Though it was barely March and wind and rain had battered Mumbai for days, the weather was wonderfully warm and sunny as Anika stepped carefully out of the car, the newborn baby cradled lovingly in her arms. Shivaay stepped out after her and held Anika’s shoulder looking at their new born daughter. She was asleep in her mother’s arms.A testament to the hours the gardener had invested in the garden, the neatly tended flowerbeds were bursting with daffodils and crocuses and Anika was already imagining sunny days spent outside with Ansh and other kids splashing about in the paddling pool and the baby asleep under the shade of the blossoming apple tree. Pressing Ruhi protectively against the soft wool of her sweater, Anika was overwhelmed by a sudden burst of love at the slight weight of the baby in her arms.
A week overdue, exhausted and swollen, Anika had frustratedly wondered if she was ever going to give birth but now, seeing their baby sleep blissfully in her arms, she knew the long nine months of exhaustion and the accompanying torture of labour had been worth it. She was beautiful with her still green eyes an exact replica of her father’s and shock of dark hair, which Ansh delightedly declared was the same as his. Shivaay couldn’t keep his eyes off her and even now, as Anika glanced at her husband, his arms loaded with Anika’s suitcase and the baby bag and other baby essentials, his gaze was focused solely on his newborn daughter as he led the way towards Oberoi Mansion where everyone was awaiting for them.
“Look, Ruhi,this is your new home,” Anika cooed softly at her daughter, pressing her lips to the soft skin of her forehead as she smiled at the family.
As Shivaay and Anika entered the main door , Dadi greeted them with blessings and the family members welcomed them.
Rudra took the baby from Anika and said
“Welcome home Oberoi princess, the youngest and the cutest Oberoi”he said swinging her
“Rudra careful”said Om reprimanding him
“Yeah cry baby she is a real baby not a grown up baby like you”said Saumya sarcastically.
“Give her to me “said Gauri
“Sorry bhabhi, its uncle and niece time now “said Rudra
“Even we want to play with her Rudra, after all I am her grandmother”said Pinky
“But…”started Rudra but was cut off by Janvi
“Stop it you people, give the baby to her parents, she needs them the most”she said
It was then they realised that Shivaay and Anika were standing silently and watching the tussle as to who will play with the baby.
“Oops we forgot the princess needs to be with them first”said Om taking the baby . He gave the baby to Anika.
“Go to your room both of you , even you need rest Ani”said Dadi caressing the baby’s cheek.
“Where is Ansh?Dadi?”asked Shivaay looking around and not finding his elder child.
“He is playing outside, you guys go I will send him”said Shakti.
Slipping an arm around his wife’s shoulder , Shivaay took Anika and the baby to their room.
Relinquished of his load, the suitcase and bags left hastily on the couch, Shivaay came over to Anika,arms outstretched, gazing at his daughter enthralled as he demanded possession of his daughter. “She’s so beautiful, Anika ,” he smiled as he gently cradled her in his arms and rocked her softly.
“She’s perfect,” Anika agreed adoringly, running a fingertip in complete fascination along her daughter’s tiny clenched fist, suppressing an almost irresistible urge to reach out and wake baby Ruhi just to see her open her beautiful green eyes.
Choosing a name for the baby had been excruciating. They had bought the obligatory book of baby names and spent hours poring over the pages and debating the merits of one name over another. Rudra had helpfully suggested Katrina , wanting desperately to name the baby after his favorite actress. The prospect that the baby could be a boy crossed Gauri’s mind and her contributions of Abhishek and Ranbir were clearly influenced by her obsession with celebrities. Om declared that he didn’t care what they called the baby as long as they steered clear of any advice from Gauri and Rudra. Dadi had advised her not to worry and that Anika and Shivaay would know the perfect name for their baby the second they held him or her in their arms, and she was right. Ruhi seemed like a fitting name for their beautiful daughter who had protested angrily when she had been pulled from the warm cocoon of her mother’s womb, screaming red-faced until she was placed against the warmth of Anika’s chest, her cries gradually subsiding as she listened to the soft coos of her parents. Ruhi meaning soul suited her perfectly she was after all Shivaay and Anika’s soul as well as their heartbeat.
“I can’t believe she’s slept for so long,” Shivaay whispered dotingly, shifting Ruhi’s weight in his arms as he settled back into the sofa, patting the seat beside him for Anika to come and join them. “I don’t think I got a full night’s sleep for months after Ansh was born.”
“I can,” Anika smiled darkly, smothering a yawn with her hand as she burrowed contently into Shivaay’s chest. “Your daughter spent most of last night screaming the hospital down and no matter how many times I rocked her or sang to her, she wouldn’t settle down. I think she finally cried herself to sleep whilst you were busy on your phone ,” Anika finished wearily, resting her head on her husband’s shoulder and enjoying the peaceful quiet of their room, which the hospital with the constant stream of visitors and doctor’s rounds failed to provide.
