44 - Birth and Death

Arjun pov

7 months later

"Come on bro, look at her how beautiful she is... her eyes are too beautiful to ignore but I doubt how you ignoring her constant advances on you," Rishi said irritated taking the seat beside me.

Every Saturday it became our habit to come to the bar for our relaxation and Rishi being Rishi never gave up any chance to flirt with women but I never let him touch alcohol or let him cross his limits with any women.

The girl he is talking about is an American girl Ella working in one of the Australian media. We happened to meet a few months back in this same bar, since then she started to get too friendly with me and Rishi but I felt her activity different with me, too friendly, shy at times. That's when one day she tried to kiss me but I carefully stopped her warning her to not get close to me.

"Am not interested"

He sighed trying to take the glass of beer from me, "how many days are you going to be like this bro? She has moved on with her life. She is happy there what is the need to destroy your life with her thoughts?" he said casually taking the glass to his mouth.

I grabbed it back, "I brought you here after giving my word to your mom to give her child as she is giving me. If you want to enjoy your life with girls and drinks then I am not stopping you but remember one thing that will be the last second I will be seeing you.

Love a girl, marry her and do whatever you want but I will not allow you to destroy yourself"

He laughed, "do you think I will love someone after seeing you? Never" he took the juice and gulped in one go, "I am not going to work whole nights, I am not going to look into nothing particular for hours, am not going to change myself for someone most importantly I am not going to cry myself in the middle of night nor I am will never fly back to India to look after the person every month who threw me on streets.

Only love has the power to blind a man as smart as you"

I clutched my head in pain, "love is beautiful and painful" I smiled remembering my snow's shinny pregnancy glow on her face in my imagination.

"Why are you stopping me and Albert from telling the truth to them, then there would be no need for you to tolerate these, or you should have told her everything when my father tried to blackmail you"

I smiled at him placing my hand around his neck, "I hide my pain from her because I don't want her to get hurt.

Yes hide my problems because I don't want her to get tensed.

I hide my tears from her because I don't want tears in her eyes.

I hide my hard days because I don't know whether I would be alive the next day.

I hide my struggles because I don't want my diya to struggle with me.

Is there anything wrong?" he shook his head.

"I can also give you another explanation. Imagine you are traveling with your loved one in a boat in the center of the ocean, all of a sudden your boat started to break into pieces and you are in the last floating pieces with a life taking shark around you"

"Stop, I don't have a loved one..."

I heaved a sigh, "okay your mother"

"Better"

Giving him a glare I continued, "slowly the last piece of boat you are standing is also submerging. Your mother won't ever let you die for her so now you have two options,

1. stand there and kill your mother and yourself.

2. Offer yourself to the shark without her knowledge to save your mother.

What will you do?"

He stared at me for a second, "option 2" he said slowly.

Patting his shoulder, "exactly" I smiled taking the bottle, and walked to the shore with Rishi tailing behind, "love and trust should not be forced. I have already told her my reasons. Now it's their turn to know truth themselves"

These seven months were worst if hell is the worst thing in the universe then yeah I am in hell. There was no reason for me to smile except the hidden glimpse of my family and her routine checkups. I was there to hear my child's heartbeat, I saw how he/she grown from a bean size to a small one with tiny legs and hands... I was there every time without meeting anyone.

And the smile on my family's faces kept me a step back from them.

Fate has it's own destiny, in solitude, 'I am broken!'

Broken me still love her the way I love her...!

Still hankering for having good old beautiful days with my family.

I did everything that I could make her stay with me but she left without understanding taking my everything. My peace, my hope, my smile, my happiness and my soul. I don't know what was my mistake to get such a punishment. It's so difficult to live like a empty soul.

"stop drinking too much" he yanked the bottle from me angrily.

Taking back, "it keeps me sane"

"That's what love is... toxic"

Her words replayed back, 'he is toxic to me and my child'

"Honey, what a surprise?!!!" soft giggling took my attention to her, Ella.

Without wasting a second her hands came around my neck kissing my cheek lovingly, separating her from me I maintained a distance between us, "Ella I am married"

Hurt washed over her face, "you were married, I know your wife gave you divorce" I glared at Rishi who started to count the stars.

