The surprises were not over for them, Sameer and Naina realised as they entered their room. A beautiful baby crib was placed next to their bed, all set with a small mattress, sheets and blanket.

Naina looked back at Preeti, "Yeh bhi?"

Preeti grinned, "Aur nahi toh kya? Sabke paas apni jagah hai toh hamare chote hero ko uska haq kyon na mile."

Swati went to Sameer, "Lao Sameer, main isse iske bed mein sula deti hun."

The cot was big and spacious and the tiny little form looked too small in it.

Naina chuckled, "Chote hero ko abhi se haq jatana nahi aata."

"Lekin uske papa ko aata hai. Tum bohot der se khadi ho. Chalo, tumhe aaram karna hai. Baaki saari baatein let ke bhi ho sakti hain." Sameer held Naina's shoulders and made her sit on the bed, placing a pillow behind her.

Munna picked up Avni who had just sauntered in and was tugging at his leg to show the baby to her, "Swati, yaar humko bhi ab chalna chahiye. Warna bachhe bhabhi ko rest nahi karne denge."

He took his daughter to the crib, lowering her a little to show that the baby was sleeping.

"Muje bhi chaiye." Avni pouted at her dad.

Munna scrunched his nose, "Arre beta, tere paas Arnav hai toh sahi."

"Nai muje small wala chaiye." Avni pointed at the baby.

Others started to laugh as Swati tried to hush her up.

Pandit sniggered at Munna, "Bhai lagta hai agla chakkar tu lagwayega hospital ka."

Munna gave him an earnest look, "Na bhai, badi mushkil se ab jaake chain ki neend sone lage hain... warna saari raat kabhi ek ko kabhi doosre ko jhulate rehte the main aur Swati. Apna toh iss janam ka quota ho gaya. Swati, ho gaya na?"

Swati swatted his arm and took Avni from him, "Faaltu mat bolo. Chalo ab. Naina aur Sameer ko aaram karne do."

Pandit narrowed his eyes, "Bhabhi ka toh theek hai par Sameer ne aisa kya kiya hai?"

Swati glared at him, "Sameer bhi kal subah se hospital mein hi hai na... thak nahi gaya hoga? Tum dono ko kuch bhi samjhana kitna mushkil hai."

Munna leaned towards her, giving a lopsided smile, "Tu bas mujhe samjha de... main jaldi seekh jaunga."

Swati gave him a wide, fake smile, "Ghar chalo, fir achhe se sikhati hun."

Munna rolled his eyes, "Ab toh jaana hi padega, bhaiyon... warna yahin pit jaunga, sabke saamne."

Though Sameer and Ramdhari insisted that they all have dinner together but the four of them refused, saying that kids would not let Naina and baby take rest, which was most important for them at the moment. Preeti offered to keep Sana with her for another day but Sameer said he would take care of her.

After a simple dinner for father and daughter, and a bowl of khichdi for Naina, Ramdhari brought a tall glass of turmeric milk for her.

"Kal jab humne malkin ko phone kiya toh unhone kaha tha aapko kuch din haldi wala doodh dena hai, din mein ek baar." He explained.

Naina had spoken to Vishakha during the day and all seemed to be normal. She was under the effect of painkillers the previous day hence it slipped her mind but the mention again reminded her of Sameer's reaction.

After Ramdhari left, she turned to Sameer who was putting Sana to sleep. She waited till her daughter was comfortably in her bed.

"Sameer, tumne kal khud mummy ko phone kyon nahi kiya?" She asked.

Sameer looked up sharply, taken aback by her sudden question, "Bataya toh tha, battery nahi thi."

"Idhar aao." She gestured at him.

He hesitated when she asked him to put his head in her lap. She blinked in assurance. Sameer gingerly placed his head on her folded legs, closing his eyes as her warmth seeped through him.

She weaved her fingers in his hair, her voice as soft as her touch,  "Mummy ki majboori ko galat mat samjho. Nidhi ko unki zyada zaroorat hai. Pichle saal ke miscarriage ke baad Nidhi ki yeh pregnancy aasan nahi hai. Woh bed rest pe hai. Aise mein mummy usko chod ke kaise aa sakti thi? Jabse Nidhi ki maa ki death hui hai, woh darne lagi hai, isliye mummy ka uske paas rehna aur bhi zaroori tha. Sameer, mujhe toh aisi koi problem thi nahi. Bua dadi ne bhi kaha tha woh chachiji ko bhej dengi jab mera bp low hua tha, lekin maine mana kar diya. Tum mere saath ho toh mujhe sach mein kuch nahi hoga. Chachiji, mummy, bua dadi... inn sabne saath na hote hue bhi har pal hamare liye prarthana ki hogi, hamari salamati ke liye bhagwanji se sau tarah ke prashad chadhane ki maanat maangi hogi. Tum iss baat ke liye kisi ko dosh mat do."

