Chapter 64: Ch.63/ Baby Shower
Anupama's POV:-
The ritual of Saadh which is commonly known as Baby Shower in foreign countries, is the most important ritual performed for
pregnant women as per our Indian culture. Usually, it should be performed three times during pregnancy. The first one is in the
fifth month of pregnancy which is called Panchammrita and the second one is in the seventh month of pregnancy which is called
Saptammrita. But duo to some circumstances Mamoni couldn't be here at that times and that's why the ritual of Saadh is going to
be performed today. Currently, I am nine months pregnant while Jasmine di has entered in her eight months of pregnancy.
I was very sad at first thinking that Mamoni wouldn't be able to come here to perform the ritual as in our bengali culture, the ritual
is done by the parental side of the pregnant woman. But now that the ritual is going to be performed regarding our tradition, I am
feeling extremely happy to get all the blessing for the baby.
This is a totally female-oriented ritual so the male has no role in it. During the ritual the elder women of the family showers the
pregnant lady with lots of blessing and serves her various types of food. When I was pregnant with Advira I didn't get to enjoy
this ritual as I wasn't in a happy mood because of the turmoil that was going on in my life. But this time I am very excited for this
ritual.
Both Jasmine di and I are getting ready in my bedroom as it is the biggest room in the mansion so we don't have to bump with
each other while getting ready. Not only Mamoni but Jasmine di's mom has also come here to perform the ritual so you can
guess the excitement in us. Surprisingly, Mama Melody along with Bianca and Olivia has decided to wear sarees for today's
function.
"Are you both ready?" Jasmine di's mom asks while walking inside the room.
"Yes we are done, mom." Jasmine di replies with a smile.
"Both of you are looking so beautiful and the glow in your faces can not be compared to anything." Jasmine di's mom says
before hugging both of us.
"Let's go to the living room where everyone is waiting for you." By saying this Jasmine di's mom starts to guide us downstairs.
Upon arriving there I smile looking at the simple yet cute decoration for the ceremony done by Bianca and Olivia. When they
notice Jasmine di and me, they walk towards us before hugging us. After that they make us sit on the little couch which is also
beautifully decorated with flowers.
I am completely amazed looking at the arrangement in front of me that I can feel moisture gather around the corner of my eyes.
But I am not going to ruin this beautiful day by crying just because I can not control my emotions.
Mamoni is the one who first comes near me and Jasmine di before taking the plate full of holy things in her hand and starts the
ritual. She also gives each of us gold jewelry as gifts along with some baby stuffs. After that one by one, all the ladies of our
families bless us before handing us gifts. Finally, the time comes when we are going to be served some of our favorite dishes to
eat in bronze utensils. However, I have never guessed that there will be so many dishes that we need to eat.
"You both need to finish all the foods on the plates." Mamoni instructs us which makes us both a little pale because it's a lot of
food we are talking about.
"But Chhoto mami how can we finish all these foods alone?" Jasmine di whines making all the ladies laugh at her.
"Okay, fine you can share this food with your niece." Mamoni replies with a smile.
"Oh, that's a relief. But Advira is so small." Jasmine di wonder aloud looking helpless.
"Mia can also eat with you and Advira." I suggest looking at the adorable baby who is now sitting beside Advira and Delilah.
"Thank you for the amazing suggestions, Anu. You are a lifesaver." Jasmine di replies before kissing me on the cheek.
"Come here, Delilah. Let's finish our food before Auntie Jasmine." I tell the eldest daughter of Bianca who comes running
towards me squealing cheerfully.
It takes us half an hour to finish all the food. But in the end, we all get to enjoy a tasty meal. Just then Mama Melody come
towards us with something I have been craving for some days but too lazy to make it by myself.
"Here is the main dessert of today's function, Bengali payesh." Mama Melody announces before putting the big bowl of
payesh(rice pudding) on the table.
"Have you made it, Mama Melody?" I ask while looking at her with a smile.
"Yes, but with the help of your Mamoni." Mama Melody replies before asking me to open my mouth to feed me the payesh.
"It's so yummy." I compliments after gulping the payesh.
"Is it?" Mama Melody asks while feeding Jasmine di.
"Yes, it's really amazing and believe me no one will know that you have made it for the first time." I answer truthfully.
"Now I hope you will believe me, Melody." Mamoni says teasingly making Mama Melody blush while everyone laughs. These two
have become very good friends despite only knowing each other for merely three days. They get along so well that I am
surprised they have so many similarities between them and I think that's why I have managed to build such a strong relationship
with Mama Melody.
"Mausumi auntie, will you please teach me how to make this dish?" Olivia asks Mamoni.
"Of course dear but to do that, you have to be good around the kitchen." Mamoni replies with a smile.
"I love cooking but with my non-stop working schedule, I can not cook much. However, My Sam loves Indian food so I want to
learn some Indian dishes." Olivia lets out while blushing madly making us all awww at her.
"Don't worry, I will teach you as much as Indian dishes you want to learn." Mamoni answers.
"Mum-mum me wanna eat wid yous." Advira says coming near me.
