Aarvi was still sitting on the bed, her face buried in her hands, her body shaking with sobs. She couldnât process the whirlwind of emotions swirling within herâconfusion, anger, hurt, and above all, betrayal. Her heart was aching with the unbearable thought that Darshil, the man she had started to care for despite their complicated relationship, might have taken advantage of her while she was intoxicated. But then Darshil's words made her heart twist again and again.
"I hate myself for loving you" Darshil's statement echoed in her ears.
In the corner of the room, Siya was watching her with a calculating gaze, her face filled with sympathy as Aarvi told her everything.
I donât understand, Siya. How could this happen? How could Darshilâ¦? Heâs denying everything, but then why am I pregnant? Aarvi asked, tears streams continuously from her eyes.
Siya sits beside Aarvi, her expression softens.
Control yourself Aarvi, you'll end up, getting weak and this can harm your child too. Siya said
I don't care. I hate this child, I hate the reason for this child, I hate Darshil. I am surprised at myself, how am I still alive after hearing such a big allegation? Why didn't I give up on my life? Can anyone even guess that pain? When a husband asks his own wife whose child is in her womb? I hate that I married a man like him. Aarvi said crying bitterly.
I donât know⦠Men like Darshil, they can be unpredictable. Maybe⦠maybe he did something when you were vulnerable. Or maybe itâs something else entirely. But you have every right to feel this way. Siya said
Aarviâs sobs grew louder as she replayed the conversation with Darshil in her mind. The anger in his voice, the accusations, and the doubt that had settled between them like a growing storm cloud.
I thought⦠I thought I was starting to trust him, Siya. I was even beginning to care for him. But now⦠now I donât know if I can ever look at him the same way again. Aarvi said, finding herself broken
You donât have to figure this out right now. Just take some time to think. And remember, Iâm here for you. Always. Siya said
Aarvi nods weekly. Siya hugs Aarvi and comforts her and leaves after sometime.
Aarvi sat alone on the floor, her back pressed against the edge of the bed. Tears streamed down her face as she hugged her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. Her mind was a storm of conflicting emotionsâfear, anger, betrayal, and confusion. She couldnât believe Darshil would ever take advantage of her, but what other explanation was there for this pregnancy?
Her heart broke further with each thought. Despite her complicated relationship with Darshil, she had started to see a different side of him. But now, all those feelings were drowned in suspicion and hurt. She wiped her tears, feeling utterly shattered.
Meanwhile, Darshil stood by the window, staring out into the darkness, his mind a chaotic mess of emotions. His heart felt heavy, as if it were weighed down by the accusations hurled at him. His eyes were bloodshot, and his breathing was shallow with rage and frustration.
His hand gripped a glass of whiskey on the desk, and as his thoughts spiraled deeper into darkness, his anger got the better of him. In one violent motion, he clenched his hand around the glass, gripping it tighter and tighter until the glass shattered. Blood dripped from his hand, but he didnât care. Physical pain was a welcome distraction from the emotional agony tearing him apart.
How could she think Iâd do that to her? I would never hurt Aarvi like that. Darshil said
But as much as he tried to tell himself that, the nagging doubt lingered in his mind. How was Aarvi pregnant? They had never been intimate. Was there someone else? Could Aarvi have cheated on him?
The thought clawed at his insides, filling him with a rage he could barely contain. He punched the wall, leaving a bloodstain on the smooth surface.
She cheated on me..... with whom? Why did she do this to me? I won't spare that rascal. Darshil said in anger.
He paced the room, tormented by the unanswerable questions. Every time he thought about the possibility that Aarvi had been unfaithful, it twisted the knife deeper into his heart.
Early the next morning, the mansion was quiet, the air thick with the tension left over from the previous night. Darshil spent the whole night, in his study and then, he walked in his room.
As he opened the door, he saw Aarvi asleep, while sitting on the floor and her head rested against the edge of the floor. His heart clenched at this condition of hers and his mind was racing about something else.
As he walks towards Aarvi, she slowly wakes up and looked at Darshil.
Aarvi stands up, and Darshil stops, his eyes still filled with anger. Aarvi's eyes widened in surprise as she looked his hand, which was filled with blood.
Darshil.... this. Aarvi said and walked towards him but Darshil stopped her by showing her his hand and walked out of the room.
After an hour, a maid, who had overheard parts of Darshil and Aarviâs conversation, rushed to Nandiniâs room, where Poorva was already present, to inform her of the shocking news.
Ma'am, I overheard something last night⦠Darshil sir and Aarvi madam had a fight. Maid said
Nandiniâs brow furrowed as she turned to face the maid.
