Chapter Fourteen

Tuesday, May 24th

As the days went on and Khushi was nearing the end of her pregnancy, her level of anxiety was going up. As for Arnav, well, lets just say he's ready for anything! While Khushi has been relaxing and calming her nerves, steadying her breath and all, Arnav had been creating drills, practicing for the arrival of their baby. Seriously, the boy had gone crazy and Khushi didn't know if she should laugh or call him crazy. Arnav had everything set - from clothes and stuff ready in a bag for Khushi to the exact amount of time it took him to drive to the hospital. 

I would say that she should call him crazy.

Arnav was practicing that evening, calculating how fast he could run to the car and get ready to drive off to the hospital. He was in the middle of his drill when Khushi saw him from upstairs, him stretching and preparing to run. Arnav bent to runner's position and was about to take off when Khushi called out.

"Arnav?"

Arnav looked up and saw Khushi leaning against the railing, her face filled with amusement.

"Khushi, what are you doing up? You should be resting," he exclaimed, going up the stairs.

"I'm tired of resting," she pouted.

Arnav made a face. "Back to bed."

"No!"

"Khushi," he warned.

"I'm tired of sitting in bed all day," she whined, throwing her hands up in the air. She placed it over her bump and huffed. "Your papa is annoying."

Arnav bent down before her bump. "Hey, don't give my kid the wrong impression of me." He ran his hands on her bump. "Don't listen to your mommy."

Khushi placed her hands over on her hips. "Hush it."

Arnav chuckled and looked at her bump. "Come quick baby - daddy's waiting for ya."

Khushi placed her hands over Arnav's. "Mommy's waiting for you too," she smiled.

Both smiled at her bump, eager for their baby to arrive.

Wednesday, May 25th

Khushi sighed as she looked at her scrapbook. It was almost finished, and Khushi couldn't wait to start a second one. She put it away in her closet and just as she sat back down in bed, Arnav came in.

"Hey, you busy," Arnav asked.

"No, why?"

"There's someone here to see you," Arnav smiled softly.

He looked at the door, and in came Payal. Khushi was ready to burst out in excitement, but she caught the look on Arnav's face saying don't you dare. It was ridiculous, but it was true. Payal sat down beside Khushi and Arnav left the two ladies alone.

"So what brings you here," Khushi asked. "This is your first time here."

Payal nodded as she glanced around the room. "I couldn't help it. I don't know why but I kept having this feeling today and I just had to see you."

"Aww."

"This place has somewhat of a medieval touch, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, the dark colors with the velvet red... it is what it is. But they're not beings of the darkness, if you're worrying about that."

"Oh yeah, because I'm concerned to know whether or not Raziada's actually a vampire or not."

"Well then you'd probably see fang marks on my neck right?"

"True. Unless you wanna hide the truth by saying he's a vampire when he's actually a werewolf."

The two looked at each other for a moment and then burst into laughter. Khushi had missed this because she hadn't been going to school. It upset her because it was an important year - the year when colleges would be looking at her grades. But Arnav was at her side, as well as Payal, and they didn't let her fall back, keeping her along with school every single day and bringing her assignments so that she could keep her scores up.

"How's Junior doing," Payal asked once she stopped laughing.

Khushi smiled and caressed her bump. "I'd say asleep."

Payal smiled. She had given the baby it's nickname, Junior, because she was annoyed by calling the baby it like it didn't have a gender yet.

"Are you excited," Payal asked.

"Nervous actually."

Payal held her best friend's arm. "It's understandable. But don't worry - you've got another week or so."

Khushi shook her head. "I don't know what it is, but I don't think it's happening later but rather sooner."

Payal scrunched her eyebrows. "Why?"

"I don't know, it's just a feeling. Plus I'd say the little guy wants to get out, since it won't stop kicking."

"Junior keeps kicking hmm? Hope Junior's not practicing for soccer already."

Khushi chuckled. "Oh I hope not - wait till you're out," she laughed.

There was a knock at the door, and Arnav came in with a tray in hand. He shut the door with his feet and went around to Khushi's other side, and set the tray down. Khushi looked at the tray and saw a bowl of chicken noodle soup and some bread.

"Arnav, you didn't have to," Khushi smiled softly.

"You said you were craving it earlier, so I had to cook prepare it."

Payal scrunched her eyebrows. "Of all things to crave, you craved chicken noodle soup."

Khushi shrugged. "What can I say - it's the hormones. Ya can't control them cravings!"

