Chapter 4

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Chapter 4

Anokhi’s breath hitched realising the intensity of Shaurya’s gaze. There were so many things that were going on in her head. First and foremost was what was her thinking at that very moment when the doctor announced about the twins. ‘Twins’, she thought. She had never in life thought that she will conceive twins. She broke their eye contact to see two hearts throbbing on the monitor.

“What a lovely sight.” Kanchan gushed and cooed looking at the monitor. Shaurya too couldn’t fandom the idea of being the father of two kids at the same time. It was a huge responsibility after all.

“Baby Bro, look what she has given us. We wanted one but now we are blessed with two bundles of joy.” She walked to Shaurya and hugged him.

Anokhi laid still on the medical bed and looked at the brother and sister exchange. Shaurya not for once broke eye contact with her which made her even more nervous. She couldn’t understand or guess what was going on in his crocked mind. He cannot be concerned because neither of these is what he wanted and to top it all he especially didn’t want it from Anokhi. But for some reason, he couldn’t take his eyes off Anokhi. Finally, she tore her eyes and looked at the picture on the monitor. This was the last thing she had imagined. ‘Twins, he mata rani meye kaise manage karungi? (Oh god, how will I manage?)’ she thought. She was not scared of the fact that she is bearing twins. She was scared of the father. She was scared of how she will manage her Masters as well as those two tiny blips growing inside her. She knew that Shaurya was not a person who will cooperate with her at all. ‘Ek nahi, do nahi teen teen Sabharwals ko manage karna padega. (Not one but three Sabharwals she has to manage.’ She thought worrying her lips.

Kanchan dabbed her eyes while breaking the hug and went to Anokhi to hold her hand. “You have no idea how much happy you have made me Anokhi Ji.” Anokhi could see how Kanchan’s eyes welled up.

“Di, please stop crying now,” Shaurya said looking at his sister worried. Something shifted inside Anokhi’s heart witnessing Shaurya’s affection towards his sister. ‘Hormones’, she deadpan.

“Yeh to Khushi ke ansoon hai baby bro.” (these are tears of happiness)

“Woman, I tell you. Har Koi baat pe bas tap…tap…tap rona dhona chalu.” (they starts crying over everything).

“You won't understand now. But after some months you will know what I am saying.”

The doctor came back who went out a few minutes back. “Shaurya Ji, can I have a moment with Anokhi if you don’t mind.”

“Sure doctor, waise bhi I cannot manage to stay here anymore.” The statement made Anokhi a little sad. How can someone be so rude to her and be a sweetheart when it comes to his sister, she thought. How does it matter to you Anokhi, she scolded herself. He means nothing to you. So stop being over-emotional. Hormones, she blamed again.

Kanchan helped Anokhi to get up and the nurse helped her to clean the residue of the gel.

“Di, you need to let her do these on her own you know. You are not going to be with her for the next six months. After all, she has to carry those tiny monsters. And she is paid…”

“Shaurya, enough. Just go and wait outside for me.” Kanchan scolded him.

“Whatever Di.”

Anokhi touched her tummy and her heart sunk. She hoped that these babies get some good quality from her. Their father is a gone case anyways. She didn’t want her babies to behave like this with their wives or husbands ever. Then the ugly realization hit her square on her face. Those babies were not going to be hers Afterall.

“Anokhi, first of all, congratulations. I know that this is not going to be easy for you given the scenario yours is very different. You are going to be a single mom till the babies are born and it is going to be a challenging task. Please don’t panic. You have my number. In case you have any queries you can always ping me on WhatsApp. I have shared my number already. Sorry, if I am intruding but who all are there at your house?”

“Umm, my father and I. He is immobile at the moment recently suffered a brain stroke.”

“Initial months you will be able to manage. But when the babies grow bigger then you will be needing help, especially during your third trimester. For the time being you need to take meds on time and come for check-ups regularly without a fail.”

“I am sure she will manage doctor”, Shaurya said entering the room again. “Di, are we done. I have some important work to do.” He said glancing towards Anokhi one last time making her queasy on her stomach. Also, I need to speak to Miss Bhalla, can you guys give me a moment with her?” he said smiling. Anokhi knew that there is a devil behind this sweet demur.

