VIREN POV

Some things are never meant to be anything more than a moment. And meeting Paakhi was one of them.

Thinking back to the moment when I let her see my vulnerability, My pain and Love, I feel foolish.

I don't know what happened but her big beautiful eyes always draw me in. I feel unusual, different when she gazes at me.
It's like confessing everything you have in your heart to her. It is as if she lets out that 'I will make it better' aura.

I'm dragged out of my thoughts by the ringing of my phone.

I grab it from my pocket and accept the call.

"Where are you?" Is the first thing I hear from Arhaan when I answer the call.

"In my car," I reply, looking at the hospital parking lot that I have been in for the last few hours.

"Okay, You need to come to the hospital right now." He asserts nervously.

"I can't," I reply, stroking my neck, which has sprained for keeping it in the same position for too long.

"What do you mean you can't? I need you here, we have a situation." Arhaan chides.

"Look, what I did was the right thing, so don't tell me to..." I try to explain.

"You self-centred prick, it is not about that, come here ASAP!" He reprimands and hangs up.

If it is not about it, then
What happened now?

I procure my keys and step out of the car.

My muscles feel sore. I stretch my legs and walk back inside the hospital.

I really can't face Paakhi right now. Maintaining this 'I don't care attitude' is becoming hectic.

Because I do care and a lot. Seeing that forlorn look on her face when I said those words will haunt me forever.

Confessing my love and then rejecting her both on the same day, I don't even know if she will ever want to talk to me.

Departing the elevator and knocking on the door, I walk in to uncover the tension as thick as a blanket.

I look around to see Paakhi and Maanya both on the left of the room, sitting with their heads in their hand. Whereas on the right side of the room, Shaurya is having a glaring match with a short curly hair guy, he has striking features. It seems like I have seen him somewhere.

Whereas Aditi is nowhere to be seen.

"You are early," Arhaan calls out walking forward.

"So why did you call me?" I ask instead.

Hearing me Shaurya leave the guy and step towards me.

"Aditi's reports are out, and her results show she is pregnant." Hearing him I get surprised for a second.

"And that guy," he points towards the guy at the back.
"He is Neel, says it's his," Arhaan explains.

"So what is the problem?" I ask confuse.

"The problem is that Shaurya claims it is his." I stare at Shaurya.

"Well?" I commence disturbed.

"Why do you think it is yours? It could be anyone's child." I proclaim.

"What do you mean by that?" I hear an exclamation from Paakhi. She stands up and scrambles towards me.

"Do you mean she is a slut?" She exclaims furiously.

"He doesn't mean like that, I'm sorry, please relax." Arhaan interfere.

"Of course he never means what he says," she let out with a glare.

Okay, she has all the right to do so.

"I don't mean it like that, it came out wrong. I apologize for the choice of my words." I apologize, she is already tense. I should not increase her worries.

Maanya steps forward and tugs Paakhi back. In that instant, "What are you guys fretting about ?" We all hear from behind me. There Aditi stood with the support of the Nurse.

"Are you guys still discussing about my sperm donor?" She voices out and walks towards her bed.

Her reaction is so nonchalant.

"Can you please stop taking this matter so lightly?" Maanya asks.

"No, I can't because you guys are making this big deal that it is not." She replies.

"You are pregnant! And we don't know who is the father? Is this not a big deal?" Maanya implores furiously.

"No it is not, my kid doesn't need a father. And especially any of you. " Aditi answers frowning at Shaurya and the guy, Neel.

They both look offended.

"Every child needs a father. " Maanya huffs.

"No, they don't. Every child just needs the right guidance and love. Look at us, we turned out to be okay kids, without mother or father." She exclaims.

"You have parents and I did too. So it is not like that." Maanya condemns.

"My parents kept me locked in the house for 16 years because they were ashamed of having me. So ya, pretty good example I have." Aditi glares.

I feel uncomfortable listening to their conversation because these are pretty big revelations they made in their banter.

"Aditi listen to me-" Maanya starts,

"No, you listen to me. This is my child and not yours, so I decide what is good for it. " Aditi states.

"Oh right, I'm sorry for interfering." She announces with tears in her eyes and leaves the room.

Arhaan frowns at Aditi and runs after Maanya.

