Enjoy reading!
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Author's POV
All were sitting in the hall of Singhania mansion leaving Rey, Siddharth and Adarsh who were yet to return from a meeting. They were chit-chatting while Naina was continuously looking at the door for her brothers, no, not because she was missing them but because she well hell hungry and dinner would be served once everyone came home. Her bhabhi's were giggling seeing her condition, Kanchi joked seeing her,
"Naina, itna to Taani, Twinkle bhabhi and Siddhi bhabhi bhi door ko nahi dekh rahi apne husbands ke intezar mein jitna tum dekh rahi ho."
All noticed Naina's condition and began laughing while the girl pouted, rubbing her stomach,
"Bhabhi, kahan reh gaye bhaiya, bahot bhook lagi hai. Aaj dinner mein kya hai?"
Amna smiled telling her,
"Aaj mix veg, chicken karahi, palak paneer and pulao hai. Or noodles bhi."
Hearing noodles the four kids jumped up, Harshali, Vansh, Naina and of course Sanskar. Sanskar looked at the dining table and the at the door longingly,
"Bhabhi kyu bataya? Ab to or bhook lagi hai."
Naina agreed looking at the door, then down at her tummpy patting it, as if consoling it. Vansh and Harshali giggled at this, and HArshali said,
"Bui, aapke tummy se animals ki awaaz aa rahi hai."
Vansh giggled and everybody laughed as Naina squinted her eyes and then ran behind the two kids chasing them. The duo went and hugged Swadhinta and Taani from behind hiding behind them, showing Naina their tongue as Vansh screeched,
"Chachi save us. Bui monster ki tarah chase kar rahi hain."
To continue the play, Taani supported the kids,
"Achha, Naina, why are you chasing my kids."
Naina pouted folding her hands,
"Achha dono bachhu, Taani bhabhi ko bhi team mein le liya. Ruko, tum dono ki mummas or daddas meri teams mein hain."
Saying that she went and hugged both Karan and Veer along with Amna and Ishita. The kids showed her their tongue while Naina did same. All were laughing and enjoying their banter when the car sound came and the four kid's ears perked up. Sanskar jumped and ran towards the dining table
"Bhaiya is here."
The other three followed leaving everybody laughing and shaking their heads. Rajni just sighed,
"Kabhi kabhi smajh ni aata, Harshali or Vansh bachhe hain ya Naina or Sanskar."
Raj said,
"Isme sochna kya hai maa.........Of course, Naina or Sanskar."
All burst out laughing when Rey, Siddharth and Adarsh entered the house catching their respective partner's attention. The ladies smiled seeing their tired spouses, as Siddharth asked,
"Kya baat hai? Sab itna hass rahe hain."
Mishkat told them what happened and the trio also laughed before greeting everyone and then moving to sit with their partners. Rey settled beside Taani and then kissed her forehead making her flustered in front of everyone as he asked,
"How are you feeling now? Dard hai?"
She just shook her head in denial, still tongue tied about the fact that he kissed her in front of everyone though none seemed to mind it. She sighed knowing she'll still have to get used to this open display of affection by him and everybody else. As soon as the trio freshened up, they all sat for dinner having their food. Rey noticed how little Taani was eating even though he was having a conversation with Veer. He asked her in a hushed tone seeing her eating only a couple of spoons of rice,
"Why aren't you eating anything?"
He gestured to her empty plate, she looked up and said,
"I'm full."
His eyes widened hearing her, he merely ate a few bites while she bit her lower lips sheepishly. He asked her,
"Itne mein hi?"
She nodded like a child, "I lose my appetite in periods usually. Mera khaane ka bilkul mann nahi karta."
He sighed shaking his head, before serving her more food making her eyes widen. She tried speaking something when he shushed her and said,
"Taani you are menstruating, it's necessary to eat well in these days, nahi to weakness aa jayegi itne blood loss ke baad. C'mon finish this."
