Chapter 2

Present times.

Arnav sat at the pool side and gazed up at the stars. the night sky looked so calm as the shinny dots sparkled. He was in deep thought of how to handle the situation. When Khushi told him about the pregnancy he was shocked he had no idea what to do and what not. Now if he was told this news before the Nanitaal trip he would have yelled and shouted and gotten angry. ASR would have ordered her to abort the child. But it seems the trip changed this man. The stoned cold ASR turned soft towards Khushi and the baby. That closeness with her made him melt. He remembered their sex encounter in the hut. The way she held onto him, he remembered loosing control. He told himself to stop it. But his heart told him to go on. He remembered how she was persistent and first but eventually gave in too.

That night was really something he looked up at the stars, once again. he remembered how she told him once that the stars are dead people and they shine to watch over you. His mother came into his mind. He remembered her. He needed her today to help take a decision on what he had to do with his life.

Flash backs of his mother talking to him when he was a baby

Arnav: Ma this is such a small seed how will it grow into a plant

Ratna: Chottey even this tiney seed can make a difference. when you sew a seed into the ground, mother nature nurtures it and takes care of it and as time passes by it turns into a plant and then a big tree, and that big tree will give you flowers and fruits

Arnav: But ma what happens it you dont sew the seed back into the earth then what

Ratna: We must always give back mother nature what she gave us, when we eat the fruit we take mother natures babies away but after we finish if we plant the seed back into the ground, she will be will in return rewards with new fruits. Remember this Chottey everything in life has a purpose and a meaning. You must never steal a baby from its mother.

Arnav: And what about a father

Ratna: (chuckled) Yes a father too, you know Chottey when you grow old and have your own children. You must protect you children from the world. that is what a good father does. He takes care of his children and loves them.

Arnav: Ma but papa never protects me or di, we hardly see him. Why is that does he not love me

Ratna: He loves you very much Chottey you are the apple of his eye

Arnav: Lies, i know he doesnt love us. Ma Papa never has time for us. Thats why he always fights with you and he left us and went away

Ratna: (bent down and took him in his arms and said with a smile) When your older you will understand this, But for now i want you to make a promise to me

Arnav: What ma

Ratna: Promise me Chottey you will be a good father to your children, promise me you will always protect your children. And promise me you will always love your wife.

Arnav nodded

Flashback ends

He molded his fists in anger remembering the fights that his mother and his father would have. He looked up at the stars and said

Arnav: I promise I will always love this child and protect it no matter what. I cant promise you about marriage, because i dont want things to end between me and Khushi. But i can promise you to always stand by her and my child.

Meanwhile back at the Gupta house. Khushi lay flat on her bed looking up at the plastic stars over her head. She touched her belly feeling their child. She had no idea what was going to happen next and had not a clue of what Devi maya planned for her.  But she prayed that it all worked out at the end. She was glad that Arnavji had at least asked her and accepted the child. It was strange because she thought that when she would tell him. he would be furious and mad at her. But he wasnt he behaved like a true gentlemen. He is willing to take responsibility for the child.

Her only worry no was that how would they tackle the families and worse what would she tell Shyam. In a way she left a breath of relief, She really didnt want to marry him, he never made her heart beat or made her feel special. She only felt that with Arnav. It was strange but she always did.

Morning arrived. Arnav woke up with the fist ray that entered his room. It was time, He was ready to face all the hurdles in life for his baby. For their baby. He stretched to the side table and looked at his phone it was 8 am. He dialed Khushi.

Khushi who was fast asleep woke up with the sudden noise of her ring tone, she picked it up and spoke in a sleepy voice

Khushi: Hello

Arnav: Khushi

Khushi: hmm

Arnav: Are you sleeping

Khushi: Yes what else would i be doing

Arnav: (rolled his eyes) Wake up

Khushi: Arnavji let me sleep na please its barely morning (she cribbed cutely)

Arnav: FYI Its 8 am

Khushi who was asleep suddenly woke up in a stark and said in a worried tone

Khushi: Oh shit Arnavji its 8 am, Buaji will kill me I am late

Arnav rolled his eyes he could here Buaji yell from the door to her and Khushi reply back. He couldnt be bothered and so he said

Arnav: Listen meet me at 10 o clock at my office, I need to discuss something with you regarding the baby

Khushi: (touched her stomach feeling their baby and then said) Ok Arnavji

She put down the phone and got ready to meet him

She entered his office at sharp 10 am, All the snobbish women gave her dirty looks they never really liked her, and she never understood why. She walked up to his cabin and knocked 3 times.

Arnav: Come in

Khushi came into his cabin. He looked at her from top to bottom, she was dressed in a white anarkali, and looked at fresh as the morning breeze, her skin glowed. Arnav looked down at her belly to see his child. He said

Arnav: We need to talk

Khushi nodded and was about to sit down when he said

Arnav: But not here.

Khushi: then where Arnavji

Arnav: Come with me

Both of them left the office together and sat in the car. There was silence none spoke a word. Khushi wondered where he was taking her. It looked like they were out of the main city and near the hills. There were no cars on the roads it was empty only greenery everywhere Arnav stopped the car.

Khushi looked up at him confused and then said

Khushi: Arnavji why did you stop

Arnav: Khushi I wanted to talk to you alone somewhere, where there is no one to disturb us.

Khushi nodded and they got off the car. He went a bit ahead facing his back to hers and then said in a husky voice

Arnav: Look I am ready to accept this baby as mine and I am ready to take care of it as well.

Khushi heart started to beat seeing his soft side. She remained quite and he continued

Arnav: (he took a deep breath and said) But I cant marry you

Her world came crashing down hearing his last few words. A tear rolled out and she said

Khushi: I understand you love Lavanayaji

Arnav: (looked back at her, he saw her tear and then said) No its not like that. I dont love Lavanaya and I never have loved her

Khushi: What do you mean I dont understand

Arnav: Khushi look its complicated alright. Even if it was Lavanaya I cant marry her, or you, or anybody

Khushi: (confused she asked) But why Arnavji what is the problem

Arnav: I said its complicated (he raised his voice a bit) Khushi we will have to work it out. i am willing to take care of you and the baby, but in return all i ask is no marriage

Khushi didnt know what to say, How could she agree to him for no marriage, What will the family say and what will happen. How could she live with him without being his wife.

Khushi: But Arnavji what will every one say, how will be manage all this. Dadiji Naniji and Buaji will never agree. You know that, They agreed to Lavayaji with great difficulty (she voiced her thought)

Arnav: Dont worry about that i will handle it all, the only thing i want to know is are you with me or not.

Khushi looked down at her belly, and felt her baby then she looked up at its father and silently nodded with out saying anything. She really didnt know what the future holds for them but she defiantly didnt want her baby to be without a father. Something is better than nothing. For now she had to just have faith on Arnavji and her devi maya