Two weeks passed and Aakash was now working from home since Meenakshi’s delivery was expected at any time. Aakash felt like a bomb ticking in his chest whenever he saw Meenakshi walking around. He wouldn’t leave her alone, as she struggled to do everything by herself. He helped her bathe and in the evenings, they would go for a short walk nearby. But Meenakshi often felt exhausted, her chest heaved with shortness of breath, so they decided to limit their walks to inside the house or on the terrace and returned home as soon as she felt discomfort.
The doctor had confirmed that all her vitals were normal and advised them to come to the hospital if she experienced any pain or discomfort. Radha and Madhavan visited and initially hesitated to leave Aakash alone with her, but seeing how well he cared for Meenakshi, they dropped the idea. Still, they came by every other day, often just sat quietly and watched over them.
One morning, like every day, Aakash woke up early, boiled milk and returned to the room. Meenakshi was sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard, looking extremely tired and her legs swollen. A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. Aakash quickly placed the glass of milk on the table and rushed to her.
“What happened, Meena? Are you in pain? Should we go to the hospital?” he asked, wiping her tears.
“My back hurts, Aakash. I want to sleep, but I can’t lie down comfortably. I don’t feel at ease in any position. My head aches and I just want to sleep,” she said through sobs.
Gently, Aakash helped her down from the bed and guided her into the bathroom. He carefully helped her bathe and massaged her back with warm water to ease the pain. Meenakshi stood holding the wall as he poured warm water over her back and legs. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he wiped them away with his sleeve as he knelt down, pouring water over her feet and pressed them slowly to relieve the swelling.
After helping her bathe and dress in a gown, he guided her back to the bed. “Give me two minutes, I’ll be back,” he said before stepping out. Sarala had prepared breakfast and he quickly served some onto a plate and returned.
“Eat this and I’ll help you sleep, baby,” he said softly and fed her with care. Afterward, he helped her lie on her side and began gently massaging her legs, feet, soles and back until she drifted off to sleep. Even after she fell asleep, he continued, his touch lingered with concern and love. He then placed his hand on her baby bump and kissed it gently.
“I want to enjoy every moment of welcoming you into our lives, but my Meena is suffering so much. I’ve read that the first delivery can last for hours and I’m scared to see her in pain. She is all I have. You will be our world when you are born,” Aakash whispered, wiping his tears.
Three hours later, Meenakshi woke to find Aakash spooning her from behind, his hand resting on her baby bump.
“How do you feel, baby?” he asked, sitting up and helping her.
“Better… but still very tired,” she whispered, leaning against his chest and closed her eyes.
He helped her to the bathroom and later they stepped out for lunch. Sarala had finished her work and was watching TV at a low volume. Meenakshi smiled at her and Aakash fed her, though she managed to eat only a little.
In the evening, while they were watching TV, Balaram and Padma arrived. Balaram handed fruits and sweets to Meenakshi.
“How are you, Meenakshi? Did you visit the doctor?” he asked, placing his hand gently on her head.
“Yes, mama, everything is fine,” Meenakshi replied, asking Sarala to prepare tea and coffee for everyone.
“Did the doctor say when the baby will be born? What date did she give?” Padma asked softly.
“Ten days from today… but she said the baby might arrive even before that,” Meenakshi said with a faint smile.
“Lavanya’s wedding is fixed. There are just twelve more days left and Charan’s parents have made all the arrangements. We have only bought jewelry for Lavanya and Charan and clothes for everyone. Since they will be living separately, we plan to buy the remaining things for their home later,” Balaram explained, handing over the invitation to Aakash and Meenakshi.
“Meenakshi, you are the elder daughter-in-law of our family. I know it’s difficult for you to travel at this time, but please try to come to the wedding. Your presence would mean a lot to us. And… please forgive me for everything I did to you,” Padma said, folding her hands before Meenakshi.
“Aunty, please don’t do this. We’ll definitely come if the baby isn’t born before then,” Meenakshi assured her gently and Padma thanked her with relief.
“I’m sorry, Meenakshi. Please forgive me,” she repeated, as Aakash gently held Meenakshi’s hand and guided her to sit beside him.
“Please don’t make her emotional. She shouldn’t be stressed right now,” Aakash said firmly, shaking his head slightly at Meenakshi, a silent gesture asking her not to strain herself.
“I don’t think it would be safe for Meenakshi to travel, even if the baby isn’t born by then. I’ll let you know and we will convey our wishes,” Aakash added, not wanting to give them false hope.
Balaram understood and didn’t insist further but Padma couldn’t hold back her tears at the thought that Aakash might not be present at Lavanya’s wedding.
“Call us if you feel any pain,” Balaram said before leaving and both Aakash and Meenakshi nodded.
After they left, Aakash opened the invitation and Meenakshi smiled softly seeing both their names printed together.
“What’s your plan now?” she asked, folding the invitation.
“The plan is for you to rest well and for us to welcome our baby. It’s not our fault they fixed the wedding so close to your due date. She only wanted money and we have already given it, so let’s not worry about her. She is smart enough to take care of herself. Come, let’s go for a walk,” Aakash said, holding her hand as they headed toward the lift to reach the terrace.
Ten days later, in the middle of the night, Meenakshi woke up with severe pain in her lower back and abdomen. She groaned in pain and Aakash woke up instantly.
“Meena…” he called, but before he could say anything further, she clutched his shoulder as another wave of pain hit her.
“Let’s go to the hospital,” he said quickly and booked a cab without delay. He helped her change into a gown, grabbed the medical file and the packed bag and carefully guided her out.
