“Apparently the beta was not his beta. The woman he married cheated on him. Wo bacha uska tha hi nhi. And you know the biggest plot twist?”

(Apparently the son was not his son…He was not his son.)

Saanvi raised her eyebrow with full curiosity. Arjun made some buildup before revealing.

“He is sterile. Wo baap ban hi nhi skta.”

(He cannot become a father.)

Saanvi gasped so loud, Arjun swore that if other people lived with them, they would have heard it too.

“I don’t usually wish bad for people but I guess he deserves that.”

She mumbled and rested her head back on his chest. One of his hands now rested on her belly protectively while the other was in her grasp as she played with the wedding ring in his finger. 

Saanvi’s pregnancy was going well. There were no complications and she was told a normal delivery. Her third trimester had started and she was told about a lot of precautions.

“Arjun? Kaha hai aap? Office se nikle nhi abhi tak? Baby ke liye shopping krni hai hume aaj.”

(Where are you?  You did not leave from office yet? We have to do shopping for the baby today.)

She complained while entering the mall and Arjun quickly spoke not wanting to anger her.

“Nikal gaya. Bas car mai baith raha hu. Tum shop mai chalo mai 10 minute mai pahuch jaaunga. Pakka.”

(I left. Just sitting in the car. You enter the shop I am reaching in 10 minutes. Promise.)

She huffed in annoyance and disconnected the call. The annoyance changed into excitement and a wide smile as she spotted the perfect item she needed for her baby in the display.

She had started to waddle towards the store when she heard her name being called. She frowned seeing a dishevelled Tanmay staring at her in shock. Her belly to be precise.

“Saanvi…tum…ye…”

(Saanvi…you…this…)

He got closer to her and tried to touch her but she swatted his hand away.

“Haath mat lagana mujhe. Dur raho. Jaao yaha se. I don’t want anything to do with you.”

(Don’t touch me. Stay away. Leave.)

Tanmay fell to his knees and begged.

“I’m sorry Saanvi! Please! Please forgive me. Please come back to me. Hum khush rahenge hamesha. Mujhse bhut badi galti ho gyi yaar. Tujhe hurt kia maine. Please maaf krde. Wapas aaja. I’ll accept this baby as mine. We’ll be a happy little family.”

(…We will always stay happy. I did a big mistake. I hurt you. Please forgive me. Come back.)

“Dimaag kharab hai kya tumhara? Jaao yaha se!”

(Are you out of your mind? Get lost!)

Saanvi started to leave but Tanmay quickly got to his feet and held her wrist to stop her from leaving.

“Haath chhodo mera Tanmay!”

(Leave my hand Tanmay!)

“Please meri baat-”

(Please listen to-)

Before he could complete, his hand was yanked away by another strong one. Arjun held Tanmay’s hand in a crushing grip while he caressed Saanvi’s softly.

“You don’t understand things at once, right? Kya kaha tha maine? Try to hurt her once more and I’ll finish you.”

(What did I tell you?)

“N-nhi mai bas…mai bas baat kr rha tha…mai-”

(N-no I was just…I was just talking…I-)

Arjun was in no mood to listen. He called the security and asked them to throw Tanmay out and make sure that he never visited the mall again.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. And that was hot.”

She mumbled and Arjun chuckled. He loved her pregnancy hormones. They were unpredictable and always surprising.

“See what I saw!”

She suddenly remembered the item she saw earlier and dragged him to the store and he willingly obliged.

4 years later

“Papa!”

Arjun heard his princess squeal as soon as he came home. The little girl came running and bumped against his legs, hugging them tightly.

Arjun bent down and picked her up in one arm while holding his bag in the other. He kissed her chubby cheeks and she giggled hugging his neck.

“Mumma kaha hai?”

(Where is mumma?)

He asked not seeing Saanvi around.

“Mumma room mai. Gussa hai.”

(Mumma is in the room. She is angry.)

She whispered like it was a secret and Arjun frowned.

“Gussa kyu hai?”

(Why is she angry?)

