5

Author's pov

After two days, Kahani slowly opened her eyes, her vision blurry as she adjusted to the dimly lit hospital room.

She tried to piece together the scenes in her memory. The last thing she remembered was the argument with Dhir and his parents.

Kahani woke up blinking in confusion. "Where... where am I?"

A nurse noticed Kahani. "You're in the hospital. You fainted a few days ago. We've been monitoring you."

Kahani Panicked slightly. "Hospital? How... how long have I been here?"

"It's been three days. You were brought in by a friend." Nurse replied.

"Three days? Who brought me in?"

Nurse checked her chart. "A girl, about your age. She was very worried, stayed by your side the whole time until you stabilized. She kept visiting daily."

Kahani started to piece things together, though her head throbs. "It has to be Meera. It's her, right?"

Nurse nodded slightly, smiling. "Yes, I believe that was her name."

Kahani leaned forward but suddenly clutched her head as a sharp pain hit her. "Ugh, my head... it's hurting. I need to see her. Can you call her. I need to see her now. I need to know what happened. I have a feeling she knows something... something important."

As the nurse left, Kahani sat back. Flashes of moments before she fainted came back, but they're blurry, out of reach. Her pulse quickened, and she ran her hand through her hair, trying to calm down.

"What happened? Why can't I remember? Meera, where are you...?"

Minutes later, the door creaked open, and Meera walked in. Her face is pale, worryness etched in her. The moment their eyes meet, Kahani knew something is wrong.

Meera said softly, standing at the door. "Kahani... thank God you're awake."

"Meera, what happened? Why am I here?"

Meera walked closer, her hands trembling slightly. "You fainted... I found you on the floor. You were unconscious for so long... I didn't know what to do."

Kahani narrowed her eyes, feeling that Meera is holding something back. "That's not it, is it? There's more. What aren't you telling me?"

Meera closer her eyes and fisted. "Randhir called me."

"Randhir ne tumhe call kiya tha?"

(Randhir called you?)

"Yes, he called me. He sounded really panicked. He told me to take you to the hospital right away."

Kahani sniffled and rubbed her eyes. "But why didn't he come himself?"

"I asked him the same thing. He wanted to come, but... his mother didn't allow him to."

"His mother? What are you saying, Meera? Randhir isn't like that, he never listens to his mother when it comes to me." Kahani's eyes widened.

"I don't know the whole story, Kahani. All he said was that there's been some tension at home, and his mother forbade him. He sounded frustrated, but he promised he would come as soon as he could."

Kahani got suprised. "Tension? What tension? This isn't like Randhir at all. He never lets anyone control him, especially not when it comes to me."

"Kahani, I know you're upset, but maybe there's more going on that we don't know. You know how things are with Randhir's family, they've always been complicated."

"Yeah, I know. But that doesn't make this any easier. I needed him, Meera." Kahani sobbed.

Kahani sobbed uncontrollably, her voice breaking. "Meera, why is my heart beating so loudly? This pain... this pain keeps increasing! I don't understand what's happening to me."

Meera walked closer. "Kahani, I guess you are having morning sickness."

Meera's voice was gentle, yet serious, as she cautiously revealed what she knew is the reason behind all this.

Kahani's heart began to pound even faster as her mind raced to process Meera's words. She searched Meera's face for more answers, hoping that this was some kind of misunderstanding.

Meera took a deep breath, placing a reassuring hand on Kahani's shoulder.

"Kahani you are pregnant."

Kahani's body froze, tears streamed down her face.

Kahani's hands trembled as she recalled the doctor's words from months ago, the heartbreak she had felt when she was told she could never conceive.

Meera gently wiped Kahani's tears, spoke calmly. "Kahani, I can understand the situation you're in. But what you're thinking is wrong. The doctor's reports were exchanged by mistake. Your reports belonged to someone else, and you were given an incorrect diagnosis."

Meera's words hung in the air as she revealed the truth.

Kahani shocked, trying to process what Meera said. "Reports were exchanged? What are you saying, Meera? I have been living in this misunderstanding for so many months, thinking that I could never become a mother. This is all so strange... how can I believe it?"

"Yes, Kahani, the reports were wrong. The pain you endured was all due to an incorrect diagnosis. But now you should be happy. You are truly going to be a mother. This is a new beginning for you."

