"Peek- a - boo", Sameer hid behind the door. 

Varsha beamed at Sameer giving him a beautiful smile. She wore s blue dress with blue headband. her eyes were lined with kohl and walked with wobbled feets towards him.Sameer picked her up before she fell. He couldn't believe that his baby was turning 1 year old. Neerja pulled out the baked cake outside the oven. Her 2 months pregnancy journey wasn't as hard as that of first one. She stayed indoor isolating herself from outside world. But still Sameer, Varsha and Neerja would go for walks and shopping at weekends. But they were trying their level best not to jump before others especially those people who know them.

"Wished, if I could had a such kinda birthday affair", Sameer said. Neerja looked at him puzzled. " I never had a birthday event in my life", Sameer smiled. "Even if Peddamma and peddanna would compel me too, I didn't join them", Sameer collected things from her hands.

Neerja understood that Sameer always had a hide out life. He never revealed before anyone. A reserved. But still after their wedding and Varsha's birth he changed alot. He started opening up before her and mingling with others was somewhat possible for him. Sameer kept the baked cake on the table and cleared rest of the things from there. Varsha was slowly walking and was pulling her mother's top to pick her up. Neerja picked her up and smothered her with kisses.Varsha showed her the most amazing smile to her mom.

Neerja's belly isn't showing much, but the feel of another life growing up in her womb made her overwhelmed with emotions. Sameer adjusted Varsha's bow and arranged the table to keep the cake properly. Once every things have been kept properly Sameer lit up the candles and called the mother daughter duo.

"Happy birthday to you.... Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you Chinnu... Happy birthday to you.."Sameer and Neerja sang with their hearts out. Varsha stared at them with her mouth wide open as she couldn't decipher what was happening. Yet, seeing the happiness on her parents face she gave them a wide grin and kissed her mother's nose. Sameer hold a small knife with Varsha's hand and guide her to cut the cake. Once the cake cutting was over,Sameer cleaned the table and wastes were dumped in the bin. Neerja took Varsha to change her clothes. Sameer settled on the couch and checked the photos he had taken for the birthday.

"Impressive ", he thought.

"Shall I see them?", Neerja settled on his lap and hold the camera."Oh yes, just hold on a minute", Sameer adjusted his back and sat comfortably such that Neerja lied her head on his chest as the support. Neerja scrolled through the pics. She couldn't stop being nostalgic.

"Sam, do you remember the day when we delivered her?", Neerja nuzzled on his chest."Oh god! Don't make me terrified Neeru... I will and never ever forget that day in my life. No power, no hospital... Along with that heavy downpour!", Sameer sighed.
"Neeru, look at her. How peacefully she is sleeping ", Neerja nodded her head agreeing to his comment."We made her Sam... She will always remind us our love forever...", Sameer kissed her head."What about our junior?", he patted her abdomen.

"Maybe...He will be a watchful guardian for her...", Neerja looked at him.Sameer burst into laugher.
"Hilarious! How can you say our baby is a "he"? If so, how is he gonna be her guardian? It is she should be the one, isn't she? What about our junior?", Sameer puzzled her."Our junior will be out after 8 months... Healthy baby does... My mind says it will be a "he" now".
"Neeru, what if "he" becomes a "she"?", Sameer woke up and lied on the bed."Stop thinking about our baby Sam... When the right time comes, our baby will be here. At that time we will be a family of 4, unlike 3." Neerja snuggled on his chest.

"Oh god, have mercy upon us. Let the power not gone during the time of delivery and also no more rains...I can't run for our lives like the last time for generator, candles and bedsheets. Give me more strength!", Sameer's prayer stopped when he was pinched by Neerja.

                      ************

6months later (time leap)

"Chinnu don't run", Neerja walked behind Varsha cradling her baby bump with a plate full of food behind Varsha."See what Amma has cooked? Your favourite chicken curry and omelette are there...", Neerja was able to see Varsha running back to her.
"Amma... Pappam ", she opened her mouth signalling her to give food.

"Just like her dad! Chinnu, why can't you be a vegetarian like your Amma? But always like your Nanna?", Neerja asked Varsha taking another morsel of food. Varsha stared at her mother's face blinking her big baby eyes wondering as she couldn't decipher what her mom was speaking.

