XLVIII. Test

"The base of any relationship is not from the blood it's from the love and affection."

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Some decisions make bring us happiness but there will be a burden. You must bear it with each decision you make.

I decided to take a DNA test. I want to confirm it before I think of anything. After speaking to Aarav yesterday, I understood that it will be best if he will be with his family not knowing the truth. He will be happy with them, but to satisfy my heart I want to take a DNA test. Somewhere, in my heart, I hope that he had nothing to do with me; if he is not related to me directly then everything will be normal. My father didn't cheat on mom, I can conclude that Damini created her own story out of her obsession. I can start a new chapter in my life.

I slept with the thoughts running in my mind on how to conduct the test.

I felt something poking me in my nose, I wrinkled my nose and rubbed it with the back of my hand. I tried to go back to my dreams land, but something poked my nose again. This time I tried to ignore it and go back to sleep, but I heard quite giggles from beside me. I sneezed and slowly opened my eyes. I found Diya beside me with her hair near my nose.

"You little devil," I attacked her and started tickling her until she was out of breath.

"S-stop i-it, m-mama," I ignored her pleas and continued my assault on her.

"Say sorry and that you will never do it again," I ordered and she obeyed me.

"S-sworry, no d-do i-it." Once I was satisfied with her answer, I left her and lay beside her. She snuggled deep into me and placed her head on my chest. I felt her breath on my cheeks as she tried to regain her breathing. I massaged her hair as she slept there as we enjoyed the silence.

I wish to have mornings like this, we will have quarrels and snuggles. I don't want to change anything now, except to wish for Abhi to be beside me. We will be complete as a family and can have happiness in our lives.

"Princess, shall we go and see your dada?" She mumbled a yes and went back to sleep. I smiled as I heard her soft snores.

I slowly moved her away from me and laid her on the bed. I adjusted the pillow beside her so that she can't roll down. Once satisfied with my work, I went inside the washroom to freshen up.

I saw the reflection in the mirror, my face looked tired and weary. I think I didn't sleep properly and need to have a good sleep soon, for now, I need to cover it with concealer. I splashed water on my face and brushed my teeth. After having a long bath, I was ready for the day. I was dressed in a sleeveless knee-length floral dress. I paired it with a jacket, and I left my hair down. My face was covered with foundation, as I didn't want others to notice my tiredness.

I climbed back into the bed and tried to wake Diya. "Princess, wake up." She mumbled something incoherent and went back to sleep.

"Ok, I will come and wake you after the breakfast is ready." I came out of the room and went to the kitchen. On my way, I found papa and ma, in the living room. I greeted them and touched their feet.

"Good morning, beta. Did you have a good sleep?" Ma asked once I took the seat beside her.

"Yes, I had a good sleep. I will go to the hospital and check on Abhi first. I am going to take Diya with me, when will you guys, come?"

Papa answered me. "We will come in an hour, I need to go to the police station and check a few things there. After that work, we both will come together." I nodded my head in understanding, I also need to pay her visit but I think that needs to wait until I get the test reports.

"I will ask Aarav then, if he is free he can drop us," I suggested.

"It's a good idea," Ma agreed. "Go and see if he is awake, it will be better for him if he goes out of the house," I stood and went to his room. I knocked on his door and waited for his reply.

He opened the door after some time, "yes," he stood there in front of me dressed in night pants and a t-shirt.

"Can you drop me and Diya at the hospital?" I asked immediately and scolded myself for asking him directly without wishing him good morning.

"Ok, give me some time. I will take a bath and come down."

"Ok," I left him and went near the stairs. He is not mentally strong now, he will need all the love he can get. I didn't even wish him properly, he might feel bad. Shall I go back and offer him an apology along with breakfast. Yes, it will be good.

I went back to his room and knocked on his door again, this time there was no response. I turned the doorknob and the door opened. I went inside and searched for him. He was not in the bedroom he might be bathing; I will leave and come back. He might get angry with me that I entered his room without his permission.

