Written in stars (Discontinued)

Deep shadows

Advay watched her play and a helpless feeling came over him. These days they were quarrelling on non-existent issues. Or maybe it was because there was a bigger issue and he didn't had the wish to dig deeper and approach it.

Chandhini kept loosing in the game,her mind was fixed on Advay even if she tried to play the game.

Minutes passed and to pass time until food came, Advay opened his mobile and started to go through his emails. There were many pending tasks from work but he ignored them. He scrolled down the unopened emails.

Then, he caught sight of an old email from his school. He opened and checked. It was an invitation for reunion at college. The date was few days later. His finger touched the date. 10th April 2020. The date was memorable for many reasons. He had his first date with Swathi on 10th April. They had celebrated the day each year. He had proposed her on that date. Their wedding was supposed to happen on that date. He stared at screen for few seconds, then touched the bin option to delete the email.

There was a knock on door. He put the mobile on dresser and went to check who was it. It was maid with the lentil soup. He took the bowl and asked about the noodle soup. It was in progress. He nodded and closed the door with one hand and carried the bowl to the table and placed it over there.

Chandhini had looked up when door was knocked, now she returned back to her game.

Advay sat on the sofa in front of the table and started to drink the soup.

.......

Khushi sat on her bed while Arnav stood near the window as he spoke angrily to her,' I was so worried. A simple phone call to tell me Chandhini is fine, Is that too much to ask for?'

Khushi,'It slipped my mind. I was worrying over other things and I decided not to call you. Chandhini needed rest at that time.'

Arnav angrily touched his finger to his forehead in an angry gesture as he tried to control his anger. May be he was being unreasonable. But he had felt truly scared when he couldn't reach Chandhini or Khushi. 'Advay is highly irresponsible too. He should have given me a call. He was the one who took Chandhini to hospital. And he didn't pick my calls.'

Khushi,' Arnav please, don't start blaming him. He has already enough to deal with.'

The way Khushi said it made Arnav pause. He loosened his neck tie with one hand and asked,' what happened?'

Khushi looked away from him. Her expressions sad, she told him. 'Chandhini was pregnant. She had a miscarriage due to the accident. She isn't aware. Doctor said that chandhini is well.'

Arnav hand stopped in the process of removing tie. For few moments, he couldn't move. Then, controlling himself he took off the tie and put it on sofa. His anger was replaced with sorrow.

He walked forward and sat down on bed. Khushi looked up at him. Both stared at each other. They were married for so long that they don't needed words to communicate. He reached forward and held her hand in his and whispered,'It's okay.'

Khushi nodded. 'I know. They are young especially Chandhini. It's for best. She is too weak for a baby.' Still her eyes were filled with sorrow.

Arnav,'Don't be sad. Chandhini is fine. What more we can ask for?'

Khushi nodded but then looking into his eyes couldn't stop herself,' I really want to hold their child in my arms. A mini Chandhini or Advay.'

Arnav reached forward and pulled her into his arm,'me too.' He whispered. Then, kissed her on head.
Khushi wrapped her arms around his waist and put her head on his chest as a tear escaped her right eye and disappeared in Arnav's shirt.