Dark Paradise Chapter Fifty

Anjali's Godh Barhai went smoothly and everyone was exhausted, Arnav was particularly irritated by the notion that men were not allowed to attend but he wasn't about to follow suit with Akash and NK who had previously entered such functions(Payal's Mehendi)  in sarees and then paid the price. Exhausted Arnav went up to his and Khushi's room to find her standing by the french doors near the poolside. Her expression was distant, her hands gently caressed her bump as she looked hazily at the stars. Arnav shut their bedroom door, but Khushi didn't register the noise. Arnav became a little concerned and so he walked up close to her and wrapped his arms around her, placing his hands on hers above the bump. She suddenly registered his presence and looked up at him, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Kya hua? Aaj raat, poolside ke paas?" Arnav asked and Khushi shook her head.
"Kuch nahin, baas Amma aur Bauji ki yaad arri thi, toh socha ki yahaan unke saat todhi bohut waqt guzaarongi." She said as she looked up at the stars. Khushi herself was due to become a mother soon and she couldn't help but miss her own, it was true that Garima has always done her best to be there for Khushi but it isn't the same as having your own mother at that time. Khushi had had so many fears and questions during her pregnancy, she didn't have her own mother to turn to, she had no mother-in-law in the Raizada house. She just had women who did undoubtedly care for her but unfortunately were not her own blood. Khushi had mainly relied on Di for her questions not to mention how much Arnav had been helping her. But still it was hard, Di was in the same situation and so she found comfort in talking to her but she didn't like making Di sad by talking about all this and so Khushi today decided to seek comfort in the stars.

Arnav looked at her face and he rested his head on her shoulder and breathed deeply. 

"They'd be proud of you Khushi, everything you've been through and how you've come out of it all. Think about it Jaan. First your parents die, did you become cold and distant like me? No you still loved your life, you remained hopeful, optimistic and strong. Then when we met and everything happened with Payal's wedding, your Babuji's business and...Shyam. I mean a lot of people wouldn't have handled everything like you did. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada." He said as he turned her around and tilted her chin up. "You are so strong, we're going to have a baby soon and I know that you will be just as wonderful at raising our baby as you have been with facing life. You probably wont even need me to help. I know you you'll get all, "Rehne dijiye Arnav yeh tumhare baas ki baat nahin hai."" He said as he attempted to imitate Khushi. Khushi hit him playfully but then smiled and titled her head so it lay on his chest. She wrapped her arms around him and sighed.
"Aap humare saath rahein toh sab kuch ucha hi hoga, maine bohut kuch khoya hai zindagi mein, lekin abh nahin." Khushi said and Arnav held her tighter, he knew how she was feeling. There were times when Arnav would look at his life, family and in particular his wife and think about how unfair it was that he couldn't share any of this with his parents. They weren't here to see the man he had become, see how he cared for Di always and supported this family and now how he was going to become a father. They weren't there and there was nobody who could take their place. But Khushi was right, now was not the time to focus on what they lost, they had both come from dark beginnings but now was the time when all would become better in their life. Arnav suddenly became tense as he felt Khushi grip painfully onto him.
"Khushi kya hua?" He asked as she began to groan and squeal.
"Arnav, dard... hora... hai."  Khushi said as best she could, she felt unbearable and searing pain.
"Dard? Kahan par?" Arnav asked.
"Peth mein." Khushi said, she couldn't handle this, she gripped her stomach and bit the sides of her cheek. Arnav looked confused.
"No, no, no. This can't be right, Khushi you're not due for another two months!" Arnav said.
"ARNAV!" Khushi screamed, Arnav now coming out of shock, grabbed Khushi and lifted her up, she could hardly move as a result of the pain. Ambulances always took too long and so he decided to drive her to the Hospital. As he made his way out he saw that Akash was helping Di to the door too. Arnav and Akash exchanged looks. The rest of the family were looking concerned and stood behind Akash. Akash decided to explain.
"Di's water broke." Akash said and Arnav nodded.
"Khushi's having pains...I don't think its normal." Arnav admitted. Khushi wasn't concentrating on words, she was cluctching Arnav's chest on the verge of weeping, whereas Anjali was very calm and was only now becoming worked up after seeing Khushi's state. Arnav looked around at the family who all looked ready to go to the Hospital also. 

"Look we can't all go in one car, Akash you take Di with Mamma, Mami and Nani. Payal you come with us and stay with Khushi while I drive." He said, Payal shook her head and followed Arnav as Arnav carried a pained Khushi to the car. 

They reached the Hospital, Di and Khushi were in separate rooms. Di was being prepped for Labour whereas Khushi was being monitored and tested. Arnav was next to her, Khushi wa writhing with pain, tears forming in her eyes.
"Arnav, bohut dard hora hai, yeh logh kuch karte kyun nahin." Khushi said, her tone was more of a plea of desperation. Arnav was finding it extremely difficult to watch her in this state. He caressed her face.
"Jaan they can't give you any painkillers kyunki bache par assar hosakta hai. They're doing some tests, everything will be alright." Arnav said as he tried to reassure Khushi but he himself didn't know what was going on. Khushi gripped her stomach when she felt something, she raised her hand and began to cry aloud.

"Arnav....ARNAV! KHOON!" She screamed at her hand, her hospital gown now had a large amount of blood staining it. Khushi was shaking with fear, Arnav was in shock.
"K-khoon, khoon....N-nurse....NURSE! DOCTOR!" Arnav shouted, multiple nurses and their doctor came running in. The Doctor took one look at Khushi and began to quietly explain to the Nurses to change Khushi's bedding and clothes and prep her for surgery. She took Arnav to one side.
"Doctor kya hua Khushi ko? Aur humara bacha, bacha toh tik hai na?" He asked and the Doctor looked sympathetically at Arnav.
"Mr. Raizada, apki wife ko as we call it "Placental abruption" ho gaya. This is when the placenta breaks away from the baby aur baby ko oxygen aur khana dono nahin milta. She's going to need to have a C-section right away as this is dangerous for both the baby and your wife." The doctor said and Arnav digested all of this. Here he was again, at the cusp of happiness with everything, his whole world being snatched from beneath his feet. This is exactly why Arnav never believed in God because any benevolent God would not cause this much pain to one person and especially would not endanger someone as devoted as Khushi again and again. 

"Mr. Raizada." The Doctor said as she bought Arnav back from his dark thoughts. "We have to operate immediately, we suspect the abruption is minor but its still dangerous, we need you to sign this consent form." She said as she handed the form to him, he signed it and as he gave it to the Doctor he paused. 

"Doctor, lekin Khushi aur humara bacha toh tik hogein na?" Arnav asked. The Doctor looked at him sympathetically, she took the papers and squeezed Arnav's shoulder. 

"We will do our best Mr. Raizada. But I cannot assure anything." She said.

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