(Epilogue will be posted after hitting the target.)
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Author pov
• 4½ months later ~
Tulasi was struggling to do normal daily activities; her belly has grown a lot. Indra took at most care of her, along with other family members.
Currently, she was feeding the birds. She was very happy, but also a bit exhausted. She sat down carefully, and kept looking at the beautiful sky.
Her face held a peaceful smile. She was rubbing her pregnant belly lovingly.
Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain. Her face turned into concern and panic. She held onto a pillar and tried to call out to someone.
Tulasi clutched onto her belly and moaned in pain while breathing heavily.
Everyone in the house heard her cries, and Indra rushed out to her aid. He knelt down to Tulasi's level.
"What's happening, Tulasi? Is it hurting a lot?" Indra asked with concern while holding her.
"Maybe it's labor pain, I'll go and call out the older women." Anuja said.
"There's absolutely no way I'll hand over my tulasi to them. What if something happens?? I'm taking her to the hospital, she'll be safe and sound under the guidance of doctors." Indra said.
Indra was prepared for everything related to pregnancy, since he didn't want Tulasi to face any complications. Indra carried Tulasi into the car that he recently purchased, especially for Tulasi.
Anuja requested that she accompany him, but Indra refused; he knows about his mother very well. If by chance Tulasi gives birth to a female, she'll start a drama right then and there. He took Nalini with him, since she's the only female left.
The whole ride was filled with Tulasi's painful cries and Indra's reassurance. The hospital was a bit far away, and Indra was getting tense. The road was also bumpy, adding extra complications.
"Jaan, we'll reach soon. J…Just please endure a bit. Everything will be fine." Indra said.
Tulasi couldn't even answer him. It was getting too much for her. Nalini kept caressing her hair to calm Tulasi down.
As soon as they reached the hospital, Indra carried Tulasi inside to the emergency room.
The doctor told him to wait outside, and they got to work. Indra was outside the closed door, panting heavily with worry and fear.
Nalini held Indra's arm with concern. "B.. bhaiya, will she be fine?" She asked.
Indra looked down at Nalini; he didn't know the answer, but he could for sure say that she'll be perfectly fine, since he believes tulasi is so strong mentally and physically.
"Yes…" he muttered.
Hours have passed, and Indra didn't move an inch from there. The rest of the family members have also arrived. Everyone was super tense.
Indra was so scared inside. He heard of many incidents where women died while giving birth or on the way to the hospital. Not everyone can afford such facilities. And he can't even fathom the thought of being late and losing his precious woman.
The door finally opened, and a doctor walked out. Indra rushed towards her.
"I..is my wife okay??" He asked.
"Yes, your wife is safe. You brought her to the hospital at the right time. She's just unconscious for now since the delivery exhaustion took a toll on her." The doctor said.
Indra let out a sigh of relief. His heart has calmed after he heard her.
"And… Congratulations, your wife has given birth to a baby boy." The doctor said with a smile.
Indra's pov
My heart swelled into a different kind of happiness. I…I'm a father now. I can't express my feelings, it was overwhelmingly good.
"C…can I see him? M..my baby?" I asked the doctor, and she nodded.
I wasted no time and bolted inside. Tulasi was on the bed unconscious. I gulped, looking at her state. It must've been very difficult. I can only imagine the pain that she endured.
I first planted a loving kiss on her forehead. She did a great job, I'm proud of her. She has given the happiness that I never imagined even existed. I'm nothing without her. She's my better half, just like Parvati maa for Shiv Ji.
Then I heard the soft whimpers of a baby. It's my baby. I walked to the other side and looked at him.
After looking at him, my eyes immediately brimmed with tears. My hands were shaking. I gently touched his cheek. He broke out into loud cries, and I smiled with tears.
I held him with my shaky hands. He looked so vulnerable and… cute. My family surrounded me as soon as I held my baby boy. They were excited to see his face and hold him.
