CHAPTER – 13
Abhyansh understood his wife's unasked questions, but how would he answer her ? There is a reason behind the scars he gave her, the two worst times of his life when he was most inhumane to her... Well he was inhumane to her all those days but these two times, he lost his control, he wouldn't have hurt her like that if the external forces hadn't involved, no matter what, he knew it wasn't justified and Everytime he remembered it, he had the mad urge to hurt himself physically, give himself pain 100 times worse than he gave her. And now that she stayed in the Rajput palace, he didn't have to restrict himself from that mad urge... But he knew his wife would show him hell the day she found out what he did to himself just a week ago.
When he met Neil Singhania at the den... His purpose was to teach that old a** a lesson, give him at least a percentage of his deserved punishment for his sins, but that old a**'s words shifted concentration to hurt himself more. The mad urge to punish himself hit him, this time with extreme force.
"Singhania ?",Abhyanshentered with a smirk calling for the man he hated the most, previously that title belonged to Amar Rajput, but now this man, Neil Singhania shared the title of most hated man byAbhyanshwith his best friend Amar.
Abhyanshcouldn't suppress his urge to give him immeasurable pain looking at him... He remembered what all Neil Singhania's provocation made him do to his wife...
Abhyansh'stone and the cold aura scared the sh*t out of everyone, he seemed to be in a mood to show them hell, more than his men were showing them all these days. And now they feared even thinking about it, there's not even an inch on their body that wasn't bruised, but still, miraculously, all their organs were working,Abhyanshplanned it that way, their torture should be slow, unending, and should cause excruciating pain, they should feel that agonizing pain in every breath they take...
Neil Singhania understood that their begging wouldn't save them from the BEAST that day, so he thought of a different approach, he knew the beast would end them one or the other day, so there was no point in saving his strategies to save his life, so he thought to use them to escape from the pain at least for this day but he understood how wrong he was after a few hours...
"BEAST... You like it a lot when people call you that huh ? But looks like you were called the same by your wife as well ? Why wouldn't she ? you behave such with her... huh ?", Neil taunted with a known smirk...
Abhyanshkept looking at Neil for a second before ordering his men to burn his whole left hand, making sure not to hurt any of his other body parts shocking Neil... He expectedAbhyanshto leave them alone... Reminding him of his flaws or how he fell into Neil's words always worked in favor of him,Abhyansh'smood to torture them flew away and he returned to his palace always, Neil expected the same to happen now, but this time he was already dealing with his unstable heart, the pain and regret he had for what he did to his wife in the past intensified looking at their enemies in front of him all the time and his wife's distance wasn't helping his situation.
He wouldn't have given a chance to their relationship for what he did to her if he was at her place. And this fact badly caused him distress...
After looking at the complete procedure, Abhyansh returned to his palace unfazed. His cold eyes didn't calm down despite punishing Neil, in fact, they intensified... He remembered how he burnt his wife's wrist with the hot metal watch... Her every whimper which didn't move him then, acted as a dagger now. His anguish didn't calm down and he knew what heshoulddo... He punished the man who instigated him to do that to her, but the man who did it to her, that is him still roams freely... and he was determined to change that... Every time, the fear of what would happen if his wife gets to know about it stopped him from hurting himself, so he contained that mad urge but he couldn't control it anymore, his feet moved to the back palace and took his long impending punishment.
"Ishu... bacha... I think you should rest for some time... These talks will keep going...", Ranveer said, he looked at the dilemma in his sister's eyes, he knew his sister was also feeling the same as him about Amar's involvement and Ranveer didn't want them to say it out loud...
He couldn't believe his 'bhabosa' could be that cruel, he knew he wasn't that kind of man and he strongly trusted him, there might be some misunderstanding and Ranveer knew Isha too felt the same. The man who respects women so much, despite being the king, never craved for a male child to continue his legacy though all his royal friends forced him to try for a son, but he remained stubborn, he proudly said his daughter was enough for him and she would take his lineage and values forward, and coming to a son, he already had Ranveer, that's what he used to say. Amar loved Isha and Ranveer equally, well his daughter a little more definitely but he thought of deciding a heir truly based on their personalities, Amar knew Isha's nature and he knew people would misuse her kindness, so he thought Ranveer as his potential heir. But, that's where Amar Rajput went wrong, his daughter might be a kind princess but has the potential to become a reliant and strong ruler, the aura of her as Abhyansh Singh Ranawat's wife and a strong queen serves as an evidence to her strength.
Ranveer knew Isha too thought the same, she didn't believe her father could be so cruel but she was resisting so much not to to say it out loud as it could hurt her husband, she always wanted to soothe his pain not intensify it, but that didn't mean she wouldn't defend her father, she would but before she could say something that hurt Abhyansh, she decided to search for facts and truth in every way possible.
"Bhai... I am fine... I want to talk to Rana sa alone... Could you and Bhairav leave us alone ?", she asked... Ranveer looked into his sister's eyes and saw her determination to find the truth but which one ? He wondered.
"I will... But have some water first...", Ranveer said holding the glass filled with water in front of her lips, she took a few sips and nodded at her brother...
Ranveer got up and walked to Abhyansh...
"I am sorry for whatever you have gone through Ranawat", Ranveer said, he knew Abhyansh hated sympathy but it wasn't his sympathy, his heart ached at his brother-in-law's pain and Abhyansh understood this, so he didn't respond, otherwise he would have broken Ranveer's jaw.
Bhairav walked away after receiving Abhyansh's approval, followed by Ranveer. He shut the huge doors of the study and walked towards his wife... As he neared, he noticed she is shivering but trying to not show it.
"Isha ? Bacha... You are not fine...", he sat beside taking her into his arms...
'My baba wasn't cruel, he couldn't have done that to Advaita... I won't believe this', Isha wanted to say, loudly defend her father but her husband's pain stopped her from saying it out loud. She hated herself for being a weak daughter, her father would be hating her now for not able to defend him, she didn't understand why she gets weak when it came to her husband and his pain...
She hated her past self who gave into his demands without fighting for her self-respect, if Abhyansh would have done even a single thing to her now among all the things he did to her in the beginning of their marriage, she wouldn't take a minute to walk out of her marriage holding her head high. But she wasn't this strong back then, she gave into the web of family her husband created around her, a web of relationship called marriage, the sense of belongingness overpowered her self-respect but as much as she is upset with her past self and her reaction to her husband's deeds, one part of her was thankful for her decision to stay back, because if she had left, she wouldn't have gotten to witness the best version of her husband she is seeing now, she knew without her husband there is no life, let alone a happy life now. But she is proud that she didn't forgive him yet giving in to her heart and she knew she wouldn't forgive him any sooner, because she believed her father wasn't that kind of person and her husband might have definitely misunderstood things. But what if he is right and her father was wrong ? Her brain countered, then too, her husband's behavior with her wasn't justified but she did believe that children should take responsibility for their parents mistakes, just like parents own their child's mistakes. Here she believed in her husband's theory, if they could inherit all their wealth and enjoy it for life, then why can't they bear the consequences of their misdeeds ?
