3

"Tera hak nahi banta tha dukh dene ka, tujhe to zindagi ke har dukh bataye the."

She stood frozen, the pregnancy test in her trembling hand, staring at the two pink lines as if they might vanish if she looked hard enough. Her chest tightened, and she struggled to breathe, the shock hitting her in waves.

“I’m… pregnant?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her legs felt weak, and she sank to the floor.

“How did I let this happen?” she choked out, her fingers gripping her hair as she rocked back and forth.

A sob escaped her, and she buried her face in her hands. “Mom and Dad will never forgive me. They’ll think I’ve betrayed them, ruined everything they wanted for me.”

“This is all my fault,” she whispered, wiping away her tears, though they kept falling. “I shouldn’t have gone to that party."

Her hands moved instinctively to her stomach, she felt a pang of confusion. “What am I going to do?” she whispered.

She hugged herself tightly, searching for answers in the silence, but all she could hear were her own doubts, echoing over and over again. “I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t even know who I am anymore.”

And there, on the bathroom floor, she let herself cry, feeling trapped and lost in a life that had spun completely out of her control.

She stood there, clutching her phone, her mind racing with doubts and fears. There was only one person she could think to call, though she wasn’t even sure why his name had come to mind. But before she could second-guess herself, her fingers had already dialed his number.

The phone rang twice before he picked up.

"Hello, Dev," she said, her voice unsteady.

"Bhabhi ji, aap?" he replied, chuckling lightly.

But this time, her voice was serious. "Dev, I need to meet you. It’s… really important."

There was a brief pause before he answered, "Okay, okay, cool down. I’m at your office. Let’s meet here."

"Alright… I’m coming," she replied, quickly ending the call before she could let herself overthink it.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside her. She had no idea what she would say to him or why she felt this urge to see him. But she knew that, somehow, she couldn’t face this alone.

■

In the office cafe, Dev sat at a corner table, nervously adjusting his hair. He hadn’t expected Naira to call him, and now, as he waited for her. He had even brought a flower bouquet, hoping today might be the day he could finally tell her how he felt.

He glanced up just in time to see her walking toward him, her steps hurried, her expression lost and tired. His heart sank. Why does my sweetheart look so broken? he thought, concern replacing his excitement. But when she nearly tripped in her rush, he was on his feet instantly, catching her before she could fall.

She clung to him, burying herself in his arms as if she had nowhere else to turn. He held her, a faint smile crossing his lips as he whispered, “Careful, Naira.” But as he looked down at her, her always pretty eyes, were red and swollen from crying.

Guiding her to a seat, he held her hands, his tone soft and gentle. “Naira, what’s wrong? What happened?”

Naira took a shaky breath, looking at him with tear-filled eyes. "Dev… I didn’t know who else to tell,” she whispered. “I… I’m pregnant.”

Dev’s heart stopped. He felt his chest tighten, the weight of her words crashing down on him. He knew it was Yuvaan’s.

Pain shot through him, but he swallowed it, his focus fixed on her. All that mattered now was her well-being, not his own heartbreak.

Gently, he reached out and wiped a tear from her cheek. “Hey, hey… Naira, breathe,” he said softly. “It’s going to be okay. Just calm down, alright?".

She looked at him, her tears beginning to slow as his steady presence helped her calm down. And in that moment, despite his breaking heart, he knew he’d do anything to support her through this, even if it meant hiding his own feelings.

Dev took a deep breath, steadying himself as he asked, “Did you tell Yuvaan?”

Naira shook her head, her eyes filling with fresh tears. “No, I… I haven’t told him. I don’t even know if I can.”

He looked at her, searching her face, trying to understand the depth of her fear. “What are you thinking about the baby?” he asked gently.

She dropped her gaze to her hands, her voice barely a whisper. “I don’t know, Dev. I’m… I’m scared. My parents… they’ll never accept this, and… I’m not ready. I’m just not ready to keep this baby.”

Her voice broke, and before she could say more, Dev wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. She held onto him tightly, her body trembling as he ran his hand soothingly over her hair.

“Shh… it’s okay, Naira,” he murmured softly, his heart aching for her. “Just breathe. Everything will be okay."

She melted into his embrace, her sobs quieting as he held her, his words a lifeline in the middle of her storm.

As they broke the hug, Dev held her hand gently, offering a small, reassuring smile. But before he could say anything more, he noticed movement by the door Yuvaan had just arrived.

Seeing Naira’s face, Yuvaan’s expression shifted. He hurried over, dropping to his knees in front of her. "Naira, what happened?" he asked, concern lacing his voice. He repeated, “What happened?” as if desperate to understand.

Taking a shaky breath, Naira looked down, barely able to find her voice. "Yuvaan… I’m… I’m pregnant."

