𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆- 𝑾𝒂𝒓 𝑶𝒇 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

𝟓𝟒. 𝐎𝐍𝐄

Author's Pov

It was one of those calm mornings when Vidya and Mridha were walking together.

Vidya was excitedly yapping about Shashwat — his mischief, his laughter, his endless chatter. There was a tenderness in her tone that didn’t escape Mridha’s notice.

She was telling her about last week’s picnic at the orphanage — how Shashwat only ate when Vidya fed him, and how he laughed uncontrollably at Mrityunjay’s tickling game.

Mridha suddenly stopped and said firmly,
“Hume lagta hai ab tum dono ko usse milna band kar dena chahiye.”

Vidya’s steps froze. “Par kyu, Maa?” she asked, her voice cracking.

“Kyuki beta, tumhara fifth month chal raha hai,” Mridha explained calmly, “aur ab tumhe apni health aur bacche par dhyaan dena chahiye. Do mahine se tum dono roz usse mil rahe ho, use aadat ho gayi hai tumhari. Aur kuch aadatein achhi nahi hoti.”

Vidya’s eyes glistened. “Par Maa, wo hume Vidya mummy kehta hai. Hamare bina khata-pita bhi nahi. Hum milna band nahi kar sakte.”

Mridha sighed — her tone gentle but edged with firmness.
“Yahi toh problem hai, Vidya. Usne tumhe maa kaha, aur tum uski maa banne lagi. Par socha hai kab tak? Ek din tumhara apna bachha hoga, tumhe uska dhyaan rakhna hoga. Kya wahi pyaar tum Shashwat ko tab bhi de paogi?”

Her voice softened for a moment before turning steady again.
“Ye tum dono ke liye sahi nahi hai — na tumhare liye, na Shashwat ke liye. Dheere dheere usse orphanage ki aadat ho jayegi.”

“Par…” Vidya’s voice cracked, her hand unconsciously brushing her stomach.

Mridha looked at her, eyes filled with understanding but no compromise.
“Agar tum use adopt karne ka soch rahi ho, toh ache se soch lena. Kyunki wo bachha pehle hi bohot kuch kho chuka hai, beta. Use pyaar ki zarurat hai — wo pyaar jo bate nahi.”

She paused, as if she had just read Vidya’s heart.
“Tum kuch bhi decide karo, hum saath hain. Par Shashwat ke liye faisla lena… emotionally nahi thoda practically.”

Vidya’s gaze fell to the floor, her heart heavy. Mridha’s words weren’t harsh — they were the kind that quietly sting because they’re true.

“Thik hai,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

That evening, Vidya shut her office file and picked up a call from the orphanage.
A tiny, adorable voice echoed through the line.

“Vidya… mummy… aao…” Shashwat said softly.

Vidya’s eyes instantly filled with tears. “Hum… hum nahi aa sakte beta, hume kuch kaam hai.”

“Khaana nahi!” he huffed stubbornly.

“Nahi beta, ese nahi karte na. Khaana kha lo, hum kal aayenge,” Vidya said, forcing a smile through her voice.

“Pakka?” he asked, innocently.

“Pakka.”

He hung up.

Later that evening, when Mrityunjay arrived to pick her up, he opened the car door. But today, her smile was missing; she looked pale and distant.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Han,” she replied faintly.

“Okay toh chale fir Shashwat ke paas?” he asked lightly.