Kahani rubbed her tears away, a bright smile formed. "Meera, now I understand... Dhir will be so happy to hear this! He has always been with me, and now... now he will support me. This is like a dream for him!"

Kahani's eyes sparkled with excitement as she thought of Dhir. "Meera, I want to go to Dhir's house. I want to tell him this happiness. He will understand this, and I will convince him."

Meera looked worried. "Kahani, but this isn't right. Going to Dhir's house is a bit risky, and what about his parents... how will they react? You need to think about all this."

"No, Meera. I have to listen to my heart. Dhir has always been with me, and I want him to know all this. I will explain it to him, and to his parents as well. This is my right."

Meera sighed still hesitant. "Okay, if you are so serious, then I am ready to take you."

■

As their car rolled to a stop in front of Dhir's mansion, Kahani took a deep breath.

Meera looked at kahani. "Kahani, I won't go inside. I don't want to see their faces. You should go alone."

Kahani nodded, understanding Meera's discomfort. "Main sambhal loongi, Meera."

(I will handle it meera)

Kahani got down thre car and walked towards the entrance. Inside, the mansion was alive with laughter and conversation. She barely noticed the decorations, the colorful balloons, the shimmering lights, the joyful atmosphere, as her focus is on finding Dhir.

Kahani stood at the entrance, her heart pounding as she finally spotted Dhir. He is laughing and chatting, but what caught her attention was the girl standing beside him. She had long, flowing hair and an infectious laugh that made Dhir smile brighter.

Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself to call out to him. Just as she was about to step forward, the girl beside Dhir leaned closer and playfully tugged at his arm, saying. "Dhir, yahan aao! Mujhe tumhe kuch dikhana hai!"

(Dhir, come here! I want to show you something)

Kahani's heart sank as she watched the girl pull Dhir away. It felt as if a heavy weight had settled in her chest, squeezing the air from her lungs.

Kahani whisperd to herself. "Yeh aise nahi hona chahiye tha... Mujhe laga tha woh mujhe dekhkar khush hoga."

(This isn't how it was supposed to be... I thought he'd be happy to see me)

Kahani took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "No, I can't let this stop me. I need to tell him. This is important for me."

Kahani wiped her tears and straightened her back. Dhir deserved to know the truth, no matter how the moment felt.

"Dhir!" She called out.

The moment her voice cut through the chatter, the room fell silent. Every eye turned toward her, including Dhir's. His expression shifted from surprise to confusion as he saw her.

"Kya ho raha hai, Dhir? Yeh sab kya hai?"

(What's happening, Dhir? What is all this?)

Dhir stood speechless, his eyes wide, unable to form a response. Before he could say anything, his mother stepped in between them. "Kahani, Dhir ki engagement ho rahi hai."

(Kahani, Dhir is getting engaged.)

Kahani forced a laugh, trying to dismiss the moment. "What kind of joke is this? You all must be kidding, right?)

Her laughter echoed in the room. She laughed liked a mad woman and everyone got shocked to see her like that.

Kahani pointed at the girl beside Dhir.

"Uske saath? Yeh kya horaha hai? Yeh mazak toh nahi hai!"

(With her? What's going on? This can't be a joke!)

Dhir stepped forward. "Kahani, I'm really getting engaged to her."

The laughter faded, replaced by a hollow feeling in her chest. All her hopes crumbled as she stood there, unable to process anything.

The man she loved was moving on, and she was left standing in the shadows of their past, feeling more alone than ever.

Kahani cried, her voice raw. "Dhir, I am your wife! You can't do this to me."

Dhir opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. His mother clearly uncomfortable with the scene. "Kahani, try to understand. Let Dhir make his own choices)

She turned back to Dhir, her eyes pleading. "Dhir, do you have any complaints from me? Do you think I never understood you?."

Just as Kahani poured her heart out, Dhir's mother stepped forward. "Kahani, you are of no use. You can't get pregnant, and that's a shame for this family."

Dhir's Mother continued."That's why Dhir is marrying another girl. She is more suitable for our family."

Kahani felt a wave of humiliation wash over her. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. The woman she once considered family was now casting her aside.

Kahani pleaded tears streaming down her face. "Dhir, do you really believe all this? Do I mean nothing to you?:

But before he could talk, his mother interrupted again. "This is all over now. You shouldn't be here, Kahani."

