Chapter 25
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Iss Pyaar Ka Naam-The Epilogue
(Part One)
One year later...
She stared down at the warm bundle in her arms, and ran one finger along the downy cheek, marveling at the soft, silken texture.
The infant didn't stir, it's breathing remained even and steady.
Just two hours old, and she already had them wrapped around her tiny, delicate finger...
She moved her hand to the dark, long strands that covered her head, and stroked it gently. Leaning down, she pressed a soft kiss to her forehead while apologizing to her silently.
I'm sorry that I was so unsure about this...about you...
Eight months back, she had been shocked to learn that she was pregnant.
When the news had been confirmed by the doctor, she hadn't quite known what to think, or where they would go from here. The pregnancy had been completely unplanned, and with everything else that was going on with her life, this news had left her feeling adrift in an ocean of uncertainty and anxious despair.
She hadn't known if she was ready for this at this particular time.
She hadn't known if he was.
Throughout the months that had followed, she had battled the physical and emotional symptoms of her pregnancy, and she had actually been relieved when they told her that she was finally in labor.
When the time had come, she had been overwhelmed by the entire process, and she did not have any time to think about how she would feel when she actually saw her child.
When the doctor had told her that it was a girl, she had opened her eyes and felt...nothing.
And that had scared her, more that she cared to admit.
But she did not have the time to process that emotion either, because the doctor had laid a red, squalling infant in her trembling arms.
And in that instant, everything had changed.
She forgot everything that had come before, and everything that she had feared for the future.
All that mattered was the new life before her, a tiny, fragile replica of her...and him.
A new emotion that she had never known before , washed over her in a glorious wave, taking with it every single doubt, every single apprehension that had plagued her for months.
Her daughter had become the center of her existence, in one blinding moment.
In the minutes that followed, she had scarcely been able to tear her eyes away from the little child, and all her attention had been focused on the crib beside her.
It was only when they had finally wheeled her out of the delivery room that she had raised her eyes to his.
A second shock awaited her at the turbulent emotions in those eyes she knew so well.
There was relief there, and an unbounded affection that shone from his eyes.
But behind the obvious, she could see something else.
A hint of pain, the remnants of an agony that she had never expected.
It had hurt him to see her in pain, she knew that now.
When she had been suffering through the final stages of labor, he had been suffering with her. Her pain had become his, it was as simple as that.
Through all the pain and agony of childbirth, she had suddenly recognized one vital thing.
A man could only feel a woman's pain as his own, if he loved her above all else.
She had known that he loved her, of course. He had told her so often enough, and she knew that he would never lie to her.
And yet, in the deepest, darkest corner of her mind, she had still harbored a tiny tendril of doubt.
And that uncertainty was solely due to the fact that she couldn't imagine just how he could wholeheartedly love her, when the past loomed in the back of their minds, no matter how much he tried to deny it.
The events of a decade ago had made him the man he was today, and an indelible mark had been left on his soul.
How could she believe that their relationship had managed to erase that?
She had tried to make herself believe that, of course. Throughout the past few months, she had pushed the doubts to one corner of her mind, and had allowed herself to revel in the adoration that seemed to come so naturally towards her. His every glance, and every touch had helped her forget the past just that tiny bit more, and she had let herself believe that the impossible had actually happened.
Her husband had fallen in love with her despite the past.
That tiny sliver of doubt that still remained would return at the most inopportune moments , however.
In the early days of their relationship, she hadn't quite known what to believe, and whom to trust. Her instincts had been telling her one thing, and her heart, another. When she had finally allowed herself to believe in him...and them, that little shadow had colored her words and actions even though he had never given her cause . She had fought for their relationship, but had never really allowed herself to believe that one day, she might have it all.
When she had learned that she was pregnant, she had hesitated for days before finally confiding in him. She had been apprehensive about his reaction, but he had surprised her by his calm acceptance of the situation.
Later, when the symptoms of her pregnancy disrupted her regular life, she had hid their severity from him, unable to make herself confide in him about all her doubts and insecurities.
She had lied by omission, and she was deeply ashamed of that fact now.
Shame and guilt were her constant companions when she thought about how she had doubted him, and his love for her.
After the events of the past few hours, there was no longer any question in her mind.
Through the haze of pain that had enveloped her, she had seen him turn away to hide the sheen of tears in his eyes.
She had heard his pleas to the doctors, asking them to do something, anything that would make this hurt less.
She had felt the firm grasp of his hand on hers as he tried to instill his own strength into her.
And finally, she had seen him bow his proud head beside her as the baby was born, the profound relief visible in those molten eyes had shaken her as well.
And it was then that she had known.
She had worried for nothing, there was no reason to doubt him at all.
He loved her beyond her expectations, beyond all belief.
As they continued on their path down the hospital corridor, she couldn't tear her eyes from his.
He gazed at her, and then the baby, as if he couldn't really believe that this was real...that they had just been blessed with this precious gift.
She looked down at his hand that rested against the gurney, and slowly raised her own to cover his.
He looked down at her sharply, but his gaze reflected sheer relief when he registered that she was alright.
"Do you need something, sweetheart?"
Tears sprang to her eyes as the answer came to her.
She shook her head, then twined her fingers through his.
"I have everything."
And it was true.
All her dreams, all her wishes had come true.
The man beside her had made sure of that.
She wanted to tell him right then and there...the words 'I love you' hovered at the tip of her tongue.
But she had just realized that this was beyond that.
The bond between them was beyond names, beyond boundaries and restrictions.
And so she let her eyes speak for her, and smiled when his eyes responded in kind.
They had reached the maternity suite now, and the moment was rudely shattered by the loud voices within.
She looked at the closed door, then back up at him.