"he lied to you" I heaved.

"Whatever" a bright smile formed on her face grabbing my hand she started to drag me, "my friend organized a party over there" her fingers pointed to the small stage over the beach, "come"

I paused, "no you go"

"come to one Arjun, just chill out"

Rishi pushed me from the back, "come on bro the night is still young" and we both were at a party me drinking and he with newly found friends, party.

My ringtone took me out from the disturbing noise, "Good evening sir" Albert wished from another end.

"Anything serious Albert?"

"It's according to you sir, yesterday your brother came to meet me..." he stopped hesitantly. Ever since I shifted to Australia he also stopped working for my family and flew to Arjun(chaya's husband) but after his death I made him manage the hotel I handed him.

I hummed, "he asked your number"

"Hmm..."

"I didn't give him, he seems angry with you for not taking his calls"

"Okay, do you know the reason?"

For a minute silence remained, "not clear sir but related to business"

Hmm... only for business??

After solving every problem around us I changed everything around me, my mobile number, my apartment everything.

"How is Diya" except the love on her.

"Completely fine sir, I placed Likit in front of your house, he will immediately call you in due time" she is having 12 days as per the doctor's guess for giving birth, "You have completed your project there sir?"

"Not yet. Don't reveal anything about me to my family Albert, I am hanging up"

After informing Rishi I went to my apartment to do my incomplete work as quickly as possible. Only then I can go back to my child. I am sure Diya will hear my words after this 7 months separation it will bind us together back.

Days rolled down, one day I received an emergency call at midnight from Likit and my guess was right, Diya is admitted to the hospital.

Not wasting a minute I informed Rishi and flew to India to get my child and wife back.

When I landed there Albert and Likit stood out of the airport, "any news?"

"It's a boy sir" smile formed on my lips from bottom of my heart after many months.

The feeling of someone calling me 'Dad' gave me a complete feeling. My heart filled with happiness and happiness and only happiness.

"Likit give a bonus to our employees" he laughed, "your father already announced it, sir"

"Then arrange a grand tour for them with their family 3 days" let them be happy with their family.

He nodded and we got in the car which flew towards the hospital, being the early morning there was not much traffic so I was outside the hospital in 20 minutes these 20 minutes seems too long then these 7 months.

Knowing her room details I quickly moved to the 2nd floor with a broad smile like a mad man. I saw my family happily standing out of the room.

I stood there hesitantly not knowing how to stand before them getting their not-interested glances.

Yaashvi was the first person to see me, she placed her hand on Advik's arm taking my eyes to the ring on her fingers. I smiled happily at that.

Still, a part of me hurt badly when my brother nor my family didn't bother to invite or inform me about my brother's engagement where the whole city was happily invited to bless them.

Maybe they don't want a bad omen like me....!!!

Catching her eyes Advik saw me angrily but didn't say anything, when I took a hesitant step towards the room, my mother stopped me, "what is he doing here Dev?"

My father saw me blankly waiting for my answer.

"I came to see my son Mom"

Turning to me she laughed mockingly, "the one you tried to kill?"

I instantly wiped my tear, "no mom, it's not me" I turned to my father, "it's Mr. Pratap dad"

'I am verge of dying mom don't break me more. Enough of the loneliness and pain. I need my family back' I mentally prayed to her.

"Can I know why are you keeping that man's son who tried to kill your son?" asked my father.

"He is not like his father dad"

He seethed angrily, "stop calling me dad again and again. We are not ready to take your all lies again"

My last hope is Advik, "Advik you know Rishi right? he wanted to learn the business from me, he doesn't want to get his father's properties or money. You know his character right, tell dad about him" instead of answering me he turned away.

"A snake can give birth only to a snake," my dad said angrily.

"I was born as a snake from a deer family according to you all right?" I asked blankly, "then he can be a harmless snake"

"Why are you talking with him, ask him to go," my mother said angrily.

"I will go after seeing my wife and son," I said firmly and walked out of the hospital to wait for Diya to wake up.

