Aryamann's POV!

Pregnant?

Did I hear it correctly?

Then I remembered who it was standing in front of me.

Harini Bhatia.

"You should have tried something new, Harini. Not the same old trick," I said coldly, and she turned a bit red in embarrassment.

"I am pregnant, Aryamann. This is your baby. I can't have my baby born out of wedlock. I can't have my baby tagged as illegitimate," she said, and I raised my eyebrow at that.

"So? What do you expect me to do?" I asked, wanting to know what she has in her mind.

"I want you to marry me, Aryamann. Give us both your name," Harini said and I couldn't help but marvel at her audacity.

"If it has escaped your mind, let me remind you, Harini. I am a married man. And bigamy is illegal in India," I said.

"No, you are not. We both know that you had a contract marriage with that woman. The validity of which must have expired long back," Harini argued, and I clenched my fist to stop myself from punching her.

Lucky her, she was born a woman.

"That woman is my wife. Her name, Bhumika Basu Mehrotra. Next time you talk about her, talk with respect. I wouldn't have it any other way. Now take your lies and get out of my home," I roared at her, and she flinched hearing me.

"So? You don't believe me?" She asked.

"You and I both know that you tried this trick once on me. And how is it even possible for you to get pregnant without having sex with me?" I asked, looking at her and wondering what she takes me for.

"That night. You remember the night we spent together a couple of months ago? This baby is the result of what happened that night," Harini said, and I laughed out loud.

"You yourself said, nothing happened between us that night, Harini. Remember what you said that night? 'We made out a little, Aryamann. Then you fell asleep.' That's what you said. Even that happened only because I was drunk beyond recognition. I would never have touched you if I were in my senses. For heaven's sake, I don't even remember anything of that night," I said, still trying to remember that night.

I was at a business party. It was the anniversary of my marriage with Bhumi. I was too broken that night, that I drank myself to oblivion. I vaguely remember Harini attending the party.

The next morning, when I woke up, I was in bed with Harini.

I couldn't remember a thing that happened the previous night. But Harini said that we made out a little. But I don't remember that.

Even imagining touching Harini made my skin crawl.

How did I let that happen? I still can't believe that I let it happen.

"I lied," I heard Harini say.

"You lied? Lied about what?" I asked, looking at her in disgust.

"I lied that nothing happened between us that night. We made love the whole night, Aryamann. And this baby is the result of that love," Harini said, and I let out a loud sarcastic laugh.

"You want me to believe that you lied about something like that. I know you, Harini. If we had sex that night, you would have flaunted it the next morning," I said, with a sardonic chuckle.

"My ego wouldn't let me. The whole night you took Bhumi's name when you were making love to me. So, I lied that nothing else happened," Harini said, taking Bhumi's name with such loathing.

I froze hearing that.

If she had simply told me that I had sex with her, I wouldn't have believed that.

But what she just said tilted my whole world.

I had sex with her, mistaking her to be Bhumi? But, even drunk, will I let such a thing happen?

Did it happen?

Oh God! What if it had happened?

How will I face Bhumi?

And the baby?

If there is a baby, how will I ever deal with this mess?

"I don't believe you," I said, but without much conviction this time.

"Whether you believe it or not, the truth wouldn't change, Aryamann. It was my fault that I didn't stop you that night. I should have stopped the moment you called me Bhumi," Harini said.

"Why didn't you?" I asked.

"I just couldn't. To have you touch me after ten long years, I just couldn't help myself. For a night, I wanted you to be mine," Harini said.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped listening.

The only thought in my mind right now is

I cheated on Bhumi.

I cheated Bhumi in the worst possible way.

I had s*x with my ex-girlfriend and even got her pregnant.

How could I let that happen? In these three years without Bhumi, I haven't even looked at another woman. How could I let myself do such a sin now?

Will Bhumi ever forgive me?

Will I ever be able to forgive myself?

No!

I will never be able to forgive myself for this treachery.

My Bhumi. I cheated on her.

Oh lord! Is there redemption for this?

Why? Why are you always set on taking my happiness away?

What sin have I committed in my last birth that you gave me such a fate?

A loveless life.

Don't I deserve happiness?

Even a tiny bit?

Finally, after long years of hurdles and struggles, I was about to start a new life with my love, Bhumi, and our darling little boys.

And now, my dream will always remain that.

Unrequited. Unfulfilled.

"Aryamann," Harini called out, and placed a hand on my shoulder.

I flinched away from her touch.

"What?" I snarled at her.

"Tomorrow, I am having my OBG appointment. I want you to be there with me, Aryamann," Harini said, and I looked at her in disbelief.

"You gotta be kidding me," I said, staring at her in disbelief.

"I know you hate me after what happened between us a decade ago. But don't take it on our baby. The baby is innocent. Defenceless. Depending on both of us to take care of it. Don't let her grow up without the love of a father. Don't let her have a childhood like yours," Harini said, and I sucked in a sharp breath.

What if the baby is mine?

Can I ever have a baby of mine grow up without knowing my love?

Oh God! When would this test end?

"Meet me at Life Care Maternity Clinic at sharp ten, tomorrow morning. I will be waiting there for you," Harini said and walked out leaving me in a bewildered state.