Dev expected Yuvaan’s face to be shock or panic, but instead, he saw something strange. For just a moment, Yuvaan’s lips curled into a dark smirk. Dev shocked, watching closely, confused by Yuvaan’s reaction.

But as quickly as it appeared, the smirk vanished, replaced by a look of worry and understanding. Yuvaan reached for Naira’s hands, squeezing them gently. “Hey… it’s okay, alright?” he said. “Whatever you decide, we’ll go to the doctor together, just like you want.”

He gave her a comforting smile, but Dev couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Yuvaan’s reaction didn’t sit right with him, but he forced himself to stay silent, not wanting to say anything infront of Naira.

■

The three of them went to the hospital together, with Dev walking slightly behind Naira and Yuvaan, his heart heavy with worry. As they reached the doctor’s office, Dev paused outside, giving them a small nod as they went in. He stayed back, anxiously waiting in the hallway.

Inside the doctor’s office, Naira sat on the edge of the seat, her fingers tightly woven together, while Yuvaan sat beside her, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder in what seemed like a comforting gesture. She took a deep breath as the doctor went through her records and finally looked up.

“I know this must be difficult for you, Naira,” the doctor began gently, “but due to certain health complications, we wouldn’t recommend abort the baby. The risks could affect your ability to have children in the future.”

Naira’s world came crashing down at that moment. She had hoped this visit would bring clarity, maybe even a solution, but hearing the doctor’s words only made everything feel more overwhelming. She could barely breathe, her heart sinking as she fought back tears. This was a situation she had never imagined for herself, and now, with her choices so limited, she felt trapped.

Beside her, Yuvaan watched her reaction carefully. He squeezed her shoulder gently, and when she looked up at him, his expression was softer than she had ever seen before. Then, in a firm yet gentle voice, he addressed the doctor. “If it’s not safe for her, then we won’t go through with it. Naira’s health is more important than anything else,” he said, looking at her with a reassuring gaze. “We’ll do whatever we need to make sure she’s okay.”

Naira’s eyes widened in surprise, his words catching her completely off guard. She had been so consumed with fear and guilt that she hadn’t expected Yuvaan’s reaction to be so… supportive. She had been sure he’d panic, maybe even back away, but here he was, putting her needs first.

For a moment, they just looked at each other, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Then he smiled at her, a warm, genuine smile that seemed to ease her worries, if only for a moment. And without even thinking, she found herself smiling back, the smallest glimmer of comfort breaking through the haze of her thoughts.

The doctor looked at Naira with a reassuring but serious expression. “Naira, given your condition, it’s essential that you take very good care of yourself throughout this pregnancy. You’ll need to be cautious with your health, follow a strict diet, and avoid any stressful activities. It’s very important that you prioritize your well-being.”

Naira nodded, still feeling a bit dazed. The reality of the situation was sinking in slowly, and she couldn’t help but feel a mix of fear and uncertainty about the road ahead.

But before she could even voice her worries, Yuvaan spoke up,“Don’t worry, doctor. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of like a queen.” He looked over at Naira with a gentle smile. “Whatever she needs, I’ll be there. She won’t have to lift a finger.”

Naira looked at him, her heart skipping a beat. This level of care and commitment was something she hadn’t expected from Yuvaan, especially in such this time. She wasn’t sure what to say, but a small part of her felt comforted, knowing he was willing to be by her side and make sure she was safe.

■

Dev sat outside the doctor’s office, his mind replaying everything he’d just witnessed. That moment when Yuvaan had smirked after hearing about the pregnancy kept coming back to him. He’d known Yuvaan for a while, but he had never seen that side of him a dark, almost calculating look that made Dev’s stomach twist with unease.

Why would he react like that? Dev thought, frowning. Yuvaan’s smile hadn’t looked like the reaction of a man overwhelmed or scared by sudden news. Instead, it seemed… pleased, almost as if he had been expecting this. The more Dev thought about it, the more something felt wrong, like he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

Just then, the door to the doctor’s office swung open. Yuvaan stepped out first, Naira followed close behind, her face still pale.

Naira wiped her tears and looked up at Yuvaan, her voice trembling as she tried to hold it together. “Yuvaan, I’m so scared. I can’t face my parents alone. Will you please come with me?".

Yuvaan sighed and looked at his watch, barely hiding his impatience. “Naira, I have an important meeting. I need to go” he said. He leaned down, gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, and added, “You’ll be fine, okay? Just explain things to them. It’ll work out.” And with that, he turned and walked away without another word, leaving her sitting there in shock.

As Yuvaan’s figure disappeared down the hall, Naira’s last bit of strength crumbled. She sat back in the chair, her hands covering her face as the tears came harder. She felt so lost, so alone. The thought of facing her parents without any support terrified her, and all she could do was sit there, crying softly into her hands.

