𝓛𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓕𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓑𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓼 [*Complete*]

Ch. 33 ⭐

Author note 1:: Votes and In-line comments are a must. Please guys leave comments so that I know what you're thinking about during the scenes. 

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Next morning,

0900 hours

The Shikhawat and Raizada families were preparing to return to Delhi together. Initially, they had planned to use their personal cars, just as they had when they arrived in Nainital. However, Khushi had a different idea. She passionately argued that if everyone traveled together, they could extend the fun and bond during the journey back. Her suggestion resonated with Devyani Raizada and Anjali, who eagerly agreed.

Earlier that morning, all of Rajveer's military guests had departed, needing to return to their respective posts. Shashi, Arnav, and Manik had taken it upon themselves to see them off. Shashi couldn't help but feel a deep sense of pride and satisfaction as he observed his future sons-in-law. Arnav and Manik had seamlessly integrated into the Shikhawat family, acting as if they were the sons of the house, especially when Rajveer wasn't around. Shashi could already envision the beautiful, happy family they would become in the near future, confident that his daughters were in good hands.

Fab5, Nandini, and Navya were scheduled to head to Mumbai for an upcoming concert in three days. The event organizers had arranged a small tour bus with a driver and security to ensure their comfort and safety. After exchanging farewells, Fab5 began boarding the bus when Dev noticed that Navya was standing with them, seemingly ready to go.

"Ms. Navya, are you also planning to go with them?" Dev asked with a frown.

His question immediately caught the attention of all the elders, especially Ram and Shikha. Ram, curious about the situation, asked, "Why do you ask, son?"

Before Dev could respond, Navya innocently answered, "Yes, I'm going with them."

Dev became too focused on scolding Navya to address his father's inquiry. "Absolutely not," he said sternly. "Your belly was aching just yesterday. You should be resting, not traveling around like this."

Navya, slightly taken aback, muttered, "I'm okay now," as she nervously fiddled with her dupatta.

Garima, hearing this, rushed over and pulled Navya into a protective hug. "Bitiya, your belly was hurting, and you didn't tell me? Why?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Madhumati joined in, her worry evident. "HNK! What if something bad had happened? Are you feeling okay now? Is the baby moving? Tell me, dear."

Navya smiled reassuringly. "It was hurting yesterday during the wedding ceremony, but I didn't want to bother anyone," she explained. Then, turning to Dev, she added, "And Mr. Dev, I'm not the first woman to give birth, you know."

Dev's expression darkened as he glared at her. His response was sharp and unexpected. "If in a medically advanced country like Australia, people can still die in childbirth, then it can certainly happen here in India too," he snapped, before climbing onto the bus with his daughter in his arms.

His harsh words left everyone stunned. The ominous tone of his statement hung in the air, leaving the others bewildered as to why he would say something so grim. The mood, which had been light just moments before, was now clouded with tension and concern.

Ram and Shikha exchanged a sad, knowing look, realizing that Dev's reaction was rooted in deep, unresolved pain. Seeing Navya in her pregnant state must have triggered memories of his past trauma. It became clear that Dev had been carrying the burden of losing his wife all these years, hiding his sorrow behind a façade of strength.