"What? Why are you scowling at me?" Aditi bark at Paakhi, who for some unknown reason didn't interfere earlier.

"Just thinking how you again handled the situation so beautifully." Paakhi scoff.

"You can leave too-"

"Oh of course I will, but let me tell you one thing, she said everything because she cares for you. This my dear friend is India, here you have to know the father of your kid otherwise it is said to be a bastard child. Yes, pardon my language but you know Adi, life for your kid will not be simple without a father and the kid has the right to know both his parents. And for the last time, start being a mature and sensible person. Solve this matter with sensibility." Paakhi exclaim.

"And for the last time, I will not leave you and my niece or nephew alone. No matter how big of a douche you are." She announces before leaving the room.

I look at Aditi and see her sitting there embarrassed, feeling kind of awkward, I too depart.

Exiting the room, I see Maanya and Paakhi talking to each other.

Arhaan is standing away from them, so I walk towards him.

"What now?" I ask him.

"Don't know, what if it is Shaurya's?" He asks afraid.

"Then he has to take the responsibility." I proclaim.

He nods his head in understanding.

Minutes later Shaurya walkout furious.

"This woman is going to be the death of me." He mumbles walking towards us.

"What happened?" I ask him.

"She wants to talk to each of us one by one." He mumbles tiredly.

"Are you okay?" I inquire.

"I don't know what to feel right now, I don't want to get tied right now. But on the other hand, my values, my etiquettes won't allow me to step back from my responsibility. Oh God, why am I in this mess?!" He rants.

I feel bad for him, he is just 23 right now, being a father is a big responsibility.

__________________________________

ADITI POV

"And for the last time, I will not leave you and my niece or nephew alone. No matter how big of a douche you are." She announces and walks off.

I sit here with hurt, anger and disappointment.

I know she knows that I'm scared, who won't be? Being a mother at 23, I can't...

"Aditi baby?" I hear the irritating voice of Neel.

"Don't call her that!" Shaurya scowl.

"I call her what-" Neel reply.

"Shut up" I shout and they both look at me.

"I will talk to you both, but one by one," I exclaim.

They both glare at each other but still nod.

"Neel you stay and Shaurya you go," I announce.

When Shaurya leaves furiously, I focus on Neel.

"So what is this all about? You and I both know this child is not yours." I ask exhausted. I'm certain it is not his because one, we have not slept together for 2 months now when some jerk entered my life and second, last to last week I got my periods.

"I know, but as a friend, I think I should support you." He replies.

"I know you, Neel. Don't bluff with me, tell me the real reason. Because no one just adopts someone else's kid." I implore.

"No, you are wrong. I just want to help." He responds, but the precipitation on his forehead indicates his nervousness.

"Then why are you so nervous?" I pry.

"Neel tell me." I push.

"A few days back I got my monthly medical checkup done. And my result came back stating I'm positive for Chlamydia, and it has spread to the testicles from the urethra, causing permanent sterility." He confesses.

"And at that moment I realize, I want to give up my irresponsible ways and move on in life. And the first name that strikes me was yours. You know Aditi we share the same interests causing us to enjoy life together. " he lets out.

"I'm so sorry," I mumbled sadly.

"Don't be, please. You know I don't like when someone feels sorry for me." He stresses.

I nod in understanding and say to lighten the mood, "Do you love me?"

"Ha nice one, you know I don't do love and all. I just want to be a changed man." He explains.

"But I realize I'm too late, I lost you." He announces staring at me.

"What do you mean?" I ask defensively.

"I can see through you, Aditi. And I may know who is the father of this child. " he asserts with a smile.

"How?" I ask curiously.

"I saw the look on your face when he entered the room announcing the kid is not mine but his. You had that small smile on your face and you started stroking your tummy affectionately." His words shock me. Because I don't think I can do something like that.

"I know you, Aditi. Don't bluff with me, tell me the real reason why you don't want him in your baby's life?" He asks manipulating my earlier words.

"Your time is up!" I state instead.

"Stop running away from your feelings. Face them with sensibility." He exclaims walking out.

Why does everyone keep saying me to behave sensibly?

"Come in," I announce when I hear the knock on the door.

"Hi, you look tired..." Shaurya mumbles strolling in with hands in his pockets.

