*Sanjay Pov*

"Sanjay! The agent called me asking whether we can do a small concert as we have a week's time before the next destination in this tour." I glanced up from the music sheet hearing those words from my band member.

"Why did he call you instead of me?" I asked frowning before taking out my phone.

I am the leader of the band and it's not that I want to have power but the agent generally talks to me about these plans.

So, when he suddenly called the drummer instead of me, it doesn't click well and I know he will not feel to hear such words from me and so I couldn't help but mutter those words.

"Even I got that doubt and he wanted me to discuss with others but didn't mention Kri or you. When I mentioned your names, he went silent." I frowned more hearing those words.

"Maybe it is time to change the agent or maybe even the company." He added and I sighed nodding.

Recently, after I talked with the company about letting Kri take a rest after this tour, the company started acting up.

They started pushing us away in the decisions and started talking more to the other members.

If the others actually want us to separate then I am fine with it but even they are not happy with this.

What the company didn't know is that I discussed with the members before talking to them. Everyone started planning on what to do during this break and it's not like I was talking about taking a long break.

Kri and I decided to try for a baby after this tour and when we conceive then we will take the break but in the meantime, we will not sign up for any tour to be on the safe side.

"I will talk to the agent but I don't think it will be possible to do a small concert during this break. As you know my sister-in-law is nearing her due date and Kri is already nervous and disturbed that she couldn't be there to help her sisters." I explained and he waved me off.

"None of us want to do this, Sanjay. We all need this break before starting the next part of the tour otherwise our performance will not be good." He assured me.

"Okay! Then I will tell him our decision." He nodded before walking away to go back into his room to pack his things.

Kri pushed me out of the room as I am making a mess with the things that we need to pack and told me she will do this while I can work on the next concert.

So, I let that duty fall off my shoulder and sat down in the living room for the new song we both are working on.

I sighed calling the agent and waited for a few rings but he didn't pick it up even after the rings ended.

I should have expected this attitude from him and so I calmly messaged in the group which includes the band members and our agent saying none of us want to add any concert during this break time.

After sending that, I continued to work on the song as he saw the message but didn't reply. However, others started saying it is true and how much they are anticipating this break.

Now, he may try to show this attitude to one or two of us but not towards all of us right? I smirked before standing up feeling tired and also to check on Kri as she is the only one who didn't even read the message.

When I entered the room, I found her still packing our things and that must be the reason why she didn't read the message.

I didn't made a sound and slowly tip-toed towards her before hugging her from behind which startled her completely and made her drop the shirt she is folding.

"Sanjay! Stop scaring me like this." She scolded but didn't push my hands away and leaned back in my hug.

"Do you know what happened?" I asked dramatically and she sighed asking what is it.

So, I explained what our agent did this time and she shook her head before asking, "Will it be fine to discuss changing the agents?"

"Our contract is going to end within two months but still we will continue until the end of this tour and then talk to the company about the agent. If they defend him, then we will change the company also." I explained but I know the company will also support the agent.

They hesitated in the beginning when they realized Kri and I are a married couple as they think it will reduce the sales and fans.

However, they signed us up, and now when I told them about our decision about the baby, they decided that we are no longer profitable for them and that's when this behavior started from the agent.

I don't blame him as no matter what he is that company's employee but after working with us for all these years, I wish he was not like this.

"Then what will we do? No matter what, if we sign up with another company along with saying, we are going to take a break, who will wish to sign up with us." She mumbled in a worried tone.

"Sanjay! Am I being selfish? We should also think about others, right? Maybe we should wait..." I cut her off by turning her around to stare at her.

As expected, I can see the frowns on her face. I removed a hand from her waist and caressed her forehead.

"Don't frown too much, Kri. Otherwise, you will have so many wrinkles before our baby sees you." I commented which didn't calm her down at all.

I sighed before moving her to the bed and I sat down with her saying, "Now, why do you think I already decided on changing the company? This is our future and I will definitely not take it lightly mainly when we will have a baby soon."

"So, you already found a company for us?" she asked with wide eyes and I nodded smiling.

"This agency is part of a large company but they started the entertainment agency just less than three years back. However, they became so popular within a year and recently even took over a decade old agency." I explained and she still didn't calm down.

"I talked to a few people and they said this one is very reliable and if an artist has talent then no one will support the artists better than them. So, I am very confident about this one." I added and she nodded smiling at me.

