CHAPTER 25
After ten days,
In the bathroom,
Prisha anxiously waited for the fifth pregnancy test result. When the green line appeared once again, she gasped, covering her mouth in shock. All the tests showed the same result: positive. She was pregnant. Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach, where a new life was growing. Tears streamed down her cheeks as the reality sank in—she was going to be a mother.
But then Shaurya’s reaction clouded her joy. How would he take the news? Would he accept the baby or want to abort it? Her mind was in turmoil, and she couldn’t think clearly. She knew one thing for sure: she could never kill her baby. Needing some time to process everything, she packed a bag and went to her mother’s house, informing her in-laws of her departure.
As she entered her mother's home, she was surprised to see her sister Tina after so many months. She walked toward her and greeted, “Hi di (elder sister), how are you?”
Tina looked up and scanned her from head to toe. Prisha was wearing a beautiful green saree, her hairline filled with vermillion, and adorned with a nuptial chain and the locket Shaurya had given her. She wore diamond bangles and earrings. Tina’s jealousy flared; Prisha was living the life she had dreamed of. Their mother had told her about Shaurya took Prisha to Switzerland for a holiday, and how he treated her like a princess.
“Don’t act innocent. Here I am, working day and night to survive, while you enjoy all the luxuries without lifting a finger,” Tina spat with venom.
“Di, I—” Prisha tried to explain, but Tina cut her off. “I told you not to act innocent. I wish I knew how to act innocent and seduce a man. Shaurya was never like this before. But now, he’s madly in love with you. What magic did you use on him?”
“Tina, I told you if you want to stay in this house, then stay away from Prisha,” their mother warned, while walking toward them. Tina glared at Prisha before storming off to her room.
Then she turned to Prisha, concern etched on her face, Prisha’s mother asked, “Prisha, what are you doing here? Where is Shaurya?” She was worried seeing Prisha alone, as Shaurya always accompanied her during visits.
“Mom, I missed you. So, I came,” Prisha said, holding back tears. Her mother nodded, sensing something was wrong. She cupped Prisha’s face and said, “You go and rest. I’ll prepare your favorite food for dinner.” Prisha nodded and went to her room.
Meanwhile, Shaurya was in his office when his phone rang. He answered, “Hello, Mom.”
“Shaurya, is everything fine between you and Prisha? She suddenly came home and seemed upset,” his mother-in-law said worriedly.
Shaurya was puzzled. They hadn’t fought or argued. What could have upset her? He reassured his mother-in-law, “Mom, don’t worry. I’m coming over. I’ll talk to her.” He then left for her house.
Upon arriving, he parked the car and walked inside. He greeted his mother-in-law and was about to speak when Tina appeared, he frowned seeing her after so many months.
“She lost her job,” his mother-in-law informed him. Shaurya nodded. He didn’t want her near Prisha or himself, but she is daughter of this house, this is her house too.
While his mother-in-law went to get him some tea, Tina approached him and asked, “I’ve been thinking, what does Prisha have that made you so crazy about her? You were never like this before. How did she seduce you?”
Shaurya’s jaw clenched. He took a deep breath to control his anger and replied, “Ms. Tina, my wife is not like you. Her innocent and loving nature is enough to make me crazy about her. Now, please excuse me.” He walked toward Prisha’s room, leaving Tina fuming.
Shaurya gently knocked on the door and entered dark room. He turned on the light and saw Prisha was sitting on the bed, looking lost in thought. He sat beside her and took her hand. “My love, what’s wrong? Why are you upset?”
She didn’t say anything, just hugged him tightly and burst into tears. Shaurya panicked, he asked, rubbing her back,”My love, please tell me what happened?”
She broke the hug, and struggled to find the words. Finally, she whispered, “Shaurya, I.....I."
Shaurya was anxiously waiting for her to speak, he said holding her hand,”Prisha, please tell me. There is nothing which we can’t handle. Just tell me.”
Prisha lowered her gaze and said looking at her hand,”Shaurya, I am pregnant. I don’t know how this happened. But please don’t ask me to choose between you and the baby. I can’t live without you but I can’t kill my baby.” She said in one go, waiting for his response. With courage, she raised her head and was shocked to see Shaurya was smiling.
She asked with confusion,”Shaurya, why are you smiling? Are you fine with this baby news?” He didn’t say anything, just pulled her in his lap and said,”Wifey, do you remember last night we spent in Switzerland?”
Prisha nodded, and Shaurya continued, "That night, I forgot to use a condom. I don't know how it happened; I was always so careful. The next day, I was going to tell you to take an emergency pill. But somehow, I couldn't bring myself to do it. I wanted a baby with you, Prisha. That's why I didn't say anything. I left everything on God, it's his decision whether he wanted to bless us with baby or not. And see, he has blessed us."
After the incident with Mrs. Roy, Shaurya had realized how much Prisha wanted to become a mother but held herself back for his sake. That day, he understood that he had to confront his fears. He needed to trust in their love and believe that he could be a good father.
Prisha was shocked by his revelation. She asked for confirmation, "You’re ready for a baby?"
Shaurya nodded and said, "Yes, I am ready for a baby. Maybe sometimes I will get scared, but I know you will be there for me. Isn't it?"
