ll Dear Arjun ll A Short Story ll Pt. 9 Pg. 23 - Page 8

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I don't know... maybe because this is my home and I'm afraid to branch out. However, I'm afraid no longer."

Part 5

"Did you pack everything?"

"Yup."

"You know, it's kind of dangerous for a pregnant woman to just go travelling alone by train."

"As if it's not dangerous for a pregnant woman to be drinking bottles of alcohol on a daily basis."

"Okay fine, fine. You win. Keep calling me and updating me on your health throughout the ride, okay?"

"Consider it done. When are you coming to Mumbai?"

"Maybe in 3-4 days. What are you even planning on doing there?"

"I just. . . I honestly don't even know anymore. Maybe we could talk to Ovi?"

"So she could slap you and humiliate you in front of everyone?"

"No. . . I don't plan on telling her about my pregnancy yet. I promised Arjun that I would talk to him and that's the first thing I'm going to do."

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The train ride wasn't pleasant. I was seated next to a woman who had a kid of her own and no husband in sight. What if I ended up like that? I may have Onir, but I still feel lost and lonely without Arjun to guide me. I gently touched my stomach and knew what I had to do. I had to talk to Arjun and I had to fix everything, for the sake of our pyaar ki nishaai.

Growing up without a father's love was one of the most difficult things for me. I have my father back in my life now, but it sure didn't make up for those 18 years of emptiness. Seeing my mom cry every year when it came to be Valentine's Day, her anniversary day, or Father's Day was something that was scared in my mind.

As much as I love my mother – I didn't want to be like her and feel all the pain she felt. I don't want my baby to feel the same emptiness and hurt that I felt. I don't want him or her to feel like there was something wrong with them and that they were the reason why their father isn't with them. Overall, I don't want to turn into another version of my mom and I don't want my baby to go through all the pain I had to go through as a child.

"Congratulations!" a shrill voice interrupted me from my deep thoughts.

After confirming that the voice was talking to me, I faked a smile. "Thank you."

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"PURVI!"

I was surprised to hear such excitement and shock in my family's voice. I looked down at my feet. I couldn't take lying to these people – they were the only "family" I had, since my biological one abandoned me. I looked up at them with teary eyes. My grandpa, grandma, mom, and dad were the most emotional and excited. Then, I turned my eyes towards Teju and Sachin in the corner who had wide grins on their face.

"H-hi guys," I managed to choke out before getting enveloped into a big embrace by the elders of the family.

The hugs and kisses I received made me feel so warm and loved – feelings that I've been deprived of for much too long. After assuring everyone that I was alright – I saw the two people who didn't come out to greet me through the corner of my eye. Arjun and Ovi.

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After settling in, I lied down on my bed in the room I was sharing with Ovi. All I wanted to do was sleep after playing 20 questions with the elders and then 20 questions again with Teju. Just as I was about to close my eyes, the sound of Arjun's voice made me open them and sit back up.

"Yes doctor, Ovi's doing fine. Purvi reached here safely as well."

I heard footsteps coming closer to the room, then a knock.

"Come in!"

In my doorway was none other than Arjun himself, holding his cell phone in hand. "Onir wants to talk to you."

I bit my bottom lip as I attempted to stand up. I knew damn well what Onir was doing and it was so hard to not burst into a smile.

"Wait, don't hurt yourself," Arjun said as he walked closer to me to hand over the phone.

I took it and end up lightly touching his hand. I badly wanted to just hold his hand tightly and stay in his arms forever, but I pushed my desires aside and put the phone to my ear. "Hi Onir. Haan, main teek ho. Okay, I will, I will – I didn't forget. Yeah, I will. Okay, bye Onir."

I handed the phone back to Arjun. "Oh okay sure. . . okay bye Onir, come soon. . . have a safe trip."

Arjun put his phone in his back pocket. "Where are your medicines?"

"What?"

"Onir asked me if I could give you your medicines and mentioned how bad you are when it comes to those. So you haven't changed at all, huh?"

I pointed towards my purse and watched Arjun. He walked over towards my bag and pulled out two different pill bottles. I pointed to the ones in his right hand and he put the ones in his left hand back. Arjun took the water jug that was on the drawer and poured some of the contents into a glass. He examined the directions for the pill and took out two.

He walked over and gave me the pills, then gave me the water.

"Thank you,"

"You're welcome,"

I heaved out a sigh. This was wrong. This was SO wrong on so many levels. Usually when Arjun and I were alone in a room together, we would be playful and outgoing whether we were just talking or whether Arjun was just being romantic. Now, it was as if we were two strangers who had nothing to say.

