TWO WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING DAY

*James Pov*

"You don't give it a rest, do you?" he stared at me with a determined look not budging at all no matter how much I am trying to stop him.

I was done with my treatment, but this man stopped me from leaving and now trying to raise my temper, no matter how much I am trying to calm down. It's been half an hour, but he is still continuing with this discussion, even after listening to my decision.

"I am not joking, James." He warned without any hesitation.

"You were behind me all this time to have a proper therapy and just when I started doing that, you came up with another thing." I pointed out tightening my grip on the chair.

"You are talking as if I will benefit from all this. Therapy was for you and this operation will also be for you." He pointed back.

"She was working hard all this time and she finally found the expert and a way to increase..." I cut him off raising my hand.

"So, I get to live more. Then? Should I really increase my time living like this?" I asked gesturing to my legs.

"You will at least be alive for more time." He slammed his hand on the table.

"I already told your wife to not look for any options. Now, as this whole discussion is nothing but a waste of my time. I will just leave this place." I turned the chair to leave, but his next words stopped me.

"I will tell your family everything if you are not going to make a sensible decision." I closed my eyes, hearing his words and turned to stare at him directly.

"Don't forget that you are still my doctor and you need to respect your patient wishes more than anything." I stated but he just shook his head.

"As a doctor I need to meet your guardian and talk with that person regarding this sensitive issue. But do you have one? Then I need not tell anyone about all this to get permission." He is back to that point again.

I don't know what to tell him anymore. He recently stopped talking about guardian issue and any other topic when I started to get therapy normally, but now he is back to that.

"The therapy I am going through is enough for me." Saying that I again tried to leave, but stopped hearing a knock on the door after which she entered the cabin.

"You called for me, Chief?" she asked, clearing her throat, not even realizing I am present along with him.

He gave her a nod before starting to explain regarding the surgery while she calmly listened to everything without saying a single word.

"What do you think, Dr. Palak? He should go through it, right?" he asked leaning forward.

"You should talk to him about it tomorrow, Chief." She mumbled sighing and he gave her a shocked look hearing her words.

"I just did and he is not accepting it." He said, gesturing me and she immediately turned to stare at me with a shocked look.

"Oh! Uhmm... maybe you should talk to his family?" she mumbled, turning back to stare at him.

"Even I was thinking the same." He nodded with a smile.

"I am still here and no one can drag me to the operation theatre." I stated making both of them to glance at me.

"But your family can. Isn't it right, Dr. Palak?" he asked, glancing at her while she just nodded without any hesitation making me frown.

"I will take my leave if there is nothing else to discuss, Chief." Saying that she left the cabin while he too frowned at her this time.

"Why does she seem so lost?" he asked glancing at me.

"How could I know? She is my doctor and not the other way around." I replied, still feeling the stress he is putting me through.

"Just because you are a family friend, that doesn't give you any right to threaten me." Saying that I shifted to finally leave and not stop anymore.

"If your doctor was not a family friend, then the situation would have been more than different." I completely ignored his words shaking my head.

When I turned towards the entrance after leaving his cabin, the conversation I can hear in bits made me pause at again.

"Why did you rush from my cabin like this, Dr. Palak? You... understand... dangerous... for both of you." I frowned, moving ahead to reach the two people discussing in whispers.

"I need some time, Dr. Kavitha." Palak whispered back.

"I know! But you need to listen to my instructions to keep your baby safe. I already told you there are a few complications." I stopped moving the chair hearing those words clearly.

"I know! Just give me some time to wrap up my mind." I can hear her pleading tone, but my mind is still struck with that doctor's words.

"Okay! But don't stress yourself too much." After the doctor left, I finally moved closer to her where she is still standing lost in her thoughts.

"You are pregnant?" I finally asked and she immediately turned around after letting out a scream.

"You startled me." She frowned, looking at me and then her eyes widened.

"So, you are pregnant?" I repeated and she immediately looked around before gesturing the way we generally take when my therapy used to be outside.