She tried to say something again when he pushed a morsel of chapatti in her mouth shutting her up making her frown,
"Chup chap khao ab. I don't know mere peeche se pure din mein kuch khaya bhi hai ya nahi."
She pouted and ate silently while he shook his head at her carelessness. He was really concerned about her appetite on usual days, which was really less and now when she was having her days her even less appetite was a huge concern for him. There is a lot of blood loss during these days and one needs to have proper food to sustain the energy and keeping the blood level maintained. For the rest of the time they all conversed with each other while he made sure she was fed properly.
After the dinner was over, the elders left to their rooms while all the siblings decided to have their everyday chilling session, for the first time with Taani since she came. She smiled widely hearing about their daily routine of spending some time together before bed. Amna and Ishita went to make the kids sleep while Rey asked everyone,
"Who all want hot chocolate?"
"Me!"
"Yes please!"
"I do!"
"Main!"
He just shook his head at his foodie family when everybody raised their hands, he nodded,
"Main banake laaya."
Taani looked at him surprised which increased when Karan said,
"Rey ruk, sab boys chalte hain. Let's give these ladies rest. Sab log bata do kya loge?"
Rey and the boys nodded when all told their drinks and they left for kitchen. Taani was still standing surprised while Swadhinta, Twinkle, Kanchi and Naina were used to this. They patted Taani saying its usual and took her to their space when Naina said,
"Kanchi bhabhi, andar se blankets le aaye? Yahan thandi hawa chalni shuru ho jayegi, not good for bhabhi's."
She pointed towards Swadhinta and Twinkle as they were pregnant and cold wind was not good for them. Taani settled down with the other three. Soon all the girls returned and settled down in the blankets. They all were laughing and giggling, talking about the kids and the babies, along with their jobs, Kanchi asked Swadhinta,
"Bhabhi, aapne socha hai kuch maternity leave ka?"
Swadhinta shrugged, "Dekhti hu Kanu, doctor said pregnancy mein complications nahi hain, it's normal one. So I might just work till the last day. Mera bilkul mann nahi hai apni pregnancy mein zyada chutti lene ka. In fact I want to work till the last day before delivery."
All smiled at this, whe Ishita said, "Of course you can Siddhi, mene bhi to kiya tha. Koi problem nahi hogi. If not from office, you can definitely work from home as well."
The ladies nodded when Taani asked Amna, "Bhabhi aapne kab maternity leave li thi?"
Amna smiled at her, "Mene apne 7th month mein li thi. Thode se complications the to doctors put me on bed rest till delivery. Then I joined office again after a year of Harshu's birth."
Taani smiled widely hearing her, Twinkle nodded, "Haan siddhi, bas ye dhyaan rakhna ki work ka pressure na lo, that won't be good for baby. And humesha vahi karna chahiye jo mann kahe, ab see na, mujhe mera pregnancy period enjoy karna tha at home with all pampering isliye I took a break early, zaruri ni ki sab yahi kare."
Swadhinta smiled at Twinkle, "Ji bhabhi! Maine yahi socha hai, meri yahi koshish rahegi ki delivery ke ek din pehle tak I work."
Taani was smiling hearing them, the notion of women working or not working during pregnancy completely depending on their will was something that made her feel proud and empowered. Not being told or asked what to do just because a pregnant women is supposed, rather expected, not to work during last months was totally reflected on the girl's face which were showing happiness and contentment. Soon the boys joined them with their drinks, each guys picking two glasses settled in the blankets with their partners while Naina settled down with Sanskar who hugged his little sister closer. Rey got in the blanket with Taani, pulling her closer to hus chest and giving a long brief kiss on her forehead handed her the hot chocolate. Taani smiled at this and seeing all the guys almost doing same as Karan handed Amna her ginger tea who smiled softly at him seeing her favourite and karan grinning seeing his wife's happy face he hugged her closer. Ishita keeping her head on Veer's shoulder as they shared a mug of hot chocolate because Ishita didn't want to drink much. Siddharth lightly pressing Twinkle's toes as her feet pained nowadays while she drank her mango shake which she was craving. Adarsh hugging Swadhinta as they sipped their drinks in silence and Kanchi and Miskat exchanging their chocolate milkshake and hot chocolate respectively, arguing which is better, though they didn't had much of a difference. She could see love, care, contentment and a feeling of fulfilment in the air.
