After having dinner at Rai mansion, they drove back home. Even in the deep night, life was stirring out of the window but in the car, the atmosphere was calm and quiet.
A soft chuckle broke the silence. Vivan saw Ira looking at him and smiling.
Vivan was confused, "What?" Is there something on his face? Why was she laughing at him?
"Looking at the speed, I think we will reach home only by dawn," Ira exclaimed with a soft laugh and pointed at the speedometer. He was driving so slow that let alone cars even a bicycle overtook them.
"Pregnant lady on board, need to slow down. What if you feel nauseous with me driving faster? It's better this way," Vivan defended.
"Mmhm." Ira nodded. Although they still don't talk to each other much but these few exchanges would fill her heart with the warmth she never experienced. Something was changing and she could feel it.
In her hand was a red rose, which she couldn't help but smell repeatedly.
When Vivan came into her parent's house for dinner, he gave a bouquet of lilies to her mom. What she never expected was that he would place a red rose in her hand and say: "For the beauty." That too in front of everyone. Ira was familiar with the gentle and caring Vivan, but a romantic one was a surprise. He held her hands throughout the night.
"We have to go to the doctor. Can you take out some time tomorrow?" Vivan asked.
'Isn't this my line?' Ira thought. There was a lot of hesitation in his voice that couldn't be masked. "Yes," she nodded. The rest of the journey went in peace.
When they got home, Ira removed her shoes and was putting down her purse when she felt a strong gaze on her. Vivan who was sitting on the sofa was staring at her. Ira couldn't help but look up at his face to find clues.
"Do you feel any different?" Vivan asked.
"What?" Ira was confused.
"You know, some movement or something," Vivan scratched his head, staring at her stomach.
Ira realized he was asking about the child. With a sweet smile, she replied, "No! The baby is too small. 5 to 6 months is when I will feel the movements,"
All of sudden he pulled her waist to him and kissed her tummy.
"Kissing the baby," He explained and looked at Ira, waiting for her to push him away. He regretted his thoughtless move. But opposed to his thoughts Ira was still smiling.
"Baby made you soft, Ira." Vivan hugged her tightly and blurted out his thoughts.
On her bed, Ira saw a full-body pillow for her.
On the table were magazines related to pregnancy care.
In the bathroom was a rubber mattress to prevent slipping on the wet floor.
In the hallway, there was a nightlight. He installed it to prevent accidental bumps into things at night.
'Aww! He's so cute.' She wanted to kiss him, but she was embarrassed to do it.
He wanted to kiss her but wasn't brave enough.
At night before sleeping, Vivan gave her a cup of tea. "It's ginger tea. No caffeine at night, okay? It also helps morning sickness."
Like a good child, she finished it.
In their married life, they never fought with each other. They never even argued. Ira never nagged or criticized Vivan.
She just.... ignored him.
And he just.... obeyed her.
What does a strong woman or rather every woman needs is a man who listens to her every command!
Ira already had such a man, but they lived in their own spaces. Vivan gave her time to open up, but she never did.
'She didn't ignore me today,' Vivan thought.
Without much hustle, their relationship was progressing.
Vivan felt encouraged seeing the cold Ira with a soft smile.
Ira felt Vivan was a bit different today. The baby was their trump card, they both thought.
The baby's arrival changed them and their relationship.
The next morning, Vivan served her hard-boiled eggs. "I know you love eggs but you can't have poached, scrambled or raw eggs during pregnancy. The books said so."
Ira felt ashamed. She laughed at herself, who made plans to seduce Vivan with her cooking.
'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach`` Ira planned to do that. Anyway, she decided to use all the different ways to win him. And to this Ira, cooking isn't much difficult.
Vivan was the one who was already years ahead in winning her heart in a stroke, with boiled eggs.
Yes! Eggs were her favorite food. Easy to make, easy to cook, and still have 50 different ways to make it.
'I have to do something!' Ira realized she didn't know what Vivan enjoys eating.
'I need more information.' She knew only one reliable source: Vivan's only relative, his mom.