Payal nodded in acknowledgment and Khushi chuckled. Arnav turned his body towards Khushi and lifted the spoon up from the bowl, blew at the hot soup and held it in front of Khushi. Khushi happily took it and smiled.

"Is it too hot," Arnav asked.

Khushi shook her head. "Nope, its fine."

Payal watched as Arnav continued to feed her, somewhat surprised.

Khushi caught the look on her face. "He likes to feed me," she clarified. "He's afraid that something might happen in the middle of eating."

"I'm not afraid Khushi," Arnav stressed. "I just don't want you dropping another glass of warm milk when the baby abruptly kicks you."

"What," Payal said confusedly.

"Sometime during her 6th month, she was in the kitchen and had gotten warm milk, when the baby kicked out of nowhere, and she dropped the glass and hurt her toe."

"Yeah Arnav, my toe," Khushi stressed.

"Toe or no toe, I don't care. You injured yourself, and that's the bottom line."

Khushi rolled her eyes. "Baby."

"Excuse me? Don't roll your eyes at me Khushi, or else-"

"Or else what?"

Arnav put the spoon down and picked up his hand. "My palm is getting twitchy."

The two looked at each other seriously and then burst into laughter. Payal was just completely confused and look at the two.

Khushi calmed down and shook her head. "Arnav is something else." She looked at Payal. "I taught him what real women want - a man like Christian."

Payal nodded in acknowledgement. "That makes sense then, considering the fact that he used that line."

Arnav smiled. "Only to keep this one happy. She wouldn't rest until she had me reading all 12 books," he said with a shake of his head.

"12 books? But its a trilogy," she said confusedly.

"She had me read more than just that one trilogy."

Payal looked at him wide eyed and then at Khushi. Khushi wagged her eyebrows mischievously at her and Payal looked back at Arnav.

"Oh, you poor unfortunate soul," she said softly, placing her hand over her heart, dramatically.

Arnav shrugged. "It's okay because now I'm up to the right standards of what women want. Right Khushi," he asked, holding the spoon out to her.

Khushi beamed and let Arnav feed her. "Absolutely."

The two went on with their conversation and Payal just watched, not minding the fact that they forgot that she was even here. She watched the two chat away, Arnav feeding her, and Khushi throwing bits of bread at him when he cracked wise jokes.

Once Khushi finished, Arnav got up, covered in breadcrumbs. Payal stood up as well and Khushi looked at her.

"You're leaving already," she asked.

"Have to Khushi, it's getting late."

"I could drop you off," Arnav said. "Just let me change-"

"No, no, it's okay Arnav."

"You sure? It's not a problem at all-"

"Yeah I'm fine. It's okay."

"Come on, I insist. It's late and your friend here will drive me insane saying I don't care about her best friend and will start exploding with tears."

"Hey," Khushi exclaimed. "I'm offended," she pouted.

Payal chuckled. "It's totally okay. ... plus I have a ride waiting for me."

That caught Khushi's attention. "Really? With who?"

"... Akash...."

Khushi nodded in acknowledgement. "Oh... okay."

"Yeah...."

"You sure you'll be okay?"

Payal nodded. "I'll be fine."

"Okay," Khushi smiled softly.

Bidding their farewells, Arnav led Payal out. Khushi leaned back in her bed and got lost in thought. Arnav came back soon, changed up and relieved of bread crumbs, and sat beside Khushi.

"Khushi? You okay?"

Khushi looked at him. "I'm worried for Pays," she said softly.

Arnav caressed her cheek. "She'll be okay," he smiled softly.

"I hope so."

Arnav gave her a reassuring smile and then stood up. He shut the curtains and tucked Khushi into bed. He was about to leave, when Khushi reached out and grabbed his hand. Arnav looked at their hands and then at her with his eyebrows scrunched.

"Stay with me," she asked. "Please?"

Arnav smiled softly and sat down beside Khushi, under blanket.

"How come you're using a duvet? It's May."

"I feel cold," Khushi pouted.

Arnav chuckled and placed his arm around Khushi as she snuggled into him. They stayed in that position for a while, no one saying a word. Arnav looked down at Khushi and saw that she was wide awake.

"What's wrong Khushi," he asked, tilting her chin up so that she'd look at him.

"Arnav, I don't know why, but I think the baby is coming very soon."

Arnav scrunched his eyebrows. "But the baby's not due till June 2nd. We've got about two weeks."

"I know, but my gut is saying that it's coming really soon, like in a day or two."

Arnav shook his head. "I think the doctor is the expert in this field, so let's just go with what she said, okay?"

