Complete with You
"Ranima! Ranima!" Amar Singh was in his room, his sneakers making mud footprints across the hallway while he reached there, as the maids stared at his face in horror. Girja Dai's daughter Rama was there in the room, as she came to Amar in shock, asking, " Bhanwar Ji ye kya kiya apne?" while wiping his face and hands.
Ajabdeh walked up the stairs, in her pink and blue kaftan, frowning at the footprints on the staircase, which eventually led her to Amar's room as she gasped. Amar's face, Hands and new clothes were full of wet mud, and he was frowning as Rama cleaned him.
" Amar, what did you..."
" Maine ek rose plant lagwaya garden mein Ranima!" He smiled excitedly, " Par aap yeh Dekho!"
He frowned again. " Baby kya kar rahi hai!"
He pointed at Arohi, who was sitting on the carpet on her side of the room, with Amar's car in her hand. She was smashing them on the floor and giggling at it, too. " Amar! Behen hai na? Toh naam se bolao..." Ajabdeh scolded.
" Ranima dekho aap ki princess ne kya kiya! Meri's favourite car!" He wailed. " Ohho! Share karna kab sikhega yeh ladka!" Ajabdeh shook her head.
" Mamma!" Arohi had spotted her mother and decided to walk toward her, holding the wall. Ajabdeh walked forward and picked her up.
"Amar, stop complaining about your sister! Rama takes Arohi to Ranima. I will clean him up."
Arohi Singh, the musical one, was now a year and a few months old, and she had her mother's silky black hair, dark eyes in the same almond shapes and the perfect nose. She was her father's pampered Princess, much to Amar's annoyance. When she was born, he had frowned. The baby ate and slept all day, keeping his mother occupied. He was not supposed to touch her, wake her or even talk loudly. And Dadisa had said she would play with him. As Arohi learned to crawl, she kept destroying his toys. Although both Ranima and Papa said she did so unknowingly, Amar had his doubts.
The good thing about the baby learning to crawl was that now Rama Bua was here and his mother was back to dressing him up, feeding him and taking him places. Not that he hated Dadisa doing all that, but Ranima was more fun.
The Dos and Don'ts Papa imposed on him as a responsibility made Amar feel all grown up right now. He was supposed to see that the Princess didn't get hurt, Papa had said. But why doesn't she leave his toys alone? Amar always wondered.
" Ab kya ho gaya birthday boy?" Pratap entered the room with a smile as Ajabdeh was sponging him.
" Mujhe toh aap pyaar hi nahi karte, Purana ho gaya hoon na!" He frowned as Pratap smiled.
" Kya kiya mere Champ ne jo Ranima daat rahi?"
" Maine Rose Plant kiya garden mein." He smiled. " And she broke my toy!" He frowned.
" Accha? Don't worry, main daat dunga Arohi ko! Birthday boy ke toys break kiye?" Pratap patted his boy's messed-up hair. " Ab jaldi se tayyar ho jao, hum Chetak ko lekar PrAjaPati jaenge."
" Yay, chalo Ranima." He jumped.
" Ranima nahi only boys!" Amar hurried and ran out excitedly, dragging Pratap by his hand. He turned back to smile at his wife, who looked relieved at this help. There was so much to do before the evening Party.
" Ranima." Ajabdeh entered the bedroom as Jaivanta gestured to be quiet, indicating the sleeping baby.
" Woh log..." Ajabdeh asked softly.
" Udaipur pouch gaye. Car se aa rahe hai. Sirf Heer aur Shakti, Sangram aur Vikram ko college hai aur Sajja ka swasth. Tumhare dost?"
" Mahek can't come, bacha chota hai na bahut, Rohan aa jaega dopahar tak. Ven, Rosa aur Elina pouch gaye guest house. Elina is sleeping. Amar ke school friends ke parents bhi bhej denge baccho ko, humne kaha tha ke staffs bhi aa jaye par woh log nahi maane "
The car made Amar run to the entrance, saying, " Kakasa aa gaye Kakasa aa gaye." " Dheere jao!" Pratap smiled as he saw another person dash with the same enthusiasm as the boy. She was only twenty-eight years old.