Dev, who had been watching the whole thing from a distance, felt his heart twist painfully. He couldn’t bear to see her like this, so broken and abandoned. Wiping his own eyes, he quietly walked over and sat down beside her, waiting until she noticed his presence.

Naira looked up, her face red and tear-streaked, and gave him a weak, hopeless smile. “I don’t know what to do. I’m completely lost,” she admitted, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Taking a deep breath, Dev spoke softly but firmly. “Naira, if you’d like, I’ll go with you. I can be there with you when you talk to your parents. I’ll help explain everything.”

At first, she shook her head. “No, Dev. I can’t ask you to do that. This is my problem, and I don’t want to drag you into it.”

“But you’re not dragging me into anything,” he replied, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You’re my friend, Naira. I want to help you through this. You don’t have to face it alone.”

Naira looked at him, surprised by the sincerity and warmth in his eyes. For a moment, she hesitated, but she could feel the weight on her shoulders easing just a little. Finally, she nodded, her voice soft and grateful. “Thank you, Dev. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Dev gave her a reassuring smile, squeezing her hand gently. “You’re not alone in this, Naira. We’ll figure it out together. I’m right here with you every step of the way.”

■

The room was filled with tense silence until a loud, sharp slap cut through it, echoing off the walls. Naira’s mother had hit her across the face, and Naira stumbled back, her hand instinctively going to her cheek as tears streamed down her face.

“How could you do this to us?” her mother yelled. “Do you realize what this will do to our family’s reputation?” Her father’s face was filled with anger as well.

Dev, wanted to stop, but Naira shook her head, signaling him not to get involved. Her mother raised her hand again, landing another slap. “You were born to bring shame to our family,” she spat. “You will abort this baby, no matter what.”

Naira tried to speak, but her sobs had taken over, and she couldn’t form the words. Her shoulders shook as she struggled to get her voice under control, but nothing came out except more tears.

Seeing Naira’s helplessness, Dev couldn’t stay silent any longer. He stepped forward, “Aunty, please, listen. Naira’s health isn’t well enough to go through an abortion. The doctor said it’s not an option.”

Her parents turned to Dev, anger blazing in their eyes. Misunderstanding the situation, Naira’s father’s expression darkened, and without warning, he stepped forward and slapped Dev across the face. Dev stumbled back, his face red from the blow, but he didn’t say anything or defend himself. He simply stood there, his jaw clenched, enduring their accusations.

“You,” her father hissed at Dev, his tone filled with disgust. “How dare you take advantage of our daughter like this? How could you ruin her life?”

Naira’s eyes widened in shock, and she quickly wiped her tears, struggling to make herself heard. “No, Dad! You’re wrong. Dev… Dev is my friend. He came here to help me. He’s not the father.”

Both parents looked at her, stunned into silence for a moment.

“It’s Yuvaan,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Yuvaan is the father, not Dev. Dev is just here because… because I needed a friend.”

The room went silent as her parents processed her words. Dev, still recovering from the slap, stood quietly by Naira’s side, his expression filled with nothing but support and loyalty.

Naira’s mother’s words cut through her like a knife. “Get out, Naira. Leave this house right now. I don’t want to hear another word from you.” She didn’t even give Naira a chance to explain or defend herself.

Holding back her tears as best as she could, Naira walked out of the house, but the moment she stepped outside, she broke down completely. Her legs gave way, and she fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. Dev, who had followed her out, immediately crouched beside her, trying to calm her as she wept.

“I’m sorry, Dev,” she choked out between sobs, glancing at the red mark left on his cheek from her father’s slap. The sight of it made her feel even worse. “That slap… it was because of me. You didn’t deserve that.”

Dev gently shook his head, giving her a reassuring smile. “Naira, don’t worry about it. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to make things harder for you. Right now, you need support, not more stress.”

Her lips curved into a small, grateful smile, and she whispered, “I’m so thankful to have a friend like you. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

Dev placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You’ll always have me, Naira. Now, let’s go to Yuvaan’s place. You shouldn’t be alone in this.”

Naira hesitated, shaking her head. “No… not yet. I just need some time alone, Dev. I need to think and pull myself together.”

Dev looked at her for a long moment, understanding the weight she was carrying. Finally, he nodded, pulling her into a gentle hug. “Alright. Just know that I’m here whenever you need me. Don’t hesitate to call, okay?”

Naira nodded, feeling a bit of comfort from his embrace. As he pulled away and walked off, she watched him go, feeling a deep gratitude for his friendship. Once he was out of sight, she sat there alone, her mind racing with everything she had to face, but somehow, the thought of Dev’s support gave her a glimmer of strength to keep going.

