multiple births to be born early.

He kissed her forehead and she smiled.

Sana: Can you please send a telegram to my parents informing about the delivery and also inform Sunaina didi and Arvind jiju about the same?

Sidharth: Yes Sana. I will send telegram to both your parents and Sukanya. I will personally go to Arvind Bhaiyya's home to inform.

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To be continued.. ❤️❤️