" Ajabdeh Dheere!" He warned her as she bumped her leg on the statue in the hallway. " Ouch! Am fine." Made him shake his head as she ran again.
" Heeriye!" She hugged Heer, who was in a blue saree, with a smile as Shakti picked up Amar.
" Minion! Happy Birthday!"
" Aap mere liye aye ya uske liye?"
" Amar!" His parents sternly stared in unison.
After lunch, Ajabdeh was very tired; taking care of a five-year-old's birthday party was so hard, she had no idea! She wondered how Ranima handled so much at each of Pratap's parties. Must have been torture! Pratap was on the couch with his laptop as she entered the room and frowned at her jewellery box.
" Kya hua?" He asked.
" Earrings!" She opened the box and took out two. " Yeh wala ya yeh wala? Batao Batao!" He walked up to her and chose one. She decided to wear the other one anyway, making him frown as she giggled.
"I'm so tired. " She said, half lying on the bed as he sat there. " Yaad hai jab Amar ki news mili thi. "
" Haan, mera Baby itna bada ho gaya." She gushed.
" Haan, aur tum bachi ki bachi reh gayi." He taunted, chuckling as she narrowed her eyes at him.
" Yaad hai. "
Pratap walked into the room as Ajabdeh, in her pink jumpsuit, was watching a "coming back from death" scene in a series with eagerness. He sat beside her and handed her medical files. Engrossed, she kept it aside, making him frown. He smiled and switched off the TV as she looked at him, annoyed, asking, " Kya hai?" He chose to answer with a long, tight hug as she frowned.
" Kya Hua? Am I dying or something?"
That made him all serious as he said, " Kuch bhi bolti jaati ho." He took the file, opened it and said, " Yeh dekho!"
She didn't know what he was showing as she stared before he pointed at Positive. " Ohh My Gosh!" Made him smile as she looked all wide-eyed and worried. " I am getting old!" He chuckled, hugging her again.
" I am having a "She was cut short by his " We are having a baby."
" I am so happy." He added.
" Am so scared." She looked confused.
Pratap entered the room, frowning. She was supposed to be asleep if he was late.
Instead, a movie was on, and she had a bowl of ice cream. She was in her first trimester.
"Hey!" She waved her hand, watching him come in.
" Why are you awake? The doctor said that you need to sleep early, na?"
"Oh, I am watching a movie... Nine Months!" He sat down beside her and dared to take a spoonful from her ice cream scoop, as she stared at him. He smiled and wiped away some ice cream from her nose.
" Am I fat?" Her question made him narrow his eyebrows slightly. "No." He lied.
" You always said I am fat." She frowned. " I don't mean extra fat."
" How dare you? You don't love me anymore!" She almost cried as he looked confused.
" But... But maine kya bola, tum toh khud hi..." " I feel ugly."
" Nahi, you are pretty and glowing." He kissed her forehead. " Sachi?" He nodded, holding her hand.
Ajabdeh was watching a baby video on the Laptop.
" The baby responds to sounds once he is 7 months in the womb. So you can try making him listen to some soft music, " The expert was saying as Ajabdeh quickly
turned it off and searched her playlist.
Tere Mere Milan ki Ye Raina, Naya Koi Gul Khil Jayegi, Tabhi Toh Chanchal Hai Tere Naina Dekho Naa. The baby seemed to be moving as Ajabdeh felt funny. She
immediately picked up the phone and called Pratap in the office. Pratap was in a meeting, and he came out to find 14 missed calls from " Strange Girl." He called her worried. Her excited voice said, " The Baby is vibrating!"
" Err. You mean moving?"
" Yes, eerie isn't it?"
" Tumne yeh bolne ke liye 14 calls kiye?" " Haan kyun?" She frowned.
Ajabdeh was in her old bedroom as Hansa insisted on taking care of her for the last two months. She was restless when she smiled as he came from the window.
