Ragini woke up in the hospital bed and scanned her eyes through the crowd in the room. She saw the sad and devastated faces of her family and friends. And among them she couldn't find the one she was desperately searching for. Sanskar was nowhere in sight.

As soon as her mother saw her awake, she rushed forward and sat beside her.

"You scared us. Don't you ever dare do that again. Do you understand?" Her mother scolded. Kavya Khanna was a very calm and sophisticated person but right then she seemed like the most vulnerable being as her voice cracked with all the overwhelming emotions.

"My babies..." She trailed

"Both of them are fine. The doctors are running some tests on them.... But they will soon be moved to your room." Her mother answered her unfinished question. Ragini also wanted to ask about Sanskar but couldn't find it in her after everything she had put him through.

After few moments, they left with only Shanaya remaining. Sanskar has still not entered her room and Shanaya had not spoken a word to her the whole time.

"Shay" Ragini called and she could see her fists tightening.

"Won't you talk to me?"

Still no reply.

"I'm sorry ."

"Keep your sorry to yourself. I don't need it." Shanaya spat, her eyes blazing as she stood in front of her best friend. "How could you? How could you not tell us? Or is it because we mean nothing to you that you didn't feel like it's important to tell us?" She fumed, her angry voice faltering to the end.

"I didn't want you people to worry." Ragini replied, her voice feeble.

"I have the right to worry about you. I'm your best friend. At least I used think I was." Her voice displayed her anger and frustration.

"Please don't say things like that. You are and will be my best friend. I'm so sorry Shay. I'm really sorry for not telling you." By now Ragini was a crying mess as she buried her face in her palms and sobbed.

"Now don't you dare cry and make me feel guilty." Shanaya was soon by her side and wrapped her arms around Ragini as the both let out their tears. "Try giving me a heads up before pulling such stunts next time." She added as Ragini chuckled.

"Shay..." Ragini trailed off and Shanaya knew what she was hinting at.

"He is upset Rags. And he has every right to be. You can't even possibly imagine how broken he is. You should have told him. He had every right to know."

"I know. But I didn't want to see him broken." Ragini said her eyes fixed on her palms.

"And do you think he is less miserable now? Knowing you have been fighting this tumor all alone." Ragini didn't had an answer to that.

"Will he ever forgive me Shay?" She asked as she fidgeted with her fingers.

"Let's just hope he does."  Was all Shanaya could offer.

After that Shanaya left the room leaving Ragini alone. Soon there was a shuffling at the door and she saw Sanskar enter the room.

His hair was ruffled like he had ran his hands through them multiple times. His eyes were red and he looked so drained that Ragini could not help but gasp at the state of her husband. He avoided looking at her and that simple gesture broke her more.

"Sanskar" she called out, her voice so feeble and unguarded that it felt foreign to her own ears.

"You should rest." Was all he said as he plopped down on the chair beside her bed and continued to ignore her. The damage was made. Now it was time to face the consequences

"Aren't you gonna talk to me?" She asked and Sanskar finally lifted his head to look up at meeting her gaze but said nothing.

Ragini saw a range of emotions passing through his eyes and they finally settled at hurt and anger.

"You do know that this angry young man attitude doesn't suit you, right? You look good when you are smiling." She joked trying to lighten the tense atmosphere.

"Do you think this is a freaking joke? One moment you gave me the biggest happiness of my life and the next you took it away. Just like that." His voice cracked towards the end and his sudden outburst caused Ragini to flinch.

Sanskar ran his fingers through his hair as he tried to calm his nerves. "Why?" He asked, his voice just above a wisper. The vulnerability made her shiver.

"You should have told me. Or is that too much to ask for?....Why? Why didn't you tell me?" He looked so broken at that moment that she wanted nothing but to wrap her arms around him and kiss his worries away. But before that she had to explain herself to him. She owed him at least that much.

