Title is the song 'Pehli baar hai' from movie 'Dhadak'

The moment all of them entered the mall, Sameer was worried. Though it was barely past noon, being Saturday, the mall seemed fairly crowded.

He pointedly directed Deepika, "Be careful. Ayush ko apne saath rakhna. And don't just run into any shop without telling us."

She gave him a weird look, but nodded. After instructing Ayush to keep holding Deepika's hand all the time, he turned to Preeti, "Arhaan ko main le lun? Tum comfortably shopping kar lo."

"Main comfortable hun. Ab aadat ho gayi hai. Waise bhi pehle iss chotu ki hi shopping karni hai." Preeti placed a palm over the harness. As she mentioned, she appeared quite at ease.

When he clutched Naina's hand, drawing her closer, she couldn't help but smile, "Sameer, hum mall mein hain, mele mein nahi jo tum itni tension le rahe ho."

He looked around in disapproval, "Mele jaisa hi lag raha hai. Itne saare logon ko ek saath shopping kyon karni hai?"

She shrugged as her gaze checked their surroundings, "Abhi kahan zyada log hain. Saturday hai toh itne dikhenge hi na. Lunch ke baad se crowd hona shuru hoga, maybe after four, like all weekends and holidays."

He frowned, "Tum sab jaldi se apni shopping kar lo. Hum chaar baje se pehle pehle nikal jayenge."

"Tum kya first time aaye ho mall mein? Hamesha itna hi crowd hota hai." Naina chuckled, "In fact, mujhse tum issi mall mein mile the pehli baar. Yaad hai?"

He glanced at her, his eyes softening, "Bhool sakta hun kya? Sabne kitna tease kiya tha ki tumne seedhe mere dil pe apna nishan choda hai." Mischief sparkled in his eyes, "Sach batana, tumne jaan ke kiya tha na... itna handsome ladka dekh ke socha hoga kya karun ki yeh mujhe attention de... isliye meri white tshirt pe chocolate ice cream se attack kar diya."

She raised her brows, "Maine? Are you crazy? Maine toh dekha tak nahi tha tumhe. Daag lagne ke baad bhi sirf tumhari tshirt pe dhyan gaya, tumhari shakl tak nahi dekhi thi."

He pressed her hand slightly, lowering his voice, "Lekin maine dekha tha tumhe. Shakl nahi dikhi par notice kiya tha. Mujhe pata nahi tha tum kaun ho par tum... bohot pretty lagi thi mujhe, unn shorts mein."

Her eyes narrowed, "Tum aise ghoorte the kya ladkiyon ko? Sar se pair tak?"

He quickly pinched his throat, "I swear maine kabhi kisi ko nahi ghoora. Mujhe toh pata tak nahi chalta tha aas paas koi ladki hai."

"Phir uss din kaise pata chal gaya?" She huffed.

He winked, "Shayad koi ishara tha. Dil ko pata chal gaya tha ki yehi ladki kuch dinon mein mujhe apne liye pagal karne wali hai... poori life ke liye."

Her faint blush and pleasant smile was refreshing. Her calmness at his teasing was heartwarming. Not once her eyes had a hint of shadows of past. Even when he said that she intentionally marked his tshirt, she replied casually, without clarifying that she did not look at any men. It was an achievement of sorts that swelled up his heart.

Preeti called out from two steps ahead, "Naina, let's check this store."

And they all went in a large store which had everything in soft, pastel colours... in tiny sizes.

Ayush picked a jacket, his eyes wide, "Itna small? Isme toh mera hand jayega hi nahi." He tried to push his fisted hand through the small opening of its sleeve.

Deepika sniggered, "Tere liye hai hi nahi toh hand kaise jayega buddhu. Babies ka size hai yeh. Tu baby hai toh try kar le." She flicked one brow in challenge.

Ayush eyed the jacket, then rolled his eyes, "Main apne liye thodi dekh raha hun. Arhaan ke liye bol raha tha, buddhu Deepu bua." Deepika chuckled at his attempt to hide his ignorance after he jogged away to show the jacket to Preeti.