I waited for a whole day outside the hospital Advik, Yaashvi, dad would go out and come back now and then but they never tried to say anything about Diya and my son. My father arranged for many guards outside the hospital to not let me in.

Three days passed like this, However, I tried to go in they never allowed me in. I have not seen my child past three days.

Unable to hold the anger anymore I walked in as Albert and Likit helped me hold the guards, I ran to their room and found my father talking with someone outside the room. Ignoring him I walked inside the room and found Diya awake looking at our child happily in the cradle who is still not visible to me.

Hearing sudden sounds all their head snapped in my direction but my eyes were fixed on my Diya, my snow who looks pale and lean in her hospital gown. Her eyes were dull to lack of sleep. My eyes followed to her long slender hands which tightened their hold on the iron cradle.

I looked back to her eyes longingly for love but I didn't get it back, "how are you Diya?" she stayed silent. Hiding the pain I saw my son.

My legs moved towards his cradle. Reaching near him I saw my little one sleeping peacefully keeping his hand hiding his eyes to avoid the bright light disturbs his small nap. A chuckle escaped my lips seeing how small and cute his hands and legs are. I can't seem to predict who he looks like but his nose is exactly like Diya.

While my hands moved to lift him, "don't" an angry Diya's voice stopped me in middle to lift my son for the first time. I saw her face red in anger.

"Calm down Diya, I just want to lift my son one time please" I pleaded with her, she quickly took our son in her arms, "I won't"

Anger builds in me, "why the hell are you this adamant Diya? I told you everything yet you are not ready to accept the truth. I gave you freaking 7 months to think but still, you are the same. What more do you expect from me to prove me I did nothing to my child? Is it the trust you had in me?" taking a deep breath I tried to calm myself, "you nodded when I asked you to trust me right? then where the fucking hell it had gone?"

"I wonder how can you ask me to trust you after seeing you proposing a girl Mr. Verma?" she asked blankly pacifying our son.

"That was a drama to make Meera's father believe we were in love to join her with the person she loves. If I haven't done it her father would blackmail her to marry someone else you would have understood it if you looked around the room for a minute but I trusted you and still trust you even after knowing you went out on a date with that bastard Raghav, is it wrong to expect the same from you?"

Giving our son to my mom, "yes I went out on a date with him. I wanted to give my son a father who is true and kind unlike you. Is there anything wrong with it?" she yelled with the same tone completely killing me. I looked into her eyes deeply trying to find any guilt or lie but nothing, she threw me like trash for the mistakes I had never done.

"You are lying right?" I asked hopefully.

She stayed silent for a few minutes, "why should I keep on wait for the man who never bothered about his child before trying to kill it" I felt my heartbeat became rapid in pain.

Turning to my mother, "Will you give my son to me for a minute? Please" I begged her with tears, "just once mom. Please I need to feel how he reacts to my touch" she stood unfazed with her expression. I kneeled on the ground, "I beg you mom, ask her to give me permission. I beg you" my tears blurred my vision.

Her eyes filled with tears, she looked at Diya who stood back at me when she heard nothing from her, "ask him to go out mom" without seeing her I walked out with a lifeless heart, completely dead.

Just for this reason I was afraid to tell you about my identity on our wedding day snow...

I took the car keys from Albert, "inform me when they reach home" with that I drove towards the bar and started to spend my lonely days and night there they throw me out.

Can't they see the truth in my eyes?

Can't they see pain and longing in my eyes?

Had my love for her in my eyes gone? Why can't she see it? Already she started to find a better father for my son?

I laughed wiping my tear, 'All the best Diya. All the best for your future'

The wound they created this time was deep.

They buried the wishes of a father to see his child. I would pray not even my enemy would be in this stage.

My mobile vibration stopped my train of thoughts, "They happily got settled in their home?"

"Where are you sir?" he asked concerned.

"Bar, you have the papers with you right?"

"Yes sir. You are drinking too much it will damage your health"

Laughing at his statement I cut the call asking him to come to pick me in a few minutes. Taking a quick bath in the room of the bar I waited for the arrival of Albert.

A few minutes later I spotted his car and climbed in which speed up to Verma Mansion.

