♡Roshni's POV♡  

Whoever said that "Changes in life are important because that's how the World runs" is HEARTLESS, EMOTIONLESS, COLD, ARROGANT, SELFISH, SELF-CENTERED and...and....every BAD names.

I sniff and wipe my tears with the back of my hands. But the tears return to dehydrate me.

I hate eyes, they are the most rigid organ in the God's green, but slowly polluting planet earth.

And how can change be important when it hurts to leave the old one that has given us many beautiful memories? How is even change a legal thing? I hate our Government for not banning change.

I cry, while standing in our bedroom, which I am leaving today. But I don't want to. I and Gaurav made so many special memories here. Our confessions and sharing of past incidents where we consoled and pampered each other, our first kiss, our first love-making and so much more. I will be leaving everything.

I wipe my tears and drag my suitcase out of the room to find his friends and his family. They are sitting on the couch and give me sad smiles. They are waiting for me to leave.

BUT I DON'T WANNA LEAVE!

My eyes well up with more tears and I feel an arm wrapping around my shoulder. I can identify this touch even in my deep slumber, the touch that soothes my every worry, though it is failing today. I cannot stop my tears and cry even louder, making him sigh.

"Roshni, you know this is important. It is for the betterment, it is needed."

I just nod and he caresses my shoulders to calm me. I notice even his family and Durga have tears in their eyes.

"You know if I could afford two flats then I would never sell our home. I know you are attached to this place, but with the baby coming, we need a bigger home."

Yes, I am 5 months pregnant, who is turning into a hippopotamus because of the drastic weight gain.

And we are shifting to a bigger home today. 

But I LOVE this place.

"Roshni in future when I could afford then I will try to buy back this flat. Right now, I am more concerned for you and our baby. The new home is bigger, next door of my parents and nearer to my office."

Yes, he managed to convince his parent's neighbour to sell his flat, which was given away on lease. And because there are only two flats on one floor, we have the entire floor to ourselves. Perfect to keep the family more connected and the future generation to know each other better. 

He continues, "You need Mom and Mahek's guidance at this stage. I need to take care of all the financial expenses coming up. And with office just a 10 minutes of drive will help me to reach you in case of emergencies."

"I know and I am sorry for crying. You know my hormones makes me do silly things. I didn't mean it."

"That's fine, but will you stop crying? It's irritating now."

No, it wasn't my husband. It was his non-biological father, who gets a slap on his arm from his wife.

Very good Durga.

He rubs his arm and complains, "Hey! She knows everything from day one and gave her consent in yes every single time he asked. So, why to cry now and moreover, she is going to a bigger home, not smaller."

I comment with a pout, "There is something called as emotions, which pigs don't understand."

"I am not a pig."

"Yes, you are." 

I face Gaurav to complain, "You know, 2 days back he ate everything from the fridge even after knowing that we got limited food because we were shifting. I was starving till Durga ordered food for me. He doesn't care for his non-biological grandchild."

"HEY! She is using innocent puppy eyes to manipulate you, Son. Don't fall for her."

To my joy, my husband takes my side, "I have already fallen for her long back, Father."

I stick out my tongue at him, while he fake cries on Sourav's shoulder, who laughs at him. Gaurav pulls me closer and gestures towards his wrist watch. We have a sacred time to enter the new home and are running late.

I nod as he wipes my tears, while I look around at my old, empty home. The furniture and maximum luggage was shifted in last two days. Now we are going with only a handful of bags.

I have spent 20 months of my life here, I will miss this place.

#

I wonder around the new home to find Jay and Durga setting clothes in the wardrobe of their bedroom.

Yes, their bedroom.

Not only us, but even they shifted here today and performed the rituals for our new home together. They sold their flat and contributed into this four bedroom flat.

We decided to live together when I got pregnant because Durga wished to adopt a baby. She craved for a child, though was worried to fail in motherhood.

So, Gaurav came up with this idea to live together and next to his parents. We can get all the help and guidance from the experienced women, also my active motherly instincts will understand what their baby needs.