She stayed silent for a few minutes sitting silently on the bench while I waited for her to start replying to my question. Even though it is confirmed, I still want her to say it.

"I don't know how all this happened." She mumbled covering her face while I shook my head.

"I am sure you know." I mumbled back and she immediately turned to stare at me.

"You really know how to put down people." I sighed, hearing her words and realized she is really upset over this.

"Why are you stressed? Just tell him and it's done." I pointed out to which she shook her head.

"We never discussed this topic you know." She explained which seems silly for me.

"You shouldn't hide things from him." I warned her and without wasting a second she glared at me.

"Says the one who is hiding such a huge matter from his whole family." I give her a point for firing back at me like that.

I still can't believe she started speaking informally like this from the time I informed her about my acceptance of their relationship.

She was so stubborn to speak formally all this time, even after I mentioned once, but now she is not stopping at all. And on top of that she joined hands with Harsha to force me to tell everything to my family. As expected, she didn't miss the chance when it got opened to her.

"Are you really comparing our issues?" I asked frowning.

"Exactly! Yours is more important than mine. When will you tell them, James? They will be really hurt." She pleaded completely changing the topic.

"What do you actually want me to do? Go near my mother who already suffered all these years to raise us and even go through my present situation that I am going to do because of some stupid tumor." I shouted not able to stop myself.

"James..." she whispered shifting back after hearing my tone.

"Do you really think I should do that and make them go through the pain until I pass away? I am choosing the way through which they will live happily and not worry about me. I don't want my family to stand on the edge thinking about my situation all the time. And this operation? Why should I increase a few months of my life and live in this stage? I have seen how it affected all of them when I had my first operation. I can't go near them and say that the problem we all thought as gone returned." I don't know what happened, but I poured out every frustration I am feeling every time they bring out this topic.

"I am sorry! I am really sorry. I was being insensitive. Please calm down." She whispered, placing her hand on mine making me realize I am holding the chair tightly in my grip.

"I really crossed the line. I understood your privacy when I have been just your doctor, but realizing you will be my family, I crossed it. I will never do that again." She promised and even teared up while I controlled my temper.

"No! I should be apologizing. Don't stress yourself in this condition." I mumbled, taking my hand away, making her drop her hand from mine.

"It is not my place to tell him, but you should tell him after gathering your thoughts." Adding that I calmly left the place while she sat there without saying any other word.

I know her worry is unnecessary because David will be more than happy after he gets the news. Now that I am going to be an uncle, I need to put away my restrictions and help him in convincing Mom.

*Palak Pov*

"Even you are siding with him now?" Chief asked me with a shocked expression.

It's been two days since I saw James outburst, but I can still remember the expression he showed and he is more than stressed about everything. To top of that we both were burdening him more and I finally realize my mistake.

"I am his doctor and it is my duty to help with his stress, which is needed for his therapy too." I explained, but felt guilty knowing well I didn't get that thought of myself and acted selfish all this time thinking from David's side and not James.

"It doesn't matter because I am not budging from the situation at all. I am giving him two weeks. He can either bring a guardian or I will tell his family without any hesitation." I walked away from his cabin, hearing those words and reached James who is waiting for me.

"He didn't get mad that you went there instead of me?" he asked frowning at me.

"It doesn't matter! I will definitely protect your peace of mind." I promised again to which he just shook his head.

"Do you even know how young you are to me? And you will protect me?" he shook his head.

"So? Twelve years is not much. It's not like you will suddenly be my parent. And we both are friends, right?" I smiled to which he gave his usual frown.

"We will think of something before two weeks pass." I mumbled nodding to myself.

"Did you tell him?" he asked, glancing at me and my tough face immediately lost all the confidence.

"No! He is busy with the race event he is participating tomorrow. I can't tell him this news and distract him, right?" I pointed out and he just sighed.

"If you want to find excuses, you will get as many as you can every minute." Saying that he just left the hospital while I left for home still lost in my thoughts.