He stared at her serene face. There was no resentment, no disappointment. She thought about everyone from their own point of view... not how she wanted to see them. She kept everyone else's needs before hers.

"Oh Naina, tum itni achhi kyon ho!" He put a hand behind her head and brought her face down to place a delicate kiss on her chin.

"Tum apne mann mein kisi ke liye koi kadwahat mat lao. Mummy se thoda bohot gussa dikhana haq hai tumhara. Bas dil mein fir se unke liye deewar mat banao. Sab pyar karte hain humse. Humein toh iss baat ki khushi honi chahiye ki hamare saath sab normal tha. Choti moti takleef koi takleef nahi hoti... woh toh bas zindagi ka tareeka hota hai humein ahsaas dilane ka ki jo hamare achhe pal hain humein unki qadr karni chahiye. Isliye tum bhi kuch aisa mat socho. Mujhe mera Sameer hansta aur shararat karta hua achha lagta hai... aise udaas aur naaraz nahi." She continued to thread her fingers in his hair, bunching them lightly in between as she knew how much he loved it.

The tightness that he had been feeling in his heart since two days melted away at her words. It was true that Nidhi's pregnancy was very complicated. Rohan had even broken down once, while talking to him on phone. Her previous miscarriage and sudden death of her mother after a viral infection had made Nidhi a quiet person. She seemed to have lost her chirpiness and vibrancy. Rohan told Sameer that she was very apprehensive this time as well. Only because of Vishakha's affection and care had she been keeping a brave front. Suddenly, Sameer felt guilty for keeping such thoughts about Vishakha and wanting to take her away when Rohan and Nidhi needed her support both physically and emotionally.

"Naina, woh main..." He pursed his lips, raising his gaze to her.

She placed a finger on his lips, smiling, "Maine aisa chehra banane ko bhi nahi bola. Ismein tumhari galti nahi hai... tum ho hi chote bachhe jaise masoom jiska dil har baat pe foran machal jaata hai."

He wrinkled his nose, "Mera dil chota hi hai, tumhari tarah bade dil wala nahi hun main."

She pinched his nose, "Apne dil jaise chote hi ho tum... chote bachhe."

His hand, that was still behind her head, brought her face down with a swift jerk... and he pecked her lips.

"Itna bhi chota bachha nahi hun ki tum bewakoof bana sako. Mera meetha toh leke rahunga. Aur aaj toh double khushi hai... isliye double meetha." He smirked at her startled expression.

"Double khushi?" She straightened.

He got up quickly, sitting on his folded knees, "Ek, hamare bete ke aane ki aur doosri, hamara parivar complete hone ki... main, tum, parivar toh ho gaya, ab thoda sa pyar bhi... bas thoda sa."

She could not stop a spurt of laugh at his way of asking... as if a child was asking for a piece of chocolate.

"Hansi toh phansi." He winked, and cupped her face to give her a soft, slow but deep kiss.

"Dekho, mujhe pata hai ki tumhare liye mujh jaise handsome pati se door rehna kitna mushkil hai par abhi tumhe aaram ki zaroorat hai. Isliye ab achhe bachhon ke jaise so jao." Still breathing hard, he moved back, and made her lie down on the pillow, adjusting the quilt around her.

Smiling at his self obsession and his care at the same time, she closed her eyes as he patted her head softly.

Next couple of days were a little difficult for Naina as she was more weak than she was at the time of Sana's birth. Dr Shaila told her it was because of the induced labour, but was normal. The supplements she had been prescribed made her feel better after about two weeks.

"Mumma, hum chotu ko chotu hi bolenge kya?" Sana asked one day, kneeling next to her baby brother.

"Toh kya bolna hai tumhe?" Naina was changing baby's clothes.

Sana turned her face towards the ceiling, scrunching her nose and eyes to think of some name.

"Idea!" She beamed suddenly, making the baby look at her with unblinking eyes.

Naina flicked up her brows.

"Hum iska naam Salman Khan rakh dete hain." Sana squealed.

Sameer, who had just entered the room, got the shock of his life. It looked like both his girls had the same weapon to make him jealous.

"Nahi. Chotu ka naam hum uske naamkaran mein rakhenge. Aur iss baar main decide karunga." He announced to them, making them turn to look at him.

While Naina stifled her smile at his flaring nostrils, Sana innocently ran to him, holding his hand, "Kyon papa, achha name toh hai. Salman Khan kitne achhe hain... same naam hone se chotu bhi unke jaisa hi dikhega."

"Kyon, main achha nahi hun?" Sameer frowned at his daughter.

Sana slapped her forehead, "Buddhu papa, aap toh sabse achhe ho. Par hum chotu ka naam Sameer Maheshwari kaise rakh sakte hain? Woh toh uske papa ka hai na... dono ka same same hua toh kaise pata chalega mumma kisko bula rahi hain?"

