Thank you so much for your support. Please do vote and comment
......................................................................

Rahul came to his room but the weight of the emotions was still lingering somewhere around him. He sat on the bed resting his head on the headrest.

Suddenly he felt someone was massaging his forehead. A smile came on Rahul's face.

Rahul: How do you know mujhe kya chahiye? That too everytime Tia?

Athiya: Jaise aapko pata chal jata hai ki mujhe kya chahiye

Rahul: I wish I could understand what you needed

Athiya frowned. She sat on the bed in front of him and hold his hands in hers.

Athiya: Kya hua? Kis bare me baat kar rahe ho aap?

Rahul: I am sorry Tia. Mujhe tumhe Mumma ke sath akela nahi chhodna chahiye tha. I was stupid to do that. Mujhe.. mujhe laga tum unke sath khul ke baat kar paogi about pregnancy. Hum dono abhi bhi utne close nahi hai Tia we both know it

Athiya: Rah.. please calm down. I know we still have distance between us to cover lekin iska matlab yeh nahi hai ki main aapse zyada kisi aur ke sath comfortable feel karti hoon. I am most comfortable with you only Rah.

Rahul: Tia that's so sweet of you lekin baat ko samjo. Emotionally comfortable hona and physically comfortable hone me fark hai.

Rahul looked at the door once and as found it close, he felt relaxed but still sat closer to Athiya.

Rahul: Tia.. even though we have consummated, we both know we have kept certain boundaries.. I just didn't want you to feel any bad or weird feeling Tia.

Athiya hugged him. Rahul hid his face in the hug.

Athiya: Calm down Rah. I know whatever happened, my fear.. everything is taking toll on you but please sambhaliye khud ko. Main hoon na aapke sath. And ab to maine na baki sab sochna bandh kar diya hai. I know all this is affecting you a lot. Lekin hum dono hai na sath me.. hum sab manage kar lenge okay

Rahul: Thank you Tia. Thank you for always being there for me

Athiya: Yeh to meri line honi chahiye na.

They both chuckled in the hug only but stayed in the hug feeling the warmth. Athiya was caressing his hair.

Rahul (broken voice): Why.. why me Tia?

Athiya got tears in her eyes but she composed herself and made the hug tighter.

Athiya (in mind): Main aapko phir se nahi tootane dungi Rah..

Athiya: Rah.. jo ho gaya usko to hum nahi badal sakte na. Lekin hum itna kar sakte hai ki abhi Jo hamare paas hai usko beautiful banaye hai na. Aur hum dono milke hamare aaj ko itna happy bana denge na ki.. ki hamare purane dard.. purani takleef unn sab ke liye koi space hi nahi chhodenge.. hmm..

They broke the hug slightly still being in the hold. Athiya cupped his face.

Athiya: I am not gonna leave you Rah. Never.. ever..

Rahul: And I am not gonna leave you Tia. Phir chahe kisi ko uss baat se Khushi mile ya gham.. I don't care. You are my wife and for me, you are my most important person. Age se please kisi ki bhi baat se dar lage to sidha mujhe saaf saaf batana. Adha adhoora nahi Tia.

Athiya nodded in yes while tears fell from her eyes. Rahul shook his head in no and wiped her tears gently. They both joined their foreheads still calming each other.

Rahul: I am lucky to have you

Athiya: I am luckier to have you

Rahul: I am luckier..

Athiya: I am luckier..

Rahul: I am..

Athiya: I am..

Rahul: Tia I said na I am luckier..

Athiya: To maine bhi bola na Rah I am luckier means I am luckier

Rahul: No I am

Athiya: No I am and that's final. Bas baat khatam.

Rahul pouted hearing this. Athiya chuckled at his antics.

Athiya: Aap jab aise behave karte ho na bahut pyaare lagte ho

She kissed on his cheek still slightly chuckling. Rahul cupped her face.

Rahul: Aur tum jab aise hasti ho to bahut pyaari lagti ho

Athiya smiled but it was a blushy one. Rahul kissed on her forehead and joined his forehead with hers. Athiya hold his hand which was cupping her face as she felt something different. Something which was familiar yet new. His forehead kisses are love for her. It's his way to comfort her.. to calm her but at the moment, it just feels so wholesome and familiar yet new.

Rahul too was quite blushing. He has always liked Athiya but he was getting that the normal liking is now not just a mere liking.. he was getting more and more attracted towards Athiya. The attraction which he was trying to ignore but was unable to. And before he could realise, he found himself giving in to the feeling.

Rahul traced down his lips until they reached to hers and then captured them gently into his. Athiya pulled him closer into kiss. They both were just lost in that particular moment. They know they are together in everything life will throw at them from now.

