"Arjun ?"
Arjun froze at hearing the familiar voice behind him. He stood up from adjusting Aryan in his stroller and turned to find himself face-to-face with Shrashti Pawar, his ex-girlfriend, and all-around viper.
"Hello, Shrashti," he greeted her coolly.
She glanced down at the four-month-old baby. "So, this is your life now, huh? Married with a baby? Things certainly have changed."
"Perhaps," he shrugged, "but unlike the man I was when you knew me, I'm happy."
Before she could respond, Shruti joined them. "Sunny, is he sleeping yet?"
"He is," Arjun confirmed. "Fell asleep just now while we were looking at pasta."
"Oh, good," she breathed, looking at Shrashti. "Hello."
"By the way, Arjun how come I never got to call you by your pet name? You used to say u hated someone calling you by your pet name" asked Shrashti
"Well, you know that my nickname is reserved just for family" " So, you are telling me she was family when Arohi and Neil were getting married?"
"She was included in my family that day and still holds her position. You see I was investing my time and energy in the wrong person until she came along. I recognized her as family therefore she has the right to call me by my pet name in front of the whole world"
"Shruti, this is Shrashti Pawar," Arjun introduced. "Shrashti, this is Shruti Punj, my wife."
Recognizing the name, Shruti instinctively leaned into Arjun. "It's nice to meet you."
"Mm-hmm," Shrashti smirked. "Your son is beautiful."
"Thank you," Shruti beamed. "I don't mean to be rude, but Sunny, Shanaya, and Rishabh are expecting us soon. We should get going."
"Of course," he agreed. "Shrashti," he nodded curtly before pushing Aryan's stroller down the grocery aisle and towards the checkout.
"So, that was her, huh?" Shruti mused as he placed their items onto the conveyor. "Pretty much exactly what I pictured."
"What's that?" he wondered. "Poison in a leather skirt?"
"No," she denied. "Calculating and cold. She thought she was better than us."
"She isn't," Arjun assured her. "She might think she leads a magnificent life, but deep down, she's miserable. We've been apart for more than nine years and I can still see that."
"I love you," she smiled.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I love you, too."
Twenty minutes later, they made their way into Shanaya and Rishabh's backyard for the barbecue they were hosting to celebrate Shanaya's twenty-sixth birthday. Everyone else had already arrived, but because of the baby, Shruti and Arjun were often given leeway on punctuality.
"Sorry we're late," Shruti apologized to Shanaya. "We got caught up in the market. I met Shrashti."
Shanaya gasped. "What?!"
"She was there," Shruti explained. "Arjun and Aryan were looking at pasta while I went in search of a good wine, and when I found them, she was standing next to him, eyeing my baby like he was a bug on her shoe."
"Still a bitch then," Shanaya murmured. "I didn't much like Arohi when she first started seeing Neil, but that was just me being the bratty younger sister then. I hated Shrashti because she was garbage and treated Arjun like dirt. It was infuriating to see. He was still kind of a mess when you first started."
"I remember," Shruti sighed, watching where Arjun was talking to his brothers.
"He's a better person now," Shanaya stated. "He's happy and successful. That's because of you, Shruti. I've never seen him more at peace than when Aryan was born. It was very sweet."
Shruti grinned. "He took to fatherhood very seamlessly."
"He was nervous about it," Shanaya recalled. "He wanted a child, but he didn't have great role models in Dhananjay and Savatri, so he wasn't sure if he'd be okay. I heard several conversations between him and Rishabh about how he would do."
"I never doubted him," Shruti admitted. "Not once. He was so steadfast in his want of having a baby that I knew he'd be great."
Before Shanaya could say anything else, Aryan began to fuss in his car seat, so Shruti reached in to pick him up.
"What's wrong, buddy?" she cooed, holding him close to her chest. "Are you hungry?"
Arjun, who'd heard his son's cries, made his way over. "It's been almost four hours since he's eaten. He might be hungry."
