HER SAFE PLACE

Epilogue - 4

Shivangi's POV

It was one of those calm, ordinary afternoons. I was curled up comfortably in our bedroom, a half-empty packet of chips resting on my lap. My phone was propped up against a pillow, and Vani di's face smiled back at me from the screen.

Life had slowed down ever since I entered my ninth month of pregnancy. Rocky made sure of that.

He had been working from home for the last five months, refusing to leave me alone even for a single day.

Sometimes it annoyed me, sometimes it melted my heart, but deep inside, I knew I wouldn't have it any other way.

He was always there making sure I ate on time, massaging my swollen feet at night, scolding me for moving around too much, and spoiling me like I was made of glass.

And yet, here I was, teasing Vani di while munching chips, as if nothing in the world could disturb me.

"So tell me," I said, licking salt off my fingers with a grin, "when are you giving us the good news? Almost everyone from our group is on the parenthood train now... except you."

Vani di instantly blushed, her cheeks turning pink even through the screen. "Shivangi! Don't start. We're not planning anything anytime soon. Let's see."

I chuckled, raising a brow. "Oh-ho! That smile tells me something else. Don't be shocked when one day I turn up with a list of baby names ready for you."

She rolled her eyes, and we both laughed like old times. The conversation was light, easy, comforting - and I felt so blessed that even during all this, I had my friends and Rocky's constant presence.

But then... everything changed in a heartbeat.

A sudden warmth spread beneath me. At first, I froze, not registering it. My smile faltered, my chip bag slid from my lap, scattering crumbs on the sheets.

"Shivangi?" Vani di's voice immediately sharpened. "What happened? Why do you look so pale all of a sudden?"

My throat went dry. I swallowed hard, staring down in shock. "I... I think... my water just broke."

"What?!" Vani di almost shouted.

"Yes," I stammered, my hands trembling as I pressed them against my stomach. "Oh God... oh God, Vani di, I don't know what to do! I'm panicking, I can't... I don't know what to do!"

"Shivangi, listen to me!" her voice came fast, urgent. "Calm down. Breathe. Where is Rocky?"

"In the other room... he's in a meeting," I whispered, my breaths uneven. "What do I do?!"

"Then call him!"

"But I'm on the call with you"

"Cut my call and call him right now!" Vani di snapped.

I nodded frantically, even though she couldn't see me properly anymore because of my shaking hands. Somehow, I ended the call and fumbled to dial Rocky's number. My whole body felt weak and trembling, my chest tight with panic.

And when the call began to ring, I prayed harder than I ever had before.

Rocky's POV

I was in the middle of yet another boring meeting. My laptop screen was filled with charts and numbers, voices droning on in the background.

Honestly, I wasn't even paying much attention. My head was half in the bedroom, wondering if Shivangi was okay, probably munching on chips and chatting with Vani like always.

That had been my life for the past five months.

Because there was no way I was leaving her alone, not when she needed me the most. She thought I was being overprotective.