******

The next morning, I was standing outside the maternity clinic, wondering how my life had come to this point.

How could I let Harini destroy it a third time?

First time, when she cheated on me.

Second, when she showed me the video of Bhumi and Ekansh, which led to the big confrontation between me and Bhumi, which ultimately led to Bhumi leaving me.

And now this!

Will I never be rid of this woman?

I have no idea how the rest of the party went. I could see the worried looks Bhumi threw my way.

After the party, I told her that I have some important work to deal with. I didn't even go to the bedroom last night. I just couldn't.

After knowing that, at least suspecting that, I had sex with Harini, I couldn't even bear to touch Bhumi with the same hands. I couldn't soil her that way.

That would be my ultimate sin.

I walked into the clinic and saw Harini was waiting for me there.

There were two other couples too. I didn't pay any attention to them.

I had thought about this the entire night and I had decided that I wouldn't go inside with Harini. No matter what.

I wouldn't give Harini the privilege that Bhumi didn't have.

Three years ago, Bhumi might have gone in for the sonogram alone. She might have seen our babies for the first time, alone.

How can I now go in, when the baby might not be even mine.

"Aryamann. I knew you would come. Come, it's our turn. Let's go," Harini said cheerily and my lips thinned in annoyance.

"I am not coming inside, Harini. I came to let you know that I am not a fool. I need proof that the baby is mine. I did a little research on this. It is possible to do DNA tests for unborn children too. I came here, so that I can talk to your doctor regarding that," I said and watched as her face turned hard.

Got you there, Harini.

I can see it in her eyes that now she feels trapped.

Which would only mean one thing.

She is lying.

"That is dangerous for the baby. I won't let you do anything that could hurt my baby," Harini said furiously and I raised an eyebrow at that.

"This coming from you, Harini? You who mercilessly killed--" I began to say, but she raised her hand stopping me.

"I was young and scared back then. Now it is different," Harini said.

"I will go in and talk to your doctor about the DNA tests first. Then you can have your sonogram done," I said and walked past her into the doctor's cabin. Harini followed immediately.

"Mr. Mehrotra," The doctor greeted me with surprise.

"Hello doctor. I would like to discuss a few things with you," I said.

"Please go ahead," the doctor urged.

"Ms. Bhatia here claims that I am the father of her child. I need proof before I believe that. I wanted to know about the DNA tests about the unborn child," I said straight to the point.

"How dare you, Aryamann. I will never let you do this," Harini screamed and I just rolled my eyes.

"Doctor, please tell me about it," I urged the doctor to talk.

"It is absolutely possible to do a paternity test for the unborn child. There are several non-invasive techniques available nowadays. CVS tests or amniocentesis tests are the most common one nowadays. But if you want to go for non-invasive techniques, they will be more expensive," the doctor said.

"Cost doesn't matter. We will go for the non-invasive technique," I said.

"Over my dead body," Harini said angrily and I ignored her.

"What are the procedures?" I asked, completely ignoring Harini.

"Blood from the mother and cheek swab from the father would be enough. This test can only be done from the seventh week to the end of the first trimester," the doctor said.

"Well, that's great timing. We can do it immediately then," I said.

"For any DNA tests to be done, we need the mother's consent," the doctor said.

"Haa! Like hell I will give it," Harini said smugly.

"As long as there is no proof, I won't believe that the baby is mine. I don't care either way," I said, shrugging my shoulders.

"Did you ask Bhumi for proof, Aryamann? Did you do the DNA tests of those two brats?" Harini asked angrily.

"Mind your tongue, Harini. You are talking about the woman I love and the children I adore. I am letting you go, only because you are pregnant. Let me know when you are ready for the DNA tests. Don't contact me otherwise," I said and walked out of the doctor's office.

Bhumi's POV!

I was keeping the boys' things in the cupboard.

But my mind was far away.

Aryamann has been behaving oddly since last night.

He didn't even come to bed at night. And first thing in the morning, he left to go somewhere.

I broke out of my thoughts with the shrill sound of my phone.

I saw the caller ID. It was Arohi.

"Hey, Roohi bear. What's up?" I asked. She isn't back from Kasauli yet. She had gone for a two-week vacation, and now it has been two months.

What the hell is going on with her?

"You okay, Bhumi?" Arohi asked anxiously.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" I asked.

"Oh thank god. I was worried how you were dealing with the tabloid news." Arohi said in relief.

"What tabloid news?" I asked.

"Sh*t. You haven't seen it yet?" Arohi asked in worry.

I quickly hung up the call and unlocked the phone to check the tabloid news.

There was a picture of Aryamann walking into a maternity clinic.

Another picture of Aryamann and Harini walking into OBG's cabin.

'Another baby on the way?' Was the caption to the picture.

I felt the whole world crashing down around me.

Why?

Why is it always me?

A/N

The completed version of this book is available in stck. Both as ebooks and chapters. Those who would like to read the further chapters without waiting, check out my stck page : SFwrites

Arohi's book is now available in wattpad : Bride For Hire..

Please do vote and comment...

Love,

SF❤️