"But Arnav-"

"But nothing Khushi."

Khushi pouted and nodded. Arnav smiled softly and ran his fingers through her hair. Khushi absolutely loved it and she sighed in content.

"I love this," Khushi sighed.

Arnav slightly tensed and instantly relaxed. "Really?"

Khushi nodded.

"You like me holding onto you?"

Khushi nodded again.

"I do too."

Khushi looked up at him and saw him looking at her. Both got stuck in gaze, unable to look away from the other. Without even realizing, they were moving their faces closer to the other's. Their lips were only a few centimeters away and all they could think of was closing the distance.

"Kiss me Arnav. Please," Khushi pleaded.

Arnav didn't waste a second and kissed her without a word. Khushi caressed his face in her hand and Arnav held her by her waist. He slightly moved her so that she was fully laying on the bed and moved his hand over her bump, caressing it under her baggy t-shirt. As the seconds passed, the kiss intensified. Khushi's hands were exploring Arnav's body, revisiting places she once had many, many months ago.

Khushi broke away first so that she could catch her breath. Both tugged on air, but their hands didn't stop their task. Khushi's hands enjoyed the feeling of his muscles, while Arnav enjoyed the feeling of her soft skin in his touch.

"Touch me Arnav? Please? I really want to be touched, I don't why, but I need to be touched!"

Arnav nodded and kissed her again. He let his hand do whatever it wanted, which liked the feel of Khushi's soft skin. It dared to go higher so it traveled up her waist and before Arnav even realized it, he had cupped her breasts. Khushi yelped and let go of him, her breasts feeling hypersensitive.

Arnav's eyes widened. "Khushi, are you okay?"

Khushi nodded, her eyes shut. "Yeah, I'm fine-"

"Don't lie! Look at me."

"It's okay Arnav, they're just sensitive, that's all."

Khushi looked up at him, reassuring him and he sighed and nodded, taking her word. Khushi smiled softly and kissed him on his cheek. With a little sigh, she shut her eyes and snuggled into Arnav. In the blink of an eye, Khushi fell asleep, surprising Arnav.

She got tired that easily, he wondered. Wow.

Arnav tried to move away, But Khushi had her grip on him. He carefully moved Khushi and got out of the bed. He slowly released her grip off of him and tucked her in. Khushi sighed in content and snuggled into her pillow, a small smile playing on her lips. Arnav smiled and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Tip-toeing out of the room, he carefully shut the door and sighed.

It was at that moment that he realized the bit of wetness on his hand. He lifted his hand up and saw that it really was wet. And that was when he realized that this hand was the one that had just fondled Khushi only a few minutes ago, let alone touched her body.

Arnav's eyes widened, his jaw slacking. What did I just do?

Chapter Thirteen

"No way, that's a horrible name!"

"Horrible name? Khushi, you're being ridiculous!"

Ever since their day started, there was not but bickering between the two. They were trying to come up with a names, one boy and one girl, since they didn't know what was the sex of their baby. But nothing was working out, both disliking what the other chose.

Arnav sighed. "Khushi, we've been doing this since breakfast - this shouldn't be taking that long!"

"Are you kidding me? It should take as long as it needs! Arnav, I'm not going to name my child something ridiculous!"

"None of them are ridiculous - you're ridiculous!"

Khushi gasped dramatically. "I am not," she defended.

Arnav threw his arms up in the air. "I give up," and he walked away.

"Arnav Singh Raizada, get back here this instant!"

But Arnav ignored her and continued to walk away.

"Arnav," Khushi shouted, but Arnav left.

Khushi sighed and plopped down into a chair. She looked down at her baby bump and put her hand on it. "Your father is ridiculous," she huffed.

*~*

Time went on and as Khushi's pregnancy went on smoothly, Dadi was crippling. She had fallen ill, and things hadn't been good for her since then. She mostly stayed in her room, tended to by workers all day. A bad case of the flu had really affected her and her being aged and worn - it was taking a toll out of her.

Arnav wondered what would happen in the future. He was very much concerned with the pregnancy. The doctor had said that everything was okay, but his worries weren't on that.

Within a few weeks, things got worse for Dadi, and she was admitted into the hospital. She was very much weak and her body was starting to shut down. Arnav sat outside, waiting for the doctor so he could get an update from him. Khushi had wanted to come along, but with her pregnancy nearing the end, he wanted her to rest as much as possible. Being in the hospital right now would just stress her out.

The doctor came out and Arnav approached him.

