The days with my baby were filled with joy, exhaustion, and a sense of completeness I had never known before. Yet, amidst the cries and coos, I often found my fingers yearning for the veena strings. Music was my solace, my way of connecting to my inner self.
One quiet afternoon, when my little one , Amit had finally fallen asleep, I placed the veena on my lap and began to play softly. The strings vibrated gently under my fingers, weaving melodies that seemed to soothe not just me but the entire house.
Raghav walked in, leaning against the doorframe, watching me. His eyes held a tender smile.
"Bahut dino ke baad veena ki awaaz sun raha hoon, Aarti," he said, stepping closer. (I'm hearing the sound of the veena after so many days, Aarti.)
"Mujhe bhi veena ki awaaz ki kami mehsoos ho rahi thi," I replied, my fingers gliding over the strings. (I was missing the sound of the veena too.)
Raghav pulled a chair beside me and sat down. "Tumhare liye yeh bahut zaroori hai, Aarti. Tumhare jeevan ka ek hissa hai yeh. Tumhe isse door nahi rehna chahiye." (This is very important for you, Aarti. It's a part of your life. You shouldn't stay away from it.)
"Par ab mera dhyan poora bacche par hai, Raghav ji," I said, looking at him with a small smile. (But now my focus is completely on the Amit, Raghav ji.)
He shook his head gently. "Dono cheezein sambhali ja sakti hain, Aarti. Tum maa ho, aur ek kalakar bhi. Tumhare geet sirf tumhara sukoon nahi hain, balki iss ghar ki rooh hain." (You can manage both, Aarti. You're a mother and an artist. Your music is not just your solace; it's the soul of this house.)
His words filled me with warmth, and I nodded. "Main koshish karoongi, Raghav ji. Kabhi-kabhi lagta hai ki mere paas samay hi nahi hai." (I'll try, Raghav ji. Sometimes, it feels like I don't have enough time.)
"Main hoon na, Aarti," he said, his hand resting lightly on mine. "Main sambhal lunga. Tum bas apne mann ki suno." (I'm here, Aarti. I'll manage. You just listen to your heart.)
I smiled at him, the weight on my shoulders feeling lighter. "Aap meri itni fikr kyun karte hain, Raghav ji?" (Why do you care so much about me, Raghav ji?)
"Kyunki tum meri duniya ho, Aarti," he said simply, his eyes meeting mine. (Because you're my world, Aarti.)
I lowered my gaze, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. The veena strings hummed softly under my touch as I played a quiet tune.
"Tum bajati raho, aur main apne amit ka khayal rakhta hoon," he said, standing up. (You keep playing, and I'll take care of our amit.)
I watched him leave, my heart swelling with gratitude and love. The melody I played carried all my emotions, speaking the words I couldn't.
Motherhood had given me a new identity, but Raghav reminded me that I didn't have to let go of the old one. I was a mother, a wife, and still an artist - all in harmony.
Raghav's pov:
As I stood by the doorway, watching Aarti lose herself in the music of the veena, I felt a profound sense of peace. It had been too long since I'd seen her like this - the Aarti who wasn't just a mother but also an artist, a woman who spoke her heart through melodies. Her fingers danced on the strings, creating a symphony that seemed to breathe life into the walls of our home.
But what struck me the most was how effortlessly she balanced it all - our child, her art, and everything in between. Still, I could see the quiet worry in her eyes. She was so used to putting everyone else first that she sometimes forgot to care for herself.
When I told her I'd take care of the baby so she could play her veena, her eyes softened, and I saw a glimmer of the woman I'd fallen in love with - resilient, graceful, and full of love.
I took our son in my arms, cradling him gently. His tiny fingers wrapped around mine, and I marveled at how someone so small could fill my life with so much meaning. Aarti's music played in the background, wrapping us in a cocoon of love.
I sat down on the couch, holding our son close, whispering softly to him, "Dekho, beta, tumhari maa kaise sundar geet bajati hai. Yehi hai unki pehchaan. Aur tumhe pata hai? Tumhari maa duniya ki sabse acchi maa hai." (Look, son, how beautifully your mother plays music. This is her identity. And you know what? Your mother is the best mother in the world.)
His little eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, I felt as though he was listening to me, understanding me. "Tumhari maa ka dhyan rakhna hamari zindagi ki sabse badi zimmedaari hai. Tumhe pata hai, main hamesha chahta tha ki hamare ghar mein aise hi khushi aur sukoon ho." (Taking care of your mother is the biggest responsibility of our lives. You know, I always wished our home would be filled with happiness and peace like this.)
As Aarti's music slowed, she turned to look at us. Her gaze softened as she watched me holding our son, humming a lullaby. I could see the love and pride in her eyes, and it made my heart swell.
She walked over, placing the veena gently aside, and sat down beside me. Her head rested on my shoulder as she watched our baby.
"Raghav ji, aapka pyar aur samarthan mujhe har din aur mazboot banata hai," she said softly. (Raghav ji, your love and support makes me stronger every day.)
I looked at her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Aur tumhare bina, main adhura hoon, Aarti. Tum aur hamara beta meri zindagi ka asal sukoon ho," I replied. (And without you, I am incomplete, Aarti. You and our son are the real peace in my life.)
We sat there in silence, letting the warmth of the moment wash over us. Holding our son in my arms and Aarti by my side, I realized how lucky I was.
Later that night, as I tucked our baby into his crib and watched him drift off to sleep, I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude. Becoming a father had changed me in ways I never imagined. It wasn't just about responsibility - it was about love, patience, and being present in every moment.
Returning to the bed, I found Aarti asleep, her hand resting protectively on the crib. I sat beside her, taking her hand in mine. "Tumne meri zindagi ko ek nayaa matlab diya hai, Aarti. Tumhara pyar aur hamara beta meri duniya hai," I whispered, even though I knew she couldn't hear me. (You've given my life a new meaning, Aarti. Your love and our son are my world.)
As I turned off the light, I promised myself that I would always be there for them - as a father, a husband, and a partner in every sense. Life was no longer just about me. It was about us. And in that realization, I found my greatest joy.
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