She unconsciously cuddled closer to Rey who was amused, nonetheless pulled her closer in his arms when Sanskar asked,
"Kya baatein ho rahi thi?"
Naina told the guys, "Just Siddhi bhabhi's maternity leave."
Adarsh looked at Swadhinta asking,
"Achha, kya socha siddhi? What do you wanna do?"
She looked at him answering, "I want to work till the last day before my delivery."
He was a little surprised, before nodding and saying, "As you wish!"
She smiled in glee, squealing and kissing his cheek making everybody laugh at her. Rey looked at Siddharth at this,
"Bhai, aap kab paternity leave le rahe ho fir? It's six month na."
Twinkle nodded and looked at her husband raising her brows, then squinting them as if threatening him silently. All tried to hold their laughter seeing her expressions and Siddharth looking like a deer caught in headlight, he smiled at her an said,
"Baby, tumhara 7th month start hote hi I'll start working from home."
"Good!"
Twinkle hummed satisfied and all smiled at the love between them. They all had their drinks spending quality time together when Naina asked,
"Rey bhaiya, aapki wedding movie kal aane vali hai. Sab saath baithke dekhenge."
Taarey grinned thinking about their wedding while Ishita said excitedly,
"Awesome plan! Kal sab raat ko dinner ke baad Taarey wedding movie. Cool?"
"Yessss!"
A huge chorus resounded around while Taarey too were excited about their wedding footage. Soon, wrapping everything up they all retired to their rooms. Taarey were in their room, lying on the bed, she was facing the balcony keeping her head on his arm while he was cuddling her from behind gazing at both her and the night sky occassionaly. Their hands were enclosed near her chest while she was playing wth his in a trance.
He looked at her admiring her for a few minutes, before bending and nuzzling his face in her neck and embracing her even tighter, she giggled feeling ticklish as he grazed his lips on her nape,
"What's my jaan thinking?"
She smiled, looking at their entwined hands and kissing his before asking dazed,
"Reyansh, kya mereko bhi sare decisions lene ka right hoga, mere liye, humare liye? Jese aaj maternity leave and baby ke liye Swadhinta bhabhi ne liya. Or baki bhabhi ne bhi."
He was confused for a second, not realising taking decisions in pregnancy was still a huge deal for her since she couldn't even take small decisions of her life. he nodded saying,
"Of course jaan. Isme puchna kya hai? It will be your body, our baby and our pregnancy, of course tumhe sare decisions lene ka right hai. Not just in this but every decision of our life."
She grinned widely at his answer before hugging their hands more closer literally squishing them in her chest and scrunching herself into a foetus moving in his embrace,
"I feel so happy seeing the women here actually contented and satisfied in their life, not just for namesake. Honestly speaking today I experienced what feminism and women empowerment is. Seeing neither the family encouraging bhabhis too much about doing job because they aren't weak and they can manage as women, nor asking them to be at home because that is expected. They all just let them decide for themselves what they want at the end. Be it working throughout their pregnancy or staying at home. They gave them the reigns of their life, supporting in whatever they're doing. Or kya chahiye kisi ladki ko, ki unko unke life ke decisions lene diya jaye, bina ye feel karwaye ki vo apne liye sahi decisions nahi le sakti, ya vo capable nahi hain. Bas support is what we all crave for. Or sahib hi to hai na, ladko ko to koi ni bolta ki 9 months ghar pe raho coz baby hone vala hai. To hume kyu? I am so happy sab bhabhi ne choose kiya ki unhone apni pregnancy period kese jeena hai. I am so proud of everyone and specially bhaiyas."