"Ya, a little bit," I confess.

He walks over to the window beside my bed and leans on it.
The evening sun lit his face with orange and purple specks making him look more angelic.

"Aditi..." He calls out. For the first time, I'm seeing seriousness on his face. Because every time I met him, he had this humorous persona.

"Yes, Shuarya?!" I ask tiredly.

"This is my child, isn't it?" He asks or more like pleads.

"Why do you think it is yours? " I ask instead.

"I don't know, my heart is telling me." He concedes.

"Do you want it? Do you want to commit yourself to a kid?" I inquire with a heavy heart. I don't know what I expect him to say, but the strange feeling in my heart is frustrating.

"I..." He tries but the suffering on his face gives me pain.

"You don't have to Shaurya. I will never impose this child on you. You can walk out of here, and I will never blame you for that." I say with a smile.

Inside my heart is twisting, Only I know how I'm controlling my tears from falling.

"But why? " he yells frustrated.

"What do you mean?" I ask confuse.

"Why are you not demanding me to be a part of baby's life? I can provide him with everything and anything. You should be asking me to marry you and give this kid my name. If it was someone else, they would have demanded every facility till now. But why not you?" He exclaims.

"Not every woman is like this, for some love is more important than money. I know you don't feel or even like me, It was just a challenge for you, we slept together and it's over. Right? You told me once that you want to enjoy your life to the fullest before settling down. And this kid is just an obstacle in the course. " I explain.

"But this kid is my responsibility, and my mother taught me to never disregard my responsibility." He admits.

"But what if you start regretting that responsibility in future?" I ask protectively.

When I see the confusion on his face, I try to elaborate.
"What I mean is that I don't want you to regret your commitment to this Kid, because raising a kid is a lifetime job. You can't back off from it in future."

"This is so hard!" He proclaims, panning his hand through his hair.

He looks frustrated.

"Walk away Shaurya, this kid doesn't need you," I yell.

"And who are you to decide?" He yells back.

"It's Mother. I don't need a reckless man as my kid's father." I proclaim.

"Me reckless?!And what about you? You don't even have the money to raise the kid, maybe I should take it from you." He cries out.

"Really? Do you have money? Or do your brothers have? At least I work and earn money. Not like you. " I exclaim furiously.

"You are a useless man and my kid doesn't need a person like you in his life," I shout.

He steps forward angrily but instantly halts, maybe speculating.

I don't know what he thought but he barges out of the room.

Seeing him leaving, my eyes lose their battle with the tears and they stumble out.

"Oh dear," I hear Paakhi exclaim and seconds later her arms are around me.

I always find solace in her arms and she is the only person who has seen me cry.

"Am I not worth loving?" I voice out.

"Of course you are, it is just that the right person will know your worth and till then don't misjudge yourself." She coo, while stroking my cheeks.

"How am I going to take care of this?" I ask scaredly stroking my stomach.

"You are not alone in this. Maanu and I will always be there for both of you." She assures placing a gentle kiss on my head.

"But I hurt her," I whisper guiltily.

"You always do that, but never learn from your mistake." Maanya tease walking in with a tray in her hand.

She draws the overhead food table and settles the tray on it.

"Oh thank God, I expected a boring porridge and not this wholesome meal," I comment looking at the contents of the plate.

"Yes because you are not ill, just weak. " Paakhi remarks.
Carrying a spoonful of dal towards my mouth.

I open my mouth and consume it.

"Maanu, I'm sorry. " I apologize heartily and take another bite Paakhi has been waiting in front of my mouth.

"Me too, we just got caught up in the moment." She replies and hugs me.

"Can you wait, we are having a moment." I frown at Paakhi who is constantly feeding me.

"No sorry, my niece or nephew is hungry." She coos in a baby voice looking at my stomach.

"You do realize that it is not more than a zygote right now?" I ask seriously, controlling my laughter.

"Shush, don't spoil the mood." She remarks shoving another spoonful of food.

For the next 20 minutes, Paakhi shoved food into my mouth, while Maanya started telling me how worried I got them all.

I feel so happy seeing me and my baby have two most caring people looking after us. We don't need a man in our life.