"I think so," Shruti said. "Is the house unlocked?"
"Yes," Shanaya nodded.
Shruti carried the baby inside, knowing Arjun was following with his diaper bag. For the first month, she had tried desperately to breastfeed, but it was difficult and painful. Manya sent her dozens of resources on the subject, and while Shruti wanted to, it just didn't take, so they'd switched to formula when Aryan was nearly five weeks.
When they reached the kitchen, Shruti handed the baby over so she could make the bottle while Arjun settled into the rocking chair in the living room with Aryan.
"You've been so good today," Arjun murmured against the infant's head. "Don't muck it up now because you're hungry. Mummy is hurrying."
Aryan only continued to cry.
"Okay, okay," Shruti said as she walked into hand over the bottle.
Arjun offered it and Aryan latched on immediately, greedily eating as quickly as he could.
"That's better," Arjun whispered, rocking slowly. "We're missing Shanaya bua's bday party."
"I don't mind," Shruti muttered as she sat on the couch. "For May, it's so hot out."
Arjun chuckled. "It isn't so bad. I think you've just spent so much time inside lately that you're used to the air conditioning of the house."
She sighed. "I wish you wouldn't have to return to the tour tomorrow."
"Me, too," he frowned. "Two months left, plus you two are joining me at the beginning of June."
"I know," she said. "It's just hard. He changes so much every day and I hate that you're missing it."
"Me, too," he scoffed. "I'm the one who sees him most days through a computer or cell phone."
"I don't mean to sound whiny," she assured him. "You're the one I feel for. I know how badly I miss you, but I'm here with him; you have both of us to miss. Right? You do still miss me even though he's here now?"
"Shruti," he said, eyeing her. "Don't be ridiculous, love. I miss you with every fiber of my being. I haven't been on tour without you in six years. I hate seeing Arohi and Neil together because it makes me miss you even more."
Tears filled her eyes. "I miss it, too. I've always liked touring. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade being at home with him, but I can't wait until he's old enough to travel more."
"Hmm, I don't know," Arjun shrugged. "I don't know if I want him to grow up on tour, without any roots. I want him to have a normal upbringing."
"He will," she declared. "We did, for the most part, so we'll make sure he does, too."
When Aryan finished his bottle, Arjun burped him before the couple made their way back outside to the party.
"Let me see that baby!" Ananya cried as she reached for him. "Hi, Aryan!"
Now happy and full, Aryan squealed happily and reached for her dangly earrings.
"I'm sorry he has to leave again so soon," Neil apologized to Shruti as the afternoon transitioned into the early evening. "We worked to keep the dates spread out enough to give him opportunities to come home as often as possible."
"I know," Shruti nodded. "I don't blame you. This is our life; we adjust as best we can. We miss him, but we're making it."
Neil grinned. "He's very mellow on this tour. He performs, writes, does a little press, and that's it. We don't eat out or do anything else beyond work. He spends most of his free time in his hotel room."
"FaceTiming us," she filled in. "We probably speak at least three hours a day. He just wants to feel like he's here."
"I know," Neil murmured. "All he talks about is his family and how much he misses you two."
"Two more months," she repeated. "In two months, he's home for a while."
"Yes, an extended break," Neil confirmed. "We're all looking forward to it."
"Think you and Arohi will ever have kids?" she asked.
He looked to where his wife was sitting at the patio table with Prince, Shivam, and Divya, playing Uno. "I don't know. If we're going to, I'd like to do so soon. I'm nearing my middle thirties and I wouldn't want to be an old dad. Arohi, however, says she doesn't want children, and I'd never pressure her. I want her to be my wife more than I want a child."
"That's sweet," Shruti breathed. "She's great with Aryan; I think she's warming to the idea of motherhood."
"Stop talking about me!" Arohi yelled over. "I can just tell!" she added before they could ask how she knew.
"She's something, isn't she?" he chuckled fondly before walking over to stand behind her.
