Dhadkan

Head banging from the after affects of yesterday’s baang, Khushi struggled to open her eyes. But the light was hitting her eyelids and she knew that it was time to get up. Stretching her arms out, she realised that her movement was restricted. Opening her eyes a little more, the sight before her left her slightly baffled. Arnav ji…

Moving back slightly, she reached out and moved his hair out of his eyes. They were in the same bed? How did this happen? It was then all the memories of the night before slowly started coming back to her.

 

“Hamari dil ki dhadkan ek hojati hai…”

 

She remembered how they had come close to each other, touched each other in a way they had never done so before, the way they had whispered words of love to each other, the way they took their relationship to the next level. The way they’d made love to each other.

Eyes now wide, Khushi moved the sheets off of Arnav slightly, revealing his exposed chest to her. Covering him again, she looked at herself. She was naked, not even underwear on her.

Replaying the previous night, Khushi recalled everything that had happened between them, blushing a deep shade of red as she remembered it all.

Arnav started stirring in his sleep, and slowly he too began to open his eyes. Memories of the night before flooded him and his eyes snapped open only to find Khushi staring back at him.

 

“Good morning…”

 

Blushing, she moved into him, hiding her face in his chest. She raised her hands and placed it on his upper arms and pressed light kisses on his chest.

Closing his eyes, Arnav let her hands move across his body as she carried on placing kisses on his skin. Pushing him back, Khushi moved over Arnav, clutching the sheets to her chest as she continued kissing his exposed body. His hand slowly came up to hold her, but then it all came back to him. His reason for the marriage, the reason he’d kept his distance from her all this time.

Pushing her off of himself, Arnav got out of bed.

 

“Arnav ji…”

 

Getting up, Khushi moved to the edge of the bed, trying to reach out to him.

 

“Don’t touch me!”

“Arnav ji…”

“Don’t come near me.”

 

Turning away, Arnav grabbed a t-shirt that was lying on the floor and pulled it over his head. She noticed how at some point in the night he’d put his boxers back on.

 

“What’s wrong?”

“Don’t talk to me.”

“Arnav ji…”

“For gods sake Khushi, stay the hell away from me before I say or do something that’s out of my control.”

 

With that, Arnav grabbed his towel and went into the bathroom. He needed time to think and he couldn’t do it when she was around. Slamming the door behind him, Arnav locked the door, leaving a very confused Khushi on the bed.

What was happening? Why was he behaving like this? After what had happened between them last nights…

 

*****

 

“Arnav ji, please speak to me, what happened? What’s wrong? Why are you so angry with me?”

 

How did she not know what was wrong? Was she really that shameless. Anger ran through Arnav’s body. Turning around, he grabbed her by the upper arms, pulling her into himself.

 

“You’re asking me what’s wrong? Why am I angry? How do you not know.”

“Arnav ji…”

“You act so innocent but really you’re…”

“I’m what?”

 

Tears ran down Khushi’s face. Why was he being like this? Why was he treating her like this when the night before he had handled her so delicately, with so much love and care. They’d become one, their heartbeats had come together in a way she didn’t know was possible. Then why now was he being like this?

 

“You disgust me Khushi Kumari Gupta. You are disgusting.”

 

Pushing her away, Arnav left the room, he couldn’t stand to see her face for even a moment longer. How could she? How could she let him go so close to her when she wanted Shyam? How could she do that?

 

*****

 

Weeks passed by and Khushi tried her best to try and get through to Arnav. But it seemed as though something had switched off in him. Before, at least sometimes he would show some compassion towards her, but now, all she saw was hatred. She had tried to get close to him, show him how much he meant to her, but he remained unresponsive, always pushing her away, throwing hurtful words over his shoulder at her before he left. She didn’t understand. Why was he being like this? What had she done wrong?

Arnav walked into their bedroom, and Khushi walked over to him to take his bag from him.

 

“How was your day at work?”

“Get lost.”

 

Her patience with him had slowly reaching its limit and today she finally snapped.

 

“Why are you like this? What did I do to you to make you behave like this with me?”

“Leave now before I say something.”

“No. I won’t. Say something. Anything to explain why you’ve been so hostile towards since that night we…”

 

Spinning around to face her, Arnav grabbed hold of her.

