Anamika and Vineet meet their doctor and tell her about Ishika. The doctor reads Ishika’s health file keenly and then looks at Anamika.

“Is she ready? I mean is process ke liye uska mentally prepare hona zaroori hain.” The doctor asks.

“Yes, she is. Maine sabse pehle usse hi baat ki. Dekhiye, maine hi dekha tha, aapki hi ek patient hain jinhone gestational pregnancy ka raasta apnaya. Main bhi wahi karna chahti hoon.” Anamika clarifies her point.

“Mr Vineet, do you agree?” The doctor asks Vineet, gazing at him.

“Yes. Until and unless, my wife and this girl, Ishika is fine, it is fine by me.” Vineet says, keeping his point.

He knows that both Anamika and Ishika share a pious bond. They are not connected by blood, but they have made relations by heart. Ishika takes Anamika as her elder sister, then its not for namesake, she takes it dearly and Anamika reciprocates. He knows there is no stopping to these two ladies when they have decided something. Also, he will be by their side, so, he will take care of everything.

“Hum aapse sirf itna janna chahte hain ki kya Ishika fit hain is process ke liye?” Vineet asks the doctor.

“Agar koi dikkat hain toh main uska khayal rakhungi. Hum wait bhi kar sakte hain. Jahan itna intezar kiya hain, thoda aur kar lenge.” Anamika says while looking between the doctor and her husband.

“You don’t need to worry, Mrs Dobriyal. Everything is fine. She will just need a little more care because of her medical history. Aapko try karna hoga ki usey kisi tarah ka stress na ho, otherwise wo baby ke liye acha nhi hoga. Aur main chahungi ki aap usse ek baar fir baat karlein. Ye aapke liye bhi acha rahega aur uske liye bhi.” The doctor explains.

Anamika nods and Vineet asusres the lady doctor that he will take care of all her instructions. Taking the doctor’s appointment for the next time, Anamika and Vineet leave the hospital. They head to home, and there’s a content on their faces. Even Vineet looks content.

Okay, he may not liked the idea of making Ishika as their surrogate, but things have changed. Most importantly, Anamika is happy and it is enough reason for Vineet to be happy. He casts a look at his beloved, and smiles.

“Ana!” He calls her by her nickname that he uses for her.

“Han, bolo. Kya hua?” Anamika gazes at Vineet.

“Main soch raha tha ki kya hume Ishika se dobara baat karni chahiye?” he asks, as it is the same thing, their doctor asked them.

“Kyun? Kya tumhe lagta hain ki Ishika apna faisla badal degi?” Anamika questions in reply of his question.

“Nahi Ana. Aisa nahi hain. Main jaanta hoon wo mana nahi karegi. Lekin hume bhi toh bade hone ka farz nibhana chahiye. Main nahi chahta ki kabhi wo is baat pe regret kare.” Vineet says.

Anamika looks thoughtful. Well, he is right. Ishika is overwhelmed with all the love she is getting from Anamika. Also, they have created a bond and she knows that Ishika won’t break it. They may have arguments in the future, but Anamika knows that neither Ishika nor she will break this loveful thread. But, they can have a healthy conversation with Ishika. After all, the girl has some dreams, though she is ready to bear the baby for their sake. Of course, Anamika won’t like Ishika looking back and blaming herself for the mess, for there will be changes in her body and for someone passionate and ambitious like Ishika, she may find it hard.

“Tum thik keh rahe ho, Vineet. Aaj dinner ke baad main usse baat karti hoon.” Anamika says.

“Hum dono usse baat karenge. Kyunki na toh main ye chahta hoon ki Ishika ko lage ki hum uska istemal kar rahe hain, aur na hi ye chahta hoon ki baad mein usey apneis faisle pe afsos ho.” Vineet says genuinely.

Anamika agrees, well, she believes that nothing will happen. But, it is better to be cautious. Amidst all the thoughts, they reach home.

*****
Anamika enters the house while Vineet parks the car and follows behind. They find Ishika sitting on the couch and she suddenly makes a sad face.

“Aap dono jaldi aa gaye. Maine abhi abhi coffee pi. Bata dete na, toh hum sath mein coffee peete.” Ishika makes a babyish face.

“Usme kya hua? Radha dobara bana degi.” Vineet smiles at her.

“Han lekin, mujhe toh aap dono ke sath peena tha na. But, but, before I forget! Ye sambhalo, mujhse kho jayegi.” Ishika says while keeping the keys of the office in Anamika’s hand.