"During the first trimester, there were times I would feel dizzy or too exhausted. I thought it was part of the pregnancy and didn't give much importance to that." Ragini began. She couldn't meet Sanskar's eyes so she trailed her gaze to her lap. But she could feel the pair of eyes on her.

"I never told you about it because I didn't want you to worry. You were already walking on a bubble around me." She smiled at the fond memories of Sanskar taking care of her.

"I went in for a check up  one day and a few days later Riya (the doc and also her friend) called saying she wanted to talk to me. I was so scared Sanky, scared that something was wrong with the baby. But when I went in she told me that there was this tumor inside my brain. Nothing that couldn't be fixed with a surgery. But they couldn't perform the operation with the babies inside me. It was too risky. It was either them or me." Tears trailed down her face as a sob escaped her lips.

"The tumor was growing at a rapid pace and she said that if I decide to keep the babies then there wasn't much they could do. She wanted me to think about everything, to discuss it with you." She paused and heard Sanskar letting out a long held breath.

"And I couldn't be selfish. I couldn't deny them the life they deserved. And I remembered how much we were looking forward to holding them in our hands. Also, You were so happy when you learnt about the pregnancy. I didn't want to take that away from you." She finished and the couple realised they were crying the whole time.

Sanskar soon shifted closer to her, sitting beside her as he cocooned Ragini in his embrace and Ragini held on to him like her life depended on it.

"But you should have known. That nothing is more important to me than you. You are my happiness." Sanskar spoke after a moment of silence, cupping her face in his both hands. He gently placed a lingering kiss on her forhead and she closed her eyes leaning into his warmth.

Soon there was a knock on the door and two nurses entered carrying the babies. They handed them to Ragini and Sanskar as the couple held the babies as if they were the most fragile thing they have ever held.
The nurses soon left giving them a brief of what to do and what not to do.

*

"They are so perfect. I never knew I could fall in love with someone at the first glance." Sanskar said as he held their daughter, who was peacefully sleeping in his arms.

"They are going to grow up to be quite the charmers." Ragini smiled as she rocked their son after feeding him.

"Have you thought of any names?" Ragini asked her husband, keeping her voice low, not to wake up the infants.

"I don't know why, but I always wanted to call my daughter Arvi. I feel like it's such a sweet name." Sanskar said gently stroking her cheek with his thumb.

"It's beautiful. As for my little prince, let's call him Arnav." Ragini added.

"Arvi and Arnav it is then. Now, let me place them in their crib. You need to rest as well. The doctors said you could be discharged in two days"

Sanskar kissed their forhead before carefully placing them in their crib. He then sat next to his wife, snaking his arm around her shoulder and she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Sankar... Promise me you will always be their for them. And give them my share of love as well." Ragini wrapped her arms around his waist and Sanskar's arm tightened around her as he brought her closer, if that was even possible.

"I promise." Though he hated to admit it out loud, he knew there was only so much he could do about the situation. But he was trying to find the torch to move forward, through their children and a little hope for some miracle.

*****************************************

The crying sound of the baby echoed through the room and soon was followed by another joining.
Sanskar immediately switched on the lights and walked towards the babies as Ragini followed behind. They rocked the babies to calm them down.

"You can go back to bed. I've got this." Sanskar said.

"I know. But the two of us just makes it easier." Ragini replied as she continued to rock their daughter.

The past few months had not been easy. With Ragini and her treatments, the babies and ofcourse the work. But they had managed to pull through all.

The doctors said her condition is improving but she won't be able to undergo any surgery because the tumor had spread beyond that point. There were chances of her being in remission and that was the only thread of hope Sanskar wad holding on to.

*****************************************

Soft hands patted her sleeping face and she slowly fluttered her eyes. As she opened them, she was met with the toothless grins of their little rays of sunshine.

Ragini immediately sat up as she placed them both on her laps and wiped the drool off their faces and kissed their cheeks.

