L. Friend or Foe

"A person can be a friend or a foe. It can be judged by the deeds they do."

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"Pregnant?" It was a married woman's dream to get pregnant in her life. The feeling of giving birth to a living being. It is a wondrous feeling knowing that a life is growing in your womb and in nine months, that little being will be in our hands. It should be like a dream come true and she must be over the moon from the feeling.

In my case, it is different though. Instead of being happy, I am shocked and confused. "Are you sure? Can you check the reports again?" I asked the doctor.

The doctor gave me a look before a look of understanding crossed his eyes. "Yes, Mrs. Goenka. You need to contact a gynecologist. If you want to abort the baby you can discuss it with your husband before proceeding further."

"I am not going to abort!" I replied without missing a beat. Did he think that I was crazy! I placed my hand on my womb. There is a life in there after all this time.

"I can't conceive according to my doctor. So, I need to confirm once before I get my hopes up," I explained it to him.

It is a miracle baby that we did not see nor expected. I need some confirmation before I can build my hopes up. I love Diya like my child but I wanted to have another daughter or son to love, and now it looks like my wish is finally coming true.

"I can understand the feeling. There are some cases where the doctors might be wrong. I suggest you consult a professional first. You had problems conceiving so that may complicate your pregnancy that means you must be extra careful. I can suggest a doctor for you and meet her as early as possible," he scribbled a name on the piece of paper before handing it to me.

"Thank you, doctor," I thanked him and stood up but he stopped me.

"Mrs. Goenka. You will get the DNA test results in five days. Will you come and collect them?" He questioned me about bringing me back from heaven.

"I will come and collect them." He smiled and I thanked him once again before leaving him.

Yes, I have one more decision looming over my head. I was ecstatic before and wanted to yell and jump in happiness when I found out about my pregnancy. I wanted to tell this news to Abhi first and now I don't have any idea. The doctor said that there might be complications in my pregnancy and if something happens to the baby, he will be suffering more. He already had enough problems going on and I don't want any more problems from my side.

I reached Abhi's floor and hesitated near the door. I pushed the door open and I saw Rohan and Aarav there looking at me with wide eyes.

"What happened?" I questioned him and tried to move past them to see if Abhi was doing well.

"No no, don't go inside." They pushed me out and closed the door beside them. I struggled to get free and go inside but they held my hands in firm grip.

"Why are you not allowing me to go in? Is Abhi alright?" I struggled again but they shushed me.

"Be quiet. He is sleeping and fine." I felt myself stop struggling and slumped on the wall in relief.

"Thank god!" I mumbled to myself. I opened my eyes and glared at the two people standing in front of me. "Why the hell did you guys stop me then?" I questioned feeling pissed at them.

Aarav and Rohan looked at each other before Rohan sighed and looked at me. "He and Daksh Agnihotri had a fight. Abhi looked furious and if he was not sick Daksh would be lying on the hospital bed." I gasped and covered my mouth with my palm. "Now Abhi is not in mood and asked not to be disturbed before sleeping."

Why did those two fight? Was it related to me? I think so. They both worry about me. I need to speak to Abhi before he can get any wrong idea about Daksh and I.

"I will speak to him. He might have misunderstood, I will clear his doubts," I stated firmly.

"Di, I suggest that it's not a good idea. He is not himself and he can even raise his voice at you. Come home with me, you can speak to him in the morning." Aarav tried to convince me but I was not having it.

"No Aarav, some issues need to be cleared on the spot before they turn into something big. I will wait here until he wakes up, his lack of sleep or a headache might also be the reason for his anger," I smiled at him in a reassuring way.

"If you want to try, go ahead. I have work to do." Rohan informed us and left us. Aarav followed him with a small wave in my direction.

I sighed and opened the door to his room. I stepped inside and walked to his bed on my tiptoes trying to be quiet.