All these things kept aside, what's aching her the most is what happened to her sister-in-law, the Ranawat princess Advaita. And to imagine that all that was done in front of her brother boiled her blood. She didn't blame her husband for his hatred, anyone would have been the same, her brother Ranveer oo.
Her brother's first question to her, when he came across the torture she goes through in her marriage, was if she was going through se*ual harassment? Because that was intolerable and if Abhyansh attempted something like that, Ranveer would have attempted to slit his throat, consequences can go to hell, because that was something no brother could imagine his sister going through... And here her husband witnessed it in front of his eyes, the helplessness he might have felt... God her head spinned thinking all these things...
"Isha... Bacha say something", Abhyansh asked softly pulling her to him and she leaned on his chest holding his waist. She felt a huge bulge on his back and frowned.
"What's this ?", she asked touching it but he quickly held her palm and directed it towards his chest.
"It's nothing, I changed my janeyu a few days back, in the puja", he said, well that wasn't a lie, he had to change his janeyu after what he did to himself that day. "Leave that... Tell me about yourself, are you okay ?", He asked cupping her cheek, she shook her head, her eyes were filled and he sighed, kissing her forehead.
"This is why I refused to open my mouth... I hate seeing you like this... I told you past isn't kind Isha", Abhyansh said wiping a small tear that escaped her left eye.
"I want to know the whole of it...", she asked and his eyes held wariness. "The past you are still hiding, the past that was the most unkind, I want to know it", she said it finally... She knew her husband was keeping a few things from her...
"Isha...", Abhyansh protested but she shook her head... She noticed a mad urge when he hurt her those two times, it's as if he was a possessed animal, not some human and when she asked him some time back about the reason behind those scars, she saw his eyes flicker with fear for a microsecond, that wasn't any normal fear, it was the kind of fear that appeared in his eyes when she was going to get hurt and she instantly understood that the truth is gonna hurt her the most.
"No Rana sa... I wanted to know the truth and it should be now...", Isha said and he sighed deeply...
"Whatever maybe the truth, my behavior wasn't justified, I am your sinner... and I'll be your sinner forever", he said with his cracked tone, and her eyes teared up... The weight of his words and the depth in his tone made her realize the amount of pain and guilt he was having in his heart. She knew it was much more than the physical pain she had gone through... He wiped her tears pulling her into his arms...
"By telling me the truth, you are not justifying your act Rana sa, you are just doing the right thing, you accepted that I deserve to know the truth and now I'm asking for my right...", she said and Abhyansh nodded with a heavy sigh...
The First day after their wedding, Amar Rajput's best friend Neil Singhania called Abhyansh surprising him, the man who was hiding from the past one and half decades suddenly found the audacity to call him ? Abhyansh couldn't understand why but what Neil told him made himsuspect if he called for Isha.
About more than 1.5 decades ago, Neil along with his allies made it difficult for Abhyansh to reach Amar, They protected Amar Rajput from Abhyansh. His phone call after all these years meant only one thing that now he wanted to protect Isha, Amar Rajput's daughter.
Abhyansh knew how Amar Rajput wanted his daughter to marry the Rathore Prince. Chirag Rathore's nephew, Abhyansh knew Amar Rajput was a greedy man but he didn't think he was this cruel even to take an innocent little girl's life to succeed in his motives. Years ago, Chirag Rathore confirmed that Rathores were in talks with Amar for the betrothal of Isha to the Rathore prince. But, then came Chirag Rathore into the picture, he proposed the Ranawat princess Advaita and this led to Amar Rajput's plan to end Advaita.
The day when Neil called Abhyansh, he told how Amar Rajput tortured Advaita, injuring her palms, and cutting her left palm's ring finger in anguish. Neil detailed everything saying he was the witness of that cruelty. At that moment, he realized Neil's motives weren't entirely in pro of Rajputs but his fury dominated every other rationale. He remembered seeing theLacerations on his sister's palms, there were several cuts on her palms and wrists were burnt, her ring finger was cut brutally... Abhyansh couldn't control the fury that day, which resulted in his cruelty towards his wife.
It caused his heart to ache remembering the pain he gave his wife, he so wanted to hurt himself brutally... Isha held his palm slightly rubbing the back of the palm... The scars on her palms faded but still they are visible enough to cause that deep ache and regret in him.With or without the scars, his regret is for life and he knew it.
"I would never forgive myself for these Isha... A sorry won't be enough", he said remembering how he made her fall on the broken glass pieces hurting her palms. She closed her eyes to contain her emotions, she couldn't see her husband like this, it hurts, but she couldn't even comfort him for two reasons, one he doesn't seek her comfort citing he deserved to suffer this pain, and secondly, she couldn't get in herself to comfort him going against her self-respect. But like always, her love for him overpowered her. She didn't forgive him but she did try to comfort him...
"Rana sa... Please...", she said holding his palms and Abhyansh held her wrist in his hand and gently rubbed the part where he brutally burnt it with a hot metallic watch. He closed his eyes recollecting what led to this.
Neil Singhania made a phone call to him again and this time, he sent two pictures. one of Amar Rajput's hand holding Advaita's wrist burning it and the second one is Isha's wrists shining with what is known as the Rathore's ancestral kada(wrist bracelet). Neil also told Abhyansh that those bangles were given to Isha accepting her as a part of Rathore clan. Abhyansh fumed in anger leading him to the disaster he caused his wife. Now that he thought about it, he understood that Neil did all this because he detested the fact that Amar Rajput preferred the Rathore prince and Abhyansh for Isha over Abhay Singhania, his son.
Abhyansh looked at his wife fearing to see the guilt or regret she would have knowing how his sister was killed to secure her betrothal to the Rathore Prince but what he saw distressed him. There was disbelief in her eyes, he understood she didn't believe her father's cruelty but he wanted to hear her say that, before he assumed things.
"Say it Isha...", he said and she shook her head.
"If my father actually did that, I wouldn't blame you for what you have done to me Rana sa... Though I wasn't a part of his plan, he did it all for me, so I'm equally at fault. I don't justify your behavior but yes, as his daughter, I deserved the hatred", she said and Abhyansh shook his head
"No, You didn't... It's your father who was at fault, not you, neither my hatred nor my behavior towards you was justified", he said but she shook her head.
