Shobha had been feeling strange for a few days—nauseous in the mornings, tired all the time. 

At first, she thought it was just the usual stress, but when she missed her period, she had a suspicion. One trip to the doctor confirmed it: she was pregnant! Overwhelmed with excitement, she couldn’t wait to tell Ajay. 

She knew he would be thrilled. They had talked about starting a family, but this news still came as a beautiful surprise.

That afternoon, Shobha decided to surprise Ajay at his office. She spent hours preparing his favorite lunch—paneer butter masala, naan, and kheer. Carefully packing everything into a tiffin, she smiled to herself, imagining his reaction. But that wasn’t the only surprise she had for him. She had also bought a tiny set of baby clothes and wrapped them in a gift box. Her heart raced at the thought of how Ajay would react when he opened it.

When she arrived at his office, she paused for a moment outside his door, watching him through the glass. 

Ajay was deeply immersed in his work, his brow furrowed with concentration. She admired how dedicated he was, how hard he worked to make his business grow. He didn’t notice her at first, so she knocked gently, and when he looked up, his face lit up with surprise.

“Shobha! Tum yahan? Yeh surprise hai!” he said, getting up from his chair with a big grin. 

(Shobha! You’re here? This is a surprise!)

She smiled and walked in, holding the lunchbox in her hand. “Socha tumhare liye tumhara favorite khana le aati hoon,” she said, placing the tiffin on his desk. 

(I thought I’d bring your favorite food for you.)

Ajay’s eyes sparkled as he introduced her to his colleagues and friends, proudly saying, “Yeh meri wife hai, Shobha. Aur yeh mere liye best surprise lekar aayi hai.” 

(This is my wife, Shobha. And she’s brought the best surprise for me.)

But soon, Ajay noticed some of his colleagues glancing at Shobha a little too often, admiring her. Their eyes lingered on her in a way that made Ajay uncomfortable. His smile faded, and he suddenly felt a surge of jealousy.

“Yeh sab tumhe ghoor kyun rahe hain?” he whispered to her, his tone half-playful, half-serious. 

(Why are they all staring at you?)

Shobha laughed softly, teasing him. “Ajay, tum jealous ho rahe ho?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. 

(Ajay, are you getting jealous?)

“Haan! Aur main yeh bilkul pasand nahi karta, koi meri Biwi ko dekhe.” he replied, crossing his arms like a child, making a pouty face. 

(Yes! And I don’t like it at all. When someone else looks at you I don't like it.)

Shobha giggled at how adorable he looked. “Arre baba, tum hi toh mere ho,” she said, patting his cheek.

(Oh my, you’re the only one for me.)

After they ate lunch together, Shobha handed him the gift box. “Yeh tumhare liye ek aur surprise hai,” she said, smiling mischievously. 

(Here’s another surprise for you.)

Ajay opened the box, looking at the tiny baby clothes inside. He was confused at first, holding them up. “Shobha, yeh toh bahut chote size ke hai. Tumne galti se chhote kapde kharid liye?” he asked, scratching his head. 

(Shobha, these are too small. Did you accidentally buy a smaller size?)

Shobha chuckled and leaned closer to him. “Ajay, yeh baby ke kapde hain. Tum papa banne wale ho,” she whispered. 

(Ajay, these are baby clothes. You’re going to be a father.)

It took him a moment to register what she had said. His eyes widened, and then suddenly, he jumped up from his chair, letting out a loud, joyful yell. “Main papa banne wala hoon! Main papa banne wala hoon!” he shouted, spinning around the office in excitement. 

(I’m going to be a father! I’m going to be a father!)

He started dancing like a madman, pulling Shobha into his arms and twirling her around. His colleagues looked on, amused and confused, but Ajay didn’t care. He was on cloud nine.

When they returned home, Ajay became extra protective of Shobha. He wouldn’t let her lift anything heavy, made sure she ate on time, and fussed over her constantly. But despite all his care, there was one thing he struggled with—time. Ajay’s business had been growing rapidly, and he was often late coming home from work.

One evening, Shobha was waiting for Ajay at a restaurant. They had planned a special dinner, but once again, Ajay got stuck in a meeting and arrived late. When he finally showed up, Shobha’s face was a mixture of relief and frustration.

“Ajay, tum phir late ho gaye,” she said, crossing her arms. 

(Ajay, you’re late again.)

Ajay sighed and sat down, taking her hand. “I know, Shobha. Main meeting mein fas gaya tha. But tum hamesha mera intezaar karti ho, right?” he said, trying to lighten the mood. 

(I got stuck in a meeting. But you always wait for me, right?)

Shobha shook her head and said, “Main tumhara intezaar karungi, lekin waqt kisi ka intezaar nahi karta, Ajay.” 