Once Kanchan and the doctor left the room, Shaurya moved towards Anokhi. ‘Looks like a double trouble babe. Guess what, this time you have gladly accepted this trouble inside your belly. I didn’t have to do anything. And from now on-wards it’s my un-burns who will be troubling you. It is going to be so much fun looking at your state, miserable. I have full faith in you Kids”, Shaurya was about to touch Anokhi’s belly but Anokhi stepped back no accepting the touch. Raising one of his eyebrows, he continued, “You need to prove that you are my kids, Shaurya Shaberwal’s kids by giving her all the pain that I couldn’t. It's revenge time Miss Bhalla. A bittersweet one I guess.” How does it feel Anokhi, to carry my child? Isse bari saza aur kya ho sakti thi tumhare liye...You slapped me, remember? Now, you will get the hardest hit ever Ms Anokhi so-called smart ass Bhalla...and don't you dare do anything to my kids by neglecting your health, you know what I am capable of right? and ya also another thing, I hope you are not dreaming to keep one with you as you have conceived two because that is not going to happen. Even though it is not mentioned in the contract about twins, but it says that you cannot claim the newborn ever in your life. So, both the kid’s custody will be with me but still, I want to incorporate this development in the contract so that you don’t claim.

Anokhi couldn’t resist anymore. She pushed Shaurya and burst into tears. “I don’t what to keep ‘YOUR’ children with me. If I knew that you were the sperm donor I would have never gone ahead with this arrangement. But now I cannot change anything. For me more than ‘YOUR’ children they are two lives growing inside me. And I promise to take care of them till they are inside me. They are a gift of God and I would never think of harming them. Aur rahi baat claim ki, I am never going to think otherwise. I am a woman of my words. And as you keep on reminding me, this time I am reminding you Mr Shaurya Sabherwal, I am paid for this. This is my job for the coming 6 months. I am just a bearer and not their ‘MOTHER’”, hyperventilating Anokhi clutched her tummy.

Seeing her holding her middle, Shaurya touched her shoulder to steady but she brushed his hands off. “Stop touching me, Mr Sabharwal. I can take care of myself and my…sorry your children. I don’t need your support. And before you blame me for anything else, I am not going to charge double for this ‘Double trouble’ as you have named it. Your words, not mine. Kanchan Di is well aware that I am here to take what I have demanded and no more or less. But yes, if I need some extra money, I will not stop myself from asking because more than mine they are your responsibility. As a father, it is your responsibility to take care of them and their needs.”

Anokhi took her bag and walked towards the door. “Send me the papers in the evening. I would want to be present when you do that. And please don’t trouble my father. Your problem is with me. Please don’t drag him or the unborns in it.”

Shaurya closed his eyes before glancing towards Anokhi’s retreating.

**Flashback**

It was during their excursion when Shaurya and Anokhi were dating. Shauna was leaning against a rock holding Anokhi tightening in his embrace, circling his arms around her midriff. Anokhi was leaning her head against his broad shoulder and gazing at the stars. Shaurya put her chin on her head while caressing her belly about her top lost in his thoughts.

“What are you gazing at babe?”

“I am looking at my mom.” Anokhi sighed. She never thought that she would be discussing such a personal piece with Shaurya. But for some reason, she thought that it was very easy to talk to him.

“In that star?” he pointed towards an only star that twinkled against the carpet of darkness.

“Hmm! How do you know?”

“I know because you are gazing towards it for the last 15 mins so I thought you must be looking at that star because there is no moon today.” He smelled her hair.

“When I am very happy, I talk to my mother looking at the sky. I know she is up there looking at me.”

“Were you close to her?”

“I don’t know. I lost her when I was young. I don’t remember our conversation much.”

“How old were you?”

“I was 5.”

“And my I know the reason for your happiness?”

“I told her that I am happy to be with you. You know I liked you since the first day I saw you in the college. You were being an ass-hat. But something about you attracted me towards you. And I was so excited when you proposed to me. I mean come on, who would have thought that THE SHAURYA SABHERWAL would date an ordinary girl like me? You know what I mean. You had so many options, girl die for you. And here you are,” she turned towards him and looked directly in his eyes, “with me.” Her last words terrible as she became aware of their position, so close. His breath fanning her face. His intoxicating musky smell taking her into a trance. She gulped looking at his parted lips. An urge to kiss him was sudden but she held back. Shaurya was thrown away looking at the desire that pooled in her eyes. He knew that she wanted to kiss him but she held back. He tilted his face back to invited her silently. But when she didn’t, he slowly put an open-mouthed kiss against her lips. Oh, she tasted like a peach he thought. Anokhi looked at Shauya once he leaned back against the rock. Feeling bold she captured his lips. She was about to break the connection when Shaurya put his hand and held her neck firmly deepening the kiss. He felt dizzy as the kiss intensified, lost in each other’s arms.

**End Of Flashback**

Shaurya opened his eyes and saw the tiny dots on the screen...his babies.