Chapter 3

Khushi blinked thrice at the plastic stick in her hand. This can't happen. But its her 10th stick in a row and it is happening. Pregnant.

 PREGNANT!?!

 She sat there stone still with beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. Her head felt light and her body slowly gave in to gravity but she somehow still sat waiting for this to pass hoping this was another nightmare just like the recurring ones she had been having since her parent's death. But it wasn't. Khushi was indeed pregnant and even though she had no idea what to do, she assumed talking to Arnav was the worst idea ever. This marriage is a contract. Like every other business dealings that he handles. A 6 month tenure and after that nothing. There was no way she could tell him, tie him down to this pregnancy along with herself.

 But what could she possibly do? All by herself? She couldn't tell him or anyone else for that matter and she couldn't leave the house either. That leaves her with one thing. One thing that Khushi never imagined she'd choose. Ever. But this isn't a choice. She has no other option than to abort her baby. 

 Their baby. She placed her hand on her tummy and looked down. Arnav and her child. She wondered how long she's been pregnant. A month? Maybe two. One thing assured that if its a boy then he's going to have his father's temper, Khushi thought to herself. And maybe if he gets his nose, that'd be great. She'd nave him Rishav. Or Riyaan? 

 Tears blurred her sight as soon as she realised what she was doing. Almost like getting caught doing something you have no permission to. She didn't want to lose her child; her own blood. She'd rather end herself.

 "Khushi!" she heard Arnav's voice on the other side of the door followed by three knocks.

 "What on earth is taking you so long?" Arnav tried masking his concern with anger. Its been long and he might have heard sobbing sounds. "Come out right now I'm getting late for office."

Khushi stood up with a jerk. Realising she's been inside for almost an hour now, she hurriedly gathered all the pregnancy test kits from the floor and dumped them into the waste bin.

She fumbled with the door knob out of nervousness before being able to open the door and when she did, she dashed out muttering a curt sorry under her breath.

Khushi waited for Arnav to enter the washroom. When she heard the lock click from inside, she knew what to do. Stealthily she pulled the bed sheet off their bed and threw it over the ceiling fan forming a loop. She tested its strength, tugging at it with her hands not bothering to wipe the tears that were all over her cheeks now. It made no sense anymore. She dragged a tool underneath the loop and stood on it. She was ready.

The loop was already around her neck when she heard a door unlock, and then Arnav's scream. She suddenly couldn't breathe and felt herself falling, her hand instinctively on her abdomen. She felt a pair of arms around her and after that, it was all a blur.

When she woke up, she found herself in the comfort of a soft bed. She also found Arnav Singh Raizada on the floor on his knees, his head dropped into his palms. Crying.

"Arnav ji" Khushi spoke, fear filling her heart immediately after that. How would she face him?

Arnav looked up at her with wide red eyes, heart still pounding so fast that he could feel it in his head. Khushi he called out, clearly out of breath as he got up to sit beside her.

 "How could you think of doing this to me?" Arnav flinched as he spoke. A lonely tear escaped his eye. He wanted to scream but at that time he didn't think he had had the voice to. "Did you not for once think of our baby?"

 Khushi stared back at him. Her eyebrows furrowed into a flight frown.

"Aapko k-kaise?" she fumbled. She clearly remembered discarding the sticks in the washroom. He knows? And he is okay with it? 

"What the-" Arnav couldn't believe he was having this conversation with her. "Khushi pehle mujhe ye batao why did you not tell me damn it! 

"Because I didn't think you'd want a child. With me." She stopped to gulp. " And after all, this marriage is only a contract, isn't it?"

Arnav's heart felt like it had broken into a million pieces. Does she still think this marriage is no more than a contract? Even after he told her how that he loved her when he was away held captive by the kidnappers. Even after spending nights making love to each other, did she just assume he'd not want a child with her? Turn away from his responsibilities?

"Yeah and then you decided that killing yourself is the best way to go about it." Arnav spoke harshly and immediately realised that he shouldn't have. His voice softened, but still steady. "I know I don't say this too often but I didn't think you'd forget that I did. I love you, Khushi. And I love all those things that you bring along with you" he placed his palm on her tummy. Khushi melted at the warmth of his touch. "And this marriage is just as important to me as you are."

"But how did you know that I am pregnant?" Khushi asked innocently. Arnav stared at her for a while, then sighed.

"Khushi, when was the last time you got your period?" he watched her cheeks turning into a violent shade of red.

"Arnav ji" she rebuked, clearly uncomfortable with his unforeseen enquiry.

"Khushi its okay. We've been physical so often. I know your cycle" he felt colour rise to his own cheeks. Arnav couldn't figure what was wrong with him. He was an adult in his late twenties but this girl right here made him blush like he were school boy.

"I knew something was up when you missed it last month. I was waiting for you to tell me but" he looked up at her, the episode from earlier this morning flashing in front of his eyes. "I had no idea you had no plan to do so."

Khushi felt the hurt evident in his voice. "I'm sorry Arnav ji" she said but she knew her sorry wasn't enough. She had hurt him unknowingly, but deeply so and had no idea how to make him feel better. "Tell me what can I do to make you feel better" she held his hand.

"As my compensation" Arnav cleared his throat. "I want a baby girl."

"What if it's a boy?" Khushi questioned him, her voice keyed up like it usually is when she is fighting with him.

"Then I'll not stop making babies with you unless we have at least five daughters" Arnav answered with a straight face like he meant exactly what he said. But when he saw Khushi's jaw drop, the red of her cheeks now spreading all over her face, he could no more hold back his laughter.

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ThatNarcissist2018-04-30 01:10:18