"You must be stressed with everything and also feel pressure because you need to think about all of us." She said caressing my cheek.

I smiled hugging her thinking maybe I wouldn't have thought about changing even after the rude behavior from the company if not for her presence.

No matter what I will not let them treat her wrongly as she even entered this field because of me otherwise she would have got into some other work field.

Also, taking care of my wife and band members is never pressure for me. Even though I was opposed to having a baby when she first mentioned but now I am definitely looking forward to it.

"Did you call Akhila Di or Priya Di? How is Ri doing?" I asked letting her go and she sighed shaking her head.

"It is night time there and also they will contact us if something is wrong. Anyway, we are going to get a flight in the evening and reach there soon. So, I didn't disturb them." She replied shrugging.

"I know you will not stop yourself from helping them but try to think about your health too. You are already tired with traveling and then the singing." I pointed out.

"Do you think they will let me overwork in the first place? I need to go and beg them to let me help them." She pointed back and she is right.

Everyone kind of still sees her as a younger one and I thought after Ram it will change but nothing changed at all and I thought maybe because Ram is a boy, they still dote on Kri like this.

However, even after Khushi's birth, it didn't change. Maybe lifelong, they will care for her like this.

She likes it but then doesn't want them to be like that at the same time. I chuckled at her look and helped her with the packing but this time didn't make any mess.

In the evening, all of us left the house where we stayed for the first part of the tour and reached the airport.

As we sat in the waiting area, I found her staring at the phone with earphones plugged in. She is smiling and then getting serious suddenly.

"What are you watching?" I asked leaning over to glance at her phone.

"UK's match is going to start soon and I am watching the live." She replied and I frowned because I had completely forgotten.

"What kind of brother are you? You should be the one among the people who support him but you don't even know about his matches." She complained shaking her head at me.

"I think you are enough of support for him." I commented rolling my eyes and she chuckled but continued to watch the match.

"I will support my brother-in-law Kalyan for his match for sure." I added and she completely ignored me.

I shook my head and shifted towards the others to talk about the decision I made regarding the company.

They all nodded saying even they felt this is not proper and asked me to go ahead after we finish the tour and that they will accompany me to talk with our present company and also with the one I want to sign up for.

"What company is it?" one of them suddenly asked.

"GH!" I replied and they froze before suddenly showing excitement.

"If we join that company then maybe I can meet my goddess Anny. How about we just shift no matter what reply our company will give?" I laughed hearing those words.

"Your goddess Anny is already engaged." Another pointed out but he shook his head.

"They canceled the engagement and so I think they are not together anymore. So, she is definitely single and..." I glanced away only to see Kri suddenly standing up with panic-filled eyes.

I rushed towards her and brought other's attention with my action but I ignored everything to reach her side.

"What happened?" I asked holding her shoulders and she completely froze.

She passed her phone without saying anything else and I frowned but checked what is she seeing and even I froze.

I immediately checked the time and reached the desk to ask how much longer will it take for the flight to take off.

Everyone else found what happened and they assured us it will be fine but nothing is entering my mind except to reach home as soon as we can.

"Sanjay! Priya Di messaged me saying they took Ri to the hospital just now." I turned to find Kri looking at her phone with a worried look.

"Don't worry! Bharghav Uncle is there with them and also my Dad and Mom. We will reach soon." I assured her but she shook her head.

"Bharghav Jeeju went for a conference instead of Priya Di and so only two of them are there with Ri now and also with the other incident..." she trailed off while I took out my phone to call Dad.

"Dad! Did you get a call from Priya Di or Akhila Di?" I asked the moment he picked up the call.

"Yeah! They asked me to pick the kids from the hospital as they took them there with them. I returned home but then... now I am going out and your Mom is going to stay with the kids." He explained.

"Okay! We are going to get inside the flight soon and will reach there within a few hours." I mumbled and he said it was fine and to call him when we reach before cutting the call.

I told Kri everything my Dad said and she calmed down a bit but shook her head saying, "Why is everything happening at a time? If we had a program right now, I wouldn't have been able to do anything."

"See? Not everything is going bad as we are right now going to be there soon." I pointed out holding her hand and she nodded but none of us were relieved.

Finally, we were able to get inside the flight and it took off after some time. During the whole journey, none of us talked anything with each other except thinking about what is going on at home.

I placed my hand over her shoulder and pulled her closer to make her lean over me and stayed silent.