Prisha nodded and said, interwinding their fingers, "Yes, I will always be there for you."
"I decided all this without discussing it with you. Are you upset about this?" he asked while caressing her cheek.
She shook her head and said, "No, I am so happy today. Nothing can make me sad."
Shaurya cupped her face and started kissing her passionately, his hands roaming all over her body. After breaking the kiss, he joined their foreheads together and said, "Thank you for fighting your fears. I promise I will always be there for you, and you have given me my life’s biggest blessing."
"Let's go, we will inform everyone," Shaurya said. Prisha nodded, and they walked downstairs hand in hand. Seeing them coming together, Prisha’s mom felt a wave of happiness and thanked God, while Tina rolled her eyes.
They walked toward Prisha’s mom, and she hugged them both, saying, "Thank God, you two sorted everything out."
"Mom, you have to Thank God for one more thing." Prisha's mother looked at him with confusion, Shaurya smiled and informed her,"Mom, please bring sweets. You are going to be a grandma," Shaurya announced.
Prisha’s mom was initially shocked, but then she got excited and hugged Prisha, who was still holding Shaurya’s hand. "My daughter is going to be a mom. I am going to become a grandma. I am so happy."
"No!" Tina shouted, stunned by the news of Prisha’s pregnancy. She knew about Shaurya’s fear and his decision never to have a baby.
She walked toward them angrily. "Shaurya, you are a double-faced person. You used to tell me you never wanted a baby after marriage. You had fears, and now look at you, so excited to tell everyone you are going to be a father."
Shaurya took a deep breath and said, "Tina, people change when the right person enters their life. Why don't you go and try to find the right person for you instead of poking your nose into our lives?"
"Shaurya, you—" she began, but he interrupted her with a warning tone, "My wife is pregnant. I don’t want her to take stress from anything, so please don’t shout. And keep your distance from my wife. Otherwise, the consequences will be bad."
"You will pay for this," she warned him before storming off to her room.
Prisha felt worried hearing Tina’s threatening tone. Shaurya gently consoled her, "Hey, don’t worry. I am here, and she can do nothing."
He placed his hand on her belly and said, "Don't stress about anything. Just focus on our baby."
Prisha nodded, feeling reassured, and then they walked toward the dining table for dinner. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and love as they shared their happiness with Prisha's mom, who couldn’t stop smiling and planning for the future grandchild.
Rawat Mansion
Shaurya and Prisha entered the house, and Shaurya's parents looked at them with concern. His mother asked worriedly, “Prisha, what happened? Is everything fine between you both?” They were worried about Prisha as she went to her mother's home without any plan and didn't inform Shaurya.
Shaurya hugged Prisha from the shoulder and said, “Mom, don’t worry. And there is good news. You are going to be a grandma. We are going to become parents.”
Prisha was startled when her mother-in-law hugged her tightly and exclaimed, “Wow! I am going to become a grandma. I am so happy. Jasmine, please bring sweets.”
"Mom, you will hurt my baby. Please." His mother murmured sorry and patted her cheeks.
His father patted Prisha on the back and hugged her. They fed her sweets and showered her with blessings. Shaurya cleared his throat and said, “It’s not only Prisha who is going to be a mom. I am also going to be a father. Don’t you congratulate me?” Everyone was surprised to hear Shaurya’s teasing tone.
“Shaurya,” his father murmured.
Shaurya stepped forward and said, “Dad, don’t you congratulate me?”
“Have you forgiven me?” he asked in a shocked voice.
Shaurya nodded and said, “Yes, I want to give my baby a perfect and happy family, and this can’t happen until I forget my past. I don’t want my baby to ask why I don’t talk to my father.”
“And thank you for standing up for my wife,” he added. Everyone frowned, and then Shaurya explained the Mrs. Roy incident. Shaurya’s father chuckled and pulled Prisha into a hug. “She is my daughter. Of course, she is above everything.” A big smile appeared on her face upon hearing this. Then his father hugged Shaurya and said, “Congratulations, my son. And I am sure you will become the best father in the world. All the best.”
“It’s their wedding anniversary in two weeks. Let’s announce the arrival of our grandchild then,” Shaurya’s mother suggested. Everyone agreed with her.
Shaurya and Prisha's Room
“So, you wanted this baby because of the Mrs. Roy incident?” Prisha asked while sitting on the bed. She thought Shaurya was upset because people were taunting her.
Shaurya shook his head and sat beside her,"No, but I realized how much you want to become a mother and still held yourselfback because of my happiness. If you can do this for my happiness, I can also fight my inner fears.”
Prisha rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for giving me this happiness.” She held his hand and placed it on her stomach. “How are you feeling about the baby? Are you scared?”
He nodded and said, “Yes, I am scared, but I am excited too. We will have a baby, our love symbol. I am scared because I have never held a baby, but I am ready to learn and try to be the best father.” Before he could finish, Prisha pressed her lips to his and started kissing him passionately. Shaurya moved his hand to her back and started unzipping her blouse but stopped and said, breaking the kiss, “We can’t do this.”
“Why?” Prisha asked, still panting.
“We should ask the doctor whether it’s safe or not.” Understanding his point, Prisha nodded, and they both lay down and slept in each other's arms.