They broke the kiss mutually and joined their foreheads.

Rahul: Why is it familiar yet new?

He couldn't help but ask.

Athiya: Aap hamesha mera sawal kyu puchh lete ho?

Rahul: Whatever it is.. I am liking it

Athiya: A bit more everyday..

They both kept looking at each other.

Rahul (chuckling ): You know we are mad

Athiya (chuckling): Iss liye to perfect hai na ek dusare ke liye

They both again hugged each other. There was a silence for a while.

RahIya: Congratulations Rah/Tia..

They both chuckled but Athiya kept rubbing Rahul's back.

Rahul: Hum uska bahut achchhe se dhyan rakhenge Tia.. Aur.. aur usko..

Athiya: Usko woh sab nahi face karne denge Jo humne kiya.

Rahul nodded in yes.

Athiya: Chale? Dinner ka time ho gaya hai.

Rahul nodded in yes and they both went downstairs. They all had dinner and were chit chatting in the hall. Athiya forwarded Rahul's meds to him. Rahul made a face.

Rahul: Mujhe kuchh nahi hua hai

Rohit: Haan bas headache tha

Virat: Jiske bare me maine kisi ko bataya nahi tha

Rahul: Are I am fi..

Athiya put the teblet in his mouth and forwarded him the glass of water. Rahul gulped down glaring at her. Once he was done, Virat whacked him.

Rahul (whining): Kya hai?

Virat: Stop glaring at my Twinnie

Rahul: Inka alag team chalta hai

All chuckled hearing this but Rahul was still sulking but soon enough he too was chuckling.

Anu: Tia.. medicine Li apni?

Athiya: Leti hoon bhabhi abhi..

Rahul: Abhi matlab kabhi?

Athiya: Leti hoon thodi der me. Abhi nahi

Ritz: Kya hua Tia? Achchha nahi lag raha?

Athiya slowly nodded in yes. Anu rubbed her back.

Anu: It's okay. Pani Pina hai?

Athiya shook her head in no. She got up and started walking here and there. Rahul went to her and stopped her.

Rahul: Ek kam karo room me chal ke rest karo.

Athiya nodded in yes

Rohit: Aur tum dono achchhe se rest karna aaj. I don't want any excuses

RahIya both nodded in yes. They came to their room and Rahul made her sit on the bed.

Rahul: Pani doon?

Athiya shook her head in no. Rahul sat beside her. He took her in a side hug to which she just snuggled more trying to find some peace. But soon she got up and ran to washroom feeling pukish. Rahul ran after her. He was rubbing her back.

Rahul: Bas... Bas ho gaya.. ho gaya

He helped her coming out of the washroom and made her sit on the bed with support of the headrest. He caressed her hair

Rahul: Better?

Athiya shook her head in no. Rahul opened the windows so that natural air can calm her which actually helped and Athiya started dozing off but as she dozed off, she again felt pukish and ran to washroom. Rahul again ran after her.. he rubbed her back to calm her and then he took her back to bed.

Rahul: Tia meds lelo chalo. Doctor ne di hai na jab kabhi bhi aisa ho to leni hai.

He forwarded her the meds and she took it. He took her in a side hug and she kept her head over his shoulder and fell asleep in a while but it was around 1:30 AM when she fell asleep. Rahul made her sleep properly and he too then slept after a while.

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

On the next day, RahIya were not present for the Aarti

Dadi: Tia aur Rah nahi aaye?

Ritz: Dadi shayad kal bahut late soye the dono. Kal hum log jag rahe the na US se mere bhai ka call aanewala tha to. Maine dekha tha.. Rat ke 1 baje bhi lights on hi thi room ki.

Anu: Tia ko ajeeb sa lag raha tha. Hope uski tabiyat theek ho

Dadi: Aisa hota rehta hai shuruaati dino me. Koi baat nahi. Abhi aarti karke phir dekhte hai. Agar tabiyat zyada kharab Lage to Doctor ko dikha denge

Rest all agreed and they did Aarti. Then they went to RahIya's room and knocked.

Virat: Rah.. Tia.. Uth gaye dono?

Rahul woke up and opened the door rubbing his eyes. Athiya was still sleeping.

Rohit: Rah.. abhi bhi so rahe the? Late ho gaya tha rat ko?

Rahul: Ji bhaiya woh Tia ko vomit ho rahi thi. Raat ko late ho gaya phir sone me. Dawai di thi doctor ne to wahi li uske baad usko thoda araam mila .

Virat: And what about your headache?

Rahul: Nahi hai bhai

Dadi: Achchha theek hai jao Jake ready ho jao. Aur Tia ko bhi utha do phir dono time se breakfast kar lo.

Rahul: Abhi??

