Hey guys! Another quick update! This one is again a bit transitional, however I took great liking on developing a proper track for Aakash and Rachna here, using the EQ which is untapped between them in the show. 😃😃
Having said that, more AbhiGya high volt drama coming up in the next chapter! (Actually I am very very very excited about the next chapter, want to pen it down very soon) 😳😳
Until then, Happy Reading! ⭐️⭐️
And please do leave in you kind comments and remarks! It always feels so great to be encouraged!! 🤗
Oh and again, didn't get time to proof read! If there are errors, my early apologies - if you point them out, I would be glad to edit! 😲😲
Oh! And I just realized, we don't know Suresh's surname in the show, so I have just made it up to be Rastogi!
No more ranting! Happy reading!!! And looking forward to more love and comments! 👍🏼👍🏼
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CHAPTER 10
A FAMILY THAT BONDS
It has been almost two months since Suresh had brought up his desire to father a child with Pragya. Even now, when Pragya remembers that conversation, the smooth flow of the conversation makes her shudder. When Suresh had expressed his desire of wanting a baby, Pragya was stupefied. She didn't have any response ready, she had just awkwardly muttered an uh-huh' in return. And to her horror, Suresh considered that to be a yes' from her.
After that Pragya had gone inside her bedroom and given it a thought. If there was one thing crystal clear in her mind, it was the fact that she didn't want a baby. But this clarity startled her. Hadn't she always wanted a baby? Didn't she just few months back, think of bringing up the topic before Suresh? Then the entire BB fiasco happened and she lost perspective. But everything was falling back in place. Then why was it that she didn't want a baby? She knew Suresh was correct; they were married for more than two years now. In fact nowadays whenever she and Suresh would attend a social function somewhere, she would be asked questions by elderly ladies about when her good news 'was due.
Yes, having a baby now felt logically correct. She knew Suresh would be a great father - yes maybe not a fun father like Abhi would be to his babies. Maybe not a friendly father pulling pranks on their mother, how Abhi would be with his children and wife - still. But why was she even comparing how Abhi the father would be? Thought a perplexed Pragya. How did it matter? As far as she knew, Tanu wasn't expecting. But the idea of Tanu expecting Abhi's baby made her uncomfortable and suddenly - that night at the hospitals parking lot - came to her mind. She hurriedly pushed it aside. Now focusing back on her current problem, she realized she didn't know why she didn't want a baby - if she had to tell Suresh she would like to wait until later, she needed a good reason. But unfortunately she had none right now.
At that point her thoughts were interrupted by Suresh who had entered the room. Pragya knew it was too late. She couldn't say no' any longer. Suresh had entered her bed chamber with a motive today - his motive was fatherhood. As Suresh went close to her and brushed down her jawline gently with his thumb, Pragya had no choice but to give in. As she lay there like a corpse on his bed, Suresh fiercely made love to her.
However, for once luck decided to be on her side. A few days after that, Suresh's sister Rachna and his mother had come over. Rachna was in her advanced months of pregnancy. Her mother didn't want to take the risk of keeping her in their village. Suresh had decided that Rachna and his mother would stay with them from then on until Rachna's baby was delivered and he was old enough to travel. This came as great news for Pragya. She was more than happy to accommodate Rachna and his mother in their house. It meant one thing, their baby plans were postponed. It was not that Pragya loved them any less, but this time their arrival aided her in many ways. Suresh's mother's kind nature, Rachna's sweet friendly nature and a house always buzzing with people - it also meant she had less time to think about Abhi, thought Pragya in relief.
THE TENSION BETWEEN FAMILIES EASEN
Aakash had got daadi's monthly medical reports to the doctor for skimming through. As he waited outside in the waiting area for his turn, he thought he saw her. How could that be? Hadn't she gone back to her home town? But he still glanced around the whole area once more - no it must have been someone else thought Aakash. Then he heard the nurse from the gynaecology ward call out the next patients name - Ms. Rachna Rastogi.
Aakash spun his head to see Rachna walking towards the ward. He could see that her stomach was showing properly. He knew she was only two more months due. A sudden helplessness shot through him, when he realized, how much ever he wanted now, Rachna wasn't going to forgive him. He saw her bhabi Pragya, assist her to the ward. Aakash couldn't just sit there and wait any longer, it seemed like the baby inside Rachna had called for its father. Aakash - the father couldn't ignore that call. He tip-toed behind them and quietly waited outside the doctors chamber. Rachna had gone for a sonography. Aakash heard the doctor talking about the baby to Rachna.
Doctor - Do you see Rachna? There is your baby. Aah, see your baby is moving. Yes that is your babies hands, that's the clutched fist see? See touch here - see your hand is just over the head - I think your baby likes your pat ---
As Aakash stood there, he didn't realize when this overwhelming moment brought tears to his eyes. He was a foot from his baby. Everybody inside was seeing his baby - but he couldn't go. Until now it was just a baby, it didn't really exist as a separate entity in Aakash's mind. But today the baby was no more a part of Rachna's body, while he heard his baby move and clench his fists, it gave his baby a separate existence. It connected him to his baby. Aakash vowed to himself - he didn't know how, but he wasn't going to be separated from his baby - he would convince Rachna and they will be married before the birth of his baby.
Aakash heard the doctor say that she was giving the CD of the sonography to Rachna, to show it to the baby's father. Aakash imagined Rachna's pained face at this, it hurt him. "No" he said to himself. Rachna won't go through this alone anymore. She liked it or not, he will be very much present along with her - after all he was the father. As Rachna and Pragya walked out of the chamber smiling, clearly dazed at what they saw - Rachna was the first to notice Aakash standing there for them.