"If you can take your parents' wealth, legacy, and name then why can't you bear the weight of their sins ? If you could enjoy the wealth you haven't worked hard for, you should be ready to make redemptions for the sins you haven't committed too... That's only fair... So, for whatever my father has done to Advaita, I understand your anger though that still doesn't justify some brutalities, I acknowledge your hatred, anger and pain but that is if my father was really the culprit", she added softly making Abhyansh frown and soon his eyes reddened.
"You still think your father was innocent ?", Abhyansh asked fuming in anger...
"You won't understand anything now, let's talk about this later... I want to know the whole truth now...", She concluded... and Abhyansh is getting frustrated now, he wasn't used to things going out of his plans but with his wife, all he did was give away the control.
"Isha... I want to know your opinion and let me tell you very clearly, You are not getting away without clearly communicating your stand", Abhyansh said
"Fine, I'll answer you today, but not now... first tell me the whole truth", she asked referring to his womanizing ways... She put up a disgusting face even thinking about it, he understood her question by her expressions.
Three women and their selfishness destroyed the human in him, his mother Amruta Singh Ranawat, his grandmother Devyani Devi, and Amar Rajput's wife, Pallavi Rajput. He always respected her before that, Pallavi Rajput was his mother's friend, and her simple and kind nature always forced him to be polite with her, though he hardly spoke anything, he stood by his mother while welcoming her to their place. He always wondered about the equation his mother shared with Pallavi Rajput, as if they both knew each other for a long time, but he didn't expect his thoughts to come true one day, not only did they know each other but Pallavi Rajput also helped his mother in hiding the truth about Chirag Rathore and his mother's broken engagement. The truth fumed him badly and he so wanted to give it back to her but refrained from doing any damage to her, but his final resolve broke when he saw her destroying all his plans of getting his sister's culprit punished. The hatred he held for Pallavi Rajput turned into disgust when he saw her defending her husband and providing an alibi for him despite knowing what he did to his sister Advaita.
He was finding ways to bring down the Rajputs and he was getting successful at it but his last straw broke when he got to know that his mother was responsible for this blood bath, the brutal killing of tens of his loyal men and his best friend Bhuvan. The betrayal stung him more than anything, he became a cruel beast and ended all his enemies yet the fire in him refused to calm down, the betrayal of his mother fueled his hatred for the whole gender. He always had special respect for women because of his mother, the sacrifices she made to keep him safe but with her betrayal, he lost the respect for them. His mother still trusted her ex-fiance over her son and helped him escape, causing a disaster. He couldn't digest it and he wanted to do anything to satisfy the burning sensation she caused.
He flew to Europe after settling all the issues and one of his allies introduced him to it, he started sleeping with women to blow out his frustration but his burn only increased with his acts, and after 2 days, he quit it. He hated himself for even considering that option or trying it out for that matter. He practiced celibacy till then and he returned to it after those 2 days. He spoke to the kul guru and following his advice,Abhyanshgot hisJaneyuSanskar done after doing redemption for those two nights, he accepted brahmacharya after the ritual leading him to completely slip into celibacy.
With his mother's betrayal, he lost control of his emotions, he was an untamable beast, and he searched for ways to bring himself under control but nothing worked, then the miracle happened. He found his control at the feet of his Mahadev. The more he worshipped Lord Shiva, the more powerful he felt and the more in control he got...
"And after years, the lost respect for that gender returned back after you came in my life...", he said and she closed her eyes remembering how she slapped him... She didn't regret it, or maybe she did regret it a bit. Her anger was justified though but his behavior was even more justified, his anger, the betrayals, the murder attempts, everything led him to what he did...
"So, it's only 2 days ?", she asked, the word 'only' sounded like a knife on her heart, she couldn't get in line with the truth but she has no option but to accept it. He so wanted to shake his head at his wife, out of everything he told her, she only got this? but again she is a woman and a wife at the end of the day, that's the thing that would matter to her. She is at least speaking about it, he would have literally burnt them alive if he was in her place. Only he knew what he did to that Abhay Singhania for even thinking about Isha.
"Yes... I swear I don't even know their names or saw their faces", he said and the hint of fear in his voice wasn't missed by her though he tried to conceal it. He might try a lot but she knew he feared her, maybe not her but definitely the thought of her in pain.
"Rana sa... Thank you for telling me the truth... Now could you please give me some time to process everything ?", she asked, she looked so fragile, fatigue was visible on her face...
"You look very disturbed... I'll stay with you for tonight", he proposed but she shook her head... she needed space from her husband, she needed to talk to her brother, who felt her father wasn't as cruel as he was portrayed. And with her husband, she couldn't speak positively about her father.
"I am fine... I'll need some rest, that's all", she said leaving his palm which was holding hers from a long time.
"Why are you distancing yourself from me Isha ?", he asked, he couldn't contain the ache in his heart... The distance she is trying to build up between them turned into his biggest worry these days.
"I am not Rana sa...", Isha tried to say but her own words stumbled at his strong glare.
"When will you come back ?", he asked her
"My treatment is still going on...", she trailed
"You are doing fine, that's why I am here today to tell you the truth, so don't give that excuse", Abhyansh said, Isha turned her head to avoid answering him. She didn't know what to tell him... The fact that she is hiding such a huge thing from him is fearing her, but how could she tell him today itself ? For starters, if she told him she is pregnant, he wouldn't leave her or Dr. Parthasarathy for lying to him. And he would make sure she returned to Ranawat palace which she didn't want to.
She wanted to defend her father, probe into the truth but she couldn't do any of that once her husband got to know about her pregnancy but how long could she hide it, and is it fair to him? Of course not. He deserved to know about it, he is the father for godsake, he had that right, her inner heart screamed and as always she was caught between her mind and heart.
"Give me sometime, I'll have to sort a few things", she told him...
"Rani sa... I need the exact timeline, by when would you be back ?", this time his tone turned cold and she knew she couldn't ignore that tone... Her husband softened to her for sure, but there is this tone that screams 'do not mess with me now' and during that time, even she gets cautious.
"2 days...", she said and he frowned...
"Were you avenging me for those 2 days ?", he asked referring to his past nights and she shrugged her shoulders...
"We'll meet after 48 hours Rana sa", she told him...
He sighed but nodded having no option. He kissed her forehead and got up forwarding his palm to her which she held and stood up... She winced when her back ached while getting up...
"What's wrong ? periods ?", he asked with worry marring on his forehead.