I sat on the couch and stared at his sleeping form. His chest rose with his uniform breathing. I looked at his face and it was peaceful. I heard the door open and looked up to find Karthik. He closed the door behind him, came, and sat beside me.

"Is he fine?" he questioned me in a hushed tone.

"I think so, he was angry before he went to sleep," I answered him back in a hushed whisper. "What are you doing here anyway?" I was surprised by his visit.

"He ordered me to be here with the material," he pointed at the bag he was wearing. "I have some calls to make," he informed me and started arranging the files and laptop. He did it very quietly without making a single noise. After setting everything up, he opened his laptop and started working on it. I got bored after it by simply sitting there and staring at the wall.

My stomach grumbled, reminding me that there was another life growing in me. After knowing that Abhi was angry I forgot about the news I got. If Abhi was awake now, I might have simply informed him about the pregnancy but that devil is sleeping peacefully now.

I heard a sound of clearing throat, I looked beside me and found Karthik looking at me. I waited for him to complete speaking, but he lifted an eyebrow in question. "If you are hungry you can step out and have something. He is not going to disappear from here," I shook my head at him.

I stood up and took my mobile, the reports and my purse. "I will come back after eating," I looked back at Abhi one more time before exiting the door. I never knew that from today my life would change or it already changed. With the amount of my fight, I put my life just slipped between my fingertips.

"Avni, wait!" I heard a voice call me as I came out of the room and went for the elevator. I didn't stop after hearing his voice, I rushed towards the elevator with the reports still in my hand. It was shocking that Karthik didn't notice them or he simply ignored them. I don't want to face Daksh, I have questions for him but I want to speak to Abhi before speaking to him. I rushed towards the elevator and pressed on the button hoping that it would hurry.

"Where are you trying to escape?" I heard his voice from behind me. I sighed softly but knowing that there was no way to avoid him, I turned towards him.

"Come and buy me lunch!" I ordered him and got into the elevator without waiting for his reply. He got in after me and the doors closed. We were silent with me having many things in my mind and him observing me. The elevator reached the ground floor and we got out.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Pizza!" I yelled, having a strong craving for it. I wanted to eat pizza now. "Let's go and have Pizza. Come," I took his hand and dragged him with me. He followed me without hesitation.

I have a favorite pizza spot near the hospital. I went there when I was visiting this city. I wanted to show Abhi that place but never had time. But, I was craving for their pizza now.

I opened the door and was greeted with the smell of spices. My mouth watered imagining the smell. I immediately went to the counter leaving Aj near the door. I approached the counter and searched the menu for something delicious to eat. I found them all delicious, I pouted when I was unable to decide on an item.

"Why are you acting as if you were pregnant?" I widened my eyes in his direction when I heard his question. The smile on his face vanished after seeing my shocked expression. "You are not pregnant, right?" I looked away from him and he was silent trying to wrap his head.

Am I really going to that phase? Where pregnant women have, cravings and they feel hormonal. My husband should be the one to learn about my pregnancy, then why did I confirm it for Aj instead. What is wrong with me?

"What would you like to have, ma'am?" The cashier asked, bringing me out of my thoughts. I simply stared back at her blankly, I did not decide on what to eat. Thankfully, Aj came to my rescue.

"What is the healthy pizza you have?" I was thankful for him when he came to my rescue but after listening to his question, I wanted to hide my face in embarrassment.

The cashier gave us weird looks before speaking hesitantly. "I don't think having pizza is good in pregnancy," Aj nodded his head.

"Then we will have pasta, and healthier one in them." I stared at him utterly in disbelief.

"Ok sir, I will get you the healthiest pasta. Still anything sir?"

"That's all," he paid her while I stood there completely confused.

"Shall we go and sit?" Aj spoke, bringing me back to the present. I followed him and sat down near the table waiting for our order.

"Are you crazy?" I hissed at him in a low voice not wanting to gain others' attention.

He looked at me with a bored face. "What did I do now?" He gave me an innocent look as if he didn't do anything.

