Title is the song 'Itti si hansi' from movie 'Barfi'

Preeti came to Naina's room around midmorning. Sameer had gone out with Ayush and Deepika to get few things for Ayush's holidays homework.

"Naina, kaisa feel kar rahi hai? Tiredness hai kya?" Preeti asked, finding her lying on bed in a kaftan.

Naina opened her eyes, "Oh hi Preeti. Nahi, bilkul tired nahi hun."

Preeti sat on the edge of the bed as Naina pulled herself in sitting position, "Toh Sameer ke saath gayi kyon nahi? Subah usne bola tha tum sab jaoge."

Naina scrunched her nose, "Bahar jaane ka mann nahi tha." She hunched her shoulders, stretching her arms to the sides lazily, "Iss kaftan mein itna comfortable lag raha hai ki change karke bahar ki humidity mein jaane ki himmat hi nahi hui."

Preeti smiled, "I can understand." She opened her mouth, but shut it without saying anything.

Naina sensed her hesitation, "Kuch baat hai kya Preeti?"

"Umm, ek favour chahiye tha par teri iss condition mein..." Preeti looked at her uncertainly.

"Arre toh bol na." Naina straightened, "Main bilkul theek hun."

"Mujhe ek ghante ke liye office jaana hai, Rohan ke saath. Kuch papers pe mere aur Rohan ke signatures chahiye. Lekin mummy papa ghar pe nahi hain. Meri mummy bhi aaj papa ke saath maasi ke ghar gayi hui hain. Arhaan..."

Naina interrupted before she could explain more, "Arhaan ko main dekh lungi. Itni si baat ke liye kya hesitate kar rahi hai."

Preeti shook her head, "Hesitate nahi Naina, main tere upar burden nahi daalna chahti."

Naina gave her a light smack on the head, "Pagal hai kya. Ismein burden jaisa kya hai? Main Arhaan ki maasi bhi hun aur chachi bhi. Toh mera bhi beta hua na. Ya tujhe lagta hai sirf tera hi hai Arhaan."

Preeti returned a similar tap on Naina's head, "Idiot, kuch bhi bolti hai. Tu Sameer ke saath nahi gayi aur yahan leti hui thi toh mujhe laga shayad weak feel kar rahi hai. Isliye pucha. Aur sunn, Arhaan ki upbringing poori ki poori teri responsibility hai. Main aur Rohan toh usse apne jaisa bana denge... crazy. Usse Ayush ke jaisa banana hai aur woh sirf tu kar sakti hai."

Naina smiled.

Preeti placed a hand on her belly, grinning, "Soch le tere twins nahi triplets hain. Inke saath hi Arhaan bhi tera beta hai."

"Woh toh hai hi." Naina said with a proud smile, "Dekh lena, jab girlfriend banayega na toh tujhse pehle mujhe aake batayega."

For a moment, Preeti's eyes widened, then she gave an amused smile, "Baap pe gaya toh poori family ko ek saath bata dega, woh bhi girlfriend ke saamne."

They both burst into laughter, till Rohan knocked at the door, "Preeti, late ho raha hai."

They looked up at the door, and laughed even more.

With Arhaan in his arms, Rohan was standing with a confused expression, till Naina waved at him, "Arhaan ko mujhe de do Rohan."

"Nahi Naina." Preeti stood up, "Yahan nahi, tu hamare room mein aaja. Arhaan ab kabhi kabhi palat jaata hai. Parson bed ke edge pe tha jab maine dekha. Kal hi humne apna bed ek side wall ke against kiya aur doosri side baby rails lagwayi hain."

In their room, Naina watched how Rohan pulled up the rail to make a barrier on the only open edge of the bed. After it was done, he grinned, "Jab aapko iski need hogi mujhe batana bhabhi, main same shop se banwa dunga."

Naina shrugged, "Naya kyon lena. Main yehi le lungi. Tab tak Arhaan ko bed se utarna aa jayega."

Rohan raised one brow suggestively, "Kya pata humein phir se zarurat pad jaaye."

"What??" Naina let out a surprised gasp, her widened eyes moving to Preeti.

