“Sorry. We were asleep.”

“It's fine. I’m just here for a general check.”

Taashi looked back at Devyanshi, who was still sleeping peacefully, like her father.

“Umm…she’s sleeping.”

“It’s ok. I just have to check the wound.”

Taashi nodded and the nurse stepped in. Taashi stood alert as the nurse did her job.

Taashi saw the nurse’s gaze fall on Devyansh.

“He’s your brother?”

“What! No! He’s my…umm…he’s her father.”

The nurse looked a little disappointed.

“Oh! He doesn’t look like he’s married. Or a father. He looks young.”

Taashi felt an odd burn in her chest. 

“Are you done? With the checkup?”

Her tone came out a little harsh. The nurse nodded and took her leave. 

Taashi looked at Devyansh. She didn’t blame the nurse. He was handsome and hot even after crossing 30.

And he was single now. She wasn’t even sure if he’d been with anyone after their divorce.

The thought of him with anyone else made her stomach churn. But she knew he wasn’t the one to be blamed. She had done that to herself.

Devyanshi was all set to be discharged the same day. Taashi was completing the discharge formalities while Devyansh stayed back with his princess.

Devyanshi too didn’t want to leave her father’s side for long. She was enjoying all the attention and love. 

Taashi came back with the discharge papers and waved them in the air.

“Ready to go?”

“Yayyy!”

Devyanshi threw her arms in the air, making her parents chuckle.

“Papa aap hamale saath chaloge na?”

(Papa you will go with us right?)

“Yes princess.”

Devyansh said and kissed the top of her head.

Taashi packed her stuff back and gave her bag to her father, who carried it till the car.

Taashi came forward to take Devyanshi but Devyansh beat her to it.

“It’s fine. I got her.”

Taashi nodded and followed him out. They reached their cars and Taashi came forward to take Devyanshi from his arms.

“Nhi! Mai papa ke saath lahungi!”

(No! I will stay with papa!)

“Devi! Papa drive krenge na bache. Tumhe kaise pakdenge. Mumma paas aao.”

(Papa will drive. How will he hold you. Come to mumma.)

“Nhi! Mujhe papa ke paas hi lehna hai.”

(No! I want to stay with papa.)

Devyanshi clutched Devyansh tighter and dug her face in his neck, not wanting to let go. Devyansh chuckled and patted her back.

“It’s ok. Let her be.”

His words from earlier rang in her ears. He said he would take her home. Was he taking her away with him? Away from her?

“Devi? Mumma dusri car mai hai. Pakka mumma nhi chahiye?”

(Mumma is in another car. Are you sure you don’t want mumma?)

Devyansh frowned at her fearful tone and oddly framed question.

“Nhi!”

(No!)

The girl replied, not knowing how it felt to her mother. But Devyansh noticed. The way she gulped. The way her eyes gave away the fear. The way she clenched her fists to control her emotions.

She gave a stiff nod and started turning away. Devyansh held her wrist and stopped her.

“You’re right. I’ll need help holding her. Ride along.”

She didn’t need to be asked twice. Taashi took Devyanshi in her arms and sat on the passenger seat. Devyansh buckled himself up and looked at them.

“Mumma uii ho rhi hai.”

(Mumma it is hurting.)

Devyanshi said, feeling the pain in her wound. Taashi remembered her medicine.

“Haan. Dawai leni hai. Wait.”

(Yes. You have to take the medicine.)

She gave her the liquid and held her close to herself. 

Devyansh started the car and they drove wordlessly. Until he spoke.

“I’m  not going to snatch her from you.”

Taashi looked at her surprised. 

“Huh?!”

“You’re freaked out. Your eyes are wide in panic as if I’m going to take her away from you. I’m not snatching her from you. So relax!”

Taashi released the breath she didn’t know she was holding. She looked at Devyanshi, who had dozed off due to the medicine and kissed her head.

“Thank you.”

She whispered and Devyansh said.

“I might not want anything to do with you, but I love my daughter. And she deserves both her parents. She deserves everything.”

“I’m sorry. For everything Dev.”

She said as tears filled her eyes. 

“Save those for later. When you tell me the truth.”

He replied and she kept looking at him. He was aware of her gaze but didn’t look at her.

He knew he would fall weak, the moment he saw her tears. The car came to a halt at a signal.

“Dev…”

She called but he didn’t reply. She sniffed and whispered.

“I love you!”

He froze. His eyes widened in surprise and he looked at her in a whiplash.

The moment he looked into her eyes, he saw it all. The love, the longing, the guilt, the regret, the fear. All at once.

He recalled the moment she had uttered the exact opposite of these words to her. The day she broke his heart and his entire world with that one sentence.

I don’t love you anymore.

He looked back ahead and focused on the road. Taashi looked ahead and wiped her tears. She knew he hated her. And she deserved it. But she was scared. Of his reaction upon knowing the truth.

They reached her home and Taashi took Devyanshi to her parents’ room. 

“Ashu…hum hamesha tere saath hai. Chahe kuch bhi ho.”

(Ashu…we are always with you. Whatever may happen.)

Her mother said and Taashi nodded. They knew it was important for the two of them to talk and for Devyansh to know the truth.

Taashi took him to her room and locked it from inside. They would need privacy.

“Baitho.”

(Sit.)

Taashi asked Devyansh to sit on the bed. He did and she took a chair in front of him, a few steps away from him.

She sat there fidgeting with her fingers. Not knowing where to start or how to start.

“I…I don’t know where to start.”

He didn’t rush her. He let her take her time. She took a deep breath and started from the beginning.

“When I had my third….third mis…miscarriage…”

She stopped and gulped down the tears. The memories were too painful. Devyansh’s eyes softened and glistened too.

“I…went to see my gynaecologist. I needed…wanted something to…blame. My own body…my uterus…or anything….just something to blame…that took my babies from me…and I…I…”

Her breathing got heavy, her hands shook and she looked at the ground wide in panic.