Title is the song 'Kuch hai junoon sa' from 'Kapoor & sons'

Sameer was asleep when a voice made him open his eyes instantly. It sounded like a groan. He found Naina sitting in bed, rubbing her forehead.

"Sar dukh raha hai?" He sat up, dragging close to her.

Her eyes shot at him, "Sorry, tumhe utha diya. Main theek hun, tum so jao."

He cupped her cheek, "Tum theek nahi ho tabhi raat ke do baje aise baithi ho. Batao kya hua."

She put a hand on the bed behind her and stretched herself, squirming, "Bohot ajeeb sa lag raha hai."

"Dard ho raha hai kya? Main doctor ko call karun?" His voice filled with concern.

"Dard nahi... aisa lag raha hai skin khinch rahi hai." She rubbed her belly, "Itching ho rahi hai."

He lifted her tshirt and started to gently rub over the taut skin. She scrunched her eyes, "Aadhe ghante se aise hi rub kar rahi hun par kuch nahi hua."

It suddenly occurred to him that he had read about such condition, and a probable solution too.

"Ek minute." Jumping off the bed he dashed towards the dresser.

Armed with a bottle of body oil, he was back to her within seconds. Making her lie down, he poured some oil on his hands and started to massage her belly. Initially it didn't seem to help, but slowly, when he saw her eyes drooping, he smiled in contentment. Twenty minutes later, she had drifted into sleep. Adjusting her tshirt, he covered her with the quilt and laid down on his pillow.

It seemed that he had barely closed his eyes when another sound of something dropping woke him up.

Naina gave him a guilty look, "Sorry, remote haath se gir gaya."

"Remote?" He rubbed his eyes.

"Itni garmi hai isliye main AC ka temperature kam kar rahi thi." She patted her face with her hand.

That is when he noticed the bunched up quilt at the foot of bed, her sweat covered face and damp marks on her tshirt. He fetched the remote. The temperature was already a degree less than what they usually set. He looked at her.

"Please Sameer, jaldi se kam kar do. Aisa lag raha hai AC chal hi nahi raha. Bohot garmi hai." She pleaded, fanning herself.

He reduced the temperature considerably. Only then she could eventually sleep.

As the light of morning rays sneaked into the room, Sameer opened his eyes. Sighing when he couldn't feel the soft snuggle of his Naina against himself, he turned to his side. She was deep asleep, facing him but on her side of the bed. He didn't want to wake her up. It was like she wasn't able to get proper sleep even for a single night since two weeks. Last night it was itching, then feeling hot, sometimes she got hungry, other times was too cold. Then there were repeated trips to the washroom. Sometimes he helped her but since she now slept on her side of the bed, he didn't come to know when she woke up.

Now that she was in her fifth month and the babies had grown bigger, she found it uncomfortable to sleep in his arms... she needed space. Her comfort was more important for him, nonetheless he did miss waking up to her open hair spread on his chest. The journal had mentioned that as the stomach enlarged, some women felt suffocated with proximity of others, even husband. Till now, Naina had not shown any reluctance to his closeness, except asking for more room while sleeping. He hoped it remained that way. With almost four months still remaining for delivery, he wouldn't be able to bear if she decided to stay away from his touch.

His eyes drifted down to her belly, a smile making its way on his face. It was his little ones, taking their share of time with their mom that made Naina create this small distance between them. Yet, some of the days he did sleep hugging her from behind.

"Tum aaram se mumma ke paas raho, main apni jagah bana hi lunga." He uttered in a faint whisper, touching her belly lightly.

She moved. He quickly pulled back his hand. Last thing he wanted was to disturb her sleep. But when he looked at her, the same calm expression, and same pose prevailed.

Smiling he diverted his attention back to the babies, put his palm on the side of her stomach, and whispered again, "Thank you, mumma ko aaram se sone dene ke liye."

He felt her shift again. He didn't lift his hand... as his eyes didn't catch any movement. After waiting for a few seconds, when he was sure she was not disturbed, he brought his face closer to her belly, murmuring, "Papa loves you."

This time, it finally dawned on him... when the movement was right under his palm. It wasn't Naina... it was the movement of his babies.

He stilled... and waited. Nothing happened for few seconds. With his heart thudding in his ears, he leaned towards his hand, speaking slowly, "Papa loves you..." and added, "...more than mumma."

They moved... he didn't know it was one or both... but he felt the wave like shifting clearly. His eyes opened to maximum, his mouth rounded, his heart nearly stopped beating.

This was a big moment... another milestone. It was him, feeling his babies move inside Naina's belly.