"Good morning my babies.... Now, let your Ma get ready then we can go downstairs to find your Pa" she said to the children and they nodded their head as if they understood what she was saying. She smiled to herself as she looked at them.

"Ma.." the voice was so low that she could have very well imagined it. Her eyes widened as she looked at Arnav who was smiling at her with wide hazel eyes.

She stayed numb as a tear rolled down her eyes. "Sanskar!!!" She called out and Sanskar came running into the room.

He saw his wife's tear stained face with her holding the babies close to her and immediately panicked. He was by her side in one swift motion.

"What happened? Do you feel fine? Do I need to call the doctor?" He asked checking them for any injury and taking Arvi into his arms.

"He called me Ma" Ragini's voice was just above a wisper. And just as if to prove her right Arnav called her again. Sanskar's eyes glistened at this and he felt a small palm on his cheek. He looked at his daughter as she tried to reach for his hair.

"Pa" No sooner had the word escaped her mouth both Sanskar and Ragini's eyes widened in surprise.

"You definitely are my favourite." Sanskar said holding his princess closer and earned a smack on his arms from his wife. "What? She said Pa first." Ragini couldn't hold back the chuckle that left her at her husband's childlike behaviour.

*

Ragini kept her head on Sanskar's lap as he gently stroked her hair. They were looking at the sleeping from of their toddlers.

"You know, right now I'm just so happy. Happy that I could be there for atleast some of their firsts."

"You would be there for a lot more if not all their firsts. Haven't you heard what the doctors said? You are on remission. And with the proper medication and treatments we can kick the tumor in the butt."

"I don't want to have any false hopes. I just want to live in the moment" Ragini tilted her head looking up at Sanskar.

"Well, right now, that hope is the only thing keeping me going. You can't take that away from me." His eyes pierced through her soul. She snaked her arm around his neck bringing his face closer and connected her lips to his.

The kiss was slow yet conveyed a lot of emotions. They parted when they were short of oxygen. Sanskar pulled her up and made her sit on his lap as his arms snaked around her waist. They had their eyes closed and foreheads joined as they panted for air.

"Why do you love me so much?" She asked still not opening her eyes as her palm rested on his fast beating heart.

He gently cupped her face and stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb. They both stared into each other. "Because, with you I don't know any other way."

*****************************************

"I can't believe that they are two already." Ragini said as she traced her fingers above the photo frame.

It was the picture of the four of them along with Shanaya, Ayan and their son  Ayansh. All of them wearing similar coloured dresses as they smiled for the camera. The picture was taken a few weeks earlier on the twins' birthday. Sanskar had sent it for framing and it arrived that morning.

"And they are growing up to be quite the charmers. Even Anshu for that matter." Sanskar said as he sat next to her, admiring the photograph.

"Now, since the children are with Mum and Dad today, they won't be back till evening. So, how about we go out for lunch?" Sanskar asked bumping his shoulder with hers.

"Are you asking me out on a date, Mr. Singhania" Ragini teased.

"You bet I am. Now, I'll go freshen up real quick and you get ready." He said as he pecked her cheek and walked to the bathroom.

Sanskar walked out of the bathroom and saw Ragini in the same position, with her hands clutching her head. He immediately walked upto her and crouched down infront of her.

"Hey, what is it? Are you not feeling well?" His voice laced with concern.

"It's nothing. Just a little headache. Don't worry. I'll go get ready real fast." She said passing him a smile and standing up. But just as she did so, her world began to twirl and she blacked out in his arms.

*****************************************

"We are really sorry. But it seems like the tumor is again starting to spread." The doctor's words felt like a blow to the gut and his eyes traveled to his unconscious wife on the hospital bed.

"Is there nothing you could do? You are supposed help people. That's your job." Sanskar bursted in frustration.

"I'm really sorry Mr. Singhania, but there is only so much we could do. I understand your frustration but we are not gods. At this stage, the best we could do is provide her with medications that would help her reduce the pain." The doctor's voice sounded genuinely apologetic.