 

“That night we… What did we do that night?”

“Arnav ji you’re hurting me.”

“No tell me, what did we do that night?”

“You know very well what we did.”

“I don’t know about you. But I made the biggest mistake of my life that night.”

 

He let go of her, and Khushi felt her heart break ever so slightly. He… He regretted…

 

“The biggest mistake of my life. I don’t know what happened to me or how it happened. But it did and I regret it like nothing else. I’m disgusted at myself for touching you like that. But more than that, you disgust me. The fact that you could… Disgusting.”

“But I don’t understand. We made love…”

“Don’t.”

 

She tried to reach out to him, tried to put her hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged away, moving away from her.

 

“We didn’t do anything disgusting? What happened between us was pure and true…”

“SHUT UP. Do you have no shame? No respect? You, Khushi Kumari Gupta, are a sl*t. You slept with me when… I can’t believe I let that happen. It makes me want to boil myself so I can be clean again. You’re disgusting.”

 

He left the room, slamming the door behind himself. His words rang in her ears.

 

“You, Khushi Kumari Gupta, are a sl*t.”

 

Why did he think that of her? Why would he use such a word? She hadn’t done anything wrong. She’d taken what her husband had given her. She had expressed her love for him in the same way he had done. Then why?

Breaking down, Khushi fell to the floor, her heart breaking, her head hurting. Why was this happening? Why was he being like this?

 

*****

 

Days passed and nothing changed between Arnav and Khushi. He remained hostile and aggressive, avoiding her most of the time, only speaking to her when he had something harsh to throw at her. To begin with, Khushi had dealt with it, she was used to his hatred, however after a while she could feel it all taking a toll on her health. Her head hurt more often, she felt drowsy and nauseous. She couldn’t understand what was happening to her.

In the kitchen, Khushi was with Payal, preparing dinner for the evening when all of a sudden she felt light headed. Grabbing hold of the counter, Khushi stopped herself from falling but not before Payal noticed.

 

“Khushi! What’s the matter?”

“Nothing Jiji, I just felt a bit dizzy, I’m fine, don’t worry.”

“Go and sit down, I’ll bring some juice over to you.”

“Jiji, I promise, I’m fine. I’ve just not been sleeping to well.”

 

A thought hit Payal and her eyes widened.

 

“Khushi… Are you…”

“Kya Jiji?”

“Have you felt dizzy before?”

“Haan, a lot of the time. But like I said, I haven’t been sleeping properly. I’m just really tired.”

“Really tired or preg…”

 

Jaw dropping and eyes wide, Khushi looked at Payal who had a slight smirk on her lips.

 

“No no Jiji, I can’t be pre… No, I’m just tired.”

 

Getting to her feet, Khushi rushed to her room. She hadn’t even considered that she might be pregnant. She couldn’t be. No, no not at all.

Going into her room, Khushi picked up her phone and opened up her calendar app. The last time she had had her period was before Holi. And Holi had been over a month ago… She thought about her symptoms, yes she had been feeling sick and dizzy but that didn’t mean she was… But she had never been late in her life. Surely one night hadn’t left her… She couldn’t even say it. She couldn’t be. But she needed to be sure.

Locating her bag, Khushi rushed out of her room again. She needed to get to a pharmacy.

 

*****

 

Looking at the results of all three strips in her hand, tears fell from Khushi’s eyes. All three screamed positive. She fell back against the wall of the bathroom. Why was this happening? Why now?

She turned her attention back to the pregnancy tests, tears of happiness finally fell from her eyes. Her hand rested on her still flat tummy and she smiled. She was carrying a child. Hers and Arnav’s child. The result of their love and their passion filled night. But then she remembered his harsh words.

 

“You, Khushi Kumari Gupta, are a sl*t.”

 

She had to tell him. She couldn’t keep this away from him. Regardless of what he thought of her, this was his child too and she wasn’t going to let him turn around and walk away. Not now.

 

*****

 

“Khushi ji, what’s the matter, you look so distracted.”

 

Brought out of her thoughts, Khushi smiled at Anjali. She knew that Di would be happier than anyone else in the house to find out that her Chote was going to have a Chote, but Khushi wanted to tell Arnav first before telling anyone else.

