"Everything okay?"

Saanjh asked softly, walking into her room where Nikhil was now sitting on her bed, lost in thought.

They had just returned from Pradeep's house. The day had been long, emotional, chaotic-and now, stillness.

"Hmm," Nikhil hummed, standing up as she shut the door behind her.

"Bas... tumhari Bhabhi ke gharwalon ko rishta manzoor nahi hai."

("Just... your sister-in-law's family didn't accept the marriage.")

"Aur Mamu ko?"

("And what about my uncle?")

Saanjh asked, her brow raised with concern.

"He's finally okay with it. Kal se functions shuru ho rahe hai, aur ye sab Vidyut-Pallavi ki shaadi tak chalenge."

("He's finally okay with the marriage. The pre-wedding functions start tomorrow and will continue until Vidyut and Pallavi's wedding.")

"Wowieeeeeee!"

Saanjh squealed, twirling in excitement, her dupatta fluttering behind her like a ribbon in celebration.

Nikhil chuckled, watching her dance like a child who just discovered magic.

But then, he sighed.

"Bas afsos hai... hamari shaadi postpone ho gayi."

("Just a little sad... our wedding got postponed.")

"Ab time lagega, time."

He added with a pout, stepping forward to wrap his arms around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

Saanjh leaned into his embrace with a playful grin.

"Accha hi hua. Ab is waqt mein humara wedding theme bhi plan ho jaayega."

("It's actually a good thing. Now we'll have time to plan our wedding theme too.")

"Baat toh sahi hai," Nikhil admitted with a sigh. But then his eyes darkened just slightly, mischievously.

"But I really want a kiss. Can't wait till the wedding night."

Saanjh giggled, cupping his cheek.

"Sabr ka phal meetha hove hai, Rana ji,"

("The fruit of patience is sweet, my king,")

she replied in her thick Marwari accent, circling her arms around his neck.

Nikhil smirked, matching her tone perfectly.

"Mhade se raha na jaave hai."

("I just can't wait anymore.")

"Arey wah!" Saanjh laughed, clearly impressed.

"Tum toh achhi Marwari sikh gaye!"

("You've picked up Marwari so well!")

"Aakhirkar, Rajasthani chhori se shaadi jo kar raha hoon,"

("Well, I am marrying a Rajasthani girl, after all,")

he said, gently bringing their foreheads together-his voice low, his touch tender.

In that brief moment, the world outside their room seemed far away.

..........

"Congratulations. Beti hui hai!"

The nurse beamed as she stepped out of the operation theatre, her words washing over the anxious family waiting outside.

Cheers erupted. Relief, joy-tears welled up in eyes too used to waiting.

Saanjh immediately pulled out her phone, dialing Nikhil with trembling hands.

"Nikku ji! Main Maasi ban gayi! Chhoti ko beti hui hai!"

("Nikku ji! I've become a Maasi! Chhoti had a baby girl!")

Her voice sparkled with joy.

"Tum kaam khatam karke seedha hospital aa jaana. Ek saath dekhenge use."

("Finish your work and come straight to the hospital. Let's see her together.")

"Badhai ho!"

("Congratulations!")

Everyone around exchanged hugs and sweet words of celebration.

Just then, Tarun came out, pride beaming on his face, holding a small bundle wrapped in pastel pink.

"Guys! Main papa ban gaya!"

("Guys! I'm a father!")

Laughter rippled through the group. They all gathered around him, peeking at the tiny face nestled against his chest.

"Chhoti si hai. Jaise cotton ball ho." Saanjh whispered, gently patting his shoulder with affection.

But as the others remained behind, basking in joy, Saanjh's feet quietly slipped away down the corridor.

She walked further through the hospital, her steps leading her instinctively to a glass-walled wing.

There, a woman stood motionless, her palms pressed against the glass. Her husband stood beside her, whispering something-but she didn't hear him. She only saw what was inside.

A tiny figure.

Lying still in a ventilator crib.

Frail. Pale. Fighting.

And just like that, the smile drained from Saanjh's face.

The mother's sobs broke out suddenly, shattering the hush of the hallway.

"Meri bacchi..." she gasped, clinging to her husband, her knees almost buckling.

It was the kind of cry that seemed to rip through the air.

Raw. Shaking. Real.

Saanjh stood frozen, her joy now caught in her throat, watching a different side of birth-where prayers drowned in beeping monitors and mothers didn't always get to hold their babies.

..

Inside the softly lit crib room, the atmosphere buzzed with quiet warmth and the occasional beep of infant monitors. Tiny bundles lay peacefully in their cribs, swaddled in pastel wraps.

Nikhil leaned over one crib, gently cradling the newest addition to the family in his arms. His eyes sparkled with awe as he softly whispered to her:

"Yeh kitni pyaari hai... bilkul apni Maasi par gayi hai."

("She's so adorable... just like her Maasi.")

Saanjh, sitting beside him on the cushioned bench, smiled faintly, though her eyes carried something distant - like a fleeting shadow of emotion she couldn't quite place.

Nikhil leaned a little closer to the baby and continued with a teasing grin,

"Hi, cotton ball! Main aapka Mausa ji hoon. Pata hai? Aap bohot lucky ho ki aapko hum dono ki shaadi enjoy karne ko milegi."

("Hi, cotton ball! I'm your Mausa ji. You know, you're really lucky-you'll get to enjoy our wedding!")

He chuckled under his breath, his nose lightly brushing against the baby's head.

"Hum saath mein bohot saari photos lenge. Thik hai?"

("We'll take lots of photos together, okay?")

Saanjh watched silently, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her dress, her gaze alternating between the baby and Nikhil. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

After a moment, she asked, almost out of the blue,

"Tumhe ladka chahiye ya ladki?"

("Do you want a boy or a girl?")

Nikhil looked up, surprised but amused.

He gave her a soft, playful smile and said,

"Mujhe toh dono hi chalenge."

("I'm good with either one.")

Then, his tone shifted to a more sincere one as he added,

"Par jab tum mentally, physically, aur emotionally ready hogi... tab."

("But only when you're mentally, physically, and emotionally ready.")

Saanjh exhaled slowly, her expression softening as she met his gaze.

"Smart answer," she mumbled with a lopsided smile.

Nikhil tilted his head. "Why do you ask?"

Saanjh shrugged, gently brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Kuch nahi... bas aise hi."

("Nothing... just like that.")

He didn't push further. Instead, he rested his free arm behind her, letting the moment stretch-quiet, peaceful, and yet filled with questions that didn't need immediate answers.



©siviecore