"Amma, Pappam ", Varsha motioned her to give food.
"You were former vegetarian,Neeru.You should be happy for her.Just give her favorite foods, she won't disturb you for the next five years unlike other kids who keep on troubling others", Sameer came up with his shoes and kept it on the shoe rack.
"How was your day?", Neerja hold his bag.
"As usual fine. Neeru I have deposited our money in the bank. Also I am trying my level best to complete my works here as soon as possible. By the time our junior reaches out, we should move out of Kolkata ".
Neerja's heart sank. Sameer understood her state.
"I am not a heartless, Neeru. Do you think its easy for me to move out. Never! But still for the sake of our kids", Sameer patted her protruding belly.
Neerja kept mum. Sameer understanding the rising tension between them, he served lunch for both of them and began to eat his meals. Looking at his wife's belly, Sameer felt his heartbeats are increasing erratically.

After having his meals, he marked the dated with red colour pen on the calender.He understood that he should be very cautious regarding the dates and he should be available beside his wife at anytime. He calculated in his mind that now he has enough money to begin his own company for furniture and interior works. It was one of his biggest dreams in his life. He pulled out a photo from his diary. It was a family photo of him, his peddhananna and pedhamma.

He looked happy, much more relaxed and content in that pic. He remembered those days when he was surrounded with warmth and affection of his uncle and aunt. Despite not being their son, how much love has been showered upon him.He was reminiscent on his fond memories on Arempudi at east Godavari. Sameer had deep thoughts on settling back to his home town. He wanted to stay there as a family as his ancestral house is now closed after the tragic accident which took away the lives of his beloved ones. In east Godavari, there is lush of forest areas too which will be ideal for them to live. Since the population is very low, which was indeed a blessing for him, it will be quite easy for Sameer to lead a happy life with Neerja and the kids.He pasted that family pic and other pics of his place on the fridge. After a while,Neerja was puzzled to see those photos which were pasted there. She was astonished to see them. It's calm and serenity was soothing her heart.

"Sam, is Arempudi going to be our home?", Neerja laid on his shoulder.
"Soon...", Sameer sighed.
The couple understood within a few days, they are going to embrace a new life in a new place.

                    ************

Neerja hold her baby son close to her heart. Her heart sighed with profound peace yet her mind was filled with  troubled thoughts on her husband. Varsha was a heavy sleeper. So ot wasn't a big trouble for Sameer amd Neerja to deliver their second child. They quietly welcomed their son on that morning. It was mid of December and the city was buzzing with the noises of people who were going jobs, schools for exams amd after all it was the month of Christmas. People were highly active despite the bone chilling cold climate in Kolkata. The temperature significantly dropped below 10°C, which was terrible for the new mother. Sameer went out to buy things for her as she was too tired he knew something food like chicken soup will do good for her. But even after so many hours, Sameer didn't arrive. Neerja called his mobile phone only to hear the ring coming from outside.

Neerja with much difficulty, she woke up and opened the door. A bag full of groceries and another bag which contained his driving license, wallet and other things including his cell phone. Neerja's heart was alarmed with negative vibes. "Where are you Sam?", her heart cried.
Neerja changed into her sweater and other dress, carried a sleepy Varsha on her back and her baby son in her baby carrier. She took an umbrella and closed their apartment and moved out in the search for Sameer.

                         *********
Neerja found his shop was closed. Later she went to the cafe and the library where he usually stays his time. No traces of Sameer could be found. Neerja's head spinned. Her feets pushed towards the market.
"Bhaiyya, have you seen this person at any time?", Neerja asked with heavy heart. "Nahi Beti... Yeh aadmi kon hai?"(No daughter, who is this person?).
Some people answered. While some never paid attention to her. Other looked at her with pitiful eyes, while others asked her to go to police station. Neerja moved towards the bridge with a hopeless heart. That bridge flooeded her with memories of him. She covered her mouth with her shawl to suppress her sobs. While she stood near the bridge, a view caught her eyes. Neerja felt her eyes clouded with darkness. Few workers were pulling up the body of a huge animal from the embankments of the river.
"What animal was that?".
"Is it a dog?".
"It's really huge.It can't be a dog."
"Doesn't it look like a huge werewolf?. I believe it must be a dog, but a cross breed."
"To whom does it belong to?".
Neerja could hear people muttering under their breath. She wished the ground could have swallowed her. The dead eyes of the werewolf pierced through her heart....

to be continued...

After a huge back of 1 year, I am back to update the story. Thank you for your patience, love and response to the story.Next chapter will be updated as soon as possible. Stay tuned.