The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. 

-Socrates

Chapter 27: Big Round Belly

   "Sheila is pregnant," Madhan said, looking white.

   "Okay, so?" Riya asked. " You shouldn't be this worried unless... you...?"

   Riya couldn't finish her sentence. It was bad enough that Madhan asked for a divorce, but the reason for that not actually being her? That she couldn't digest.

   "Sleep with her?" Armaan finished.

   "Of course not," Madhan protested, while Sheila said, "Yes he did," at the same time, from behind me.

   "Excuse me, " Madhan said, turning around to face her.

   "That's nonsense. You can't be the father," Armaan scoffed. What was Sheila thinking? Was there something going on between them, just like Riya thought?

   Sheila sighed. "I drank too much twice. One was that time during the bar, and the other was yesterday. But I have no recollection of what happened, whatsoever. And I'm guessing something happened during the previous meeting."

   "No. This can't be happening. I was drunk that day too. No." Madhan shook his head violently. He looked at Riya to see how she was taking in the situation.

   "Did you, or did you not end up with me in bed yesterday," Sheila asked, raising her eyebrows.

   "But," Madhan stuttered. He couldn't, could he have? How can he not remember something like that happened? He was so sure he wouldn't cheat on Riya even in his dreams. Was.

   "Answer the question," Sheila demanded.

   "Yes, but."

   "What the hell?" Riya was enraged. She walked up to Sheila and slapped her.

   Sheila placed her palm on the spot Riya just slapped. She looked over at Madhan, who was agitatedly pacing about the room. She smiled a little at Riya. "I'm sorry," she shrugged. "We were both drunk."

   "Nothing could have happened. She was wearing her clothes," Madhan said, in denial.

   "I don't care! Is this what you have been doing behind my back all these days? I haven't asked you a single thing about where you went and when you were going to be back. I was trying to make an effort to become friends." Riya was seething.

   Sheila looked at Madhan, wistfully. "You have no idea how sorry I am this happened. Please Madhan, divorce her and marry me instead. I can't raise him/her by myself." Sheila rubbed her stomach tenderly. On that cue, Sheila rushed to the wash basin and puked. Madhan rushed to her aid and held the sides of her head while she continued to throw up.

   Riya's world came crashing down. She needed to be alone. Without another word, she walked out of Armaan's house.

   Meanwhile, Armaan who was so confused till then had a light bulb moment that would settle the confusion once and for all.

   "Did you take the pregnancy test, Sheila?" Armaan asked.

   Sheila wiped her mouth with a towel and thanked Madhan. "What do you take me for? I'm not stupid. Of course I took one!" she said, walking to his bathroom. "Here," she threw the pregnancy test device, and Armaan caught it at the nick of time.

   "Okay. How can I be sure it's yours?" he asked.

   "What are you getting at?"

   Armaan looked at her, pointedly. "Take one again."

   "What? No! Of course not."

   "If you have nothing to hide, then why are you afraid? Is it possibly because you aren't actually pregnant?"

   Sheila was indignant. "A woman would never joke about something as serious as this."

   "Well, I recall you going out for a date with someone named 'Henry'. I remember this because I called to ask you something, and you said you were out on a date and that you would call me that night, but you never did. So I'm guessing..." Armaan left it hanging mid air, raising his left eyebrow suggestively.

   Madhan was not stupid. He quickly caught on.

   "I want you to take a DNA test, Sheila," he said.

   "What the heck is wrong with you guys?"

   "If it says positive for me, then I'll divorce Riya and marry you. If it isn't, what are you going to do?" Madhan was cent percent positive that it would be negative for him. He refused to think otherwise.

   "Let's not worry about the negative result. I'm sure it won't come to that," she said, dismissively.

   "If it is," he pushed. He needed assurance that the ridiculous claim would stop there.

   Sheila sighed. She didn't want to say the next words, but she didn't have a choice.

   "I will apologize and help you get back with Riya."

   Madhan smiled. Exactly what he wanted to hear.

   Madhan patted Armaan on the back and said he would be crashing at his place for two weeks till this mess got sorted out. Riya would murder him in his sleep if he went back.

   "I wouldn't tell her anything about this development if I were you," Sheila said, quietly. "Don't try to raise her hopes up, and squash it down again. Don't talk to her as well. Just pack your things and leave."

   "Sheila, I'm sorry."

   Sheila smiled softly. "It's okay. It was both our faults. I'm going to leave now." She needed to plan something fast, and it better be good. It was a one-way ticket to her love, and she wasn't going to let that chance go.

   Madhan walked back to his house. The door was slightly left ajar. He saw Riya packing her things.

   "Where are you going?"

   Riya didn't reply. She didn't even look at him when he entered. How could he ask such a dumb question?

   "I'm moving to Armaan's for a few weeks. Have to sort some things out. And then I'll be back."

   Riya stopped midway while placing her Pantene Shampoo in the bag.

   "Sort some things out? Like what? Applying for a divorce and sending me a notice when you're back?"

   Madhan closed the door behind him and walked towards her till he stood three feet away.

   "I'm sorry, Riya. I was just so furious about you not telling me you were going to squander that much. That was basically half my life savings."

   "Squander? You wouldn't give me a ride. A few hours later that day I see you at Kohls with Sheila. Is it so wrong to have wanted to be independent?"

   "Everything was for YOU. Sheila helped me work out. She helped with the food. She helped with my confidence and style. I did all of it for you."

   Riya laughed bitterly. "And somewhere in between, you both fell in love with each other."

   "No! I'll never love her. I would never cheat on you." Deep down in his heart, he knew that was true. Something just didn't seem to make sense.

   "Then explain to me why you both were sleeping together in New York. Oh please. Save your lies, Madhan. I'd been wanting to make a fresh start after you came back. I redid the house so I could make myself feel at home. Don't you get how hard it is for me? You were so sweet to me before. What changed? Why did you become so cold? You don't eat at home anymore."

   Madhan looked at Riya pleadingly. "Will you let me explain?"

He continued even though Riya said no.

   "The reason I became cold? It was Armaan. He said that in order to make you fall for me, I had to stop being nice and become indifferent. Because that's what girls liked apparently. And if I'm not wrong, you did start to react to it. I was feeling a bit encouraged. I started following their advice more. They asked me to start working out. Sheila is my personal trainer. She's been cooking for me, helping me train, and trying to get me to feel confident."

   "Wow. You and Sheila have been spending a lot of time together. Did you even say one word about who she was? I trusted you. And look where that trust has gotten you."

   "Sheila, I uh. " Madhan stopped mid air. What have I done. Oh shoot.

   Riya shook her head disappointedly. "And you just called me Sheila. Look Madhan, I meant it when I said I wanted to be independent. You cheated on me, and I just can't stand to be here. Don't try to find me. You'll get what you want, in a few months. Till then, don't try contacting me."

   Riya picked up her bag, took her car keys, and walked out the door without another word.

   "I didn't cheat on you," Madhan shouted, but it was too late. It was too late. What was he going to do now?

   With a big heave, Riya opened the trunk of her Mustang and shoved her suitcase into the car. She started her car and drove out of the apartment. Now what, she thought.

Phew!! Is it too late?!!?!?!? :( Do you think Madhan will chase after her or just stand there acting dumb? :P Please vote and comment! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! :)