"Before I wanted a happy ending with you but now it's all about wanting a love that is perennial."

If someone had told him in the past that he was going to settle down and start a family, he would have given them a blank look, finding the entire scenario quite unbelievable.

He had no plans for the future. He worked and intended to continue in that manner, or so he thought before Aahana entered his life.

Unwillingly, he had to accept the marriage and her as his wife. It hadn't been a decision he'd made. He was blackmailed into doing it. But now he was beyond thankful to his father for what he had done for him.

He had taken the chance with her which had pulled him out of his dark shell and he had no regrets, except for one. He wished he could change the way he had treated Aahana at the start.

He didn't know how she had managed to make her way into his heart but he was glad she did. She was exactly what he needed to live, to feel, to discover himself.

Every day with her felt like a new beginning and their love for each other was just as refreshing and euphoric as day one.

"Did dad agree to come with us?"

He was so absorbed in his thoughts, he hadn't seen Aahana enter the bedroom until her soft voice rang in his ears. He felt his voice catch in his throat when he turned around and came face-to-face with his wife.

She was waiting expectantly for a reply but he couldn't form one. His eyes roamed her body and he heaved a dreamy sigh. She was wearing a black Anarkali suit with a golden floral border that complimented her skin beautifully. Her hair was pinned up neatly to form a bun, few tendrils adorning her vibrant face and he felt his hand itch to tuck it behind her ear. She looked gorgeous and that baby bump made her even more enticing. Desirable.

"I'd love to ravish you right now." He approached her with a seductive smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief and emotions that made Aahana tremble.

"Atharva?" she called tentatively, her eyes wide as the heat rose to her cheeks. She didn't doubt him on that. He was very much active when it came to making love to her, no matter the situation or time.

Pushing the thoughts away for later, he shook his head and gave her a light smile. "Yeah, he is getting ready."

"That's great." She smiled back, feeling the worry slowly fade away. "I'm glad he is getting back to his old self."

He grasped her hips and pulled her closer, breathing in her sweet-spicy scent. "I know. It was my fault."

He recalled the day he and Aahana came home to share the news of her pregnancy but they thought it would be better to make it special. So they invited everyone to Jay's restaurant and had a tiny celebration. Each one of them was genuinely happy and the night ended on a good note.

Weeks followed with the same sentiments where Aahana always had someone visit her, be it her mother with her favourite sweets or Jay to simply stay around when Atharva had to go to the office.

Well speaking of Atharva, he had a hard time. He wouldn't say he wasn't ready for the baby. He was as ready as a father of a newborn could be but he definitely had doubts. Every day ticked by with his thoughts going haywire and overwhelming him.

Aahana had told him not to stress but how could he not? It wasn't only about the baby but Urvashi also to some extent. She had been a horrible mother and though he had put his past behind, he felt like he needed to tell everything to Harshvardhan. Atharva didn't really blame him but he had the right to know how she had treated his son before her death.

When he finally mustered up the courage after two months of contemplation, he received a response he couldn't stand. He was in his father's room and they both were discussing the role of a father when Harshvardhan started about the role of a mother and how good Urvashi had been in fulfilling all her duties.

Atharva felt his blood boil and before he could shut up, he was spilling all the beans. It was a lot of shouting and screaming at his father as tears streamed down his cheeks. He hadn't meant to but he blamed the old man for all those years where he was used as a toy and was made to do things he didn't know about. For leaving him alone with her. Atharva's words held so much anger and pain, all directed at Harshvardhan, he grew from shocked to numb. Had he been blind to not see anything? But again, he wasn't there much. He remembered the few times when his son had nightmares and was quiet all the time but he hadn't thought this would be the reason. He couldn't believe he had left his son in the care of such a vile and ugly woman who he had learned to accept and love.

He was devastated at the revelation and before Atharva had time to register anything, he had collapsed on the ground.

Atharva was horrified and had shouted in urgency, waking the entire house. They had come rushing into the room and with one look at Atharva, Aahana knew what had happened.

As per Nisha, she simply thought it was stress and loneliness eating Harshvardhan.

He was taken to the hospital and his condition wasn't critical, for it was only a silent heart attack. The doctor suggested to keep him happy and stress-free, plus now that he was old, getting the attacks often could be dangerous to his life in the future.

After a day or two, he had been discharged but he was a very different man. He hardly talked and most hours, he stayed in his room. He couldn't look at Atharva without feeling guilt and regret consuming him.

But Harshvardhan was gradually growing better and that was all that mattered.