She placed her hand over my other hand and patted it saying, "Even you need to be consoled along with me in this situation and I am sorry to not be able to take the first step."

"Don't worry about it! I know you are worried for my sake too." I whispered pressing a kiss on her forehead and she closed her eyes nodding.

When we reached our destination, we rushed out of the airport after taking our luggage and bid goodbye to our members saying I will contact them later.

After taking a cab, I called Bharghav as it was already early morning time and he must have reached the city too.

"Did you guys reach?" he asked lifting the call.

"Just now and we took a cab. We will come directly to the hospital." I informed glancing at Kri who is texting on her phone.

"Don't! Go home and freshen up. I am already in the hospital and Priya is with me. However, pack some breakfast and come to the hospital at 7." He said making me frown.

"What about the baby?" I asked and found Kri glancing at me.

"Doctor said it will take longer even though everyone thought it will be over by night time. Looks like our new family member is too stubborn." I chuckled hearing those words and Kri gave a confused look.

"However, if it doesn't work then they will operate on her by evening. So, it is better to have everyone ready to handle the matter. Go home and get some rest before coming to the hospital with breakfast." He added and I sighed thinking he is right.

"Okay! Also..." he cut the call before I can continue.

I shook my head and asked the cab driver to change the address of the destination and then glanced at Kri.

"Priya Di messaged me asking me to go home and not come to the hospital." She mumbled staring at the phone.

"Yeah! It is better to do this way otherwise everyone will be tired and no one will be of use." I commented and she nodded sighing.

"Maybe the baby is waiting for its Dad to come." She whispered and I shrugged at that before telling her about the operation in the evening if they wait until that time.

After reaching home, we both found no one in the house and got freshen up while calling Mom to ask if she wants me to send kids items but she said they already have a few things at their place and Priya Di sent a few more with the kids.

"You both must be tired with the journey." She commented.

"It's fine, Mom! I am just worried about this matter and couldn't ask anyone. Do you know anything about this matter?" I asked thinking maybe she knows something and I need not disturb others by calling them right now.

"Your Dad is not saying anything to me and asked me to wait until he comes home. I think even kids look worried even though they don't know what is actually going on." She replied and I nodded thinking they are smart and know when something is wrong.

"Okay! After I go to the hospital, I will find out the matter and tell you about it." With that promise, I cut the call and laid down on the bed feeling tired.

After a few minutes, I heard the washroom door opening and glanced up to find her reaching the cupboard.

"Come here and sleep for some time." I called her over but she shook her head.

"I will get freshen up first." But I reached over to pull her to the bed and made her lay down.

"Like Bharghav said it is better to take some rest. I already put two alarms and we will get up within three hours and then can leave for the hospital." Saying that I covered us with a quilt.

She sighed closing her eyes and within a few minutes she drifted off into sleep and I followed her into sleep while hoping we can get up with the help of alarm on time.

****

I woke up hearing the alarm and opened my eyes to see she already sat up on the bed and is getting down in a hurry.

Taking a dress out, she walked back into the washroom to change while I got down to change my attire.

After that, we both prepared breakfast together and packed it for everyone before setting off for the hospital.

Bharghav already messaged me the room number, and so we directly reach the hospital room where Ri is staying and found Priya Di sitting outside with Bharghav.

"Di!" Kri said rushing towards her and I walked closer to Bharghav.

"Is she alone inside?" I asked looking at the closed door.

"Doctor is here to check up on her and asked us to go out just now." He replied leaning back.

"You look tired!" I stated and he smiled shaking his head.

"As if you don't look the same. Trust me on one thing eight of us are with the same faces. Maybe except for Khushal, I think." He commented and I immediately sat straight.

"Where is he?" I asked looking at him and found Kri also asking the same to Priya Di.

"He is in the adjacent room and you can go and pass the breakfast to Akhila and him." He replied and I nodded standing up before walking towards that hospital room.

"Did you contact Kalyan?" I heard Kri asking Priya Di and I took out my phone to message him if they say they didn't.

No matter what kind of match it is, he needs to know. When Di replied saying, they already informed his coach and they will inform him the moment the match finishes or even in the middle when he gets replaced in the middle of the match.

I shook my head and locked my phone thinking this is also fine before knocking on the door and entered the room after hearing Akhila Di's voice.

*Kalyan Pov*

I frowned checking my phone again and put it aside hearing my teammate shouting my name.

