Connected: A YHM Story ✔️

Chapter 70 - The One With The Chaotic Rakhi

24 WEEKS PREGNANT

Bhalla House – Saturday, 14 August, 10 am

Ishita draped her dupatta over her shoulder and surveyed herself in the mirror. She was wearing a bright red and blue maternity salwaar suit with gold hoops and her silky hair tied back in a half-braid. Her baby bump was more than visible now. She had stretch marks around her abdomen and was beginning to get a double chin.

"Kitni moti ho gayi hoon main..." she muttered to herself, rubbing her swollen belly. "Haina baby? Mumma is getting so fat, isn't she?" [I've become so fat... Haven't I baby?]

Ishita maneuvered her dupatta, draping it over her belly in various ways, but there was no way to hide her chubbiness.

Just then, two other arms came snaking around her from behind. She looked up in the mirror to find her husband embracing her, dressed in a rich blue kurta, his chin resting on her shoulder.

"Kya bol rahi thi tum?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at her. [What were you saying?]

Ishita sighed. "Look at me, Raman. Nothing fits me anymore. My center of balance is all off. I'm getting fat all over. I even have a double chin now." She elongated her neck and pulled her cheeks in, critical of her rounded face. "I feel so unattractive."

"Har minute kuch na kuch khaati rehti ho. What did you expect madrasan?" he chuckled. [You're always eating something every minute.]

Ishita gasped and elbowed him. "You are so mean! Raavan kumar kahin ke! Chodo mujhe. Mujhe baat hi nahi karni aapse!" She wiggled out of his arms and nudged him away, frowning at her husband's antics. [You Raavan! Let me go. I don't want to talk to you!]

But Raman pulled her back and grasped her shoulders to make her face him. But Ishita didn't budge.

"Chodo mujhe!" she grumbled. "Maine kaha na mujhe koi baat nahi karni aapse." [Let me go! I told you I don't want to talk to you.]

"Fine. Main bhi tumse baat nahi kar raha." He kneeled down and kissed her baby bump. "Main apne baby se baat kar raha hoon." [I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to my baby.]

Raman caressed Ishita's belly and cleared his throat. "Hi mera baby... Aapne suna mumma kya bol rahi hai? She thinks she looks unattractive. Isn't she being foolish?" [Did you hear what mumma is saying?]

They felt a sudden jerk in her tummy, as their baby kicked in response. "See?" Raman looked up at his wife and smirked. "Even your baby agrees. You're being foolish."

Raman brought his ear closer to her belly. "Hmm? Kya bol rahe ho aap? Haan, bilkul sahi kaha aapne. Abhi mumma ko bolta hoon." [Hmm? What are you saying? Yes, you're right. Let me tell mumma.]

The frown on Ishita's face transformed into a shy smile, as Raman stood up and pulled his wife closer.

"Suna baby ne kya kaha?" he asked. [Did you hear what your baby said?]

"Kya?" [What?]

"My baby is saying that mumma will always be beautiful for papa." He tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Mumma has never looked more beautiful than she does now. And papa is falling in love with her more and more every single day."

"Raman... That was... so sweet." Ishita sniffed and swiped her finger under her eyes, but it did nothing to stop her from crying.

"Arey yaar, tum har baat pe itna roti kyun ho aaj kal? Kahan gayi meri Jhansi ki Rani jo mujhe lecture diya karti thi?" [Oh god, why do you keep crying so much nowadays? Where did my Jhansi ki Rani go that always lectured me?]