" Dekho kya laya main!"
" Chocolates." She was excited. " Hush!"
" Tumhe kaise pata ke I was craving for these?" She asked, mouth full.
He smiled as he watched her eat. Then he sat down on the floor, patting the baby bump as she smiled.
" Jaldi se bahar aa jao, mujhe tumhare Mamma ko ghar le jana hai!"
" Ranima!" She cut his words. He stared at her, a little taken aback as she smiled. "Kya?" She frowned.
" Ranima ko ghar le jana hai... " He repeated. " Tum toh abhi se kabab mein haddi ban rahe ho!" He chuckled.
" Haww, how dare you say that my Baby is haddi? He can hear you, know? Or she "
Pratap took both her hands and kissed her forehead. " I love you, and I miss you at home."
" Hush! Baby can hear." She stopped him with her hands.
" Haan haan usko toh sab samajh mein aata hai." He chuckled.
" Ohh My Gosh!" Ajabdeh held her tummy wide-eyed as Pratap's face flashed worry.
" Kya Hua? Kya? Doctor Bulau? Hospital... Ambulance " Ajabdeh giggled at his
restlessness.
" Calm down! He's kicking!"
" Really?" She made him feel it with his hands as he looked at her wide-eyed and smiled. Now he was scared.
He was sitting in the hospital, nervous with his mother and hers. Chaks and Rohan were there too with their fathers. His hands had never felt so numb before. The doctor was in there checking on her.
" We are getting things ready for a normal delivery, aap sab mill lijiye tab tak patient se." He said as he walked away. He was outside when Ranima told him, "Jao!" He walked in as she stared angrily. The glucose drip was giving her more pain than the labour, it seemed.
" Sab tumhari wajah se hua hai!" She screamed as he looked taken aback. " Yeh, I don't need, isko utarwa do."
" Ajabdeh ." He softly took her name as she realised he was in a worry.
" Come here." She called him. He came up to her and held her hands. She had never seen his hands so cold. She looked at him with worry.
" Don't worry, Princy sab thik hoga." She smiled as he kissed her forehead.
" Congratulations, Mr Singh, it's a boy." The doctor smiled as the family hugged and greeted them.
" How's she?" He asked.
" She is fine. The people inside, I am not so sure." He smiled. " Aapki wife lakho mein ek hai, aisi patient kisi ko na mile. " He walked away, leaving Pratap flabbergasted. He walked into the room as she half lay in bed.
" Never again. Never ever again." She shook her head weakly, making him smile.
The nurse brought the boy wrapped in a blue sheet and taught Ajabdeh to hold him as Pratap started to get scared. He yawned as Ajabdeh exclaimed, " Aww '' kissing his little nose. The first thing Pratap saw was his curly head. The boy was born with curly hair like his father had.
" Be careful." He warned. " Tum..."
" No No No." He shook his head. " He's too small." He held the boy over Ajabdeh's hands.
He received a call in the office. " Hello?"
" He turned over!" An excited voice came. " What?"
" He turned over all by himself!" " Ohh," Pratap exclaimed.
" Ohh?" she frowned. " Jaldi ao, party karenge." " Kis khushi mein?"
" Amar Flipped!"
" Ajab! Ajab!" She ran at his call to watch him make a video on their bedroom carpet. She let out a gasp at the sight. Amar was trying to crawl his way to the couch. Her hands were on her mouth as Pratap smiled at her.
" Beta Papa bolo. Pa pa!" Pratap was teaching the boy. " Mamma." A reply came as Ajabdeh clapped.
Annoyed, Pratap tried again, " Papa Bolo!" " Mamma! Mamma!"
" Reh tu Mamma ke saath." He shook his head as Ajabdeh picked up the baby. " Aww, Amar, somebody is getting jealous!"
" Lo! Main Kyun!" Pratap shook his head in protest as Ajab giggled.
" I think Amar should get his pony now," Ajabdeh concluded. " I got mine when I was nine."