I planted a gentle peck on his hand. He looked so small and delicate. I can't believe that he was inside of my tulasi. This little rascal troubled her so much. But…. it was all worth it. He's my baby boy, my flesh and blood. My chest swelled with a new fondness for pride.
Nalini begged to hold him first, and I gave him to her. Everyone got busy playing with him.
I walked towards my tulasi and sat beside her. I held her hand and rubbed it soothingly. I wanted her to wake up and look at our baby. I wanted her to realize how good she was and how strong she was. This baby was a reward for her patience and the endurance for the torments that she experienced by the god.
Tulasi's pov
My head stirred, and I opened my eyes slowly. I immediately looked around. And Indra ji was already looking at me with a big grin.
"Tulasi, you're the mother of our baby boy. You did a great job." Indra ji said.
I immediately broke out into tears. I can't comprehend the thought that I'm a mother now. My heart raced with excitement and fulfillment.
"W..where is my baby?" I asked.
"Here, tulasi." Sugandha handed me my baby.
I held my baby against my chest. I was very happy, I couldn't contain it. My heart continued to as I held my cute little boy against my warmth.
He seemed so peaceful with me. His little eyes were looking at me, and I showered him with pecks. I felt him nuzzle against my chest. It was a beautiful thing to experience.
"I can already tell that you're his favorite. He was crying when others held him but only calmed down when you felt your presence." Indra ji said with a low chuckle.
It made me feel a certain kind of pride. The connection between the baby and me was unbreakable. I can already tell that I can't live without this cute little guy. Shiv ji answered my prayers and gave me a baby boy. My child won't have to face the harsh reality of the woman's life in this society.
"Indra ji, he looks so cute. Just like your sleepy face." I said with a giggle.
Indra ji pecked the side of the head. "Yes, but he seems sweet like you and also… stubborn like you."
I pouted, and Indra ji broke into laughter. "Okay, my jaan. He's a gulab jamun like you! Happy now?" He said.
I grinned and said. "Yes!"
"Hmm… what do you want to name him? I know this is mostly done by pandits, but… I want our son to inherit the name that is given by you, his mother, and goddess of our house." Indra ji said, and I felt so emotional.
Indra ji changed completely. I never thought I'd witness and experience such moments or lead such a good life. He came into my life like a lantern of hope. Even though he made a huge mistake, he seemed to turn into a totally different person, a good person. Shiv ji created the human species in such a way that they learn by experience and trauma. Even though we both never really moved on from our past incidents, we're also stepping into a new life of joy, with immense hope.
I looked down at my beautiful baby. My lips twitched into a smile as I remembered the perfect name for him.
"Adinath… Our son's name will be Adinath." I said.
I saw Indra Ji's face turning up like a spark of joy. "It's a spectacular name for him." He said.
I side-hugged Indra ji, I needed it. My body seemed so weak and almost given up all its strength.
"Tulasi… I was so scared when I saw you on the bed unconscious. You know what? One kid is enough for us. I don't want to watch you suffer anymore." Indra ji said.
I gasped. "No! I want more kids. I'm strong enough to make more babies. I want our house to fill with our children."
"Are you crazy?? How will you even take care of those many children?" He asked.
"You're here with me to assist. And I love kids! The more kids, the better." I said with a sleepy grin.
I watched Indra ji sigh. "Yeah, I'm the scapegoat at the end. And as always, your wish is my command. But not when it comes to your health."
I rolled my eyes at him. How can he not want any more kids? They're so cute and adorable. Whatever, in the end… it's me who's going to win the argument.
I felt him cupping both my cheeks, and he gave me a featherlike kiss on my lips.
"I love you, Tulasi. I'm ready to even die for you." Indra ji said.
"Stop saying anything about death, Indra ji. And… i…i lobb-u cho much." I said with a smile.
Indra ji enveloped both of our lips into a gentle kiss. I got so lost in it. I forgot that our baby was watching us kiss!
I broke the kiss and looked at my son. He was surely watching his parents kiss with an 'O' expression. Naughty boy, like his father!
Indra ji and I looked at each other and broke out into sweet laughter.
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