"No... Just stiff back, I'll be fine", she said
"I think the bed isn't suiting you, I'll get it replaced, just a minute", he said taking out his phone out but she held his wrist.
"I am fine Ansh... Don't worry... Go home and take some rest, you need it badly", she said and he sighed deeply, he could never rest without her, she is his peace and she knew it. Isha so wanted to ask her husband to stay back but she is afraid of her lie being exposed.
It was a long day for the both of them, the past has shaken her, Isha so wanted to ask her aunt about the contradictory facts between the two versions but her aunt and her family moved back to Australia for Nandini's treatment, she mentally noted to ask her about it the first thing when she called her.
"Rana sa...", Isha called when he turned to walk away... She hugged him tightly nuzzling her face into his chest... "Just some more time, I'll be back to you", she said and he nodded nuzzling his head into her neck inhaling her scent.
"Take care of yourself, I'll come in the evening to talk", he said kissing her forehead after breaking the hug.
She understood he took her words about disclosing her stand before today too seriously.
"I need some rest for now", she declared, her mood swings were too much and she prayed for her husband who was gonna take the brunt of it for the coming months.
"Okay... Come, I'll walk you to your room", he said and she nodded but she felt the weakness in her legs, above that she is hungry... So she forwarded her hands to her husband who understood what she wanted. He took her in his arms and walked towards her room.
"You gained weight", he stated earning a glare from her.
"Yes... Is there a problem ?", she asked him sharply, he didn't expect such harshness... What is wrong with his wife these days wondered Abhyansh.
"No bacha... I am just worried...", he defended himself.
"Put me down and leave", she said upset about the fact that her husband finds her fat. If this is the case in the first few weeks, what would happen in her final weeks of pregnancy ? He would call her a Buffalo.
"I have no problem, in fact, I am happy that you gained weight, I just want you to eat healthy and gain healthy weight", he said softly calming her down...
They reached her chamber and he helped her settle on the bed and sat beside her. She looked at him wondering why wasn't he leaving. He chuckled understanding her unasked question.
"I'll go after you doze off", he said softly ruffling her hair.
"I am hungry", there she said it, because with her hunger, she couldn't fall asleep and he wouldn't leave until she dozed off.
"You didn't have your dinner ?", he asked
"I did but it was long before", she said making him frown... Her appetite seems to be expanding at a higher pace, he decided to talk to Dr. Parthasarathy about it. Earlier she used to have lite dinner yet she wouldn't get hungry till the next morning. These days he saw how she is eating more frequently and a lot more comparative to her usual portion.
"I'll make something for you", he said and she nodded listing her wishes surprising her husband, everytime he cooked for her, she offered to help or if he denied her help, she kept the menu simple, but now, it was as if her wish list did not have a full stop.
"Bacha... Is the Rajput palace's cook on leave ?", Abhyansh asked earning a glare from Isha...
"She will prepare the breakfast but there's still a lot of time for it, this is for me to eat now, if you have any problem, then leave, I'll cook myself or ask my brother", Isha said
"Okay, Isha... That's enough... Why are you getting upset about every little thing ?", Abhyansh asked trying to keep his tone soft but his irritation was clearly visible... Isha glared at him, her eyes welled up shocking him...
"Isha... I was just asking...", he trailed but she laid on the bed and covered herself with the duvet... "I'm sorry bacha...", he apologized and she hummed realizing she might have overreacted... "I'll try to cook all these but might need your help in some, will you come and sit in the kitchen with me ?", he asked softly, she threw the duvet aside and nodded... He smiled at his wife and carried her to the kitchen... He opened his mouth to say something about Isha shut him up...
"Don't even comment about my weight", she said quickly...
"I wasn't about to Jaan... What's wrong with you ? Why is my wife with hell lot of patience is acting so impulsive today ?", he asked settling her on the kitchen slab...
"Sorry Rana sa...", she genuinely apologized, it's just her mood swings were too much and she couldn't just stop herself from snapping at her husband. "I have been experiencing mood swings for a few weeks and I keep snapping at bhai, and sometimes poor Dr. Parthasarathy and both of them wouldn't mind it, so I never needed to control myself", she said hiding her smile, she knew her words would trigger her husband, when it comes to her, he competes like a child.
"When did I say I have a problem with it ? I was just trying to figure out the issue behind these mood swings... and now stop playing with me, concentrate on passing me the recipes rather than making me jealous", He said and she laughed wholeheartedly... No matter the issues between them, time spent with her husband always made her happy, delighted.
She guided him to cook, simultaneously eating all the delicacies he was making.
"Put some more chilly powder in it", she guided...
"Some more ?", he asked not sure but she nodded, it was too much of a spice even to himself considering he was the person who eats a lot of spice in his family, his wife comparatively eats less spice, but who would tell him that his child/children has his genes dominating their mother's.
It was almost early hours when the husband-wife were done with their culinary exploration. To Abhyansh's surprise, his wife had all of it that he cooked.
"Seems like your appetite has increased a lot, I'm happy... But is it okay for these sudden changes ?", he worried
"Rana sa... I talked to the doctor, everything is fine, stop worrying so much, I'm fine...", she said, feeling guilty for hiding the truth from him.
"Okay, but still, I would like to talk to Dr. Parthasarathy about it, I'll do it on my way out, have some sleep", he said kissing her forehead.
"Rana sa... Can we talk 2 days later ? I don't want to talk about it today, I need some more time to think", Isha said, she knew her husband would be very hurt seeing her supporting her father but she couldn't get in herself to believe her father could be so cruel... Whatever the truth was, and whoever did that to her sister-in-law would face heavy consequences, she determined. If it was her father who did all those as her husband believed, she would break all ties with that man and even stop her brother and herself from holding her father's death anniversary rituals.But she knew there's a misunderstanding, her father can't be cruel. Period.
"fine... Take care, I'll see you after 2 days then...", he said and walked away from there... On his way, he met Dr. Parthasarathy who convinced him that hormonal changes are common and Isha's larger appetite was due to the same, he wasn't lying though, hormonal changes are the reason behind her increased appetite but those changes were due to her pregnancy which Dr. Parthasarathy conveniently avoided as per his promise to Isha, but he prayed to God every second to save him from the BEAST's wrath once he got to know about it.
Isha slept for a few hours before waking up, she got freshened up and both the Rajput siblings settled in Isha's room to discuss the things. Neither of them believed that their father could do such things, but they also recognized that what happened to Advaita was absolutely cruel and whoever was responsible needed to be punished severely. They wanted to search for the truth but didn't understand how.
"Ishu... How are you bacha ?", Ranveer asked after they concluded their discussion on how to start digging the truth.