Dadi: To kabhi? Chalo chalo time se khaoge pioge nahi to kaise chalega

Dadi went from there. Rahul sighed.

Virat: Neend aa rahi hai na. Ja so ja. Main dekhta hoon Dadi ko. Waise bhi kitne din ho gaye bahes nahi hui hamari

Rohit: Vi no..

Ritz: Dadi sahi bhi keh rahi hai. Time se khana pina padta hai. Tia ko aise Khali pet nahi rakh sakte na. Breakfast karke so jayegi woh to chalega

Virat: Fine..

Rahul: Main ready hoke Tia ko utha dunga.

Anu: Tum ek kam karo hamare room me ready ho jao. Tia ko yaha ready ho jane do. Dono sath me breakfast kar lo phir rest karna.

Rahul: Ji bhabhi.. umm.. bhabhi woh..

Anu: Haan bolo..

Rahul looked here and there.

Ritz (softly): You okay Rah?

Rahul nodded in yes and then looked at his brothers.

Anu: Ro.. Vi.. Sammy aur Vami garden me hai pata nahi kya kar rahi hogi jao Jake dekho dono ko

Rohit: Sidhe sidhe bolo na hume bhagana hai

Virat (dramatically): You betrayed me Rahuliya..

Anu smacked him lightly and glared at him. RohiRat finally went from there still somewhat sulking.

Anu: Kya baat hai Rah?

Rahul: Umm.. Bhabhi aap dono Tia ka dhyan rakhna na please

Ritz and Anu both frowned.

Ritz: Rah.. hum sab uska dhyan..

Rahul cut her gently.

Rahul: Aap uska bahut achchhe se dhyan rakhte ho I know. I appreciate it too. Lekin.. woh..

Anu started rubbing his back.

Anu: Kya baat hai Rah?

Ritz hold his hand and started rubbing his knuckles. Rahul sighed.

Rahul: Bhabhi.. Tia ke liye sab kuchh bahut Naya hai. Usko kabhi kabhi kya feel hota hai usko khud ko samaj nahi aata. Woh dar jati hai. Woh aap dono ke sath comfortable hai to agar aap usko puchhati rahegi to better hoga kyuki I know woh khud se kuchh nahi bolegi. Lekin aap puchhoge na to chhupa bhi nahi payegi

Ritz: Lekin Rah.. frankly aisi cheeze ladkiyan apni Maa ke sath share karne me zyada comfortable hoti hai

Anu: Exactly.. Did you talk to aunty?

Rahul made a fist as he remembered how broken Athiya was. Her self confidence was downgraded and is still low.

Rahul (fumbling): Bhabhi.. woh.. I mean.. actually.. You know na Tia.. kaise baat karti hai. Ghabrake.. Mumma ko tension ho jayega chhoti si baat hogi to bhi

Ritz and Anu looked at each other first but then agreed to whatever he said. Rahul sighed and thanked them. He then went to get ready. Ritz and Anu woke Athiya and she too got ready.

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

All were at the breakfast table.

Athiya: Smell to kafi achchhi aa rahi hai. Kya bana hai?

Dadi: Khud hi dekh lo..

Athiya opened the container.

Athiya: Aloo Parathe..

Dadi passed her butter.

Dadi: With extra butter jitna hamari Tia ko chahiye

Athiya: Wow Dadi.. you made my day

All became really happy seeing her happy.

Rahul: Sara pyaar sirf Tia ke liye?

Dadi: Nahi mere jal kukde pote..

Rahul sulked hearing this whereas rest all chuckled.

Dadi: Tumhare liye yeh dekho Sandwiches banayi hai

Athiya: Main lungi sandwich

Rahul: Tum paratha Khao na

Athiya (cutely): Haan to aap bhi Paratha Khao na.. pleeeeeaseeee

Rahul melted at once and agreed. They had breakfast when Rahul had parathas and Athiya had sandwiches though the reverse was made for them.

They were in the hall.

Rahul (whining): Meri sandwiches... You tricked me Tia..

Virat: Sahi kiya usne. Kal headache tha aur aaj yeast wala khana khana tha. Gadha kahi ka

Virat whacked him. Rest all chuckled.

Rohit: Okay okay.. one surprise for us.

The projector was on and the scanned image of RahIya's baby was seen with the ultra sound recording.

A smile came on RahIya's faces instantly.

Dadi: Yeh.. kiska hai?

She could ask this much only.

Anu: Apke Rah aur Tia ka dadi. Abhi unka baby yeh dekhiye aisa Chhotu sa hai..

Ritz: Aur jo heartbeats aap sun rahe ho woh unke baby ki hai

Dadi was really happy.

