Kidnapped into Marriage: Priya and Dave

Chapter 20

The family was all supportive of the fact that we wanted to adopt but I could tell that the elders were not too happy because they want their own blood as a varis (eldest son of the family that takes on the family name). Hopefully this does not cause problems. They were convinced by Dave who told them that this is for our happiness and for our love to grow as well as the family. The adoption centres were called and within a week, we get a few calls back telling us about the processes we must go through. "Is the house safe? Will the family take care of the child?" Of course we didn't have to worry about all these problems but I was still nervous when the adoption agent came by. We had to prove that we'll be the best parents to this child. Money wasn't a problem. Finally, the beginning of our eighth month of marriage welcomed our son Dhruv. He is the cutest little cupcake. He was actually born a week after our wedding so he is also 8 months old.

We had the study in our room transformed into a small bedroom with lots of toys for Dhruv. When we first saw Dhruv he smiled at us and he held my finger. Too cute! He was still learning his words but made baby noises. Dave and I found him adorable. The adoption centre said that his mother was a poor woman who passed away in childbirth and whose husband had left her. It was sad and made me want to give all the love of a mother to him. An orphan. Like me. 

The day we brought him home, he clung to me and was shy at first. As soon as he was used to everyone's presence, he'd let them carry him without complaint. He's a good baby but naughty. It was too funny when he acted up. One time, I was changing Dhruv's diaper. His Paa comes in and begins to play with him and my boy pees on his crisp white shirt. Dave had to take a second shower and change before heading to work.

A month goes by, Dave and I have also been planning our wedding. Lots of the details have been decided and his parents also support us. Aside wedding planning, I've been staying home to take care of Dhruv. I play with him a lot. I try to get him to say Maa. The most I heard from him is Aaa – when he cries. He's crawling though and he's fast! My jaan (darling) is growing up. His grandparents were very happy. He's actually their first grandchild, it would've been the baby inside Geeta Bhabi but we adopted him before she gave birth. Guess who else is going to have her baby? Geeta Bhabi was getting very close to the end of her pregnancy. 

Geeta Bhabi finally had a baby girl. They named her Kavya. It was a bit sad that Popatji was slightly disappointed at not getting another varis whom are only male members of the family but I honestly disagree and think females can be varis too. Dhruv was growing. He was excited to see another baby. He loves to hold Kavya baby's hand and when I have to take him away, he doesn't want to leave. Geeta Bhabi was a proud mother. She looked so happy. 

There are now two people in the next generation of our family. Once our new mommy and baby came home, we had lots of guests including Mr. and Mrs. Jaiswala. We had kept the adoption under wraps a bit and people were surprised to see two babies being carried around. Dhruv was with his grandparents. I saw auntyji walking towards Mr. & Mrs. Jaiswala. I caught up to her saying it was time for me to change Dhruv's diaper. I was heading away from the main living room just to be followed by Mr. Jaiswala.

He tries to apologize. I ask him what is the need for him to apologize, I don't know what he's talking about. Dhruv stares at him with his big curious eyes and then says something in baby talk. Mr. Jaiswala replies "Goodbye grandson". I just looked on as he walked away. Why did I have tears in my eyes? My mind continued to tell me about how this man was greedy and traded his daughter for business and money. I will never do that to my darling Dhruv. When I go back, Mrs. Jaiswala came over trying to ask more about when we had made Dhruv a family member. Auntyji joined us and began to explain the adoption. I respectfully excused myself taking my baby with me.

I caught Dave who was talking to an old friend who wanted a family photo of the three of us. We clicked the picture and he had to leave. Afterwards, I warned Dave that "those people" meaning Mr. and Mrs. Jaiswala, would try and talk to him. If they ask him about me, I don't want to hear about any of it. He told me that it's up to me to decide what kind of relationship I have with them but those are family friends for his father so he can't ignore them. Dave's family still considers them as friends and I think in-laws too but they're not my parents, I don't have any.