Part 9
Naina (controlling her tears) Congratulations! I wont be able to come. But congratulations!!! You two are meant for each other
Ritu: Really, you really think so?
Naina: Yes. I thought you guys were very different but you are exactly the same.
I should get going.
Naina went ahead and Raj followed telling Ritu that he had to discuss something with Naina.
Raj: Naina, hows everything?
Naina: Fine
Raj: Naina have you figured out your hospital arrangements with Shalini? and all your papwework and who's driving you to the hospital?
Naina: Is Ritu pregnant already?
Raj: What? Of course not.
Naina: Becuase you should bother about these things when you have your baby not in my case!
Congratulations and have a great life ahead with your soulmate.
Naina walked away and Raj was left behind wondering for the nth time if he had made a mistake by not telling Naina the truth about Ritu. He thought he was protecting her but maybe he had hurt her more.
RAJ AND RITU ENGAGEMENT VENUE
Ritu had organised a great venue for the engagement. Though trapping Raj had begun as work for her, she had fallen in love with him. She didn't know how she would navigate these emotions but she wanted their engagement day to be special.
Raj entered the venue and Ritu hugged him and whispered in his ears
Ritu: This is the beginning of our happily ever after
Raj (to himself): This is the beginning of your end.
Shalini looked on at the scene disappointed. Even though she had been skeptical at first, she had gotten convinced that Raj was genuinely in love with Naina and had the strength to support her fight against her demons. She had been shocked to discover that Raj was in fact in love with Ritu.
Raj: Doc how's Naina doing? Is everything set for her delivery? She is doing fine right?
Shalini: You really want to know? Her blood pressure was off the charts last night. This is a complication from all the stress you have caused her. Leading her on, proposing to her, and then dropping her like a hot potato.
Raj: Shal, but she'll be fine right? Please tell me,
Shalini: Focus on your big day Captain! I got her moved to the hospital this morning and am monitoring her. Now if you'll excuse me I need to go.
Raj felt completely unhinged. High BP, he knew that was extremely dangerous for Naina at this stage. He wondered if any of this was worth it - getting Ritu punished quickly had meant putting Naina through all this stress. Just then Ritu came and hugged him from behind.
Ritu: Captain, can I have the pleasure of a dance?
Raj: Yes of course.
As Raj danced with Ritu he promised himself that Ritu had only a few days of freedom left.
When it was time to exchange rings Raj felt paralyzed. Ritu was not the woman he loved. In fact Ritu was the exact opposite of the woman he loved! Begrudgingly he went ahead and exchanged rings. He didn't enjoy people congratulating him and quickly escaped outside.
He was fiddling restlessly with the ring on his hand when Shalini called him.
Shalini: Sorry Raj. I didn't want to disturb you. But it's Naina.
Raj: What's wrong? Tell me! What's wrong?
Shalini: We have decided to perform a c-section
Raj: Is she ok?
Shalini: She is. But he had designated you as her child's guardian a few weeks back. Before you and Ritu. Which means we'd need your signatures on a few places as well. Could you..
Raj: I'll be there in 15 minutes.
Raj made his way to Naina's ward and stood outside.
Naina: Shal why do we need to operate right now? I need time. I have some important things to wrap up. What if something happens to me during my surgery?
Shalini: Naina nothing will happen. High blood pressure isn't uncommon
Naina: You don't understand. I have to be extra cautious. My baby has no one besides me. And I made the mistake of appointing Raj as its guardian. Before I knew he was in love with Ritu..
Shalini: Naina, Raj hasn;t changed because of his engagement.
Naina: No. But i cant trust him! I can't.
Shalini: Naina this isn't the time for this. If we delay the surgery things will get complicated without reason. Please be reasonable Naina.
Naina: Ok.. But... Of fine.
Shalini left and ran into Raj whose face appeared troubled by everything he had heard.
Shalini: Raj come to my office.
Let me clarify Naina isn't in any sort of risk. It's just customary to have a guardian for the child. She hasn't had a chance to talk to you. It's entirely your decision whether you want to accept the responsibility or not.
Raj: Of course I do. But it looks like Naina doesn't.
Shalini: Raj you really hurt her. Do you know how hard it is for her to trust anyone after what happened with Raghav? But she trusted you and you let her down. By getting engaged to Ritu. By keeping her in the dark about your relationship. Anyways. Please sign this for now. And you can leave. There's nothing else needed from you.
Raj: I am not going anywhere. I am here.
Raj waited outside the operating theatre feeling all the nervousness and excitement he would have felt for his own child. A couple of hours later he heard the beautiful sound of a baby crying. A nurse came out with a tiny bundle in her hand and looked around. She came up to him
Nurse: Congratulations! You have had a gorgeous baby girl.
Cricket
CID
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