CHAPTER 5

Viren stepped inside his house and saw everyone having dinner. Seeing him, his mother walked toward him and said worriedly,"Viren, what happened? You are looking pale. Is everything alright?" Viren smiled. Only a mother has the power to read children's faces. He didn't want to trouble his mother, he said with a smile,"Mom, I'm fine. Don't worry." Then she asked for dinner, but he refused, saying he had dinner at a party. Then he walked toward his room.

Viren was lying on his bed, looking at the ceiling. He can't believe his life changed 360 degrees in one night. After Kiara left, he never wanted to marry anyone as he lost trust in love and relationship. His parents and Grandma tried many times to fix his marriage, but he always refused, because he didn't want to spoil any girl's life. But, now the situation is different. He is a married man, Pia is his wife. He can't run away from responsibility, he has to take responsibility for his actions. He knew Pia professionally. She had been working as his secretary for 2 months. He heard from Kiara about her, that she was a cunning, over-smart girl who always tried to degrade Kiara in front of her father's eyes. She is a selfish, jealous and money-minded girl who tries to act innocent to gain attention. He never paid much attention to Pia, because she didn't matter to him, but now she is his wife. He closed his eyes, kept thinking about Pia and his marriage until sleep consumed him.

Viren was driving the car, he was thinking about Pia. He was worried about her. Is she fine? Is she still feeling pain? He wanted to reach the office as soon as possible, he wanted to meet her.

He parked the car, and walked inside the office building when he received the message from Pia, about her leave for 3 days. He was looking at his mobile screen. He was going to call her but stopped himself. He said,"Viren, I don't think you should call her. She must have wanted space from you. That's why she didn't come to the office. I shouldn't disturb her." Taking a deep breath, he walked inside the office building.

After three days, Pia resumed her job, but she maintained her distance from Viren. She was feeling awkward seeing him, it was difficult for her to accept that he is her husband. Understanding her inner turmoil, he didn't disturb her.

One day,

In the office,

After giving him a file, Pia was walking out of his cabin when he called her and said,"Pia, Mr Gupta has organized a party in his resort for signing a contract with our company. He has invited you, Vinay, Vikas and Seema. Please inform them. I have asked Raju to distribute invitations to them." Pia nodded and walked out of the cabin.

At party,

Viren was talking to Mr Gupta, but his attention was on Pia, who was talking to her friends. She was looking beautiful in a red-colored gown, but he was worried seeing her face. She was looking pale and weak. He didn't understand, but suddenly he started feeling protective towards her. Maybe because she is his wife, and taking care of her is his responsibility. He decided to talk to her at night, as they are going to stay in a resort tonight.

He came out of the trance hearing Mr Gupta, who was asking when he would start work. He answered,"I will try to finish this project as soon as possible." They talked for a while and after talking to him, he walked toward his office staff. He asked, not finding Pia,"Where is Pia?"

Everyone was a little surprised seeing his worry. Seema replied,"Sir, she was not feeling well. She went to her room." Viren nodded, he got worried hearing about her health. He walked toward her room. He knocked at her door but, getting no response, he walked inside the room. Hearing water running, he understood she is inside the washroom. He decided to wait for her.

After some time, she came out of the washroom, holding her head. Seeing her, Viren got worried. He rushed toward her and asked, holding her by the waist,"Pia, what happened?"

Pia was feeling dizzy. She said"I am feeling dizzy."

He helped her to sit on the bed, and passed water to her. He asked,"I will call my doctor's friend. He would suggest medicine." Saying this, he dialed his friend's number.

He said, when his friend picked up the call,"Hello, Aakash. Pia is not feeling well. She is feeling dizzy."

"Viren, ask her if there is any other problem, or if she is just feeling dizzy," Aakash said in a serious tone. Hearing him, Viren asked Pia, who replied in a weak voice," For a few days, I have been feeling nausea, vomiting, and pain in my stomach."

He told Aakash, hearing him, Aakash said with hesitation,"Viren.......ask her whether she missed her periods?" His breath hitched for a few seconds after hearing his words. Seeing his face, Pia asked in confusion,"What happened?"

Viren turned toward her, and stammered,"P.....periods"

He can't run away like this, he has to face whatever result will be. Taking a deep breath, he said in one go,"Do you miss your periods?" Pia was looking at him with wide eyes, tears started forming in her eyes. What will she do if the result is positive? What will she tell her parents? How will they take this news? She is only 23. Is she ready for the baby?

Seeing her reaction, Viren cupped her face and said softly,"Pia, don't worry. I am here for you, don't be scared." Pia looked at him for few seconds, then she suddenly hugged him, making him startled.

He wrapped his arms around her and said,"Pia, stop crying. Tell me, do you miss your periods?" He heard a soft 'yes' from her mouth, he sighed. He messaged his friend, he read his friend's message.

'Bring a pregnancy kit and check whether she is pregnant or not.'

He broke the hug and said,"You take rest, I'm coming." He helped her to lay on the bed and covered her with a blanket. He glanced at her, who was looking at her with teary eyes. Giving her a small smile, he walked out of the room.