A loud smack landed on Rohan's arm, as Preeti scoffed, "Tumhara dimaag toh theek hai?"

Naina narrowed her eyes, a doubt forming in her mind when she noticed Rohan's mischievous grin, "Preeti, are you sure tum dono office jaa rahe ho? Kahin doctor ke paas... another good news..."

"Offo Naina tu kiski baaton mein aa gayi." Preeti said quickly, "Aisa kuch nahi hai. Humein office hi jaana hai."

Rohan chuckled, "Waise maine toh bola Preeti ko... mere aur bhai mein sirf ek saal ka difference hai, like, almost twins... aur aapke toh original twins hain toh kyon nan hum bhi ek saal wali planning kar lein. You know, almost wale twins." He looked at Preeti, "Family tradition samajh ke."

Preeti rolled her fist, glaring at him, "Tum na ab sach mein maar kha jaoge."

By now, Naina had understood he was teasing her, as always. Taking Arhaan in her lap, she gently turned his face to the other side, "Chote bachhe ke saamne itna violence... very bad."

Preeti rolled her eyes, turning to walk out, "Saare ke saare nautanki. Bye, main jaa rahi hun."

Rohan whispered to Naina, "I was kidding bhabhi. Hamara koi plan nahi hai."

She nodded, and he rushed out after his fuming wife, "Preeti, Preetu, darling, suno toh. Sweetie main bas mazaak kar raha tha..."

Naina laughed as his voice faded. Arhaan instantly straightened to look at her. Seeing the wide smile, he giggled. Naina put him back in bed, and flicked his nose, "Tu bhi apne mummy papa pe hans raha hai badmaash."

Arhaan blinked a few times, then let out another chortle. Naina started to talk to him, leaning slightly. Staring at her without moving or blinking, he was an apt listener. Only when she took a pause, he would let out a squeal and kick in air.

When Sameer reached back home, he was worried to find their room vacant. Naina hadn't been downstairs either. He knew his parents were out, nanu was reading the additional weekly section of newspaper, Ayush and Deepika had gone with him. That left only Rohan and Preeti, and Arhaan. He went to check in their room, but halted at the door. There was no one inside but Naina and Arhaan, and they seemed to be in a conversation. A smile spread on his face. She was talking to him as if he could understand everything. She would make faces, squint, frown, pout, shake her head, nod... making Arhaan let out an excited sound from time to time.

He walked in slowly, absorbing the delightful sight. He had just reached halfway when her head jerked in his direction, and her smile widened, "Aa gaye tum?"

"Maine toh koi awaaz nahi ki. Phir tumhe kaise pata chala?" He reached the bed, surprised that she knew of his presence even when she was completely engrossed with the baby.

Naina inhaled deeply, "Tumhari khushbu se."

He gave a crooked smile, "Achha? Door se bhi khushbu pehchaan li?"

Naina picked up Arhaan in her arms, pressing his cheek to hers, "Arhaan, inko bolo tumhari maasi nahi pehchanegi toh kaun pehchanega."

Sameer leaned, placing his palms on the bed, "Arhaan, inko bolo tumhare chachu ko koi aur pehchanne wala chahiye bhi nahi."

Instead of blushing, she frowned, "Buddhu, chachu thodi ho tum. Tum Rohan se bade ho, tauji hue Arhaan ke."

"No way." Sameer straightened, his face twisted in grimace, "Main tauji types lagta hun kya?"

She pursed her lips, nodding at the baby, "Baat toh sahi hai. Tauji thoda..." She scrunched her nose, "...khadus aur buddha sound karta hai na."

Arhaan giggled, then buried his face in her neck.

"He agrees." She flicked her brows.

Sameer was about to sit when he noticed the rail, "Yeh kya hai? Rohan ne koi Lakshman rekha banayi hai kya?"

"Arhaan gir na jaaye uske liye lagwayi hai. Ab yeh roll ho jaata hai." Hearing his name, the baby squealed.

Sameer was excited to see it, "Naina, isse turn karao na. Mujhe dekhna hai."