__________________________________

Arhaan POV

After yesterday's fiasco, I need a long nap but work won't allow me to.

With a heavy heart, I leave my bed and walk to the washroom. After getting ready, I retrieve my phone and think about calling Maanya but hold back, yesterday was a tough day for the girls and I can't disturb them.

So leaving a traditional morning message and asking about Aditi's health, I walk out of the room towards the dining area.

"Good morning everyone." I greet Mom, dad, aunty and uncle and take my seat at the dining table.

"Good morning son, how are you?" Mom asks placing a sandwich on my plate.

"Fine," I reply while putting some fruits on my plate.

Everyone commences eating when Viren walks in and sits beside me.

Mom asks him the same question and places a sandwich on his plate.

"Where is Shaurya?" I raise a question.

"Rosy told me that he went somewhere early in the morning." Mom reply.

"Probably for his jog." Dad reason.

I nod and ask another question, "Where is Riya and What about Sana?"

Uncle and Dad look confused hearing me out.

"Sana? What happened now?" Dad implore.

"Manav relaxes, Sana is at Paakhi's house. She left Sourav and is now living with girls." Mom explains.

"Why did she not come home?" Uncle asks furiously.

"Because of your this type of attitude. Dev, our daughter was suffering and we didn't know. Imagine how will she trust us when we failed her as parents?" Aunty chides.

Uncle looks apologetic, he apologizes to Aunty and takes her hand.

"We will bring our daughter back." He promises. Aunty nods at him and they both excuse from the dining table.

"I hope she comes back home," Dad announces and leaves the room.

"Boys? What happens to Shaurya? He was sad yesterday." Mom asks when dad leaves.

Viren and I exchange a look and decide not to tell mom anything right now.
"He is fine mom, maybe he may have lost a match yesterday." I make an excuse.

She nods her head and leaves as well.

"Do you think he is okay?" I ask Viren.

"I don't know, we should probably check on him" he announces and stands up.

I follow him and we walk towards his car where Dhruv is waiting for him.

He slid in and pursue him.

"You are coming with me?" He asks starting at me.

"Yes, if we are both going to the office then why waste fuel?" I utter.

He scowls at me for a second and then starts working on his phone.

I ignore him and look outside the window getting lost in my thoughts.

Reaching the office, I walk in first and see a group of girls gushing about something.

Just as they see Viren walking in, they all scatter off and return to their work.

We enter the elevator together.

"Call Shaurya and ask him to meet us in the office." He asks.

I nod and call him.

As we reach our floor, the ringing of someone's mobile phone is heard.

Evaluating it for a second I realize it is Shaurya's ringtone which is coming from the cabin beside mine.

I look at Viren and see him looking eerily at the cabin.

"Did you ask them to open it?" He asks me. That cabin is closed for a year now.

"No, I didn't," I reply and step towards the cabin.

We walk towards it and push open the door to see the most surprising thing of the day.

"Am I hallucinating?" I hear Viren ask.

"No, definitely not, because I'm also seeing this," I answered in astonishment.

"Stopover acting," Shaurya scowl at us from his seat over the other side of the desk.

"Overacting? Do I remember correctly, a year and a half back you claimed in front of everyone that you will never step into this hell hole?!" I ask remembering his words.

"That was past and now I want to start working like you guys." He announces.

"I don't know what is happening but one thing is for sure, These girls have changed us," I exclaim out loud.

Before anyone can react, my secretary walks over and announce, "Sir, Mr.Singh is calling you and Viren Sir to his cabin for a meeting."

"Thanks, Tasha, we will be visiting him now," I reply and walk towards the elevator.

"Are you coming with us?" I ask Shaurya.

He nods and straightens up his suit jacket.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" He scowls at Viren.

"Never thought I would see you in an office suit. You look funny." Viren tease.

"Bro this is not funny, this is handsome. You won't know about it being the ugly one." Shaurya reply.

I chuckle hearing his retort.

"Baby brother, handsome is this, " Viren reply indicating himself. " You are cute." He pats Shaurya on his head like a dog and flees out of the elevator exactly when Shaurya moves forward to punch him.

Exciting the elevator, Viren transforms his earlier smile into his famous scowl and tread to our father's cabin.