After sometime, he entered the room and saw Pia was sleeping peacefully. He walked closer to her and said,"Pia." He tried to wake her, but no use. He sighed, he understood she was a heavy sleeper. He decided to let her sleep.

Half an hour later, Viren was feeling restless. He wanted to know the result. This result will decide so many things. Not able to wait more, he shook her and said,"Pia, please wake up."

Finally, she opened her eyes and asked,"Sir, what are you doing here?" Hearing her, he rolled his eyes. How can she sleep peacefully after everything has happened? He understands she loves her sleep more than anything.

Clearing his throat, he said softly,"Pia, take this pregnancy kit." Pia lowered her gaze, she couldn't be weak. Taking a deep breath, she took the packet and was walking inside the washroom, when Viren held her hand and said softly,"I'm here. Don't take stress." She nodded and stepped inside the washroom.

Viren was sweating and feeling restless. He blocked his mind. He didn't want to think about anything until he saw the result. Inside the washroom, Pia kept the kit on the slab, and she was waiting for the result. She froze for seconds after seeing the positive. Unknowingly, her hand moved toward her stomach,"I'm pregnant. I am going to become a mother."

She came out of the trance hearing Viren's worried voice,"Pia, are you okay?" She took a deep breath, she splashed water on her face and walked outside the washroom. Silently, she forwarded the pregnancy kit to him and sat on the bed.

Viren was shocked to see the result. He saw Pia, who was sitting like a statue. He sat on the sofa, holding his head. What should he do now? What about Pia? Does she want this child? She is too young to have a baby. Is she ready to become a mother?

Gaining courage, he asked,"Pia, do you want this baby?" Pia who was in her own world, was shocked to hear his question. Yes, this news is unexpected and she is not ready for this child. But, thinking of killing her child, she could never think of that. How dare he? How could he think of killing the child?"

Viren was praying inside his mind, he wanted this child. He hoped Pia also wanted this child, but he couldn't force her because it was her who would keep their child in her stomach for nine months. It should be her choice, not his.

First, when the Doctor suspects her being pregnant, that time he was confused about whether he was ready to for this or not, but when her pregnancy is confirmed, there is unknown happiness in his heart. He is happy thinking that his own flesh is coming into the world. Someone is coming into the world who will call him "papa". He knows he is ready to be a father, to take care of her and their baby, but the big question is whether she is ready to become a mother. When he married her, he thought after a few months he would tell their parents about marriage, and eventually they would become parents after 4–5 years when Pia was ready, but now the situation is different. But, he was worried thinking about the child. They didn't know each other. He wanted to give his child everything....including loving family. How it will affect his child when the child sees his parents is not talking to each other properly.

He came out of his thoughts, hearing Pia's angry voice,"You can give me a divorce. You don't have to feel guilty and stay in this forced marriage. You don't have to take responsibility for us. I can take care of my child, you don't have to be involved. And don't worry, my child and I will not disturb you. You don't have to be involved. We will not disturb you or interfere in your life. We will not become a burden on you." She was blabbering. Viren's blood boiled hearing her words. How can she think she or their child will be a burden to him? He was thinking about her, and she took everything the wrong way. Holding her by her shoulder, he said angrily," Stop your nonsense, Pia. How can you think you and our child will be a burden to me." Pia got scared hearing his screaming.

Seeing her scared face and teary eyes, Viren felt bad for shouting. He took a deep breath to calm himself. He cupped her face and said softly,"Pia, I am sorry for shouting at you, but please try to understand. I was just worried about you and your health. You are young. I mean this pregnancy was unexpected. I just want to know your opinion. Bringing a child into the world is not easy, it brings a lot of responsibility."

"Do you want this child?" Understanding his point, she asked. He was right, he was just asking her opinion, not asking for an abortion.

Viren smiled on hearing her question and said,"Pia, you are my wife and one day you will become the mother of my children. I didn't tell anyone about our marriage because I wanted time, so we could get to know each other. Then we will announce our marriage, but this pregnancy news changed everything, but that doesn't mean I am not happy. I am happy and excited knowing I am going to become a father. We have nine months. We will know each other. We will give everything to our child, willn't we?"

Hearing his words, Pia couldn't control herself. She burst into tears and hugged him tightly," I am sorry, I shouldn't talk to you like this. I thought you didn't want this baby and I didn't want to kill my baby. I was scared thinking how I would manage everything alone. Please, never leave me and our baby. I am scared, I want to give everything to our baby."

A smile appeared on Viren's face, he said," I will not go anywhere. I will always take care of you and our baby."

"Promise." She asked, looking at him still hugging. He nodded.

"I am scared. Will I become a good mother? I don't know how to take care of baby? " She said, controlling her tears.

"I am scared too, but we will learn. We will give a perfect life to our child. " Viren said, breaking the hug. They were looking at each other. Slowly, Viren leaned toward her and kissed her forehead. Pia closed her eyes, she was feeling protective in his arms. Now, she was feeling at ease, she knew he is there for her and their baby.

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