Parivara: Story of a Family

26 : Tangled Web

Maa and Papa hugged each other and ran past the doctor into Divya's room. Aditi and Vishu ran after them, smiling happily. Abhay looked shocked, and Payal only sat and watched his face. He seemed surprised, but then his mouth curved up into a small grin. He looked satisfied, and it churned Payal's stomach. He walked past her, without even looking at her, and into Divya's room.

Only Payal and Rakesh remained outside. Payal scrunched up her face in anger and left, making her way to Abhay's room to wait for him there. Rakesh sank into a seat, listening to the congratulations and laughter from the room. He was in shock; he didn't know how to react. It seemed every time he and Divya had a chance for their love to succeed, something would get in the way.

After a while, the family left Divya's room, too engrossed in their cheerful banter to even notice Rakesh. When they were completely out of earshot, he stood up and slowly made his way into Divya's room, almost not wanting to, dreading it.

Divya was lying on her bed, sitting up against some pillows. Her eyes looked red, as if she'd been crying, and her face was shiny with sweat. She couldn't look up and meet his eyes, instead twiddling her thumbs together and watching that.

Rakesh closed the doors behind him and leaned against them, unsure what to do or say. The room was silent, not one sound could be heard. Rakesh sighed, the first noise either had made, and whispered bitterly, "Congratulations."

Divya broke out in tears, covering her face and shaking. Rakesh wanted to hold her, and he knew she would let him, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He was beyond feeling anything, he was just tired of it all.

"The doctor said I'm two months along," Divya finally said, wiping her tears. "I convinced him it had to be more, about three and a half, because that would be around the last time I was with Abhay." Rakesh looked at her, confused at what she was getting at. Divya explained, "I convinced him, Rakesh, so he would tell everyone else I am three and a half months along. But he thought he was certain that I am only two months along. If I am only two months along... this baby is yours, Rakesh."

Rakesh stood up straight, slowly, as it all sank in. His baby. The baby was his. Divya was pregnant with his baby. He looked at her with admiration, seeing not just the woman he loved, but someone who was giving him the best gift he could ever receive. Love for her flooded in his chest, and he took a half step forward to go to her before Divya's words stopped him.

"Don't you see, Rakesh? This child is yours, but it does not matter. None of it matters anymore. Because everyone has to think this baby is Abhay's, which means I am going to go back to his castle and he is going to raise this child as his own and you will not be able to do that. You cannot do anything. Neither can I. This child is ours, but we cannot do anything about it."

***

Payal was sitting at Abhay's desk when he went back to his bedchambers, waiting for him. He smiled as he walked up to her, sighing a little. He picked her up off the seat and sat in it himself, seating her on his lap. He caressed her and put his head on her shoulder, smelling her sweet scent. He brought a finger up to her chin tilted her head to him so he could bring his lips up to hers. But just as he was about to kiss her, Payal brushed his hand off her chin and stood up from his lap, walking a few feet away and putting distance between them. She turned around and crossed her arms, looking down at him.

Abhay chuckled and sat back in his seat. "Is something wrong?"

"Congratulations on your wife's pregnancy," was all Payal seethed out.

"Thank you," Abhay said, not giving her the satisfaction of a reaction.

"So now that Divya is pregnant, you go back to her?" Payal retorted. "And what do I get? I get to stay as someone on the side, someone you can go to when you do not want your wife?"

"Payal," Abhay sighed. "I only just found out Divya is with child. I have not had time to think about--"

"Me?" She interrupted. "You have not had time to think about what you are going to do with me?"

"Payal--"

"I am sorry I am such a burden on your majesty."

"Payal!" Abhay warned, looking crossly at her now. "Enough. I told you, I have not had the time to think. About anything. It has all happened too quickly, I do not know what needs to be done yet."

"Forget what needs to be done," Payal said, taking a step forward. "What do you want, Abhay? Who do you want?"

Abhay stood up and walked over to her. He took her in his arms and leaned his forehead down against hers. "You know it's you I want. But things have changed now. I have an heir on the way. I need to think about the best possible way to work everything out."

"I will not be kept on the side," Payal whispered, looking into his eyes. "I will not be your second choice."

"Payal," Abhay sighed again, but Payal stepped out of his arms and walked to his door. "Just give me time to think."

Before leaving, she turned and said one last thing. "I will give you one more thing to think about. Do you want to know what your surprise was going to be tonight? I was going to tell you that I am pregnant. But since circumstances have changed, I may have to take matters into my own hands."

And she was gone.