That night, after leaving the party a little early to spend Arjun's last few hours at home together as a family, the three of them were curled up in their bed, watching Harry Potter. Aryan had no idea what was going on, but he liked the colors and sounds, so he was fascinated. It helped that he was situated comfortably in a Boppy pillow, giving his parents time to each other.
"Sixteen days," Arjun said as he drew lightly on the inside of her wrist. "In sixteen days, you guys will join me in Pune."
"Sixteen days," she breathed. "That's not so many."
"Not in the scheme of things," he agreed. "And in two months, when the tour wraps, we're free for the foreseeable future."
This made her smile brilliantly. "I can't wait. It will be so nice to just be us for a while."
"Mm-hmm," he said, nuzzling into her neck. "Is he sleeping yet?"
Shruti checked as he continued kissing along her collarbone. "Just about. I'd say he'll be out in five minutes."
"Well, I'll do what I can in the meantime," he smirked devilishly, pulling away to carefully duck under the covers.
When Shruti woke up early the next morning, both her men were out of their beds, so she climbed out herself and made her way downstairs to the kitchen, only to find it empty. She furrowed her brow and checked the rest of the first-floor rooms before hearing Arjun's voice coming from the backyard. She spotted an open window in the living room, so she walked over and sat on the couch to listen.
"I hate having to leave you again," Arjun was saying as he rocked in the swing. "I hate that your mum is doing everything on her own. I know your Shanaya bua has been a big help, and Ananya masi is here frequently, but I should be here, too. I want to be. I want to sleep with her in my arms every night and I want to wake up to your laugh every morning. I'd even happily wake up to your cries if it meant being here. Before you came along, I would've gone on this tour like any other, and your mum would've been with me. You've changed everything, and I wouldn't trade it for the world."
Shruti heard Aryan start to fuss, so Arjun had to change his tactic.
"I don't do anything except perform, so I've been writing," he explained, adjusting the baby so he was resting against Arjun's shoulder. "Perhaps you'd like to hear a song? It's sappy, and I'd never likely record it, but it's what I work on when I'm missing you two terribly."
Main zameen, tu aasmaan
Main daag hoon, tu chaand sa
Tu baarish hai, main reit hoon
Main dhunn koyi, tu raag sa x (2)
Mainu apna bana lai meri Heeriye
Mainu apna bana lai meri Heeriye
Main rehna ae tera banke
Boohey barian haye, boohey barian
Boohey barian te nale kanda tapke
Tu aaja vi hawa banke
Boohey barian haye, boohey barian
Boohey barian haye, boohey barian
Chhu loon tujhe jaise koyi
Chaand ko chhuna chaahe
Chaahe tujhe jaise koyi
Bachcha khilauna chaahe
Chhu loon tujhe jaise koyi
Chaand ko chhoona chaahe
Chaahe tujhe jaise koyi
Bachcha khilauna chaahe
Fikar ki raat mein
Tu sukoon ki neend hai
Patjhad ke mausam mein tu
Baarish ki pehli boond hai
Nirmaan ajj eid tere vaaste
Nirmaan ajj eid tere vaaste
Aaya ae adaa karke
Boohey barian haye, boohey barian
Boohey barian te nale kanda tapke
Aawangi hawa banke
Boohey barian haye, boohey barian
Boohey barian haye, boohey barian
Shruti swiped at the tears that had begun falling whilst listening to him sing to their son and stood up to walk outside.
"Good morning, sweety," Arjun greeted her with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did," she nodded, noticing that Aryan had fallen back asleep. "Have you eaten?"
"He has, I haven't," he answered. "Shall I make us something?"
"I will," she replied. "French toast?"
"Please," he grinned, following her into the house. "What time is it?"
"Going on eight," she told him, finding what she needed to cook.
Arjun placed Aryan in his bassinet in the living room and joined her. "Did Neil say what time the car is picking me up?"
