Uttara's Anniversary post for Vidyut â¬ï¸
2 months after their wedding...
Rakshit stirred, the morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle glow upon the room. The world outside was still, as if holding its breath, allowing this intimate moment to unfold. His eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the softness of the sun while she lay there. Cocooned in his embrace, her form moulded against his chest blocking any amount of light ready to snatch her precious sleep. Her hair, a cascade of midnight silk, spilled across the pillow, framing her delicate features. His fingers weaved through them as he marveled at the curve of her cheek, the flutter of her eyelashes against her skin. She was a masterpiece-a symphony of vulnerability and strength.
"Shreya." He called her name gently, letting her know the world was ready for a new day.
Her breathy protest came rhythmically, a lullaby that whispered secrets only he could hear. Each exhale brushed against his skin, a tender promise of shared dreams and whispered desires that they shared together.
"Jaan, wake up." He traced the contours of her shoulder, the curve of her spine, committing every detail to memory. The warmth of her body seeped into his, melting the boundaries between them. "We need to get back to packing and leave."
"You do it." She mumbled shifting closer, her fingers clutching to his arm as she decided to ditch her pillow for him.
Outside, the world might spin with chaos, but here, in this quiet comfort of their room, time held its breath. He wondered what dreams danced behind her closed eyes-perhaps a garden of forgotten wishes or a tapestry of shared memories.
"I will but for that, you gotta let me free." He pressed a kiss to her forehead grinning, tasting the sweetness of sleep and breathing into her scent mixed with sweat and a reminder of their last night.
"You are so annoying." She complained, nuzzling closer, seeking refuge in his arms. And in that fragile moment, he knew-he could forget the world for her. "Sleep and let me sleep too."
He chuckled and settled back, gathering her in his arms he let her conquer his dreams for him. The sun climbed higher, casting sharp golden threads across the room. But it was her-the soft rise and fall of her chest, the way her lips curved in slumber-that kept him in bed.
He vowed to protect this fragile intimacy, to guard it against the storms that raged beyond their cocoon. For here, in the quiet of the morning, he found solace-a love confession whispered in the language of heartbeats and shared breaths.
And so, he held her tighter, etching this moment into eternity. For when the world came for them, they would rise together, hand in hand, weaving their constellations amidst the chaos.
"Will you hurry up?"
His jeans came barrelling from the closet door and hit his face square.
"Sorry for making you sleep, meri jaan." He mocked her with a tight smile that made another shoe fly towards him.
"Only if your hands worked faster than that tongue." She yelled from the closet and came hoping to fix her boots and zip them. "Rakshit, does that pilot work for you or do you do for him?"
"You know the answer to that." He rolled his eyes and dumped anything he could hold in the luggage bags before zipping the last one shut. He exhaled loudly "Finally."
"How could he order us to reach the airport in the next hour?" She still sulked after the phone conversation with their pilot who did nothing but commanded them to haul up their asses back to Jet in another two hours.
"He gave us two hours." Rakshit reminded her. "If we keep extending our stay here without a pre-notice to him, he would rather fly without us than cooperate for the fifth time."
They were supposed to have a honeymoon for a month that turned to two in no time. Each day they scheduled to return, Shreya would gaze into the city with longing and Rakshit dialed his pilot the next minute to reschedule their plane. If not for Anirudh and Harshvardhan to retribute him with lined-up meetings that he was forced to attend online, they would have never left Bangkok.
Well, how could someone leave this place? It was a heaven of sorts.
With floor-to-ceiling windows in their room, the cityscape stretched before them to stare. Bangkok was a symphony of grace, a kaleidoscope of lights. The Chao Phraya River winding through the city like a silver ribbon and its banks were filled with rich views that made it difficult for them to walk away from. They had climbed the steps of Wat Arun, the temple's spires illuminated with lack of light, and breathed through the air humming with ancient whispers.
Not to forget that street food-spicy, sweet, and unforgettable.
Drifting through the floating markets - vendors selling fruits, silks, and secrets - they had released lotus in the crystal water according to local folklore, hoping for their wishes to come true.
