Chapter 1

*Kalpana Pov*

“You are doing great.” I heard someone whispering while patting my forehead with a cold cloth.

“Ahhhh!” I screamed for the millionth time with tears falling from my eyes.

“Keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t lose consciousness.” I heard the instruction from the doctor.

“Maaa….” I screamed, holding the pillow tightly, wishing she was here beside me.

And suddenly I wanted to cry, ignoring the pains and everything. How did I reach this stage? I want to shout at myself.

“Do you really love me?” I asked, staring at him.

“Yes! And we are getting married too.” He replied smiling.

“But…” I mumbled frowning and turned to stare at his mother.

“I could never ignore his wishes even if I try which I did.” She said sighing making me flinch.

My Mom died being as their caretaker, but that was too many years ago. I just came to thank them for their consideration for the education fees they paid a few years ago for my graduation.

But had to stay back on Maam’s insistence and now he is proposing to me. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out with his smiling and eager and the most handsome face.

“I know you don’t like me, but I want to marry you.” He said again holding my hand and I gasped feeling the warmness.

I don’t like him? He is my crush and I of course like him. But my job in the other city is stopping me or maybe the feeling that this is not true.

“So, will you marry me?” he repeated and now he is on the verge of fear crossing his face.

“I need some time.” I mumbled, taking my hand back.

“Just a little more time.” Nurse whispered when I really started crying like I thought.

“You will be holding some wonderful joy in your arms.” She added and I cried more thinking how some stranger is saying those when there was supposed to be someone close to me.

“Say that again!” he asked with wide eyes.

“I will marry you.” I said, smiling finally convinced that he really loves me and want to marry me.

All the doubts left with his every attempt to show his love for the many many days. I don’t want to miss the chance of having a family at all.

“We are going to get married soon.” He said suddenly pulling me into his arms.

“Ahh! God! I…” I screamed and tightened my lips, wishing all the thoughts leave my head.

This is not the time to think all this after all these months, when I should think about my baby. My baby! I thought and concentrated on pushing.

“If it takes more time, then we have to do a c-section.” I heard someone whisper and my eyes widened.

I don’t have the money! I thought and started heavy breathing, trying everything in me to push the baby out.

“You are pregnant?” he asked with a wide grin.

“Yes!” I replied, nodding with a big smile.

“I am so happy.” He said, lifting me in his arms and twirled me around.

“I can’t wait to tell Mom when she comes here.” I said smiling at his excitement.

“Our baby is our added happiness.” He said and I nodded staring at him.

“I love you!” I whispered and he smiled repeating the words.

“No! Please don’t do a c-section.” I said, pleading while taking in the air and leaving it out.

“Don’t worry!” Nurse said, holding my shoulders, but I kept fighting her arms.

“Please don’t!” I said and screamed again.

“I can see the head.” Those words made me push the effort more.

“That’s it!” Nurse said encouraging me.

“Ahh!” I screamed and then in a few seconds heard a small cry.

“What are you saying Jay?” I asked, staring at him with shock.

“I shouldn’t have thought of marrying such a low life. You showed your true colors didn’t you? Is he that special for you?” he asked, holding my arms tightly in his staring at me with angry eyes.

“Those photos are not true.” I replied, repeating the words, ignoring the pain his words creating.

“Really? I saw you with him so many times.” He said pushing me away.

“Jay!” I mumbled placing my hand over the stomach.

“That is not even mine right?” he asked, staring at my stomach and I immediately stumbled.

“How can you say that?” I asked, raising my voice for the first time, which stayed low wishing to make him understand.

“What is she still doing here? I need her out of this house.” Mom said, walking down the stairs.

“Mom! That is not true and I…” before I could say he held my hand and started dragging me away.

“She will die when she knows how far your betrayal went. Don’t you dare tell her about that bastard pregnancy.” He said and pushed me away from the door to the outside.

“Jay!” I screamed, feeling anger at his words and hurt at the same time.

“Jay!” I screamed again holding his hand, but he stared at me with tears in his eyes and disgust on his face before pushing me again and closed the door.

“Jay!” I screamed, holding my fists to my face before falling on my knees.

“Jay!” I whispered, covering my face.

“It’s a boy!” I jerked out of my thoughts and tried to control my breathing before looking up only to see the nurse walking towards me with a smile holding a rolled towel.

I frowned, but then I saw a small hand coming out of it making me stop breathing in the next second.

“I don’t know whether you heard when we said that before as you lost your consciousness immediately. So, I repeated it to make you not miss that moment.” She said smiling and slowly moved to place the baby.

My hands immediately moved like they know they have to and in the next second I am holding my baby. I am holding my son.

“Do you want me to call anyone?” she asked in an awkward tone.

“I don’t have anyone.” I replied, staring at the amazing sight before me.

“Then we have lots more common than I thought. I mean, at least in some way.” She said but I am not feeling to turn my eyes away from my baby at all.

“He is my son.” I mumbled and felt a fresh set of tears, but then saw him trying to open his eyes.

I don’t know why, but it felt like he shouldn’t look at my face for the first time with tears. I immediately brushed them away, rubbing my face to my gown and turned back to stare at him.

He squinted his eyes before staring at me with curious eyes and his lips twitched up and down and again up a little before twitching completely up.

And then I copied his smile making him smile more. That moment I promised him and myself that I will never let that smile go away from either of our faces.

“You are my family.” I mumbled, pulling him closer to me with a smile and closed my eyes with a sense of content spreading inside.