Rey was silently hearing her, there were only few times she would start speaking her heart out and this was one of those few times. Things were changing for the better, she was opening up emotionally and he couldn't have been happier.
"Pata hai reyansh, I felt really empowered, tab nahi jab aapne kaha ki main apni studies continue kar sakti hu. Coz bahot srai families karne deti hain, but then they would somewhere hope for a baby to be born withing the starting years not even realising vo education ke sath kitna difficult ho jata hai. Jab aapne bola na, its our baby and we will decide when we want to have one. I was so happy. Mtlab mereko ni bola jayega ki do saal hog aye hain, baby nahi hai. Main apni studies continue kar skati hu, bina soche ki ghar se baby ka pressure hai mujhpe, yaa aap se. Uss din sahi mein laga that I have power as a women, to take my decisions. That I am empowered. Thank you so much! I feel the luckiest girl in this world to have you as my husband."
His chest swelled with pride hearing her, he could make her feel proud, happy, empowered and contented, nothing meant more to him than this. He kissed her head in the same position and muttered,
"Mene kaha tha na Taani. No one will take decisions for you as long as I am there. I mean it."
She smiled as they cuddled closer leaving no space between them, when he asked her,
"Bachha, if you don't mind me asking something? May I?"
She nodded playing with his fingers now,
"Why were you so nervous aout your periods in morning? As far as I know, girls are pretty open regarding these things in our generation."
Her hands halted with his fingers making him frown, he hoped she would tell him because he surely didn't want to force her for something she wasn't ready for. She sighed and said looking at the space in trance,
"My mom always was on her toes when my periods came. She treated me as a forbidden one, mujhe kitchen mein jaana allowed nit ha. Kamre mein band kardeti thi, kehti thi ki kahin agar spotting ho gayi or papa ne dekh liya to achha ni hoga. Isliye mein apne kamre mein his rehti thi during my cycles. Khaana bhi plain deti thi bilkul, due to which meri appetite bhi kam ho gayi thi during my cycles. I remember achanak mere cycles aa gaye the, I was in living room or sofa cover pe spotting ho gayi thi. I didn't realise or kamre mein chali gayi. Shaam ko papa ne spot dekh liya, to mumma ne aake bahot daanta tha or ...or slap kiya tha."
Rey's breath hitched hearing her and his grip involuntarily tightened around her, she smiled caressing his hand trying to calm him down,
"It's fine reyansh. Bachpan ki baat hai. Vo cheez aise ingrained thi ki lagta tha menstruation ke bare mein kisi bhi man se discuss karna ya pata lagne dena you are on cycles is a sin. Bas isliye..............but ab nahi hai, aap sahi hain. Hum apni next generation ko iss cheez ko vese hi secret and forbidden rakhna sikhaenge jese humesha se hota aaya hai to girls ki life kabhi change nahi hogi."
He hummed agreeing with her and kissed her head,
"You don't need to worry about anything now. Yahan tum apni cycles mein kuch bhi kar skati ho, jo khana hai khaa skati ho, jahan jaana hai jaa skati ho, ye tumhara ghar hai. I am there!"
She tilted her head towards him and kissed his cheek,
"I know. Aap humesha ho."
He was surprised seeing the conviction her eyes showed while saying that to him. he was happy he could make her believe in his existence and presence in her life. he kissed her lips soundly and she eagerly reciprocated making him sigh. Both broke apart when they felt breathless, as he leaned his forehead to hers and muttered,
"Bas ek problem hai during your cycles......"
She frowned moving back and asked,
"Kya?"
He looked at her innocent face while biting his inner cheek and answer grinding his arousal to her lower back amking her eyes widen as he answered cheekily,
"Cold showers."
She blushed slightly hearing him, before giggling as he laughed hearing her soft melodious laughter and consuming it kissing her again in a breath-taking kiss.
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I am trying my best to not make this one a cliche arranged marriage story and adding some interesting and worth speaking topics. Hopefully I am succeeding. Some drama coming ahead.
Stay tuned.