Our father and Uncle's office is on the top floor of the building, where only former employees reside. Those who are working with our father from the start.

"Hello children, how are you?" We hear a jolly voice of Aunty Sofia, who is our dad's secretary. She knows us from when we were kids and use to visit dad in the office.

"Sofia! beautiful, You haven't aged a bit, still that beautiful face."Shaurya comments making her chuckle.

" of course only you would call this Saggy face beautiful, you charming man." She replies.

We talk for a few seconds and then excuse.

When we knock on dad's cabin door and enter, he was drinking his morning coffee looking down his floor-to-ceiling window.

The look from his window is spectacular, it looks towards the luscious garden and the beautiful sky.

"Good, you guys are -" Just as he swivels around and catches a glimpse of Shaurya with us his mug falls with a thud.

He keeps a hand on his heart and utters, "oh my God, don't do that again, I might just have a heart attack."

He walks over to his chair and takes a seat.

"Why is everyone making this a big deal?" Shaurya pout.

"I can't believe my eyes, are you wearing an office suit? What happened to your disastrous clothes?" Dad inquires.

I see Viren taking a seat in front of dad and looking at Shaurya with amusement.

I follow him and take the other seat.

"Disastrous?! Do you even know fashion?" He implores.

"Wearing those ridiculous torn jeans is called fashion?" Dad taunts.

"Oh God, you are too old for this." Shaurya retort with an eye roll.

"Oh, the young man now I'm old. Do you know how I got this white hair? By working day and night and earning fir my family." Dad reply faking hurt.

"You don't have white hair." Shaurya chides.

"I have, I just colour them." Dad reprimands.

"Okay fine, Do you want me to leave?" He asks frustrated.

"No son, I was just kidding. This is a proud moment for me. Seeing you taking responsibilities, I can never be happier." Dad admits with a proud smile adorning his face.

Shaurya passes a smile and leaps over to hug dad.

"Can we now talk about work?" Viren interfere.

Shaurya steps backs and stands beside dad.

"Yes, So I want to inform you guys that Boris Vladimir is free from prison," Dad answers tensely.

Viren jumps to his feet and bangs his hand on the table.

"Why? We proved his crime," he yells.

"I know, but he paid the charges and the fine to the company. So we have no choice but to take our charges back." Dad explains.

"How? The last time I checked he was broke, so how did he pay the penalty?" Viren voice out, walking to and fro.

"I don't know, but I have my men behind him and they say, he is leaving for Russia soon and won't be a problem to us." Dad tries to assure.

"I will make sure of it." He declares and exits the cabin.

I instantly stand up to follow him but dad stops me, "Arhaan, I need to talk to you." He orders and indicates me to sit.

I nod and take a seat.

"Shaurya, go talk to Dev, and he will tell you what you can start with." He orders Shaurya,
Who nod and exit the cabin.

He then leans back into his chair and stares at me.

"So your mother told me you are dating that girl Maanya?" He asks.

I nod and he continues, "So how long do you know her?"

"Long enough to fall in love with her," I reply defensively.

"Do you know anything about her? Or your love has you blinded?" He implores, his tone is offensive but his face is expressionless.

"What do you mean dad?" I ask directly.

"Do you know anything about her past?" He asks bending forward intimately.

The anger course through me realizing his insinuation,
"Did you have her background checked?" I accuse.

"Don't get so riled up, I have to protect my family and know if you are making a mistake or not." He replies nonchalantly.

"Mr. Manav Singh, this is not a bloody business deal, this is my life and I get to choose what I do. You have no right to speak in this matter, and about her past, I know everything and I don't need to know her past to realize how beautiful she is in and out. She is the most caring, loving and ethical girl I have ever met, and I thank God that I met her and soon I will make her mine forever." I claim and walk out of his office seething.

How can he say those things about her? Is someone's past so important that we define that person based on it? What happened to Maanu was so unfortunate and still, people blame her for that? How awful are the norms of this society?

Barging into my office, I pour myself a cool glass of water.

Gulping it down I realize one thing, I have to make Maanya mine and that too soon. I can't let anyone else point a finger at her. No one will dare to if I will make her mine.

With this thought, I lean back and formulate a plan in my head. And I know who to ask for help...

_________________________________

Hola peeps! How are you all?

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