" When will he be leaving for boarding?" She sounded unhappy.
" He won't. He will stay with Heer and Shakti when he is ten and complete his schooling. That way, you can go stay there too. " He concluded.
" What about your parampara and all?" She frowned.
" I know my zoo will be all mad if the mother doesn't meet her baby at least 7 days a month, so I can't risk upsetting them both!" He shrugged as she hugged him in joy.
" Yay, I am so happy!"
Arohi's cry made Ajabdeh jump up from the nostalgia and run out as Pratap smiled at her.
The party was themed " Pirates" for the kids, as the adults dressed in suits and dresses. Amar was in a pirate suit, a white shirt, a brown coat, boots and hat, red pants and a bandana. Aarchi, who now chose her own clothes, much against Bhago's wishes, wore a white mini dress with a blue jeans tunic and brown belt and boots with the same bandana. Ajabdeh made Arohi wear a black and pink dress with black boots and a pink bandana, which she refused to keep on. As Amar blew out the candles, Ajabdeh was about to help him cut the cake, but he wanted to do it himself. He carefully cut it and took the piece out before spilling it on his clothes as everyone went "Ohh no!"
Jaivanta smiled, amused, adding " Ab Lag raha hai, Ajabdeh ka beta!"
Pratap smiled at his wife, who looked elegant in the black evening gown and diamond jewellery with her hair made in a side bun. She shrugged at Ranima, making everyone smile.
" So jaa re Chanda main " There was a humming tune in Pratap's voice as he walked around Amar's room with Arohi. Her head rested on his shoulders, and she hugged him tightly even in her sleep. Amar was being petted by Ajabdeh as she caressed his hair and kissed his forehead. She looked up at Pratap, who stopped humming and smiled at her. She smiled back before carefully placing Arohi on her bed and keeping Pratap vigil as she went to call Rama for her night duties. Pratap looked at the two sleeping figures in the blue and pink room. He looked like his father and behaved like her; she looked like her but was like him; that's what Ajabdeh said. She came back behind him.
" Aa rahi hai woh," she spoke softly as she looked at the sleeping figures. Then she placed her head on his shoulder as he held her in a hug, and they smiled at each other.
Ajabdeh walked up the stairs, in her pink and blue kaftan, frowning at the footprints on the staircase, which eventually led her to Amar's room as she gasped. Amar's face, Hands and new clothes were full of wet mud, and he was frowning as Rama cleaned him.
" Amar, what did you..."
" Maine ek rose plant lagwaya garden mein Ranima!" He smiled excitedly, " Par aap yeh Dekho!"
He frowned again. " Baby kya kar rahi hai!"
He pointed at Arohi, who was sitting on the carpet on her side of the room, with Amar's car in her hand. She was smashing them on the floor and giggling at it, too. " Amar! Behen hai na? Toh naam se bolao..." Ajabdeh scolded.
" Ranima dekho aap ki princess ne kya kiya! Meri's favourite car!" He wailed. " Ohho! Share karna kab sikhega yeh ladka!" Ajabdeh shook her head.
" Mamma!" Arohi had spotted her mother and decided to walk toward her, holding the wall. Ajabdeh walked forward and picked her up.
"Amar, stop complaining about your sister! Rama takes Arohi to Ranima. I will clean him up."
Arohi Singh, the musical one, was now a year and a few months old, and she had her mother's silky black hair, dark eyes in the same almond shapes and the perfect nose. She was her father's pampered Princess, much to Amar's annoyance. When she was born, he had frowned. The baby ate and slept all day, keeping his mother occupied. He was not supposed to touch her, wake her or even talk loudly. And Dadisa had said she would play with him. As Arohi learned to crawl, she kept destroying his toys. Although both Ranima and Papa said she did so unknowingly, Amar had his doubts.
The good thing about the baby learning to crawl was that now Rama Bua was here and his mother was back to dressing him up, feeding him and taking him places. Not that he hated Dadisa doing all that, but Ranima was more fun.
