Foresight

Chapter XXXXVIII

"What is the problem doctor?" Pallavi asks, with a quiver in her tone.

"You have ectopic pregnancy Pallavi." the Doctor breaks the news to them. Though they both are not familiar with therm, they do realize that it is not something any couple wants with their pregnancy.

"Doctor, could you please elaborate?" Rajesh speaks up, tightening his hold on Pallavi's hand.

"Its the condition where the embryo has formed outside the womb. Its a complication which we need to rectify at the earliest. Otherwise, we are looking at a higher rate of miscarriage." the doctor explains. The word miscarriage throws Pallavi out of balance, triggering a panic attack. As her breathing gets shallower, her eyes start bulging out, making her crush Rajesh's hands real hand.

"Pallavi, Pallavi, what happened? Calm down baby" Rajesh tries to comfort her, getting up from his chair and going behind her, rubbing her back. Meanwhile, the docor has already summoned the nurse with a bag and a glass of water.

"Ms. Pallavi, please breathe into this bag. It will help you clam down your breathing" she instructs, handing her the bag. Pallavi reaches for the bag, with her hands shaking as Rajesh intensifies the back rubbing. Pallavi breathes into the bag, calming down in 5 minutes. As soon as she gets her breathing under control, the doctor hands her the glass of water, instructing to take small sips.

"Ms. Pallavi, it would be better, if you wait outside and get some fresh air. It will help you calm down. I will pass on the prescription to Rajesh." the doctor assures Pallavi, holding her shoulder. Reluctantly, Pallavi loosens her grip on Rajesh's hand and gets up from her seat. The nurse guides her out, as the doctor heads back to her seat, gesturing Rajesh to take his seat. Rajesh gets back on the seat, nervously looking at the doctor, writing the prescription.

"Has Pallavi suffered from miscarriage in the past, Rajesh?" the doctor asks, facing Rajesh.

"Yes Ma'am. She told me she suffered couple years back." Rajesh answers nervously.

"Ok. That is why hearing the word miscarriage triggered a panic attack. Anyway, I have prescribed medicines. These are mostly vitamins. So there should be no side effect" the doctor concludes, handing Rajesh the prescription. As Rajesh gets up from the seat and heads to the door, The doctor calls him again.

"Mr. Rajesh, I don't want you to get up hopes on this pregnancy. Surviving ectopic pregnancy is difficult and even if the embryo survives, you will have several birth complications. Pallavi is not in aposition to hear this right now. That is why I sent her out to get fresh air." the doctor tells with a poker face.

"Ohh" is all that escapes from Rajesh's mouth, dropping his face down.

"Rajesh you need to be strong at this point. Pallavi needs all the support she needs and the best will come from you." the doctor finishes with a weak smile.

"Thank you doctor." Rajesh reverts back with a weak smile. Buying the medicines, Rajesh and Pallavi head to their home. Its a silent dinner at the young couples home. As they slip into their bed, Rajesh spoons behind Pallavi.

"I love you Pallavi. We will get through this" Rajesh whispers into her ear. Pallavi turn around and nudges into him.

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A week has passed since the young couple visited the gynecologist. Pallavi has been taking her medication as per prescription, with Rajesh constantly reminding and showing his deep concern. 'The Matrix' has been experiencing a steady growth as the trio have turned their attention towards the new program for SIDCO while the game development gets handed over to the new five interns. With the work schedule and workload increase going as per Tarun's predictions, Tarun and Neeraj are literally having their hands full, to see their friend slipping into gloomyness slowly. Inspite of this Rajesh still tries his best to contribute towards his company and towards Pallavi too. After the gynecologist's visit, Rajesh had made it a point to take Pallavi to temple early in the moring before dropping her to her office, so that her day starts with good vibes. And even though the temple visit are helping Pallavi from not going more gloomy, she hasn't improved much. Her cheerful nature has vanished. Rajesh's all other tries into bringing her cheerful nature back is going in vain. Adding to this, he has neither divulged the pregnancy complication to his friends nor passed on the doctor's final words to Pallavi. All this is eating him up from the inside. But deciding against his better judgement of opening up to his friends or parents, Rajesh keeps mum, goes with his routine of picking up Pallavi from her office. On the way back, deciding that they need to have a distraction, Rajesh heads to a well known restaurant. As they reach the restaurant, Pallavi seems to confused as to why Rajesh has brought her here.