And as they lay on their hotel balcony, the city's heartbeat echoing around them, they felt it-the love rush.
"Do you believe in magic?" Shreya had asked him at night, embracing him and hearing his heartbeat underneath her.
He took her palm in his hand, kissing her knuckles making her smile. "In this city, surrounded by temples, markets, and you? Absolutely."
"I want to come here again." Shreya pouted as the car drove them through the busy streets of the city, toward the airport.
"On our first anniversary." He promised her.
Her beaming smile was what he could pass his days through.
â â â â
2 more months later...
In the hushed sanctuary of the bathroom, she sat perched on the edge of the bathtub. Her heart fluttered like a caged bird who fought to be left free, eyes oscillating between her phone screen and her own reflection in the large wall-mounted mirror. How did she think the time was the fastest to pass when our mind was in a rush?
And, how badly she was proven wrong.
Licking her dried lips, she brushed her sweaty palms on her bathrobe and stared at the pregnancy test resting on the granite marble countertop, its tiny window harboring secrets. Seconds stretch into eternity as she stares, willing the faint pink line to appear.
It has been months of hope, of whispered prayers, of longing-all condensed into this fragile moment. Her breath catches, and she imagines the life growing within her-a tiny heartbeat, a universe unfolding.
But she waited for the results. Before letting her brain go into an overdriving of scenarios and hope, she placed her will to check the results above all.
It was the third test she had taken in the past 5 months, two consecutive tests before had crushed her hope like dried leaves turning them into dust and leaving a hole in her heart. The room holds its breath alongside her, and as the line takes its own time to materialize, she feels the rush of love and fear intertwine.
She was waiting for the light pink color to overtake her anticipation. Her yearning to be a mother, to nurture the seed of their love.
"Uttara." She almost fell at his call.
Vidyut knocked on the washroom door.
"Are you in there, Tara?" He asked. "Please hurry, we will be late for the dinner."
Miraya was turning 1 tomorrow and the Chauhan decided to celebrate intimately a day before the grand party Dhwani and Anirudh Chauhan were throwing.
"Yes, I am." She gathered her words and peered at the timer that still ran. "I...I will be out in two minutes."
"Okay."
His faint footsteps made her sink back into her previous seat. She looked around the mundane bathroom that she had been to for years now but it was the first time her eyes looked at every nook and corner.
"Tara, baby? Come out now." He was back on the door and Uttara jumped in action. She had again lost track of time. She ran towards the plastic stick and almost lost her balance as the results made sense to her.
"Are you okay?" Came Vidyut's panicked voice, she cupped her mouth realizing she had screamed. "You are worrying me now."
"I...I..." She couldn't speak as her throat choked.
There it was-the faintest pink line she had ever seen. Imperceptible to anyone else, but to her, it's a beacon. Tears blur her vision as her fingers tremble touching the stick and feeling the bullet train of emotions hitting her. She's waited for this moment, prayed for it, cried over it. There were months of anticipation, of disappointment, of wondering if her body would ever cooperate.
Now, here she is-on the precipice of motherhood.
She exhales a breath through her lips.
"Damn, woman. I am coming in."
The door hand jingled as she failed to respond to his calls for her. He stepped inside and she froze facing him, hiding the stick behind her as she wanted to make this a special announcement.
In three strides Vidyut was infront of her, holding her trembling form in his arms his eyes swept to check her for any visible injury.
"Are you okay? You scared me there." He confided and her eyes betrayed.
Those traitorous tears rolled down as she jumped in his arms, hugging him for her life.
"We...are...Vidyut...I"
How she could drag her brain and knock some sense to it to work and formulate words for her.
"What is it?" His fingers tapped on her fist hiding the stick. "Show it to me, Tara."
She parted from him averting her eyes bashfully. She silently placed the testing kit back on the marble top for his eyes to study.
Vidyut's eyes locked on the plastic device and he froze. Arms stiff and jaw slacked.
"We are pregnant, Vidyut." She repeated to earn a reaction from him.
