Yaadein - Part 27

 

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Chapter 27



It was complicated. Khushi felt like a fool. How could she be so irrational in her decision making 8 years ago? Agreed she was young and carefree, agreed she was tied into this marriage without her choice but her lies risked her future. Their consummation was not accidental, it was their mutual attraction which led them make a baby unknowingly. Agreed she might have been scared of taking this huge responsibility of giving birth to a child and she was not ready for that, but she still gave birth to one and Arnav should have let her stay. But on what basis? She had lied to him about having feelings for some other man. Why would he give her one chance then?

Her head ached and the pain was unbearable. Tears gushed in her eyes not due to the pain in her head but her heart. This maze she was trying to solve had caged her. At times she cursed her immaturity shown in this relationship and other times she cursed Arnav’s decision making. She felt tangled in this web of past and present. She was no longer the woman she used to be yet she wasn’t given a chance. And Aarav? He was innocent. What would he go through if he ever gets to know she was on the hospital bed once to kill him? 

“Stop” she pressed her head to stop processing the images of that scene. The flashback raced in her head and she recalled that moment.. That horrible moment which Arnav mentioned about on their way back home.

“Mrs Raizada. Are you sure about this? Once we complete the procedure, it will be too late”

Khushi was lying on the hospital bed, staring at the Doctor in pain. She had tried to convince Arnav she wasn’t prepared for their child. But he was too adamant to agree with her. He desperately wanted this baby. She was scared. She recalled her friends telling her how pregnancy affected the shape of a woman’s body, her mind and most importantly, how it takes a toll on her personal life. She wasn’t prepared for any of it.


“Yes” she replied. “I … I am sure”


The moment she said this, the door was pushed open and Arnav Singh Raizada stormed inside.


“Stop this right now” he shouted at the Doctor.

“Mr. Raizada?” the doctor seemed confused. He reached Khushi and pulled her down the bed.

“I told you not to do this, didn’t I?” he screamed. “You can’t kill our child”


The word Kill, pricked her heart.

“It’s a gift Khushi. Motherhood is the best gift for any woman”

“Not for me” she cried. “Look at me Arnav. I am hardly 20. I have plans for future.”


Arnav stared at the doctor and the nurses who realized they needed a moment to discuss this privately. They left the room and the moment they were gone, Arnav cupped Khushi’s face. It was evident he was suppressing anger and trying to explain her calmly.

“I will give you the best future you desire. Just don’t kill the baby. Its ours.. We made it..”


Khushi trembled.

“I promise to give you anything you want. Take all the money I have.. take everything. Don’t kill this child”


“Stop” she groaned. “Don’t make me look like a murderer”

“You will be if you do this” he scowled back and then composed himself again. “You want freedom from this marriage, I will give you that. Just don’t kill the baby”


She stared at him in disbelief. Freedom?


“You cannot emotionally blackmail me Arnav. I have rights to decide if I want this baby or not”

“Yes you do. But for once, take a wise decision. It’s not some thing you dislike and throw away. It’s a life. It’s breathing inside you. It has your genes.. It belongs to you.. it’s a part of you Khushi. You don’t want it, fine. But please reconsider this. Give birth to my child and get whatever you want from me. I will never stop you from going away from me and our baby, if that’s what you want.”


She looked nervously at him. She had dreams of a different life.. a different future and if it meant agreeing to Arnav’s terms, then she would not step back.


“Fine. But what’s the proof that you will stand by your words after I deliver this child?”


He took a sigh of relief that she was at least accepting his demands but the next moment he stiffened.


“I will speak to my lawyer to frame a contract. If I don’t fulfil my part, you can always sue me”

She breathed hard and then touched her swollen tummy. Was she doing the right thing?


No!! No!! She shouldn’t have done this! Khushi threw everything from the dressing table, away in rage. This was business. She literally sold her child for her freedom. How can she claim him now? What had gone into her head that time which made her sign such a foolish contract? She leaned on the wall and cried bitterly. In the attempt of getting a better future, she had ruined her life forever.



******************


Arnav stood below the shower recalling every word that Khushi uttered to him in the car today.


“You left me when I needed you the most and you never turned back.”


