As I watched Shivina's discomfort unfold, concern gnawed at me like an insistent itch. "Are you feeling okay, love?" I inquired, my voice laced with worry, as I observed her frequent visits to the bathroom.

Shivina managed a weak smile, attempting to downplay her discomfort. "Just a bit queasy, Rohan. Probably something I ate," she reassured me, though her discomfort was evident.

Despite her reassurances, my worry lingered. "Maybe we should swing by the hospital, just to be safe," I suggested, my protective instincts kicking into overdrive.

But Shivina, determined not to spoil the day, waved off my concerns. "I'll be fine, darling. You head off to work," she insisted, her resolve firm, though her discomfort betrayed her words. "Besides, who will save the world from bad coffee if you're not there?"

Reluctantly, I left for the office, the image of Shivina's troubled expression lingering in my mind. As the days passed, her condition only seemed to worsen, leaving me feeling increasingly helpless.

Later that evening, as we gathered with our closest family to celebrate my birthday, the air buzzed with excitement. Shivina's eyes sparkled mischievously as she handed me a gift box, her anticipation contagious. "I hope you like your present," she teased, a playful grin on her face.

Opening the box, I was met with a sight that stole my breath away - pregnancy kits and an ultrasound report nestled within. Shock and joy surged through me as the reality of me going to be a dad sunk in.

"Thank you for this incredible gift," I murmured to Shivina, my voice thick with emotion, as tears of happiness welled in my eyes.

Shivina's response was filled with a love that warmed my heart. "You're going to be an amazing dad to the little one growing inside me," she whispered, her eyes shining with love and anticipation.

"What was the gift Shivina gave you until it made you cry, Rohan?" Ashwini asked in pure confusion.

"Have patience, Ashwini, he will tell you everything shortly," Abhi calmed down the excited Ashwini.

As our family bombarded us with questions, Shivina and I shared the news of our impending parenthood, their cheers and blessings filling the room with warmth and joy. "We're going to need all the parenting advice we can get!" I joked, eliciting laughter from the room.

In the days that followed, Shivina's father-in-law bestowed upon her his wife's cherished chain, a symbol of their love and acceptance. The love and support from both our families only amplified the excitement of the journey ahead.

And so, as we embarked on this new chapter of our lives, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the remarkable woman beside me and the tiny life growing within her. Hand in hand, we faced the future with hearts full of love, ready to embrace whatever challenges parenthood brought our way.

"Here's to us, Shivina," I said, raising a toast to our future, "and to the little one who's about to make our lives a whole lot more interesting."

"I've become fat!" Rohan heard his wife sobbing from the bedroom. He walked in, seeing her sitting on the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face.

"No, you're not! I think you're more beautiful than ever," Rohan said, trying to comfort her.

"Don't lie to me!" She continued to sob.

"Cupcake, you're the most beautiful person in the world right now," he insisted, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"I wanna puke right now!" Her sobs intensified.

"Okay, there throw out everything." Rohan moved to the trash can, holding it out for her as she vomited.

Once she was done, he patted her back gently. "Feeling a bit better?"

"A little," she sniffled.

"Good, now let's get you cleaned up," he said, offering her a tissue.

As she wiped her tears, Rohan couldn't help but smile at her. "You know, even when you're covered in tears and puke, you're still the most beautiful woman to me."

She chuckled softly. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"

"But you love me for it," he teased, planting a kiss on her forehead.

Being a pregnant woman was no easy task, I thought to myself. I watched as she battled through nausea, weight gain, mood swings, and cravings. Yet, through it all, she remained my rock, my partner in everything.

“I could really go for some ice cream right now,” she announced one evening, her eyes sparkling with longing.

“Again? You just had some yesterday,” I teased, though I was already reaching for my keys.

“I’m pregnant, I get a free pass,” she declared with a playful grin.

“Alright, alright, your wish is my command, my queen,” I said with a mock bow before heading out to fulfill her craving.

Throughout the pregnancy, we shared countless moments like these, filled with laughter, love, and the occasional midnight ice cream run.

When we found out we were having a baby boy at the prenatal check-up, I felt a surge of excitement and pride. I couldn’t wait to meet our son, hold him in my arms, and watch him grow.

As her due date approached, we prepared for the Godh Bharai ceremony, a celebration of the new life growing inside her. Despite my eagerness to be by her side, I found myself relegated to the sidelines as the women took over the festivities.

“You’re kicking me out already?” I joked, feigning offense as they shooed me away.

“It’s tradition, sweetheart,” my wife replied with an apologetic smile. “But don’t worry, I’ll save you some sweets.”

True to her word, she brought home a plateful of treats, sharing them with me as we laughed about the day’s events.

I was bored all day long staying at the house because except for Papa, my father-in-law, nobody talked to me. Even my husband started growing tired of me or so I thought. So, I decided to pay a surprise visit to Rohan at his cabin. I cooked my favorite meals and waited for him at the office.

"Hey Shivina, what are you doing here?" Rohan's surprised voice echoed through the room.

"Wow, how come you're not angry at me for being at your place?" I chuckled, trying to hide my nervousness.

"Well, I know my cupcake missed her husband so much. That pouty look on your face shows it clearly," he said, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

"So, you're not angry at me?!" I exclaimed, relief washing over me.

"Nope! So, tell me what are craving right now?" Rohan asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Cuddles and Kashmir Chai?!" I replied with a playful smile.

"Okay, coming right up!" Rohan disappeared into the small kitchenette of his cabin, leaving me feeling grateful for his understanding.

He returned moments later with a steaming cup of my favorite Kashmiri chai, the aroma immediately soothing my senses. But suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my stomach.

"What happened?! Does it hurt so much?!" Rohan's concern was evident in his voice.

I winced and glanced down to see an ointment on his desk. "Why did you keep an ointment in your cabin?" I asked, confusion lacing my tone.

"I typically had back pains, and sometimes you would come and visit me during your pregnancy. So I thought it's best to keep one here," he explained, his eyes softening with understanding.

"You know I'm really lucky to have you as my husband," I said, feeling a surge of gratitude for his thoughtfulness.

But my pain started to intensify, turning into sharp, unbearable jabs.

"What was it? A false alarm?" Rohan asked, worry lines creasing his forehead.

"No, I don't think so! This one's sharp," I replied, trying to steady my breathing through the pain.

Suddenly, the pain became too much to bear, and I found myself unable to suppress my cries.

"Does it hurt that much? Come on, let's get you to the base hospital!" Rohan's voice was urgent as he helped me to my feet and guided me out of the cabin.

At the hospital, Rohan's anxiety was palpable as he paced the waiting room, his eyes never leaving the entrance to the maternity ward.

"Rohan, what are you doing here?" Deepti, our family doctor, asked, surprise evident in her tone.

"Deepti, Shivina said that she's having stomach pain. I brought her here. Please do something!" Rohan pleaded, his voice laced with concern.

Deepti quickly got to work, checking my vitals and monitoring the baby's movements while Rohan hovered nearby, his worry increasing with each passing moment.

"I'm regretting making you my doctor, Deepti," Rohan joked weakly, trying to lighten the mood.

"Good, that means I'm doing my job correctly!" Deepti replied with a smirk, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

As Deepti delivered the news of my progressing labor, Rohan rushed to my side, enveloping me in a tight hug.

"I couldn't believe that he's finally gonna be here," I whispered, tears of joy and pain mingling on my cheeks.