Jumping to sit up, with knees folded under him, he placed other hand flat on the other side, waiting to detect the complete movement.

His fidgeting woke Naina up. Finding him perched up in the center of the bed, she asked in groggy voice, "Sameer tum kya..."

"Shhh." He hushed, without even sparing her a glance.

She narrowed her eyes, raising her neck a bit to see his hands on both sides of her stomach.

"Uhh, tum subah subah..." Another attempt was shushed by him.

She tried to sit up.

"Nainaaa, aise hi raho." He hissed in a low voice, pushing her shoulder down.

She frowned, falling back on the pillow, "Kya tum..." She raised her index finger in irritation before he could hush her again, "...chup hone ko mat bolna... tum mujhe bataoge yeh kya game khel rahe ho subah subah."

He did not even notice her glare nor detected the anger in her voice, grinning foolishly as he whispered something near her stomach.

"Sameeeer." She hollered, to get his attention.

His head shot up, finally his eyes meeting hers, "Babies."

She rolled her eyes, "Mujhe pata hai babies hain. Tumhe aaj realise ho raha hai?"

"Haan. Aaj pehli baar." He was dazed, unable to understand what she said.

She looked at him strangely, "Tum kya neend mein ho?"

Before he could answer, she felt a strong shift from left to the center of her belly. Chuckling, she gave him an amused look, "Babies bhi keh rahe hain hamare papa buddhu hain kya... aaj first time thodi mil rahe hain humse."

He had felt the movement as well, when she did. Grinning at her, he pressed her belly lightly, "First time hi hai. Naina, maine babies ko move karte hue feel kiya hai."

"What?" Delighted, she attempted to sit up. This time, he helped her, adjusting the pillow behind her and making her rest against the headboard.

Once she was comfortably seated, he placed both his hands back where they were, "Jab tum so rahi thi, main babies se baat kar raha tha... aur maine feel kiya jab woh move hue. Ek baar nahi do baar. Abhi bhi, jab tum baat kar rahi thi, yahan se..." He traced his fingers from a side to the center, "...yahan tak achhe se movement pata chali."

Her eyes brightened with same excitement, "Haan, mujhe bhi pata chali woh movement. Sameer, matlab ab tum bhi feel kar sakte ho, matlab ab hamare dono babies itne bade ho gaye hain."

He looked at her, nodding vehemently, his eyes shining with ecstasy. Her glowing face tempted him, "Naina, tum itni pyari lag rahi ho ki main tumhe kiss karna chahta hun par abhi yahan se hat nahi sakta. Mujhe aur movements feel karni hain."

She smiled fondly at his eagerness to experience maximum of his babies' presence. But since that last shift, there had been no sign of any movement. She stroked her bump, hoping to get a reaction. Nothing happened. When it was more than ten minutes of waiting, Sameer looked at her in frustration, "Kuch karo na. Inhe bolo good morning ho gayi."

She shrugged helplessly, "Maine sab try kar liya. Lagta hai inki good night hui hai."

He pouted, "Aaj hi toh mujhse hello hui aur aaj hi inhe sone ki jaldi hai. Thodi der pehle kaise masti kar rahe the jab maine kaha..."

He paused suddenly, his eyes lighting up. Leaning closer, he brushed his lips against her belly, "Papa loves you... more than mumma."

The sharp movement couldn't be missed by either of them.

Naina was impressed, "Arre waah, yeh toh abhi se tumhari baat manne lage hain. Aisa kya kaha tumne?"

He let out a contented breath, straightening up, "Maine kaha main unhe mumma se zyada pyar karta hun."

She raised her brows, smiling, "Nanu sahi kehte hain, makhhan lagane mein number one ho."

He appeared hurt, "Makhhan nahi hai Naina. Main sach mein karta hun."

Before she could say anything, a sudden uneasiness gripped her. She shut her eyes, placing a hand on her chest. He recognised the look. Swiftly, he helped her to the washroom, holding her hair back with one hand and keeping one around her for support as she doubled over the sink.

Morning sickness had gone after first trimester but occasional nausea still troubled her. Doctor had said it was okay since her uterus pressed against the stomach, making digestion process difficult. But it left her drained, increasing the fatigue she felt all the time.

