Sorry for the delay

Naina tapped her hand out of habit on her sleeping baby. The place was empty. Had Sana not slept yet... was Sameer still up, taking care of her? Her eyes shot open... to the brightness from outside seeping in through a crack in thick curtains.

Two thing registered at the same moment... Sameer's warmth as he slept plastered behind her... and Sana, who had rolled over from her sheet.

Naina got up with a jerk, picking up her daughter who was sleeping very close to the edge of the bed. With a thudding heart, she held her against her chest, her eyes pooling up at the thought of her falling off the bed.

Only after the initial shock subsided could she fathom the situation... Sana had turned on her own.

A broad smile spread on her face. She was about to shake up Sameer when she remembered that he must have slept very late. Fondly pushing away the hair from his forehead, she mumbled a silent thank you to him. Her hand itched to touch the roughness on his jaw... but she controlled herself. Sameer would be up the moment he felt that touch. Even in deepest of sleep he would know.

Shifting slightly away, she fed Sana and put her back to sleep, after placing her sheets in the center of bed. She arranged pillows all around her. Picking up the big cushions from couch, she put them on the edge of the bed before going for her bath.

Sana was again sleeping on her stomach when Naina came out of the bathroom fifteen minutes later. But the wall of pillows had kept her protected. She felt a new concern spring up in her... if Sana tried to roll over a few times, she would definitely fall off the bed. The thought itself gave her shivers. She decided to speak to chachiji later in the day, asking her how to handle this new development.

It was much later when Sameer stirred, moving his hand on the bed to search for the soft comfort which didn't seem to be against him. He opened his eyes at the absence of any feel. There was no one on the bed... or in the room, he discerned as his eyes scanned the place quickly. Even Sana's bed was vacant.

"Naina." He got up, calling out to her.

There was no reply, from the bathroom or balcony.

Throwing the quilt away, he dashed out of the room. His tension dissipated the moment he stepped into the passage. Along with the aroma of his favourite breakfast, he could hear soft murmurs as Naina talked to the baby... and Sana's happy gurgles in reaction.

With her back to the door, Naina was busy making the alu paranthas while Sana laid in pram, darting her alert gaze at everything that was visible to her from that angle. He quietly bent down to softly kiss her forehead. Sana squealed louder. He placed a finger on his lips, and moved stealthily towards Naina.

"Good morning, jaan." He encircled her waist, nuzzling his face in her neck.

"Arre tum uth gaye. Thoda aur so jaate na... kal raat pata nahi kitni der tak jaage hoge." Her voice was laced with concern.

"Tum baahon mein nahi thi toh neend kaise aati." He placed a kiss on the cheek that had turned towards him.

She squirmed to free herself, chuckling, "Jaise pichle do ghante se aa rahi thi. Achha hato, mujhe breakfast banane do."

"Pehle good morning bolo." He held her tighter, peppering the side of her neck with small kisses.

"Good morning, ab chodo." She tilted her head, trying to keep the shudder hidden from him.

The sudden turn made her hands land on his chest, leaving some dry dough flecks on it.

He gazed intently into her eyes, "Aise good morning bolte hain apne handsome pati ko?"

Her eyes drifted down to his bare chest. Her fingers had left white marks on his warm skin.

"Aur kaise bolte hain?" Her voice turned heavy, unknowingly.

This was the question he was waiting for. But she ducked to the side, avoiding his dipping head, her eyes flicking towards Sana.

Sameer looked at their daughter. She was playing with her own linked fingers, unaware of what her parents were upto. He lifted Naina, and took a few steps to move away from baby's vision. Before her feet touched the floor, his lips were on her, pulling her closer. Her hands went up behind him, leaving a white powdery trail. Ever since they went to Delhi, all he had got was a chance of quick pecks a few times... and he felt parched now. Exploring her mouth, his hands pressed into her back, gratified at the way she moulded herself against him. Her eyes closed at the onslaught of his probing tongue, invading all corners of her mouth. Her hands felt the undulating muscles as his hold got tighter, crushing her even more.

The kiss left them breathless. Leaning against the counter, he held her close, resting his forehead over hers.

"Naina, tum jaan ho meri. Tumhe dekhe bina meri subah nahi hoti aur tum mujhe akela chod ke yahan aa gayi." He mumbled when he could speak.

She smiled. Her smile was like sunshine for him. This was what morning meant for him... her glowing face, smiling at him.

"Tumhare hi liye aayi thi. Alu paranthe banane... bohot dinon se mere haath ke khaye nahi na." She locked her hands behind his neck, her eyes roaming over his messed up hair and thick stubble.