At the hospital right after the delivery Anika had been initially awkward while dealing with Ruhi, uncomfortably conscious of the fact she wasn’t supporting the baby’s head properly or couldn’t get her to feed. Though she had done all of this before with Ansh but Ruhi was born prematurely only after 8 months of pregnancy. The doctor had told them to take extra care of her and Anika had been on tenterhooks and got alarmed even if the baby sneezed or burped. Shivaay , in contrast, was fantastic and calm his previous experience with Ansh leaving him a virtual expert. He handled his baby daughter like a pro, hushing her anguished cries with a softly sung song and expertly rocking her to sleep. His easy confidence both reassured Anika and made her feel that their daughter was fine and everything was just perfect.
“Maybe we should put her in the crib,” Anika said “even you are tired Shivaay”
Their moment was interrupted by the knocking on then door. Anika opened the door and the troop barged inside
“Bhaiya , bhabhi we have a surprise for you and baby Ruhi”said Rudra
“What surprise ?”asked Shivaay getting up carefully with Ruhi .
“Bade bhaiya the surprise is for you to see not hear”said Gauri
“Cmon Bhabhi “said Saumya pulling her.
“Give her to me Shivaay , and come with us”said Om taking the baby from Shivaay.
“Okay so close your eyes”said Rudra stopping at the door of a room a few rooms away from Shivaay and Anika’s.
Saumya and Gauri closed Shivaay and Anika’s eyes and led them inside.
“Now open your eyes”said Om
“Oh my god “gasped Anika looking around the room
Shivaay was also taken aback by the decor of the room. It was a nursery for baby Ruhi.
The nursery was like a fairytale. Painted butterflies danced over purple-and-pink flowers and a magnificent rainbow spanned the cloud smeared sky. The crib with its painted, smiling fairies stood beside the window.
“Did you guys do all of this?”asked Anika her eyes brimming with tears
“Yes my dear bhabhi, and no crying today it’s a happy occasion for us “said Rudra
“It was Gauri’s idea but we all helped equally “said Om
“I am sure Ruhi is gonna love this room and her uncles and aunt as well”said Shivaay hugging Rudra and Om.
“Let’s put her down and see if she likes her crib”said Saumya
“Good idea “said Rudra
Anika took the baby from Om and placed her in the crib. All the others surrounded the crib from all sides . As if on cue the baby opened its eyes and smiled at her family her eyes fluttering slightly due to sleep.
“She likes it “said Shivaay
“Had to after all she is Rudra Singh Oberoi’s niece”said Rudra quite proudly .
Where is baby ?”demanded Ansh standing excitedly at the door. Ansh was unusually clean and tidy for this time of day, not bearing the trademarks smears of dust and mud that normally characterized his clothes. He was taking his duties as a big brother seriously for his grandmother had told him that he couldn’t see the baby if he wasn’t clean enough.
“She is here do you want to see her?”Anika smiled and asked her son
“Yes “said Ansh shouting
“Sshhh, not so loud Ansh”said Om shutting his mouth
“I think we all should leave and give these four some time alone “said Gauri
“Yeah, see you soon princess said Rudra slowing patting her cheeks.
“Come Ansh”said Shivaay going towards him while Anika picked up the baby and came towards them .
Do you want to hold your sister?” Anika asked, shifting Ruhi’s weight in her arms as she knelt down carefully beside Ansh.
“Yes, please,” Ansh replied practically brimming with excitement.
“Come there on the couch then you can hold her”said Shivaay as he led his son to the couch in the corner of the room.
Ansh sat on the couch watched his mother whisper to the baby and smile. Anika rubbed her fingertips down the baby’s cheek. He was slightly jealous; he wasn’t sure how he felt about his mother giving so much attention to his sister.
“I’m ready.” He said
“Remember to put your hand under her head,” said Shivaay instructing Ansh.
Anika gently passed Ruhi to her son. Shivaay and Anika watched Ansh for a moment, taking in the scene of big brother.
“Ansh see how you hold Ruhi so carefully?” Shivaay asked kneeling in front of his son. Ansh nodded. “You must always protect your little sister and be gentle like now.”
“But why?” James asked.
“Because she is your sister. Your job is to keep her safe, protect her from monsters and dragons!” Shivaay said goofily. Ansh pursed his lips together and smiled at his father.
“Just like you do with Chote papa and Rudy and Bua?”he asked
Shivaay and Anika were surprised at this statement .
“Yes just like that”said Anika
Ansh then turned and stared at the baby in his arms. Shivaay glanced over at Anika who seemed to be totally enchanted with the scene. He thought for a moment how lucky they were, their two children were the most important accomplishments of their lives. Their family was happy . Everything was just as perfect as it could be . Anika looked at Shivaay and saw his smile. She stood up outstretched her hand for him to take, and together they watched their children.
“Mom?”
“Mmm?”
“I love her already.” Ansh said as he looked down at his sister. “Ruhi, we are going to have great fun together u me and all our other cousins and I will protect you all ,” He said softly. He bent his head down to gently kiss his sister on the forehead. Anika felt Shivaay squeeze her hand, before he placed a kiss on his wife’s forehead. He whispered that he loved her and she returned it. Their eyes drew back towards their little family before them, and in the moment all was well, all was content.