Ranveer knew all these discussions might have an adverse affect on his sister more than anyone. Finally after about 2 and a half years of her marriage, she got the answers for her husband's brutality during the initial days of her marriage.He wanted to know how is she feeling about all this.
"If what Rana sa said was the truth, then I was the reason behind what happened to Advaita bhai...", Isha said, Ranveer frowned at his sister's statement...
"Ishu... No, bhabhosa is not like that... and even thinking about what happened to that little girl in front of Ranawat's eyes boils my blood. But in no way, you were the reason for it bacha", Ranveer said
"There was more to it bhai... Advaita didn't die from the car hit, she was tortured, several deep cuts were made on her palms, her wrists were burnt, her ring finger was cut...", Isha's voice cracked at the end and tears flew from her eyes... "I would never forgive baba if he was the reason behind all this, but my heart believes him, he couldn't be so cruel, right ?", Isha asked her brother with hope and Ranveer nodded at her. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The little girl was tortured so much ? Who could be so heartless? Suddenly his father's face appeared in front of his eyes, but Kailash came into power and drowned himself in all his dirty acts after his bhabhosa and bhabho's death, so Ranveer didn't have enough evidence to point his fingers on his father but he couldn't completely side him from the suspects list as well.
"Till now, this burnt mark used to remind me of Rana sa's hatred but now, it tortures me with the ache for the little girl who faced so much... My heart is burning for Advaita bhai... I feel like killing all of those who did this to her brutally, I feel like destroying them and give them the same pain of seeing their loved ones suffering, I want to suffer them until the fire inside me calms down, if this is what I feel, then what might be Rana sa feeling seeing his sister's vulnerability ?", Isha questioned
"Are you defending what Ranawat has done to you Ishu ?", Ranveer asked with disbelief in his tone...
"No, absolutely not, Why would I do that ? I still haven't forgiven him for it bhai, but I was just trying to think from his point of view, trying to understand his pain so that the fire inside me calms down, I was extremely angry with what happened to Advaita, at the same time, I couldn't forget the injustice that happened to me in the name of avenging her pain, I couldn't get within myself to forgive Rana sa... I gave this marriage a chance at that time when Rana sa didn't give me a single reason to do so, today I hate my past version, I hate my weak self, if something like that happened to me today, I would walk out of this marriage without a second thought, will also teach him a lesson for doing so, but today he is a different man, and the irony is he is the man who made me this strong, strong enough to fight for myself, fight against the wrong, fight against him too... I'm in a dilemma... I couldn't come to terms with all these things, a lot is running in my head bhai, and I don't know what to concentrate on, it's a mess, I'm a mess right now", Isha said breaking down...
Ranveer calmed his sister down and suggested she talk to Dr. Parthasarathy about her past decisions and everything that is hurting her but she hesitated. He gave her some time to think and then act over it. After feeding lunch to her, Ranveer walked away asking her to take some rest.
Then came the call that Ranveer was dreading to attend, his brother-in-law's... He attended sending prayers to god to save him but today, his prayers were unanswered. Abhyansh asked Ranveer to meet him in his office and hung up. Isha was informed of her brother's visit to R Empire's headquarters, so she also decided to visit her workplace as she had a few things to discuss with the all-India design head Akshay. Ranveer instantly agreed as his sister is his armor, especially with his brother-in-law in his beast mode.
Ranveer thought of not involving her considering her stress levels at this point, but he kept her as the last resolve to save his life.
Ranveer walked his sister till her cubicle, holding her bag. All the women stared at him in awe, he was like the walking green flag and Ragini couldn't help the jealousy.
"Done with showing off your gentleman traits ?", Ragini questioned glaring at him...
"What ? I don't have any such ideas, it was your best friend who asked me to carry her bag, Ishu tell her", Ranveer asked looking at Isha, begging her with his eyes but looks like his sister became merciless in her husband's company.
"Me ? When bhai ? In fact I remember asking you to directly leave to Rana sa's floor but it was you who insisted on accompanying me", Isha said, Ranveer's eyes widened at the blew his sister delivered.
"Ishu, I'm your brother", Ranveer said unable to take Ragini's sharpened gaze.
"I know bhai, and I love you for it, but sorry, I can't lie for you, now let me get back to work", Isha told her brother and turned to Ragini who was still fuming at her fiance... "Ragini, would you be available after an hour ? I need your approvals on a few things", Isha asked and Ragini nodded without diverting her attention from Ranveer who was glaring Isha instead. Isha ignored her brother and walked to Akshay's cabin to discuss the ad campaign he proposed for their upcoming collection.
"So, Mr. Rajput... Do you have a minute ?", Ragini asked, Ranveer nodded, and both of them walked to Ragini's cabin.
"Baby... before you could start, I'll apologize, Isha isn't feeling well, so I had to walk her till here... I have no intention to attract any female attention, I just need yours", Ranveer blabbered making Ragini smile...
"I wanted to talk to you because it's been 4 days we have talked to each other properly...", Ragini said holding his palm...
"I'm sorry...", Ranveer apologized but Ragini shook her head...
"I'm not complaining, I'm just worried, Is everything alright ? Are you okay ?", Ragini asked him and Ranveer nodded at her with love in his eyes for her, she was exactly the companion he wanted in his life.
"Things are rough but they took a turn towards improvement... I wish I could tell you everything", Ranveer said
"I understand, don't worry, I won't ask you anything, just know I'm here... Now go, I think you are here to meet Maharaj", Ragini said and she noticed how Ranveer's eyes displayed fear. "now what did you do ?", Ragini asked and Ranveer glared at her.
"What do you mean by 'what did you do ?' Ranawat doesn't need a reason to torture me... Anyways, I'm leaving, do not move on if I die today, I'll haunt you if you do", Ranveer said making Ragini laugh...
"Ah! Look at the gentleman people think you are...", Ragini taunted him, he ignored her and walked away making her laugh at his antics... She would have hugged him tightly if the glass was opaque and people couldn't see what's going on inside but unfortunately, that wasn't the case.She missed him that much.
------------------------------------------
Ranveer entered the lion's den i.e his brother' in-law's floor. For once he wished his brother-in-law's men stopped him from entering the cabin, told him to return back as he has no authority to enter the cabin, that's the kind of insult he wished at the moment, but all his hopes turned into ashes when John, his brother-in-law's secretary greeted him wth a polite smile opening the door to Abhyansh's cabin himself, Ranveer felt as if yamraj's dhoot opening the door to his personal hell.
"Rajput...", Abhyansh called and Ranveer cursed himself for deciding to come there but he knew he didn't have a choice.
