The moment Sameer closed the door of their room and turned, Naina crashed into him, winding her arms around him tightly. He staggered back a step before balancing himself.

"Naina, kya hua, jaan? Tumhari tabiyat toh theek hai na?" His voice was laden with worry as he stroked her back and head.

"I Love You, Sameer." Her muffled voice did not indicate any discomfort.

He relaxed, wrapping his arms around her, "Oh toh aaj zyada pyaar aa raha hai apne pati pe."

She placed a kiss on his heart before tilting her head to look up at him, "Apni beti ke papa pe aa raha hai... jo mujhe do logon ka pyar dene wale hain."

His smile got wider. He glanced down at her stomach, and placed a hand over it. Though there was no movement, he got the feeling of his baby under his fingers.

"Naina, ab bohot jaldi hamari baby hamare haathon mein hogi na?" He was excited.

She covered his hand on her belly with hers, "Haan Sameer. Kuch hi dinon baad hum dono iss waqt baatein nahi kar rahe honge, usse sulane ki koshish kar rahe honge. Hamara saara waqt uske hisaab se chalega... jab woh soyegi tabhi hum so sakte hain... agar woh saari raat jaagegi toh uske saath jagenge... jab woh royegi toh usse god mein jhulana hoga... jab woh masti karegi toh uske saath khelna hoga..."

His excitement increased with every mention of the routine, the image getting vivid in his mind as she was speaking.

"Uska khyal main rakhunga. Tum aaram se so jaana. Main hi usse jhulaunga aur main hi uske saath khelunga. Tumhe toh aaram karna hoga na." His eyes sparkled.

She let out a soft chuckle, "Tab main pregnant thodi hongi jo mujhe itne aaram ki zaroorat ho. Main bhi uske saath khelungi."

His smile turned impish in an instant, "Agar tum chahti ho toh... fir se pregnant ho sakti ho."

Her cheeks flared up. Pushing at his chest, she turned her back to him. His arms did not leave her. He nuzzled his face in her hair, nibbling at the skin behind her ear.

"Sameer." She turned again, punching on his chest.

He held her wrist, engulfing her in his arms, "Sach Naina, jab tum aise sharmati ho na, mujhe hostel ke kamre ki woh raat yaad aa jaati hai jab maine tumhe pehli baar I Love You kaha tha... aur tumne apni aankhen tak nahi kholi thi. Tab maine socha tha ki yeh pehli baar hai, jaldi hi tum yeh sab sharmana aur aankhen band rakhna chod dogi... lekin tum toh ab bhi..."

She rested her head against his heart, a soft smile on her lips. How could she tell him that he still had the same effect on her... still sent her heart racing at the same pace... she still felt the same shivering sensation at his touch.

Next morning, Naina was surprised to see a small platter of soaked dry fruits along with her cup of coffee.

"Yeh kya hai, Sameer? Subah subah yeh kaise khaungi?" She scrunched her nose.

Sameer placed the plate in front of her, "Khana padega. Phulla bua ne kaha hai khali pet chai coffee nahi pini chahiye. Pehle yeh khao fir subah ki coffee."

She grimaced. But Sameer did not relent. Finally, she had to finish what was on the plate before getting her much coveted cup of coffee.

Phulla bua joined Sameer and Ramdhari in taking care of Naina. She was satisfied to see the diet being given to her. Ramdhari ensured that she had her fruits and juices on time. Every meal was a balanced diet. Though Sameer took her out for occassional cravings, most of the times, food was healthy, homemade option.

Moving around in the kitchen, Phulla bua appreciated Ramdhari, "Bohot sambhal ke rakha hai tune sab kuch. Aur khana bhi badhiya banata hai. Mujhe khushi hui dekh ke ki Naina ki sehat itni achhi hai. Ismein tera bohot bada haath hai."

Ramdhari gave her a grateful look before lowering his head, "Hamara toh kaam hi yehi hai, dadiji. Jabse iss ghar mein aaye, Sameer bhaiya ke liye hi sab kiya hai. Lekin jab Naina bhabhi aayi tabse hi yeh ghar sach mein ghar jaisa lagta hai. Unke liye kuch bhi karne se humein bohot khushi milti hai. Humse toh intezar hi nahi ho raha kab ek chota sa bachha iss ghar mein daudte hue ghoomega aur hum uske peeche bhagenge."