As I moved back towards the door, something caught my eye. I approached the dressing table and picked his comb up. His comb has hair in it.

"I can probably have a test done with the help of this." I searched for a cover at the same time I heard the water stop in the shower. He might be coming out now I need to hurry. I found a magazine on the table, I tore a paper from it and kept the hair on it. I folded the paper and put it in my jacket. I placed the magazine back on the table and escaped from there before he entered the room.

I got down the stairs in a hurry and stopped at the foot of the stairs. I looked back up and found no one there, I checked my surroundings and breathed a sigh of relief when I found the coast clear. I controlled my breathing, as I felt guilty. I became a thief in my own house and I was stealing hair. But I suppressed those thoughts and focus on the positive things. I might feel bad now, but it is for his good. After the test results, I will try to share the news at least with Abhi. Yes, I will inform Abhi. He will support me and help me decide on what to do next.

I entered back into the living room and found them in the same place. "Aarav said that he will drop me, I will wake Diya and get her ready," I informed them and turned back but ma stopped me.

"No need Avni. I will bring her with me, let her sleep she was tired yesterday," she was right. Diya slept late last night and she was awake early to tease me. My stomach grumbled at that time, making me want to die in embarrassment.

Papa and ma chuckled as my cheeks turned pink. "Go and have breakfast first," with a simple nod in their direction I went to the kitchen.

The chief saw me and got my plate ready, she forced me to eat in the dining room. I didn't wish to fight with her and obeyed her. I checked my phone as I waited for her to bring my plate.

There was a message from Aj, I opened it and checked it.

I heard that Abhi is out of danger, I would love to visit and see how he is doing. When is a good time for it?

I am going to visit him now, you can come there in an hour.

Ok, see you there.

I smiled, he helped me yesterday and I didn't even thank him properly. I will treat him to dinner.

The maid placed the breakfast in front of me and I enjoyed my food. Aarav entered the room when I was eating. I smiled at him and went back to the food trying to act nonchalant. I completed my breakfast and sat there observing him from the corner of my eyes.

My father was famous in his days so there were many videos of him available. There were videos of him while eating, walking, swimming, jogging, speaking to others, and many others. As I observed the person in front of me, I found myself in a trance. It looked like my father was sitting in front of me.

"Shall we leave?" I came out of it when Aarav called my name.

"Yes, Diya is not coming. Let me grab my purse." I rushed into our room. What was I doing over there? I believe that he will not be my brother then why do I find myself comparing him and my father.

I need to get this test done immediately, I will inform Anu and uncle once I get the results. I patted my jacket where his hair lay; I am going to get this test done today.

I grabbed my purse and kissed Diya's forehead before going back to the living room. I bid goodbye to papa and ma. I climbed in his car and we left for the hospital.

We were silent throughout the journey. I kept thinking and praying to God for making my wish come true. I want the results to be negative.

We stopped near the hospital and I was stopped from getting down the car. "Di," I looked in his direction. He seemed nervous. I sat back in the seat properly.

"Hey, don't be nervous. You can share anything with me," he took his time and I waited for him to collect his thoughts before speaking.

"You said yesterday that I have a family." I started getting nervous, I don't know what he is going to tell me now.

"Yes, I do have a family. Rudra papa helped me many times. He protected me and backed me when required and Meera ma always loved me and took care of me first. They used today that I was the youngest in the family and I needed to receive more love than others." I smiled as my nerves eased.

"When you told me that I have a family, I realized that you were correct. People will judge me because of what my mother did but I have my family to back me up. I can face anything with their support. Thank you, di for making me realize that I don't need others." He gave me a grateful smile, his eyes looked bright compared to yesterday and I know that he will get back to his playful nature in no time.

"That's the thing, I love to hear the most." We got down the car and into the elevator. There was a smile on my face but I was having an internal conflict.