 

“I’m fine Di. I was just thinking of calling him. I need to talk to him about something.”

“I don’t know if he’ll answer now Khushi ji. He’s probably on his way to the airport.”

“Airport?”

 

Airport? Why was he at the airport?

 

“Haan! He’s going to London.”

 

Anjali stopped when she saw the confusion in Khushi’s eyes.

 

“Wait, didn’t you know?”

 

Shaking her head, Khushi looked away. He was going to London? Why? Why hadn’t he said anything to her? How could he just leave without saying anything? She needed to see him before he went to London. She needed to stop him. He couldn’t just leave like this. Not before he knew about their baby.

 

*****

 

She saw him, just as he was about to enter the airport. Running towards him, Khushi tried to make her way through the crowd. She needed to get to Arnav before he left. She needed to tell him the truth.

She pushed forward, and finally reached him. She grabbed hold of the sleeve of his suit jacket.

 

“What the…”

 

Spinning around, Arnav looked at Khushi, disbelief that she was there.

 

“What are you doing here?”

“You can’t go to London! I need to speak to you about something very important.”

“Khushi, I really don’t have time for you right now, I’m already late.”

 

He turned away but Khushi grabbed hold of his hand, he couldn’t go. Arnav turned back, shaking his head. He took his other hand and used it to peel her fingers away from his.

 

“Please.”

 

Pushing her hand away, Arnav moved away and entered the airport, leaving Khushi behind him.

 

*****

 

A week and a half had passed and Arnav was finally coming home. Khushi had called him over and over again, but he hadn’t answered her calls. But she was aware that he had been in contact with Di, Nani and Akash, letting them know how he was getting on.

It hurt, that he hadn’t even bothered to answer her call once, just tell her once that he was okay, but she was used to it. She had bigger things to worry about at this moment of time.

Since finding out that she was pregnant, Khushi found that she felt sick more and more often and it was starting to become a chore to hide her pregnancy from the family. But Arnav was coming home now. As soon as she told him, she would be able to tell everyone else as well.

It was late in the evening when Arnav finally arrived. Di served him food, asking all about his time away. Khushi could tell he was tired but he replied to his Di politely, telling her everything she wanted to know.

 

“Arre, look at the time! Chote, you should go to bed, you’ve had a long day.”

 

Nodding, he got to his feet and made his way up to their room, Khushi followed him.
Once inside the confinement of their bedroom, Khushi pulled out the file that the doctor had given her earlier in the week when she had a check up.

 

“How was your trip?”

“I went there for work, it wasn’t a holiday.”

“I know but…”

“Also, I don’t appreciate the fact that you caused a scene when you found out I was going. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t feel you needed to know. You didn’t need to cause such a fuss.”

“I’m your wife! I had every right to know where you were going.”

 

Arnav scoffed and turned to his wardrobe but Khushi reached out for him and stopped him.

 

“Arnav ji, I need to tell you something.”

“I don’t want to listen to anything you have to say.”

“Please, just listen to me.”

 

Turning to face her, Khushi could tell he wasn’t bothered about what she had to say. But she had to tell him, he needed to know.

 

“Woh… Mein… I…”

“Spit it out or stop waisting my time.”

 

Taking a deep breath, Khushi mentally prepared herself for what was to come.

 

“I’m pregnant.”

 

Arnav stopped for a moment, his face draining of colour as he took in what she was saying.

 

“What?”

“Aap papa bane wale hai.”

“How?”

“I…”

“No I know how, but HOW. We’ve never…”

 

Flashes of that night came back to Arnav and he ran his hand through his hair. Surely… Then all of a sudden his expression hardened again.

 

“You’re lying.”

“No… I…”

“What are you trying to do? Act like you’re having my child so that you can get more money off of me?”

 

Shaking her head frantically, Khushi tried to pass him the file that she was holding in her hands. Arnav took it from her and threw it across the room.

 

“Listen to me and listen carefully. You aren’t getting a penny out of me. So I suggest you end this little drama now. I’ll even be gracious enough to act as though this never happened.”

“But Arnav ji…”

 

He raised his hand, to tell her to stop talking. Girls like her, what could he expect. She was trying to use his one moment of weakness against him, but he wasn’t going to allow it, he wouldn’t fall for her tricks.

