Ft. ||S H I V A A Y

Life has been hell crazy.

Seven years ahead. It's better now.

Now things are going smoothly without any hurdles and I'm scared if it turns the same. Though I'm stronger, mentally prepared for everything coming into my life.

I'm not alone.

I have my favourites.

"Bade papa! Cake." A little arm tugged my hem of night kurta. I turned to my niece, Ahaana. She is Rudra and Bhavya's only daughter.

"Aap ko cake chaiye?" I asked kneeling to her height. She energetically nodded her small neck in affirmative. I pulled her into my arms and carried her to the dining room.

She kept on blabbering. About her friends, the Disney Princess she is fond of. At intervals, I nodded with a smile, acknowledging that I'm listening to her.

Her curly hair bounced as she squealed mentioning her father. Her blown doe shaped eyes narrowed, her button nose scrunched while complaining of her dad to me. She is exactly like Rudra. Notorious and himself a dramatic person. Though Ahaana had few features of Bhavya, she was mostly a carbon copy of Rudra.

Ahaana was staying with us for a few days, as Bhavya recently got transferred to Kolkata. And Rudra and she wanted to adjust well before taking her. So hence she is here. I had even asked Om and Gauri to send their kids here, seeing all were here and would have fun. But they declined it.

After all the secrets outs, they are distancing. Although I  didn't mind, I think we should never spoil kids minds. Even if we aren't in the best relationship we can't force our kids.

"Do dogs celebrate birthdays?" Ahaana asked gripping my neck as she clung to me like a moth.

"They don't celebrate. We celebrate it for them." I answered while placing her on her feet on the ground. She raised both eyebrows and looked at me with utter confusion.

"So you say Zuri, Simba and Charlie were born on the same day?" She tapped her index finger on her small chin. So it was reminded me of Rudra. He was the same, dramatic but understanding at times.

"No... No. Zuri was brought a year before Simba and Charlie. I and your badi mom, have been celebrating for years." I tried my best at explaining her, hoping she would grasp it.

Simba and Charlie are new sweeties after Zuri. Simba is now 6 years old Siberian Husky. He is cute but very jealous of both Zuri and Charlie. Simba has been my good canine companion since then. Whereas Charlie is dangerously possessive she-dog, a golden retriever. She and Zuri get along too well. She has some enmity with Simba at times but that is forgotten when they play together.

My family has grown from two to six. Me, Annika, Zuri, Simba, Charlie and our newest member.

My son.

He is 4 months old. Annika calls him 'Boo bear'. We have named him Abhimanyu, which means Self-respect, Passionate, Heroic. On the other hand, he was the son of Arjun from Mahabharata.

Our pregnancy was tough. Not because of sickness. But because of the pandemic, the rise of the Covid-19 virus, the lockdown all affected us badly. We had no elders to support us, Chachi Ji had shifted to Delhi for Sahil's education and couldn't visit us. And Anuradha aunty was connected to us through face time, considering her and Annika's past relationship.

Healthwise too, it was hard as Annika was nearing her forties and I had crossed it. Without house helps it was a tough time sustaining our pets and ourselves. But all those difficulties seemed to be diminished as I held my son in my arms.

He was a pandemic baby, but thankfully healthy with about 3.4 kgs. It was a surprise to me, considering that Annika had reduced her intake of food. She was too selective and also rejected the food I prepared, reasonably I couldn't even help her by ordering food from a restaurant. My son was born chubby. With jet black eyes, which twinkled mischievously.  His eyelashes were pitch black and at the same time thick. I wonder how he got those, which I nor Annika have.  As of now, he looks like Annika when she was a baby herself, not my words but Anuradha aunty's.

On top of it, I had contracted the virus just after 2 months, Abhi was born. Annika was alone with the newborn, well I indeed missed them. I was scared about his and Annika's health, thankfully by gods grace they were safe. It took almost 3 weeks for me to get negative results.

Gradually we have discovered to lead our life without others assistance. The virus is getting weaker day by day, hopefully, it vanishes faster. Our pets were with Khanna and Mitali when we all were struck out in that ambush.

Today as every year we are celebrating our canine companions birthday. This day years back we had Simba and Charlie, so Annika suggested celebrating every year on memory.