He doesn't know how scared I am regarding this matter. I always made plans regarding my life ahead after realizing I will not lead a happy life if I get stuck in my family ignoring everything.

But then falling in love is something I didn't want to and it still happened. Now this which is still too much to get it together.

At least I am relieved to tell one person otherwise I would have lost my mind for sure. Still, I want to talk to someone who will not be this straight forward and more of listening to my ranting first.

"David?" I stared at him in surprise when I found him sitting on the couch after I unlocked the door and he smiled standing up.

"Are you tired?" he asked, reaching me before pulling me into his arms.

"A little!" I whispered, hugging him back and felt all my worries leaving my head.

"Tomorrow after the race, I will come here to pick you up. Mom wants to meet you." I stood still hearing those words and shifted back to stare at his face.

"Oh!" that's all I can say and he just smiled.

"Don't worry! She just wants to meet you and she is a very humble person. I am confident that she finally accepted for out marriage." He assured me and I just gave him a slight smile.

"Is she a person with like progressed thoughts?" I asked making him frown.

"Means?" I can understand his confusion as even I don't know what I am saying.

"I mean is she particular with things." I tried to correct my question and he gave a thoughtful look.

"She is! She will definitely accept only a church wedding. She is particular about a lot of things and kind of strict with her views." He explained and I realized I got another excuse to not tell him this matter.

Oh god! I never thought I was good at hiding things, but now I am hiding two major ones from the person I am going to spend my rest of my life with.

****

"Don't be nervous." David assured me for the tenth time, but my heartbeat is still raising when we reached their house.

"Right! Congratulations on your win." I mumbled, turning towards him and he smiled.

"You are very fast." Satish commented from the driver seat when he had to wait for the gate to open.

"It's okay! You must have wished him already which could mean more to him anyway." I commented back, making him glare at me while David chuckled still holding my hands.

"Do you want anything to drink?" His Mom asked while I sat on the couch without moving an inch but at least I am breathing.

At present, his whole family is seated before me along with Shruthi who has a blank expression along with James.

"N...o! I mean no, Mrs. Anthony." I squeaked at first, but finally managed to reply.

"Do you really love my son?" she asked with a serious look and I remember James asking me the same question.

"Yes! And I am really sorry about everything else." I added to which she turned to glance at David.

"You can call me Aunty for now and after marriage, we will decide if you have to change it." I stared at her in shock hearing those words.

"James said he doesn't have any problem with this relation and it is not right if I object when he is fine. I can see David is really stubborn about this matter and all I can do is accept this." She explained and I immediately sent a grateful look to James but he is totally ignoring all of us.

"But we will not be meeting with your family and everything else. This marriage will not be like a normal one, but you must have expected when you both decided to continue your relationship after knowing the truth." She continued and I felt David's hold tightening on my hand.

"What about on the wedding day?" I finally asked after understanding her words.

"They can of course attend because I can't stop your family and I don't have a right. However, there will be no in-laws relationship between these two families no matter what. Are you fine with it?" she explained.

I know the fault is on our side, but it still pains me knowing there is no way anything will get settled and it will be too much to even ask them. I will be fine with all this if I have David with me.

"Yes! I am fine with it and I will make them spend the money on this ceremony too." I said and she gave a surprised look but just for a second.

"Will they accept this marriage?" she asked frowning.

"I am trying and I am sure they will." I replied giving her a nod.

"Within two weeks?" she continued and this time I gave her a confused look.

"David has an important work lined up after two weeks and he needs to go abroad a few times. So, either this or after two months will be suitable. So, James suggested this earlier date. If you want, two months is also fine for us." She explained.

"Two weeks is fine for me, but it will be her decision." David mumbled and his mother didn't even glance at him still waiting for my decision.

I glanced at James, who is actually looking at me with a pointed look and I realized why he did that. I am already seven weeks pregnant and after two months will not be a good option.

