Thank you everyone, for your patience and love.
I'm feeling better now. Though not fully recovered but being with Samaina would heal me faster, so here I am, with a fresh update.

Please accept my apologies in advance as I would be giving updates on alternate days for some time.

Sameer and Naina were having breakfast when the sound of main gate, followed by door bell a few seconds later made them wonder who could have come this early.

Ramdhari rushed to open the door.

"Mummy?" Sameer was stunned to see a smiling Vishakha entering.

Ramdhari took her luggage while he ran to meet her, with Naina following him slowly.

"Aap achanak? Bataya kyon nahi? Aap theek hain na?" He was surprised.

Vishakha patted his cheek fondly after a long hug, "Mujhe kya hoga? Main bilkul theek hun. Apne bete aur beti se milne aane ke liye mujhe tumhari permission leni padegi kya?"

Sameer shook his head vigorously, "Nahi, nahi, permission nahi. Main isliye keh raha tha ki aapko airport lene aa jaata. Abhi cab se aana pada."

Vishakha looked at Naina, letting out a sigh, "Yeh tumhara buddhuram lagta hai papa banne ke baad bhi aisa hi rahega."

Naina flicked her brows at him.

"Ab maine kya kiya?" He gave a puzzled look to both of them simultaneously.

Laughing at his confusion, Naina came to meet Vishakha.

"Mera pota tang toh nahi karta tumhe?" She cupped her face, placing a soft kiss on the forehead before glancing at her tummy.

"Nahi." Sameer blurted.

Vishakha gave him an amused look, "Tujhe kaise pata? Naina ko pata hoga na kitna tang karta hai."

"Mera matlab, pota nahi... hamari baby toh ek pyari si gudiya hai." He clarified.

Vishakha was surprised. Usually the doctors did not disclose the gender of unborn child.

She peered at Naina, "Doctor ne kab bataya?"

Naina shrugged, "Doctor ne kuch nahi kaha."

Vishakha looked at the two of them, baffled that if not the doctor, what had revealed this to them. She took Naina back to the table, making her sit comfortably. Pulling a chair, she sat next to her.

"Beta, sonography se pata chal jaata hai bachche ka gender kya hai. Lekin hamare yahan doctors batate nahi hain... kyonki zyadatar log ladki nahi ladka chahte hain. Tumhe agar doctor ne nahi toh kisne bataya? Kahin tum dono kisi sadhu wagerah ke chakkar mein..." Vishakha gave a worried look to her children.

Sameer quickly sat on the other side of Naina, "Mummy, humein kisi ne nahi bataya. Bas hamara dil kehta hai... hum dono ka. Aapko pata hai na main sadhu wadhu mein yakeen nahi karta."

She stared at them with open mouth. Then burst into laughter. They kept looking at her with perplexed eyes.

Vishakha managed to speak after a while"Tum... tumhara dil kehta hai isliye pakka ho gaya ladki hai? Tum dono mummy papa banne wale ho lekin khud abhi tak bachhe hi ho."

"Haan toh aapne bhi abhi kaha na pota hai... aapke bhi dil ne hi kaha hoga warna aapko kaise pata chalta." Sameer twisted his mouth, miffed at being called a child when he was about to have one of his own.

"Arre buddhu, zyadatar aisa hi kehte hain isliye keh diya. Mujhe dadi banne se matlab hai... pota ho ya poti, mere liye toh mera grandchild hoga isliye bohot special hoga. Aur hans isliye rahi hun ki apne dil ke kehne pe tum dono maan ke baith gaye ki ladki hi hai... yeh bachpana nahi toh kya hai?" Vishakha was still smiling, but lovingly.

Sameer's mouth fell open. Ever since he thought about a child, he wanted to have a daughter, who was as beautiful and soft hearted as Naina. And ever since she announced her pregnancy, he perceived it as an answer to his dream. The belief was so strong that it never occured to him that there could be another possibility.

Naina was not as stunned as him but she was a little disconcerted. Sameer's constant mention had made her believe the same. She had never given much thought to the gender of the baby she would one day have... but ever since she came to know of her pregnancy, it somehow got ingrained in her mind that the baby was a girl.

She looked at Sameer. He was lost too. She placed one palm on his hands that were clasped together. He raised his eyes to her. She blinked in assurance. He pursed his lips.

Vishakha was taken aback by the reaction. She had presumed it to be a simple notion on their part, but their somber faces were telling a different story.

In order to change the direction of their thoughts, she gave a bright, cheerful smile, "Achha chalo, yeh sab chodo. Guess karo main yahan kyon aayi hun."

They looked at her blankly.

"Offo, ek baar koshish toh karo." She urged them to speak.

Sameer narrowed his eyes, "Humse milne nahi aayi?"

Vishakha pinched his cheek, nodding, "Tum dono se milne aayi hun aur... aur ek celebration karne bhi."

They were still clueless.

