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.