The Dos and Don'ts Papa imposed on him as a responsibility made Amar feel all grown up right now. He was supposed to see that the Princess didn't get hurt, Papa had said. But why doesn't she leave his toys alone? Amar always wondered.
" Ab kya ho gaya birthday boy?" Pratap entered the room with a smile as Ajabdeh was sponging him.
" Mujhe toh aap pyaar hi nahi karte, Purana ho gaya hoon na!" He frowned as Pratap smiled.
" Kya kiya mere Champ ne jo Ranima daat rahi?"
" Maine Rose Plant kiya garden mein." He smiled. " And she broke my toy!" He frowned.
" Accha? Don't worry, main daat dunga Arohi ko! Birthday boy ke toys break kiye?" Pratap patted his boy's messed-up hair. " Ab jaldi se tayyar ho jao, hum Chetak ko lekar PrAjaPati jaenge."
" Yay, chalo Ranima." He jumped.
" Ranima nahi only boys!" Amar hurried and ran out excitedly, dragging Pratap by his hand. He turned back to smile at his wife, who looked relieved at this help. There was so much to do before the evening Party.
" Ranima." Ajabdeh entered the bedroom as Jaivanta gestured to be quiet, indicating the sleeping baby.
" Woh log..." Ajabdeh asked softly.
" Udaipur pouch gaye. Car se aa rahe hai. Sirf Heer aur Shakti, Sangram aur Vikram ko college hai aur Sajja ka swasth. Tumhare dost?"
" Mahek can't come, bacha chota hai na bahut, Rohan aa jaega dopahar tak. Ven, Rosa aur Elina pouch gaye guest house. Elina is sleeping. Amar ke school friends ke parents bhi bhej denge baccho ko, humne kaha tha ke staffs bhi aa jaye par woh log nahi maane "
The car made Amar run to the entrance, saying, " Kakasa aa gaye Kakasa aa gaye." " Dheere jao!" Pratap smiled as he saw another person dash with the same enthusiasm as the boy. She was only twenty-eight years old.
" Ajabdeh Dheere!" He warned her as she bumped her leg on the statue in the hallway. " Ouch! Am fine." Made him shake his head as she ran again.
" Heeriye!" She hugged Heer, who was in a blue saree, with a smile as Shakti picked up Amar.
" Minion! Happy Birthday!"
" Aap mere liye aye ya uske liye?"
" Amar!" His parents sternly stared in unison.
After lunch, Ajabdeh was very tired; taking care of a five-year-old's birthday party was so hard, she had no idea! She wondered how Ranima handled so much at each of Pratap's parties. Must have been torture! Pratap was on the couch with his laptop as she entered the room and frowned at her jewellery box.
" Kya hua?" He asked.
" Earrings!" She opened the box and took out two. " Yeh wala ya yeh wala? Batao Batao!" He walked up to her and chose one. She decided to wear the other one anyway, making him frown as she giggled.
"I'm so tired. " She said, half lying on the bed as he sat there. " Yaad hai jab Amar ki news mili thi. "
" Haan, mera Baby itna bada ho gaya." She gushed.
" Haan, aur tum bachi ki bachi reh gayi." He taunted, chuckling as she narrowed her eyes at him.
" Yaad hai. "
Pratap walked into the room as Ajabdeh, in her pink jumpsuit, was watching a "coming back from death" scene in a series with eagerness. He sat beside her and handed her medical files. Engrossed, she kept it aside, making him frown. He smiled and switched off the TV as she looked at him, annoyed, asking, " Kya hai?" He chose to answer with a long, tight hug as she frowned.
" Kya Hua? Am I dying or something?"
That made him all serious as he said, " Kuch bhi bolti jaati ho." He took the file, opened it and said, " Yeh dekho!"
She didn't know what he was showing as she stared before he pointed at Positive. " Ohh My Gosh!" Made him smile as she looked all wide-eyed and worried. " I am getting old!" He chuckled, hugging her again.
" I am having a "She was cut short by his " We are having a baby."
" I am so happy." He added.