Kahani took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions, and reached for Dhir's hands, holding them tightly in hers. "Dhir, do you remember what you promised me during our marriage? You said you would always take care of me."

She looked deep into his eyes, hoping to find a flicker of the love they once shared. "Why have you left me today? Am I so unworthy that you don't care for me anymore?"

Kahani squeezed his hands tighter. "I don't want anything from you, just your support. You've separated me from myself."

Kahani kept pleading, her heart racing as she held onto Dhir's hands, searching for any sign of hope. But just then, Dhir's mother came between. "Enough, Kahani. You need to leave this place."

Kahani's eyes widened in shock as she felt herself being pulled away from Dhir.

"Dhir, please! Don't let her do this! What are you watching?"

Dhir's mother continued to push Kahani towards the door, her grip unyielding.

"Chalo, tumhe is ghar se bahar nikaalna hi hoga."

(Come on, you have to be removed from this house)

With one final forceful push, she pushed Kahani outside, slamming the door shut behind her.

Kahani stumbled, her heart racing as she stood alone on the doorstep, tears streaming down her face.

From a distance, Meera spotted Kahani on the ground, tears streaming down her face.

Meera kneeled beside her. "Kahani, kya hua?"

(Kahani, what happened?)

"They pushed me out... He left me."

"Did you tell them about your pregnancy?"

Kahani shook her head. "No, I can't say it... If I do, they will only think about the baby. I have no respect left."

Meera's heart broke at her words. She placed a comforting hand on Kahani's shoulder. "You have the right to say this! You should have told them."

Meera gently pulled back from the hug, looking into Kahani's tear-streaked face. "Aao, mere saath chalo. Ab ghar chalna chahiye."

(Come, let's go home. You need to come to my place)

Kahani nodded slowly, together, they began to walk away from the mansion.

■

After few months

It had been many months since Randhir's betrayal.

Meera often found Kahani staring into nothingness, her hand subconsciously resting on her swollen belly. At five months pregnant, Kahani was torn between wanting to forget the man who had left her and fearing the future that lay ahead without him.

She had loved Randhir deeply, but when she called him, he had already moved on. He had blocked her, married someone named Arohi. Kahani's attempts to reach out, to understand why he abandoned her, were all met with silence.

Arohi's name was like a ghost. Who was she? What did she have that Kahani didn't?

But now, Kahani, unable to bear the pain any longer, decided to meet Randhir, hoping that seeing her pregnant would make him reconsider.

She drove to their home one night. As the rain poured, she parked her car and walked to the door. Before knocking, she gently places her hand on her belly, speaking softly to the baby, "Tumhare papa ke paas aaye hain, bacha"

(We've come to see your father baby)

She knocked on the door, and Arohi opened, shocked to see Kahani."Tum yahan kyun aayi ho, Kahani?"

(Why have you come here, Kahani?)

Kahani with a broken voice, looked past Arohi, searching for Randhir. "Main Randhir se milne aayi hoon."

(I've come to meet Randhir.)

Arohi blocked the entrance."Tumhe kya lagta hai? Ab yeh sab kuch wapas jaane wala hai? Randhir ab mere pati hain!"

(What do you think? That everything will go back to the way it was? Randhir is my husband now!)

"I just want to meet Randhir once, just once. I want to explain everything to him... about our baby.:

Arohi coldly, stepped aside slightly. "Randhir doesn't care about you or this child. When will you understand that?"

Kahani with pleading eyes, stepped into the house despite the rejection. "He will understand, Arohi. He loved me once, we dreamt of a future together. Our child will surely change his heart."

Arohi crossed her arms, shaking her head."Tum ab bhi sapne dekh rahi ho, Kahani. Jaane do, Randhir ab tumhara nahi raha."

(You're still dreaming, Kahani. Let it go, Randhir is no longer yours.)

"No, this isn't a dream. He isn't just yours, he belongs to this child too. He deserves to know the truth."

As Kahani and Arohi's conversation grew, Randhir's mother, heard them and stepped into the living room.

Arohi turned to Dhir Mom, with a sharp voice. "Maa, aap dekhiye! Yeh Kahani yahan aayi hai, yeh keh rahi hai ke yeh Randhir ke bachhe ki maa banne wali hai!"

(Mom, look at this! Kahani is here, claiming that she's carrying Randhir's baby!)