Aahana pressed her lips to his and said. "It's not your fault. You just wanted him to know the truth."

"Once Trishala is here, he will be alright."

"Atharva." She gave him a pointed look but he could see the mirth dancing in her eyes.

They had decided to keep their baby's name Trishala if she was a girl and Tanay if he was a boy. But Atharva was hell-bent on calling the baby Trishala because he was sure about the baby being a girl. How he knew that was a mystery to Aahana.

He grinned, not bothering to reply. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." She smiled shyly and moved her eyes down his black sherwani clad body. They were definitely matching today. "You look good too." The truth was he looked breathtaking and the colour black made him even sexier.

"I know. I'm the ho-"

"Yeah, you are the hottest, no doubt in that." Jay sauntered into the room with a big smile.

Atharva's eyebrow arched up but he simply shook his head, already familiar with Jay and his nonsense. "Why are you here?"

"I know we were supposed to meet at Kapoor house but sweet pea here suggested we all go together."

Atharva turned to Aahana who nodded sheepishly. "I thought it would be fun."

He groaned. "Aahana and I are going together. You can take Nisha and dad with you."

Jay looked at the two for a moment before giving in with a huff. "Fine! I'm going to call them and leave."

Aahana shot him an apologetic look but she wasn't sorry. She was secretly looking forward to spending time with Atharva in that cozy space of the car.

She giggled at the thought which made Atharva look at her questioningly. She just smiled in return and he swooped down to crush his lips against hers.

Breathless, they broke apart and he intertwined his fingers with hers as they made their way to the front door and towards their car. Aahana's pace slowed when she felt a sharp pain. Taking a deep breath, she continued to walk but suddenly feeling an odd sensation, she halted and grabbed Atharva's wrist, "I think- I think my water broke!"

His eyes widened and his hand automatically flew to cup her belly. "But you are due tomorrow! H-how? We have a Diwali party to attend."

"Fuck it! I don't care about the party. My baby is important." She glared at him, feeling dread settle in at the aspect of giving birth.

"What do we do then?"

"We have to go to the hospital, you idiot." She hissed. He nodded but didn't move from his spot which made her repeat her words more loudly.

He nodded again and gently helped her into the car before jogging to his side. He started the engine while making a quick call to Nisha to inform her about it. She said she will be there with others and then he hung up.

He parked the car and stepped out along with Aahana who had changed into a loose gown from the maternity bag they had dumped in the back seat a few days back. As soon as they entered the building and neared the reception desk, a nurse rushed towards them and Aahana was hurled into a stretcher to be taken to the labor room.

She was slightly pale and Atharva could tell she was in pain from the way her face twisted and tears formed in her eyes. He held her hand to provide any sort of support he could and her grip tightened as her eyes clenched shut.

The contractions felt stronger than before and a scream tore out of her lips. Atharva was unable to see her suffering and barked at the nurse to begin already.

The doctor came in shortly and told Atharva to be in the waiting room. He stubbornly argued to stay inside after which she nodded reluctantly.

Aahana unwillingly let go of his hand when the doctor told her to push. She did so but soon it became impossible as tiredness washed over her. She shook her head, almost giving up as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Atharva caressed her face and murmured sweet nothings to keep her going and hearing him talk about their little bundle of joy made her try harder. She took deep breaths and pushed again and after nearly two hours, the cries of the baby were heard. She felt like death as she collapsed on the bed, her eyes barely open to see the Doctor hold the baby. "It's a girl. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Saxena." She cut the umbilical cord and after clamping it, she handed the baby to the nurse for cleaning and evaluation.

Atharva's face lit up and he looked down at Aahana who had a faint smile on her lips. Her face was drenched in perspiration but he didn't mind as he leaned down and peppered kisses all over her face. "Thank you, Aahana. You are amazing!"

Her smile widened slightly and she raised her hand to run her fingers along his jawline. "I love you, Atharva."

"I love you too."

They hadn't realized they were alone until the nurse came back and placed the baby in Atharva's open arms. "Weight: 2.4 kg and height: 46.6, healthy and normal."

He seemed teary-eyed as he stared down at her face."Trishala. "

He lowered her to Aahana's level who was now sitting up with the nurse's help, her head against the pillow. She cradled the baby to her chest and placed a kiss on her forehead. "She is beautiful."

"Indeed," he whispered to himself and wrapped his arms around them in a gentle embrace.

Finally.

Just then another nurse came in. "Your family is here."

"Let them in."

A/N
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