A fight? About what? Nandini ji asked
The maid hesitated, unsure if she should reveal such private details.
Nandiniâs eyes widened in shock, her hand instinctively clutching the edge of her chair.
What? Questioning her pregnancy? What is going on? Nandini ji asked
The maid nodded, recounting what little she had heard. Nandini, alarmed and deeply concerned, stood up quickly.
I heard Darshil Sir asking Aarvi mam, about who is the father of her child as he never touched her and maybe.... Aarvi mam slept with someone else while Darshil sir was in Italy. Maid said making Nandini ji shocked and angry.
What?!!!! Think before what you say. Nandini ji said
This is the truth. I've heard this from my own ears. Maid said
You can go now.... And Poorva..... you come with me. Nandini ji said and they walked to Aarvi's room.
Aarvi was sitting on her bed thinking about everything going on, when Nandini ji and Poorva arrived there.
Dadi..... Aarvi said
Don't call me dadi. Nandini ji said in anger, surprising Aarvi.
I always considered you as my daughter, not a daughter-in-law. I shared all my happiness, secrets and feelings with you, and this is what I got in return from you? But this matter is now related to the reputation of Rajvanshis. Tell me, who is the father of your child? Nandini ji asked
Aarvi was shocked by her question, she felt another knife stabbed straight into her heart.
I..... Aarvi tried to say something but she felt her mind was not accepting whatever going on.
We were all so happy after getting the news of your pregnancy. But this truth has ruined all oir expectations, Darshil is not the father of this baby. Tell me Aarvi, if Darshil has never got intimate with you, then how could you get pregnant? Nandini ji said
Aarvi was still shocked, trying to bear with the pain that questions got in her heart. She was completely surprised and didn't know what to say.
Aarvi, answer me..... Who is the father of this baby? Aarvi, if you have made this mistake, then you don't have the right to live in this house. Nandini ji said
All the while, I used to think that, all of you care for me a lot, you love me so much and understand me. But your questions have proved me wrong. You are asking me, who is the father of this child? Aarvi asked in a painful voice
YES!! I am asking this question because I am sure that my Darshil can never lie about something so serious. Why would he say that he didn't get intimate with you? Nandini ji said
Aarvi's eyes were filled with unshed tears and anger as Darshil arrived there.
You seem mistaken, dadi. I did get intimate with Aarvi. Darshil said, shocking everyone again.
Then why were you doubting on Aarvi? Poorva asked
I had a doubt that one can't get pregnant on getting intimate once, and even at that time when I was out of the country for more than a month. But now, I am sure that the baby is mine. Darshil said
Aarvi was broken completely on listening to Darshil's statement.
Today I am angry at my fate for making me the wife of a man like you. Aarvi said in anger and stepped close to Darshil whose eyes were down.
First you told me, that you didn't get intimate with me, and then you're saying that you did. You questioned about the father of my baby. And now..... You are claiming this is your baby! Please tell me clearly, what the hell do you want? I was right about you, it's all a game for you, isn't it? I never said it infront of anyone, but today.....I will say this in front of everyone that I hate You. I hate the moment when I got married to you, I hate that night due to which caused me this much of humiliation, and also I hate this baby, who is in my womb because of you. Aarvi yelled in anger but Darshil's expression didn't change, he was just looking downwards listening to all the blames.
Darshil, if this child is yours, then why did you questioned Aarvi earlier? Nandini ji asked, her tone angry and disappointed as she stepped towards him
As I said dadi, I wanted to know if Aarvi had relations wirh other other than me. Darshil said
Is it a joke to you? Ruining a woman's character? Questioning your own baby? Nandini ji asked
Dadi..... You're getting angry for no reason. If as a husband, I want to know if Aarvi ever had relations with anyone else, what's wrong with that? I don't have any proof of her chastity. Darshil said but Nandini ji slapped him.
Aarvi was looking at him with all the hatred, and Poorva gasped.
Darshil wasn't shocked at this slap, his expression was still unreadable and he continued to stare at the floor.
Enough...... don't you dare call me dadi. Today, you have brought disgrace upon me by doing this. I am ashamed of myself for questioning such an honest and chaste woman. I can't believe, you are the same Darshil who claimed to love aarvi? The one who worshipped her like a goddess? Get out of my sight, now. Nandini ji said.
Darshil took a glance of Aarvi and stormed out of the room.
Aarvi collapsed on the bed, in shock and pain and burst into tears.