 

“Please just look at the file.”

 

Taking hold of his towel, Arnav went into the bathroom. He was done. He didn’t need to hear any more. She could carry on spouting her rubbish, he wasn’t going to take any of it in.

Once the door of the bathroom shut, Khushi fell to the floor, her hand resting on her tummy, tears falling thick and fast from her eyes. Why wouldn’t he believe her? Why did he think so lowly of her? She was carrying his child and he thought she way lying? Making it up for money? How could he do that!? Wiping her tears away, Khushi realised that it didn’t matter if he didn’t believe her now. In a matter of a few weeks, she would start showing and he would have no option but to believe her. But in the meantime, should she tell everyone?

Deciding against it, Khushi decided not to say anything yet. She was not yet 8 weeks pregnant, it was still early. She would wait, until Arnav believed her and then they would be able to share the news of their child together.

 

*****

Another week had passed and Khushi’s attempts to make Arnav believe her had gone to waste. He wouldn’t listen to her, and he refused to acknowledge anything she was trying to say.

However, at some point it did make Arnav think. What if she really was pregnant? That night, they hadn’t used protection and he didn’t know if she was on birth control. What if she really was pregnant? What if he really was going to become a father?

Arnav pushed the thoughts away. She was lying, she had to be. With that in mind, Arnav made his way downstairs, only to find that everyone was busy, working away.

 

“Di, what’s going on?”

“We’re holding a pooja today. So we are all just preparing for that.”

 

Rolling his eyes, Arnav asked if there was anything he could help with. Anjali shook her head but said to check if Khushi needed anything.

 

“I’m sure she’s fine Di.”

“She probably is, but I still want you to go and check if she needs any help.”

 

Nodding, Arnav went over to the kitchen and saw that Khushi was busy at the cooker. She didn’t look like she needed any help, so Arnav stood back, just watching her. His eyes dropped to her stomach, there was no sign of a baby growing within her, but after doing the math, he realised that even if there was, she wouldn’t start showing just yet. He was about to leave, when he saw Khushi raising her hand to her head. She swayed slightly but grabbed onto the counter to steady herself. Arnav rushed to her side.

 

“Khushi, what’s wrong?”

“Dizzy…”

 

Rushing over to the sink, Arnav poured her a glass of water and came back. Taking Khushi’s into her arms, Arnav held her and the glass while he made her sip at the water but it was futile as Khushi still fainted.

 

*****

 

“There’s nothing to worry about at all, Khushi is absolutely fine. Fainting and feel light headed during pregnancy is all normal. Just try to stop her from doing anything that causes too much pressure or stress.”

“Wait Khushi ji is pregnant?”

“Haan. Hasn’t she told anyone yet? She came to my office a couple of weeks ago for a check up and I told her then that she was pregnant. Perhaps she hasn’t said anything yet because it is still fairly early.”

 

The doctor took his leave and all eyes rounded on Arnav. Khushi was still unconscious but was slowly beginning to come round.

 

“Khushi ji… Pregnant?”

 

Arnav couldn’t believe it. She really was pregnant. She hadn’t been lying. Anger ran through Arnav’s body.

But before he could say anything, his Di hugged him.

 

“Congratulations Chote! I can’t believe it, my Chote is going to have his own Chote?”

 

The family members all came round to Arnav one by one, hugging him and congratulating him before going and sitting beside Khushi who was slowly opening her eyes.

 

“This is amazing! Chote, my baby and your baby are going to be so similar in age! They’re going to grow up together!”

 

It was then a thought crossed Arnav’s mind, something he hadn’t thought of before. Hadn’t even considered it. He looked up and looked at his jijaji, who was as pale as a sheet of paper. Could he be… Arnav’s hands fisted by his side. He knew Khushi had been having an affair with Shyam, but had it carried on after they got married? Could she be expecting Shyam’s child?

 

*****

 

Now in her eighth month of pregnancy, Khushi was very round. She waddled along the house like a penguin, and everyone pampered her, not letting her do anything for herself.

Anjali had recently given birth to a healthy baby girl and now the Raizada’s were waiting on Arnav and Khushi’s baby.

