Selfish Desires

chapter 54

Chapter 54

Arjun held Kavya tightly, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her cheek. Her panic felt like a physical weight in the room. He gently pulled back just enough to look into her tear-streaked face.

" he asked, his voice rough with confusion. "I don't understand. Are you sick? Did the doctor call?"

She shook her head violently, the movement making her soft hair cling to her damp face. Her eyes, usually so sharp and determined, were wide and desperate.

She choked out, her voice barely a whisper through her sobs. "It's the birth."

Arjun blinked, the realisation slow to dawn. "The birth? But... we've planned everything. The hospital, the doctors... everything is ready, Kavya. There's nothing to fear."

Her tears only came faster, a torrent of anxiety. "No, you don't understand! The pain, Arjun. The pain of it. What if I can't bear it? What if... what if it's too much and I... I die?"

The word hung in the quiet air, chilling him to the core. 

Arjun pulled her fiercely against his chest again, burying his face in her hair. All the quick, decisive arguments that had won him back his company failed him now. He had no logical solution, no counteroffer, no legal loophole to get her out of this profound, human experience.

"Don't you dare say that," he whispered fiercely, holding her as though she might dissolve if he let go. "Don't you dare think that. You are the strongest person I know. You stood up to a factory attack, you faced down your father, and you won everything back for us. This is nothing, my heart. Nothing compared to your strength."

He tried to soothe her with simple, earnest words, rubbing firm circles on her back. "You won't be alone for a second. I will be right there.

I'll hold your hand so tight you won't feel anything else. We'll do every single breath tog and ther. I swear it, Kavya. I swear it."
But his words felt hollow even to him. He knew he couldn't promise her a painless passage. He was a corporate fighter, not a god who could rewrite biology. He could only offer his presence.

"I'm scared, Arjun," she whimpered into his chest. "I'm so, so scared."

He tightened his arms, wishing he could absorb every ounce of her fear into himself. He knew he had no exact answer, no magic spell to make her feel safe, only the simple truth.

"I know," he murmured against her ear, kissing her temple repeatedly. "But you're not going through it alone. Whatever happens, we face it together. I'm right here. I'm not leaving you."

----

In the morning,

Kavya was propped up against the pillows, her hair neatly combed, attempting to look engaged as she flipped through a magazine. She smiled instantly when she saw him, but her eyes held a lingering shadow that Arjun immediately recognised. She was trying to act normal, but her face was still too pale, and the forced brightness of her smile didn't quite reach the deep worry in her gaze.

"Good morning, Kavu," Arjun said softly, setting the tray across her lap. "Breakfast in bed, personally prepared by the CEO of your heart. Eat all of it. Every bite."

"Arjun, this looks wonderful," she replied, her voice steady now. She picked up a blueberry and popped it into her mouth. "You didn't have to. I was just about to get up."

He sat beside her and took her hand, kissing her knuckles. "No, you weren't. You're staying put. And yes, I had to. It's the only way I know how to make this morning better than last night."

She squeezed his hand, a flicker of vulnerability returning. "I'm sorry about last night. It was just a stupid, irrational fear. I shouldn't have woken you."