"Ranawat...", Ranveer greeted his brother-in-law and took the seat in front of him. Abhyansh was on an official call.
"Okay Khan, Do whatever you think is right, but remember, this is the last chance, if the president won't agree to our demands, I'll fly there", Abhyansh concluded his statement and hung up.
"I thought the issue was settled long ago Ranawat", Ranveer tried to strike a casual conversation though he knew his attempts were futile.
"Why did you do it Rajput ?", Abhyansh came directly to the point, ignoring his brother-in-law's words...
"I can't tell you now, but as a brother, I couldn't control my anger at that time Ranawat, My sister deserved to know, and she deserved to know from you, not from me", Ranveer said
"Then why the hell did you disclose it to her you a**", Abhyansh yelled banging the table... "I could tolerate your every nonsense Rajput, only for my wife but her tears are one thing I couldn't tolerate, you knew it, don't you ?", Abhyansh asked and Ranveer nodded, he knew his sister's distress is something that's intolerable to his brother-in-law, it's the same for him too but still that day, he couldn't control his fury.
"I was very upset Ranawat, I was furious...", Ranveer tried to defend himself...
"Fury ? Are you more furious than me ? There was a time when I was a ticking bomb Rajput and today, I always keep my anger in check when my wife is near me... If I could do it, I expect everyone to do it, otherwise it wouldn't take me a minute to turn into my past self", Abhyansh said, and Ranveer could hear the warning in his brother-in-law's tone...
"Ranawat... If I had to choose between my sister's right and her happiness, I choose her right", Ranveer argued...
"I would choose the opposite Rajput, you being alive should prove it", he said, clearly hinting that he felt the right thing to do was to kill him but left him alive just for his wife. "Want me to choose the right for once ?", Abhyansh asked pulling the revolver from his side...
"You can't do that, I brought my armor with me", Ranveer said
"Rani sa is here ?", Abhyansh asked immediately siding the revolver and started working on his system, well at least that's what Ranveer thought.
"Yes, I brought your Rani sa with me, I don't trust you with my life", Ranveer said,and just like that, their serious conversation took a turn as Abhyansh's mood took a 360-degree turn with the anticipation to see his wife.
"Very mature of you Rajput", Abhyansh said furiously coding on his keyboard, Ranveer frowned at his brother-in-law's sudden concentration on his system.
Suddenly, John barged with the CISO(Chief Information security officer).
"Your Highness, we are very sorry to disturb you but this is highly important", John said and Abhyansh sighed knowing what it is, but he had to act ignorant, so he signed John to continue.
"Sir, he has attempted to hack into our systems and access our security cameras again... Should we go ahead ?", John asked
"It was the same person Maharaj, last attack was on last Thursday... He is the same, I could confirm through the digital fingerprints... I'm very sure... Orders please Your Royal Highness", the CISO said
"That's okay, forward me the access and ask your team to back out, I'll handle it", Abhyansh said calmly, giving a look to Ranveer.
John though surprised by Abhyansh's decision didn't question him, they bowed and left from there...
"You are hacking your own company's security cameras Ranawat ?", Ranveer asked as soon as John and the CISO left from there... Abhyansh didn't answer but kept coding... "Why ?", Ranveer asked but then the CISO's words stuck him, last thursday ? It was the same day Isha came to office the last time... "My God! you are stalking your own wife Ranawat ?", Ranveer stated, it wasn't a question. "Well, your security team proved to be stronger than your intellectual, they caught you", Ranveer added, Abhyansh saw his brother-in-law was enjoying this too much...
"Not yet...", Abhyansh said throwing his laptop towards his brother-in-law... "Play the hacker, I'll take care of the rest from the company's end", he added shocking Ranveer.
"Ranawat... you can't do this to me... this is a tedious job... I can't and I don't want to", Ranveer whined...
"I wouldn't take me a minute to prove you as the hacker, and it would be a perfect revenge for the pain you caused my wife, No ?", Abhyansh asked, still working on his system with unwavering concentration.
Ranveer cursed his brother-in-law but nonetheless picked up the laptop and started his work. Both of them are experienced hackers but none know about their this hidden skill. Abhyansh knew about Ranveer but Ranveer didn't, that is until now.
After an hour of constantly working, they ended this cat-mouse chase. The CISO and the team were happy, they decided to build a more robust system and strengthen their internal security. The team even apologized to Abhyansh and left his cabin. All this time, Ranveer was gaping at Abhyansh for his master game.
"Haw... You are such a beast Ranawat", Ranveer commented which Abhyansh royally ignored. He never said he was a gentleman or a good person. He is a beast, he is cruel and he made sure everyone is aware of this fact. "By the way, Now that you ended this cat-mouse chase, how would you hack your security cameras and look at your wife ?", Ranveer challenged.
Abhyansh after 2 minutes, turns his monitor for his brother-in-law to see Isha having a discussion with Ragini and the visual shocked Ranveer.
"How the hell did you do it ?", Ranveer asked, well, he wanted to learn the skill too, hacking is something he learned because it became a necessity to protect his company, but after a point of time, it became his passion, it interested Ranveer so much and at his free time you could find him doing ethical hacking and sometimes unethical too.
Abhyansh showed it to him and the next few hours went in brothers-in-law sharing the knowledge with each other while having fun with their common passion. Abhyansh simultaneously kept an eye on his wife. Well he wasn't a fool to waste hours of time in showing his tricks to Ranveer, he had his motives behind his move, if he ever got caught by his wife for hacking the security cameras to look at her, he would say he did it keeping his brother-in-law beside him, or, with his help. It might not reduce her anger on him but it would definitely be shared between him and his brother-in-law. The other positive side of it is, it would be helpful for their businesses as well, since he started involving Ranveer in R Empire's internal decisions. All the stakeholders, shareholders, their competitors in every industry, and the international business and political community understood Ranveer's importance and role in R Empire. So, Ranveer's skill upgradation would only help their empire grow.
From the day, he accepted his wife and started loving her, he accepted his brother-in-law as his family, and from that very second or even before that, Abhyansh started seeing Ranveer's organization and R Empire as one, instead of two different entities. He backed away from every project his brother-in-law's firm was a part of, this sent a clear message to people that they weren't competitors but were one family. Ranveer only knew of a few things but most of them were unaware to him, Abhyansh wanted to keep it that way. He knew Ranveer was a very prideful man and he wouldn't accept any of it if he knew. But, Abhyansh didn't think of it as a favor, he did it because he felt they both were one. He knew he wouldn't be able to communicate his thoughts to his brother-in-law and as a result, Ranveer might feel it as a favor, so Abhyansh decided to be in the shadows. He made sure his support stayed hidden.
