The Sun & the Stars Aligned

Epilogue

TARA

I lay on the hospital bed, my chest rising and falling with every breath. 

My heart raced, not just from the contractions, but from a wave of worry crashing through my body. Where is my husband? I need him. Now. Every second without him felt like an eternity.

"Papa...where is Adi?" My voice trembled as I squeezed his hand so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Papa gave me a comforting smile, though the worry in his eyes betrayed him. "Beta, relax. He's coming. You know he wouldn't miss this for the world."

"But where is he?!" I groaned, frustration boiling over as another contraction hit me like a tidal wave. The pain seared through me, and I couldn't hold back the tears. I glanced around the room at my family, my nanu, nani and bhaiya.

"Aditya is probably caught up in traffic or something. You'll see, he'll walk in here any minute." Nani said, taking my hand in hers.

But Arjun bhaiya? Oh, he was anything but calm. He was pacing like a caged lion, his brow furrowed as if every second I was in pain was tearing him apart. Normally, he's the composed one, but seeing me in pain had him on edge.

"Why can't they just give her something for the pain?" Bhaiya barked at the nurse, his voice teetering on the verge of losing it. "My sister's in pain! Why are you just standing there?"

The nurse flinched for a moment but quickly regained her composure, smiling politely, clearly used to overprotective brothers losing their minds. "Sir, she's in labor. This is completely normal. There's only so much we can do."

"Normal?" Bhaiya scoffed, pacing frantically. "Nothing about this looks normal! Tara, you're alright?" His eyes were wide, like he was trying to hold it together, but failing miserably.

"I'm fine, bhaiya," I groaned through the pain. 

"I'll kill him for this!" he muttered under his breath, running his hands through his hair in exasperation. "How could he be late?!"

Just then, the door swung open, and Aditya's family rushed in like a whirlwind.  

"Tara beta!" Maa ran to my side, cupping my face, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright? I'm sorry we're late. My son is such a fool for not being here yet."

"Bhabhi, don't kill him just yet," Rohan teased with a grin. "Bhai's on his way. He wouldn't miss this moment."

"What could possibly be more important right now?" I asked in frustration.

Rohan chuckled. "You'll see."

But before I could ask more, a sharp voice cut through the chaos.

"Alright, everyone," the doctor said, stepping into the room, her eyes scanning the room entirely filled with people. "We are getting close now. If you want to see her before she goes into the delivery, now's the time."

A wave of panic hit the room, and my tears started again. I needed Aditya, now. Dadi rushed forward, holding my hand even tighter. "Bache, breathe, just breathe. We're all right here."

"Are you going to give her something or not? Why is she in so much pain?!" Bhaiya demanded.

"Bhaiya! You are making it worse."

"Bhabhi is right. You're more dramatic than her." Ananya said, as she stood behind Rohan.

"I am not going anywhere without my husband," I announced through my tears, my voice more determined than ever.