"Tum kyon bana rahi ho? Ramdhari nahi aaya abhi tak? Usne kaha tha subah aa jayega." He frowned.

"Phone aaya tha uska. Kal raat ki bus kharab ho gayi thi isliye subah subah ki li hai. Shaam tak aa jayega." She explained.

"Matlab hum akele hain!" His eyes lit up at the realisation.

She laughed, "Aapki beti hai, Mr Maheshwari... aur usse meri zyada zaroorat hai."

He looked back at the pram. Sana was trying to hold the colorful hanging toys on her pram.

"Uska sone ka time hone wala hai na... naha ke?" His brows went up, his eyes hopeful.

When she didn't answer, his face fell, "Tumne nehla diya usse?"

"Nahi baba, abhi toh breakfast bana rahi thi. Socha pehle kitchen ka kaam khatam kar lu fir usko nehla dungi." She shook her head.

He immediately took her in a tight embrace, "Bohot achha socha. Chalo, main madad kar deta hun isse nehlane mein."

"Nahi Sameer, usmein bohot der lag jayegi. Tum naha ke aa jao fir breakfast kar lete hain. Mujhe bhi bhook lagi hai. Subah se kuch nahi khaya." She pushed him back, holding a hand to her tummy.

He held her shoulders, "Naina, main bas paanch minute mein fresh hoke aata hun. Hum sabse pehle breakfast hi karenge."

He darted out of the kitchen, making her smile again at the white patches all over him.

As per his word, he was back in five minutes. She had placed breakfast on the dining table.

"Sameer, tum naha ke kyon nahi aaye?" She noticed his dry hair, though he was wearing a tshirt now.

"Apni jaan ko bhooka thodi rakh sakta tha." He pulled out a chair.

She dusted around his neck, "Aur jo yeh saare nishan hain tumhari jaan ke diye hue, koi aa gaya toh dikh jayenge na."

He winked, speaking in a low voice, "Jisne diye hain wohi saaf karegi... koi aayega toh unse bhi yehi kahunga."

"Chup raho. Main naha chuki hun... aur dobara nahane ka koi shouk nahi hai mujhe." She chided him, her cheeks flaming up though.

"Woh sab baad mein dekhenge, pehle khana khao. Chalo, ab baitho yahan." He held her by shoulders, making her sit.

He put one parantha each in their plates, and gave her butter and curd. They quickly finished their breakfast because Sana had started fidgeting. It was time of her morning nap.

Naina arranged all things for her bath while Sameer held her in his arms, talking to her. They together gave her a bath. He had become adept at it now, having helped Naina numerous times. Sana did cry out when her face was washed but she enjoyed the whole activity more now. Being overzealous during her bath made her even more tired. She dozed off within minutes when Naina put her in bed.

"Sameer, uss taraf bhi achhe se takiye laga do, aur woh bade wale cushion bhi." She directed him, making a wall of pillows on her side.

Sameer placed one pillow against the sleeping baby, "Itne saare kyon?"

When she told him about Sana's morning adventure, he was astounded.

"Agar woh raat ko aise karwat legi toh gir sakti hai." He was worried.

Naina nodded, "Isliye ab usse side pe nahi sula sakte. Beech mein hi sulayenge."

He couldn't comprehend if he was happy to protect his baby or sad to be away from his wife. Sana's well being was most important for him but staying away from Naina wasn't an option.

She stood up from the bed, feeling exhausted, "Tum naha lo main tab tak dopaher ka khana bana leti hun. Sana uth jayegi toh mushkil hoga."

He looked up at her weary face. Whatever plans he had needed to be put on hold. Getting up from his side, he came to her.

"Jaan, ab tum kuch nahi karogi. Jab Sana uthegi toh hum log bahar chalenge. Mujhe market mein kuch kaam hai aur uske baad khana bahar hi khayenge. Theek hai?" He held her wrists.

"Nahi Sameer. Aaj Sunday hai, tumhara aaram ka din hai, main nahi chahti tum saara din bahar ghoomo. Kal se toh office ki bhaag daud hai hi. Main theek hun." She gave him an assuring smile.

He left her hands, wrapping his arms around her waist to pull her closer, "Jo waqt tumhare aur hamari gudiya ke saath guzarta hai woh saara waqt mujhe sukoon deta hai, ghar pe ho chahe bahar. Aur jo mujhe lena hai, woh hum dono ke sukoon ke liye zaroori hai... jisse Sana ke girne ka darr bhi na rahe aur..."