She gently laid him on the bed, and asked Sameer to move behind the headboard. Then she pointed at him, "Arhaan, dekho tauji... nahi... maasu... nahi... umm, bade papa kahan hai."

The name felt good to Sameer. He called out to the baby from behind. Arhaan tried to search for him first. When he couldn't see, he rolled over, lifting his neck to look at Sameer, and gave a winning smile.

"Arre waah. Ab yeh bohot jaldi chalne bhi lagega." Sameer exclaimed.

"Bade papa, aap sach mein buddhu ho." Naina laughed, "Chalne mein bohot time hai abhi. Movements dheere dheere progress karti hain."

Sameer took off his slippers and jumped over the hinderance to come on the bed. Arhaan again rolled over, his eyes following him. Sameer picked up the baby, smiling at him, "Bade papa achha hai. Tum mujhe yehi bulana."

He flailed his legs, taking Sameer's sleeve in his little fist.

Little later, after Rohan and Preeti were back, Sameer and Naina went to Ayush's room. She found him arranging few things on the floor.

"Yeh kya kar raha hai Ayush?" She eyed the objects, "Yeh sab toh abhi leke aaya hai woh saaman hai na. Neeche kyon rakh raha hai?"

On his knees, Ayush placed what looked like fence, near the box, before replying, "Main set kar raha hun. Deepu bua aur papa ne bola hum lunch ke baad mera model banayenge."

She gave a questioning look to Sameer. He held her shoulders and made her sit on the chair first, then kneeled next to Ayush, "Hamare bete ka idea hai. Holidays homework mein 'Family' topic pe kuch banana tha. Ayush hamare ghar ka model aur sab family members dikhana chahta hai."

Ayush looked up at her, "Main na big wala house banaunga, garden wala. Sabke rooms mein sab log honge... bade dadu garden mein, Ramdhari bhaiya kitchen mein, dadu library mein, dadi maa phone pe baat kar rahi hongi, Rohan chachu aur Preeti maasi Aru ke saath, Deepu bua music sunte hue, aap aur papa bhi honge."

It was such a comforting feeling for Naina that Ayush could visualise so many people in the name of family... something she had never dreamt of earlier. But now, it seemed natural. Ayush was like a magnet of positive energy, that not just made everything around him better, but brought happiness to everyone who were with him.

Smiling lovingly she asked, "Aur tu? Tune apna toh bataya hi nahi ki kya kar raha hai model mein."

"Main toh apne baby brother sister ka dhyan rakh raha hun na." He said matter of factly.

Naina nodded in understanding, "Toh main aur papa kya kar rahe hain?"

"Papa aapka dhyan rakh rahe hain, kyonki aapko rest karna hai." He explained patiently.

She narrowed her eyes, "Lekin babies aa jayenge uske baad mujhe rest kyon karna hai? Tu babies ke saath hai iska matlab unhe hum le aaye hospital se, haina?"

Ayush pondered for a while, then looked at her, "Arre haan. Toh phir hum sab saath mein khelenge. Okay?"

Sameer ruffled his hair, "Perfect. Hum sab saath mein, ek hi room mein."

Ayush grinned, "Haan, phir main unko apne stars dikhaunga, aur drawing bhi sikhaunga, aur tables bhi, aur badminton..."

"Bas bas." Naina chuckled, "Itna saara kaam tu akele kaise karega? Thoda sa hum sikha denge."

"Kyon?" He stood up, with hands on waist, "Main unka big wala bhai hun na. Main hi sikhaunga. Aur main gussa bhi karunga, jaise papa Rohan chachu ko karte hain."

Naina widened her eyes, her gaze moving to Sameer. He held one ear immediately.

Dragging Ayush to himself, he made him sit on his folded leg, "Main Rohan chachu ko pehle gussa nahi karta tha. Jab bade ho jaate hain sirf tab kar sakte hain."

"Main bada hi toh hun. Dekho kitna big hun." Ayush stood up swiftly.