They will be adopting a baby as soon as we are settled here. They didn't decide the gender and said we will adopt the baby, who shall need us the most. I am so excited for them. Durga and Jay will be great parents.

I feel hands on my shoulders to massage and lean back against my husband's chest. I relax under his touch and sigh after he kisses my head.

"You should sleep, you haven't rested from morning. It's 7 pm."

I nod as I feel my back aching and he takes me to our bedroom. He is alone managing to set our belongings because I am restricted by everyone to work. They care for me so much that I don't have to worry to think of my own parents.

Well they weren't happy with us to share the flat with Jay and Durga. Especially Durga because she is infertile and that will be inappropriate for me. According to superstition, her negative vibes will spoil my baby's health.

Negative vibes, my foot.

Durga has taken the best care of me, arriving on my one call without a care of the time when I wanted to eat something. She stayed with me, tolerating my mood swings when I hated myself for gaining so much weight and failing to fit in my clothes. She consoled me like a mother and pampered me like a baby when I am myself carrying a baby.

And she will harm my baby?

My family is impossible. They can never understand a person's true nature, but I have totally given up on them. Jay and Durga are keeping me enough happy.

I lay on the bed and he covers me with a bedsheet. He sits beside, facing me and caresses my baby bump lovingly. He loves to touch and feel our baby. Sometimes, he is jealous of me because I get the maximum time with the baby and not him.

Silly husband of mine.

"You liked the new home, baby? I got this specially for you."

He is talking to our baby and I love to listen to his sweet talks.

"You will get your own room on maybe 3rd or 4th birthday, so don't argue to sleep alone before that. I and your Mother have planned everything by thinking from every aspect and also seeing your Chacha (Uncle) Sourav, who is doing best in your cousin Ayaan's care. Alight?"

That's true. He has planned so much for not only our, but also Jay and Durga's baby. The boys would talk with Sourav, Mahek and his parents to take tips. Jay was becoming a real father and has reduced his silly stunts, acting more mature to give a bright future to the baby, they will adopt.

Jay and Durga visited more since they planned to adopt a baby. They wanted to experience the stage of pregnancy through me. Even they talk to the baby and when I felt the first kick, I called them at 2 am. They came running and danced in joy when they felt the kick.

Again my parents hated when they touched my baby bump, especially Jay, a MALE who is not my husband. For heaven's sake, they just want to experience the pregnancy stage and we mostly aren't going for a second child, so when will they get a chance? 

I ignore them and allowed Jay to even accompany my ultra sound sessions to see the baby growing in the monitor. I swear, I have seen tears in his eyes and Durga would feel sad for not giving him this happiness. But he never complained, he said we owe him enough to return some favours. He joked to make Durga feel better and I am happy that nothing ever creates problems between them.

I cannot wait for our babies to grow as siblings. They will play together, go to school and if they are of same gender then their understanding will be another level. I just can't wait.

#

I feel tiny hands on my baby bump as I am taking a nap on the couch. I frown with closed eyes because Romeo cannot have hands, he has paws and there is no one else in the home. 

I wake up in panic, only for Durga to hold me and calm me down. I face her, taking deep breaths and caress my baby bump on natural instincts.

She whispers soothing words and I again feel the same hands before I turn to find a small girl beside me, who is eyeing my baby bump with curiosity. I frown at her and also notice Gaurav with Jay sitting across us. 

"We adopted her."

I smile at Jay's words, only to frown after a second and ask, "But she seems around 2 years old and you went to adopt a small baby. I am not opposing, but confused."

Jay faces Durga, who explains, "Actually we went to adopt a small baby, but we saw her being bullied by other orphanage kids. She cannot hear or talk."

My heart squeezes in pain and I look at the innocent girl, who is still fascinated by my large belly. I move my hand to touch her, but she moves back and I see fear in her eyes.