"I figured that let me treat you. Plus I am too tired to cook now." Rajesh explains her, reaching for hand.

"I could have cooked Rajesh. Its no big deal" Pallavi tries to manage, her voice coming out too low to protest.

"Its ok honey. Plus we haven't been on a date in long" Rajesh distracts as they head inside the restaurant. Once inside, they order their favourite's and concentrate on the food, occasionally glancing up and flashing smiles. Once done they head out. As they head out, Pallavi crashses with a girl, causing her to loose balance. Unfortunately Rajesh is not by her side to support. So she falls down on the floor with an audible thud. This catches Rajesh attention, who is a couple steps behind at the cash counter. Seeing Pallavi on the floor, Rajesh runs to her rescue, holding her by her arm and helping her up. With a concerned look Rajesh turns to the woman to give her a mouthful, only to be astonished by the face that stands next to him.

"Jenny" escapes from his mouth, little above a whisper. Standing in front of him is a tired, gloomy and lost looking Jenny, with a small kid holding her hand, hiding behind her.

"Rajesh." she lets out a little a whisper. Meanwhile Pallavi is standing beside Rajesh, brushing the dust of her clothes.

"How is Tarun?" Jenny asks.

"He is good. How have you been?" Rajesh replies with a visible scorn.

"I am not so good. The manager I married left me with a kid for another woman." she replies, hanging her head low.

"That is sad to hear." Rajesh replies, the scorn now escaping his face, with pity growing into his heart. Sure he held anger towards Jenny, for cheating and ditching Tarun, given her state now, Rajesh's anger for her vanished.

"Guess I got what I deserved" Jenny replies with a fake chuckle.

"This is Pallavi. My girlfriend. Pallavi, this is Jenny, an old friend of ours" Rajesh introduces the ladies to each other, as they exchange pleasantries.

"Well I shall get going. It was nice meeting you. Tell Tarun I am deeply sorry what I made him go through" Jenny waves good bye and heads out of the restaurant, with her kid.

"Jenny wait" Rajesh goes behind her. Jenny turns around to look Rajesh fishing his pockets and handing her card.

"Something to consider by Jenny. Maybe we can put our past behind and work together for a better future." Rajesh says, as Jenny takes the card. It turns out their visiting card.

Jenny looks up in astonishment, as Rajesh bends down to give her kid a tousle. Pallavi makes her way to them, bending down and pinching the kids cheeks. The kid responds positively to Pallavi and walks towards her. She lifts the kid on her arms and starts playing with the kid.

"Jenny I know the transition will not be smooth. Given the fact that we are a startup and Tarun's presence, but I just think it will something that you will give some thought." Rajesh assures her.

"I don't know what to say Rajesh" Jenny replies, welling up. As she is about to break down, Pallavi touches her arm, as to assure her.

"Thanks for the gesture Rajesh. I can't thank you enough. But I will take your leave now. Bye Rajesh, bye Pallavi." Jenny bids them good bye, as Pallavi keeps her child back in the ground.

"She was actually Tarun's ex girlfriend. They met in after college vacation we took and were steady for eigth months before she went to Delhi for a project. When she returned, it turned out that she got married to her manager. This left Tarun broken and he almost got into a drunk and drive accident" Rajesh opens to Pallavi as they make their way to the parking spot.

"I held anger for her until now. But seeing her gloomy, I kind of melted. Plus she is a talented programmer and coder. That's why I gave her the card" Rajesh says, as he gets on the bike.

"That is sweet of you. But do you think Tarun will be ok working alongside his ex girlfriend?" Pallavi asks, getting behind him.

"I don't know. Besides, I don't think Jenny will even go for it." Rajesh explains, before they vroom away. As they get home, they hit the hay, owing to their tired schedules....in each other's embrace.