It had been about two weeks since the sonography. Naina was careful about her diet ever since her blood pressure had gone low once. The energy levels had been okay now, except for the fatigue at the end of the day, which was normal at this stage. Hence, it was surprising for her when she got up one morning and felt the room sway.

"Ahh Sameer." She pressed her forehead, sitting back in bed.

He was up with her in a flash, "Kya hua, Naina? Chakkar aaya kya?"

She leaned heavily against him, clutching his wrist, "Sameer, sab ghoom raha hai, bohot zyada."

"Lagta hai fir se bp low ho gaya. Main coffee bana ke laata hun tumhare liye." He held her shoulders to make her lie down.

"Nahi. Kahin mat jao. Mujhe pakdo please." She uttered in an urgent voice, her fingers digging into his wrist.

Sameer wrapped his other arm around her securely. Her eyes were squeezed shut, breathing was laboured and head seemed to be falling to the side.

"Naina, time aa gaya kya? Tumhe dard toh nahi shuru ho gaya?" He was tensed.

"Na... nahi. Koi dard nahi hai. Bas bohot tez chakkar aa raha hai, jaise... jaise yeh kamra ghoom raha hai aur main abhi bed se gir jaungi." Her voice was feeble.

He held her tighter, kissing her forehead reassuringly, "Aise kaise gir jaogi... main apni jaan ko girne thodi dunga. Kuch nahi hua hai, bas shayad thakaan se aisa lag raha hai. Ek coffee pi logi toh bp bhi theek ho jayega. Tum ghabrao mat... main hun na."

They stayed in the same position for sometime, till he felt her head move a little.

"Abhi kaisa lag raha hai?" He placed his hand on her cheek to slightly turn up her face.

"Hmm. Thoda kam hua. Shayad coffee pi leni chahiye." She gave him a weak smile.

Making her lie back and tucking the quilt properly around her, he sprinted to the kitchen. It was yet too early for Ramdhari to come. Though he was staying in the back room of the house, he usually got up around 6:30, and the wall clock in the living room showed the time to be 5:30 am.

Naina was lying still with her eyes closed when Sameer went back with coffee after a few minutes. Placing the mug on the night stand, he sat on the bed and placed his hand on her forehead.

"Naina, uthogi? Thodi coffee pi lo." His whispered gently.

She opened her eyes, and nodded slightly. Sameer helped her sit up. He kept holding the cup with one hand while one held her shoulder.

The strong, hot liquid made Naina feel good... but only for a second. In just a few sips, she started to get the same dizzy feeling back. Sameer noticed her hand shaking, and took back the cup, lest the hot liquid spilled on her. Putting it aside, he shifted closer, taking her in his arms. When he felt her head roll back, the panic hit him. Grabbing the mobile from side table, he quickly dialled Dr Shaila's number.

Though she picked up after quite a few rings, her sleepy hello changed to alert questions the moment he mentioned Naina's condition.

"Tum log foran hospital aa jao, main bhi pohonchati hun. Aur haan, Naina ko kuch khana pina mat do... coffee toh bilkul nahi." The urgency in her voice made his heart stop beating.

"Sab... sab theek hoga na doctor?" He blabbered before he could stop himself.

"Tum bas jaldi aao. Ho sake toh Sana ko kisi rishtedaar ke yahan chod do, uska hospital mein rehna sahi nahi hoga." She hurriedly adviced.

Sameer could hear the sounds at other end, of her moving around, opening the cupboard, preparing to leave... and the fear deepened in him. Putting back Naina on her pillow, he ran to the drawer and took all her files and reports, placing them in the bag she had already prepared for hospital. The clatter from the kitchen announced Ramdhari's presence. He rushed out, apprising him of the situation and told him to take care of Sana when she gets up, and call up Preeti to inform about everything.

"Aap jaiye hum sambhal lenge sab kuch." Ramdhari took the bag from him and rushed out to put it in the car.

He held the door open, seeing Sameer bring out Naina in his arms.

"Ek minute, Sameer bhaiya." He stopped as Sameer was about to sit in the car.

"Ab kuch nahi, Ramdhari. Humein jaldi aane ko kaha hai doctor ne." He snapped, irritated at being stopped.

"Aise jayenge kya? Rukiye, hum aapki t-shirt laate hain." Ramdhari was running back to the house by the time Sameer realised he was still wearing only his track bottoms.