"She is scared of everyone because none of the people in the orphanage liked her . She was found in a basket at the gates when she was 2 months old, probably the parents left her due to her disability. Roshni, I could not control myself and for the first time, I scolded small kids, who teased her. I just has this strong feeling to adopt her."

Jay adds, "Me too. Our main aim was to give an orphan a better life and she seems to need us the most."

I smile at them, "This is the best decision you two have taken. She definitely needs us and we shall even try to cure her after she is big enough for it. For now, we can help her to settle down."

Gaurav informs, "Yes, that is the first mission because she is scared of us going near to her. And only seem to get close to you. She think that you won't hurt her because of the baby bump, I guess."

I face her when she again touches my baby bump. I guess, it's time for me to become a mother before delivery.

#

We succeeded!

It took nearly 12 days for Jay and Durga to gain their daughter's trust with my help. She is sleeping with them from two night and allows them to take care of her needs. She doesn't fear their advances now and smiles to them whenever they try to communicate with her.

We use picture cards and notepad to communicate for the time being. We had called a doctor at home to examine her and give the needed vaccinations. There is a possibility for her to hear and talk, it shall take time, but can be possible.

We are truly happy to know that one day, she will be able to talk and chat with us. For now, we are satisfied with the gestures and cards.

Though she cannot hear us, Jay and Durga named her Aabha, which means glow in Sanskrit.

And she does glow now when she has realised that she has parents. Not just one, but two fathers and mothers, who will love and care for her unconditionally.

Gaurav loves to pamper her and got bags full of chocolates, toys and clothes for her. Aabha is comfortable with him and allows to help with her food sometimes.

She is still a little cautious and doesn't ask for anything if she sees us busy in some other work. So, I always keep an eye on her to know her needs since I am completely free. No one allows me to work. Kitchen is handled by Durga and other household chores is managed by the boys. While my cooking career is given a small vacation.

But it has actually helped me to open her up. She is most close to me and stayed glued to my side in the initial days. She slept with me and Gaurav had to sleep in the guest room for 10 days.

Durga and Jay were grateful to us for treating their daughter as our own. So, they got a lecture from me and Gaurav for the rest of the day till they took their words back. We had decided both our babies we will treated as real siblings, then why to be grateful for helping our own daughter.

I wipe my tears when Aabha offers a piece of chocolate to Jay in return after he feed her. Then she offers one to Durga as well, who slowly tries to hug her and the innocent child allows before smiling.

We really succeeded.

And I can't stop my tears. My stupid hormones.

#

"Happy second wedding anniversary."

I smile as he leans to peck my lips and wishes after pulling away, "Happy wedding anniversary, Your Majesty."

We giggle on feeling a kick from our baby as his hand was caressing my fully grown baby bump. Even he/she wants to wish us.

"2 years, it's been 2 years to our marriage, Roshni. But it still feels like yesterday when you came into the mandap dressed in that red lehenga. You looked so gorgeous."

"And now I look dangerous with this hippopotamus body."

I pout with sadness and he rolls his eyes before kissing my nose.

"You can get your old self back later, right now your health is more important. You need lots of energy during delivery and breast feeding our baby. We cannot compromise with health for looks, now can we?"

I shake my head in negative, while falling for him even more at this moment. How does he always makes me feel better about every situation? How does he still look at me with same love and affection as he saw during our first kiss?

I will never be able to understand how much he loves me. My terrible mood swings, crazy demands, silly cravings and unnecessary profanities whenever I feel pain doesn't change his way to look at me. He tolerated everything and neither complained nor scolded me. He was never irritated or frustrated with me.

He proves each time that he loves me more and more.

Yet, we haven't said "I love you" to each other.

Well, it's not even needed. We know and that's more than enough.

Fancy romantic proposals, long long promises of togetherness and signature jewellery to showcase the commitment is all fake.

Real is this feeling of love, care and affection, which needs no words to convey. One look or gesture is enough.

If the love is unconditional and true, the other will undoubtedly understand and reciprocate.