Phulla bua's heart filled up with admiration at his dedication and boundless love for the family.

She patted his arm, smiling, "Woh din aane mein toh samay lagega, beta, kyonki bachha paida hote hi nahi bhagne lagega na."

Ramdhari scratched his head, giving a sheepish smile, "Haanji woh pata hai humein."

Sameer's voice made them look at the door, "Bua dadi, aap yahan kyon aa gayi? Aap chaliye bahar, aaram se baithiye. Ramdhari, kya shikayat kar raha hai tu?"

Ramdhari shook his head quickly, "Nahi Sameer bhaiya, hum koi shikayat nahi kar rahe."

Bua dadi walked to Sameer, "Yeh bas bata raha tha ki Naina ke aane se yeh ghar kaise ghar jaisa ban gaya."

Sameer gave him a flustered look, "Woh toh banega hi. Naina ne hi toh sab kuch sambhala hai. Aapko dekhna chahiye the bua dadi, isne yahan kaisa haal karke rakha tha."

Ramdhari narrowed his eyes, "Humne? Aisa kya kiya tha humne? Aap aur baaki dono hi mil ke din raat yahan dhama chaukdi machate the."

Sameer frowned at him, "Achha? Aur tu kya karta tha?"

"Hum toh isse ghar banaye rakhne ki koshish karte the... lekin aap teeno ne chidiyaghar bana diya tha." Ramdhari shrugged.

Sameer lurched at him. Phulla bua held his arm.

"Bachha aane wala hai ghar mein. Ab toh bachhon jaisa bartaav karna chod de." She chided him.

Sameer pouted at her, "Aap bhi mujhe hi daant rahi hain. Dekhiye na yeh Ramdhari kaise bol raha hai? Hum teeno kya bandar hain jo chidiyaghar banayenge?"

Bua dadi gave him a look from head to toe, adjusting her specs, and walked out with her chin held up, "Kuch khaas farq toh nahi hai."

Sameer growled at sniggering Ramdhari, before running out.

"Naina, dekho na, bua dadi ne mujhe bandar kaha." He whined, looking at Naina who was coming out of the room.

She gave him a perplexed look. And a smile spread on her face. She had seen him as a careless student, a broken soul, a deprived son, an insecured boy, a passionate lover, a caring husband, a hard working businessman... she had sometimes got a glimpse of his childish excitement. But the way his inner child had surfaced now, it was heartwarming and satisfying at the same time. He had often compared bua dadi to nanu... and today, he seemed to be reliving his life with nanu which, she was sure, wouldn't have been much different from this one.

"Nainaaa, tum bolo na kuch." His loud voice brought her out of her reverie.

She sat down with a deep breath and a straight face, "Bua dadi badi hain na, Sameer. Humein unki baat maan leni chahiye."

He pursed his lips as Phulla bua laughed, "Idhar aa... baap banne chala hai... lagta hai apne bachhe ke saath hi bada hoga tu bhi."

With a dejected face, Sameer slumped next to Phulla bua.

Her smile softened as she placed a hand on his cheek, "Tu toh hamesha se hero hai. Yaad nahi, maine pehli baar dekh ke yehi kaha tha Naina se? Beta, jab koi pyar karta hai toh pyar se daant bhi deta hai aur pyar wali daant pe muh nahi phulate."

He grinned, "Pata hai. Naina ne bhi mujhe ek do baar bandar kaha hai."

Phulla bua raised her brows at Naina, making her blush.

The atmosphere at home turned jovial and entertaining with repeated banters of Ramdhari and Sameer, often fueled by Phulla bua... or Sameer's leg pulling by everyone, again fueled by Phulla bua. His sulking, frowning, feet stomping... everything brought a smile on Naina's face as she saw the glimpses of the baby that was about to come. Sameer was being one naughty and pampered child that, she was sure, their baby would be too. If Phulla bua teased him, she left no chance to show her admiration or to coddle him even more. Her warmth and indulgence made Sameer gloat in the affection that he had missed all his life.

