The Emotional Highs and Lows

Of course, not everything was smooth sailing. As Ria's pregnancy progressed, so did her unpredictable cravings and rollercoaster mood swings.

One night, at precisely 2:07 a.m., Ria leaned over to nudge Arun awake, her voice a soft whisper.

"Arun... Arun, wake up."

"Mmm… what?" he murmured groggily, barely cracking an eye open.

"I need something," she said, her tone both sheepish and determined.

"Does it involve sleep?" he muttered, already knowing the answer.

"Choco-chip ice cream… and pickles," she confessed, her eyes wide with an innocent plea.

Arun let out a dramatic groan, throwing an arm over his face. "Pickles and ice cream? At this hour? Ria, I think the baby's trying to test me."

She grinned, unrepentant. "You said you'd do anything for me, remember?"

"Ah, the things love makes a man do," he muttered theatrically, rolling out of bed and pulling on his hoodie. "Anything for my queen."

By the time Arun returned, carrying the prized ice cream and pickles, Ria was cocooned in a blanket on the couch, looking like a cozy burrito.

"You, my dear, owe me big time," he teased, handing her the loot.

As she gleefully dug into the bizarre combination, Ria looked up at him with a soft smile. "You're my hero, you know that?"

Arun plopped down beside her, smirking. "If bringing you midnight snacks makes me a hero, I'll take it. But honestly, Ria, you're the real MVP here. You're literally growing a human. That's next-level amazing."

Her eyes softened, and she reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze. "We're doing this together, Arun. Every craving, every step. Together."

Arun smiled, leaning his head back against the couch. "Together," he echoed. "But next time, can the craving be something I can get from the fridge?"

Ria laughed, the sound warm and full of love, as they settled into the quiet of the night—ice cream, pickles, and all.