Arnav had remained hostile towards her, never saying what was on his mind, but always taunting her and reminding her of her status. Khushi took all his abuse, never saying anything against him. She didn’t have the energy any more and she knew that she needed to stay strong for her baby. Her baby had now become her life, and she couldn’t wait until she could finally hold him or her. Every time she had gone to a scan, she had come home in tears, upset that she still had to wait longer until she could actually hold her little baby in her arms. Every time she saw her baby’s heartbeat, it made her own swell with pride and joy. There was a little person with their own heartbeat growing within her.

Arnav had refused to go with her to her doctors appointments.

Khushi’s pregnancy so far hadn’t been easy. She kept feeling sick for a very long time and her doctor had warned her of complications at time of birth. But Khushi didn’t care. She had faith that everything would be okay and that soon enough she would be able to hold her baby.

Earlier in the day, Khushi had been out shopping with Di, and she had brought some baby clothes. She was now tidying them away when Arnav came home.

 

“Arnav ji look, I brought some baby clothes today.”

 

He didn’t turn around, didn’t look at the little sleep suit that she was holding up.

 

“Arnav ji, look na.”

 

Throwing his briefcase down onto the bed, Arnav walked up to Khushi and grabbed her by the upper arms.

 

“I don’t want to look at your god damn baby clothes because I want nothing to do with you or your baby.”

 

She had controlled her temper for months, but she finally felt herself lose it. Pulling herself out of Arnav’s grip, Khushi threw the little sleep suit onto the bed.

 

“What the hell is your problem? Why are you like this? This isn’t just my baby! It’s your baby too. Why the hell cant you accept us?”

“Because I know the little spawn inside of you isn’t my kid.”

 

Taking a step back, Khushi looked up at Arnav. What did he just say? Why would he say that? How could he think…

 

“Caught you out on your lie, don’t you have anything to say for yourself now?”

“You think our baby is… You think someone else is the father? Why would you think that? How could you think that!?”

“Because I know you!”

 

Feeling her temper rising once more, Khushi moved into Arnav.

 

“How the hell can you think like that about me?”

“Because I know about yours and Shyam’s affair! I have done, for a long time. I’ve known since the day we got married.”

 

Blood running cold, Khushi looked up at Arnav. He knew about Shyam. He’d known since their wedding day? But he thought she was having an affair…

 

“I knew you were characterless when I married you, but listening to you talk about your god damn baby, being so proud and happy… You disgust me. What happened? Did he not accept his child? Is that why you’ve been hellbent on trying to make me believe that this is my baby?”

“You think I was having…”

“I know you were! I saw you, in his arms, on the terrace. I heard you tell him to leave my Di.”

“You misunderstood…”

“No, I heard you, and I saw you.”

“You heard and saw what you wanted to see and hear.”

“I know the truth, he told me everything.”

“Did he tell you how he lied to me and my family about being single? Did he tell you how he fooled me and my whole family so that he could get engaged to me? Did he tell you that I broke off our engagement the moment I found out that he was married? No, no he didn’t. He must have told you his f*cked up version of the truth and you lapped it up. Why didn’t you ask me!?”

 

Jabbing her finger into his chest, she made her point. God, she’d been so in love with this man and now… She couldn’t stand him. How could he have thought so low of her. Tears pricked Khushi’s eyes and she let them flow.

Her words ringing in his ears, his heart was telling him that she was telling the truth, but how could he trust her words.

Dropping her hand to her stomach, Khushi cried. Cried for herself, cried for her baby, just cried.

 

“All these months, I couldn’t understand why you were being like this. I tried to understand but nothing made sense to me. All these months you’ve been believing a lie, letting it come between us. You’ve been living with that lie, letting it consume you and I… I was living with the memories of that night. That one night where I thought you loved me and cared for me. You thought the worst of me, believed that our baby wasn’t ours and I… Our baby became my life because he or she proved that you had some love for me in your heart. You’ve hated me and pushed me away for something I didn’t do. And here I was, waiting for you, hoping you would find love for me and our baby and you’d accept us.”

 

She stood there, crying her eyes out. Arnav remained rooted to the spot he was standing in. He couldn’t move. He felt paralysed with the weight of her words. She wasn’t lying, he could tell, she wasn’t. His eyes fell to her tummy. She really was carrying his baby…

Taking a step towards her, he stretched out his hand, trying to reach out to her. But something changed in Khushi. Her face changed, crippled with pain. She let out a yell of pain.