Aarav accepted his fate and he wants to forget his past. Once, I will get this test done and the result is negative then I have nothing to worry about but if the test is positive then what. Should I spoil the hopes he started to build? Can I be that selfish?

You can't be at peace either, my inner voice replied. Yes, I can't be at peace without knowing it. Anu will also want to meet him, even though he is not related to her and my uncle. I saw the look in their eyes when they spoke about Aarav. They were happy about the news and not doing the test can give us three a closure.

The lift sound brought me out of my thoughts. "Aarav, go neat your brother. I need to consult the doctor about my wounds," I pointed towards my wrist. Aarav left without a question. I got down on the next floor where the blood tests are done.

"Excuse me, I need a test to be done. Can I meet the doctor?" I asked the receptionist.

"For whom do you need the test for?" I heard the voice from behind me. I cursed myself before looking back. Aj was standing there with a curious and cautious look on his face.

Think Avni, think of a lie. "Umm, I need the test for myself!" I responded immediately with the first thing that came to my mind.

"Why do you need it?" He raised his eyebrow in question.

"That," I thought for a moment about an excuse. I felt light head for a moment and clutched the desk in front of me for support.

"Are you fine?" He came and stood beside me with worry in his eyes.

"I feel my head spin," I mumbled and clutched my head.

"Call the doctor and tell him and ask him to look after her first," he ordered the nurse and the nurse went back to call the doctor. He supported me, took me into a room, and helped me lay on the bed.

"Avni, if you are sick you need to consult the doctor early. Do take the tests properly," I nodded my head and breathed a sigh of relief. I thanked the heavens for helping me. My head felt better and I was active again but Aj didn't allow me to leave the room without the doctor checking me first.

The doctor came inside and Aj left giving us privacy, I told him what I was feeling these days.

"I am anxious and hungry all the time. I think the reason is the stress I have been taking lately. I know that it will disappear in time. I have a favor to ask from you," the doctor agreed.

"I want a DNA test to be done. I want this test to be discreet, nobody should know about it. Here is the sample and check it with my blood," I handed him the hair I had and stretched my hand for him to take the blood.

"Miss, I will do as you say. But I have something to tell you."

I nodded my head and he explained to me. "There might be other reasons for the symptoms you are facing; I need to conduct some tests on your blood and also a urine test. I will give you the test results in thirty minutes but the DNA test may take some time."

"Ok, I will wait in my husband's room. After the results come you can ring me up and I will collect them." The doctor agreed and took my blood. He gave me a small container, I handed it back to him after collecting my urine in it.

I came out and found Aj sitting in the waiting area waiting for me patiently. He stood up and approached me after he saw me come out.

"Are you fine? What did the doctor say?"

"Yes, I am fine. I have this stress and all from the last days. He took my blood though for running some test, he said that glucose in my blood might below," I informed what the doctor said or covered some things.

"You need to eat properly then, come let's go and feed you something first." He took my hand and dragged me to the elevator. I struggled to remove my hand from his grip.

"Hey, you are hurting me!" He immediately left my hand as I massaged my bruised wrist. His grip was tight and it increased as I tried to remove my hand from his grip.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to." I accepted it after seeing the guilt in his eyes.

"No problem dude. But I am not going out to eat now. I had my breakfast and now we are going to meet my husband. After that, we may go out." I suggested but he kept quiet not replying. I shrugged my shoulders and got into the lift.

I stared at the numbers as the lift ascended. I got down and waited for Aj. "You go and meet him, I will come back in a few minutes." He informed and the lift doors closed.

"Strange," I mumbled to myself and went into Abhi's room.

"Good morning," I greeted him and he turned in my direction and rewarded me with a smile.

"Good morning, what did the doctor say?" He asked me as I came and stood beside him. Aarav excused himself and left us alone.

"Nothing, he said I was fine." I smiled at him and sat beside him.

"Did you have breakfast?"

"Yes, I had your favorite today," I smirked in his direction knowing the taste of hospital food. "I had pancakes with honey on it." I teased him as he growled.