Phulla bua made some changes in Naina's routine as well. She forced them to go out every second day, saying that it would refresh her. A short stroll in the garden after dinner was made mandatory. Within a few days, Sameer started loving this time in the garden. The pleasant weather of Ahmedabad winters needed just a thin shawl for Naina. With his arm around her shoulder, he could feel her relax against him. The extra activity made her sleep better, and her mood swings were much lesser. Phulla bua also started to oil her hair often, saying that she had not been caring enough for her tresses. She was right. Ever since Naina had joined office, she couldn't find time, and sometimes energy, to do such extra things. Soon, her hair were softer and more lustrous. Sameer couldn't keep his hands away from the silky curtain over her back, making her blush often when he sneaked up a hand behind her back while they were with Phulla bua.

One afternoon, while Sameer had gone to office for an urgent meeting, Phulla bua sat down to oil Naina's hair before lunch.

"Abhi toh samay hai isliye yeh sab kar lena chahiye. Ek baar tumhari gudiya aa jayegi toh sab kuch uske liye aur uske hisaab se hoga. Tab apna dhyan rakhna mushkil ho jayega. Lekin beta, khud ko nazar andaaz mat karna. Yaad rakhna, teri sehat achhi hogi tabhi bachhe ka khyal rakhne ki taqat aayegi tujhme. Jaise pehle haemoglobin kam hua tha waisa nahi hona chahiye." She explained as her fingers massaged Naina's scalp.

Naina was tensed about the coming days, "Bua dadi, woh toh bol bhi nahi payegi. Mujhe kaise pata chalega uska khyal kaise rakhna hai? Agar usse bhook lagi ho aur main samajh nahi paayi toh? Agar maine kuch galat kar diya toh?"

Putting away the bottle, bua dadi wiped her hands and sat down in front of Naina, smiling warmly, "Jab maa banegi toh apne aap tera dil jud jayega apni nanhi si jaan se, jo tera hi hissa hogi. Uski har zaroorat ko tu mehsoos kar legi. Dekhna, uske rone se pehle tujhe pata chal jayega ki usse kya chahiye. Ek maa apne bachhe ke rone ke tareeke se pehchaan jaati hai ki usse bhook lagi hai ya neend aayi hai ya uske geele kapde badalne ka waqt ho gaya hai."

Naina gave a shocked look, "Woh royegi kyon?"

Phulla bua chuckled, "Arre buddhu ladki, itne chote bachhe roke hi apni baat samjhate hain. Thoda bohot rona achha hota hai bachhon ke liye. Lekin maa ki khusbu se hi chup bhi ho jaate hain. Dekhna, teri god main aate hi jhat se chup ho jayegi."

Seeing their fascination, Phulla bua had also started addressing the baby as a girl. Her experienced eyes had adjudged by Naina's cravings and behaviour that there were good chances of their wishes to be fulfilled.

"Kya hua beta, koi pareshani hai kya?" Naina's sudden change of expression to gloom startled her.

Naina twisted the edge of her kurta, gathering courage to speak what had been troubling her for months. It was something she couldn't share with Sameer... it would have hurt him immensely.

Her voice was low, and pained, when she managed to let out the words, "Agar... agar meri beti ko... matlab... agar usse meri god nahi mili toh... agar main bhi mummy ki tarah..."

Bua dadi's hand on her mouth did not let any more to be uttered. Their eyes filled up... one thought about the fear that the other must have been harbouring... other was scared of what lay ahead.

Taking her in a comforting hug, Phulla bua stroked the back of her head, "Aisa sochna bhi mat. Aisa kuch nahi hoga."

After a while, she pulled back, staring at Naina's tear stained face.

Wiping her cheeks, she shook her head, "Nahi layegi na aisi baat dimaag mein?"

Naina pursed her lips, slightly moving her head to appease bua dadi... but the sense of foreboding had been occupying her thoughts since last few days.