“If you hate me for the one year of our marriage that we spent together, then I should hate you for those 8 years you didn’t let me be with you”


“You cannot know me better than I know myself”


“I accept I was at fault but you don’t even realize what mistake you have done Arnav”


“You didn’t trust me enough years ago and you have no reasons to trust me now either”


“I want to raise my son with you. It doesn’t matter if we be together or not. It… it doesn’t matter.”


He shut his eyes as the hot water slide down his body. Each and every word haunted him. The contract was the only way he could use to stop her that day and save his child. At that age, she might have been immature and neglect her responsibilities. But now she was no longer that same woman. She loved Aarav as much as he loved him all these years. She was repenting on her decision and wanted to raise their son together, give him the share of happiness which he missed all these years. Doesn’t matter what past they behold; they would give Aarav a better future. Arnav opened his eyes again and stared at the glass walls of the shower cubicle. The next two and half weeks were going to be the most critical ones. When he came out dressed, he saw his father standing in his room.

“Hari Prakash told you wanted to see me” Ayush asked with concern.

“There is something I want to tell you Dad” he replied in a serious tone. 


*****************


As promised Arnav and Khushi picked Aarav from school. They didn’t speak a word in the car on their onward journey and during the return, it was Aarav who kept on talking and sharing what happened at school. The rest of the evening passed quickly. After dinner when Arnav was working on his laptop, someone knocked his room door. It was Khushi who stepped in.


“Can I let Aarav sleep with me for the next two weeks?” she asked.


Her eyes were still red and he knew why?

“Don’t worry, I won’t brainwash him against you or..”

“He can sleep in your room” he interrupted.


Khushi swallowed. She was relieved he didn’t make an issue about it.

“Thank you”

She dropped her gaze from him and walked out. Arnav shut his laptop. There was a heaviness in his heart. Two weeks more!!


Aarav was excited to know he could sleep next to his Mom. Anjali had a problem with it but Ayush warned her not to intervene. Khushi took Aarav in her guest room.


“Mom, I will take the right side” he happily exclaimed.


A faint smile touched her lips. Arnav used to take the right side of the bed when they slept together. She didn’t recall it well but she knew that much.

“Sure” she pulled him closer and shut the lamps. He hugged her instantly.

“Mom”

“Hmm..”

“You will tell me bedtime stories?”

Khushi swallowed.

“Hmm” tears welled in her eyes. Is this the same baby she had decided to abort? The guilt wasn’t letting her shower love on Aarav. She was afraid he would hate her the day he realized what she had planned for him.

“Mom” he raised his head.

She rubbed off her tears and caressed his hair.

“I will tell you a story of a confused princess”

He smiled and hugged her again, waiting for her to narrate.

“There was a Princess in a big kingdom. She stayed with the Prince but they always fought with each other. One day, God decided to test them and blessed the Princess with a baby inside her tummy”


Aarav laughed.

“A baby?”

“Hmm” she kept stroking his back. “A baby which belonged to the Prince and the Princess”

“Wow” he smiled. “Then?”

“The princess was afraid of this blessing. She had never been good with babies before. She had different plans. She wanted to see the world”


Aarav raised his head and met her eyes. He didn’t speak a word, just kept staring at his mother.

“So she decided to send the baby back to God” tears rolled down her cheeks. Even uttering that statement brought shivers in her body. Khushi gripped Aarav tight in her embrace. “But then the Prince came to know. He stopped her from giving away the baby. He chose to keep the baby forever with him and let the Princess go achieve her dreams.”

“Then?” he painfully asked.

“Then God punished the Princess. She met with an accident. Lost her memories. She forgot the Prince and the baby which she left with the Prince. After many many years when she met the Prince again, she was a changed woman”


Aarav was breathing hard but he didn’t move his gaze away from Khushi whose tears were unstoppable.


“When she got to know about her baby.. she realized her mistake and begged the Prince to let her take care of the baby. He agreed”

“And they stayed happily ever after?”

His innocent question pricked her heart again.

“I don’t know Aarav. I don’t know if the Princess got her happily ever after” she cupped his face. “Do you think the little prince baby will accept his mother knowing she was going to return him to God?”


Aarav frowned and didn’t reply. He simply hugged her tight. None of the two spoke a word for few minutes. Khushi thought he was asleep and kept stroking his back until he finally murmured something.

“I forgive you Mom”

The moment he said this, Khushi looked at him. He raised his head and stared back in her eyes.

