"Ek chocolate ice cream." Sameer told the waiter when he approached their table in the restaurant.

"Nahi strawberry." Naina said quickly.

Sameer gave a confused look to her for a moment. Then, turning to the waiter, he nodded.

When they were alone, he asked, "Tumhe toh chocolate pasand hai na... strawberry kabse khane lagi? Pehle kabhi nahi li tumne."

"Mujhe nahi, isko chahiye." Naina innocently pointed at her belly.

He watched in fascination as she relished the ice cream. Before he could ask anything, she summoned the waiter.

"Ek butterscotch." She ordered.

He did not say a word, recalling the day when she had gorged on gulab jamuns.

Next flavour was tutti fruity, then vanilla, nutty almonds and then pineapple.

"Inse pucho zara sitaphal ice cream hai kya?" She told Sameer without looking up as she lapped up the last few spoons of pineapple ice cream.

The waiter was next to their table the moment Sameer looked up.

"Sitaphal toh nahi hai, sir." He said with regret.

"Toh chocolate le aao, upar se extra chocolate sauce ke saath." Naina said casually, pushing another empty plate away.

Sameer placed his elbow on the table, resting his palm on a fisted hand, watching his wife as she happily dunked the spoon into rich chocolate ice cream.

Not exactly a smeared face as he had imagined for their daughter, but she also had some traces of chocolate sauce around her lips. He longed to lean ahead and wipe them, but the restaurant was almost full.

"Aur kuch?" He inquired after she relaxed back, satisfied.

"Nahi, abhi ka ho gaya." She let out a long breath.

He picked up a napkin, telling her to clear the chocolate around her mouth.

After she made a trip to washroom, they left the restaurant.

"Sameer, yeh dekho." She tugged at his arm, excitedly pointing at something.

He looked in the direction of her finger... and saw the balloon seller.

"Tum balloon ka kya karogi" He was amused.

"Mujhe nahi, isko chahiye." She looked fondly at her tummy.

His gaze drifted down. Was the baby aware of his thoughts of a while ago? Was their daughter making Naina do whatever he had been dreaming of when they left from home? Was she able to read his mind?

"Sameer, chalo na, kahaan kho jaate ho baar baar?" She shook his arm, breaking the chain of thoughts.

They bought a bunch of helium balloons, in different colours. Tying the ends of their threads together, the seller asked them to hold carefully, as the balloons would go up if the grip loosened.

She kept looking at them for a while, then opened her fist. A smile played on her lips as the bunch lifted up in air.

Sameer gave her a puzzled look.

"Socha nanu ke paas bhej dun... hamari baby ki taraf se." She dipped her head to the side, still looking up at the bright balloons, going up with great speed.

He didn't know what to say. She was being a child and a mother... and a granddaughter at the same time. And he loved her in every role.

They stood looking up till a faint image could be made out... and then, the balloons faded against the star lit sky.

As they turned to go, her eyes fell on a stall put up in the central open arena of the market. It was a game counter, with lots of small and big items on display. The player was given wooden rings that he would aim and throw. If the ring fell on any particular item, the player would get it for free.

"Sameer, chalo na yeh dekhte hain." She urged.

He turned to see what had caught her attention now. The game stall was a temporary addition to the market though they had seen it earlier a few times. Naina had never shown any interest in such things. But today, her childish excitement amazed him.

The stall had many gifts to offer, from small toys to biscuit packets to soap bars to chocolates.

"Kispe nishana lagaogi? Chocolate?" Sameer paid the money for one round of three tries.

"Main kyon lagaungi? Tum khelo. Aur chocolates ka kya karna hai? Choti bachhi thodi hun." She furrowed her brows at him.

He stifled a smile, "Theek hai, lekin chahiye kya yeh toh batao."

Her eyes scanned the entire stall, before finally resting on a light pink teddy bear.

"Yeh chahiye." She pointed at the furry toy placed at maximum distance.

"Naina, teddy bear toh pehle hi hai ghar pe." Her choice left him surprised.

"Woh bohot bada hai. Jab baby choti hogi toh chota wala chahiye hoga na... tum usipe nishana lagao." She crossed her arms, eyes fixed on the toy.