My father's guards stopped me from getting in, "I dare you to stop me" I whispered in my low voice good enough to make him freeze in his spot.

I saw the whole family in the living room with my son pampering him, "Aww mom see how cute he is, smiling at me" Advik looked at my son in aww who is in the arms of Yaashvi who Advik is hugging from behind.

"No, he is looking at me. Why would he smile at a monkey?" Yaashvi argued back, he hit her head playfully, "mom sees he is hitting me" she complained to my mother who is massaging my son's hand with a smile.

"Advi" mom warned him giving him a soft pinch on his arm. Opposite my mother sat my father with his specs on looking at the dress of my son carefully talking with Diya. I laughed happily inside seeing their love towards my son.

When my eyes moved towards Diya I saw her eyes placed on me. She sat frozen. Averting my eyes from her quickly not having the strength to study it I walked inside the house taking all the files from Albert.

"Who allowed you in?" my father asked me angrily. I showed my hand to him, "I won't take more than 10 minutes, I came here to say few things"

I gave him some documents, "these documents have all the details of the projects I am handling. Everything including the new industries construction, every contact, personal numbers of the clients I am handling. If you have any doubt about it Rishi will clarify it to you. Let him work in your company for a few more months then he will walk on his path, he is still a learning kid.

I have also changed my shares and his into Advik name also it's having shares of Diya's mother which her grandparents gave her. Not single brick is in my name" he stood shocked without saying anything.

Turning to my mother I gave her a box and paper, "You asked for a beach house a few months back. I registered in on your name" she looked at my father, "don't worry it's not my money. It's dad's.... your husband's money. And this is the necklace you asked me"

"What are you saying?" Advik asked confused. "Congrats on your engagement Advik. You looked handsome that day" he averted his eyes guiltily.

'You won't know how much I am missing you Advik'

Finally, I looked at my Diya who stood there with tears, "I have also placed the divorce papers signed in it" I said referring to the files I gave my father, "never I have mentioned how much I love you. I love you so much to let you marry another man for your happiness. Not even in my dreams, I have imagined a day where I have to let you go cause I promised to stay with you forever. If you had a single percent of trust in me which you had on your father we wouldn't be like this now" my throat became dry all of a sudden.

I know you'll never come back and that hurts more than I think that I won't ever be able to hold your hand, hear your voice, hug you, kiss you, have food made by you, teas you, laugh with you again. It breaks my heart after all these years of love you will be marrying someone else and we won't be able to be together again. I have no words to tell you how sad that thought makes me. I can't tell you how sad it makes me. I loved you the most, missed you the most and will miss you the most. Your absence will kill me... I am just going to miss you.

Clearing my throat, "Okay sorry for all I had done" I removed the chain I wore and placed the ring on the couch near her, "I am not it's owner hereafter" she clutched her hand on the side of the couch letting her tears fall, "I understand you don't want someone like me to be a father of our son, you are afraid my touch and breath would make him like I or I would kill my son but I give you my word I won't come near him" going near Yaashvi who is having our son, "except this one last time"

Yaashvi moved forward my son to me, smiling at her I placed my hand on her head giving a soft pat denying to take my son, bending close to his sleepy form I observed he is trying to go to deep sleep with a small smile. With a heavy heart I kissed his forehead feeling his soft skin on my lips, "your father loves you a lot champ" the second feels heavenly. No punishment is worse than this... not able to take my precious in my hand.

Controlling my heavy tears that formed on the corner of my eyes I put the platinum chain I wore for years to my son, "If by chance he asks about me tell him, his father is dead"

I heard a thud sound and a loud sob echoing the silent living room, without turning I can tell it's Diya. Giving one last look at my son I walked out quickly of the house and their lives.

This time forever...

Like a dead person.

"Arju..." her loud broken voice didn't stop me this time I continued to walk out of the house to the gate but stopped by a hand that grabbed my shirt from behind. Due to sudden unexpected pull I trembled a step back to be collided with her front which she immediately hugged me from behind placing her face on my back letting me feel her tears on my shirt...

So....??????

How is the chapter?

The story might end soon...maybe single digit chapters will be left. I haven't planned yet but will over soon

Bye, take care until the next chapter.

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