"Awe my baby. Come sit beside me so that I can feed you." I reply and make her sit beside me on the couch. I take a little bit of
the payesh in a spoon before feeding it to her.
******
Alessandro's POV:-
While all the ladies are busy inside the mansion in celebrating the baby shower of Anhuphama and Mrs. Ganguly, we men are
currently playing different games in the Gameroom to pass the time as per the Indian custom no man can participate in the baby
shower. At first, I was very frustrated that I wouldn't be able to enjoy the day with my Cara. But then I realized that I was being
irrational, so without throwing any more tantrums I got out of the room.
"Alessandro, how are you handling Anupama's mood swings and cravings?" Liam asks.
"I think I am coping with the situation quite well despite feeling scared at first when Anhuphama started develop the weird
cravings." I reply with a chuckle.
"What about you, Subhodeep?" Samuel asks teasingly because clearly he knows well what's going on around the mansion with
two heavily pregnant women.
"You should know how it feels to get woken up in the middle of the night just because your wife is craving pizza with apple slices
as the toppings as you have seen me going out of the house very often." Mr. Ganguly replies sarcastically making us laugh
because seriously his situation is worse than mine.
"Man, I don't know about you both but I have suffered the worst because Bianca. One minute she was cuddling with me and then
the next minute she wanted nothing to do with me. She even forbade me to enter our bedroom because she couldn't stand the
way I smell. I am telling you guys, pregnant women are more dangerous than our enemies." Liam lets out making me gulp in fear
because I really don't want to experience the things he has to go through with Bianca.
"After hearing you guys, I am seriously debating if I should get Olivia pregnant anytime soon or not." Samuel says aloud with a
sigh.
"Don't get too scared because believe me, after all the hardships when you will get to see the face of your newborn baby you
won't be regretting your decision." I reply before petting his shoulder.
*******
It's now night time and I know that the function is now over as I am not hearing any more laughter or the sound of music coming
out of the living room. So, I bid goodbye to the guys before getting out of the game room in search of my wife and daughter
whom I haven't seen for so many hours.
First, I go to my princess's room and see that she along with Delilah sleeping on her bed. So, I walk towards them before pulling
the comforter on their bodies and give them kisses on their heads. The dogs are also sleeping on the floor except King whom I
know well where he can be. After ensuring that they are safe and sleeping I leave the room.
After that I go near my bedroom and notice that the doors of the room are slightly closed. So, without making any noise I pull the
door open before poking my head inside and notice that Anhuphama is sleeping on the bed while King is sleeping beside her.
This boy has gotten super protective of his mom that he doesn't like to stay away from her. Not wanting to disturb them, I silently
go inside the room and lay down beside the two before running my hand on King's head who purrs softly making me smile.
I don't know from how long I have slept but soon I feel like someone is shaking me, so I open my eyes and look at the source to
see that Anhuphama is sitting in her place with teary eyes making me abruptly sit up in the bed. I wipe her tears before asking
her why she is crying.
"I have been calling your name for so long but you weren't waking up." She complains while crying loudly. Hearing her cry King
wakes up from his sleep and puts his head on her stomach before whining loudly.
"I am sorry amore. I didn't realize that I was in so deep sleep." I apologize for trying to stop her from crying anymore as it's not
good for her health.
"I want to eat Gulabjamun Cake." She mumbles looking at me with hopeful eyes making me release a sigh.
"Now, I don't know what type of cake this is but can you show me a picture so that I can get it for you?" I ask gently not wanting
to upset her.
"Oh, you only need to go to the kitchen and get the cake." She replies excitedly and show me a photo how the cake look like.
Seriously, a few seconds before she was crying and now she is looking extremely happy.
"Okay wait for some time, I will go and get the cake for you." I tell her making her smile brightly. I walk downstairs before going to
the kitchen and opening the refrigerator to see that there is indeed the cake Anhuphama wants to eat.
I cut a slice of the cake and put it on a plate before keeping the rest of the cake inside the refrigerator. However, this time I take
the elevator to go upstairs not wanting to make my wife wait as I don't know what she will do if she doesn't get her cravings fulfill
immediately.
When she notices me her face lit up before she starts making grabby hand for the plate in my hand. So, without wasting any
moment I give the plate to her and immediately she starts to eat the cake as if her life depends on the cake. When she is done
she hands me back now the empty plate which I put on my side of the nightstand. I ask her to lie down and she does without any
complaining. Again, I close my eyes and fall asleep a few minutes later.
However, I get woken up by vigorous shaking making me want to smash my head. But when I hear pain whimper noises coming
from the side I instantly look at Anhuphama and notice that she is holding her stomach while taking big breaths.
"What's wrong, Cara?" I ask but she only points towards the completely wet bedsheet.
"Umm, I am not trying to sound rude but if you wanted to go to the washroom you could have asked me to take you there. So,
you would have never pee in the bed." I let out looking at the wet spot. But suddenly a pillow gets thrown in my face by my wife
who is glaring at me.
"You stupid husband of mine, this is not pee. My water has broken so take me to the hospital so that I can give birth to our baby."
She yells at me making my eyes widen in sudden surprise.