Aakash called Hema, asking her to come to the hospital with Vishnu. Slowly, he helped Meenakshi into the cab. They reached the hospital within ten minutes and Aakash was directed to complete the admission procedures.
Meenakshi was admitted to a single room and Aakash sat beside her, holding her hand.
“Why did you book this room? We could have stayed in a twin-sharing room,” she said, groaning through the pain.
“Don’t worry about money right now. We have enough to afford privacy. I may not be able to take your pain away, but I’ll do everything I can to make you feel comfortable and at ease,” Aakash whispered softly and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles.
Meenakshi began crying in pain by the time Hema and Vishnu arrived, but they weren’t allowed to stay in the room, so they waited outside. Hema informed Meenakshi’s parents, who soon arrived and met her briefly but were then asked to wait in the waiting hall.
Aakash stood helplessly as the nurse checked Meenakshi’s vitals and her pain shattered his heart. After seven long hours of labor, Meenakshi was taken into the labor room. Aakash, along with Hema, Vishnu and Meenakshi’s parents, waited anxiously outside. His restlessness grew unbearable as he heard her cries from inside.
Within a few minutes, a nurse stepped out and informed them that Meenakshi had given birth to a baby boy. Everyone congratulated Aakash, but he was too impatient, longing to see his wife and his child.
Soon, the doctor came out carrying the baby wrapped in a towel and handed him to Aakash. He broke down the moment he saw his son and kissed his tiny forehead.
“Doctor, how is my wife? Can I meet her?” he asked anxiously.
“She is unconscious right now. She will be shifted to her room shortly and you can meet her then. She is exhausted and needs a lot of rest. We will continue to monitor her vitals, as she experienced shortness of breath after delivery,” the doctor explained before the baby was taken for a check-up.
Aakash immediately called his father to inform him that Meenakshi had given birth to a baby boy. Balaram was overjoyed on hearing the news. He quickly picked up a shirt and called out to Padma, who was packing for Lavanya’s wedding.
“Padma, Meenakshi has delivered a baby boy. I’m going to the hospital,” he said, grabbing his glasses and wallet.
“But we have a wedding and we are not supposed to go until the purification rituals are done after the baby’s birth,” Padma protested.
Balaram raised his forefinger in warning. “I’m extremely happy and I want to see my grandson. My hands are pure enough to carry him and if not, I won’t hesitate to slap you,” he said firmly before rushing out.
At the hospital, the moment Meenakshi was wheeled out of the labor room, Aakash rushed to her, brushing her hair back and kissed her knuckles. He walked alongside her, holding her hand as she was taken to the room. Once inside, he gently helped her onto the bed, pressed a kiss to her forehead and tears rolled down his cheeks.
“I was so scared, Meena… your cries terrified me. Thank you for everything you have given me,” he whispered and kissed her face softly.
The door opened and Hema, Vishnu and Meenakshi’s parents entered. Aakash sat beside her, letting them speak, but their words barely reached him and his entire world was focused on his wife. Her tired smile and the exhaustion on her face etched themselves deeply into his heart.
A few minutes later, the nurse returned with the baby. Aakash took him carefully and brought him close to Meenakshi so she could kiss him. Soon, Meenakshi’s parents held the baby, followed by Hema and Vishnu.
“He’s so cute, just like my Meenu,” Hema gushed, unable to take her eyes off him.
Aakash then received a call from his father. Vishnu stepped out and returned with Balaram. Aakash handed his son to his father, who held the baby with trembling hands and tears filled his eyes.
“He is just like little Aakash. You looked exactly like this when you were born,” Balaram said emotionally, sitting down with his grandson in his arms.
Aakash and Meenakshi watched quietly as Balaram spoke lovingly to the baby.
“Meenakshi, take care of your health. You will need plenty of rest. Don’t rush into work at home or school,” Balaram advised gently.
Aakash then asked Vishnu to take everyone out for food, knowing they were all hungry. He stayed back with Meenakshi and watched her as she fed their son.
“I’m so happy, Meena… I feel complete,” he said softly, kissing her forehead. He held his son’s tiny hand and kissed his palm.
“He’s so pink… look at his fingers, Meena. And look at his hair, I never knew babies could have so much hair. I think he inherited everything from you,” Aakash continued, unable to stop talking about their little one.
Meenakshi smiled and pinched his cheek. “He inherited everything from his father. Look at you, I’m confused who’s cuter now. You are adorable, accountant sir. Give me a break, I just gave birth and I can’t handle so much of your charm,” she teased.
Aakash chuckled and kissed her cheek. He then picked up a cute onesie and handed it to Meenakshi to dress their son. Carefully, he helped put on the tiny gloves and socks.
“Wow… look at our son. He is the cutest baby,” Aakash said proudly, lifting him into his arms.
“Sleep, Meena. I’ll take care of him. I’ll wake you if he cries,” he said gently and she soon drifted off.
A little while later, Balaram returned carrying a bag filled with clothes and toys for his grandson.
“Aakash, I’ll leave now and come again later. Who will stay with Meenakshi and help with the baby? Did you speak to her parents?” he asked, taking the baby into his arms again.
“We have Sarala akka. I’ve already spoken to her and she has experience taking care of newborns, so she will help us. I don’t want too many people around Meena and the baby. We are happy in our little world. Visitors can come occasionally. I’ll take care of everything, Appa. I’ll be working from home for the next three months, so there is nothing to worry about,” Aakash said.
Balaram nodded, understanding the pain they had gone through.
Just then, Radha and Madhavan, who had arrived, overheard his words. Radha felt a deep sense of guilt for having hurt Meenakshi, while Madhavan felt saddened that he wouldn’t get to see Meenakshi and the baby every day but he was also relieved, knowing she had Aakash by her side.
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