Part Thirty
Shantanu sighed after a busy day of meetings and research. He longed to be in Mumbai with his family. Their child could arrive any day now and he was stuck here for another day atleast.
His thoughts drifted to when Khanak had told him she was expecting.
He was lying in bed on a rare full day off. She approached him slowly and put a feather in his ear to awaken him. He squirmed for a few minutes before he pulled her into bed beside him.
She yelped.
"Shantanu you need to stop doing that for some time now," she admonished.
He looked at her confused.
'You don't like my naughty side?," he quipped.
She shook her head.
" In this condition I have to be careful," she whispered as she shyly tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
He frowned at her as he held her by her shoulders.
She realized he didn't get her drift.
"I went to the doctor's yesterday. They confirmed the pregnancy. Main maa bane wali hoon aur aap papa," she stated.
His eyes widened and he picked her up and shouted on the top of his lungs," I am gonna be a DAD!"
He sighed before shifting his pillow and attempting to fall asleep.
Unfortunately sleep did not come easily. He had one nightmare and then random scary thoughts haunted him throughout the night. He finally slept at 4am He sighed. He would only have two hours of sleep.
It was around 2pm when the last meeting was finished. Shantanu decided to pick up a few gifts to bring back home. He didn't know why but he picked two green caps and one pink larger one for Arushi.
He could not wait to see his child.
Meanwhile in Mumbai..
Khanak was feeling contractions. She was not sure if they were false or true labor pains yet. She walked around a bit with Arushi watching her aunt carefully. The young child sensed her chachi was in pain. She came over to her and kissed her cheek.
Khanak managed a smile for her niece and lay back against the wall sighing.
Arushi not knowing the ways of the world but understanding Khanak Chachi needed some assistance, ran as fast her little legs could carry her towards the other room.
Khushboo dropped her phone seeing her daughter's insistence.
Khushboo and Arushi arrived in time to see that Khanak had fainted and there was a pool of liquid on the floor.
Khushboo told Arushi to go get her phone as she went to assess the situation.
"Khanak!,", she yelled after her daughter left the room.
Her water had broken and she was unconscious.
One hour later…
Shantanu was planning to get something for Khanak before seeing about a flight back to Mumbai. He had wrapped up everything they needed him for. He had this nagging feeling that she needed him home.
His phone rang. It was his brother.
"Hello Akshay Bhaiya. Sab kaisa hai?," he inquired.
Akshay didn't want Shantanu to get too worried but he needed to be here asap.
"Khanak is in labor. The baby can come any time now Shaan. You need to get here as fast and carefully as possible," Akshay stated.
He was frantic now. Would Khanak and the baby be all right? It was still early for the baby to arrive.
He told his brother to relay to Khanak he would be there soon.
Akshay turned to face the maternity ward. Khanak had not gained full awareness yet. If Shantanu did not get here soon he would miss the birth of his child.
It was nearing 8pm now. Khanak was still struggling with the labor. It was as if the child was waiting for their father to return to advance long the birth canal.
Shantanu rushed in a bit later. His family told him he needed to compose himself. They told him how Arushi had saved the day. Shantanu took his niece in his arms and kissed her forehead.
" You are an angel kiddo," he exclaimed.
He turned to his parents.
"Have the doctors said anything?," he asked anxiously.
"It is hard to say. They are trying to figure out why her labor is stalled. She isn't ready to push yet," Madhavi said solemnly.
Khushboo took Arushi home. Sunil decided to call the Sharmas to give them an update. Dadi was in the puja ghar praying. Shantanu came to take her blessings.
She looked at him sternly.
"Now that you are here, stay with her. Everything will be fine," she assured him.
Shantanu walked towards the room.
The nurses and doctor eyed him sternly.
"I'm her husband," he stated.
Their expressions relaxed and the doctor took him aside.
" We need to do a c-section. The baby and mother are in distress," the doctor stated.
" Do whatever you have to do. I want them both safe," Shantanu declared.
" We shall do our best Mr. Khandlewal. However the second baby is hidden partly," the doctor stated.
" You mean twins?," he squeaked.
" Yes. Baby number two made an appearance just today in the sonogram," the doctor said.
Shantanu sat down beside Khanak and held her hand as the team of doctors and nurses got ready for a c- section.
A boy came first and then the placenta. Now the tough part getting the second child out. They asked Shantanu if he would like to step out for this part.
"No before I came there was barely any progress and now there is. I am staying here with my wife," he insisted.
The doctors and nurses solemnly nodded and continued their work. They retrieved the other baby which was a girl. She didn't cry at first and Khanak's eyes were ready to fill with tears.
Shantanu stroked her forehead.
Then a cry came. The couple exchanged happy tears.
Two weeks later the naming ceremony happened A cousin from Madhavi's side named the twins Sahil and Kashish.
The family was complete.
As the years went by Shantanu opened his own practice and the twins grew up to be healthy. Khanak continued her work as a social worker. Arushi grew to treat the twins like her younger siblings. The joy of the family grew when Khushboo had a son which they named Akhil.
It was one bright Sunday morning where everyone was home. The Sharmas would be joining them today.
Khanak had just emerged from the shower and smiled over at Shantanu.
He felt water droplets on his face and he just knew it was her as always. He pulled her into bed beside him.
" You'll never change," she hissed.
He took her hand in his.
" Since we have met I have been changing," he stated.
She looked into his eyes.
"Jab hum mile, mujhe ne pata tha ki tum muhje itna badal do gi," he stated. ( When we met I never expected you to change me this much)
She merely smiled.
"So SK tell me did you feel anything on our first meeting?," she inquired.
"There was something special about you. I just could feel it the first time you walked away from me," he stated.
"I had a feeling you wouldn't leave my thoughts so easily either," she whispered.
Together they took some time to recall their first few meetings. Some things had not changed and others had changed. They still loved each other immensely. He was protective, while she was stubborn and braver than he was comfortable.
They had children now. However their romance had not died out. They had completed each other since they came together. Whether it was meant to be or it was some divine plan, they stayed together and were happy as ever despite everything that had come their way.
There was some banging at the door and soon Arushi led the younger children in.
" Happy Anniversary Shaan Chachu and Khanak Chachi!," Arushi wished them.
They exchanged smiles before ushering the children to come up on the bed.
The End
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