"Two weeks is fine, Mrs... Aun...ty and it will not matter whether they accept or not." I said finalizing my decision.

Oh god! Why am I going through this weird process in my life? I didn't have many thoughts regarding meeting the family I will be marrying into even when I realized I will be marrying David. But now this is not normal at all. It's kind of like a business meeting rather than a marriage meeting.

"I will take care of the ceremony." Shruthi opened her mouth and each one of them stared at her in shock along with me.

"What? When none of you have any problem with her, then why would I?" she asked, raising her eyebrow before she smiled at me.

Why do I feel like that smile is definitely not honest? Well, I just need to give everyone some time to not think of my brother everytime they see me.

The next day to my surprise, Dad called me himself to say that he is accepting this marriage. I passed the information to David so that his family can know.

I was even successful in making Dad accept the church wedding along with making him pay for everything and it is definitely a huge shock for me from which I am trying to recover. Shruthi helped me with the dress and other decorations.

We both didn't pass any words, unless it is related to ceremony and I am fine with that for now. James therapy was also going well, except for the Chief's threat.

And I am still hiding my huge matter from David. The guilt is killing me and I am not even able to be completely happy with these preparations as that thought is ruining everything.

"Today I am finally going to tell David everything." I stated making James pause from concentrating on the exercise.

"Two days before the wedding?" he asked frowning.

"Yes! I can't go through it with a peaceful mind otherwise." I explained and he gave a nod understanding my meaning.

****

"Satish! Do you know where is David? He is not picking up my calls and I need to meet him." I finally called Satish when I couldn't get my call connected to David at all.

"Oh! He... he is at the police station." He replied after a few seconds.

"What?" I asked, getting up from my couch.

"Yes! Can you come here? It is going to be a huge mess if you don't solve this." He replied and I got confused hearing those words but I immediately left for the station.

I finally realized why he asked me to come when I found that David fought with my brother. I called Dad the moment I saw both of them and reached to stand beside David.

"David!" I whispered, looking at his face and then found his knuckles covered with blood.

"You should see my face rather than your fiance's, Sister. I am the victim here." I glanced at my brother to see his face really covered with a few bruises still forming.

"So, you both are a family? You can still settle this among yourselves." Officer stated and Satish immediately explained that my brother is not wishing to take back the complaint.

"Dad will be here soon. Do you really want to continue with this?" I asked him frowning.

"You are very confident that he will support you, right?" he asked smirking.

I stayed silent placing my hand on David's shoulder who is sitting in silence without uttering a single word and didn't glance up from his knuckles.

"Take it back right now. They are going to get married within two days and you want to put him in jail." Dad said the moment he reached the station.

"He punched me." Bhai didn't budge at all.

"Did you forget that we invited all the shareholders and many important people? Are you finally giving up on our company?" he asked and I closed my eyes understanding why is he supporting me rather than my brother.

"Fine!" he finally budged and took back his complaint before leaving the place but not before glaring at both of us.

"Ask him to not cause any more troubles before the wedding." That's what my Dad said before following my brother.

"Let's go!" I whispered, holding David's elbow and he calmly walked along with me.

"He shouldn't stay with you." Satish commented when I asked him to drive us to my place.

"I know! I will just treat his wounds and you can take him back to his place." I mumbled, rolling my eyes still not understanding why is his family so hell bent on the rule of not staying together since the day our marriage got fixed.

I can understand one day before the wedding, but this is like too much. I sighed, knowing well I couldn't actually state my thoughts openly because of two reasons.

One, because I actually can't ask them to let both of stay like together before marriage even though we already did. And second is I am still guilty being a part of the family who caused such a loss to them. I should feel grateful that they actually separated me from those mistakes, right?

"I don't know how you ended up meeting him and why you had to beat him up. But I know he must have said something stupid like he always does. I am sorry on his behalf. Let go of your anger and as you can see he will not trouble you anymore. He is scared only about losing his position in the company, you know." I explained while treating his wounds when he stayed silent.