■

The night was growing darker, and there was still no sign of Naira. Dev paced anxiously around Yuvaan's house, glancing at the clock every few minutes. He had been waiting for her, hoping she’d eventually show up, but as time dragged on, his worry only deepened. When Yuvaan finally arrived home, he immediately noticed Naira's absence.

“Where is she, Dev?” Yuvaan’s voice was sharp, a hint of panic underlying his usual calm demeanor.

“She needed some time alone,” Dev replied, trying to keep his voice steady, though he was clearly worried. But Yuvaan’s reaction was immediate and intense.

“What? How could you just leave her alone like that?” Yuvaan yelled, a mix of frustration and fear in his voice. Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed his car keys. Dev jumped into the passenger seat beside him, and the two sped.

“Where could she have gone?” Yuvaan asked, glancing at Dev.

“She mentioned something about going to the temple,” Dev replied, remembering her quiet words before she left.

Minutes later, they reached the temple. Yuvaan’s eyes scanned the surroundings, and he spotted Naira sitting on the temple steps, her shoulders shaking as she silently cried. He quickly got out of the car and rushed over to her, with Dev following close behind.

“Naira,” Yuvaan said softly, kneeling beside her. “What happened?".

Naira looked up, her tear-streaked face filled with hurt and disbelief. She told him everything the harsh words, the rejection, and how broken she felt. Yuvaan’s face hardened, but he didn’t say a word. Instead, he took her hand firmly and led her towards the temple’s lord shiva and parvathi idol.

“Yuvaan, what are you doing?” Naira asked, confusion in her voice. Dev watched, as Yuvaan guided her to stand before the idol.

Without a word, Yuvaan reached for the sindoor (vermilion) and held it in his fingers, turning to face Naira. Her eyes widened, realization hitting and she shook her head.

“Yuvaan, no… this isn’t the answer,” she protested, backing away slightly. But Yuvaan’s gaze was steady.

“This is the only way to protect you, Naira. I can’t stand by and watch you go through this alone,” he said. “This will silence everyone and give you the respect and security you deserve.”

Before either Naira or Dev could react further, Yuvaan reached out and applied the sindoor to her forehead, marking her as his wife. Naira was left speechless, staring at him in shock, and Dev could only look on, equally stunned by Yuvaan’s bold move.

“What… what did you just do?” Naira’s voice was barely a whisper.

Yuvaan met her gaze, a serious look in his eyes. “I did what I had to, Naira. I married you, and from this day forward, you are Naira Randhawa. This is the only way I know to protect you and our child from all the accusations and judgments.”

Naira shook her head, struggling to process it all. “But… this isn’t right. You can’t just decide something like this on your own.”

“Then tell me a better way,” Yuvaan challenged, his eyes searching hers. She opened her mouth but had no response. Deep down, she knew he was right; there was no easy answer to her situation.

Seeing her silence, Yuvaan softened, taking her hand gently. “Let’s go home, Naira. Our home.” His voice was filled with a quiet determination, a promise to stand by her side no matter what.

In silence, Naira allowed herself to be led, still grappling with everything that had just happened. Dev watched the two of them, a mix of emotions in his heart, but above all, he was relieved to see Naira no longer alone.

As Yuvaan and Naira walked away, Dev stood alone on the temple steps, his heart heavy with sorrow. He’d spent the entire day bracing himself to tell Naira how he felt, to let her know that he’d been by her side, ready to support her through everything. She had told him before that her feelings for Yuvaan weren’t strong, and he had let himself hope. But now, that hope was gone. She was Yuvaan's wife.

Dev’s eyes filled with tears, and he swallowed hard, fighting to hold them back. Looking up at the idol of Shiva and Parvati, he murmured softly, “This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. I loved her… I wanted to be there for her, to give her and the baby all the love and protection they need. But now she belongs to someone else.”

"Please, Shiv ji, keep Naira and her child safe. Help them find happiness, even if it’s not with me. And please… protect her from anything that might come her way, especially with Yuvaan acting so strange lately.”

As he bowed his head, lost in his quiet something caught his attention. A small, sacred rudraksha bead had fallen from the idol’s garland, landing just beside his foot. He bent down, picked it up carefully, and looked up at the idol.

He held the rudraksh in his palm, whispering to himself, “I’ll give this to Naira, this will protect her when I am not around her” He knew this might be the last time he would get to give her something meaningful, now that she was Yuvaan’s wife.

Wiping the tears from his cheeks, he clenched the rudraksha gently.

■

Spoiler for next chapter:

Naira sniffled pulling herself closer as she watched blood on the bed she slept

From next chapter it is more about revenge, love, hatred at the same time. It will be a rolar coaster ride for sure. So be ready.

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