Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh

Chapter 60: The Birth

After the incident with Tanya, Aarav resolved never to confront Maya again. He didn't want any more innocent lives to suffer because of him. The weight of his past failures his friend Ria's tragic death, her husband's murder, and Tanya's unjust dismissal pressed heavily on him.

One evening, he moved to the servant quarters and found Sharda, the elderly housemaid who had been with his family for years. "Sharda kaki, aap jao yahan se," he urged.

Sharda shook her head, her eyes filled with determination. "Nahi, Aarav baba, main aapko chodke kahi nahi jaungi."

Aarav's anxiety grew. "Kaki, aap samajh kyun nahi rahi ho? Main nahi chahta meri wajah se wo Maya aur Sumitra aapko kisi bhi tarah ka nuksaan pahuchaye," he said, remembering the series of tragedies linked to him.

Sharda gently made him sit on the bed, her hands firm on his shoulders. "Aap shant ho jao. Main nahi jaungi yahan se, Aarav baba. Aapki marti maa ko vachan diya tha maine ki main aapke saath hamesha rahungi."

Hearing his mother's name calmed Aarav. He managed a small smile. "Kaki, Maya ka 9th month chal raha hai. Jald hi bacha iss duniya mein hoga," he said.

"Haan, baba," Sharda replied softly.

"Dekhna, uske aane ke baad mera sab dard door ho jayega... uski ek muskurat se main sukoon paunga," Aarav shared, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Unbeknownst to them, Sumitra had been eavesdropping. A wicked smile spread across her face as she hurried to Maya's room.

Maya glanced up, surprised. "Tum yahan?" she asked.

"Haan Maya... mujhe bahut bura lag raha hai tumhare liye," Sumitra said, her tone dripping with false sympathy.

"Mere liye bura?" Maya asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.

"Haan! Dekho na, abhi ye bacha aaya bhi nahi aur Aarav tumse zyada uske baare mein sochta rehta hai. Iske aane ke baad toh tumhare aas paas bhi nahi aayega," Sumitra instigated.

Maya's eyes narrowed. "Aarav mere control mein hai, Sumitra! Meri ijajazat ke bina wo saansein bhi nahi le sakta."

Sumitra smiled, pretending to agree. "Beshak Maya... lekin ye bacha uski takaat ban sakta hai! Ek baar usne bhagwaat kardi phir tum usey nahi rok paogi."

Maya's expression turned thoughtful. She placed a hand on her belly and smiled, a plan forming in her mind. "Bhagwaat toh wo tab karega jab main usey aisa karne ka mauka dungi!"

Sumitra's smile widened as she left the room. Aarav entered shortly after, carrying a glass of turmeric milk.

"Maya, yeh lo," he said with genuine concern.

Maya drank it, and he smiled at her. He sat beside her, placing her head gently on his shoulder. "Maya, kuch dino hum doh se teen ho jayenge. Main chahta hun ki iski shuruwat hum sab bhoolke kare," he said earnestly.

Maya looked into his eyes. "Aarav..."

"Maya, main sirf tumse hi pyaar karta hun. Iss bache ki kasam khata hun maine tumhare alawa kisi aur ke baare mein kabhi nahi socha. Meri wajah se tumhe jo takleef hui uske liye I am sorry," he apologized, his eyes brimming with sincerity.

Seeing the love in his eyes, Maya smiled and kissed him lightly on the lips. He responded with equal passion. As they kissed, Maya thought to herself, "Aarav, ache se janti hun tumhe... tumhe mujhse zyada iss bache ki fikar hai. Dekho kaise tumhe pal pal tadpaungi iss bache ke liye."

Aarav, on the other hand, harboured a hopeful thought. "Kehte hai jab ek aurat maa banti hai toh usey apne bache se zyada pyara koi nahi hota. Main umeed karta hun ki tum mere saath bache ki parvarish karogi bina kisi aur baat ki parwah kare."