Dhir Mom narrowed her eyes, walked toward Kahani with cold anger. "Kya kaha tumne? Yeh baccha Randhir ka hai? Yeh kabhi nahi ho sakta!"

(What did you say? This child is Randhir's? That can never

"Maa, main sach keh rahi hoon. Yeh Randhir ka bachha hai, hum dono ka sapna tha yeh."

(Mom, I'm telling the truth. This is Randhir's child, it was our dream.)

Dhir's Mom got furious, raising her voice. "Jhoot! A girl like you can never be trusted. You've been with someone else and now you're trying to trap my son!"

Tears streamed down kahani face. "Why are you saying this, Mom? Randhir and I loved each other. This is the truth!"

Dhir Mom pointed an accusing finger at Kahani. "You have no right to take my son's name! A girl with a reputation like yours could never be my daughter-in-law. You've been with someone else, and now you've come to ruin my family!"

Just then the door creaked open. Randhir walked in, drenched from the rain. He stepped into the living room, loosened his tie, unaware of the storm inside his home.

The moment Kahani saw him, her heart skipped a beat. Without thinking, she rushed towards him. "Randhir! You're here... I've been waiting for you!"

She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly, as if afraid he'll disappear again. Kahani kissed him on the forehead, before hugging him again.

"Randhir, I wanted to meet you. Look... I'm going to be the mother of your child."

Randhir's eyes widen in shock as he looks down at her swollen belly. He looks into her eyes, seeing the pain she's been holding.

Randhir took a deep breath. "Kahani... yeh sab kaise?"

(Kahani... how is this possible?)

Kahani smiled through her tears, clutching his shirt tightly. "That day, the reports got exchanged, it was a mistake. There was nothing wrong with me, Randhir. I was fine... and now I'm pregnant with your baby. You need to know this truth."

Randhir's face remained unreadable. He looked at Kahani's belly, then back at her face. He took a step back, still processing what she just said. Randhir forced a calm smile, masking his true emotions.

"Kahani, just... calm down a little. It's not good for you to take stress. We'll talk, but not now. You need to take care of your health."

Kahani confused, still holding onto him.

"Lekin Randhir, main"

(But Randhir I)

Randhir interrupted still acting calm.

"Main tumhe baad mein sab samjhaunga. Now go and take rest."

As Kahani slowly turned to leave to the room, Arohi stepped forward. She can't bear the thought of Kahani staying in the same house, especially after everything that has happened.

"What are you saying, Randhir? I will never let this woman stay in this house! You need to understand, I'm your wife. There is no place for her here."

"Kahani will stay here, Arohi. This house is not just yours. Why don't you understand? She is part of my life, and so is this baby." Randhir said.

"Have you lost your mind, Randhir? How can you even think about keeping this woman here? What about our marriage?"

Randhir turned towards Arohi, still maintaining his calm face.

"Right now, how we manage all this is my responsibility. You need to stay calm."

■

After an hour, the tension in the house has somewhat settled, but not completely. Randhir and Arohi are in their bedroom. Randhir sat at his desk, quietly typing away on his laptop, his face expressionless as Arohi watched him from the bed, her eyes filled with anger.

Arohi can't contain herself anymore and is about to speak when the door suddenly opened. Randhir's mother entered the room.

Dhir's Mom walked towards him. "Randhir, what have you done? Why did you allow that woman to stay here? Arohi is your wife, and you're keeping Kahani in the house in front of her? How will this work?"

"Mom is absolutely right. You made promises to me, Randhir. Now you need to rethink your decision."

Randhir stayed quiet for a moment, his fingers still on the keyboard, pretending to stay focused on his work. He finally looked up, shutting his laptop with a click, and leaned back in his chair.

"I understand that both of you are angry, but there's a reason for what I did."

Dhir's Mom crossed her arms, her voice harsh. "And what reason is that? You've humiliated your wife and let the woman who was part of your past stay in this house."

Randhir stood up, walked slowly towards his mother. "This is all temporary, Mom. You don't understand. I did all of this for a reason. I have a plan for tonight, and after tonight, everything will change."

Arohi confused, stepping forward.

"Plan? What kind of plan, Randhir? Why do you always hide things?"

Randhir walked back to his laptop, opening it, his voice calm but serious.