" Am so scared." She looked confused.
Pratap entered the room, frowning. She was supposed to be asleep if he was late.
Instead, a movie was on, and she had a bowl of ice cream. She was in her first trimester.
"Hey!" She waved her hand, watching him come in.
" Why are you awake? The doctor said that you need to sleep early, na?"
"Oh, I am watching a movie... Nine Months!" He sat down beside her and dared to take a spoonful from her ice cream scoop, as she stared at him. He smiled and wiped away some ice cream from her nose.
" Am I fat?" Her question made him narrow his eyebrows slightly. "No." He lied.
" You always said I am fat." She frowned. " I don't mean extra fat."
" How dare you? You don't love me anymore!" She almost cried as he looked confused.
" But... But maine kya bola, tum toh khud hi..." " I feel ugly."
" Nahi, you are pretty and glowing." He kissed her forehead. " Sachi?" He nodded, holding her hand.
Ajabdeh was watching a baby video on the Laptop.
" The baby responds to sounds once he is 7 months in the womb. So you can try making him listen to some soft music, " The expert was saying as Ajabdeh quickly
turned it off and searched her playlist.
Tere Mere Milan ki Ye Raina, Naya Koi Gul Khil Jayegi, Tabhi Toh Chanchal Hai Tere Naina Dekho Naa. The baby seemed to be moving as Ajabdeh felt funny. She
immediately picked up the phone and called Pratap in the office. Pratap was in a meeting, and he came out to find 14 missed calls from " Strange Girl." He called her worried. Her excited voice said, " The Baby is vibrating!"
" Err. You mean moving?"
" Yes, eerie isn't it?"
" Tumne yeh bolne ke liye 14 calls kiye?" " Haan kyun?" She frowned.
Ajabdeh was in her old bedroom as Hansa insisted on taking care of her for the last two months. She was restless when she smiled as he came from the window.
" Dekho kya laya main!"
" Chocolates." She was excited. " Hush!"
" Tumhe kaise pata ke I was craving for these?" She asked, mouth full.
He smiled as he watched her eat. Then he sat down on the floor, patting the baby bump as she smiled.
" Jaldi se bahar aa jao, mujhe tumhare Mamma ko ghar le jana hai!"
" Ranima!" She cut his words. He stared at her, a little taken aback as she smiled. "Kya?" She frowned.
" Ranima ko ghar le jana hai... " He repeated. " Tum toh abhi se kabab mein haddi ban rahe ho!" He chuckled.
" Haww, how dare you say that my Baby is haddi? He can hear you, know? Or she "
Pratap took both her hands and kissed her forehead. " I love you, and I miss you at home."
" Hush! Baby can hear." She stopped him with her hands.
" Haan haan usko toh sab samajh mein aata hai." He chuckled.
" Ohh My Gosh!" Ajabdeh held her tummy wide-eyed as Pratap's face flashed worry.
" Kya Hua? Kya? Doctor Bulau? Hospital... Ambulance " Ajabdeh giggled at his
restlessness.
" Calm down! He's kicking!"
" Really?" She made him feel it with his hands as he looked at her wide-eyed and smiled. Now he was scared.
He was sitting in the hospital, nervous with his mother and hers. Chaks and Rohan were there too with their fathers. His hands had never felt so numb before. The doctor was in there checking on her.
" We are getting things ready for a normal delivery, aap sab mill lijiye tab tak patient se." He said as he walked away. He was outside when Ranima told him, "Jao!" He walked in as she stared angrily. The glucose drip was giving her more pain than the labour, it seemed.
" Sab tumhari wajah se hua hai!" She screamed as he looked taken aback. " Yeh, I don't need, isko utarwa do."
" Ajabdeh ." He softly took her name as she realised he was in a worry.
" Come here." She called him. He came up to her and held her hands. She had never seen his hands so cold. She looked at him with worry.
" Don't worry, Princy sab thik hoga." She smiled as he kissed her forehead.
" Congratulations, Mr Singh, it's a boy." The doctor smiled as the family hugged and greeted them.