Aarvi, I am your culprit too. And the sin is so serious that I cannot be forgiven. You can only punish me for this. And I request you Aarvi, punish me in the way you want. Nandini ji said, folding her hands.
No dadi, elder's hand should only rise to give blessings, not for apologies. I am not angry with you. I am angry with the way Darshil thinks. He doesn't values a woman's honour, her chastity and her duties. Aarvi said.
Nandini ji hugged Aarvi and caresses her hair.
It was evening time when Aarvi was standing near the window, looking outside to calm her mimd but it didn't helped her relax at all.
Meanwhile Darshil arrived there. As Aarvi looked at him, she sat on the bed.
Why did you break your commitment? You promised me you won't touch me without my permission...... Then why did you took advantage of me while I was intoxicated? Aarvi asked, her eyes filled with anger.
Enough!!! Darshil said and walked towards her.
Aarvi stood up.
Now tell me, who is the father of this baby? Whom did you get intimate with? Darshil asked
What nonsense!!! I didn't get intimate with anyone, it was you who forced himself on me, who took advantage of me. And why the hell are you asking this question again? You have admitted that you got intimate with me that night. Aarvi said
That was all a lie. I said that in front of dadi and Poorva to save your honour. I didn't said a word when you put on so many allegations on me in front of them, even when dadi slapped me, but the truth is that I never broke my commitment. I never got intimate with you. Darshil said but Aarvi was queit.
Why are you quite? Answer me! Whose child are you carrying? Who do you have illegitimate relation with?? Darshil yelled
STOP IT!!!!! Aarvi shouted and Darshil glares at her.
I admit that I used to hate you, this mairrage started with hatred. I also admit that I never allowed you to touch me..... But, my values don't allow me to have a physical relationship with any other men, other than my husband. Aarvi said
Then let me tell you, I am also a man of my words. I'd promised you that I won't get intimate with you without your permission and I didn't touched you that night. If a husband never gets intimate with his wife, yet she gets pregnant, then he has the right to question his wife! Darshil said
Do you really think I would cheat on you, Darshil? Is that what you truly believe? Aarvi asked
Darshil stopped pacing, his face contorted with frustration. He couldnât bring himself to answer. Deep down, he didnât want to believe she would betray him, but the circumstances made it impossible for him to think rationally.
I donât know what to believe anymore. Darshil said griiting his teeth
Then letâs settle this once and for all. Weâll do a DNA test. If you canât trust me, then letâs get the proof you need. Aarvi said
Darshil stared at her, shocked by the suggestion. He hadnât expected her to be the one to suggest such a measure.
Are you insane? Going for a DNA Test will raise questions on your character. Darshil said
You've already done it Darshil. Let's settle this matter. We can go to Siya, she will understand the matter. And if you're not wrong then why are you denying? Aarvi said
Fine. Letâs do it. I want to know the truth. Darshil said and both of them leave for the hospital.
Darshil and Aarvi sat in silence in the waiting room, neither of them speaking as the tension between them thickened. Siya entered, her expression calm, and she knew why both of them are here. She could sense the tension in the air, the suffocated breathing of both of them can be seen easily.
Iâll need to take samples from both of you and a blood test from Aarvi for the DNA match. Iâll make sure we get the results as soon as possible. Siya said
Aarvi nodded weakly, her hands trembling slightly. Darshil remained stone-faced, his anger barely contained as he stared at the floor.
Letâs just get this over with. Darshil said
Siya led them into the lab where she took the necessary samples. Her movements were efficient, but behind her cool demeanor, she was thinking something very serious in her mind which can be seen from her expression.
After the samples were taken, Siya told them to wait for the results. Darshil sat rigidly, his mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. Aarvi, on the other hand, couldnât stop her heart from aching. She had never imagined that her relationship with Darshil would come to this.
I never wanted it to be like this, Darshil⦠I never wanted us to be at odds like this. Aarvi said
Darshil didnât reply, but a flicker of something softened in his eyes as he glanced at her. He wasnât immune to her pain, but his trust had been shattered, and he didnât know how to put it back together.
An hour later, Siya returned with an envelope in her hand. Her face was unreadable as she walked toward them, her voice calm and detached.
The results are here. Siya said
Both Darshil and Aarvi stood up, their hearts pounding as Siya handed the envelope to Darshil. He hesitated for a moment before tearing it open, his eyes scanning the contents quickly.
His face went pale, his hands shaking as he read the report.
The baby⦠is not mine. Darshil said
*********
So guys, that's all for today.
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As English is not my first language so there can be some grammatical mistakes, I just request to please ignore it.
Thankyouð¥