His eyes moved back to her fleeting to her belly and back to the counter.
His silence scared her. Something flashed in his eyes and he immediately cupped her face before a sob could escape her.
"Oh god, No, Tara. It is not what you think." He cajoled her, hauling her in his arms she placed her on the vanity counter and stood between her feet.
His eyes oscillated between her test stick and her.
"Are you not ready?" She whispered the question bugging her mind. "I thought you...you agreed to try."
"That is not what it is." He steps closer closing in any distance between them. He places his forehead against hers. Their fingers entwine, and he exhales slowly. "We're going to be parents."
"We are." She cupped his face and closed her eyes.
"Do you..." He shook his head. "What symptoms did you have and why didn't you tell me about them?"
"I wasn't sure." She admitted the fear to him. "What if it would be a false alarm?"
"Still, you were supposed to tell me." He pressed and hugged her closer. He placed a kiss on her forehead with eyes never leaving the stick.
"I didn't want to get your hopes up. After the last time..." Her voice trembled.
"Last time?" He blinked in confusion and Uttara averted her eyes guiltily.
"I took a test 3 months back." She bit her gums to stop stammering. "I was at my shoot location and felt nauseous. I wasn't able to keep any food in my system so Nitya suggested I take the test. It was positive, Vidyut."
"And?"
"I got my period after two days. I thought I miscarried but the doctor said I was never pregnant. I thought what if this time too..."
"You cried yourself to sleep that night." He gritted his teeth. "I kept believing you were upset because of the film contract. For once you could have talked to me, Tara."
The director Uttara had signed a film before the entire scandal had shelved the project and she had to face all comments behind her back for ruining his dream project. Though it has been months, it was hard for the audience to get over the news of her two-timing her husband. A reason she was focusing on laying down the foundation of her own brand with the help of her good friend and taking a break from the entertainment industry.
"I didn't know how to tell you." She looked down in her lap. "I am sorry."
1Vidyut shook his head, placing her head against his chest. "Stop thinking about it now."
"What if this is also false..."
"Shush." He placed a finger on her lips and gently carried her in his arms. "Stop worrying yourself."
He placed her on their vanity chair and squatted near her.
"I want you to get ready." He pushed her wet hair strands back. "Dress simply, we are going home."
Uttara nodded wordlessly. There was a relief on his face that calmed her in a way she couldn't point out.
"Tell me what you need."
"That will do." She pointed towards a blue salwar kurta with silver threadwork, letting him bring it to her. "I will manage from here."
"Call me if you need?" She hummed and nodded to himself before leaving her alone to get dressed.
She blow-dried her hair and opted for the pearl drop diamond earrings he gifted on their first anniversary.
"You ready?" Vidyut stood leaning against the closet door, folding his shirt sleeves, and taking a once over of her. His eyes flashed with naked appreciation making her flush.
"Yes." She nodded and he forwarded his hand towards her, waiting for her to talk her own time crossing the distance between them.
He opened her car door and helped her settle down before rounding to take the driver's side. Igniting the engine, he switched the radio on making her grin in response. It was hard to believe the man who despised songs while driving made the effort to help her calm down.
She watched him maneuver his way through the traffic and the feeling of falling in love all over again returned.
What a great father he would be. She imagined him cooing their little one the same way he carries Miraya around. That little girl has the entire Chauhan household wrapped in her tiny fists. Vidyut never left the hospital in the middle of the day but he did now, before it was only Uttara, now it was Miraya too, and next it would be their child.
Her heart fluttered thinking about a heartbeat within her. She thinks of lullabies and nursery rhymes, of whispered secrets shared with their little one.
As she sat in that bathroom, she knew her heart was ready to make another room for this baby.
"Step out, Tara."
His voice snapped her from her thinking spree finding his seat empty, she turned towards the other side where he stood opening her door. She followed him and halted seeing them parked in the hospital parking spot.
"This..."
"I need to see you smiling again." He shrugged and pulled her closer, guiding her to the door. "Hate that frown on you."