“I know that Princess is you Mom”

Khushi bit her lip to suppress her sobs.

“I am sorry” she stuttered.

Aarav wiped her tears.

“Daddu says if someone does a mistake and then admits it and feels sorry, he/she should be forgiven”

Khushi’s heart filled with joy. She palmed his cheeks again and showered kisses on his face.


“Aarav.. I am so sorry baby.. I am so sorry for doing this to you.. I promise I will never leave you alone again.. I promise..”

“I know Mom” he replied with a smile back on his face and hugged her even tighter.


Khushi was relieved. She had just sorted out a big guilt from her heart by telling Aarav the truth of his birth. She hadn’t expected him to be so wise and forgive her so instantly. But now that he had, she would do everything in the world to keep him happy and loved.


*****************


It was the best sleep she got cuddling to her son the whole night. When she woke up the next morning, he was still holding her hand tight. He needed her the most and she felt the same for him. Wish she had foreseen this future with Aarav when she was pregnant. She would have enjoyed her pregnancy and not made a fuss about it. She kissed his forehead without waking him up and then rushed to shower.


When she came down, Arnav was in the kitchen, making a coffee for himself. He woke up early than usual or probably didn’t sleep well last night. She decided to turn around and leave him alone but the moment she took a turn, he saw her.


“Can you make a sandwich for me?”


His sudden request startled her.

“I have to leave early for work. If you could..”

“I will make it” she replied.

“Thanks”

He picked his mug and strode out. Khushi hadn’t expected him to take her assistance but as she had promised herself to fulfil all her duties for the next two weeks until she is here, she readily got back to work. After making Arnav’s sandwich, she started preparing Aarav’s tiffin.

“Ummm” Ayush entered the kitchen. “What is cooking?”

“Parathas” she replied. “Aarav wants Aloo paratha in his tiffin today”

“Good for us. At least I will get to eat Parathas too. But you know me and Arnav have to leave for work early. So, would you mind sending my tiffin too in the office? By afternoon?”

Khushi was overwhelmed by his request.

“Of course, I will send your Lunch”

“Thank you, daughter-in-law” he patted her cheeks and left. Khushi had never felt this good to serve her family. She quickly messaged her father not to pack any lunch for himself and that she would send his lunch box at work. So, she had three lunch box to make, one for her father, one her father-in-law and one for her husband.. Arnav Singh Raizada.


To be Continued.

NEXT PART 

_________________________________________________________________________________

His Destined Bride (The Bride Series Book 2)  

Jahaan Singh and Niyati's marriage was accidental but there was a spark in their relationship from the moment they had seen each other at the marriage canopy. While Niyati was not interested in marriage or relationships, Jahaan couldn't lose her to maintain his Royal Tag and family status. Sorting a middle way was their only option left. But what would happen if his Ex Bride returned?

A fun loving, romantic story of a Royal Heir and his commoner destined Wife.

READ on Amazon Kindle HERE

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NEW TEMPLE EXCERPT

The guards immediately secured the place while Vikram stood behind the couple. The Priests did some rituals right there where they got down. It was unusual for Niyati to be a part of such a traditional ceremony because she wasn’t very religious herself, all thanks to her foster parents who didn’t even teach her to pray.

“Now you can carry the bride all the way to the temple” one of the priests commanded.

Niyati didn’t grasp at first but when Jahaan reiterated it for her, she understood.

“All the stairs?” he asked the Priest who nodded in agreement.

Jahaan mouthed something to himself and then turned back to Vikram, handing him the Sunglasses.

“Take off your sandals”

“Are you serious? These are like hundreds of stairs” she murmured.

“We don’t have a choice. It’s a tradition”

He leaned down and picked her in arms. Niyati stiffened as their eyes met. Her face was very close to his and she had to grip his Sherwani for support. His fingers had laced on her bare waist and none of the two could do anything about it. Jahaan began to climb the stairs with her in arms.

BOOK 1 of The Bride Series 

Bride Lost and Found (The Bride Series Book 1)

On the verge of getting married, Niyati elopes to fetch her lost life, only to be found again. They say when you are destined for someone, you find him no matter how far you run. Is Niyati ending up in a hopeless situation by tying this knot or is this beginning of something sparkling?

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OR BUY THE COMPLETE EDITION 

The Bride Series Complete Edition (Includes Book 1 + Book 2)

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