𝘬𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘬𝘢-𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘯 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦

𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫-4

ओ करम खुदाया है
तुझे मुझसे मिलाया है
तुझपे मरके ही तो
मुझे जीना आया है...

ATHARVA'S POV

Time had passed by quickly, and now Kasika's contractions started earlier than expected.

Anxiety coursed through me like electricity, sending warning signals through my body.

I was scared, more than I cared to admit.

As I stood there, watching the contractions ripple through Kasika's body, I couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness wash over me.

I reached out and gently squeezed her hand, my touch reassuring and comforting, but deep down, I was terrified.

She squeezed my hand back, her grip firm and reassuring. She was trying her best to remain calm, but I could see the fear in her eyes too.

I leaned in and whispered words of reassurance in her ears, telling her that everything would be alright.

But even as I spoke, a part of me couldn't help but worry about the unknown.

I'd been hiding a secret from her, something I'd never had the courage to reveal to her.

During her first delivery, we had nearly lost our youngest son. It was a close call, a moment of terror that I'd kept buried within me.

I knew I wanted more children, but her health and well-being were my utmost priority.

Every time Kasika showed interest in expanding our family, a pang of fear would grip my heart.

The dai-maa, the experienced midwife, called out to me, saying, "Rana-sa, you can go out now."

My heart was heavy with worry, but I knew I had to step out and give Kasika space for her delivery.

I couldn't help but lean in and press a gentle kiss on her forehead, my voice a mixture of concern and reassurance.

"Please, be safe," I whispered, my voice filled with an unvoiced plea.

With a final loving look, I nodded to the dai-maa and slowly backed away.

Every ounce of my being wanted to stay and be by her side, but I knew my presence wouldn't help in this situation.

Time seemed to drag on like a never-ending river. Every second felt like an hour as I stood there, listening to the muffled sounds coming from the chamber.

I tried to distract myself, pacing up and down the hall, clenching and unclenching my hands, anything to keep my mind from dwelling on the worst-case scenarios.

Daksh, appeared beside me, his voice soft and soothing as he spoke, "It's going to be okay, bhai-sa."

His words were a small comfort in the sea of anxiety that surrounded me.

We stood there in silence for a few moments, both of us lost in our own thoughts.

The wait was agonizing, every second seemed to stretch into an eternity. I glanced at the closed door leading into the chamber, silently praying for the safety and well-being of my wife and unborn child.

The sound of a newborn's cry filled the hall, a high-pitched wail that cut through the air like a knife.

The dai-maa emerged from the chamber her face tired but carrying a warm smile.

"It's a girl," she announced, and my heart leaped with a mixture of joy and relief.

My eyes widened with happiness, and a wave of relief washed over me. A daughter, my beautiful daughter.