Shalini's smile froze. Anuradha grabbed her friend's hand and led her towards the couch before the two of them seated themselves in silence.

"Only if there's marriage, there can be divorce. For a live-in relationship, it is just a breakup, right?"

Shalini swallowed the lump in her throat but maintained her silence.

"You know how much I've always wanted to have children. I've told that to him plenty of times too. Once he mentioned to me that he only wants to have a child when he is financially stable and ready to have a family but I didn't know he was really serious when he said that. Yet whenever I expressed my love for children, he agreed that even he likes children. I thought that I had found the perfect guy.

I never had even a single argument with him before today. That's how perfect our relationship was from the start.

I took the pregnancy test yesterday. It was positive. I was so ecstatic. My dream was coming true; I was going to become a mother and have children of my own. I told him about it as soon as we reached home after dinner.

He didn't react for a long time until he said, you have to abort the child. I was shocked; I never expected that from him. I asked why; he reminded me of his wish to have children only after he is financially stable. I explained to him that financial stability was not an issue. Both of us were working; we could easily manage with our total income. He just remained silent. I thought he would think over it and hopefully accept it.

In the morning, he was quite serious and only spoke to me to tell me that he wanted to take me somewhere. He brought me to the hospital and wanted me to have an abortion right away. I said no firmly. He tried explaining to me a few times but I remained firm in my decision.

Then, he drove me home. I thought he would slowly accept my pregnancy for the sake of his love for me. But as soon as we reached our apartment, he ordered me to leave. I tried talking to him but he said that if I'm not ready to abort the child for his sake, then he's not ready to be a father to the child for my sake.

He was ready to kill an innocent child. I couldn't believe I had ever loved such a man. I would never want to kill my child for any reason. If he could think of killing it or throwing me out of his life, then his love was obviously not the true love I had always craved. So, I packed all my things and left. I first planned to return to the hostel, and then decided to come here and see you and Nila first as it might make me feel better."

Anuradha sighed before continuing, "It's just a live-in relationship so when the responsibility of the child came, he easily let me go without an ounce of guilt or care. I never asked for it; he was the one who assured me that we would definitely get married as soon as his parents visit India.

We've known each other all these days and we know for sure we'll only get married to each other; then why wait for marriage to begin our life together? We might as well begin our love-filled life now since we know we are meant for each other. As soon as it was time to take up responsibility, he forgot his own words."

Shalini remained in a solemn silence for a long few minutes.

"This serious face doesn't suit you even one bit, smiley!" Anuradha's tone changed back to her usual merry voice after a moment of dejected silence.

Shalini frowned in confusion at her friend. "Aren't you upset after all that happened?"

"Yeah but not anymore. I was a bit upset earlier but as I've vented everything in my mind to you, I'm feeling relieved now."

"Didn't you love Raghav? How can you be so cool about it?"

"I thought I loved him. But he didn't love me the same. When he asked me to leave the house, I was upset. I wanted to fight for my love. But he didn't want our child. I don't know why but I didn't feel like fighting more. It's like the love I thought we shared didn't exist. It wasn't true love, Shalu. That's what I realized at that moment.

Had it been true love, I wouldn't have been able to think of a life without him. But when he asked me to leave the house, in my mind, I had decided I would have my child even if I have to be a single mother. And yes, I am gonna have my child even though I'm on my own."

"But, Anu-" Shalini started to speak when Anuradha interrupted, "I'm not worried as I know I won't be alone. I have you, Shiva and Nila, right?"

Shalini finally smiled. "Always."

"What?" Shiva's voice boomed from inside the bedroom, startling Shalini and Anuradha. "She died due to blood loss?"

Shalini stood up as a frown creased her forehead.

Shiva walked out of the bedroom, speaking on the phone, with a deep frown. "Which hospital, Narain?"

Hearing Narain's name, the colour drained from Shalini's face and she bit her lip in worry. No way, not Swetha. Narain would be broken if he lost her and their unborn child.

"Okay, okay, I'll be there. You relax, Narain. I'll be there in a few minutes. Relax, relax," Shiva spoke before disconnecting the call.

"What happened?" inquired Shalini.

"Narain called. Swetha had an abortion and died due to excessive blood loss."

Shalini gasped. "Abortion? But, why? She was already in the later part of her pregnancy."

"I don't know. I'll just go check at the hospital."

Shalini stepped towards him before stopping in her tracks. I can't leave Anu alone right now. She's pregnant and has to get over her breakup completely. But I can't imagine Narain's state at this moment.

Shalini turned back to Anuradha, feeling torn between her two friends, who care for her like family.

"Nila is asleep in her cot," informed Shiva, before leaving to the hospital.

Shalini seated herself on the couch again, still worrying about her two friends. Anu is gonna have a baby but she has lost her love. Fortunately, she is taking everything positively. If what I believe is true, Narain has lost both his wife and child. He had been so happy and feeling so complete; this would be devastating for him.

"What are you thinking with a frown? I told you this seriousness doesn't suit you, smiley." Anuradha's voice snapped Shalini from her thoughts.

Shalini shook her head to indicate nothing.

"I always told you that Narain isn't a good guy. Did you believe me? Now, see. He killed his own wife. All these guys are like that. They will enjoy and love until it is time to take the responsibility. Then, they will expect us to do an abortion and get rid of the child. If we don't, they will get rid of us from their lives. I told you I pity Swetha. Poor girl, she died because of him."

"No, it can't be like that. You have misunderstood him," responded Shalini firmly.

"Shalu, you have no idea how lucky you are to have a guy like Shiva. He is like the best man I have ever met. He is perfect for you. I wanted to find a man like him, who would be perfect for me. I thought I found him in Raghav but I was wrong. Even though that guy is Shiva's friend, he is no different from all the other men! He killed his wife and child. There is no need for you to pity him."

"Anu, how can you say this just by hearing that Swetha died due to the abortion? No, I know Narain well. If you can say Shiva is the best, even Narain is a great guy. I don't understand how you can hate him so-" Shalini was interrupted by Shiva who walked back into the apartment.

"Lini, I think it's better if you accompany me. Can you come? Is everything okay with Anu? You can stay with her if she's having any problem."

Shalini glanced at Anuradha.

"Go if you want to console that guy for killing his wife and child." Anuradha muttered in a low whisper, rolling her eyes.

Shalini sighed, wondering when and how Anuradha would ever realize what a nice guy Narain was.

"I'll be happy enough if you leave Nila with me at home. So, no need to worry about me."

"Okay." Shalini turned back to Shiva. "I'll come with you."

The couple left for the hospital in silence.

To be continued...

A/N: Please vote and comment. :)