Fᴀʟʟᴇɴ

Chapter 44: Family

Aditya couldn't even say a word. His heart got filled with happiness. Having a daughter made his life perfect. True that everything happens for a reason. All the struggle , pain they faced was worth it. He smiled looking at the baby who was innocently stealing glances at him. Zoya felt the emotions inside him. She was smiling .

He came forward.
"Zoya ...how did you ... how did you manage? How did you deal with this alone? How did..." Aditya wanted to ask so many things .

"Aditya.... shaant ho jaiye. Hum sab batate hain aapko." Zoya held Aditya's shoulders with one hand . Baby was silently looking at Aditya. She wrapped her arms around Zoya's neck delicately. Aditya's presence fascinated her. She kept looking at him.

Zoya made Aditya sit on the couch. Baby sat on her lap. She bent forward to take one of the rattle toys which was lying on couch and settled back on Zoya laps and started to play with it.

Aditya adoringly watched her . He was so happy and excited to hold her into his arms but at the same time he was nervous. This was the biggest surprise of his life. He was a father now . Many thoughts crossed his mind. Will he be able to handle fatherhood properly? It's not even like he prepared himself for it . This was sudden . Moreover , thinking about Zoya .... he missed all the precious moments of their lives. Her pregnancy phase , the feeling of having a new born , the feeling when you hold your baby for the first time in the hospital, everything. So much of time wasted. He couldn't even imagine how Zoya must have dealt with this all by herself. He looked down sadly.

"Aditya..." he looked at her ."it's okay..." she said . She knew what he was thinking.

"How did you Zoya..." Aditya's voice broke. She looked down . Gathering courage she decided to tell him everything.

"Remember when we lastly met in Mussoorie that night? That was when I got to know I was pregnant." She said . Aditya's eyes welled up. She continued "I felt dizzy at home , I puked and that's when I went to the hospital. I wanted to tell you Aditya . I really wanted to tell you. But couldn't. I was just a puppet to them... who would do anything to fulfill their task. They wanted me to go away from your life. They blackmailed me saying they will kill you if I don't do so. I wanted to save your life . I wanted to protect you. I didn't want my efforts to go waste . And now I had a life growing inside me . It was our child Aditya . Though we were not meant to be together but atleast this child will make me feel that you're with me, this child was precious , and my only hope at that moment. Protecting her became my responsibility too. I can't let anyone harm you both." She wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"I could have stayed in Mussoorie but I couldn't risk my parent's life . So I decided to go away from everyone's lives. I already lost you once , I couldn't take a chance to loose you again Aditya. We may not be together in life but atleast you will live your life peacefully"  Zoya said looking at him. Aditya couldn't say anything. He just watched her red eyes.

"I read about the piano institute in London. That's when I made a decision to come here. I didn't know what to do initially Aditya. I didn't know anyone here , everything was different. Somehow I started to feel adjusted to the place. Months passed ... my delivery date was nearing. I suffered the most that night. I tried calling my colleagues who worked in piano institute but no one responded. I was all alone ... I was ...." she paused, tears flowing down her cheeks. "My water broke... I cried in pain. I firstly used to live in a isolated place as my finance didn't suffice for a proper home." He was shook by what she said. His tears didn't stop either.

"I walked alone on the pavement looking for cabs but it was late at night and none of the cabs showed up. I kept walking Aditya... I was in so.." she cried. Aditya's hands went to touch her cheeks but couldn't . He got so hurt thinking about her conditions. His struggles were nothing in front of hers.  "I was in so much pain Aditya . That very moment I remembered you. Your words ringed inside my head. * Zoya never loose hope , you're strong*.  I kept walking Aditya . Cabs were not stopping. I started to feel dizzy. For support I sometimes used to hold the lamp post. I only prayed that atleast I should be capable enough to give birth to this child ... even if it costs my life." She said . Aditya looked to his side not able to take it . His heart ached .