After washing her face, she breathed hard. Sameer gently caressed her back. He felt helpless. He had read the whole document twice, and he could understand what all changes she was going through. It was phenomenal, to survive such rapid transition of not just physical attributes, but having it mess up both mental and emotional state. From beaming like a sunflower few moments back, she had turned to a withering rose now. All these hardships... aches and pains, stiffness, exhaustion, sensitivity to regular things, sleep deprivation and to top it all, the volatile mood... she had become a completely different person. At times, he was not able to figure out how to deal with it. But the journal had given him an insight which he would never have comprehended on his own. It distressed him to a great extent that she had to go through this plight alone. He could just be with her, but it was entirely left to her to bear every physical discomfort, every emotional heaviness.

A soft tap on his chest made him put a break on his thoughts. Her forehead was covered with sweat beads when he looked down.

"Please mujhe room mein le chalo. I'm tired." Her voice was depleted of all excitement of sometime back.

He scooped her up in his arms. She did not protest, leaning on his chest with closed eyes. After gently laying her on bed, he ran to the washroom, returning with a damp towel. Sitting next to her, he wiped the sweat off her face.

A weary smile curled her lips, "Main bohot lucky hun. Tum mera itna khyal rakhte ho."

He let out a sigh, running his fingers through her hair, "Oh Naina, tumhare liye kitna difficult hai. Kaash main kuch kar paata."

She leaned into his arm, "Kuch difficult nahi hai. Tum ho na mere saath."

He rubbed his thumb over her forehead, "Kehne ko saath hun, par tumhari koi takleef baant nahi sakta."

She held his hand that was near her waist and placed it over her belly, smiling, "Tumne hi kaha tha, do isliye hain jisse hum baant saken."

He leaned down to kiss her forehead, "Main uss takleef ki baat kar raha hun jo tum uthati ho. Health issues, nausea, mood swings sab sirf tumhare liye hain. Main kuch nahi kar paata."

"Believe me, tum jo kar rahe ho woh iss waqt sabse best hai." She inhaled, a serene smile on her face.

He gave her a questioning look. She flicked up her brows, her gaze going towards his fingers that were tracing patterns on her scalp and forehead. He smiled. How little she wanted to be happy. But he wanted to give her the world.

"Naina, tumhe kya gift chahiye?" He asked softly.

"Abhi mera birthday door hai." She mumbled, her eyes hooded with the relaxation she felt.

It was a calming feeling that this conversation did not effect her adversely. Since the time he had celebrated her first birthday after marriage, she had stopped seeing it in the same light, or rather same darkness, as before. She had learnt to enjoy the day as a celebration, not mourn about it. It was indeed a special day for him, and her acceptance had made it more special. But this moment was not about her birthday.

His fingers grazed over her cheeks, "Birthday ke liye nahi, babies ke liye."

She looked at him as if he had grown horns, "Babies ke liye abhi se gift leke rakhoge? Abhi toh unko aane mein chaar mahine hain, phir kuch mahine woh sirf bed pe rehte hain, koi toys ya playthings nahi chahiye hoti, uske baad bas ek do cheezen, maybe teethers aur rattlers. Pehle saal mein..."

"Oho Rajdhani express, tham jao zara." He chuckled, making her stop abruptly and break into a smile.

"Mujhe bohot achha lagta hai jab tum yeh bolte ho, jabse pehli baar suna tabse." She recalled their ice cream outing on his birthday.

He smiled fondly, "Baat mat taalo. Maine pucha tumhe kya gift chahiye. Tum mujhe ek saath itne pyaare do gifts dogi uske badle mein main tumhe kya gift dun?"

Her thoughts were still stuck at the previous sentence, and the memories it had brought... and the craving it triggered.

"Ice cream?" She looked at him hopefully.

He sighed, "Ek woh Naina thi, jiske liye ice cream shop mein bhi mujhe coffee arrange karni padi thi, aur ek yeh Naina hai jo aaj mujhse kuch bhi maang leti woh main laake deta lekin isse sirf ice cream chahiye."

She pursed her lips, fluttering her eyes innocently, "Ice cream bhi toh gift ho sakti hai. Aur gift toh wohi dena chahiye jo lene wale ko pasand aaye."

He couldn't help planting a kiss on her plump cheek, "Babies ki mumma nahi tum khud ek baby ho."

She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, touching her belly, "Umm Sameer, agar yeh dono tumhare liye gift hain toh girl honi chahiye na, tabhi tumhari pasand ka gift hoga."

He blinked, reaching out to put her hand over hers, "Yeh gift already meri pasand ka hai, jo bhi ho."

"Nahi, mujhe lagta hai agar dono boys hue toh tumhe kam achha lagega." She said with a knowing smile.

He adored the thought of a daughter, but he wouldn't be less delighted even if both their babies were boys. He continued to stroke her hair, "Jab tumne mandir se Ayush ko uthaya tha toh socha tha woh baby boy hai ya girl?"