"Rajput, let's have a sword fight", Abhyansh suddenly declared. Ranveer got the vengeance under his tone... But, Ranveer found this as an opportunity to take out his anger as well. Ranveer was a soft person only for his sister and now Ragini. He might not be downright rude, arrogant or aloof or a BEAST and heartless like his brother-in-law but he was ruthless too and his enemies knew this very well.And now, Abhyansh was in a similar spot for hurting his sister and Ranveer wanted to take off his anger.
Abhyansh asked Bhairav to drop Isha in Rajput palace and Ranveer-Abhyansh went to the back palace of Ranawats. And without any delay, the two men started fighting like beasts. They needed to blow off their steam. Ranveer took out all his frustrations, the truth revelation has provided, his outstanding anger on his brother-in-law for everything he did to his sister while Abhyansh's fury was solely driven by his wife's tears caused by his brother-in-law's stupidity. Abhyansh knew the truth about his one-night stands when comes out would cause hurt and pain to his wife but he had a better way to put the things in front of her, that would have minimized the damage but his brother-in-law had to butt in.
After an hour of fierce battle, they took some time off, and both the men took off their shirts that were sticking to their bodies proudly displaying their 'Janeyu'. One more common trait between the two men apart from their maddening affection for Isha and their passion for hacking was their love for their 'Sanatan Dharma' but never failing to respect other religions. And their evident followers believe that's what made them what they are today.
The men began their fight after a proper reasonable break and regaining their strengths. Ranveer got a few cuts on his chest while Abhyansh was unscathed but then the unthinkable happened, amidst the fierce fight, Ranveer's sword made it's first attack on Abhyansh's back and for the first time ever, Ranveer found Abhyansh slightly wince, and he was answered by the reason the very next minute. Ranveer's sword dropped on the floor seeing the huge burnt mark on his brother-in-law's back. It looked fresh because the bubble that formed around his burnt wound was just now slashed by his sword leading to the puss slipping out of it. Ranveer's eyes reddened in ache and worry for his brother-in-law, he couldn't imagine the physical pain Abhyansh must be going through now. The wound and now the cut by the sword on it looked terrible.
"Ranawat...", Ranveer whispered with concern...
"I'm absolutely fine Rajput... pick up your sword", Abhyansh said coldly...
"I'm calling the doctor, you need a proper first aid, it could get infectious...", Ranveer said picking up the landline.
"Rajput...", Abhyansh started
"For Isha", Ranveer declared making Abhyansh silent. The doctor arrived and gave the necessary treatment to his wound, he preferred Abhyansh take a painkiller, knowing the pain must be unbearable but he, as always refused.
The doctor left but Abhyansh and Ranveer sat there in the centre of the back palace on the floor. For some time, no one spoke a word, it wasn't difficult for Ranveer to guess why his brother-in-law caused so much pain to himself but he wanted to hear in his words. He knew Abhyansh was stubborn and wouldn't share his pain or worry with anyone except for his wife, but if the worry was about her, he obviously wouldn't share it with her, and Ranveer wanted to be a support to his strong brother-in-law. Their relationship was very strange, he was upset about the things Abhyansh did to his sister, but he also wanted to give him a shoulder to lean on in his distress. He wanted to be a friend to his brother-in-law who shared his worries and, at the same time his opponent who opposed him whenever he was wrong and he knew Abhyansh wouldn't allow anyone else to come this close to him except him so Ranveer wanted to try.
"Why Ranawat ?", Ranveer asked, Abhyansh remained silent... "You can't always stay silent Ranawat, you need to answer me, why ?", Ranveer questioned...
"Tone down Rajput or else I'll slit that throat of yours", Abhyansh warned coldly
"Why Ranawat ?", Ranveer asked again, this time softly but there was the determination to get the answer to his question by hook or crook.
"I was once again met with the reality of the disaster I caused my wife and this time she wasn't here to handle my fury on myself", Abhyansh answered. Though Ranveer didn't understand what triggered his fury, he didn't dare to question as he knew that was the border his brother-in-law drew and no one could cross it except for Isha.
"This was too brutal of you Ranawat... You...You can't hurt yourself like this...", Ranveer fumbled, the wound was too much, and even the sight of it was undigestable to Ranveer. He didn't understand how was he able to handle the pain, but Ranveer didn't know, not physical pain but the mental agony of hurting his wife was unbearable for him.
"What was brutal is the burnt mark I gave my wife Rajput... This pain is nothing in front of her ache, the man who was supposed to protect her from every pain in her life gave her pain enough for life, she might have gone through hell... My wife had gone through hell and I was the one who gave her that", Abhyansh's tone cracked at the end and this was the first time Ranveer was witnessing a weaker Ranawat.
"Why do you love her so much ?", Ranveer asked his brother-in-law suddenly...
"I showed her my worst version, but still she chose to stay although I gave her no reason to...", Abhyansh answered, his eyes filling up for the first time in almost 2 decades with his every wrong he had done to his wife running in his head like a reel, the pain was unbearable. If he had known even the thought of her pain would have caused him so much distress and agony, he wouldn't have behaved like a beast to her, because for the first time, he was scared of pain, his own pain which was killing him from within but still he couldn't break, if he cracked, the walls of his family would collapse, and his wife had to shoulder them, and he wouldn't let it happen.
Ranveer always thought his sister has sacrificed her self-respect by choosing to stay with her husband who abused her, but for the first time he felt she just gave herself and her man a chance towards a beautiful future, and at that time, Ranveer realized, this man in front of him deserved that chance. He was still against what had taken place in the past, he will always be against it but today, he saw the whole issue in a new light, till now he only imagined his sister's pain, her distress, though he saw his brother-in-law's regret, he ignored it in front of his sister's suffering but today, he witnessed her sufferer, suffering much worse pain than hers. Every breath he was taking was killing him with regret but he was fighting it to live with her, for her, to give her the happiness she deserved.
"True, you didn't give her any reason to stay, but it's good that she stayed... She got to witness your mad love and now when she gets to know about this...", Ranveer said showing his brother-in-law's burnt wound, "You would witness her mad rage...", Ranveer said in his humorous tone but Abhyansh didn't find it funny, sense of dread filled in his heart, his wife hated when he hurt himself. It's not self-harm but a way to contain his inner beast but he forgot even his inner beast who could scare anyone in the world is scared of his wife.
"If you utter a word about it to your sister, I'll...", Abhyansh said but Ranveer cut him off...
