Raghav's pov:

Aarti's pregnancy was progressing, and I could see the toll it was taking on her. She was still the same strong and determined woman, but there were moments when exhaustion would overwhelm her. As her husband, and now the father of our child, I couldn't just stand by and watch. I knew I had to step up, not just as a partner, but as her support system.

The days had been long, and Aarti's pregnancy was starting to take its toll on her, but one thing had remained constant - my love for her had only grown stronger with time.

One evening, after we had finished dinner, I noticed Aarti sitting on the couch, rubbing her swollen feet. Her eyes were tired, her face weary from the long day of managing everything around the house.

I walked over to her, kneeling in front of her, and gently took her feet in my hands.

" Jaan relax. Tum poore din apne pairon par thi. Mujhe madad karne do," I said softly, lifting her feet onto my lap.
(Jaan, relax. You've been on your feet all day. Let me help)

She looked at me, a little surprised, but smiled faintly. "Raghav ji, main theek hoon. Tumhe yeh karne ki zarurat nahi hai."
(Raghav ji, I'm fine. You don't have to do this.)

"No, Aarti," I replied, shaking my head. "You've been working so hard. It's my turn to take care of you now. Just sit back and relax."

I began pressing her feet gently, easing the tension from her muscles. I could see how much she appreciated the gesture, even though she tried not to show it too much.

"Maine kabhi nahi socha tha ki yeh peit se thi itni thakawat wali hogi. Mujhe maa banne ka bohot acha lagta hai, lekin kabhi kabhi lagta hai ki yeh sab kuch zyada ho raha hai." she said, her voice soft.
(I never thought this pregnancy would be so exhausting,I love the idea of becoming a mother, but sometimes i feel it's exhausting.)

I felt her feet relax under my touch, but her words still echoed in my mind. I wanted to reassure her.

"Aap bohot acchi kar rahi ho, Jaan. Tumhe sab kuch akela nahi karna hai. Main chhoti chhoti baatein sambhal leta hoon. Tum bas aaram karo aur baby ke liye tayar ho jao." I said as I pressed gently on a particularly sore spot.
(You're doing great, Aarti,But you don't have to do everything on your own. Let me take care of the little things. You focus on resting and getting ready for the baby.)

She closed her eyes for a moment, and I could see the exhaustion etched on her face. She leaned back into the cushions of the couch, her hands resting on her stomach as she sighed contentedly.

"Aap mere liye bohot acchhe ho, Raghav ji. Mujhe nahi pata main tumhare bina kya karti."
(You're so good to me, Raghav ji. I don't know what I'd do without you.)

Her words melted my heart. I paused for a moment, looking up at her face, her eyes still closed, her expression soft and vulnerable. "Aarti, tumhe kabhi yeh nahi jaan na padega. Main hamesha tumhare saath hoon."
(You'll never have to know, Jaan. I'm here for you, always.)

She smiled, her lips curving into a gentle expression of gratitude. I resumed pressing her feet, feeling a quiet satisfaction in the simplicity of the moment.

"Main hamesha is moment ka sapna dekhti thi, Raghav ji... ek parivaar... tumhare saath. Lekin kabhi kabhi mujhe dar lagta hai. Agar main kaafi nahi hui? Agar main sab kuch sambhal nahi paayi, maa banne, patni , aur khud ke liye?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
( I've always dreamed of this, Raghav ji... a family... with you,But sometimes, I get scared. What if I'm not enough? What if I can't manage everything, being a mother, a wife, and myself?)

I stopped for a moment, my heart aching at her words. I took her hands in mine, looking into her eyes with all the love I had for her. "Aarti, tum bilkul kaafi ho. Tumhe sab kuch akela nahi karna hai. Hum milke yeh sab karenge, jaise humne hamesha kiya hai."
(Aarti, you're more than enough. You don't have to do it all alone. We'll figure this out together, just like we've always done.)

She leaned forward, her forehead resting against mine. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, Raghav ji," she whispered.

I kissed her forehead gently, feeling a warmth spread through me. "You deserve all the love in the world, Aarti. And I'm going to make sure you get it."

We stayed like that for a while, the quiet hum of the evening surrounding us. I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for her, for the life we had built together, and for the little one that would soon join us.

As I continued to press her feet, I realized that these small moments of care were more than just physical gestures. They were the foundation of the life we were about to bring into the world. And I was ready. Ready to be there for her, for our child, and to continue building the love that had brought us here.
______________________________________

That particular night, I woke up to the sound of her calling my name softly.

"Raghav ji..." her voice was weak, almost hesitant, but I could tell something was on her mind.

I quickly sat up, rubbing my eyes. "Kya hua, Aarti?" I asked, my voice filled with concern.
(What happened, Aarti)

"mujhe bhukh lagi hai.." she said, her tone a little apologetic. "Kya main aapke liye kuch khana bana sakta hoon?"
(I'm hungry,Can you please make me something to eat ?)