As if waiting for their arrival, a team of doctors flunked around her and ushered her to a room while he nodded at her to go with it. They collected samples from her and Dr. Farah met her in the room she was taken to.
"I will be examining you to confirm the good news, Mrs. Chauhan." The lady gleefully filled her with the next procedures and helped her through them. "I was so happy when Dr. Vidyut called to schedule your checkup. He is going to be a father. It is such a delightful news."
"Thank you, Doctor." Her smile was contagious.
She was taken back to his cabin where he paced the floor but immediately came to a halt seeing her. Making her settle on her favorite recliner, he sat near her legs and watched her in silence.
"Should we not leave?"
"No." He stated glancing at his watch. "The tests will be here in another 10."
"You are taking advantage of being the owner." Her comment made him roll his eyes smiling.
"For you, I would." His little confessions were still the highlights of her day.
His phone vibrated and Vidyut grumbled at the caller.
"Yes, Rakshit."
"How long? The cake is waiting, and so is Miraya." Came Rakshit's voice through the speaker.
Vidyut's smile turned guilty at her mention. "Max an hour. Tell her, her favorite uncle will be bringing her the best birthday gift."
His eyes met hers as he smirked in victory.
"Oh please." Rakshit scoffed. "First, I am her favorite uncle and second, my gift is of no comparison to yours."
"I fail to believe it. How sad." Vidyut bit his grin at Rakshit's audible scowl.
"Why not come after her bedtime? I am enjoying all the attention from her."
They could hear Shreya's snicker in the background. "As if she is giving you any."
"Shreya is right. We all know who is getting all her giggles and eyes."
"You are in my team, meri jaan."
Vidyut shook his head at his brother's dramatics. "Stop disturbing me now. I will see you there."
"Can you..."
He hung up.
"He was saying something." She chided him.
"When does he not?" Vidyut rolled his eyes making her sigh in defeat.
The knock made her sit up straight and he gazed at her with a reassuring smile. Squeezing her palm, he asked the nurse to answer who smiled like a halogen at them.
"Congratulations, Doctor. Ma'am. You are going to be parents in the next 8 months." She jumped with excitement and all sense of worry left Uttara's form. She sunk into the seat with an exhale of relief.
"Thank you." Vidyut cleared his throat and took the reports from her. "Please ask Mr. Ram to arrange a reservation for the entire staff. The treat is on me."
"Thank you so much, sir." The nurse bubbled with happiness.
"And, Nurse Hetal." His tone turned into a request. "Please don't let the news pass the gates. We would like to keep it a secret for another few months."
"Of course. Of course, Sir." She nodded fervently. "We signed an NDA. Nothing leaves the premises. Again, congratulations you two."
"Thank you."
The door closed behind as the room turned silent. He took his seat near her and passed her the thin sheet of paper. His eyes had a sheen of tears that made her tear up. She read the world in bold letters screaming to her the truth that existed between them, in her.
"We are having a baby." She whispered the real words that made her soul flourish with warmth.
Vidyut wiped her tears and blinked his own back. "Let's go home. They need to know before the entire world gets a whim."
â â â â
Anirudh watched his favorite girls in the world spin in circles to the slow melodic tune. Dhwani cooed to a cranky Miraya in her baby voice he had often seen her talk to when this little bundle of sunshine had her days.
Miraya - means a miracle.
It is what this girl had become to them in the past year that they had welcomed her in. She had kept his heart to herself with that small toothless smile she gave him when they carried her in their car. Making her own space in their world, Miraya had the entire house on her whim and call.
While Rashi spoiled her with all the love she had kept stored in her after them, Harshvardhan danced to her tunes.
It took days for Gayatri Devi to come to terms with this sudden new addition but only days when a few angry tears from Miraya and a loud wail from her throat had her climb the stairs and clutch the crying infant to her chest. It is observed in the world how grandchildren were more loved than children, but never he thought great-grandchildren would take the cake for being the most precious.
During the whole year, what changed was Dhwani's caring motherly nature towards the strict parent. She had taken up the reigns to keep their little girl in check when the entire family was busy spoiling her.
