DATED – 17th October 2016

Couple of years into marriage with Arpita, and the expectation of ‘Good News’ was hovering over us. But we realized that there are certain things both of us need to work on before we took up the responsibility of becoming parents. I realised that I needed to become a stronger and courageous to speak and do things. I needed to become better at my work. I needed to shoulder more responsibilities in outside world to know more about life. Arpita too needed to work on her fitness. She had slogged out while in America and never focused on taking care of her body. Her body had to be shaped up – not for looks, but for internal fitness. She also needed to work on her emotional stability. We realised that until we both did these things, we would never be able to become great parents. We will never be able to hence create great children. For us having kids was not an obligation, but a responsibility.

Seven years into marriage and we thought we were positively ready with all the factors we had considered earlier. Within four months of consulting a doctor, Arpita became pregnant. No medicines, no treatment, but all naturally. Our excitement knew no boundaries. Enough people gave us enough negative inputs about Arpita might not be able to conceive easily now because of her age. But we continued to tell each other – ‘Everything will be perfectly alright.’ When people have filled us with negativity, and the result is positive, the joy just doubles. That’s what we felt in that moment. Arpita had a sonography next day. My happiness soared four times when I came to know she was carrying twins. While Arpita kept shaking her head in disbelief, I was jumping with joy.

The entire journey of pregnancy was beautiful. There were couple of small hiccups, but nothing major. She took great care of herself and babies. She ate all that doctor advised her to; she remained active all through the pregnancy; she avoided all that doctor told to avoid knowing fully well that she has to take care only for a few months out of the entire life; she never forgot a single medicine that needed to be taken; she stayed happy and chirpy like her nature; and she listened to lovely meditative music for the kiddos inside. As a husband, I ensured that I never got angry on her throughout pregnancy for any reason; I never made her feel low for anything she did/ said; I did everything possible to keep her happy; I talked to my babies regularly; I took her along to yoga; and I drove at the speed of 30 kmph every time she was sitting in the car.

I realised that pregnancy is not about just her. It is about both of us together. The journey of becoming a parent starts the moment a lady conceives, and not when she delivers.

The moment she completed her full term of 37 weeks, the doctor removed the stitches. We were ready to welcome the baby anytime. Three days later, around 3am, I felt a hand shake me and a voice, which I could recognize even in my dreams. It was Arpita telling me that there is a little bit of water leaking from inside. Maybe the bag has broken. We rushed to the hospital. They immediately did a sonography.

After all preparations, Arpita walked into the Operation Theatre (OT) smiling, but with her heart beating fast. My parents and Arpita’s parents and Me were waiting outside the OT. A few minutes later the male doctor stood at the gate of OT. I rushed to the OT gate. He said something, which I couldn’t understand. He repeated – do you want a boy first or a girl? I started at him not knowing what to say. He continued – first one is a baby boy and the second is a girl. Both are in good health along with the mother. Tears rolled down my eyes as I heard the news. My parents were standing next to me. We all hugged each other. Tears filled their eyes too. While they had been waiting for a good seven years for the news, I was elated to know that all three were in good health.

My eyes are filled with tears as I write this remembering that moment. Today they are almost three months and are doing great. We have named them – Anay and Aavya. They are already stealing hearts of everyone around. They have been extremely co-operative and have stayed in good health along with Arpita.

Though our journey of parenting has just begun, it has been a wonderful experience. There are certain joys, one can only feel as a parent – to hold them in your arms for the first time ever; when they go off to sleep in your lap; as they are crying you take them around; the smile on their face as they hear our voice; when you hear them make noise while playing; feeling responsible as you take them to a doctor for vaccinations; they becoming a priority over everything else; and so on …

The entire journey of first getting married to Arpita, facing pressure from family and sarcasms from few close people for not giving ‘good news’, getting prepared for becoming parents, and finally become parents have been a lovely experience. Yes, sometimes it was a little tough to face my loved ones. But when I look back, I feel these experiences have built us into what we are today. All gets forgotten when I hold Anay and Aavya in my arms …. This is one of the most beautiful and blessed feelings that I have ever experienced!