CHAPTER 27
Reyansh was spellbound.
Aanya. In pink. It was an innocent and disarming combination.
She had recently cut her hair. It now brushed softly between her neck and waist. She held a placard in her hand that read “To Be Aunt” , posing with a casual grace that stunned him.
How could a woman look that ravishing in something as simple as a saree?
He wanted to reply immediately, but instead, found himself lingering on the image.
In her effortless smile, she looked radiant.
Was that happiness because she was far away from him?
Or was that glow the result of the gentle warmth slowly blooming between them as they exchanged words and emotions across continents?
“You didn’t tell me Radhika sent more pictures from the baby shower,” Nani disrupted his private moment.
Reyansh didn’t bother closing the laptop. He simply turned it slightly as she approached.
“Just two,” he replied curtly.
Nani seated herself beside him on the recliner. He first showed her the image of Rishi singing into a mic, while Radhika giggled from the decorative swing.
“Oh... they look beautiful together,” Nani smiled. “Radhika is glowing, isn’t she?”
“She is,” Reyansh agreed, without hesitation.
“I think it will be a boy. What do you think?”
“A girl,” he murmured. “I want Di to have a daughter. Just like her.”
Nani chuckled, clearly amused. “Reyansh… this is a huge change in you. You never liked kids. Always avoided them. And now you sound so sure.”
He managed a faint smile. Di’s pregnancy had changed something inside him. But credit didn’t go to Radhika alone. It went to Aanya as well. Because the truth was, he couldn’t even imagine having children with anyone else. But her. Damn it. Why were his thoughts spiralling in that direction again?
“And the other picture?” Nani asked, drawing him back. He clicked open the next image of Aanya in her saree.
Nani’s eyes widened in surprise. Then her expression shifted into a deep frown.
“Aanya is wearing a saree?” she murmured in disbelief.
Reyansh didn’t hesitate. “Hmm. And she looks gorgeous, doesn’t she?”
Nani turned to stare at him, but he wasn’t even looking at her. His eyes remained glued to the screen, admiring his wife with an intensity that was hard to miss.
“Who sent you these?” she asked.
“Aanya.”
Her reaction was swift and incredulous. “I thought you two weren’t on speaking terms.”
“We’re not speaking,” he confirmed. “We’re emailing. Updating each other about our lives. Isn’t that the foundation of every long-distance relationship, Nani?”
She blinked, clearly disoriented. She had been so certain that once Aanya left, Reyansh would snap back to his old self. But it appeared she had been wrong. Her grandson was still very much interested in his wife.
“Is she even serious about this marriage?” Nani pressed.
“She’s serious about her life now,” Reyansh said with a calm confidence. “And as for our marriage, it’s not hanging, Nani. I have hope. Neither of us wants to break it. We’ve both realized what it means to us only after we separated again.”
Nani sighed and slowly rose from her seat.
“I don’t understand all these modern concepts. In our time, marriage didn’t need rebuilding. It was built once and it lasted.”
“Generations change, Nani,” he replied. “But the core values of marriage, love, commitment, those don’t.”
With a defeated exhale, she gave him a gentle nod.
“If this is what you want, Reyansh, I won’t stand in your way. I just hope you both find what’s missing and hold on to this marriage. Seeing you and Radhika happy, is all I wish for.”
She left the room, and Reyansh was quietly relieved. For once, Nani hadn’t taunted Aanya. He returned to the laptop and opened the image again, unable to tear his eyes away from it. Then, he began typing.
Aanya,
Gorgeous. I’m at a loss for words. It feels like you’re here, right in front of me, and I’m watching you live. I missed being a part of this moment.
Wish I had been invited.
Your ‘not so grateful’ husband,
Reyansh.
Aanya bit her lip, reading his message. Of course, she hadn’t invited him. She didn’t think he’d be interested… he was always so buried in work. But maybe she had been wrong.
Dear Husband,
I presumed you wouldn’t make it. My mistake.
But let me invite you well in advance for the Naming Ceremony. I can’t afford to forget it.
Your Advance-Planner Wife,
Aanya.
Reyansh smiled as her message arrived. She was really inviting him ahead of time. And that made all the difference.
Wife,
I’m impressed.
Let me check my schedule and let you know. I really, really want to see you soon.
And I hope… you feel the same.
Your husband,
Reyansh.
Aanya’s fingers trembled as she read the last line. Did she truly want to see him? Was she desperate? Or did she need more time?
“TIME!” Shikha’s voice startled her.
Aanya jumped, as if someone had caught her in the act.
“What?” she asked, scowling.
“Check the clock. We have dinner with the client!”
Only then did Aanya realize she hadn’t even started getting ready. She quickly dressed, suppressing the thrum in her chest, and the two of them headed out.