Sameer had the same expression as Ayush when he pointed out a dress to Naina, "Itna chota thodi ho sakta hai baby. Yeh doll ke kapde honge."

Preeti gave him a weary look, "Tum aur Rohan ek jaise ho. Usse bhi Arhaan zyada hi chota lagta tha. Shuru mein pediatrician se baar baar puchta tha koi problem toh nahi hai. Doctor ne badi mushkil se samjhaya ki bachhe itne hi hote hain. Arhaan toh normal healthy baby hai warna kuch bachhe aur bhi chote dikhte hain."

Sameer scratched his chin thoughtfully, "Main bhi itna sa hi tha kya? Aur Rohan bhi?"

Preeti let out a teasing laugh, "Nahi, tum dono bhai toh God's gift ho, seedhe import hue the issi size mein. Album mein pictures nahi dekhi kya apne bachpan ki?"

Naina laughed along with Preeti while Sameer smiled sheepishly, "Nahi main toh bas... I was just wondering ki ek din Arhaan bhi itna bada ho jayega."

Preeti lovingly gazed at her baby, "Tab tak hum sab buddhe ho jayenge."

Dragging her to the shelves of stacked rompers, Naina uttered, "Iss speed se shopping hui toh yahin buddhe ho jayenge. Chal ab baatein band kar aur dekh tujhe kya kya lena hai."

About half an hour later, when they were done with baby shopping, they all moved to a store which had a collection of clothes for all ages. When Naina found Deepika interested in a dress, she urged her to try it, along with few more outfits.

"Bhabhi, mummy ne aur shopping ke liye manaa kiya hai. Unhone kaha tha ab jab college reopen hoga tabhi kuch aur lena hai." Deepika sadly put the clothes away.

Naina smiled, "Mummy ko bolungi maine insist kiya. Tum try karo. Bohot achhi dress hai, baad mein yeh design nahi mila toh?"

Thrilled, Deepika rushed to the trial room with it. Naina chose a few clothes for Ayush. She didn't need to try it on him as she knew the size well. After Deepika had selected what she liked, Naina checked on Preeti who was confused between two outfits.

"Bataa na Naina, kaunsi dress mein kam moti lagungi." She held up both hangers.

Taking the dresses from her, Naina placed them in a shopping trolley, "Dono try kar le. Jo pasand aaye woh lena. Arhaan ko mujhe dede."

Preeti dropped the harness in her trolley when Naina said she didn't want to wear it. With Arhaan in her arms, she settled on a chair close to trial room. Sameer had been checking some tshirts in mens section when he recalled Naina's words... she needed some bigger size clothes. He peered in the direction of women's wear. When his eyes couldn't reach her, he dumped the tshirts in hand and rushed out, only to find her in front of the trial room.

She was seated with one arm looped to hold Arhaan who rested in her lap. She was touching his cheek repeatedly, whispering something to him with an indulgent smile on her face. Sameer stopped. It was too beautiful a sight to disturb. She would say something, then remove her fingers from baby's face. Arhaan would squeal, and throw his legs. He would again go still when she repeated the gesture of touching and speaking. Then let out a delighted cry, pumping his small hands and legs in air when she moved her hand away.

A smile erupted on Sameer's face. He had seen Naina with Ayush since the boy was five years old. He had even marvelled how she tended to all his needs without being asked. Since then, he knew she would be a wonderful mother. But things went a different way...

Shaking his head to stop his mind from wavering, he focussed on the serene picture in front of him. She looked like a perfect mother, making her baby smile even when he didn't understand whatever she was mumbling to him. The baby didn't need a language. Love was same everywhere probably... whatever the relation. There was no need for words. He could imagine her talking to two babies, simultaneously. He could even see both flailing their tiny limbs, letting out excited gurgles.

"Naina, yeh dekh." Preeti's voice put a brake on his thoughts. She stood in a dress, a little unsure it seemed.

He walked upto them, as Naina admired the outfit, "Perfect lag rahi hai tujhpe."

"Really?" Preeti looked down at herself.

Sameer chipped in, "Ismein tum college wali Preeti lag rahi ho."

Her eyes lit up, "Sachhi? Phir main yehi lungi."

