Jiya was in the cab travelling to Srish’s house. Srish was her best friend since childhood. She, Shrish and Varsha were three peas in a pod. Inseparable.

These were the two people who were always there for her in every aspect of her life. And she loved both of them to death.

Jiya had an inkling that something was wrong with Varsha lately. She had been suspicious and mysterious. And now, she had called her to Srish’s place, saying that she wanted to discuss something.

Srish’s house has always been their go to place. She got out of the cab and instinctively her hand went to her lower belly.

Jiya got married to Arnesh almost an year and 6 months back. The two were arranged in a marriage but they soon found love. Jiya was the happiest with him and loved him a lot.

But destiny had other plans and only 6 months after their marriage, Arnesh had a tragic accident where he lost his life. Jiya was broken. Her in-laws blamed her for his accident stating that she had been a bad omen for him all along.

They refused to let her stay with them and Jiya had to go back to her parents’ house. She was so broken and hurt that she locked herself in her room for a month straight. Stopped coming out of the room. Had her food in there only. Did not talk to anyone. Did not go anywhere. She was like a living dead body.

Until Srish and Varsha pulled her out and dragged her around the city. She broke down in their arms and sobbed for hours.

Things are better now. She is better now. It had been an year since Arnesh’s death but she still missed him immensely. A few months later, her parents had started bringing up the topic of her remarriage but she wasn’t ready. And she wasn’t sure if she’d ever be ready for it.

And so, 4 months back, Jiya finally made the decision. Her elder sister and jiju were having difficulties in their pregnancy. They found out that her sister couldn’t conceive. The couple was heartbroken and her sister had cried hours because she felt like a failure.

Her husband had supported her throughout and held her in his arms, kissing away her insecurities and that’s when the thought struck Jiya’s mind.

She gave them the option of becoming their surrogate.

“Jiya? Ye tu kya keh rhi hai? Mai tujhe ye nhi krne de skti.”

(What are you saying? I cannot let you do this.)

Jyoti, her sister said. Jiya held her hand and smiled.

“Di! Arnesh aur mai apna baby chahte the. But isse pehle ki hum plan kr paate, wo… Hum apna sapna pura nhi kr paaye lekin agar aapka sapna pura krne mai itni si madad kr sku toh mujhe aisa lagega ki mera aur unka sapna bhi pura ho gaya. Aapko aur jiju ko khush dekh kr hi khush ho jaaungi. Please let me do this.”

(Arnesh and me wanted our own baby. But before we could plan it, he…We could not fulfil our dream but if I can help you fulfil yours, I will think that our dream is also fulfilled. I will be happy seeing you and jiju happy.)

It took her some time convincing her parents but Jiya did not give up. She had decided and was going to do it.

She was three months along. The baby was fine and healthy as per the recent ultrasound. Jiya rang the doorbell and heard voices from inside saying that the door was open.

She entered and saw Varsha sitting on the couch with her gaze fixed on the floor. Srish sat beside her trying to get her to tell what was wrong.

“Varsha? Kya hua? Tu thik hai?”

(What happened? Are you ok?)

Jiya quickly took her place in front of Varsha and held her hands. Her eyes met Srish’s and she asked him if she told something. He shook his head and sighed.

“Varsha! Agar batayegi nhi toh kaise help krenge hum. I know there’s something wrong. Hum kuch keh nhi rhe toh iska matlab ye nhi hai ki humne notice nhi kia.”

(How will we help if you don’t tell us….We are not saying anything doesn’t mean we haven’t noticed.)

He spoke and Jiya nodded.

“Haan! Bta kya baat hai.”

(Yes! Tell us what is the matter.)

Varsha finally looked up. She had tears in her eyes. She closed her eyes, letting the tears fall and cleared her throat to speak.

“I… I am pregnant.”

She whispered and everyone froze. Silence. Drop dead silence.

“What?”

Jiya asked, unable to believe what she had just heard.

“I’m pregnant.”

Varsha said clearly and Jiya looked at Srish again who mirrored her expression. They knew that Varsha had a boyfriend for some time now. But this was something they couldn’t have imagined.

“Shailesh ko pata hai?”

(Does Shailesh know?)

Jiya asked carefully. She feared the answer because if the guy knew, why was Varsha crying? Had he done something to hurt her?

“I told him two days back. Uske baad se usne mere calls uthane band kr diye. Today, he blocked me from everywhere. I don’t know what to do Jiya. Mujhe kuch samajh nhi aa raha. Sab meri galti hai. Mujhe kabhi uspe itna bharosa krna hi nhi chahiye tha.”

(He stopped picking my calls after that….I don’t understand anything. It is all my fault. I shouldn’t have trusted him so much.)

She cried and hid her face in her hands. Srish clenched his fists. Varsha had always been like a sister he never had. He loved and cared for her like a little sister and now seeing her cry over a boy who couldn’t take responsibility for his deeds, made him angry.

He would see the bastard later. Right now, she was important. Jiya immediately hugged her and rubbed her back.

“Shhhh… it’s ok. Sab thik ho jaayega. Hum kuch sochte hai. We’ll figure something out. Tu…tu ye bata ki tu ye baby chahti hai ya nhi?”

(Everything will be fine. We will think of something….You…you tell me if you want this baby or not?)

“I do. I don’t want to kill my baby. Lekin maa papa ko kaise bataungi. Maar daalenge mujhe. Unhe toh Shailesh ke baare mai bhi nhi pata tha. Iss bache ke baare mai bataungi toh maar daalenge mujhe Jiya.”

(But how will I tell maa papa. They will kill me. They didn’t even know about Shailesh. If I tell them about this baby they will kill me, Jiya.)

She cried and hugged herself trying to calm her shaking body. Srish wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead.

“Varsha! Stop crying! Kuch nhi hoga. I’ll take the responsibility.”

(Nothing will happen.)

Both the pairs of eyes snapped to him. Varsha looked at him wide eyed and asked.

“K-kya matlab hai tera?”

(W-what do you mean?)

“Tell your parents that the baby is mine. I’ll take the responsibility. I’ll give the baby my name.”