Dadi: Main abhi mere bachcho ki nazar utarti hoon

She got up and did the needful.

Dadi: Bhagwan tum dono ko aur tumhare bachche ko hamesha sahi salamat rakhe

Virat: This sounds like a medley. Pakka artist banega Inka baby I am sure. Emotional karta rahega sab ko apne art ke through phir chahe woh art koi bhi ho..

Rohit: +1

All chuckled

Anu: Let's play something.

Sammy: Ludo khele?

All gave her a look.

Sammy: What?? It's a mind blowing game. Meri aur Dada ki favourite game hai. Kyu Dada?

Rohit smiled sheepishly.

Ritz: Okay fine. Let's play Ludo.

Vami: Rah Cha.. Rah Chi.. Vami..

Anu: Yeh lo.. isne apni team bana li

All chuckled and Athiya made Vami sit in her lap. They started playing Ludo for the sake of kids but Vami was hell bent on disturbing them as she has turned on her mischief mode. Sometimes she used to start patting on the board or sometimes she herself used to sit on the board.

Athiya: Yeee.. hamara 6 aaya..

Rohit: No.. me and Sammy were winning..

Virat: Bhai tujhe pata hona chahiye ki jab Vami khud uska napasand game khelne baithe and uski team Jeet rahi ho to reason kya ho sakta.

Anu: Vami..

She started giggling making others chuckled.

Rahul: Are isko kuchh mat bolo bhabhi.. Asli chant yeh uski Rah Chi hai..

Athiya: Hawww.. bhabhi maine kuchh nahi kiya.. main to kab se aise hi baithi hoon na

She blinked her eyes few times like an innocent girl.

Ritz: I am thinking.. who is a kid here.. Tia or Sammy..

All chuckled.

RahIya: Bhukh lagi hai..

Virat: Let's have lunch then

Rahul: Uski bhukh nahi lagi

Anu: To??

Rahul made a pout.

Ritz: Tia.. tum kya khaogi?

Athiya: Ek plate pav bhaji, 3 dabeli and 1 Vadapav

All looked at her as if she has grown horns.

Dadi: Tia beta Ghar ka khana nahi khana?

Athiya shook her head in no.

Dadi: Lekin beta bahar ka kaise khaogi.

Rahul: Are koi mujhe to puchho.

All laughed as he sulked.

Rohit put an Ice Cream in front of Rahul and he gave his million dollars smile with all teeth visible.

Rahul: You are the best bhaiya.. you know mujhe Ice cream khana tha

Rohit cupped his cheek where he has slapped.

Rohit: Haan to mere bachche ne farmaish ki thi to puri to karni hi thi na

All were having Ice Creams. Athiya's long list of junk food long forgotten as she was enjoying the cooling effect of ice cream.

The entire day, Virushka, RohIka and Dadi kept pampering Rahul and Athiya with one or the other thing... They showered them with so much love and warmth that their fears.. anxiety took the back seat and their hearts filled with showered love and warmth.

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

Few days have been passed. Rahul was trying hard to avoid the feeling he was sensing from past few days. It was new for him. He has never felt like that for anyone except Athiya and he was hell confused on it.

Right now, Rahul's sleep broke as he was quite anxious on how he will stay away from Athiya and their baby as he would need to join the team tomorrow with Rohit and Virat. He will be busy with practice and stuffs and here he was totally unaware of what's going on with his feelings for Athiya.

Rahul groaned.

Rahul (in mind): Why is this so much complicated?

He turned to his side and saw Athiya was sleeping peacefully with a smile on her face. He was just staring at her.

Rahul's brain: What are you doing Rah?

Rahul's heart: Apni biwi ko taad raha hoon. Any problem..

Rahul's brain: Correction.. apni biwi jisse pyaar nahi karta usko taad raha hoon

Rahul's heart: But I have attraction for her.. I do feel a connection with her. I feel complete with her. I can't even imagine my life without her

Rahul didn't know when he reached to Athiya during this battle of his brain and heart was going on and he planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

He was feeling a strong urge to kiss her on lips. He traced down and was about to kiss her when he realised what he was doing and quickly got back to his position.

Rahul (in mind): Yeh ho kya raha hai mujhe? Aisa to kabhi feel nahi hua. Aisa.. aisa kyu lag raha hai ki yeh koi aam sa attraction nahi hai.. It's.. it's more than that..

.....................................................................

Okay so that's it for this chapter. Written in quite haste also an outcome of my all jumbled thoughts. Kya likhna tha aur kya likh dala🙄🤪

Do you guys want the back story (first meet of RahIya, Their marriage , Honeymoon, After marriage life) in one go in sequence or in scattered parts without sequence?

Please do vote and comment

Kindly share your feedback

Thanks