"How is she," Arnav asked.

"She's responding to what we're giving her, so that's good news. She's been put to sleep right now so she can rest. But I'm sorry to say Mr. Raizada, that she may not live for long."

Arnav looked down and sighed. It was the expected with what's been going on. He slightly nodded and the doctor patted his shoulder and walked away.

Later that night, when he told Khushi what he had been told, she felt really bad for him. He had lost everyone else and now he was about to lose the one person that was left in his family. She stayed by his side the rest of the evening, trying to lighten up his mood. Arnav knew very well of what Khushi was doing, and it made him happy to know that even if he didn't have family, he still had Khushi to care about him.

But the question was for how long.

A couple of nights later, Arnav wasn't able to sleep. He laid back in bed and stared up at the ceiling. He thought of what his future days would be like. He would have the mansion all to himself, no one else but him, his child, and Khushi. But then he wondered if Khushi would even stay with him.

Why would she stay with me, he wondered. Who am I to her? I mean all I really am to her is the father of her child. I'm nothing else to her. 

He turned and faced his right. What's life going to be like after the baby arrives? Will I be a good father? I hope I don't fail the child. I want to be by its side forever. And Khushi? Will she let me?

He turned to his left. Of course she will, what kind of a question is that? She would never be mean!

He turned and looked back at the ceiling. What's gonna happen between us though? Will we remain friends? And how is everything going to be set up? Will we live separately? Will we find a place to stay together as a family? But if that's the case, how will that work out? I guess we could sleep in different rooms?

Arnav shut his eyes and groaned. Way too many thoughts in one night. I seriously need sleep before my thoughts make me crazy!

While Arnav tried to get some sleep, tossing and turning now and then, over in Khushi's room, Khushi was busy with her scrapbook. She was going through it, looking at all the pictures she had. She not only had still shots from the sonograms, but she had put in pictures of her and Arnav in as well. She saw her body changing as she went through the pictures - from her skinny self to her very-much pregnant self.

A smile spread on her face as she looked at the pictures of them. They had gotten really close in the amount of time the time they've had together.They had shared many precious moments as well, all thanks to their baby.

Khushi leaned back as she recalled the first time their baby had kicked.

~

Khushi was relaxing in the library, reading a pregnancy book, the fireplace lit up. Arnav came in with her medications and set them down on a table beside her.

"Time to take your meds," Arnav announced.

Khushi smiled lightly as he passed her a bottle of water and her medication. She took them all and handed the bottle back to Arnav. He placed it down and sat beside Khushi.

Arnav looked at the book she was reading, which she had placed on her bump. "Teaching the kid how to deal with pregnancy already?"

Khushi giggled. "No, no way," she smiled.

She picked the book up and put it down then looked back at Arnav.

"How are you feeling," Arnav asked.

"I'm good," Khushi smiled. "Just fat and waddling around."

Arnav shook his head. No matter how many times he told her she wasn't "fat", she'd still call herself fat.

"You look good," Arnav said. "You're glowing," he stated.

Khushi smiled, looking down at her bump. "That would be the pregnancy effect," she said, looking back at him.

"Maybe."

The two looked at each other for a moment. They were locked in gaze, their eyes daring not to drop from the other's. Suddenly Khushi yelped and shut her eyes, her hand automatically going to her bump.

Arnav's eyes widened. "Khushi, are you okay," he panicked. "Is it the baby? Is something wrong? Should I call an ambulance? Should I-?"

"No, I'm fine-"

"But you just yelled out-"

Khushi grabbed Arnav's hand and placed it over her bump. "Feel that?"

Arnav had his eyebrows scrunched when he felt a thump. His eyes widened and he looked up at Khushi.

"The baby kicked," Khushi beamed.

Arnav couldn't believe it and moved his hand on her bump, placing his cheek against it as well. The baby kicked once more and Arnav had felt it.

"It did," Arnav said, unable to believe it. "The baby kicked," he said in excitement.

The two stayed in that position, feeling the baby. Khushi looked at Arnav in awe. He had started talking to their baby, gone into full conversation. Khushi smiled softly and placed her hands in his hair, running her fingers through it as he carried on his conversation, engaging Khushi in now and then.

~

Khushi sighed. What's gonna happen after you're here, she wondered, caressing her baby bump.

She felt the baby move slightly and she sighed.

Khushi smiled lightly. Okay, momma won't bother you about daddy. Good night my baby.

Khushi got up and put the scrapbook away then headed to bed, letting go of all her confusion and falling asleep.