Taking the t-shirt from him, he roughly pulled it down his neck and put the car in ignition.

Dr Shaila was waiting at the gate with two helpers and a strecher. Giving an assuring nod to Sameer, she directed the helpers to wheel the patient carefully to the ward. Sameer paced the room impatiently as she checked Naina behind the partition.

When she emerged after a few minutes, he could see the worry in her eyes, "Naina ka bp low nahi, bohot high tha."

His mouth fell open. All he could do was stare at the doctor. High bp... that's what nanu had... that's what led to his heart attack.

"Lekin daro nahi, abhi better hai. Koi tension hui kya ghar mein? Achanak se kaise badh gaya?" She patted his arm to soothe him.

"Ten... tension? Nahi... nahi toh... lekin Naina ko... aise kaise?" He was not able to comprehend.

Dr Shaila pursed her lips, "Kabhi kabhi ho jaata hai. Achha hua Naina ne poori coffee nahi pi... khair, ab hum aur wait nahi kar sakte. Hum usse observation mein rakhenge, jaise hi bp normal aayega, delivery karni hogi."

"Lekin... Naina ko pain toh hai hi nahi." He was aghast.

She looked at him with a serious face, "Sameer, baby ke liye high bp risky hota hai. Ismein chance nahi liya jaa sakta. Maine check kiya hai, abhi baby theek hai. Delivery jitni jaldi ho jaaye uske liye achha hoga. Pichli sonography se pata chal gaya tha uski growth complete ho chuki hai... toh wait karne ki koi zaroorat hai bhi nahi."

"Toh kya operation?" He was reminded of Swati's operation when her twins were born.

Dr Shaila shook her head, "Pehle uska blood pressure normal ho jaaye fir injection denge, pain shuru karne ke liye. Agar usse kuch nahi hua toh hi operation karenge. Lekin mujhe nahi lagta uski naubat aayegi. Tum abhi Naina se mil sakte ho, par usse yeh sab mat kehna... darr jayegi."

"Uhh doctor... ek baat..." He stuttered as doctor was about to leave the room.

She turned, looking at him with encouraging eyes.

He lowered his head, pressing his lower lip to stop it's quivering, "Woh nanu ko... unko high bp... unko heart attack aaya tha."

Dr Shaila had known them for years. She was aware of their families and to some extent, their past. She walked back to him with a gentle smile.

"Naina ko bimari nahi hai. Pregnancy mein hone wali aisi problems delivery ke baad theek ho jaati hain. Tum chinta mat karo... Naina ke saare reports bilkul normal hain, usse kuch nahi hoga." Her words were a big solace for him... as if it was all the assurance he needed.

Swallowing the painful lump in his throat, he nodded.

Naina was lying still, with her eyes closed when he went to her. He stroked her hair, smoothening them away from her face.

"Sameer." She mumbled, without opening her eyes.

He leaned, and placed a kiss on her forehead, "Jaan, main yahin hun, tumhare paas. Sab theek hai."

His soft, calm voice brought a peaceful smile on her face. Her hand searched for him. He held it quickly, pressing it against his heart. With a relieved exhale, Naina drifted into sleep.

A nurse kept an eye on her bp, noting it down after every fifteen minutes. Within two hours, doctor announced that they would give her an injection through iv. Sameer silently prayed for the wellbeing of both his wife and his yet to be born baby. He missed the motherly assurance of Phulla bua. As if in answer, he felt a familiar touch on his shoulder. Turning back, he found Pandit standing behind him. Preeti was next to him. Pandit stepped ahead and took him in a comforting hug. Preeti blinked in assurance as he glanced at her over Pandit's shoulder.

"Sab theek hoga, jijaji. Aisi shakal bana ke mat raho. Naina ko sadma lagega ki uske itne handsome pati ko kya ho gaya." She winked at him, trying to lighten his mood.

Sameer couldn't help but smile before he stepped back and ran a weary hand through his hair, "Woh Naina... uska bp bohot high ho gaya... pata nahi kaise. Doctor ne kaha hai delivery ke liye aur intezar nahi kar sakte."

Preeti's brows furrowed in tension as Sameer narrated the whole conversation he had with doctor. But she was aware of Naina's reports and knew that even if the baby came now, it would be perfectly healthy.

She looked back at Sameer with certitude, "Meri behen bohot himmat wali hai... kuch nahi hoga. Dekhna, bohot jaldi Sana ke liye bhai ya behen mil jayega aapko."