"Are they fighting again?
He sighed.
"Looks like it."
"Same topic, I suppose."
"I guess. "
"Why do you think they haven't yet realized that she's our daughter, and we get to name her?"
"They are the grandparents, you know."
It was her turn to sigh now.
"It's my parents who are the source of all this, I can accept that. They are the ones who want a particular name...while yours just want to name her after your birth mother..."
"As much as I like that thought, the choice is really up to you."
She stared at him for a moment, then smiled.
"Up to us, you mean."
He smiled back at her, then turned towards the room.
"We'll do this together."
"Just like we always do."
And then, with one final glance, NK pushed open the door and took his wife and daughter inside.
________
Delhi, the same day.
"Why now?"
"What do you mean?"
"I've been pursuing you for months , and I'd almost given up. Then out of the blue I get your call , asking me to meet you here! That's what I want to know. Why have you suddenly changed your mind?"
"It's a woman's prerogative, don't you think?"
He placed his hand over her slender fingers that were toying with the dessert spoon.
"Stop this! The time for games is over. I need to know where you stand on this before we take things any further!"
Long, lush eyelashes swept down over those beautiful eyes, and he sucked in a sharp breath as desire slammed through him.
He curbed his rising impatience, furiously telling himself that he had waited all these months...he could surely wait for a few minutes while she gathered her thoughts.
"I wanted to say yes the very first time you asked me out."
Surprised, he leaned back in his chair before he spoke again.
"Then why didn't you?"
"Because we're so very different."
"So what has changed now?"
She looked away, and he saw the faint blush that colored her cheekbones.
"I...realized that...what lies between us is bigger than that."
Elation swept through him as her breathless words registered, and he tightened his grip on her hand.
"That's what I've been trying to convince you..."
She looked up at him, and he couldn't stop himself this time.
Giving in to his impulses, he raised her hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the palm.
The very next moment, she pulled her hand away abruptly, and anger glittered in those lovely eyes.
"I never gave you permission to kiss me."
He leaned back again, and smiled.
"One of the first things you'll learn about me is that I rarely ask permission. More often than not, I just take."
The blush intensified, and she looked down at the tablecloth.
But his patience was at an end now, and he stood up abruptly, then offered her his hand.
She stared at it for a moment, then raised questioning eyes to his.
"This place is too...public for the discussion I have in mind."
This time, she did not look away.
Her gaze held his for a long moment, and then she stood up slowly, placing her trembling hand in his.
He held it in a firm grasp, then turned to walk out of the restaurant.
Heads turned as they passed, and the patrons of the restaurant silently approved of the striking couple who passed them by without a glance.
Because Akash and Payal had eyes only for each other, and were oblivious to all else.
_________
Bangalore,
That afternoon ,in the maternity suite.
"This room feels so strange when the baby is asleep."
"The silence is unnerving, no doubt. Even Khushi isn't saying anything..."
"She is missing Arnav, don't you think?"
"When does he get back from the States?"
"In two more days. Khushi told me that he's there to sign a really important deal, and that's why he couldn't get back in time..."
"I'm just glad that Khushi managed to get here in time. She would have been devastated if she had missed the birth."
"That little girl looks just like Lavanya."
"As long as she doesn't inherit the hard-headed behavior of her grandparents, I'm fine with that."
"Sshh! Keep your voice down, please."
"Garima, you know I don't care if they overhear me. My son and daughter-in-law know exactly what I think about her parent's behavior."
"It doesn't matter. They are still our samdhis, and we owe them our respect."
"You can show them all the respect you want, Garima. As far as I'm concerned, if that man even utters one more taunt about NK's religion, I'll..."
"Bauji?"
Shashi and Garima looked up suddenly as Khushi's soft voice broke into their conversation.
Instantly, he felt his anger dissipate.
His daughter had always had that effect on him, and he knew that Khushi had come up to them because she knew that too.
"Titaliya, it's nothing. Your Bauji was just..."
"...making his blood pressure rise because he was getting angry with La's parents, I know. But why now, Bauji? They aren't even here anymore!"
"Let's not spoil this moment by talking about them, bitiya. Why don't you tell me about you? I'm seeing you after so long..."
Khushi laughed.
"It's only been three months, Bauji."
"It feels like it's been longer, Khushi."
"I know...I haven't been able to come down here as often. It's just that work has kept me so busy..."
"I wanted to talk to you about that. Have you made your decision yet?"
"No. Well...kind of. But I need to speak to Arnav..."
She looked away, and Shashi felt her pain as if it were his own.
He had long since accepted that Arnav was the sole focus of her life now, but it still made him anxious to see how much she depended on him.
Even though they had been together for many months now, Shashi still hadn't forgotten the past that had brought them together in the first place. He still lived in fear that one day, Arnav might strike back at his daughter for her mistake of ten years ago, and that apprehension made it impossible for him to be civil to the man whenever they met.
Shashi had been glad to learn that Arnav was in the States when Lavanya went into labor, but now he felt ashamed of his selfishness when he saw his daughter's pale face. She had tried to put on a cheerful facade for everyone else, but he knew that the light would only be back in her eyes when he was back with her.
"Khushi,no matter what you decide, me and your mother will always support you."
"I know that, Bauji. And I..."
She stilled, and her eyes widened in shock.
"Khushi?"
But she was no longer listening to him.
She whirled towards the door, and pulled it open, anticipation shining brightly in her eyes.
But there was no one there.
"Khushi, what are you..."
Her shoulders slumped, and she turned back towards him.
"It's nothing, Bauji. I just that I thought I felt..."
"...me?"
She froze in place, then whirled back towards the new voice.
"Arnav..."
________
Please scroll down for Part Two, and a Note.
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