Phulla bua smoothed her hair, understanding her fears, "Beta, teri maa ko kuch alag tarah ki takleef thi, jiski wajah se doctor ne usse mana kiya tha, ki Arjun ke baad doosra bachha nahi hona chahiye. Ismein teri koi galti nahi thi. Tere paida hone ke waqt usko dil ka daura pada aur doctor usse bacha nahi sake. Hum sabko iss baat ka bohot dukh hua lekin teri pyaari si, bholi si muskaan mein humein teri mummy hi nazar aayi. Aisa laga jaise wohi wapas aa gayi ho."

Her talks did give some solace to Naina, but the angst didn't go away completely.

When Sameer came back later, he was surprised at Phulla bua's insistence to meet Naina's doctor, that too, alone. She instructed him not to mention anything about the visit to Naina.

"Sab... sab theek hai na, bua dadi? Naina ko kuch..." His heartbeat turned rapid.

"Bilkul theek hai teri Naina. Jaa, andar leti hui hai. Main bas kuch zaroori baatein puchna chahti hun delivery ke baare mein. Naina ko batane ke liye isliye manaa kiya kyonki woh bhi teri tarah ghabra jayegi." She assured him with a warm smile.

Sameer sent the driver with her, asking him to wait till she finished her talk.

"Naina." He entered the room, to find her rubbing her wet hair.

"Tumne shampoo kiya hai? Iss waqt?" He looked at his watch which showed the time as four in the evening.

"Haan woh tel lagwaya tha isliye." She smiled through the mirror.

He came closer, taking the towel from her, and started to softly press her hair with it, just like she had once told him in Mumbai.

"Naina, tumhare baal pehle hi itne khoobsurat the, ab toh meri jaan le leti ho jab inhe lehrati ho." He ran his fingers through them after wiping with the towel.

She peered at his reflection. The thoughts overwhelmed her again. Turning around, she held him tightly, burying her face in his chest.

Thinking it to be her usual shy reaction, he gently wrapped his arms around her, smiling, "Lo, fir se itni si baat se sharma gayi."

She took a deep breath, bringing herself in control before looking up at him with a smile... he didn't have to know the turmoil within her.

Dr Shaila gave a proper hearing to the old lady, understanding her anxiety and concern. She asked her assistant to get Naina's file. Spreading out the reports, she explained the physical condition of her patient. Naina was in absolutely perfect health, so was the baby. There was no danger of anything, nor any reason to worry. According to her, in all probable chances, it would be a normal and easy delivery. Phulla bua heaved a sigh of relief. She shared the reason of this visit, mentioning Naina's fear because of her mother.

Dr Shaila nodded knowingly, "Aisa hota hai. Iss tarah ka darr delivery ka time nazdeek aane pe badh jaata hai. Aap bas usse khush rakhiye. Parson unki appointment hai, main bhi Naina ko convince karne ki koshish karungi ki uski delivery mein kisi complication ke chances nahi hai."

Phulla bua thanked her. As she was about to get up to leave, another issue made her sit back.

She looked at the doctor hesitantly, "Dekho beta, mujhe pata hai yeh bataya nahi jaata lekin aap ne samajh hi liya hoga ki Sameer aur Naina iss tarah ke maa baap nahi banenge jo ladke aur ladki mein bhed bhaav karein. Aur kiya bhi toh ladki ko zyada pyar denge. Aapko shayad pata na ho par unhe itni zyada chaah hai ki unka aane wala bachha beti ho... aap yeh samajh lo ki unhe toh iss baat ka yakeen hai. Mera koi aur maqsad nahi hai... bas yeh janna chahti hun ki kya unki ichha poori hogi... ya fir main unhe samjhana shuru karun ki beta bhi aa sakta hai?"

Dr Shaila pondered over her request, unsure about making any revelation.

Phulla bua held up a hand, "Nahi, koi zabardasti nahi hai. Agar aap nahi bata sakti toh koi baat nahi. Lekin mera itne salon ka anubhav kehta hai unhe yeh khushi mil jayegi."

Dr Shaila smiled at how easily the old lady solved her dilemma by her experience, "Unse kahiyega Khushi bura naam nahi hai."

A wide smile lit up Phulla bua's face.

Next update tomorrow evening