"Don't tease me, Avni. You may not get your pancakes after I come home." He threatened me. I winked in his direction.

"Is that so? Who holds the rights to the kitchen? Me! So, you can't stop me from eating anything." I laughed as he glared at me.

"Enough already. Where is my baby?" He said trying to change the topic.

"We will discuss it later. Diya was sleeping and Ma told me that she will bring her when she comes to visit you," he sighed making me smirk.

"Why do they need to come and visit me? I am perfectly fine, just some scratches here and there." He whined like a kid.

"Oh stop it. The wounds you got are not simple and they love you so let them show it to you. Stop whining."

"I am not," he replied like a kid. I think the medicines are affecting his brain.

"Stop it. Let us speak about something else. What were you speaking to Nihal about?" I questioned him trying to change the topic.

The playfulness in his eyes vanished and they hardened. "Normal things, he wanted to clear some things, telling sorry and all."

"I told him not to do it, but he did it again. I will go and speak to him. Wait here." I said and left to find him.

I need to speak to him and tell him again that it was not his mistake. I now understood that he didn't tell me his true feelings. I opened the door and met another person there.

"Whoa there, who are you going to murder?" Aj asked from the doorway.

"No one, I was going to search for Aarav. What did you have here?" I gestured towards the bag in his hand.

He looked down at the bag and offered it to me. "Here, this is for you." I folded my hands near my chest and waited for his explanation.

He sighed before answering. "You told me that there was less glucose in your blood so I brought some fruits and fruit juices for you." I smiled at his gesture and took the bag.

"Who is at the door?" Abhi asked from inside.

"There is someone who wishes to see you," I informed Abhi before turning back to Aj. "Come in," I took Aj to Abhi as the latter one kept staring at us with a blank face.

"He came to check how you were doing," I answered him as Aj came and stood beside Abhi.

"I wish you a speedy recovery." Aj wished and Abhi accepted it.

"Thank you, for coming here and also for being there with Avni yesterday. You helped her a lot and she is here alive because of you, I am indebted to you," Abhi said and from the look on his face explained that his words were true.

Abhi noticed the bag in my hand and questioned me about it. "What are those?" I looked at the bag and Aj. I looked back at Abhi and answered his question.

"These are fruits and some juice Aj got, here take one." I placed the bag on the table and removed a juice bottle before offering it to Abhi. I adjusted Abhi's position before giving him the bottle, he drank with his good hand.

"Avni, here. Drink it, you will feel better." Aj offered me a bottle, I smiled and took the bottle.

"What happened? Are you fine Avni?" Abhi asked hearing Aj's words.

"Yes, I just was not eating enough. No big deal though."

"It is a big deal, Avni-" I stopped Aj from saying anything more. My mobile rang providing a distraction.

"Hello!" I answered the call.

"Ma'am, your reports are here and the doctor is asking to see you. Can you come now?" The woman on the other side asked me.

"Yes, I will be there in five minutes." I cut the call and turned towards the duo who were staring at me.

"I need to step out for a moment. Aj can you stay here for a while, till I come back." I requested him and he nodded his head agreeing with me.

"Abhi, I will come back fast. Rest, ok." I informed them and left them in the room. I went to the doctor's office and waited for the doctor to arrive.

He came inside and sat in his chair. "Here are the test results, Mrs. Goenka."

"There is nothing to worry about, right?" I questioned him as I took the reports. He smiled in reply.

"No ma'am. Everything is fine and congratulations. You are pregnant."

"Pregnant?"

Hello peeps,

Another update as promised. I was really inspired and want to write more in this update but I also don't want to give more also. So here is it.

Avni is pregnant? How many of you of you expected this twist? Was it good as you guys expected?

What is Avni going to do now? Tell me your theories guys on what the story might be.

The next update may take some time but I will try to update it fast.

See ya guys, then.

Love you all 💕💕

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