Vishakha looked from one to another, and clapped her hands excitedly, "Naina ki godbharai ka celebration."

She went on to explain to them that it was a ritual to be performed when would be mother was closer to the delivery date. All ladies from their friends and family would come and bless Naina and pray for her child.

Sameer was anxious, "Sirf ladies... lekin main toh aa sakta hun na?"

Vishkha gave him a stern look, "Bilkul nahi. Yeh poori tarah se ladies ka function hai. Isliye tum kahin aas paas bhi nahi aa sakte. Samjhe?"

He got one more reason to sulk, "Yeh kya baat hui mummy? Meri biwi aur meri beti ke liye yeh sab hoga aur main hi nahi aa sakta? Yeh kaisa rule hai?"

"Yehi rule hai. Sab jagah aisa hi hota hai. Aur yahan bhi hoga. Tumhare liye... no entry." Vishakha gave a teasing smile.

While Vishakha explained the planning she had done for the function to be conducted in the evening, Naina noticed Sameer's forced smile and silent eyes.

Later, in their room, she found him standing near the balcony door, hands in pocket.

She touched his arm, "Sameer, itne pareshan kyon ho? Godbharai toh hamesha se aisi hi hoti hai."

He turned to her slowly, "Tumhe pata tha?"

She shook her head, "Asli mein kisi ki nahi dekhi par filmon mein dekha hai. Yaad nahi tumhe... Hum Aapke Hain Kaun mein bhi tha... jab woh gaana tha... Didi tera dewar deewana?"

He had seen that movie several times, thanks to Naina's obsession for it... and for Salmaan. Jerking his head, he tried to push away the jealousy part and focus on how Salman landed in the song, which was being picturised in an all ladies function.

Vishakha had made all arrangements before coming to Ahmedabad. She had been in constant touch with Bela for last few days. The invitations were sent out, gifts purchased, caterers arranged... decorators had arrived within an hour of her landing here.

And there was a special surprise for Naina. Vishakha smiled as she thought about it... Naina would be exhilarated when she would know. But that would happen only in the evening.

She handed a new saree to her, along with the jewellery she had bought.

Naina was apprehensive, "Mummy, itne saare zevar? Yeh sab kaise pehnungi?"

Vishakha placed a hand on her cheek, "Tumhe jitna comfortable lage woh pehen lena. Sab kuch zaroori nahi hai. Waise bhi, tumhare chehre pe jo glow hai, usse kisi zevar ki zaroorat hai hi nahi."

Naina lowered her eyes, a shy smile on her face.

Vishakha asked her to take proper rest during the day as evening would be hectic.

It was after lunch that Naina started to feel uncomfortable. She brushed it off as excitement for the evening. When the first flash of pain spread over her, she gasped, aware that it was much more than that.

"Sameer, mujhe... mujhe dard ho raha hai." She grabbed his arm, speaking through clenched teeth.

The way her nails dug into his skin, he knew she had to be taken to the hospital.

"Lekin mummy, abhi toh time hua hi nahi." Sameer was tensed as he and Vishakha waited outside the room where doctor was observing Naina.

Vishakha pacified him, "Kabhi kabhi time se pehle bhi aisa pain ho jaata hai. Zaroori nahi baby ke aane ka time aa gaya hai."

Sameer nodded, recalling their previous visit. But the moment nurse came out of the room with a solemn expression, his tension grew manyfolds.

She handed him a prescription, "Aap yeh saaman pharmacy se le aaiye. Delivery ke liye chahiye."

He stood like a statue, gaping at her.

"Sameer, jaldi jao." Vishakha shook him.

In a daze, he sprinted to the shop, coming back shortly. He had no idea when the nurse took the packet from his hand, when the shop assistant came running after him, complaining to Vishakha that Sameer didn't pay for the medicines, dashing away with the bag the moment he placed it on the counter. After apologising to him, she paid him double the amount.

Sameer stood motionless, staring at the closed door, oblivious of everything else. He wanted to see Naina, to be with her, to comfort her... but all he could do was wait outside.

"Sameer, tum baith jao. Kab tak aise khade rahoge." She pointed at the chair.

He sat down nervously but was up the next moment, pacing the room, twisting his fingers.

"Mummy, kitni der lagegi?" He turned to Vishakha impatiently.

"Kitni der lagegi yeh kehna mushkil hai, beta. Humein intezar karna hoga." She gave him a tight lipped smile.

It was a long wait before the nurse came out with a baby, wrapped in white cloth.

"Congratulations, beta hua hai." She said with a broad smile, showing the newborn to eager father and grandmother.

"B... b... beta kaise ho sakta hai?" Sameer blurted, frozen at the spot.

Vishakha took the baby in her arms, beaming at the baby, "Dekho toh, chota Sameer aaya hai."

"Le... lekin mummy, mujhe toh beti..." He gave a distraught look to her.

The nurse stared at him strangely.

