𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ✔

98. The man he becomes

Not edited yet

The Palace, 3:12 AM

The stillness of the night shattered as Rumaisa's scream echoed down the halls like a war horn. Within seconds, the royal household erupted into chaos.

Doors banged open. Lights flickered on. Footsteps thundered across polished marble.

Baba stumbled out of his room, his shawl half-on, eyes wide. "Who died?!"

Maa, already clutching her prayer beads, snapped, "Nobody! It's Rumaisa! It's happening!"

Ankush, still holding a gaming controller, peeked from his room. "Wait-the happening? As in, baby happening?!"

Downstairs, Ayudh was flying past the guards, one chappal flapping behind him. "GAADI NIKALO! SAB UTHO! Bhabhi ka time aa gaya!"

The guards jolted awake. One ran to open the main gate. Another crashed into a suit of armor. A sleepy chef stuck his head out of the kitchen and mumbled, "Kya main soup banaoon?"

Upstairs, Ranvijay was helping Rumaisa shuffle down the corridor, one arm around her waist, the other dragging her hospital bag. His heart thudded louder than his footsteps.

"You okay? You want water? Ice? A helicopter?"

Rumaisa exhaled through clenched teeth. "I want the baby out."

"Right. No helicopter."

She paused at the top of the stairs, gripping the railing as another wave hit. He steadied her, voice gentle now. "Hey. I got you. One step at a time."

Together, they descended-slow, careful, tense.

Outside, Ayudh had the car door flung open and pillows stuffed across the back seat like a makeshift throne.

"Bhabhi, aaiye! Sab ready hai!"

They helped her in. Ranvijay climbed in beside her, holding her hand tight. Ankush ran behind with a thermos and no real purpose.

The SUV peeled out of the palace driveway like it was fleeing an explosion.

On the Road

The city was asleep, but their car wasn't. Horns. Headlights. Flashing streetlights zipping past.

Ayudh kept muttering, "Left? No, no, right-shortcut!"

"No shortcuts!" Rumaisa yelled from the back, mid-contraction.

Ranvijay glanced at her. "You're doing great."

She gave him a look. "Say that again and I will remove your kidney."

He smiled nervously. "Copy that."

Every bump on the road felt like a mountain. Every red light felt like betrayal.

But the hospital gates finally appeared ahead, shining like a lighthouse in a storm.

The Hospital Entrance, 3:47 AM

Ayudh skidded to a stop. Nurses were already at the door with a wheelchair, alerted by Ranvijay's ten frantic calls on the way.

Rumaisa was wheeled in with Ranvijay jogging beside her. The hospital staff moved like a drill team-swift, professional.

They bypassed the reception, passed the waiting room, and moved straight toward the maternity wing.

Maa and Baba arrived seconds later in another car, flustered but wide-eyed with anticipation.

The nurses helped Rumaisa onto the hospital bed as Ranvijay hovered near her shoulder, wringing his hands like he was about to sit for an exam.

, breathing hard, her hands clutching the edge of the mattress. Ranvijay stood beside her like a soldier on guard duty, wide-eyed and half-panicked, trying to be brave.