Sameer felt a sense of relief at her support. Pandit asked him if Munna was aware. When Sameer shook his head, he called up immediately from his mobile. Both Munna and Swati reached the hospital within half an hour.

"Bachhe?" Sameer enquired, noticing that everyone was without the kids.

Preeti replied, "Sana ko Harsh aur Bhavya ke paas chod diya hai. Mummyji ne kaha woh sambhal lengi. Aap fikr mat karo, teeno bachhe saath mein khush rehte hain dadi ke paas."

Swati nodded, "Haan, mere dono bhi dadi ke saath maze se rehte hain... balki woh toh khushi se bye bol dete hain agar main kahin jaane ki baat karun toh."

Sameer lowered his eyes. Vishakha had never been a mother to him as a child but now his daughter didn't get the same affection either, from her grandmother that others were getting. Since Nidhi was also pregnant presently, his mother had expressed her inability to come when he had called up two months back. However much their relations improved, these small instances did pinch him.

Munna patted his shoulder, making him sit on the chair, "Bhai tu ghabra mat. Operation bhi karna pada toh darne ki baat nahi hai. Swati ka bhi toh hua tha... koi problem nahi hui."

Swati smiled at him, "Sameer, operation hua toh aur bhi achha hai, tumhe zyada jaldi apna baby apni goud mein mil jayega."

Sameer gave a her a distraught look, "Lekin Naina... usse takleef hogi na?"

Preeti kneeled in front of his chair, "Jijaji, bhagwan jab ek ladki ko banata hai na, sabse pehle usse sehenshakti deta hai... dil ke dard ke liye aur shareer ke dard ke liye bhi. Aap jaante ho na Naina ne kitna kuch saha hai, yeh dard toh fir khushi leke aayega apne saath. Mera yakeen kijiye, Naina ke liye iss dard se bada woh sukh hai jo aap dono ki zindagi mein aayega."

Sameer stared at his saliji... how similar both sisters were, in their thoughts and their patience.

A nurse stepped out of the room, directly looking at Sameer, "Aapki wife ab hosh mein hain, aap mil sakte hain."

He got up and darted inside the half open door.

Naina smiled at him, "Sorry Sameer, socha tha iss baar normally hospital aayenge lekin aaj toh pichli baar se bhi zyada drama ho gaya."

He bent down to place a kiss on her forehead before giving a relieved smile, "Kitna darati ho mujhe. Ghar chalo zara, poore ek saal tak apni baahon mein quaid rakhunga... na khud kahin jaunga na tumhe jaane dunga."

Her face was pale but her eyes lit up with mischief, "Mr Maheshwari, bhool jao... ab yahan se do do bachhon ke papa banke hi ghar jaoge. Ab tumhari baahon mein main nahi, kabhi ek kabhi doosra bachha hoga."

Sameer felt a weight lift off his chest at the tingle in her voice. He leaned and rubbed his nose with hers, "Mrs Maheshwari, aapne abhi apne hero ke saare kamaal dekhe kahan hain... dono bachhon ke saath saath aapko bhi baahon mein rakh sakta hun."

She closed her eyes, trying not to show the wave of pain that ripped through her. But Sameer could feel the slight tremble.

"Naina, tum theek ho?" He raised himself, tensed again.

Dr Shaila stepped ahead, "Humne jo injection diya tha uska asar shuru ho gaya hai. Naina ke responses bohot achhe hain isliye shayad zyada time nahi lagega. Maine sirf isliye tumhe bulaya jisse tum ek baar khud ko aur Naina ko tassali de sako. Aise time pe hum gharwalon ko andar nahi aane dete lekin tumhe door rakhte toh ek bed shayad tumhare liye bhi book karna padta."

Sameer gulped and stood up, unable to smile at doctor's joke.

"Buddhu, theek hun main. Ab aisi rondu shakal mat banao warna baby kya bolega uske papa kaise dikhte hain." The flash of pain gone, Naina gave a brave smile to ease his harrowed expression.

Sameer turned to Dr Shaila anxiously, "Kya main yahan ruk sakta hun... Naina ke paas? Main usse akela nahi chodna chahta."

Doctor shook her head regretfully, "Yeh possible nahi hoga. Tumhe bahar jaana padega."

Turning towards Naina, he pressed her hand within his palms, "I Love You."