Day 80 - California
Aanya stirred from her sleep, still caught in a half-dream when a loud knock on the door startled her fully awake. It was the weekend, and she had stayed the night at Radhika and Rishi’s place again.
“Aanya! Aanya!” Rishi’s voice called urgently from outside.
“I’m coming, Jeeju!” she yelled, slipping into her slippers and rushing to open the door.
“What’s wrong? Is Di okay?”
“No. She’s in pain. Intense pain. We need to get her to the hospital. I’ve called the doctor. I’ll get the car ready.”
Without wasting another second, Aanya sprinted to Radhika’s room. She was writhing, holding her belly, tears in her eyes.
“Di… breathe. Calm down,” Aanya whispered, kneeling beside her and rubbing her back.
“Aanya… it’s terrible… I can’t—” Radhika cried.
“I know,” Aanya whispered, brushing the hair from her sister’s face.
Rishi reappeared and scooped Radhika into his arms. Aanya locked the house behind them and followed. The night had just begun, and everything was about to change.
Hospital
Aanya paced the corridor outside the ICU, her heart thudding with worry.
Radhika had just been wheeled in for delivery.
The doctors had taken Rishi aside to discuss her condition, leaving Aanya feeling helpless.
Her lips moved silently in prayer. Complications were expected.
Radhika had already suffered a few failed pregnancies.
She needed to talk to someone. To share the storm within her and only one name came to her mind— Reyansh .
She dialled his number, but the call didn’t connect. Network issues, perhaps. Determined, she tried Chopra Mansion. It was daytime there. Surely, Nani would pick up.
“Hello?” came the familiar voice.
“Nani,” Aanya’s voice trembled, rushed. “Di… she’s in labour. We’ve admitted her to the hospital.”
“Oh… how is she?” Nani asked, panic creeping into her tone.
“She’s holding on,” Aanya replied, forcing calmness. “It was early. The due date was fifteen days away.”
“Keep me informed. I… I really wish I could be there right now.”
“I understand. Please keep praying. Di and the baby… they’ll be fine.”
“I hope so too,” Nani whispered, trying to hold back tears. “I’ll inform Reyansh.”
“Thank you.”
Aanya ended the call just as Rishi returned.
“Jeeju, what did the doctors say?” she asked, rushing to him.
“They’re preparing her for an emergency C-section,” he answered.
Aanya swallowed the lump rising in her throat. The waiting was agony.
Reyansh, upon hearing from Nani, called Rishi’s number for constant updates. Two hours passed before the operation concluded, and finally, the doctors emerged with smiles.
Both mother and child were safe. And it was a girl.
Aanya jumped up, her joy uncontrollable.
“Congratulations, Jeeju!” she beamed, embracing Rishi from the side. His eyes shimmered with tears.
“Go on, meet them first,” she encouraged.
“I… I’m a father,” he whispered, almost in disbelief.
“And I’m the proud aunt,” Aanya chirped, her voice catching with joy.
Rishi nodded, dazed and overwhelmed, before hurrying in to see his wife and daughter.
Day 81
Aanya cradled the baby in her arms for the first time. She stared in awe at the tiny miracle before her, and to her surprise, tears welled up in her eyes.
“She’s so tiny,” she whispered in awe.
Radhika, pale but peaceful, watched her from the hospital bed, her eyes glowing with quiet satisfaction.
“She has your eyes, Di,” Aanya said, studying the baby’s features. “And Jeeju’s nose.”
Rishi chuckled from the other side of the room.
“And that little frown she’s wearing?” Aanya continued. “Straight from her uncle.”
Laughter erupted among them.
“But she’s got your build,” Radhika added.
“Yeah, but don’t worry. We’ll fatten her up with love and milk,” Aanya teased.
The baby let out a tiny whimper, her first soft cry. Aanya panicked slightly and instinctively rocked her.
“Aww… hungry already?”
As she soothed the infant, Radhika and Rishi intertwined their fingers. Their family was complete.
Day 90
To the Baby’s Uncle,
The baby’s doing great. She might look fragile, but she has your strength. Yesterday, she gripped my hair in her tiny fist and refused to let go. She’s already trying to control everyone around her… just like you.
On a serious note, the naming ceremony is in two weeks. Are you coming?
Lots of hugs from the little one.
Baby’s Aunt,
Aanya
Day 91
Hey Baby’s Aunt,
I may control people, but my wife? Not anymore. I saw the baby on video chat. She’s beautiful. Just like Di. I also noticed that pink sweater she was wearing and Di said you knit it. Didn’t know you’d mastered a new skill.
I don’t think I can make it for the naming ceremony. I’m traveling to Cape Town with your father. The joint venture is in its final phase. I’ll try to reschedule my California visit and let you know.