Chapter 2

ShiriHoonMain

@ExoticDisaster

Dev entered Shiva’s room, tired from the day’s happenings. He sat on the bed and wiped his tears.

What a cruel game had fate played! He couldn’t believe that all of them were back to square one. His wife needed him the most, but he wasn’t even staying in the same room. He sighed and got up. He walked towards the washroom and came face-to-face with Raavi, who was coming out of it.

“When did you come?” She asked, smiling at him.

Dev looked at her hopeful smile. Shiva deserved this smile, not him.

Raavi noticed Dev was tensed, and she placed her palm on his cheek.

“What happened, Dev?”

He moved back, creating a distance between them.

“Raavi, I… I am tired. Baad mein baat karte hain,” he said and walked inside the washroom, leaving behind a confused Raavi.

_______________

Raavi walked into the kitchen and almost bumped into Shiva, who was leaving it. She moved to her left. He moved to his right. She moved to the other side, and so did he at the same time.

Raavi huffed.

“What? Stop troubling me now, will you? Ab pehle jaisa kuch nahi raha.”

“Kaash ki sab pehle jaisa ho jaye,” Shiva whispered.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Look, you can do whatever you want, but if you try to create problems in Dev and my life, then I won’t spare you!”

Shiva shut his eyes tightly on hearing her harsh tone as he did not want to cry in front of her. This was his test, and he had to pass it for Raavi. Because he loved Raavi above everything in the world.

But Shiva couldn’t control his tears. He marched out of the house and sat outside the house hiding his face in his palms. He was relieved that Raavi was staying in their room, but every time she called herself Dev’s wife, it stabbed his heart.

Shiva felt something on his shoulder. He looked up to see Rishita putting her hand on his shoulder, sitting beside him.

“I know it’s difficult for you.”

“It’s difficult for everyone here, bhabhi.”

“You are right, but we need to have patience. You are in her heart, Shiva. Only you. And she’ll realise her love soon.”

“Her lost memories are taking me away from her bhabhi, I am afraid. What if she never remembers?”

Rishita’s heart stopped beating for a second. What if Shiva was right? What if she had to share her husband with Raavi forever?

“Aisa… aisa kuch nahi hoga,” she said as she reassured Shiva and herself. “Stay positive.”

But both of them knew this mere thought had shaken them both from the inside.

 ______________

Days passed, but there was no improvement in Raavi’s condition. Everyone faked happiness around Raavi, but in reality, all of them were praying for her to get well soon. Slowly but soon, Raavi had sensed something strange in the family. Everyone seemed happy, but something was a miss. She realised that Shiva had stopped fighting with her. He was no longer the I-am-born-to-hate-you Shiva, but he had become quiet and reserved. And Raavi didn’t like this version of him one bit. 

She had also noticed the growing closeness between her husband and his friend Rishita, who showed no signs of returning to her house. The marriage rituals were over, but this girl wasn’t even moving from Pandya Niwas. Rather, it seemed like she was a part of the family for years. No one was formal around her; she took part in the house and store discussions; her opinions mattered to everyone in the house. It stunned Raavi that Rishita was treated the same way she was treated in the house.

Finally, she decided to talk to Dev. Dev couldn't decide what to answer at first, but then he dismissed telling that Rishita is staying with them because her parents are out of the town. 

_____________

Two days later, Rishita finished the house chores and entered the room when she found Dev sitting on the bed holding a glass of juice. 

“At your service, ma’am,” he smiled as he offered it to her.

Rishita smiled back at him and took a sip.

“You know Dev, I thought this baby would bring happiness in our lives, but see, this is how we are meeting.”

Dev placed his hand on her shoulder.

“It was your decision, Rishita and…”

Dev stopped midway, shocked at the person standing behind Rishita.

Rishita frowned and looked in the direction he was looking. She turned around to see Raavi.

Raavi was rooted to the spot on seeing Rishita with Dev. He never told her about Rishita's pregnancy. She walked towards Rishita but Dev came in between.

“Raavi, let me explain.”

Raavi pushed Dev and went to Rishita. She tugged her wrist and pulled her out of the room. With all her force, she pushed Rishita towards the door only to be saved by Shiva, who was luckily entering the house.

“Raavi!” Shiva yelled as he helped Rishita stand. “What the hell are you doing?”

The family gathered around the hall, hearing Shiva’s scream.

“Raavi, listen to me,” Dev said.

“What is there to listen, Dev? Remember that day we spoke about her and you said her parents live in London and she has some work in India, so she is staying with us? You never mentioned about her husband. And if there is no husband, then where did this baby come from?”

Everyone gasped. They had tried their best to hide this from Raavi, but now that she knows, everyone was afraid of her reaction.

“She is pregnant out of wedlock!” Raavi yelled.

Rishita closed her eyes, tearing up at her accusation.

Raavi looked at Suman, Gaumbi and Dhara. She was shocked, as no one was saying anything.

“I can’t believe no one is saying anything to her. Do you guys know who the father is? Is that why everyone is silent? Does no one has problem, she is unmarried and pregnant?”

More tears came from Rishita’s eyes.

“Tell me, Rishita. Who’s baby is this?” Raavi asked, only to realise that Dev and Rishita were looking at each other.

Raavi’s heart dropped seeing this. Could Dev be the father? No, he is her husband. She should trust him. And, Rishita and Dev are friends, may be Dev knew him. 

“Does Dev know him? Tell us who the father is. We’ll help you. We’ll not let him abandon you both.”

“Stop it, Raavi. Enough now,” Shiva said.

“Why?” Raavi didn’t like that Shiva was taking Rishita’s side. “I want to know who is the father.”

Rishita stayed quiet. Raavi’s health was more important than her own self-respect, she decided.

“Rishita, you know what people call a child without a father, don’t you?”

“Raavi!” Dev yelled, losing it. “Not a word more!”

Raavi frowned. Why was her husband screaming at her for some other girl?

As Raavi looked at him, Rishita from behind asked Dev to stop. Shiva looked at Rishita, it was enough now.

“Why Dev?” Raavi asked gently. “Is she more important than me?”

“We’ll decide that later, Raavi,” Shiva finally spoke. “But right now, you can’t insult her like that.”

“I am not insulting her!” Raavi said offended. “I am just asking a question. Can’t she answer?”

“She doesn’t owe you any!”

“Shiva, for God's sake shut up!” Rishita whispered in his ears.

“No,” Shiva turned to Rishita. “It’s enough now. She is crossing her limits.”

“I can’t believe this! I am just asking a question which no one is answering and you say I am crossing my limits? If she is so pure than why can’t she just tell who is the father of her child?” Raavi said.

“Why do you want to know?” Shiva asked pissed.

“I don’t want to answer your why. All I want to know who is the father of her baby.”

“Fine! I’ll tell you…”

“Shiva, no!” Rishita warned but Shiva didn’t even look at her.

He looked at Raavi.

“You want to know who is the father, right? Then listen,”

Shiva held Rishita’s hand while she looked at him and before she could say anything Shiva announced, 

“It’s me. She’s carrying my baby.”

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BR - tournesol