" How's she?" He asked.
" She is fine. The people inside, I am not so sure." He smiled. " Aapki wife lakho mein ek hai, aisi patient kisi ko na mile. " He walked away, leaving Pratap flabbergasted. He walked into the room as she half lay in bed.
" Never again. Never ever again." She shook her head weakly, making him smile.
The nurse brought the boy wrapped in a blue sheet and taught Ajabdeh to hold him as Pratap started to get scared. He yawned as Ajabdeh exclaimed, " Aww '' kissing his little nose. The first thing Pratap saw was his curly head. The boy was born with curly hair like his father had.
" Be careful." He warned. " Tum..."
" No No No." He shook his head. " He's too small." He held the boy over Ajabdeh's hands.
He received a call in the office. " Hello?"
" He turned over!" An excited voice came. " What?"
" He turned over all by himself!" " Ohh," Pratap exclaimed.
" Ohh?" she frowned. " Jaldi ao, party karenge." " Kis khushi mein?"
" Amar Flipped!"
" Ajab! Ajab!" She ran at his call to watch him make a video on their bedroom carpet. She let out a gasp at the sight. Amar was trying to crawl his way to the couch. Her hands were on her mouth as Pratap smiled at her.
" Beta Papa bolo. Pa pa!" Pratap was teaching the boy. " Mamma." A reply came as Ajabdeh clapped.
Annoyed, Pratap tried again, " Papa Bolo!" " Mamma! Mamma!"
" Reh tu Mamma ke saath." He shook his head as Ajabdeh picked up the baby. " Aww, Amar, somebody is getting jealous!"
" Lo! Main Kyun!" Pratap shook his head in protest as Ajab giggled.
" I think Amar should get his pony now," Ajabdeh concluded. " I got mine when I was nine."
" When will he be leaving for boarding?" She sounded unhappy.
" He won't. He will stay with Heer and Shakti when he is ten and complete his schooling. That way, you can go stay there too. " He concluded.
" What about your parampara and all?" She frowned.
" I know my zoo will be all mad if the mother doesn't meet her baby at least 7 days a month, so I can't risk upsetting them both!" He shrugged as she hugged him in joy.
" Yay, I am so happy!"
Arohi's cry made Ajabdeh jump up from the nostalgia and run out as Pratap smiled at her.
The party was themed " Pirates" for the kids, as the adults dressed in suits and dresses. Amar was in a pirate suit, a white shirt, a brown coat, boots and hat, red pants and a bandana. Aarchi, who now chose her own clothes, much against Bhago's wishes, wore a white mini dress with a blue jeans tunic and brown belt and boots with the same bandana. Ajabdeh made Arohi wear a black and pink dress with black boots and a pink bandana, which she refused to keep on. As Amar blew out the candles, Ajabdeh was about to help him cut the cake, but he wanted to do it himself. He carefully cut it and took the piece out before spilling it on his clothes as everyone went "Ohh no!"
Jaivanta smiled, amused, adding " Ab Lag raha hai, Ajabdeh ka beta!"
Pratap smiled at his wife, who looked elegant in the black evening gown and diamond jewellery with her hair made in a side bun. She shrugged at Ranima, making everyone smile.
" So jaa re Chanda main " There was a humming tune in Pratap's voice as he walked around Amar's room with Arohi. Her head rested on his shoulders, and she hugged him tightly even in her sleep. Amar was being petted by Ajabdeh as she caressed his hair and kissed his forehead. She looked up at Pratap, who stopped humming and smiled at her. She smiled back before carefully placing Arohi on her bed and keeping Pratap vigil as she went to call Rama for her night duties. Pratap looked at the two sleeping figures in the blue and pink room. He looked like his father and behaved like her; she looked like her but was like him; that's what Ajabdeh said. She came back behind him.
" Aa rahi hai woh," she spoke softly as she looked at the sleeping figures. Then she placed her head on his shoulder as he held her in a hug, and they smiled at each other.
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