I ran over to have a practice match as we will have a match soon. However, my mind is still on the fact that Ri is not picking up my calls but just texting me.

"What happened?" Coach asked shouting my name as I missed the ball just now.

I apologized before pulling myself away from the thoughts and completely concentrated on the match.

After finishing it, I reached my bag and took out my phone before calling her and again she didn't pick up the call.

"Is everything okay, Kalyan?" Coach asked reaching my side.

"I am sorry about my earlier mistake, Coach. I will not repeat it during the match." I promised looking at him but he stayed silent.

He generally scolds me or even raises his voice by now during previous times but now he is just silent.

"Do you want to play the match?" hearing his question I thought maybe he doesn't trust me to be able to play this well.

"I want to, Coach! Otherwise, my wife will kill me for sure." He sighed hearing those words and he nodded before glancing at others.

"You will play for the first half and then you will be replaced." I frowned hearing his words but nodded without objecting to it.

He generally doesn't replace me in the middle like this but if he is saying this then he must have his own strategy.

So, I didn't object to his decision and let him tell others about it while I found a new message from Ri.

'All the Best! I am sleepy and will contact you after some time.' I sighed seeing this message but didn't call her again.

We already talked yesterday and it seems she is in not a good mood because of her recent dreams and she is really worried about them.

And there is a recent article on Khushal's match from yesterday. Even though she said not to care about it, I am also worried and they all must be worried about that too.

So, I didn't budge her again or even others as they already going through lengths because I am not there. Even though she is their sister, it is still my responsibility to care for her during such times.

In the end, I didn't contact anyone regarding Khushal's issue and after the match when I go home, I will help them too with this matter.

I packed my bag as it is time to go to the stadium and listened to the coach's new strategy even though it is a bit of a surprise for all of us.

He never changes the strategies like this suddenly and maybe sometimes during the matches but not before we even begin to play.

However, no one voiced out the confusion and listened carefully while asking a few doubts here and there.

"Will it be fine for him to stay until just half time, Coach?" Captain of the team asked looking at Coach with a frown.

"Don't worry! He will give his best for that time and I want us to follow this plan only." Coach replied while I glanced at the Captain.

"Let's listen to the coach and go with it. Let me take rest in today's match." I smiled at him and he chuckled shaking his head.

After we reached the stadium, I found that the other team is already here and warming up on the court.

Our team followed the suit and we found the audience already filling up the stadium. We all continued to warm up while waving at our fans and the match started after some time.

"You are playing it as your last game." My teammate commented when we scored another 3-pointer.

"I am playing as this half-time as the full time." I explained and he laughed hearing those words.

"Maybe this was our coach's strategy." He mumbled and we walked back to our positions.

When it reached break time, I walked out of the court while nodding at the player who is going to replace me.

"You played well, Kalyan. Now, pack your things up." I frowned hearing Coach's words and continued to gasp for air.

"Wh... what is it, coach? Joking with me right now?" I asked smiling at him.

"Your wife is in the hospital right now for delivery. I got a call from your family members in the morning to send you immediately after the match. Go and pack your things. I already hired a travel service to drop you at your home city directly. They said it will take just two hours." He explained and I continued to stare at him while my mind froze.

"Let's pack his things up." I heard the captain's voice but I couldn't move at all.

"Go!" Coach shouted and I finally came out of my frozen state and immediately took the bag before rushing out of the stadium.

After getting inside the car, I called Priya Di and she picked it up within a few seconds asking, "What is it? The match is over?"

"Di! Ri is in the hospital?" I asked still feeling shocked.

"Where are you right now?" She asked back without replying to my question.

"I am in the car and right now traveling away from the stadium. Coach let me play until half-time and told me this news." I explained and she immediately explained the situation.

"She is in pains nearly from yesterday afternoon and the doctor said we will wait until five in the evening and then do the operation. But her pains suddenly got elevated and we informed the doctor just now about it." She explained calmly.

"I will be there soon, Di. I... tell her... I mean... damn it." I don't know what to even say to Ri right now.

"I will tell her that you love her. Okay?" I thanked her before we both cut the call.

I continued to stare at the road ahead feeling tense and wishing I was there with her right now.

Now I understand the coach's attitude from the morning time and I am grateful for him to think about me and change the whole strategy but I wish they let me know ahead so that I could have reached her side by now.

At the same time, Ri would have been disappointed after finding it out. I closed my eyes and prayed for a safe delivery even if I can't reach there on time as her family is with her.