"Aur?" She raised her brows, though she had a fair idea what was in his mind.

He leaned closer, gazing into her eyes, "Aur meri jaan meri baahon mein hi rahe."

She rested her head on his chest, the tension of Sana's accidental fall leaving her mind.

The carpenter had an easy solution for them. An extension to the bed could be attached on one side, with high wooden rails which were collapsible. There was an option of putting the wooden rails on fourth side also. During daytime, when baby had to sleep alone, it could be placed to make it a closed crib where the baby would be safe even if she got up when no one was in the room. At night, the attachment could be removed and crib would remain fixed to one edge of the bed, keeping the baby close to her mother.

Since the designs were readily available, the carpenter offered to attach it right away. Sameer gave him the address and asked him to come in the evening. He didn't want to cut short the outing with his girls.

Sana was exceptionally thrilled to be outside. The marketplace, buzzing with activity made her look in every direction with frenzied excitement, as if she wanted to absorb everything in one go. At each loud sound, be it of a vehicle, or some child screaming or an enthusiastic vendor, she jerked in the direction, trying to identify the source.

Sameer was holding her against his chest, so that she could look around easily.

By the time they left for home after lunch in a restaurant, she had slept in Naina's arms. At home, Naina placed the baby in the center of the bed, securing cushions all around.

"Sameer, tum yahin rehna. Main chachiji ko phone kar leti hun." She told Sameer before going out of the room.

The moment she put the phone down, after speaking with Bela, it started to ring again. Naina spent next fifteen minutes talking to Preeti.

She took one step into the room and her heart fell to the bottom of her stomach.

Sameer was sleeping and Sana had rolled over to the edge, kicking away the pillows that she had arranged around her.

"Sameer... Sana..." She screamed, and ran.

Sameer jolted up...

And Sana turned once again... dropping down the bed before Naina could reach her.

Sameer jumped over the bed, picking her up immediately. Her loud cries filled up the room.

"Sorry, sorry baby, papa ki galti hai." Sameer rubbed her head frantically.

Naina patted her back, "Kuch nahi hua, kuch nahi hua baby ko... dekho, mumma papa aapke paas hain."

Her wailing didn't stop.

"Naina, humein isse doctor ke paas le jaana chahiye." Sameer was distraught with tension.

Naina didn't know what to do. Sana's shrill cries were scaring her as well.

However, by the time they reached the pediatrician's clinic, she was back to her normal self, trying to check out the new surroundings.

The doctor checked her once, and assured them that she wasn't hurt in any manner.

"Bachhon ki body bohot flexible hoti hai. Aksar iss tarah bed se girne par sirf halki fulki soojan hoti hai aur kuch nahi. Abhi iski bones naram hain isliye unpe asar nahi hota. Lekin fir bhi, aap log khyal rakhna. Koshish karna ki bed pe kuch laga de side pe ya koi iske saath rahe." He explained to anxious parents.

Naina was still worried, "Agar koi chot nahi hai toh yeh itna ro khon rahi thi? Hamari beti zyada roti nahi hai... aur itni zor se toh kabhi nahi."

Doctor smiled at her, "Yeh sirf shock se ro rahi thi. Aur ab jaise jaise badi hogi iska rona pehle se tez hoga. Lekin har baar rone ka matlab koi takleef nahi hota... kabhi kabhi yeh sirf aap logo ka attention lene ke liye royegi."

Sameer was perplexed, "Lekin humein kaise pata chalega ki iska rona kis liye hai?"

Doctor tickled the baby in her mom's lap. She gave him a big smile.

He looked up at Sameer, "Aap khud samajh jayenge kuch dinon mein. Parents apne bachhon ki har baat pehchan lete hain."

Sameer was still confused over this while driving back.

"Doctor ne theek kaha hai, Sameer. Jaise mujhe pata chal jaata hai jab Sana pet dard se roti hai waise hi aage jaake iski zid wali awaaz ko bhi hum pehchan lenge. Jis din tum pehli baar office gaye the, yeh saara din royi thi, lekin mujhe aur bua dadi ko samajh aa gaya tha ki isse koi dard nahi hai. Bas asli kaaran samajhne mein time lag gaya kyonki pata nahi tha ki itne chote bachche bhi kisi ko miss kar sakte hain." Naina recalled how worried she had been.

Sameer glanced at their little doll. Sitting peacefully with Naina, she was staring at him. The moment he smiled at her, she let out a sharp, happy cry, wriggling to come to him.

Wanted to add some more but it has already become quite long and it's past my regular time of posting so we'll continue with the scene tomorrow