"Don't give me that look, I wanted to eat pizza but you ordered me pasta. Pasta!" I widened my eyes at him in disbelief.

"What? Didn't you listen to the lady? She said pizza is not good for the baby, what will I tell Abhi when anything might happen to any of you? He will definitely kill me?" I glanced down at his words.

"I didn't tell him," I mumbled the words in a low voice.

"What?" I looked up and found him gaping at me with his mouth wide open. There was a look in his eyes, which made me speak.

"No, I am keeping this baby. I just need to check for any complications before telling him. I am also afraid of the DNA test," I bit my tongue at the last words. Can't I keep my mouth shut and wait for him.

"Hat DNA test? D-did you c-cheat on him?" I choked on the water I was drinking. How can he think like that?

"N-no, I-i can never do that." I said once my coughing reduced. "The test is about Aarav," I informed him to make him believe that I didn't cheat on Abhi, I can't even think about it.

"Why do you need to conduct the test?" I closed my eyes and groaned internally. I was unable to hide the truth and now I have to tell him everything and I did as he waited patiently.

I started gulping the food while waiting for him to think about the information I just shared. "So, you meant to tell me that Aarav is your stepbrother," it was not a question rather a statement.

"Yes, he might be. I want to confirm it and share it with Abhi. I don't want to tell others about it, it may ruin Aarav." I said and slid the plate away from me.

"Ok, then let's get the test done now. Then you can share it with your husband," he dragged me from the table and we walked back.

"I will go and get the car, you go and see Abhi once." I nodded and went inside, I went inside Abhi's room and saw him still sleeping but Karthik was in the room.

"I am leaving with Daksh, I have some work. Tell him to call me once he wakes up." Karthik gave me a look before telling me a yes. I came back and got into Aj's car.

"This place," I handed him the paper the doctor gave me. I was looking at the window when I felt like I was missing something. Then, I remembered it. A fight between Aj and my husband.

"Why did you and Abhi have a fight?" I asked him wanting to know the reason. Abhi has a temper but from what I know about Aj he never loses his cool.

"That, I blamed him for your fainting," I opened my mouth to reason with him but he continued speaking. "I now know that it was a mistake, I shouldn't have judged him. I will apologize to him when we meet next time." I gave him a tight-lipped smile in return.

Yes, I was grateful for him that he was taking care of me in his own way and for realizing his mistake. But, he shouldn't be involved in my personal life and tell those things to my husband. I was not okay with it. Thankfully, for the rest of the car journey he left me alone with my thoughts. We reached the hospital and I turned towards him once he stopped the vehicle.

"Can I go there alone? I don't want others to see us there, they will start speaking bad about us. Abhi will be furious once he finds about it and his health is not good now, he must take care of himself-"

"Little one, I get it. I will not come inside. I will be waiting here to listen to the good news of being an uncle." The smile he gave me was enough to stop the next words but the love towards my husband encouraged me to speak.

"No need, Anu will be here to pick me up. I want to tell this to her first," he gave me a single nod as the smile fell from his face. "I will see you again then," I waved at him and got down the car. He called me and I bent near the window to listen to him.

"I know why you are leaving now, I think it's the best thing too. But Avni, tell the truth of Aarav to Abhi, it may cause drift between you guys and Aarav is not a kid, he can face this and let the boy know about his true identity at least." Saying this he left leaving me baffled and angry with him.

I was getting angry with him. How can he tell me things like that? Yes, he was partially true that this issue can cause a drift between us, but it is about the decision I make. The decision will change the relations between two families. Aarav may not be a kid, he wasn't an adult either. In this stage he must have his both parents near him but now he doesn't and after knowing about the truth he may never be the same.

You don't get to decide others' futures, a voice whispered from the back of my mind.

"Cool Avni. Calm down. One-step at a time. First let's tackle this pregnancy then we shall see about the next problem." I encouraged myself.