"Arjun. . . I really have to talk to you."

"I'm listening."

"Okay so. . ."

"Arjun? Purvi?"

My heart felt like it was going to pop out of my chest. I prayed that it wasn't Ovi that saw Arjun and I together – anyone but Ovi.

"Teju. . . I was just calling Purvi for dinner."

"Right. . . well take all the time you guys need. . ."

"That's not needed. . . we'll be down right now. . ."

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"So you didn't tell him?"

"I tried to! But I don't know how to start it off! I can't just be like hey I'm pregnant and you're the father."

"That's good enough for me."

"Shut up Onir! And I know what you're trying to do – playing Cupid through the phone!"

"Well, did it work?"

"No, you just brought up a lot of bad memories!"

"Whatever. So you didn't tell him?"

"No. . . I don't know how."

"Is it that or are you too scared?"

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"Ovi, I found the album with our baby pictures!"

"Really?!"

"Yeah, look! Here's the picture of you and Arjun!"

Teju peered over at me to make sure I was listening.

"Oh, I was looking everywhere for this!"

Teju took the album and brought it over to me. "Look Purvi!"

I looked down at the picture and smiled. Before I could get a good look at it, Ovi came and snatched it away.

"Umm. . . Tej, let's go show Arjun!"

"Yeah – I'll be there in a second."

Ovi left the room with the album while Teju sat down next to me.

"You may be married, but I know you still love Arjun."

"What?"

"I heard your phone call with Onir."

"What do you know?"

"That you're carrying a baby Arjun."

My eyes went wide. How stupid could I get? "Arjun was supposed to find out first. . ."

"It's okay Purvi – I'll support you along with Onir, but you HAVE to tell him. He needs to find out from you and not just by accidently overhearing your conversations."

I nodded and watched as Teju walked out of the room. She didn't need to ask any more questions – she already knew how I felt.

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"But, I don't want to do a puja!"

"It'll be over before you know it Ovi – here I bought sarees for you and Purvi."

I watched as Ovi opened the box aaji had left on our bed. She looked disgusted and went straight to her closet.

"You aren't going to wear the saree?"

"Nah. . . you can wear it."

"Um. . . okay."

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I sighed as I came out from my room. When I stepped into the living room, my eyes immediately started searching for Arjun. Apparently, Arjun was doing the same thing. I looked him up and down and noticed he was wearing a green kurta that matched perfectly with my saree. I gave him a sad smile which he returned.

"You guys look so cute! Let me take a picture!" Teju exclaimed while getting her camera ready.

I couldn't bring myself to look at the camera – my eyes were glued on Arjun. God wasn't giving me the strength I asked for 7 months ago when I was trying to forget my love for Arjun. The click of the camera brought us back down to reality and broke our eye lock.

I zoned out – thinking about all of the sweet moments Arjun and I shared again. Why couldn't I just go back to the days where Arjun was the boss and I was the employee and we always bickered and fought? Why couldn't it still be those times where we first confessed our love and became so shy around each other? Why couldn't we go back to the days where Arjun would live in the chawl and I would cook for him and bring him food – just like a sweet and simple married couple? Why couldn't this all just be one bad dream and in reality I hadn't accepted Ovi's deal?

"WAIT, STOP EVERYTHING! SOME OF MY STUFF GOT STOLEN!"

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Dear Arjun,

I love you and that's all I really know. I hope you're not suffering everyday like I am without you. I've been dying just to experience what your hugs and kisses still felt like. I could have really used your comfort at times from these past 6 months, but I really don't deserve it. I finally got to see you again and hear your voice. It really hurts knowing how bad your relationship with Ovi is. I don't know if you know this, but I really miss you – I miss us. I'm going to try my best to make things right again, don't worry! It's getting really hard to tell you everything I want to say, but I'm trying my best. Why can't we just go back to those innocent days where we together and in love - just us against the world?

i. love. you 🤗 😳

take your time - just need some reassurance :)

I must behonest... Im only at chapter 3. I love it, love it so far. U are doing a great job and I love how u end with the Dear Arjun and keep adding lines after each chapter. Its really well done and great writing.

I absolutely love it so far.

Will update more when I get to part 5 :).

LOL thanks for the honesty Ash, I really appreciate it :)

And thank you for your comment. . . it feels nice to know that people are reading :) Thank you so much - glad you like it! Hope you enjoy 😳

Thank you Parin! Love you too and you're always welcome! :)