"Woh toh tum ho." Sameer again made him sit on his leg, "Lekin main sabke bade hone ki baat kar raha hun. Jab babies bhi bade ho jayenge, aur tum sab office jaoge tab hi gussa kar sakte hain. Abhi Deepu office nahi jaati toh kya main usko gussa karta hun?"

Ayush narrowed his eyes in thought, then shook his head.

Sameer smiled, "Aise hi tum bhi mat karna. Aur sister pe toh kabhi bhi nahi. Sisters bohot achhi hoti hain."

"Brthers nahi hote?" Ayush asked promptly.

Sameer looked at Naina helplessly.

She waved her head, smiling, "Apni family mein sab achhe hote hain, Ayush, sister ho ya brother. Bas kabhi kabhi choton ko samjhane ke liye hum thode se strict ho jaate hain. Jisse woh good boys aur good girls bane. Jab tere school mein sab bolenge ki tere brothers aur sisters good hain toh tujhe achha lagega na?"

He nodded fiercely, "Phir main unhe chocolate dunga, jaise aap mujhe deti thi jab star milta tha notebook mein."

Sameer smiled in relief, "Yes. Bilkul aise hi."

In their own room later, Naina chided him, "Dekha kitna effect hota hai bachhon pe sabke behaviour ka. Yeh jo tum har waqt Rohan ke saath bhidte rehte ho, ab yeh sab band karna padega. Ayush ko toh kisi tarah samjha diya lekin baaki bachhon pe galat impression nahi banna chahiye."

He again held his ear, "Sorry madam. Mujhe bhi aaj Ayush ki baat se laga ki yeh galat hai. Abse dhyan rakhunga."

Before Naina could smile and pull down his hand, she stiffened, holding her stomach.

"Sameer... I... I can feel it... ahh..." She pressed her lower lip hard, her eyes dancing, "...babies... babies move kar rahe hain."

He dragged closer instantly, putting both his hands on her tummy, his heart thudding in nervousness. There was no movement under his hands.

Her eyes squeezed shut, a beaming smile on her face, "Wow, achhe se pata chal raha hai."

He moved his hands, placing them closer to hers, but there was no indication of anything. He was frustrated, "Naina, kahan feel hua? Mujhe kyon nahi ho raha?"

She opened her eyes, took his hand and moved it lightly over her belly, "Ab hua?"

He shook his head sadly. She let out a breath, "Abhi chote hain shayad isliye tumhe feel nahi ho raha."

He immediately grabbed his phone and dialled Dr Amrita's number.

"All well Sameer? Naina theek hai na?" She answered on the second ring.

Sameer explained the situation to her. She listened carefully, then told him to put the phone on speaker.

Once it was done, she asked, "Naina, movement se koi discomfort toh nahi laga?"

"Nahi doctor. Par bohot clearly ek side se doosri side tak feel hui. Itne din se jo butterfly jaisi feeling thi usse zyada strong. Sach mein laga andar kuch move ho raha hai." She stated.

Doctor's voice was clearly happier, "That's very good. Ab yeh movements badhti jayengi. Aur Sameer, abhi nahi lekin kuch weeks mein tum easily feel kar paoge."

He brooded, "Lekin doctor, abhi mujhe kuch bahi pata nahi chal raha."

Her small laugh was distinct, "Tumhe thodi patience rakhni padegi."

His face fell... till he heard what the doctor said next.

"Par ek good news hai tumhare liye. Next week jab tum log aaoge toh hum sonography karenge. Usmein tum apne babies ko dekh bhi sakte ho aur unki heart beat bhi sunn sakte ho."

His eyes stretched to the maximum, "Main bhi dekhunga?"

She again chuckled, "Haan baba dekhoge. Jitne Naina ko dikhenge utne hi tumhe bhi."

Naina was equally ecstatic as she asked, "Dono ko dekh payenge na?"

Doctor Amrita confirmed to them that the procedure of sonography would enable them to see both their babies, and if they were moving at that time, the movement would be clearly visible to their eyes.

After the call ended, Sameer pulled Naina in his arms, "Congratulation babies ki mumma, next week hum first time apne dono bachhon ko dekhnege."

She was too overwhelmed to reply.

Next update on Monday