The Desert Lily

Chapter 4:Hidden Heartbreak

Samaira yelled as her abdomen ached as if it was stabbed by a sword. Her heartbreaking cries filled the labor room as tears of unbearable agony streamed down her eyes.
She was trying her best to push the baby but she was mentally too weak. The last time this had happened, Naveen was right beside her, holding her hand.
But now his mention and thoughts broke her inch by inch from inside.
She felt drained and all her energy vanished in thin air.
She had lost the urge to live. She felt betrayed. She felt helpless. She felt worthless.
She had never seen herself so vulnerable.
The doctors near her asked her frequently to push but for her they were faint sounds that were heard amidst Naveen's ringing voice that echoed in her ears.
But the mother in her remembered her child's face and the baby she was trying to give birth. She couldn't give up so suddenly.
Gathering all her might, she pushed for one last time and felt the baby coming out.
The cry of an infant suffused the ward and she slowly lost her consciousness.
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Slowly opening her eyes, all Samaira could feel was pain both in her body and soul. The thought of her husband created more sorrow in her heart but now she wanted the most was to see her baby's face.
She felt two arms helping her to sit straight and she slowly gazed up to see Ayush and Praniti standing beside her.
Her newborn baby was in Ayush's arms, snuggling close to his chest with open eyes. She extended her arms to receive the baby from him and slowly settled the bundle near her heart. She got to know it was a boy and for a moment she forgot all her pain.
She hugged the baby softly and kissed his head with love that came straight from her heart.
She felt a reassuring grip on her shoulder and found Praniti with a worried face.
She could only smile at her. A smile that suppressed anguish. A teary smile that would haunt one forever.

She fed the baby and made him sleep.
"Kevin? "this was first time she had said something.
"He's with Lina(their maid).Mary aunty and Joseph uncle wants to see you. "

"Do they know everything? "

"Yes. Naveen told them. "

"What?! "

"Talk to them Sam. "

"Hm."

Ayush and Praniti left the room and her in laws entered.
Mary sat beside her and Joseph's head was bent down,ashamed of his own son.
"Samaira,Is it paining? "Mary asked.

"Yes! Very much. "she answered back making her mouth shut.

"We are sorry for what our son did to you. We never knew he was such a... We're sorry Samaira. "Joseph said but not meeting her eyes.

"Sorry? Why should you be sorry? He's the one who should be and I'm ready to forgive him. I'll accept him if he comes back. "

"No Samaira. You don't have to do that. We won't allow him to enter our house. You have pained enough. "

"I too wish I had the guts to do that but I still love him. I always loved him. Mistakes happen to everyone and I'll readily forgive him if he apologize and leave that woman. "a tear rolled down her cheek.

"What are you saying Samaira? "

"Ma,please.But tell me what did he tell you. "

"He... He told us that he's married to the woman since two years.Her name is"

"No please! I don't want to hear her name. "she interrupted.

"Sorry daughter. "

"What else did he say? "

"He asked us to say sorry on behalf of him. We're ashamed to have him as our son. Please don't go back to him Samaira.We have realized how good our son is. We already told him not to enter our house. You can do everything as per your wish but please don't go back to him. "Joseph said.