"It was necessary to keep Kahani in the house, so everything stays under my control. Just give it time, by tonight, everything will be fine. If everything goes according to my plan, not only will Kahani leave this house, but the baby will also be out of our lives forever."

■

(⚠️Disturbing content ahead)

Kahani is sitting comfortably in her room, holding a book, but her mind isn't on the pages. Her excitement about being back in this house, the house where she had once dreamt of a future with Randhir, fills her heart. She placed her hand on her belly, gently rubbing it as she talked to her unborn baby, a soft smile on her lips.

As she continues to daydream about their future, there's a soft knock on the door.

A maid came and spoke politely. "Madam, Randhir sir is calling you."

She quickly closed the book and stood up, her hand instinctively going to her belly as if telling her baby to stay calm.

Without wasting a moment, Kahani followed the maid. She soon reached the living room where Randhir is sitting, seemingly calm, waiting for her.

Randhir suddenly stood up and without warning, pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss. The suddenness of it left her breathless, her hands instinctively gripping his shirt.

Randhir softly, pulled away slightly, looking into her eyes. "Kahani... I'm sorry. I never wanted to leave you like that."

The warmth that Kahani felt just moments ago changed in an instant. Randhir's expression suddenly darkened, and without warning, his hit her across the face, sending a sharp sting through her cheek. Kahani stumbled back, her cheek already turned red from the harsh impact.

Before she can even process what has happened, Randhir hit her again, this time with even more force. Kahani's breath catched in her throat.

Kahani shocked, gasping. "Randhir... what are you doing?

But before she can utter another word, Randhir gripped her hair violently, pulled her close with a cruel smile on his face. "I thought you would have learned by now, but you're still the same."

With a swift motion, he hit her again, harder this time, causing her to fall to the floor. Kahani clutched her belly protectively as she landed with a thud.

Just then, Randhir's mother and Arohi entered the room, both watching with satisfaction.

Dhir's Mom crossed her arms with a smirk. "I told you before. A woman like you has no place in this house."

Her vision blurred as she tried to crawled away, her hands trembling as they covered her belly.

Tears streaked down her face as she looked up at Randhir, her voice cracking as she pleaded. "Randhir, please... stop... I love you... our baby."

But Randhir didn't listen. His eyes filled with cold fury as he stepped forward, kicking her brutally in the stomach.

Kahani let out a gut-wrenching scream. She reached out, desperately turning towards his mother, her voice barely a whisper as she begged for mercy.

"Mom... please... stop him... our baby... our life..."

But Randhir's mother stood there, her arms crossed, her face cold. Arohi watched, her lips curling into a faint smirk, neither woman moving to stop Randhir.

Dhir's Mom coldly, looked away.

Randhir stepped forward again, his eyes narrowing as he glared down at Kahani. Without hesitation, he kicked her belly once more, this time with more force. Kahani screamed in agony, clutching her stomach, her cries echoing through the house.

Randhir held her by her hairs. "If you scream more, I'll hit you harder, understand?"

Kahani's body trembled uncontrollably, her breath shallow as the pain overwhelmed her. She sobbed uncontrollably, begging, but her words fall on deaf ears. "Please... Randhir... don't... our baby..."

But Randhir kicked her again. Her body is in pain, her voice growing weaker. The cruelty in the room suffocated her, and she began to lose hope, her tears falling silently as she realized no one will save her.

Randhir threw papers in front of her.

"Sign these, Kahani. It's over."

Kahani looked at the papers, recognizing them as divorce papers. She sobbed, shaking her head.

"No, Randhir... I can't leave you... what is this?"

Randhir's expression hardened, and without a word, he kicked her again, this time causing a sharp pain that made her gasp. "You have two choices: sign it or I'll hit you more."

Kahani knew she had no choice. Through her tears, she reached for the papers, her hand shaking as she picked up the pen. "I'm signing... just... please stop..."

She signed the papers, feeling as if she was signing away her dreams. Randhir watched her, a cold satisfaction in his eyes as she handed the papers back to him, her spirit crushed.

She looked up to him and just then he took a flower vase and hit her so hard that she fell unconscious.

Dhir's Mom smriked watching kahani who is motion less. " How dare she decided to spoil our family reputation. I hope she is dead."

I know it's a bit of big chapter but it's worth reading I say.

To be continued