When the next wave of pain hit her, Naina felt it to be less hurting as she remained cocooned in the warmth of his love declaration.

It was an hour later when the nurse informed them that Naina had gone into intense labour. Preeti held Swati's hand, praying for her sister. Munna Pandit sat on either side of Sameer, comforting him. Whether it was the new doors that blocked the sounds from inside or Naina's endurance for pain had increased that did not let the painful screams float out... but Sameer could not hear any cries like the previous time. When he couldn't just sit and stare at the door, he started to pace the passage frantically. As the minutes ticked by, his anxiety spiraled.

"Preeti, tum jaake dekho na... itni der kyon lag rahi hai... koi nurse bhi kabse bahar nahi aayi... koi awaaz bhi nahi aa rahi." He turned to Preeti with pleading eyes.

"Jijaji aap shaant ho jao. Koi bahar nahi aaya iska matlab sab theek hai, nahi toh nurse doosri dawaayein lene aati na." Preeti pacified him.

The phone in his pocket started to ring before he could ask her to go in again.

"Hello, Sameer. Kaisa hai mera hero?" Phulla bua's soothing voice was like a balm to his frayed senses.

"Bua dadi, woh Naina..." He mumbled, sitting with a thud on the chair.

"Pata hai. Naina ki delivery mein tera kya haal hota hai dekha hai maine. Isliye phone kiya. Beta, upar wale pe bharosa rakh. Usne toh tere liye ek aur khushi ka bandobast kiya hai aur tu aisi mayoosi dikha raha hai." She was admonishing and calming him at the same time.

"Nahi bua dadi, aapko pata nahi. Naina ka bp..." He started in an earnest voice, but was cut off again.

"Mujhe pal pal ki khabar hai. Pandit ne sab bata diya." Sameer sharply looked at Pandit who stood with crossed arms.

Phulla bua softly spoke into the phone, "Sana ko aaye chaar saal se upar ho gaye. Kya ek baar bhi Naina ne tujhe kaha ki usse Sana ko duniya mein laane mein kitni takleef uthani padi? Nahi na!"

He shook his head. At the other side, the old lady understood without words, without seeing.

"Kyonki Sana ke roop mein tumhari zindagi mein ek nayi raunak aa gayi. Aise hi ab iss bageeche mein ek naya phool khilega. Uske liye zameen ko thodi uthal puthal toh jhelni padegi na. Mere bachhe, sab achha hoga. Tujhe meri baat pe toh yakeen hai na... bas samajh le mujhe hi bhagwan ne tujh tak yeh baat pohochane ko kaha hai. Yeh saara dard, yeh saari takleef bhool jayegi Naina jab ek nanhe se bachhe ko goud mein legi." Phulla bua continued to talk to him for a long time, bringing his tremulous heart under control to some extent.

"Congratulations Sameer. Tumhara baby aa gaya." Dr Shaila's voice made him get up with a jerk, the phone slipping from his hand.

She stood at the threshold of open door, along with a nurse who was holding a baby, wrapped in white sheet.

He stood frozen at the same place, staring at the small bundle.

Preeti shook him slightly, her voice choked with emotions, "Jijaji, dekhoge nahi?"

"Huh." He came to his senses, and rushed to the door.

"Doctor, Naina... Naina theek hai na?" He peered into the room behind the nurse.

Dr Shaila smiled warmly, "Bilkul theek hai. Tumhara intezar kar rahi hai. Mere saare patients mein woh akeli aisi maa hai jo apne bachhe se pehle apne pati ko bulati hai... aur tum bhi akele aise pati ho jo bachhe ko goud mein lene se pehle biwi ko dekhna chahta hai. Arre bhai, jis bachhe ke liye itna sab hua hai puch toh lo woh ladka hai ya ladki."

While others laughed, Sameer moved closer to the nurse, looping his arms to hold his newborn child, a sheepish smile on his face.

The tiny, red face became visible to him. He blinked hard as a warmth spread all over him, realising that indeed his family was complete now.

He looked up, "Sana ka bhai aaya hai na?"

Dr Shaila gave him a surprised look, "Tumhe kaise pata?"

Sameer had no doubt, "Jaise pichli baar mere dil ne bataya tha, iss baar meri beti ke dil ne bata diya. Kahiye na, ladka hi hai na?"

The nurse nodded, "Ji, beta hua hai. Badhai ho."

Next update tomorrow evening