Unfolding Tragedy (Short Story) - One - Oct. 16

Aarti's words echoed in his ears, haunting him. He couldn't think about anything else other than his wife's pregnancy complications. If something happened to her, he didn't know how his three kids would cope. He didn't know how he would deal with it.

He had grown way too fond of her lately -- more than he cared to admit.

He looked outside the window of his bedroom with his arms folded across his chest. It was dusky outside and very foggy. It was hard to see through the fog, reminding Yash of his own unpredictable future.

He already lost a wife and he wasn't ready to lose another one. Not now, not ever. Not when she got him to live again and maybe even to love again. She became his companion, his friend, his life partner. He just couldn't envision himself without her anymore.

Yash closed his eyes.

"Aartiji," he whispered to himself.

"Yes Yashji?" a voice asked from behind.

Yash nearly jumped before turning around.

Alarmed, he stuttered, "A - A - Aartiji y-you?"

Aarti smiled at him.

"Y - Y - Yashji m-me," she said, mocking him. It was a trick he used on her the previous day.

She began to laugh, but stopped when she saw the sombre expression on Yash's face.

"Yashji," she said, manipulating her face in order to look more serious, "You look like you just attended a funeral. You don't look good like this, all gloomy and sadu types. You should smile."

Yash was glad she was laughing, he really was. He didn't know how she did it. He didn't know how she remained so strong through all the hardships she had to face when most of it was her husband's fault.

"Aartiji," he said, walking up to her. "I'm sorry."

Yash was putting on the most brave face he could.

"Yashji, why are you sorry? Don't apologize for being so serious. It's your nature, you've always been like this," she said, smirking.

Yash looked at her in amazement. How was she so tough? The thought of her buried pain made him feel a strange aching sensation coming from within his chest. He felt his bottom lip start to quiver so he turned away, unsure of how much longer he could hold in his emotions.

"N - not for that Aartiji," he clarified, trying to regain his composure. "I - It's my fault... my fault this is happening. I called it a p - paap, a m - mistake."

He squeezed his eyes shut and felt a watery drop escape his tear duct.

"Why are you saying that? It isn't your fault Yashji. Whatever is happening is because God wants it to happen, " Aarti said comfortingly, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder.

"A - Aartiji," he said hoarsely, "God wants to punish me for hurting you and for being a jerk. That's why God is doing this. Because God wants to hurt me."

It was all his fault.

"Yashji, are you crying?" Aarti asked, sounding hurt. She moved around to face him and upon seeing his face, was surprised to see a tear rolling down his cheek.

He didn't want her to see him cry. He was a man, he was supposed to be strong. Instead, there was a role reversal where he was breaking down. Aarti definitely felt worse than him, then why was he crying? Why was she putting up a strong exterior when she wasn't expected to?

She wiped his tear with her thumb and instinctively took his hand before leading him to the bed and sitting him down on it.

She was comforting him when he was the one who should have been telling her that it would all be alright, that she needn't worry... that he'd be there to take care of it all. But he wasn't able to bottle up his emotions in this matter like Aarti was.

"Don't blame yourself Yashji, please. God doesn't want to punish you. God wants us to stand together and fight with all our might. God wants us to face every problem together. God wants us to unite Yashji."

He looked away from her, not convinced.

Aarti tried again, "Yashji, we conceived this child together, and now we'll bring this baby to the world together. Nothing will stop us from bringing this baby Yashji. Nothing."

Yash looked at her, a slightly alarming expression on his face. How could she even think of doing this to herself?

"Aartiji, you want to bring this baby into the world despite the health risks it may cause you?"

She nodded, expecting him to support her. But what came next shocked her beyond belief.

"I'm not going to let you."

~~~
So what do you think? How was it? I thought of doing this chapter from Yash's point of view. Did it work out? Feedback is greatly appreciated! Also, don't forget to like and comment! 😳