 

“Khushi, Khushi what’s wrong?”

“Baby…”

“What about the baby?”

 

She clutched her belly, her eyes shut, tears rolling down her face.

 

“I think the baby is coming.”

“But you’ve still got a month to go.”

 

Falling to the ground, Arnav took hold of her, lifting her into his arms.

 

“Just breathe.”

 

He rushed out of the room, calling for Di and Akash. He explained what was happening and Di gasped, Khushi was having contractions.

 

“Get her to the hospital now!”

 

The pain was overwhelming Khushi and the weight of Arnav’s words jabbed at her heart over and over again. How could he believed that she was sleeping with his brother in law? How could he believe that the product of their love was someone else’s? How? How? HOW?

The effect of everything suddenly felt all consuming and Khushi couldn’t hold onto anything any more. Her will to live was slipping, her will to fight. Slowly she lost consciousness…

 

*****

 

“It’s been half an hour, she isn’t regaining consciousness. If we leave it any longer it could have a negative impact on the baby and the mother. We’re going to have to do an emergency c section.”

 

Arnav stood back, watching as the doctors and the nurses fussed around Khushi. His family were all waiting outside, praying that Khushi and the baby were going to be okay. Arnav felt tense, was this happening because of him? Had he stressed her out so badly that she went into labour early?

He felt so angry. Angry at himself for thinking so badly of her, never giving her a chance to explain the truth. And angry at the baby for sucking the life out of her.

He left the emergency room and sat down beside Anjali.

 

“What did the doctors say Chote? Is Khushi ji okay? Has she regained consciousness?”

 

Shaking his head, he rested his head on his sisters shoulder, tears starting to fall.

 

“What if she isn’t okay Di? What if… The doctor said there had been complications throughout her pregnancy and said that they were anticipating the birth to be complicated too but… What if I lose her Di? What if I lose her before I ever even got to tell her just how much I actually love her?”

“Sh Chote, she’s going to be fine. Don’t worry, soon you will have your wife and your baby. I promise Chote, everything will be fine.”

 

*****

 

An emergency c section was done and baby Raizada was born. Anjali had been in the delivery room at the time, Arnav couldn’t bring himself to be in there. Khushi had remained unconscious throughout the procedure.

 

“Chote, come and meet your little boy!”

 

Anjali had helped the doctors to clean the baby and wrap him up in clean clothes. Khushi was still under observation, doctors watching over her the whole time.

Walking into the room, Arnav looked around at his family, they were all so excited, so happy that the little boy had arrived. No one seemed to be worried about Khushi, and this angered him. Didn’t they realise that Khushi’s life was in danger? Didn’t they realise that the little boy in Anjali’s arms was part of the reason why Khushi was like this now. He walked into the room, and walked over to Khushi, taking her hand. Her body was cold and still.

 

“Why hasn’t she woken up yet doctor?”

“We’re not sure yet. Mr Raizada, when she started experiencing pains, was she under any kind of serious stress that could have triggered the responses she had?”

 

Arnav remained silent, his mind going back to the argument that they had. How could he tell the doctors the truth?

 

“We’re afraid she may have fallen into a coma.”

“What?”

 

Any colour that had remained in Arnav’s face, drained and he fell to the ground beside Khushi. Anjali, still holding onto the baby, also stood there, unmoving, shocked at what the doctor was saying.

 

“We will try our best to see what we can do, but for now we have to move her somewhere else so we can keep her under better observation. You may stay with the baby here until he is ready to be discharged.”

 

Arnav remained on the floor as he watched the doctors and nurses cart Khushi away to another room. Anjali sat down beside him, still holding the little boy.

 

“Stay strong Chote, everything is going to be okay, Khushi ji is going to be fine.”

 

Arnav shook his head, his tears falling thick and fast.

 

“This is all his fault.”

 

He pointed at the sleeping new born in Anjali’s arms, refusing to look at him.

 

“He did this to her, he’s destroyed her.”

“Chote, don’t speak like that. He’s your son.”

“I want nothing to do with him.”

 

Getting to his feet, Arnav went after the doctors who were taking his Khushi away.