After she went back to change, Naina looked at him, "That was sweet."

He settled on the chair next to her, "Mujhe Rohan ne bataya tha Preeti thodi insecure hone lagi hai kyonki ab tak usne weight lose nahi kiya. Honestly, Preeti kabhi conscious nahi thi looks ya appearance ke baare mein. Par aaj aisa nahi laga. Isliye maine thoda assurance de diya."

Naina took a deep breath, "Tumhe pata hai pregnancy aur child birth aurat ke liye sirf ek process ya event nahi hai. It's life changing. Jab ek aurat pregnant hoti hai toh uski body mein itne saare changes aate hain ki woh bhool hi jaati hai pehle kaisi dikhti thi. Internally bhi itna kuch badalta hai ki jo ab tak normal lagta tha woh sab mushkil ho jaata hai. Iske alava, mental aur phycological effects usse drain kar dete hain. Hormonal changes ki wajah se mood swings, strong likes dislikes... kabhi kabhi depression bhi ho jaata hai."

"Depression?" Sameer was shocked, "Itni khushi ki baat pe depression kyon hota hai?"

She smiled, "Ek saath itne saare changes se deal karna aasan nahi hota. Aur jab morning sickness, indigestion, acidity, backache sab ek saath hota hai toh khushi jaisa kuch dimaag mein nahi aata."

"Lekin Preeti toh ab uss stage se nikal chuki hai." He asked in confusion.

Naina nodded, "Preeti ki woh stage chali gayi hai. Lekin yeh feeling baby ke aane ke baad bhi rehti hai. Arhaan ke born hone ke baad kuch time uski haalat bhi theek nahi thi. Raat bhar na so paana, Arhaan ko feed karana, uski care karne ki anxiety ki kahin kuch galat na ho jaaye... sab bohot tiring toh tha hi saath mein apne pains aur fatigue se bhi pareshan thi. Main kuch zyada help nahi kar paayi kyonki mujhe itna nausea hota tha. Mummy ne bataya tha Preeti kabhi kabhi ro padti thi. Lekin dheere dheere woh theek ho rahi hai. Yeh jo appearance ko lekar uski tension hai, yeh bhi normal hai. Ab tum ladkon mein toh koi change aata nahi. Pati bano ya papa, aise hi dikhte rehte ho, lekin hum ladkiyan baby aane ke baad change ho jaati hain isliye darr lagta hai ki sab pehle jaisa pyar karenge ya nahi."

"Pyar kyon nahi karenge Naina? Balki sab log Preeti se aur bhi zyada pyar karne lage hain." He was sure of this.

"Pata hai Sameer. Isiliye maine kaha yeh sirf khud ke andar ki insecurity hoti hai. Dimag jaanta hai aisa kuch nahi hai par dil mein ajeeb ajeeb se khyal aate rehte hain." She explained.

"Toh unn khyalon ko ussi time sabko bata ke clear kar lena chahiye. Jisse koi doubt na rahe." He offered what seemed a good solution.

Naina shook her head, "Itna easy nahi hota. Aisi state mein dil bohot vulnerable ho jaata hai. Bina kisi se share kiye bas khud ko pity ya blame karte rehte hain. Aur jab dil bhar aata hai toh ro dete hain. Lekin yeh saare changes temporary hain. Dheere dheere theek ho jaate hain."

Sameer was astounded at this revelation. He could never fathom someone like Preeti sad and depressed. But she did go through that phase, and he did not even get an inkling of it, living in the same house. What all Naina had explained made pregnancy sound a very complicated experience. Was Naina also going through such emotions? If yes, how was he to deal with it? How could he make the whole journey better for her. He could not do anything about physical aspect, but maybe he could make her emotional suffering and psychological fears lesser.

"Aww, tum dono kitne cute lag rahe ho aise Arhaan ke saath." Once again, Preeti pulled him out of his introspection. She brought up her phone, "Ek picture lene do. Sab bachhe bade ho jayenge toh unko guessing game khilwayenge ki kaunsi picture mein kaunsa baby hai."

"Pagal hai tu." Naina chuckled, but posed for the picture, leaning over Sameer's shoulder as she held Arhaan closer to her.