Vishakha admonished him, "Pagal ho kya, Sameer? Maine kaha tha na, kuch bhi ho sakta hai."

He gulped, looking at the tiny bundle in his mother's arms.

And Pandit's words resonated in his mind.

Flashback

It was one evening when both Munna and Pandit had come over. Their wives were inside the room where Naina was showing them baby clothes that they had bought recently.

Munna laughed when Sameer told them about the pink baby dresses, "Pink colour hi kyon bhai... baaki se allergy hai kya tujhe?"

Sameer smiled, "Market mein itni choti baby ke zyadatar kapde pink hi milte hain."

Pandit tapped one finger on his temple, joining his brows, "Matlab tune aur bhabhi ne sirf ladki ke kapde liye hain... agar ladka hua toh usse pink frock pehen ke bachpan guzarna padega."

Sameer punched him on the arm, "Ladka kyon hoga? Maine keh diya hai ladki toh ladki hi hogi. Tu baar baar yeh ladke wali baat mat bola kar."

Pandit rubbed his arm, wincing in pain, "Mere na bolne se kya hoga? Hoga toh wohi jo manzoor e khuda hoga."

Sameer glared at him, "Haan toh tujhe itna shouk hai toh tujhe mil jayega beta... mujhe toh meri gudiya hi chahiye."

Munna was amused at his stubbornness, "Sameer, yaar, ismein zid thodi kar sakte hain. Jo bhi hoga theek hai. Soch na, agar tum dono ko beti hui toh Preeti aur bhabhi jaisi hongi... aur agar dono ko bete hue toh hum logon jaise honge."

The thought didn't go well with Sameer.

Pandit saw his pensive look, and shrugged, "Bhai, mujhe toh kuch bhi chalega... jo bhi honge, hamare bachhe hamare jaise hi honge aur sab ek saath hi rehne wale hain."

Sameer gave a determined look to them, "Meri beti hi hogi... bilkul Naina jaisi."

Pandit let out a long exhale, looking up, "Bhagwan, sun lena iski baat. Kahin iske jaisa ladka hua toh ek aur Sameer ka gussa aur jalan humein hi jhelna padega... aur hamare bachhon ko bhi."

Sameer was more shocked now. If he indeed had a son who was as possessive as him, they would be fighting everyday over Naina. And if the boy had same anger issues... like he did till a couple of years back... Sameer gulped, glancing around the room, wondering how many things would land on the floor, shattered to pieces.

Flashback ends

"Sameer, tum apne bete ko god mein nahi loge?" Vishakha nudged him, bringing him back to present.

With several different emotions bubbling inside him, Sameer gingerly held the baby, staring at him with confused eyes.

The little one looked like an angel, quietly sleeping in his arms. His heart softened a bit, maybe a baby boy could also be like Naina.

As if to dispel his new perception, a strong kick landed near his heart. His eyes widened as the child opened his eyes and smiled... a crooked, teasing smile.

And suddenly everything started shaking. It was like an earthquake. Sameer held on to the baby, trying to save both of them from tumbling.

"Offo Sameer, kitni der tak sote rahoge. Ab uth bhi jao na." Naina's voice rang in his ears as she shook him vigorously.

He sat up with a start, looking around with wide, bewildered eyes.

"Hum ghar pe hain?" He mumbled, taking in the surroundings.

"Aur kahan honge?" Naina gave him a perplexed look.

He glanced down at her belly. It was still as rounded as before.

"Naina, tum... tumhe dard toh nahi ho raha na?" He was visibly scared.

She saw his breathless state, his sweat covered forehead, his clouded eyes, his creased brow... and knew instantly that he had a dream about her being in hospital.

"Hum ghar pe hain, Sameer, aur main bilkul theek hun. Koi bura sapna dekha kya?" She wiped the sweat on his forehead with her fingers.

He let out a long, relieved exhale, "Pucho mat kaisa sapna dekha... humein beta ho gaya... aur usne aate hi mujhe zor se kick maara aur fir ek badmaash si nazar dalke muskura diya. Naina, main bata raha hun, mujhe beta nahi chalega."

She chuckled, "Achha? Isliye abhi tak iss takiye ko apna beta samajh ke seene se laga rakha hai?"

He looked down. He was clutching the pillow close to himself, wrapped within his arms to protect it. With a sigh, he put it aside.

"Naina, ab mujhe bhi darr lagne laga hai. Sab log aisa kehte hain ki kuch bhi ho sakta hai. Agar sach mein..." He shuddered.

She swatted his arm, "Tumne ek baar kaha tha na ki tumhe ek beti chahiye, aur ek beta... toh agar woh pehle aa gaya toh kya hua? Haan hum chahte hain ki pehle ek gudiya aaye lekin Sameer, iss baat pe toh kisi ka bas nahi chalta na. Tum iske liye itne pareshan mat ho."

He chewed his lip, hoping that his dream did not come true.

Next update on Wednesday evening.