“Its okay! Tum bhi rakhogi toh bhi mujhe koi problem nahi hai.” Anamika smiles, though, she passes it to Vineet, who’s on the way to his room.

“Waise, tum ghar kaise aayi? Main driver ko bhejna bhul gaya tha.” Vineet bites his tongue as he remembers that he promised Ishika to send the driver.

“I got a new driver!” Ishika chuckles and Vineet rolls his eyes at her.

“Naya driver! Tumhe! Achaaa! Kaise? Okay, tumhari behen ne bheja hoga!” Vineet says.

“Arey nahi! Naman mil gaya tha aj.” Ishika says.

“Aur wo driver ho gaya? Kuch bhi!!!” Anamika says.

“Aur kya!? Aaj sham ko barish hogayi thi aur jab driver nahi aaya toh main samajh gayi ki jiju bhul gaye hain. Lekin tabhi wahan se Naman nikal raha tha, toh usne hi mujhe drop kia. Abhi kuch derr pehle hi.” Ishika tells them the whole thing.

“Acha, toh usey roka kyun nahi?” Vineet asks.

“Arey roka tha! Lekin usne mana kardiya. Ajeeb hai aapka dost. Itni khubsurat ladki ko coffee ke liye naa bolta hain, huh!” Ishika makes a face causing Anamika and Vineet to laugh.

Vineet smiles and moves to his room while Anamika sits along with Ishika when the latter asks the matter.

“Sab thik hain na? Aap doctor ke paas kyun gayi thi?” Ishika asks.

“Ye puchne ki meri Ishu thik hai ya abhi aur time lagega!” Anamika looks at Ishika.

“Arey, Am fit!” Ishika chuckles.

“Han han jaanti hoon. Lekin hume jo process karna hain uske liye toh doctor ki help leni hi padegi na. “ Anamika tries to explain.

Ishika just nods her head. She gets it, she needs to be fit physically and mentally. Anamika looks at her and finds her lost.

“Kya sochne lagi?” Anamika asks.

“Kuch nahi. Doctor ne kya bola?” Ishika asks her.

“Unhone toh kaha ki we hum ye process jaldi bhi kar sakte hain. Isliye toh main khush hoon. ” Anamika says happily.

“Acha toh kab jana hain?” Ishika asks again, she knows that it is a big news for both Anamika and Vineet.

“Jab tum puri tarah se ready ho jaogi.” Vineet says, as he comes out of the bedroom.

“Par maine kaha tha na ki main ready hoon. Aapko mujhpe doubt hain?” Ishika looks at Vineet.

“Arey aisa nahi hain….” Vineet says but Ishika cuts him in between.

“Toh kaisa hain? Aap aise kyun keh rahe ho? Maine bola na main karungi. Lagta hain aapko abhi bhi mujhpe vishwas nahi hain. “ Ishika says, getting sad and it is natural.

Vineet has been against this decision and he also thought that she will ask for money from them. But she didn’t. She’s doing it out of love for Anamika. Also, the couple have helped her and been her family.

“Aisa nahi hain Ishu…hum toh bas chahte hain ki tum jo bhi karo pure dil se karo.” Anamika says.

“Haan Ishika. Main ye nahi chahta ki aage chal kar tumhe apne is faisle pe dukh ho.” Vineet says as he sits on the armchair.

“Family ke liye kuch karne par dukh kyun hoga? Maine aap dono se kaha tha na ki jab meri apni family ne mera sath nahi diya tab aap dono ne diya. Ab toh bas aap dono hi toh meri family ho. Main jo karungi dil se hi karungi. Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye, bas aap dono chahiye…aapka sath aur pyar.” Ishika says, her eyes turn watery instantly.

“Han hum jaante hain.” Anamika and Vineet say in unison, they know she is being genuine.

“Toh kyun pucha aise?” Ishika asks, looking at them.

“Kyunki tumhe khud ko prepare karna hoga, Ishu. Sirf keh dene se nahi hota. Main jaanti hoon tum ye mere liye kar rahi ho lekin apne dil se kar rahi ho. Main khush hoon kyunki itna koi apna bhi nahi karta. Lekin phir bhi. Iske liye hum teenon ko ready hona hoga. Isliye, tum ek baar phir se soch lo.” Anamika says, while looking at Ishika.

Ishika looks at Anamika and Ishika one by one and then says something that leaves the couple touched.

To Be Continued.

What did Ishika say?

Stay tuned.