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I am pregnant and now I am going mad or crazy. After confirming my pregnancy, the doctor informed me that I was one month pregnant and my baby was indeed a miracle. Thankfully, there are no complications in my pregnancy though. The doctor suggested that I plan a healthy diet, and I started eating healthy even if I had any cravings, I tried to subdue them. The first three months are crucial in pregnancy and I am not going to neglect it. The doctor asked me to come back in five days and today is the day I am going to tell Abhi and give him a surprise.

I didn't tell anyone about the pregnancy and neither did I speak to Abhi for the past five days. Whenever I visited Abhi, I tried to keep the conversation minimal knowing that I would tell him the news and fail to see his expression.

Today, he is going to come home and I am taking him to my checkup first. I placed my hand on my stomach, "Today, your dada will meet you," I told the baby trying to control the giddy feeling inside me. However, when I looked at the report in front of me that feelings changed to dread.

Yesterday, I got a call from the hospital regarding the test results. It was positive and he is my stepbrother. I locked myself in the room and stared at my parents' photo. I questioned my father about his deeds knowing that I will not get any reply from them. They left me a long ago, to fight my own battles along with their battles. I fought and one in a battle and now I have another raging battle in front of me that's going to break the relationship between these two families.

I decided on sharing the happy news first and then telling the bad news. I mulled over Aj's words but I think telling them all together will bring the best option. I even informed the same thing when he asked me about the DNA results.

Now, I am on my way to get Abhi back. Diya stayed there last night and I allowed her to see the large bed. Somewhere in the bottom of my heart, I wanted to stay there. But knowing about my pregnancy and not wanting to take any risks, I didn't ask him and even Abhi didn't. He looked distracted with some office work. I planned to change that today though.

I got into the car, stared at the window, and observed parents with two kids. They were riding in a car or walking together. I will be in that position after some time with my kids. We approached the hospital and I got in the car. I was excited to see him so I fastened my pace and went to his room.

I greeted Karthik at the door and opened the door only to see Diya's sad face. "Why is my princess sad?" I questioned her, making my presence known to them. Diya snapped her head in my direction and came towards me.

"Mama, I mwissed you." She hugged my legs. I patted her head in return even though I wanted to lift her up and hug her, I can't risk it.

"We need to speak," his tone scared me. We were about to speak of something which I was definitely not going to like. I sent Diya out, somehow I knew that this conversation was not for a kid.

"How could you?" He roared and the windows shook with his voice. I shivered in fright guessing that he might know about Aarav's truth.

"How could you hide the truth about Aarav?" My worst fear became reality. I don't know what answer would satisfy him and I don't have anything other than an apology near me so I kept numb and he spoke dumping everything on me.

"You made a DNA test before speaking to me, didn't we decide on not keeping any secrets. Then how can you share everything with Daksh and not me? Am I not important to you?"

"No, Abhi, you are important to me." I tried to speak but he didn't allow me.

"If I am that much important then how can you share everything to others and not me? If I didn't meet Daksh yesterday I wouldn't know anything about it," the last piece of information held my attention and I felt betrayed.

"How can he share about Aarav being my brother to you? He promised me not to tell you about it," silence followed my answer. I slowly looked up and felt more terrified than before. He was angry before but now he looked scarier to me.

"Aarav is your brother," he said in a blank voice that terrified me. "When were you planning to share this information with me, or were you planning on never telling the truth about my brother's identity."

Then I realized the biggest mistake I made. I told him the truth about Aarav that Daksh didn't share and I can see my ruin in his eyes.

Hello people,

How are you all? Sorry for the delay, I was tied with the different works and was unable to update. And I apologize in advance that I can't update for a week as I have a training program going on. So, there will be another update next week.

Now, how was the chapter?

Any idea on Daksh or AJ till now? Is he her best friend or an enemy or something else.

It will be revealed in next chapter. See ya guys then.

Love you all 💕💕

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