"One," she reported. "Your flight leaves at 2:30, you'll land in New Delhi around 4:00 their time, and your show is at 7:30. It's a busy day for you, so I was thinking we'd just lie around until the car arrives."
"I like that," he agreed.
"I um, heard you singing to him," she admitted softly, turning away from him. "I didn't mean to, but I heard you talking to him and it was so sweet, so I'd just planned to listen for a minute, but then you sang. I'm sorry."
"Don't be," he denied, walking around the island to wrap his arms around her waist from behind. He kissed her neck. "I wrote it for you; you should hear it."
"I cried," she added. "I try so hard to not let you see how much I miss you, but it's so hard. I miss you. I miss you being here for me, of course, but I miss you being here for him. He sees you on a screen, but he doesn't understand that. He's a baby. And I know it isn't your fault, but it's still hard, and I hate it."
He turned her around to tightly hug her. "I hate it, too, love. It is the worst thing to go through, but we're strong and we'll make it. Know that all I'm truly focused on is getting home to my girl and our beautiful little boy."
"I know," she whispered. "I know most new moms take a lot of pictures, but I've been obnoxious because I want you to see everything that's happening with him."
He grinned. "I love you very much for that."
At a quarter to one, Shruti was anxiously hoping time would stop and Arjun wouldn't have to leave. He was making sure all of his things were ready to go and she was pacing back and forth with Aryan in her arms to calm her down.
"Sixteen days," he reminded her once again. "I'll have you in my arms again in sixteen days."
"I know," she whined.
There was a knock at their door, and Shruti heard Pooja letting someone inside.
"Who is that?" she demanded. "I still get you for fifteen minutes."
He looked at her mysteriously. "Let's go find out."
She followed him out of their room and downstairs to find her mom, dad, Avantika, and Anu standing in the hallway with luggage.
"Hi, sweetie," Mauli smiled up at her.
Shruti looked in shock at her husband. "You brought my family here?"
"They'll be here until you come to me," he told her, taking Aryan so she could greet everyone. "I thought it might ease the sting of me leaving a bit."
"It does," she beamed, "but just a little." She rushed down to hug her mother. "Hi, Mommy!"
"My baccha," Mauli murmured, hugging her tightly.
Arjun stood back while his wife connected with her parents and sister. They hadn't seen each other since a couple of days after Aryan's birth, so he knew this meant a lot to her.
"Bring me that baby!" Avantika called up to him.
"We'd like to see you, too, Arjun," Ishaan added kindly.
When the car arrived to take Arjun to the airport, he said his goodbyes to Shruti's family and Aryan inside the house before Shruti walked out with him. She held onto him tightly while the driver loaded his bags in the trunk.
"Okay," Arjun finally said. "These two weeks will fly by. Your family will keep you occupied."
"I know," she sniffled. "It will be okay."
He reached up to wipe the tears away with his thumbs. "I love you very much, Shruti."
"I love you, too," she nodded, kissing him.
He pulled away to open the door. "I'll call you when I land."
Shruti wiped her eyes again. "Okay. Safe flight."
Once he was gone, she went inside and took Aryan from her mom.
"It will be okay," Ishaan offered from the coach. "We'll keep your mind off him being gone and then it'll be time to go to Pune."
She grinned at the baby, who smiled back. "You're right. I'm glad you guys are here."
Sixteen days later...
Shruti held onto Aryan tightly in his wrap around her chest as she navigated through Pune Airport. Shanaya had gone ahead to find their luggage while Shruti adjusted the baby and called Arjun to find out where he was. She was just reaching security when a familiar face appeared in the crowd.
"Look, Aryan," she whispered as a smile crept across her lips. "There's your dada."
When they reached him, Arjun wrapped his wife and son in his arms tightly and held on for dear life.
"I've missed you so much," he breathed, kissing them both.
"We did, too, but we made it," Shruti replied. "We're here."
"You're here," Arjun repeated. "Let's do this."