⚠️ Trigger Warning:
This chapter contains sensitive themes related to pregnancy complications and child loss. Reader discretion is advised. If you are currently going through a difficult time or these topics affect you deeply, please take care of your mental health first.
Aarohi's POV
Our married life was good… simple… and ours.
I was doing fine. Really.
I was living a life with Nirvay that felt normal.
We fought, we loved — we were like every other married couple.
Slowly, everything settled.
We created our little world where happiness wasn't about perfection — it was about being with each other.
And yes… Nirvay still flirted with me every chance he got.
We even shifted into a new house — with a big garden. Nirvay and I would spend hours planting together, competing over whose plants grew better.
It was silly… but it was ours.
"Aarohi… where are you?" Nirvay's voice called out.
"Coming… I'm in the garden!"
He walked up and frowned, "You look tired."
"I am…" I admitted softly.
I moved closer, "Want me to make you a coffee?"
"Only if I get a hug with it," he smiled, pulling me close.
"It's been ten months since we got married… and your honeymoon period refuses to end," I teased.
"It never will," he winked.
I shook my head, "What do you want for dinner?"
"You," he said. "I mean… whatever you want."
"Don't think I don't get your stupid flirting lines, Nirvay."
"Good… makes things easier."
We laughed.
I spoke up, "I'm thinking of applying for a job after two or three months."
"Why apply? I'll hire you as my personal assistant… no resume required."
"Thanks, Mr. CEO… but I'd rather work where the boss doesn't flirt."
"I'll hire two — one for work… one for flirting."
"I fell into your trap once with that agreement… not again."
"Trust me, you make even office hours feel special."
I sighed, "I'll tell the staff to cook dinner before you start your nonsense again."
"You know exactly where I'll end up," he smirked.
"Idiot," I whispered… smiling.
---
The next morning…
My phone buzzed.
Sukhi Calling…
I frowned. It was 7 AM. Why was she calling now?
Half-asleep, I answered, "Hello?"
Her voice practically screamed in my ear —
"Aarohiiii! I'm pregnant! I'm SO happy! I can't even tell you!"
"Wow! Congratulations!" I said genuinely. "Give my best to Ayush too — this is amazing news!"
"I know, right? Okay! Bye!"
---
"Why are you congratulating Sukhi and Ayush so early?" Nirvay asked beside me.
"Sukhi's pregnant."
"Wow… that's great news."
I smiled… but inside… I felt a sudden hollowness.
Nirvay noticed.
"Don't… Aarohi… it's just two years. The doctor said we can plan after that."
I hugged him tightly.
It wasn't about Sukhi… it was about me… about the memories… about everything I was trying to forget.
---
That evening, we went to Sukhi and Ayush's place.
She opened the door with a huge grin, "You both! Come in!"
"I couldn't stop myself after hearing your news," I said, hugging her.
"Where's Ayush?" Nirvay asked.
"Work. Banks don't believe in paternity leaves," Sukhi joked.
"Congratulations from both of us," Nirvay said sincerely.
"Thank you… really."
Later Ayush joined. We had dinner together — like old friends.
---
At home that night…
"You okay?" Nirvay asked.
"I am… because I have you," I whispered.
"Say such things again… and I'll fall even harder for you."
"Then fall…" I smiled.
---
Two months later…
We were in the doctor's office for my routine checkup.
"I told you both to wait at least two years before planning pregnancy," the doctor said, flipping through my reports.
"Why?" Nirvay asked.
"Because… Mrs. Raj… you're pregnant."
We sat there — shocked.
"Is everything alright?" I asked, blinking away my surprise.
"It'll be tough… but with care… it's possible. So… congratulations."
Nirvay and I… we couldn't believe it.
It felt like an unexpected miracle.
---
We told our families — everyone was thrilled.
I called Sukhi.
"Oh my God! Aarohi, your delivery will be two months after mine! I'm SO happy!"
We both squealed like kids.
---
That night… Nirvay placed his hand on my stomach.
"How big is it right now?"
"Tiny… but growing every day," I smiled.
He kissed my forehead, "I still can't believe I deserve this happiness."
"We both do, Nirvay."
"Only one baby? You sure?"
"One is enough."
"I want more. Our family just started."
I shook my head, "You and your plans…"
"Not plans. Reality."
---
We followed every doctor's instruction religiously.
Nirvay would kiss my belly before leaving for office — whispering something to the baby he never told me about.
He talked… he dreamed… he made a whole world around us.
At five months, I felt the first kick.
"Nirvay! Wake up! The baby kicked!"
He jumped up, placed his hand on my bump… and waited.
The baby, of course, refused to cooperate whenever he touched.
We laughed… like kids.
---
Sukhi's baby shower came around — I was five months, she was seven.
"Our babies will be best friends!" Sukhi said, hugging me.
"Best friends for life."
Later, Nirvay and I joked how Sukhi kept buying double of everything — one for her baby, one for ours.
---
Nirvay poured himself into preparing the nursery.
"This has to be perfect… for my mini-Aarohi."
"Mini-Aarohi?" I raised a brow.
"I want a girl," he admitted.
"But it's a boy," I teased.
"How do you know?"
"I just do."
"Boy or girl… I want you both healthy. That's all."
---
At six months, the doctor called us in.
I was sent outside. Nirvay stayed in.
"The reports aren't good… the accident scars are restricting space… and her BP is rising."
Nirvay felt his world shake.
But all he said was… "I'll do whatever it takes. We will do this."
---
He started working from home.
My parents moved in to help.
But… the symptoms grew worse.
One night, Sukhi and I talked.
"Nine months is tough… this baby is wild," she laughed.
"Mine's worse… seven months and I feel like I'm breaking apart."
We joked… we hoped…
But that night… everything changed.
I collapsed.
---
At the hospital, the doctors decided for early delivery.
There was no choice.
"Save Aarohi… please," Nirvay whispered.
The baby was born — too soon… too fragile… too small.
---
I woke up later.
"Boy or girl?" I asked.
"Boy." Nirvay smiled… barely.
I believed… we believed…
We kept hoping…
But the baby fought… and lost.
---
The day I was discharged, Nirvay couldn't bring himself to tell me.
He called Ayush…
Ayush broke down… Sukhi overheard…
Her own labor started.
By evening, Sukhi had a healthy baby boy.
But happiness… it felt missing.
---
That same day…
I sat in the nursery… holding a tiny pair of shoes.
I didn't know.
I still believed…
And Nirvay…
He stood at the door… watching me…
Breaking inside.
---