(I will always wait for you, but time waits for no one, Ajay.)

This became a regular conversation between them. Ajay would be late, and Shobha would always say the same thing. Despite this, they continued to grow closer during her pregnancy. It was an emotional time for them, full of ups and downs, but it brought them even closer as they prepared to become parents.

One day, they had a playful argument about the baby’s gender. Ajay was convinced they were going to have a baby girl, while Shobha insisted it would be a boy.

“Main guarantee deta hoon, beti hi hogi,” Ajay said confidently. 

(I guarantee, it will be a girl.)

“Nahi, main keh rahi hoon, beta hoga,” Shobha said stubbornly. 

(No, I’m telling you, it will be a boy.)

They made a bet. If they had a girl, Shobha would have to listen to everything Ajay said for a week. If they had a boy, Ajay would have to follow Shobha’s orders.

As the pregnancy progressed, Ajay would often talk to Shobha’s baby bump, making up stories or singing to their unborn child. Shobha would watch him with affection, admiring how much he already loved their baby.

But then, one day, something urgent came up. Ajay had to leave for a business trip abroad. Shobha’s due date was still two weeks away, and though Ajay was reluctant to go, Shobha encouraged him.

“Ajay, tumhe jana chahiye. Yeh project tumhare liye important hai,” she said, reassuring him. 

(Ajay, you should go. This project is important for you.)

Reluctantly, Ajay left, promising he would be back as quickly as possible. But fate had other plans. The day after he left, Shobha started feeling intense pain. It was hard for her to breathe, and before she knew it, she was rushed to the hospital by her mother-in-law.

As the pain grew worse, Shobha’s mother-in-law tried to stay strong, but fear gripped her heart. The doctors were worried and told her they needed Ajay’s signature for a critical procedure. Panicked, she called Ajay, urging him to return immediately.

Ajay rushed back as fast as he could, his heart racing with fear. When he arrived at the hospital, the doctor came out with a small smile.

“Congratulations, aapko beti hui hai,” the doctor said. 

(Congratulations, you have a baby girl.)

Ajay’s heart swelled with joy. He had won the bet. But before he could celebrate, the doctor’s expression changed, and his next words shattered Ajay’s world.

“Lekin aap ki patni…” the doctor hesitated. “Woh zinda nahi rahi. Delivery ke dauran unhe we try our best sir.” 

(But your wife... she didn’t survive. She passed away during delivery.)

Ajay stood there, frozen, his mind unable to process what he had just heard. His knees gave way, and he fell to the floor, tears streaming down his face.

“Shobha… tumne intezaar kyun nahi kiya? Tum hamesha kehti thi ke tum mera intezaar karogi,” he whispered, his voice breaking. 

(Shobha… why didn’t you wait? You always said you would wait for me.)

He cried harder than he had ever cried before, his sobs echoing through the hospital hallways. Anyone who saw him felt their hearts break for him.

He went towards his wife's lifeless body and shouted to get up. “Get up you lost the bet now you have followed my every order. Now I am ordering you to get up. Get up Shobha. Shobha get up.” He breaks down. He was crying while hugging her. 

But then, he heard a tiny cry—his daughter’s cry. It was as if she was calling out to him, telling him that she was there, waiting for him. Slowly, Ajay stood up and walked over to where the nurse was holding his baby girl. He looked down at her, and in that moment, his heart found a small piece of solace. 

Years passed, and Ajay found a new purpose in raising his daughter. She was the spitting image of Shobha, but with Ajay’s fiery attitude. Every day, he saw Shobha in her, and it brought him comfort.

One afternoon, Ajay was waiting outside his daughter’s school, as he always did, arriving early to watch her from afar. When she came out, she smiled and asked, “Papa, aap hamesha itna jaldi kyun aate ho?” 

(Papa, why do you always come so early?)

Ajay smiled softly, looking at her. “Taaki main tumhe dekh sakoon,” he replied.

 (So that I can see you.)

She giggled, reminding him so much of Shobha. One day, she asked him, “Papa, kya aap mom ko miss karte ho?”

 (Papa, do you miss mom?)

Ajay looked at her with a gentle smile and said, “Hum unhe miss karte hain jo humare paas nahi hote. Jo humare paas hote hain, hum unhe miss nahi karte,” he said, touching his heart. 

(We miss those who are not with us. Those who are with us, we don’t miss.)

He looked up at the sky and whispered softly, “Mere paas sab kuch hai, lekin phir bhi kuch nahi.” 

(I have everything, but still nothing.)

In his heart, Shobha was always with him, and through their daughter, her memory lived on.

The End

This story ends here. I am crying for Ajay. Vote and comment to tell me do you like it guys?

Next story will be coming soon.