"Huh?" She was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, shaking her head.

"Aur jab usse adopt karne ka decision liya, toh yeh soch ke liya tha ki woh boy hai... agar ladki hoti toh kya tum usse apne saath nahi rakhti?" He asked.

She blinked in understanding, "Samajh gayi baba. Tumhe apne babies bohot pyare hain, chahe boy ho ya girl."

He smiled, then winked, "Par girls sabse cute hoti hain. Ek toh chahiye hogi."

Throwing her arm around him, she chuckled, pulling him closer, "Sabse cute toh tum ho."

In the afternoon, after Ayush was back from school, and came to her, she made him feel the movements too. She had noticed that the babies were quite active when Ayush was around. Earlier, only she could feel it. But today, after Sameer's experience, she wanted Ayush to know it as well.

"Wow mumma, mere brother sister toh mere saath play kar rahe hain." His eyes rounded when she explained that what he felt was the babies' movement inside her belly.

"Jaise Arhaan tujhe dekh ke khush hota hai na waise hi yeh dono bhi tere aane se happy hain." She laughed.

He clapped in excitement, "Kitna mazaa ayega jab hum sab saath mein khelenge." His inquisitive gaze pointed at her, "Aap inhe kab laogi hospital se?"

She pinched his nose, "Abhi nahi, winters mein."

He peered carefully at her tummy, "Tab tak yeh andar hi khelenge? Bore nahi honge?"

She shook her head, smiling at his query.

He crossed his legs, his elbows resting on the knees and placed his face in fisted hands, so he could be at the level of her tummy, "Dekho, main tum dono ka big bhai hun. Tum meri saari baat manna. Main tumhe colouring sikhaunga, Deepu bua badminton sikha dengi aur bade dadu se bolunga tumhe chess sikhayein. Mumma tumhe saare alphabets aur counting padha dengi. Tumhe class mein first aana hai. Jaise mujhe stars milte hain waise hi leke aana. Aur good boy banke rehna sabke saath."

Naina watched in admiration as he played the role of an elder brother perfectly.

He straightened, a satisfied smile on his face, "Maine sab samjha diya. Ab yeh bhi good boys banenge."

"Aur agar boys nahi girls hui toh?" She asked in humour.

Ayush slapped his forehead, "Arre main toh bhool hi gaya." Bending down again, he repeated in the same sombre tone, "Pehle wali saari baatein same to same. Bas last wala change... good girl banke rehna."

Laughing, she pulled his cheeks, "Mere boys already sabse best hain."

"Abhi toh aapne kaha girls bhi ho sakti hain. Phir aap kyon boys bol rahe ho?" He frowned.

Naina kissed his cheek, "Mere dono boys... tu aur tere papa."

Ayush hunched his shoulders, sniggering into his palm, "Papa boy thodi hain, woh toh papa hain."

She chuckled, "Jab tune unhe apna friend banaya tha tab toh boy bolta tha."

"Tab boy hi the, isliye aapke boyfriend bane na." He said nonchalantly.

Naina's smile faded as her eyes widened, "Bo... boyfriend?"

He saw her expression, peered at the door, then lowered his voice, "Mujhe pata hai jab shaadi hoti hai usse pehle girlfriend aur boyfriend hote hain. Mujhe Garvit ne bataya. Saanvi uski girlfriend hai na isliye usse pata hai. Jab woh Saanvi se shaadi karega toh uski wife ban jayegi."

"Kaun Garvit?" Naina asked.

"Meri class wala friend. Ek baar PTM mein aapne usko chocolate di thi... yaad aaya?" He said innocently.

"Aur Saanvi? Woh bhi teri class mein hai?" Her eyes narrowed.

"Saanvi toh Garvit ke saath wale house mein rehti hai. Woh hamare school mein nahi aati." He explained.

She wondered if it was okay to ask her eight year old son the next question, but decided to do it anyway, "Umm Ayush, teri koi girlfriend nahi hai?"

"Nahi." He replied without hesitation, "Main thodi bana sakta hun. Papa ne manaa kiya hai."

"Papa ne?" She was shocked. Sameer never mentioned anything to her regarding this, "Papa ne kya bola?"

"Unhone bola main itna smart hun, bilkul unki tarah, isliye mujhe koi girlfriend nahi banani chahiye jab tak main office nahi jaata. Papa ne kaha jaise unhe office mein best girlfriend mili aise hi mujhe bhi office mein hi milegi." He stated verbatim what Sameer had taught him.

Next update on Tuesday as I have some work tomorrow