The balloons were blown, dog and cat-friendly cakes were ordered. Gifts to them were all prepared. We were waiting only waiting for my son and Annika. And obviously the birth boys and girl.

From the start of our pregnancy, our pets were unusually always behind Annika. They even started jumping on her. It was only after a few weeks we got to know that Annika was pregnant and they sensed some changes in her smell and hormones. At particular times, they didn't even let me be with Annika. They constantly expected to be with her, snuggling into her or lying on her belly. Though at the start I was scared about the heavyweight on her, perhaps, doctors said it was fine only up to a certain mass. Zuri was found lucky and gladly took advantage of it.

"Shibi, fast papa is calling," Avi called out. He is Khanna's elder son. When he was a toddler he had a pronunciation problem, for which he still calls me 'Shibi' instead of Shivi. It's kind of funny.

"Coming Avi. Ahaana you go play with Saanvi." I let her go. Saanvi was again, Khanna's daughter.

I'm so jealous of all. Almost all are having a daughter. Rudra has one. Omkara and Gauri have two. Misha and Ananya. Even Khanna has.

Actually, I wanted one too. I was sure that, Abhi was a girl but at the last moment he decided to change and disappoint his father. I just hope that the clothes I brought don't go in vain, at least for my future daughter.

Well never mind.

"Done," Khanna announced as he blew air into the grey metallic colour balloon and tossed it back. He grinned seeing me so messed up.

"Shivaay are the birthday kids ready." Vipul uncle asked annoyingly. He was nice to Charlie but she and her team weren't. They don't like visitors. I laughed at his expense.

"Yea, Uncle. I got up morning to wash them and to be frank, it was hard considering Zuri. They are in our room staring my son and wife get ready." I chuckled rewinding the scene a few minutes back in my room.

Though, we aren't allowing them to be in close contact with Abhi, thinking because of allergies to fur. But Abhi enjoyed their company, all would surround him as he lay in the bed and look at him with protecting sense.

I snap my head hearing the bark. Charlie walked out of the room with dominance radiating, and the funny thing was Zuri laid on her back as she walked. Zuri is utterly lazy, he doesn't even walk around. Not the least Simba walked behind Annika, as if protecting her from all possible threats.

Annika wore a mustard tunic coloured Anarkali with loose red office pants. Cradling our son, who was in a grey jumper she made a lavish entry with our canine kids.

"Even we are done." Mitali and Anuradha aunty pulled the trolley from the kitchen which had cakes especially prepared for them.

We all gathered surrounding them. Khanna held his phone to take pictures of them, I know he won't get any opportunities to take them. As I said, without giving time to click the pictures or waiting for the birthday song both the dogs attacked the cakes. Leaving them damaged and it looked like mashed potatoes.

"I knew this," I mumbled.

As expected, Zuri was too lazy to even join them. He stayed looking for his usual treat. A can of Tuna.

"Tiger take it." Annika passed Abhi to me and brought him the can full of Tuna. She still calls him tiger.

Many aspects have changed but her.

She is the same as my old Annika when she met me as the wedding planner.

Perhaps her relationship with her mother didn't move an inch forward. She still loathes her, but she tries to be more civic and politely.

This was my life.

I missed many to gain something.

I earned my trust. I earned my wife.

*****

••E N D••

Haha, lovelies. Here is the epilogue.
Please don't go on logical dates analysis. Take it cool. I really wanted to show this pandemic.

I missed Avi. So he is back.

Hope you all like it.

Thank you all for your support, and hopefully, let's meet in the next book of mine if any.

31 Jan 21

Please go check my newest book on Shivaay and Annika  in my profile. It's no where related to original show plot. Give a chance.

"His Unexpected Crazy Wife."

https://www.wattpad.com/1184694904?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_published&wp_page=create_on_publish&wp_uname=ErraticChand-p&wp_originator=nlCU5MftUaLR4Ub5jkDargWfqLOeyeOrIwpZt%2Be95O57jW35VHKBfnKyff3fBcU3vwU8mrV4ZSeoHfe8hIjXlbNmKAFoQrEGcLfvkarFO7L4TTpYk8JEhRPkyF9by%2FLJ

Bye.
:-P