The first ring landed close to it. The second one touched it and rolled behind.

"Dhyan se ek aankh band karke dekho. Fir socho ki yeh kitna pyara lagega hamari beti ke haathon mein. Fir nishana lagaoge toh pakka lagega." She directed him in a low voice.

Taking her advice, he closed one eye, focussing only on the teddy. The ring landed directly on it.

Her excitement shot to another level. Had he not held her by wrapping an arm around, she would have jumped.

When the gift was handed to her, she beamed with pure joy, hugging the teddy. Unable to stop himself, Sameer wrapped his arms around her, soft toy pressed between the two of them.

She had given him a glimpse of his daughter... a dream that he had seen for their baby. Naina had lived that dream for him. Or maybe, it was the baby who had made her do so. The connection with both girls in his life was so deep that words and expressions were secondary. His thoughts had been conveyed to either of them... or both of them.

Back at home, she placed the smaller teddy with the large one Preeti got, elated at the way it made their room look different... ready for a baby.

Sameer liked the clinking sound of her glass bangles every time she swayed her hands. Throughout the evening, at dinner table, back in the room as she prepared to sleep, the beautiful sound enchanted him. It was like the musical chirp of birds that he could hear all day.

"Yeh kya kar rahi ho, Naina?" His eyes widened as she started to take off the objects that were creating the magical tinkling.

"Sona hai na, isliye utar rahi hun. Kahin toot na jayein." She replied matter of factly, continuing with her work.

He jumped off the bed, dashing to where she stood in front of the mirror, "Lao main nikaal deta hun."

She looked at him, "Dukan wale ka toh samajh aata hai lekin ab kya main khud bhi nahi nikaal sakti?"

He shook his head, giving a sly smile, "Jab mujhe mauka mil sakta hai toh main usse thodi chodunga."

Holding up her hand, he placed a kiss on her inner wrist before starting. The kisses continued with each bangle he removed, getting longer and more intense. By the time he moved to other hand, her heart was madly thumping. He did not leave her hands even after taking off all bangles, keeping a firm grip on them as he took one to his lips.

"Tum bohot sundar ho, Naina." His eyes were as pure as his heartfelt compliment.

She looked at him lovingly, smiling with gratification as he took her to bed, gently laying her down before switching off the light.

Sameer lazily opened his eyes to the sunrays spilling into the room through a crack in the curtains. He had got the flimsy curtains changed on Naina's insistence, getting a little thicker ones. She wanted baby to be cosy and comfortable and not get disturbed by early morning light. A bit of sunshine filled the room with a subtle glow, making everything visible but not hurting the eyes with brightness. He turned to his side.

Naina slept peacefully, her hair falling on the face. With a light touch of his finger, he cleared the strands, shifting them behind her ear. She stirred a little. He quickly moved his hand away. Though it was time for him to get up but he didn't want her to cut short her sleep. Off late, her sleep pattern had become erratic. Sometimes, she wasn't able to sleep till late in the night while some days she found it difficult to keep her eyes open as early as dinner time. Last night was more about staying up. She was continuously changing her position, probably trying to find a comfortable posture. It was well past midnight when her breathing had finally eased. He had put up extra pillows behind her, took her in his arms to soothe her, weaved his fingers in her hair... but nothing had helped. She was quite restless, till sleep finally took over, maybe due to fatigue. He mentally made a point to ask the doctor about it in their next visit.

He felt extremely guilty that he could not take any share of whatever she was going through, however much he wanted. She was coping with everything alone. Of course, he was with her at every step, but he could not comprehend the amount of discomfort she was bearing.  At times, the stretching feeling on her stomach made her skin itchy, and she rubbed it vigorously. Heart burn and acidity were not often but once in a while, she had to go through that pain as well. Now, her ankles and feet had also swollen up and become red. Since her stomach had grown bigger, it was difficult for her to carry on regular tasks with same ease. Just the other day, he saw her struggling to take out the clothes from lower shelf in the cupboard. That day itself, he placed all her things on the first shelf, moving his stuff to lower one. Another time, she could not pick up the comb she had accidentally dropped to the floor. Whenever he was around, he would keep an eye on things but the times when he was away in office, it always worried him that she would be uneasy.