Aakash - Rachna give me the CD, I want to see my baby.
Rachna - Go away Aakash. This is my baby not yours.
Aakash - No Rachna, you like it or not, you accept it or not, the truth remains that this is our baby. I am the father and I love my baby. Rachna I know I have wronged you. You have the right to punish me, but why do you want to punish the baby? Why do you want to raise the baby without a father? You want to punish me? Fine, marry me and then stay with me and punish me. But before our baby we will be normal parents. Rachna don't punish my baby for the mistake I have made. Please let me help you.
Rachna was in tears, but she was firm as ever.
Rachna - Aakash, I will always regret that biologically you are the father of my child. When you didn't accept my baby at first, now we don't need you. Go away.
Aakash - Rachna please try and understand - this is not about us anymore. As long as we are individuals all your decisions are our own. No one has the right on them. But the moment a third individual is involved, it is not just us anymore. We are responsible for the life we give our child. I want to raise my son well Rachna, I will be a good father I promise. Please give it a thought?
Rachna stood there silent. She had tears in her eyes. It is true she often thought how she would single handedly raise her child, but never did she expect Aakash to extend a hand - now that he did, she didn't know whether to trust him or not. As she tried walking away from there, Pragya held her hand and stopped her. Rachna looked up. Pragya gently took the CD from Rachna's hand and gave it to Aakash.
Pragya - Aakash please don't think I am giving you the CD because I have forgiven you for what you have done to Rachna or because I believe in whatever you said. But I want you to see the CD to experience the reality of your baby's existence. See him breathing in front of you. Let the truth of your child's existence sink in, then you ask yourself, if you are ready to accept the responsibility of your child or not. If you still stand firm about taking Rachna back, then come and talk to her, then let her decide. Right now for all we know, when you understand how big a responsibility this is, you may turn your back to Rachna again. Aakash we have no reason for trusting you.
Aakash stood there silent, he was both guilty and overwhelmed at the same time. He was guilty because Pragya's word stung him - of course he wasn't going to back out anymore, but she was right - he had given them no reason to trust him. On the other hand he was overwhelmed because, however harsh her reason maybe, at least Pragya let him see his child. He realized he was breathless in excitement to see the first glimpse of his child.
A BROTHERS ADVICE
When Aakash confided in Abhi about his and Rachna's exchange and the CD, Abhi realized Aakash was truly sorry for his deeds and had changed. His strong attachment with his unborn child had turned him into new leaf. He thought for a while and gave his advice to Aakash, who heard him silently. At the end Aakash smiled a little, nodded once at Abhi, then quickly hugged him and left.
***
Aakash reached Suresh's apartment and thankfully it was a Thursday morning. Suresh's mother had gone to the mandir and Suresh had already left for work. Pragya and Rachna were chatting when the doorbell rang. Pragya opened the door to see Aakash standing. Pragya turned around to see Rachna had seen him too. Pragya moved aside to let Aakash in, she thanked her stars for not letting her mother in law and husband around to witness this. Aakash didn't say much, he just walked straight to Rachna.
Aakash - I know Rachna, you shouldn't be taking too much stress in such an advance stage. Hence I will keep this short. I saw the CD, it didn't change my resolution. I still want to marry you and complete our family. I love you, I always did. I had just faced indecision in my life when I abandoned you and our child. I promise to not do it ever again. Having said that, I want to ask you, will you be able to forgive me and come back to my life as my wife?
Rachna shook her head. Ever since they had parted ways, Aakash had come requesting ti her many times, and every time she refused him. But today was different, she was finding it hard to refuse him. She heard a tone of finality in his voice. She had a feeling that, if not today, all will be lost. But her ego stopped her from accepting Aakash back.
Aakash understood her silence.
Aakash - Very well Rachna, if this is your final choice, I won't disturb you any further. I just want you to know, I will be there whenever you need me. And also, I want you to sign this paper.
Rachna - What is this?
Aakash - It is a property deed and the next page is a contract. As per the property deed, all my properties will be transferred to my child's name once he/she is born. And you will be the caretaker of my baby's property until he is eighteen. And the contract is an agreement that, every month I would be transferring fifty percent of my income to your account for your and my baby's maintenance.
Rachna stared at Aakash. She didn't want all this. Aakash told her that he knew that Rachna didn't want all that, but no one could stop him from fulfilling his duty towards his family. It was Rachna's choice to not be with him, and he gracefully accepted it. In return Rachna had to accept this.
Rachna looked up at Aakash, he had really changed. This was the Aakash she had loved. This was the Aakash she wanted to spend her life with - she didn't need his money - she needed this Aakash back.
***
Pragya and Rachna needed to put in quite a bit of effort to convince Suresh and his mother for the wedlock. Similarly, in the Mehra household, Abhi and Aakash had to put in effort to convince tayiji. Once both families were convinced, it was decided that Aakash and Rachna would be married off in a week' s time, much in advance from her delivery date.
It was decided to have an elaborate wedding setup. Even though Aakash and Rachna wanted a small family affair, but tayiji wouldn't budge. Finally not wanting to get into her bad books, they reluctantly agreed.
At the Rastogi household, ceremonies started in full swing too. Suresh was seen in a very good mood after a very long time now. He was humming old classical songs while making lists of various requirements in the wedding. BB had recovered fully now. She kept dropping in at Pragya's to help in the preparations. Purab would juggle between both the Mehra and the Rastogi household in helping them prepare.
Amidst all this two hearts were beating curiously fast at the thought that these two hearts would collide very soon after a long stretch of three months.
Edited by aafrah - 10 years ago
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