I couldn't help but feel incredibly nervous as I stared at the signboard stating 'Ultrasound'. Dr Sunita Khanna, my obstetrician and gynecologist, had told me to get the ultrasound done. That moment, I reminisced, made me feel like running away from the consultation room, jump the line and just get the ultrasound done to see the life growing as a part of me, in me. But now, it was just overstrung.

A number of 'What if's made their presence felt in the darkest caverns of my mind. I was aware that I did not possess the most healthy diet in the initial days of my pregnancy and my foolish attempt on my life had affected my whole physiology. Was there any chances that it would have affected the child in any way?

In that moment, I could just pray that my unborn should not pay for my negligence and lack of thought. Mumma had begun to work as a cook in the local restaurant and since she joined recently, her application for leave was refused. Probably her presence would have soothed the ache of my heart.

"Hey Khushi!"

Arnav's voice pulled me from the room of darkness I had bound myself in. How could Arnav be here?

"Arnav? How come you are here?" I find myself asking out of surprise before I can control myself.

"Lavanya told me that you were going to the Ultrasound by yourself. Why didn't you tell me? I would have picked you up. How did you come?"

His concern makes me smile. Sometimes I wonder if I had met Arnav much before in my life, how beautiful and peaceful my life would have been.

"Director sent a car for me. And I didn't call you because, I didn't want to trouble you," I say, making him shoot angry looks at me. I could imagine his answer even before he mouths it. He would say that it would be no trouble for him and I should not trouble him by not keeping secrets like I did. And I was right.

"Ms.Khushi Gupta!"

The call for me comes before I give him a retort. Arnav signs asking me to guide the way, being the every bit of the gentleman he is.

"Sir, are you her family member? As of now, we allow only family members or ones with the permission of the patient to come into the Ultrasound room," the nurse says.

"Let him in! He is my friend," I say without hesitating for a moment and ignoring Arnav's sign. If I was able to see this child or breathe in that moment, it was all due to the man they were stopping.

"Dost Bolte Hain Yeh Bade Log Jab Chakkar Kuch Aur Hota Hai. Bachcha Kisi Ka Aur Ultrasound Se Bachche Ko Dekhne Waala Aur Saath Dene Waala Koi Aur. Yeh Bade Logon Ki Soch Unhe Hi Shobhe!"

That moment when I hear the other nurse muttering that under her breath as I went to rest on the bed, I feel my entire world crashing down.

Is this what people think about me? About Arnav?

About US?

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