I sighed, trying to hide my smile at how she still asked me for things, even though she knew I was exhausted too. "Bilkul, Aarti. Main kuch banaata hoon, fikar mat karo."
(Of course, Aarti. I'll make something for you. Don't worry.)

I got up and went to the kitchen, making a simple dish for her, something she could stomach easily. As I cooked, I could feel her eyes on me. When I returned with the food, she was sitting up in bed, waiting for me.

"Yeh lo, Aarti. Zyada nahi hai, par umeed hai ki kaafi hoga," I said, placing the plate in front of her. (Here,It's not much, but I hope it's enough.)

She smiled weakly. "Yeh bilkul thik hai, Raghav ji."
(It's perfect, Raghav ji.)

But as she tried to feed herself, she looked at me again, hesitating for a moment. "Raghav ji... mujhe aap khana khilao", she said, her voice a little shaky.
(Raghav ji... I need you to feed me)

I was taken aback for a moment but smiled softly. "Of course, Jaan." I picked up the plate and fed her, making sure she had everything she needed. Afterward, I cleared up the dishes and washed them carefully, not wanting her to lift a finger.

Once I was done, I walked back to her. "Ab kya hum so sakte hain?" I asked, feeling the exhaustion hit me.
(Can we sleep now?)

She shook her head, her eyes glistening with a mixture of emotions. "I want to play veena," she said, her voice quiet but firm.

I frowned, looking at the clock. It was late, the night having already drawn its curtains over the world outside. "Bahut der ho gayi hai, jaan. Humhe sona chahiye. Tumhe aaram ki zarurat hai." I said gently.
(It's late, jaan. We should sleep. You need rest.)

She started crying. My heart clenched at the sight of her tears. "Aap mujhe ab aur pyaar nahi karte, Raghav ji." she whispered, her voice breaking.
(You don't love me anymore, Raghav ji.)

I immediately moved to her side, pulling her into a hug. "Aarti, aisa mat kaho. Tumhe pata hai ki main tumhe sabse zyada pyaar karta hoon."
(Aarti, don't say that. You know I love you more than anything in this world.)

But she pushed me away, her face wet with tears. "Toh phir kyun mujhe veena nahi bajane de rahe ho?" she asked in a broken tone.
(Then why won't you let me play?)

I couldn't stand to see her upset like this. I knew this was just another moment of her emotional swings, but it still hurt. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I reached for her hand and placed it over my chest.

"Mujhe maaf kar do, Aarti. Main tumse bohot pyaar karta hoon, lekin kabhi-kabhi... tum meri baat nahi sunti. Main tumhara mood samajh nahi pata, par tum mere liye sab kuch ho. "
(I'm sorry, Aarti. I love you so much, but sometimes... you refuse to listen to me. I can't always keep up with your moods, but you're everything to me.)

I pinched my throat, a gesture of guilt. "Mujhe maaf karo, Jaan. Maine tumhe gussa nahi dilana tha. Par main veena yahan laata hoon."
(I'm sorry,Jaan. I didn't mean to upset you. But I'll bring the veena here)

Her eyes widened, and a small, victorious smile spread across her face. "Sach mein?"
(Really?)

"Haan, sach mein." I said, defeated.
"Bas... yeh waada karo ki tum so jaogi, theek hai?"
(Yes, really. Just... promise me you'll sleep after this, okay?)

Her mood swung in a way that only she could manage, and she nodded, her smile brightening. "Waada karti hoon, Raghav ji."
(I promise, Raghav ji.)

I went and fetched the veena from the other room, bringing it back to her. When I returned, I set it gently in front of her on the bed, my heart still a little heavy with the emotions of the moment.

I sat down beside her, watching as she adjusted the veena, ready to play. As she placed her fingers on the strings, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the sound, by the grace with which she played.

Her fingers moved so delicately, the music filling the room, weaving a melody that seemed to resonate deep within me. The soft, melodious tune was a reflection of everything she was - her soul, her strength, her vulnerability, and her beauty.

I leaned back against the headboard, my eyes never leaving her as she played. There was something about the way she played the veena that made me feel like I was witnessing a piece of her spirit. Her music had always been her way of communicating the depths of her heart, and as I watched her, I felt more connected to her than ever before.

This moment, the way her fingers danced on the strings, the way she lost herself in the music - this was the woman I had married. And I couldn't imagine my life without her.

As I sat there, I realized that I had always been her strength, but she had been mine too. And now, with our baby on the way, I was more certain than ever that we were in this journey together. Through every up and down, every mood swing, every tear, and every smile, we would continue to be there for each other.

Hello, my dear fam! Your love and support means everything. Please vote, follow, and share your thoughts! Follow me on Instagram for exclusive spoiler updates!

Please do follow to get further updates of chapter.

Love you all <3