One doesn't need to set some typical #CoupleGoals to achieve a strong bond.

One only needs the understanding of what shall make their bond stronger and keep it unaffected in case of problems or differences.

I have stopped wearing engagement ring and mangalsutra from over a year. But it didn't change our relation.

All he needs to see is the longing in my eyes when he arrives home after a few working hours, which he definitely finds.

All I need to see is the happiness in his eyes when I open the door within 10 seconds after his door bell.

This is what makes us happy and this is what we shall preserve for the rest of our lives.

"Why are you thinking, Roshni?"

I smile before lacing our fingers and answering, "That you and I are happy."

He smiles and kisses my hand, while we hear a few knocks on our bedroom door.

"Seems like we had only this much privacy for now."

I giggle at his words and he stands to open the door. Aabha is the first one to enter the room, wishing him with a hug and kiss to his cheek. Then she comes running to climb on the bed to kiss my cheek and hug me. She even kisses the baby bump and caresses it gently. She is still fascinated by it.

Jay, Durga and his family wish him with a hug as well before coming near the bed where I am sitting. I can hardly move with my huge body.

I frown, while giving a hug to everyone as I feel a strong kick. I have never-

"Aahhhhh"

Everyone's eyes were on me except Aabha after the screamed on another kick and held my baby bump.

Gaurav returns to my side and I hold his hand for support on feeling more pain before I realise that it's contractions.

"What happened, Roshni?"

"I think I am going into labour."

Before anyone can react, Jay asks, "At this hour? It's midnight, Roshni. 12:25 am is too late."

I glare at him, "Oh! I am so sorry Jay, how can the baby come now? His non-biological grandfather will get dark circles, right?"

He smiles sheepishly after seeing everyone glating at him, along with Durga and Mahek slapping his each arm, who are standing at his either sides.

While my mother-in-law comes to check on me when I scream in pain again.

"Kids, get ready and grab the car keys. She is ready to delivery."

My husband seem bewildered for a few seconds untill I pinched his arm and screamed in pain due to another contraction.

He immediately scoped me up in his arms and his parents instructed others. Only Alia stayed at home to handle the kids, rest accompanied us to the hospital.

Whoever said pregnancy is beautiful, hasn't felt the pain of delivery yet.

#

I wake up, blinking my eyes to adjust with the harsh sunlights and find my husband, smiling at me.

"Finally Your Majesty is awake."

I frown at his words, my hand goes to my stomach as a natural instinct, but I don't feel my baby bump. I panic and go to stand, only to stop seeing a baby in the crib. He pushes me back gently and caresses my forehead.

"Relax, everything is alright. You just passed out because of exhaustion after delivering our healthy and beautiful girl."

I smile at the information, "Girl?"

He nods with a special smile that I have never saw before and leans to peck my lips.

"Yes, a girl. Didn't I say, we will have a girl. A beautiful and lovely princess."

I nod because whenever we thoughts of the gender, he always said that we will have a girl. He was so confident.

I turn to see the crib again, "How is she?"

"Healthy, safe and absolutely gorgeous just like you. Want to see?"

I nod with eagerness and he stands to press a button that lifts the upper portion of my bed. Then goes to carefully grab our girl and walks back to me.

I shift a little for him to sit beside me and my heart skips a beat at the site of our daughter. Our beautiful little girl. I move my hand to caresses her soft cheeks with two fingers. She is so gorgeous and fragile.

She owns same aqua blue eyes like her father. And the way she is only staring at him after giving me a glance, I am sure of her being a daddy's little girl.

"Your Majesty, meet our Princess Saanchi."

I smile at him, remembering the day when we selected this name if we would have a daughter.

Saanchi, which means true and pure. Just like our relation.

I lean to rest my head on his shoulder and continue to look at our girl.

We have a daughter. We are a complete family now. And just like our relation, we will give more, talk less. She will be treasured by us.

Today, I want to thank God for giving me a beautiful prize on our second wedding anniversary for winning in the GAME OF FATE.

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