 

*****

 

A week had passed since baby Raizada had come into the world and Khushi still remained in her coma. The doctors were feeling positive, they believe that she would come round very soon. Arnav hadn’t left Khushi’s side at all, he’d remained with her all the time.

Someone from the Raizada house also stayed. After talking amongst themselves, they had decided that they didn’t want to take the baby home. They wanted him to be in the hospital so that Khushi would be able to see him as soon as she woke up. Arnav still hadn’t set his eyes on his little boy and so it became necessary that someone stayed so that they could tend to the baby.

It was the ninth night after the baby was born and Arnav lay beside Khushi, stroking her body, willing her to wake up. Head rested in her crook of her neck and his hand locked in hers, he felt her fingers twitch ever so slightly. Arnav pulled back, and he felt it again.

 

“Di! Di! I think she’s waking up!”

 

Her movements were slow and small but they were there. Her fingers kept flexing for a while and Arnav called the doctor. Then her saw her hand move a little and then a little more until she had is rested on her tummy.

 

“Baby…”

 

Her voice was quiet and hoarse and her eyes flickered. Her hand carried on moving over her belly.

 

“My baby…”

 

Her eyes now opening, Arnav could see the panic in her eyes.

 

“Hey, I’m here, Khushi, it’s me, Arnav. I’m here.”

“Arnav ji… Baby…”

 

Tears filled her eyes, panic evident in them. The doctor came into the room and did what they needed to do to stabilise her.

Anjali brought the little boy over and sat beside Khushi.

 

“Khushi ji, look, don’t cry, here is your baby.”

 

Anjali held the little boy out to Khushi and she took hold of him, holding him close to her chest. Tears rolled down her face as she looked at her little boy.

 

“Arnav ji, have you seen him, he’s so beautiful.”

 

Sitting back down beside he, he took a look at their baby, the first time he was actually looking at him properly.

Anjali watched as the new parents peered down at their baby, and decided to leave them to it, give them some time alone.

 

“He looks exactly like you.”

 

Arnav watched as the little boy’s eyes flickered open and as he stared at him with his little eyes.

 

“His eyes, they look exactly like yours. His hair, his lips. He looks exactly like you, he looks nothing like me.”

 

He continued to stare at the baby who stared back. Khushi was right, he did look exactly like him. One would be able to tell that Arnav was the father in a matter of moments, but it would take them longer to work out that Khushi was the mother. There was no doubt that this baby was his.

Pressing a kiss onto her baby’s forehead, Khushi held him close.

 

“Our baby. Little Aarav… He’s so beautiful.”

“Aarav?”

“I want to call him Aarav. What do you think?”

“I like it…”

 

Passing the baby over to Arnav, Arnav took his son into his arms for the first time. He couldn’t help but feeling a warmth pass over his body. This was his baby. He’d helped to make him.

 

“Khushi… I’m so sorry. All of this… Its my fault.”

“Sh. The past is the past. This is a new start for us. We have our baby now. Please let’s just start again.”

 

Moving closer to Khushi, he took one of her hands and placed it on their baby and he pressed a kiss on her lips. This was a new start, and he was going to do things right for once.

 

“I love you Khushi and I love you Aarav. I promise… You both are my life now. I’ll never do anything to hurt either of you.”

“We love you too Arnav ji…”

 

Pressing her face into his chest, Khushi felt a sense of calm take over her body. This was a new start and she couldn’t wait to get started with her baby and her husband. Under her hand, she could feel her baby’s heartbeat, and against her cheek she could feel her husband’s. The two people who meant the most to her, the two people whose dil ki dhadkan meant more to her than her own. They were the reason behind her heartbeat.

Forever and always.

 

*****

 

Author’s Note:

Firstly I would like to take this moment to say that this is my own writing, however the main plot was provided to me by Amirah (who is also the creator of the banner) and Aisha. Thank you to the both of you for giving me the opportunity to take your idea and create something from it.

Secondly, I would like to bring it to everyone’s attention that this one shot is 5945 words long. It took me a very long time to write it and it took an even longer time to edit it. Due to that, I ask everyone to be generous with their comments and likes as it means a lot to me to see that my work is being appreciated.

Please leave me your thoughts and opinions and I will be back again very soon with some new content. x