76. Hmph, Is It Really Him?

Anika’s PoV

I woke up at the alarm and started doing my Yoga. It really helps me keep me cool. With so much happening, I still had a sound sleep last night after talking to Harish. Thanks to my baby, he is the one that is helping me fall asleep no matter how stressed I am. Arjun said he would come to pick me up at 8.30Am. We are going to inform everyone of our pregnancy today. I should call my mom and dad to let them know this happy news. Daddy would be so happy and who knows this happiness may push him into more speedy recovery. I should go visit them all once for sure, it’s been months since I have seen them.

Pushing away all the issues, I got ready in a happy mood. I am going to enjoy every bit of this pregnancy no matter what. I picked out an olive green saree with a magenta border and it’s matching blouse to wear for the day. I looked in front of the mirror and looked at my stomach, flat as it always has been, but inside of it is a life that has come to make my life colorful. I carefully draped the saree and looked at myself in the mirror again. I won't lie, my son is making me more beautiful as the days pass. I got down after grooming myself and waited for Arjun to come and pick me up.

“Good Morning, Anika.” Arjun came in with an olive green t-shirt and black pants. Oh my god, my jaw dropped to the floor looking at him. He is absolutely delectable, I just wanted to jump on him and kiss him senseless right now. I was shocked by my thinking, guess I should blame the pregnancy hormones. We were wearing clothes of the same color and it gave me a weird happiness.

“Same Pinch, you have to give me a chocolate.” I told him, indicating our clothes.

“Haha what are you? A school kid?” He literally laughed! OMG, that is the sexiest thing I have ever heard. Why is he playing with my hormones in the very morning?

“I… uh… You….” I started jittering and was searching for words when he closed in on me a little too close.

“Shall we go? We will have our breakfast at home.” He said, brushing the hair strands out of my face, looking down at me.

All I could do at the moment was nod my head in a YES. I don't know what has gotten into him to mess with me this way. He took my hand in his very gently and walked me out to the car and opened the door for me. I felt like a queen. It is not that this is the first time he has opened the door for me. No, if I remember correctly, every time I was with him, he was the one that opened the door for me, no matter how angry or mad he was. But this time, it made me feel so special.

“Anika!” He called me ever so gently as soon as he settled in the car on the driver’s seat. I looked at him and was surprised to see a red rose bouquet with a card on it. I got it from him.

“Is it for me?” I asked him, still not believing a thing that is happening.

“Do you see anyone else in the car?” He asked me with a mischievous smile. Awww, he is making it hard for me to restrain myself from not kissing him.

“Thank you, but why?” I asked him wanting to know why he is giving it to me out of nowhere. A Red Rose bouquet? That represents LOVE?

“Should I not give you a bouquet? Don't search for reasons, just enjoy. And what did you ask me for, for the same color clothes? Chocolates? Here!” He reached to the back seat and gave me another bouquet made of Ferrero Rocher chocolates. As he reached for the back seat, he came so close to me and his addicting scent made me dizzy in the head.

“Thank you.” I got it from him. I love these very much.

“A special day with flowers and chocolates! Are you happy?” He asked me and I nodded my head vigorously to make him understand that I am beyond happy.

“Thank you, Arjun. What is so special today that you are in a good mood?” I asked him and immediately regretted asking him that. I just have to stop talking and enjoy what I get. You know, I am not good in talking.

“It is a special day, Anika. You look extremely beautiful.” He said, looking at me. I could literally feel my cheeks burn.

“Thank you.” I said looking down to hide that embarrassing blush.

“Haha are you blushing? OMG, you are so cute.” He booped on my nose. What the hell has gotten into him?

“Are you alright?” I asked him as I touched his forehead to check for his temperature.

“I am perfectly alright, Anika.” He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of my palm. That tingles I felt as his mustache and beard caressed my skin, I cannot stop but feel sick in the stomach. I closed my eyes at the contact to put off that burning desire to make love to him.

“No, you are not alright. You… I ...I don't understand.” I said trying to keep my cool. Nothing had been resolved yet and it would be a mistake if I lead him on now.

“You will!” He said and started the car. “What are you planning to tell the elders when they ask you to stay home?” He asked me.

“I would say that I love granny and the farm house. The nature is so refreshing there and I wish to be there until things get hard for me.” I said looking out the window.

“Oh, so you love only nature and granny?” He asked me as if it made him sad. I turned swiftly to see him with a little smile on his lips.

“You are not yourself today, Arjun. You are laughing, smiling, pulling my legs! You are light today. I love this Arjun. Happy Arjun.” I told him. I truly love this easy, carefree Arjun.

“Ufff, so you love me as well.” He said sarcastically. Though a pit forms in my stomach everytime he says something sarcastically, I do enjoy his smile and chuckle. Because, all the time he says something sarcastic, hurt comes right behind it. I decided to stay quiet to avoid further talks as I am not sure what he is up to. Anything, it is best for me to not talk, as I am not good at handling words.

“Welcome back, dear. How are you?” Yashodha aunty came to the door to welcome us in.

“We are so good, aunty. How are you, uncle and Priya?”

“We are all good. Arjun called in the morning that you are coming for breakfast. How long are you going to stay there, Anika?”

“Um… some more months, aunty. Is it hard for you to manage all alone?” I asked her as guilt surged through me.