But she never complained. Even when he asked her about the itchiness on her belly, she smiled and said she felt good that baby was growing well. Last evening also, she had brushed off the swelling as a mild thing, though he had noticed how she was fisting and stretching her fingers simultaneously. According to the book, these things were expected at this stage. But it bothered him to see her go through everything.

With a sigh, he glanced at the clock. It would get late for office if he didn't get up now. But he was in no mood to wake her up. And if he left while she was still sleeping, it would upset her greatly. Taking a decision, he snuggled closer to her, wrapping the quilt around them. As if she could sense him, her arm came around his neck, resting on the other shoulder while she shifted a little to rest her head on his chest.

With a warm smile, he scooped her closer.

It had been just about ten minutes when she started to fidget, tugging at the quilt.

"Sameer, yeh hatao. Itni garmi hai." He had also dozed off again when her murmurs woke him up.

He saw her forehead covered with sweat. Pulling the quilt away, he noticed the wet patches on her night suit. It wasn't hot at all. In fact, mornings had become cool. The coziness and warmth of quilt felt nice. He was comfortable while she was sweating like it was middle of summers.

"Naina, tum theek ho na? Itne paseene kyon aa rahe hain?" Lifting himself up, he wiped her forehead.

She opened her eyes slowly, panting, "Sameer, fan tez kar do na. Bohot garmi lag rahi hai."

He opened his mouth to speak but decided against it, getting up to switch on the fan.

She tried to go back to sleep but could not. Finally, she opened her eyes and pushed herself up against the backrest.

He came out of the bathroom with a damp towel, "Lao, isse thoda saaf kar deta hun jisse garmi kam lagegi."

He sat down beside her, patting her forehead, face and neck with it. Slowly, her breathing became even.

"Pata nahi kya hua tha. Ekdum se bohot zyada garmi lagne lagi." She said in a tired voice.

"Ab theek lag raha hai na? Ya doctor ke paas chalen?" He gave a worried look though he was glad to see the colour return to her pale face.

"Nahi main theek hun. Subah subah tumhari bhi neend kharab kar di. Chalo so jao jab tak office ka time ho." She smiled, unaware of the brightness outside due to thick curtains.

Pursing his lips, Sameer pointed at the bedside clock.

She glanced back at it, and her eyes widened.

"Nau baj gaye aur tumne mujhe uthaya tak nahi. Office nahi jaana kya? Sameer, tum kya karte ho? Itni der tak koi sota hai? Ab time pe kaise pohochoge? Main nahi jaati par tum..." Her agitated voice came to a halt when his fingers pressed over her lips.

"Tum itni gehri neend mein thi toh uthane ka dil nahi kiya. Aur adha ek ghanta late chala gaya toh koi pahad nahi toot jayega. Mere liye meri Naina ka aaram zyada zaroori hai." His gentle voice curbed her anger.

"Ab tumhari Naina ka aaram ho chuka toh chalo jaldi se naha lo." She blinked hard to assure him that she was fine.

His eyes twinkled, "Tum kaho toh tumhe bhi..."

"Mr Maheshwari, adha ghanta late hona chalega adha din nahi. Jao." Her voice was firm.

"Lekin Naina, tumhe abhi kamzori se paseene aa rahe the. Aise mein apne aap... kahin gir gayi toh? Main toh sirf tumhari madad karne ke liye keh raha hun." He said innocently.

Without a word, she pointed a finger at the bathroom.

He twisted his mouth as he went towards the bathroom, stomping his feet.

Stopping at the door, he looked back. She was still sitting with the same stiff expression, staring at him.

"Jhansi ki rani." He huffed, pouting before closing the door behind him.

The smile she was holding escaped the moment he was away from the view.

Placing a hand on her belly, she spoke softly to the baby, "Yeh tumhare papa baar baar mujhe Jhansi ki rani bolte hain toh khud bhi toh Jhansi ke raja hue na... achha tareeka hai apni tareef karne ka."

The baby kicked back in response.

Next update tomorrow evening