Sameer carefully looked at Preeti. Her vibrancy and cheerfulness was still the same. If someone like her could get so melancholic, Naina was weighed down by baggage from past as well. He panicked, wondering how he would help her get through this period.

Deepika offered to get the billing done, and Sameer gratefully handed her the card. In his turmoil, he forgot to ask Naina to get something for herself.

They decided to have lunch at one of the popular joints. Silly teasings of Deepika, innocent queries of Ayush, Preeti's chirpy one liners and Naina's unrestrained laughter changed his musings soon. Seeing all of them happy, he found himself feeling lighter and enjoying the lunch.

"Bhai, aap log yahin ruko main Ayush ke saath doughnuts pack karwa ke laati hun." Deepika slipped out of her seat, pulling Ayush along.

Sameer was about to stop her but Naina held his hand under the table, smiling at Deepika, "Be careful."

Showing a thumbs up sign, Deepika dashed out of the restaurant with Ayush in tow. Sameer gave Naina an uncertain look. She blinked her eyes in assurance.

In less than fifteen minutes, the kids were back, holding a large paper bag, their faces adorned with wide smiles.

"Ab chalen? Chaar bajne wale hain." Sameer checked the time.

Preeti looked at Naina, "Arre Naina, tune toh kuch liya hi nahi. Tujhe bhi toh shopping karni thi na."

"Arre haan Naina." Sameer frowned as realisation hit him, "Tumko lar..." His words died down when he felt Naina grip his leg tight.

Smiling at Preeti, she said, "Main next time le lungi. Aaj late ho raha hai. Arhaan ko bhi neend aane lagi hai."

The tiny gesture of interruption didn't go unnoticed from Preeti. She looked at Deepika, "Deepu, apna licence laayi hai?"

"Of course bhabhi. Wallet mein rehta hai hamesha." Deepika patted her handbag.

Preeti turned to Sameer, "Main Deepu aur Ayush ke saath ghar chali jaati hun tum log apni shopping kar lo. Harish ko car leke bhej dungi wapas. Phir pata nahi kab time milega aane ka."

He was apprehensive, "Deepu tujhe mummy ki car ki aadat hai. Meri car chala legi?"

She waved her hand horizontally, "Makhan ki tarah bhai. Rohan bhai ki car toh bohot baar chalati hun."

Naina gave a concerned look to Arhaan, "Nahi Preeti hum bhi chalte hain."

Preeti held up her hands, "Relax. Jab tak ghoom sakti hai enjoy kar le. Aage aage toh tujhe pata hi hai. Na energy hogi na dil karega."

The plan was eventually finalised according to Preeti's idea. Sameer fished out the parking ticket and handed to Deepika, instructing her to be cautious in her driving as Arhaan was with them. After seeing them off till the elevator, he turned to Naina, "Ab batao, large size ke kapde lene wali baat pe kya objection tha tumhe."

She flushed. Earlier when she was with Preeti in the ladies section, Preeti had pointed to the intimate apparel enclosure, nudging her, "Yeh bhi large size mein le lena. Warna baad mein Sameer ko size bata ke mangwane padenge."

She had smacked Preeti's arm, "Tune Rohan se mangwaye the kya?"

Preeti grinned, "My dear, Preeti ki foresight ko aap jaante nahi ho. Maine toh starting mein hi poora stock leke rakh liya tha."

Naina marvelled at the planning, "Wow. I must say, kamaal ki foresight hai. Par pata nahi kyon, teri nahi lag rahi."

Preeti first gave her a hurt look, then smiled sheepishly, "Meri mummy ne bola tha."

Naina chuckled, "Hmm. Bela aunty ki foresight bol phir toh."

"Well, unka experience kehna better hoga." Preeti winked.

Sameer prodded her, "Bolo na Naina. Tumhe large size ki tshirts leni hai yeh baat Preeti ko batane mein kya problem thi?"

She held his arm and dragged him towards a store, "Kuch nahi. Bas main apni shopping ke baare mein baat nahi karna chahti thi. Chalo ab."

He rolled his eyes. Pregnancy really brought some strange changes.

Next update on Sunday