"He is not that good at the work he does and I heard Dad is going through so much to not let the shareholders drop him from the position. So, don't think about it anymore." I added finishing the dressing on his knuckles.

"You care for them?" he asked in a whisper.

At that moment I don't know how to reply at all. Because I have seen so many things they were doing and all that time I still cared for them.

Maybe I am not as strong as I really think because after knowing everything the word 'Family' is still getting into my head and so I simply gave him a nod.

Satish drove him to his place while I sat alone on the couch realizing I again missed the chance to tell him the truth.

"I am sure he will be happy about you, baby. But I am just worried. I am stupid, right?" I asked, caressing my stomach.

****

"We will call for you. Please be ready." One of the assistants informed me before leaving my room after checking whether I am ready.

Oh god! I am really getting married and that too hiding something big like this from him. I stood up before pacing the room.

I should have pressured Tina to come even after she said she will not be able to because of tight schedule. I should have invited Senior and maybe he could have helped me with his words like he generally does.

I got startled hearing my phone ringing and I immediately picked it up, finding the person I can actually talk to right now.

"Di!" I whispered, closing my eyes.

"Nervous? I really wanted to attend your wedding, but..." she trailed off sighing.

"I can understand, Di. This is too soon and it would have been a trouble to come here from all the way." I assured her even though I know the main reason.

It would be more than awkward with my brother's presence. I shook my head reminding myself everything she went through.

"Di! Truth to be told, when I heard the whole story from you all I wanted was to never be in your situation because I wouldn't have been as strong as you and deal with everything." I mumbled but she just sighed.

"I was not strong, Palak. I was weak and gave up on my baby." She pointed out.

"Di! I am pregnant." I finally whispered and she didn't say anything for a few seconds.

"Wow! Is he not happy with the news?" she asked and immediately congratulated me.

"I... I didn't tell him, Di." I whispered and this time the pause was longer.

"Why? Why didn't you?" she asked in a shocked tone.

"Maybe I would have if the situation was normal, but this is very complicated. I already had to feel guilty with what my brother did and I kept on walking on eggshells around everyone. Somehow the excuses just piled up." I mumbled, rubbing my forehead.

"What did he do?" she asked cautiously.

"He caused his brother to lead his life in a wheelchair and he killed..." I got cut off when the door opened with Shruthi entering the room holding the bouquet.

"I forgot to give this to you. You are on the phone? They are calling for you." She asked, frowning at me.

"Right! I will call you later, Di." I cut off the call fearing this person somehow.

"Let's go! And give that to me." Saying that she took the phone from my hands and passed the bouquet.

"There is still time?" she asked the assistant when we reached the entrance from outside.

So, we had to stand there in silence for the next five minutes. She arranged my veil before leaving me with the assistant and walked into the church from the side door.

Taking a deep breath, I took a step forward when my Dad reached my side and helped me to walk in the aisle and I finally reached David's side after which I didn't feel nervous at all.

I glanced at his face and realized he must be nervous too. When he nodded at me, I nodded back assuring him that I am fine. I smiled at that thought and faced the pastor remembering the instructions from Shruthi. I am still curious how she knows about all this so clearly.

I don't how everything turned into a mess I never expected after this. Each word David is uttering is making me think that he is just acting and all this is not true.

"David!" I whispered finally getting my voice back, but it still shook.

"So what? You are doing this all for a revenge?" I can hear my brother's voice.

No! David will never do that. He loves me and he can never think of a revenge that could hurt me, right. David will never do that.

"Yes! Now, let's see if these people will still entrust you to manage a company. A murderer and the person who escapes punishment by blaming the victim's in turn." I felt my legs shaking hearing that cold voice from David.

No! He is really acting and everything will be fine. I just need to look at his face and ask him and he will definitely say all this is a joke they are playing right now.

"You actually thought I would give a chance for you to hurt us again?" I finally found his gaze, but he immediately glanced away and my hands shook when he did that.