She had withdrawn herself from the fieldwork of orphanages and had inserted herself into a desk job. With paperwork and files, she had enough time to see Miraya through her phases.
Some of it had to do with the loss of Manna and the fire incident which still sat on her heart, they had talked endlessly at nights staying cuddled, and he had witnessed her cry, break, and mend back to face another day but a little piece of her heart had been damaged irrevocably and they had come to embrace it the same way.
There was no way he could change things back in time, he could only stand with her supporting her through acceptance.
"It is all Vidyut's fault," Rakshit grumbled standing beside him. His eyes glimmered following Shreya who takes Miraya and plays with her to keep her distracted from sleep.
"It could be an emergency." Anirudh tried with a shrug. "Not that she is going to sleep anytime soon. Dhwani made her afternoon nap longer today."
"You always side with him." He side-glared.
"Paying him back for all the times he saved our ass." Anirudh bit his lip earning a glare from Dhwani. The cuss words were strictly prohibited anywhere their little human as she had started chewing words and making her own vocabulary. "He must be here any minute now."
On cue, Vidyut and Uttara entered the hall. All smiles and radiating with happiness Anirudh doubted limited to his daughter's birthday.
"That took a while." He whispered to his brother who hugged him in a greeting.
"But worth a wait," Vidyut answered cryptically and went in to smother Miraya with kisses and belly blows.
They could their places on the dining table and his two brothers paid attention to their wives a lot more than normal which made him raise a brow towards Dhwani.
"Why do I feel something is going on?" His whisper met his wife's equally curious gaze.
"Puri daal hi kaali hain." Dhwani shared a smile with him.
(I can smell a rat.)
Much to Anirudh's delight, the dinner came to an end and they moved towards the living area where the centre table was decorated with gifts and balloons.
His daughter was quick to get on her fours and crawl behind the balloon chasing it around.
"I have an announcement," Rakshit said with a proud grin.
"Last time he had made an 'announcement', he got tied for life," Harshvardhan commented making all laugh.
"I have one too," Vidyut claimed and all the pair of ears twerked in attention.
"What is it?" Rashi leaned in interest.
"I will go first," Rakshit called his dips.
"And why if you are kind to elaborate."
Anirudh leaned more in curiosity, never Vidyut had fought for attention.
Rakshit grinned like a devil "Because I am older than you."
"You are not." Rashi cleared the air making his grin melt in a pout.
"Why don't I choose who goes first?" Harshvardhan said and both snorted in denial. "Punks! Both of you can go together."
"Shreya is pregnant."
"Uttara is pregnant."
With wide eyes, they both almost fell off their seats as the silence prevailed.
Miraya squealed loudly, clapping as other balloons circled her.
"Oh my god." Rashi gasped and rushed to both her daughters-in-law. She hugged them both together. "Congratulations, my babies."
Dhwani and Gayatri were next. They took turns in congratulating them and Harshvardhan patted their heads.
The servant was asked to serve them desserts and the bowls of iced cakes were passed around.
"How could it be?"
Rakshit and Vidyut gaped at the timing, staring at each other in shock.
"Did you two plan the babies together?" Anirudh teased the lost souls and patted their backs in a celebratory motion. "But thank you. My daughter will have two siblings together."
"Now, we would actually know who is the elder one in the next set of babies." Dhwani muffled her grin bumped her shoulder with Rakshit and made Vidyut eat a spoonful of the sweet delicacy. "Congratulations."
"Thank you, Bhabhi."
She turned towards Rakshit and repeated the same.
"Congratulations." She laughed at his dramatic chewing.
He chuckled and hugged Vidyut with a pat on his back. "Congratulations, Bhai."
And it is a wrap. Oh god, speaking this out loud makes it so much more difficult. I wish I could write bonus chapters for you but I believe there is no more to know when we can only think of them spending a beautiful life ahead.
I am sorry, there will be no bonus chapters but yes, you will see snippets of them in my other book.
You all can request scenes if you wish to read and I will do my best to justify them.
With this said, this is your author signing off from The Arrangement by Chauhan.
See you in the next book.