“Not at all, dear. You know the work here is very minimal. I just miss you and Arjun. I have started many knitting projects and all are midway. Your help would be much appreciated.” She said, smiling at me.

“Haha, for sure,aunty. I think you need to sharpen your skill, we need more beanies and turtle backs.” I said while looking at Arjun. All the while, Arjun just sat along with me looking at me as if this was the first time he was seeing me. I prompted him to tell everyone as I felt shy.

“Beanies and turtle backs?” Aunty just shouted in joy. “OMG, Anika, congratulations. God, I couldn't believe I am going to be a granny!” She hugged me with tears of joy. Uncle, Priya and Tarun came down along with Rajesh and they all greeted us and congratulated us. It was a happy feeling and kinda awkward all at the same time.

“You are very impulsive. You should have waited to reveal until we all ate breakfast.” He came to me when aunty and Priya went to the kitchen to prepare something special.

“Um… You were sitting like you have no part in it. So I thought I should tell everyone.” I told him. He should have let me know if he had other plans. How would I know what he is thinking in his complicated brain?

“I definitely have a part in it. I would say 90%!” He said, smirking at me.

“90%? No way, 50-50.” I said. He cannot take full credit on this one. “And Besides, it is an accident. So don't take it to your head.” I added.

“I can prove you otherwise, like right now.” He came closer to me and said with a little chuckle that instantly made me think of all the possibilities. I gulped down the ball of anxiety and tried to move back but he held my hands and pulled me closer to him.

“Arjun!” I whispered. I tried to push him away as we were in the middle of the hall.

“Don't be scared. I will not do anything to hurt you.” He said after a little peck on my cheek. Why is he all lovey-dovey all of a sudden? I ran to the kitchen as soon as he left my hand. I still heard the sexiest chuckle follow behind me.

We all had breakfast together with fun and laughter but I could see Savithri was not at all happy. Why is she angry? After we finished our breakfast, uncle and Rajesh started to go to the office but Arjun stopped them.

“Wait, pa. You too, Rajesh. We have guests coming.” He said that made me raise my eyebrows. He is definitely up to something and I have to wait to see if it is good or bad.

“Who is coming, Ajju?” Priya asked Arjun.

“Some important people.”

We all sat in the living room and aunty was asking me about my health and symptoms. I was answering her when I heard the sound of a car coming in. I was way too curious to see who those important people are. I craned my neck to see the door and almost jumped in joy. I ran to the door to see my dad and mom coming in.

“Appa, Amma. How are you?” I sat on the floor to match the eye of my dad as he was sitting on the wheelchair.

“We are good, dear. How are you?” Mom asked me and dad caressed my head lovingly. OMG, how much I missed them. That feeling of safety and love instantly filled up my heart.

“We are so good,ma. Appa, how are you?” I asked him for which he nodded his head.

“Bring them in, Anika. Come in, Anandhi. Come in.” My aunty invited them in. My uncle welcomed my dad with compassion.

“Come in, Saravanan. I am so glad to know about your improvements from Arjun. You will be alright soon.” He said to my dad.

“Where is Adu? Why didn't he come?” I asked.

“He is in college, remember? He will come to see you when he gets off.” My mom told me.

“Tell them. I just brought them here, I haven't told them yet.” Arjun came and whispered in my ears.

“Um… I feel so shy, Arjun. How can I tell them?” I asked him.

“Just like you told my mom.” He said just like that. I threw a look at him and took my mom to the kitchen to bring some beverages for them.

“Ma, You are going to be a granny soon.” I told her once we were alone.

“OMG, Anu, I am so happy! Thank god, he gave you this blessing so soon. Congratulations.” My mom hugged me and ran to dad to share the news. It was a very happy morning. Arjun was sitting there just enjoying the sight. I looked at him and gestured to him to come to our room upstairs and left before him. I just wanted to thank him for his thoughtfulness. He thought of my parents and brought them here to share the news with everyone together. That was why he wanted me to wait until we finished our breakfast.

“Hmph, do I get anything special?” He asked me as soon as he entered our room.

“Thank you, Arjun.” I kissed him on his cheek standing on my tippy toes.

“You deserve every happiness in this world, Beautiful.” He dashed his nose on mine, hugging me by my waist. Something is seriously wrong with him. He lifted me up and made me stand in front of the mirror in the dressing room and stood in the back of me. He slowly removed my saree that was closing my stomach and revealed my stomach and navel.

“Arjun!” Only air escaped my mouth. He caressed my stomach while kissing my neck from behind. He started running his fingers and palm all across my stomach while pushing my hair aside from my back and kissing my bare back. I could not stop myself from letting out the moans.

“You are perfect, Beautiful.” He said looking at my reflection in the mirror. He calls me Beautiful!? Just like that, he stood back and turned me to face him. “I have always loved to share my ups and downs with you, Beautiful. That will never change, no matter what.” He booped my nose again and went out in haste. I stood there thinking about his sudden change. My baby is doing wonders to him.

“Let her stay here for the day, Ajju. You can pick her in the evening.” My mom, aunt and Priya insisted and he agreed. Uncle stopped aunty from compelling me to stay here from today as she wanted to take care of me. So I stayed here for the day at least. I should thank my uncle for making it easy.

“Your wish and happiness is more important at times like this, Anika. You can stay wherever you want to, it is completely your wish.” He said when aunty started to tell me why it is important to stay with her at this time.