His ego satisfied, he scooped up Sana in his arms, a grin spreading on his face, "Sabse achha hun? Salman Khan se bhi?"

"Haan." Sana dipped her head to the side, matter of factly.

He kissed both her cheeks, elated.

Same evening, a call from Delhi announced the birth of Rohan and Nidhi's daughter, bringing more cheer to the family as both, the baby and Nidhi, were absolutely fine. A week later, Vishakha finally came over to visit them when Nidhi was taken to her maternal house by her chachi.

"Sameer, yeh toh bilkul tumhare jaisa dikhta hai. Aankhon mein waisi hi shararat nazar aati hai." Vishakha exclaimed when she saw the little boy for the first time.

Naina chuckled, "Thode dinon mein harkaton mein bhi shararat nazar aane lagegi."

Sana climbed her grandmother's lap, as Sameer watched with a contented smile, "Dadima, papa ne kaha tha aap aaoge tab chotu ka name rakhenge. Batao kya rakhein?"

Vishakha fondly looked at her, "Best name toh tumhari mumma hi rakh sakti hain, jaise tumhara rakha. Unse hi pucho."

All three turned to Naina.

She nervously glanced at Sameer before looking at Vishakha, "Mummy, maine kuch socha hai... lekin aapko theek na lage toh please bata dena. Woh maine... main chahti thi ki..."

Vishakha was surprised, "Naina, aisa kya naam hai jisse bolne mein tumhe itni ghabrahat ho rahi hai?"

Sameer was equally confounded, "Naina, bolo na. Tumne jo bhi socha hai achha hi hoga."

With the assurance from both, she took a deep breath and said, "Jai... Jai Maheshwari."

"Wow, kitna cute name hai. Main abhi Radu chachu ko bata ke aati hun." Sana jumped off a stunned Vishakha's lap and sprinted to the kitchen.

Naina looked at the frozen faces of mother and son, "Woh... woh Sana ko toh chain ke roop mein nanu aur naniji ka aashirvad mil gaya tha, lekin yahan tak ka sochne ka mauka shayad nanu ko nahi mila... isliye mujhe laga unka naam hum apne bete ko deke unka aashirvad usse de sakte hain. Lekin agar aap logon ko yeh galat lagta hai toh..."

Vishakha didn't let her complete, "Bohot achha hai... Jai... Sameer toh pehle hi papa ki parchai hai... aur ab uska beta... naam mein aur kaam mein bilkul papa jaisa banega, iska yakeen ho gaya mujhe. Naina, isse achha naam koi ho hi nahi sakta tha."

Sameer kneeled in front of Naina, taking her hands in his, "Naina, tumne itne kam samay mein nanu ko jitna jaan liya tha utna hi nanu ne tumhe pehchaan liya tha. Isliye, mujhse bhi pehle unhone tumhe mere liye chuna. Unki maujoodgi ka ahsaas toh hamesha mehsoos hota hai par ab unka naam hamare bete ke liye chun ke tum fir se unhe hamare paas le aayi ho. Nanu ne saalon pehle tumhe meri zindagi mein shaamil kiya... tumne aaj nanu ko hamari zindagi mein shaamil kar liya."

Vishakha pulled both of them in her arms, overwhelmed.

The naamkaran ceremony was held a few days later when Anand and Bela returned from Mumbai. Phulla bua still could not come as she was not strong enough to travel. Rakesh came alone as Arjun had gone abroad for a match, along with his wife. The choice of name was applauded by everyone. Sameer was exhilarated as Vishakha stayed with them for almost three weeks, taking care of the baby and fussing over Naina, along with doting over Sana.

Even after she was gone, Naina was able to manage both the children. Sana was always eager to help with all possible things. Sameer, though he was going to office regularly, made it a routine to be back by five in the evening. Bela's advice that she gave at the time of Sana's birth about inculcating a habit of sleeping whole night worked with little Jai as well. Except for getting up for his feed, he slept peacefully through the night.

Maybe it was the influence of an elder sibling or the name he had been given, Jai achieved the milestones much earlier than his sister, and was walking before his first birthday. Speaking, however, took a backseat. He hadn't uttered a single word even when he was one and half.

"Yaar Naina, humein doctor ke paas jaana chahiye kya? Jai toh kuch bolta hi nahi. Iss waqt tak Sana kitne shabd seekh gayi thi." Sameer looked at his son worriedly who was trying to point out to his sister the toys that he wanted.

Naina shook her head, "Uski koi zaroorat nahi hai. Pichle hafte jab isko vaccination ke liye leke gaye the toh bola tha na paediatrician ne ki ladke der se bolna shuru karte hain. Harsh ne bhi toh playschool jaane ke baad theek se baat karna shuru kiya tha. Jai bhi thode din mein bolne lagega."

Sameer looked at the little boy wistfully. Though Sana called him papa the whole day, he was longing to hear the same word from his son's mouth as well.

Next update on Sunday evening