Shadowed Desires

Chapter 44

Two Years Later...
7:00 pm

Atharv had just returned from the office. He noticed everyone was present except Kritika. He asked Ahana,
"Is Kritika not yet back from her work?"
Ahana replied,
"Bhaiya, Kritika bhabhi to dophar ko hi wapis aa gayi thi. Wo keh rahi thi ki unki tabiyat thodi thik nahi thi."
("Brother, Kritika bhabhi came back in the afternoon itself. She said she wasn't feeling well.")

Atharv nodded. Riddhima interjected,
"Jab se aayi hai shaant si thi, kuch khaya bhi nahi kehne lagi bhook nahi hai usse."
("She's been quiet since she came, hasn't eaten anything, said she's not hungry.")

Aarushi added,
"Haan, humne puchne ki koshish bhi ki to usne kaha sardard hai. Dawai lekar soke theek ho jaega."
("Yes, when we tried asking, she said she had a headache. She said she'd take medicine and sleep it off.")

Atharv went to the dining table, picked up some fruits, and said,
"Koi nahi, mein abhi fruits le jata hu uske liye."
("No worries, I'll take some fruits to her right now.")

He entered their room. The lights were dim. Kritika was curled up in a corner, tears glistening in her eyes. His heart pounded seeing her like this.

He gently hugged her and asked,
"Kya hua? Tum ro kyu rahi ho?"
("What happened? Why are you crying?")

There was silence. She broke into sobs, clinging to him.

Atharv cupped her face,
"Kuch to bolo bachha, mera dil baitha jaa raha hai, please."
("Say something, sweetheart, my heart is sinking, please.")

He waited for a response, then softly asked,
"Periods?"
She shook her head no.

He turned on the lights and made her sit on the bed. He sliced an apple, offering it to her, but she refused, saying she had no appetite.

Atharv insisted,
"Kritika, either you tell me why you're behaving like this or I'm calling the doctor right now. Am I clear?"
Her face had turned pale.

He picked up his phone to call Aditya.
"Aditya, send me the new number of our family doctor."
Aditya asked,
"Is everything alright?"
Atharv began,
"Actually, Kritika..."

Before he could finish, Kritika snatched the phone,
"Nothing is wrong, Aditya. I just have a headache and your brother is over-exaggerating."
She ended the call.

Atharv was frustrated,
"Na to mujhe batana hai tumhe ki problem kya hai na doctor ko bulana hai. Chahti kya ho tum Kritika? Headache se tumko aaj tak itna pareshan maine to nahi dekha hai."
("You don't want to tell me what's wrong or let me call the doctor. What do you want, Kritika? I've never seen you this troubled by a headache before.")

Kritika replied,
"Atharv, no doctor's suggestion is needed right now."

Atharv was irritated,
"Kritika, mujhe tumhari baatein bilkul samajh nahi aa rahi hai."
("Kritika, I just don't understand you right now.")

She took a deep breath,
"I think..."
Atharv interrupted,
"You think what?"

She held his hand,
"I think I am pregnant."

Atharv's eyes widened,
"How?"
Kritika, frustrated,
"Do I really need to explain how I conceived to the man who impregnated me? Seriously, Atharv?"

Atharv tried to speak,
"But Kritika, wo..."
Kritika cut him off,
"Stop behaving like an idiot. How will you take responsibility for a child when you can't even handle this news?"

He hugged her, a bright smile spreading. He almost spun her in the air but stopped,
"No, no, you'll get dizzy. That's not good for you or the baby. I can't believe I'm going to be a father!"