“Maine bas thodi si masti kri. Pata nhi kyu gussa hai?”

(I just had some fun. I don’t know why she got angry?)

He sighed understanding that his princess would have indeed done some mischief.

“Achha? Chalo dekhte hai mumma kyu gussa hai.”

(Really? Let’s see why she is angry.)

“Nhi! Daant padegi.”

(No! I will get scolding.)

She wiggled trying to escape her mother’s wrath but Arjun held her close.

“Nhi padegi. Papa hai na.”

(You won’t. Papa is here.)

“Tabahi macha rakhi hai iss ladki ne. Aane do Arjun ko. Sab batati hu. Meri toh sunti hi nhi hai. Ab ye hi dekhenge isse. Halat dekho zara kamre ki. Uff! Kya kya kru mai?”

(This girl has created a storm. Let Arjun come. I will tell him everything. She doesn’t listen to me. He will only see her now. Look at the room’s condition. Uff! What all will I do?)

Arjun heard Saanvi complain to herself as he entered their room and true to her words, the room was a mess. He looked at Anaya who gave him the most innocent look. He put his daughter down and hugged Saanvi from behind.

“Arjun! Dekhiye na! Kya halat kri hai aapki beti ne. Pura kamra faila dia hai. Aur kuch bolne lago toh hasti hai. Aapka naam lekar daantu toh kehti hai papa nhi daantenge mujhe. Aap hi dekhiye ab isse.”

(Arjun! See! What your daughter did. She messed up the entire room. And she laughs when I say something. When I scold her taking your name she says papa won’t scold me. You only see her now.)

Irritation and frustration was clear on Saanvi’s face. He looked back and forth between Saanvi and Anaya. The little girl still gave him those innocent eyes. But he knew he had to play the role of a good father right now.

He walked towards Anaya and got down on his knees before her. He held her little hands and made her look at him.

“Kyu tang krti hai mumma ko? Jaise papa pure din kaam krke ghar aate hai aur thak jaate hai, mumma bhi toh pura din kaam krke ghar aati hai na. Aur phir aake aapko bhi sambhalti hai. Mumma toh double thak jaati hai. Acchi baat hai kya unhe aise tang krna aur ghar failana?”

(Why do you trouble mumma? Just like papa work all day and come home tired, mumma also works all day. And then she takes care of you too. She gets double tired. Is it a good thing to trouble her and mess up the house like this?)

He asked softly and Anaya shook her head. 

“Aur mumma kuch bole toh aise haste nhi hai na. Bad manners hoti hai. Aur ye kisne kaha ki papa nhi daante? Galti krne pr papa pitayi bhi krenge. Aayi samajh? Ab mumma ko sorry bolo aur badi si huggie do.”

(And you should not laugh when mumma says something. These are bad manners. And who said papa will not scold? Papa will also be stern if you do mistakes. Got it? Not say sorry to mumma and give her a big hug.)

He pushed her towards her mother. Anaya immediately ran into her arms and Saanvi sighed holding her against her chest. 

“Shorry!”

“Koi baat nhi. Mera bacha! Chal ab mumma ki help kro ye sab uthane mai. Jo jaha se nikala hai waha rakho.”

(No problem. My baby! Come on now help mumma to pick up all this. Keep everything in it’s place.)

Anaya nodded obediently and immediately got to work. Saanvi gave Arjun a tired smile and he immediately held her in his arms and caressed her face.

“Thak gyi meri jaan?”

(My love is tired?)

She hummed and round her arms around his waist.

“Aapki beti mujhe pehle hi aaram nhi krne deti. Ab ye dusra bhi aa jaayega toh mujhe kaha chain milega?”

(Your daughter already keeps me occupied. How will I rest when this other one also comes?)

She mumbled and Arjun pulled back in surprise.

“Kaun dusra?”

(Which other one?)

She smiled and kept her palm on her belly.

“Ye dusra.”

(This other one.)

He smiled wide and kissed her in happiness. It was more than anything he could ever ask for❤️.