Love will Follow

Chapter 20

लग जा गले कि फिर ये हसीं रात हो न हो
शायद फिर इस जनम में मुलाक़ात हो न हो
लग जा गले कि फिर ये हसीं रात हो न हो
शायद फिर इस जनम में मुलाक़ात हो न हो
लग जा गले..

Third Person's POV

That night, Gautam came home late after a long day at work. The house was unusually quiet, devoid of Nandini's usual laughter and chatter that filled their home. It struck him deeply how much her presence meant to him, even in the smallest moments.

Feeling disappointed and  was deeply hurt by nandini's sudden decision to go to her parents home, Gautam didn't call Nandini directly but reached out to her brother instead, just to check if they had arrived safely. He missed her terribly but tried not to dwell on it too much, opting to distract himself by going to bed.

As he lay down, he couldn't help but hold onto Nandini's pillow, which still carried her comforting scent. It brought back memories of their time together—the laughter, the conversations, and the closeness they once shared. Despite his efforts to push these thoughts away, Gautam found himself longing for her presence and wondering how she was feeling.

Turning off the bedside lamp, Gautam closed his eyes, hoping sleep would bring him peace. Yet, his mind raced with thoughts of Nandini, leaving him with a mix of emotions that kept him awake into the night, clinging to the pillow that reminded him of her warmth and love.

The next morning, Nandini stirred awake to the gentle touch of her mother's hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes to find her mother standing beside her bed, her expression serious and concerned.

"Nandini, wake up," her mother whispered softly. "We need to talk about today's appointment."

Confusion and dread instantly clouded Nandini's thoughts as she sat up in bed, her heart sinking. "Appointment? What appointment?" she asked hesitantly, fearing she already knew the answer.

Her mother hesitated briefly, then spoke in a hushed tone. "It's for the check-up regarding... the termination. The doctor will see you today to prepare for the procedure tomorrow."

Nandini's breath caught in her throat, her mind reeling at the sudden confirmation of what lay ahead. She had been grappling with the decision in solitude, hoping for more time to come to terms with it, but now it felt imminent and overwhelming.

"I... I don't know if I'm ready," Nandini managed to say, her voice trembling with uncertainty and fear.

Her mother sat down beside her, reaching out to hold her hand gently. "I know, beta," she said softly, her eyes reflecting her own sadness and concern. "But we have to go through with this. It's for the best, for your future."

Nandini nodded slowly, feeling the weight of her mother's words settle heavily on her shoulders. The conflicting emotions of guilt, confusion, and sorrow churned inside her, battling with the love she held for Gautam and the life they had dreamed of together.

As her mother quietly made arrangements for the day ahead, Nandini sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the floor. She felt a deep ache in her heart, torn between her personal aspirations and the devastating impact this decision would have on her marriage.

Deep down, she knew she needed to talk to Gautam, to share this unbearable burden with him and seek his support. But the fear of disappointing him, of shattering their fragile relationship further, held her back.