"I won't but she would know because this scar wouldn't disappear for life Ranawat", Ranveer said, Abhyansh lifted his sword to attack Ranveer, who quickly picked up his sword to defend himself... "I could have died Ranawat", Ranveer said still in shock for the sudden attack.
"Next time, dare you cut me off in the middle", Abhyansh warned Ranveer...
"Sorry, Ranawat... I didn't know you are still the same, I saw Ishu doing it many times, and getting away with it. So, I thought as her brother, I could get away with it for once", Ranveer said sweetly and Abhyansh gave him a disgusting look.
"Don't flirt with me, it disgusts me...", Abhyansh yelled and his expression drew a big laughter from Ranveer pissing Abhyansh and he again made a surprise attack and which led to a fierce fight between the two alpha men.
After an hour, they got back to the main palace, Ranveer freshened up, changed into a fresh pair of clothes, and left for Rajput palace.
It was midnight when he reached and he expected his sister to be asleep but she was pacing to and fro in the hall.
"Ishu... what are you doing here at this time ? I asked you not to wait for me, didn't I ?", Ranveer asked
"I couldn't sleep bhai... I am not at peace, I need to discuss something with you", Isha said restlessly.
"Okay...", Ranveer said and took her to the nearby couch... "What is it ?", he asked her.
"I want to disclose about my pregnancy to Rana sa, he should be the first one to know but my thirst for truth snatched that right from him... I can't delay anymore, he wouldn't forgive me ever bhai... and I can't take his anger... his hurt...", she said and Ranveer calmed his sister...
"Ishu... I'm with you in whatever decision you take, and don't blame yourself, it's not you, it's the situations that forced you to do whatever you did... If you haven't kept the pregnancy news from him, Ranawat would have never told you the truth, and the mental distress would have been worse in your pregnancy period, you just saved yourself and your child, in fact, your husband too from that horrible phase, so don't feel guilty bacha...", Ranveer consoled... "And remember the consequences Ishu, you know how overprotective Ranwat is of you... and this pregnancy would only worsen that... So think thoroughly before deciding on anything, I still think it's better to try to find out the truth before...", Ranveer trailed but Isha shook her head... He saw a glimpse of Abhyansh's love and madness for Isha, so Ranveer knew the future course, Abhyansh would never let Isha ponder on the past and that would eventually affect all of them, Ranveer just wanted to prevent that.
"We don't know how long it will take to find the truth, I don't want to snatch Rana sa's rights. All these things are uncertain in my life, what's certain is he, and my life with him... I don't want to commit any more mistakes, I don't want to ponder over my past deeds, on why I gave him a chance when he didn't give me a reason to or what would have I done if he had treated me like that today, the truth is I'm glad I gave this marriage a chance and I know for a fact that Rana sa would never treat me like the way he had in the past, the phase is gone and would never come back, I wanted to leave it behind now, I know it would take time to forget and forgive but I know eventually I'll get over it and I hope I could forgive as well", Isha said and Ranveer nodded ruffling her hair.
Isha wanted to call Abhyansh right away but Ranveer suggested her to give him the news the next day. Isha nods and decided to surprise him.
She reached Ranawat Palace decked up in his favorite saree the next morning. Her husband preferred ivory on her a lot.
(Without the veil over her head, imagine Isha is just wearing the saree and jewelry not the veil)
She walked towards her chamber and to their room to surprise him.
"So, 2 days meant a day in Rani sa's dictionary", she heard him...
He was still in his puja clothes, so she came at the right moment, thought she.
"I wanted to give you a surprise, but you as always ruined it... give a break to your inquisitive brain...", she complained...
"My Rani sa enters the palace and if you expect me not to know about it ?", he said walking towards her... It was a pleasant surprise to him when he heard about her arrival from his security staff, he was very happy to have his wife back but what if his brother-in-law convinced her to go back ? after witnessing his situation the previous day ? Even the thought was enough to snatch his peace. He wanted his wife to be there by her own will not because of her brother's force.
He kept staring at her, everytime he looks at her in an ivory saree, he lost control, she looked beautiful in everything but in ivory she looked divine and the happiness and the glee on her face didn't escape from his eye...
"You look happy", he stated
"I'm happy, very happy", she said with a wide smile, he joined his forehead with hers, he didn't know the reason for her happiness but he thanked his Mahadev for it, looking at her happy kept his heart at peace.
"You said you would be back after 2 days ?", he asked again making him frown...
"Aren't you happy that I returned ?", she asked him sharply, gone was the smile, and he cursed himself for it...
"Of course, I'm very happy, it's just that... Did your brother convince you to come here ?", he asked and she frowned...
"Why would he ? in fact he wanted me to stay there longer... it was me who rushed here, I think I should have listened to my brother", she said and he held her wrist muttering a sorry... "Okay, since I am very happy, I am forgiving you... now come with me... let's go and take Mahadev's blessings... and I have something to tell you there", Isha said dragging Abhyansh to the temple...
Both of them offered their prayers to Lord Shiva... and then sat at their favorite place leaning their backs on the pillar...
"Now will you tell me what's the news that made you so happy ?", he asked
"For the first time, I have designed a new category, two new dresses, I want to show them to you", she said with pure happiness and excitement in her eyes...
"Okay... let's go and see them", he said, he expected she left them in their chamber, so he was about to get up but she held his wrist.
"Here...", she said pulling out the end of her pallu which was knotted in a bunch, she removed the knot and took out two clothes, Abhyansh frowned but soon his eyes widened realizing what they were... One was a cute little ivory frock and another was a small dark blue shirt. "Did you like them ?", she asked turning her attention from the cute dresses to her husband. Her heart raced at a high rate anticipating his reaction, but what she saw was beyond her imagination, his reaction was priceless.
"You are pregnant ?", he questioned... he couldn't believe it... He understood the meaning behind her words, he realized it, but he couldn't believe it, did he actually deserve so much happiness?His wife is pregnant, he is gonna be a father, his Isha is gonna be a mother... His child his blood....
She nodded her head, she expected him to smile widely considering his rare smile but what he did amazed her, he hugged her tightly hiding his face in her neck and she could feel the wetness on her neck... Her eyes widened realizing they were her husband's tears. She never saw them... His eyes welled up, but not even a tear escaped his eye ever, but that changed now.
"Rana sa...", she said breaking the hug and cupping his face... she wiped his left eye from where a tear left... "at least now cry properly... Just one tear ? What if they are twins ? You can't be partial towards one child", she teased to lighten the mood though there is some reality in her words since the doctor did talk about multiple pregnancy. But he thought she was just kidding and he chuckled.
He doesn't have to express his happiness in words, she could see it in his eyes and the lone tear that escaped his eye spoke volumes.