"All this was for a revenge?" I asked in a whisper, knowing well he will deny it.

He is my David, and he will never hurt me. How can David even get a thought to hurt me? He is just angry at my brother and now that he left, everything will be back to normal.

I smiled at him through my eyes, ignoring the tears forming in them to show that I trust him and understand the reason behind it.

"Yes! Didn't you hear what I was saying until now?" he asked, smirking and I blinked feeling everything is blur.

This is not true. I am not seeing clearly and I need to see his face to know that he is just lying now. I let the tears roll down so that I can see his face, but he still has the same expression and just turned around before walking away.

I stood there without breathing, praying that he walks back to me by opening those doors any second. I snapped out when I felt someone holding my hand tightly.

"Now, will you believe me that he was playing you all this time? You never helped me and now everything is ruined because of your stubbornness." I turned to stare at my Dad's face who is looking at me with anger.

"How dare of him to do this to our family? Does he think everything is done with this act of his? I will get you married within a week and show him our family is not week." He added with a determined look.

"Dad! David will never..." he pushed me when I started my words and I fell back, but I placed my hand on my stomach immediately.

"Shut up! You will return home with me and forget all about that hospital. You will listen to me from now on. As you can see the result of going through your own decisions." He warned before turning around to the place from where everyone is staring at me.

I tried to stand up, but I couldn't feel the strength in my legs anymore causing me slip, but I felt someone holding my shoulders from back before I can hurt myself.

I turned thinking it is David but it is James bending over from his chair after reaching me, who calmly whispered, "Careful!"

I know what he is talking about. I need to be careful for my baby's sake. What if... what if I lose it just like... like Di?

Marriage... within a week? Hospital... but that is his family... no support... no help... with power... but my baby. I... I don't want to lose my baby.

"I don't want to lose my baby." I whispered, staring at him and he turned away from the entrance to stare at me.

"What?" he asked, frowning.

"Help me to save my baby. Marry me! Marry me now, James." I whispered, coming out of my shock still holding onto my stomach with a fear I never experienced before.

But why would he help me? He is his brother and he is the victim. But... I brushed my tears away to stare at him with clear eyes.

"I will be your guardian and will help with any decisions you make. Please! Please help me to keep my baby safe. Please!" I pleaded, feeling my whole body shaking and at that moment I felt I didn't know myself anymore.

"Please!" I pleaded closing my eyes and he moved his hands to hold mine.

"Fine! Stop shaking like this and control yourself. I will marry you." I opened my eyes, hearing those words and slowly stood up with his help.

He reached the pastor to talk while I stood at the same place feeling numb all of a sudden except for the thought that I will be able to keep my baby safe. I will not have to do the same like Di. Because... because I know I could take such step if I hadn't found this way.

"Come!" James whispered and I took a step forward to stand beside his chair while the pastor climbed down the stage.

"James! What is happening?" I can hear his Mom's voice, but I didn't turn around.

"Palak! Why are you standing there?" I ignored my Dad's voice.

They all must be in this. That's the only thought in my mind and it doesn't matter even if James is a part of this because I will be able to keep my baby safe.

And he too ignored other people's voice before the pastor started marrying us off. I ignored the shout I can hear far away because right now I can't think of anything except for my baby. Nothing else matter except that.

-----------------------------------------------

So, i tried my best with explaining Palak's emotions and it is still not over... That was just her immediate emotions... i hope i did a justice for ehr character for now...

and i know her feeling scared after the pregnant news is not a normal one but i tried to explain the reasons behind that fear and will try more later if it is not particualry clear... don't worry...

I actually thought even david's pov will be here but somehow the chapter just got lenghten too much and will get his pov in the next chap... I am hoping to give an early update for next chapter... fingers crossed...

and thank you so much for the love you guys showed for the previous one and hope to see your views regarding this one too... i know i am greedy...

how is it???

comment plz and vote...