Sanskar sat down with a thud on the chair near her bed and held her hand resting by her side. He lifted it upto his lips and kissed it. An involuntary sob escaped his lips as he stared at the sleeping figure.

*

The slight movement jolted him awake from his slumber and he saw Ragini's eyes fluttering before they opened and scanned around the room, finally resting on Sanskar's tired face. His hair was disheveled and he had dark circles under his eyes.

"It's happening. Isn't it?" It wasn't a question she needed answer to.

"Shh. Everything is gonna be alright. As for now, just rest." He gently stroked her hair and she closed her eyes.

"Sanskar." She called with her eyes still closed and he hummed in response. "Just remember that I love you. Forever and always."

"I love you too." He replied kissing her forehead and she smiled as her breathing became even.

*****************************************

"She's really lucky to have you in her life." Shanaya said as she handed a styrofoam cup to Sanskar and the latter just passed her a weak smile.

They were sitting outside the hospital room. It's been months since they started the treatments and there weren't much significant improvement in her condition.

Sanskar walked inside the room and saw Ragini sitting with their kids. They were talking animatedly to her. Probably something gibberish and she was intently listening to them, her eyes sparkling.

A tear skipped his eyes as he took in the moment. He immediately wiped it as he stepped further inside. Ragini's eyes lit up even more as she saw the man she loved with every fiber.

He sat next to her and placed one of the twins in his lap. "Did you take your medicines?"

"Uh huh" her nose scrunched as she replied. And Sanskar chuckled at her distaste for meds.

"What were you discussing with these little monsters?" He asked as he pulled the kids' cheeks. Arnav swatted his hand away and burried his face in Ragini's chest while Arvi stuck her tongue out at her father.

"Pa's bad." Arnav said. "Not giving choco" Arvi added earning a giggle from Ragini.

"So you two were complaining about me, huh? Now, I'm not going to give these to you." Sanskar said fishing out two chocolates from his pocket.

"Pa's best" Arnav said immediately as he tried to reach for the chocolate as Arvi nodded her head agreeing.

"I know" Sanskar's lips lifted in an amused smile as he handed them the chocolates. They immediately wrapped their arms around him as they took their treat and started savouring it. Ragini was looking at them wide eyed at the rate at which their children turned plates

"Are you jealous Mrs. Singhania?" He asked amused.

"Maybe" she said as she pecked his lips.

"Eww" they both turned to look at the kids staring at them, with chocolate smeared all over their faces. The couple couldn't help but laugh at their adorable expression.

****************************************

"Mr. Singhania. She doesn't have much time left. Her health is deteriorating rapidly."

Sanskar's world collapsed around him. He already knew what was at the other end of the string but that didn't make it any easier to let go.

He walked inside the room. There were a variety of machines attached to her body. She looked so pale and fragile. The everlasting glow from her face was gone and her lips looked dry and flaky. How he wished he could make everything right.

As he sat down next to her and held her hands. She slowly opened her eyes. Even that mundane task seeming the most difficult. She smiled at him but it didn't reach her eyes. Tears stained Sanskar's face as he took in her form.

"It's time. I can feel it in my bones." She said lifting her hand to wipe his face.

"Stay with me" his voice broke with every word he spoke.

"You do know if it was upto me I'll never leave your side. Ever" her own emotions choked her.

"I don't know how to live without you. I knew this was going to happen and yet somehow it doesn't lessen the pain." He buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"It's okay. Everything is gonna be alright. You are not alone. You have our little monsters. They are worth living for." She said as she gently stroked his hair.

"Please don't leave me" he said holding her hand while she gave him a weak smile. Only if it was upto her.

"I have to" her voice seemed forced and he shook his head not agreeing with her.

"But promise me you'll not be sad thinking of me. Promise me you will find your happiness once again. Promise me you'll move on" she continued, pleading.

"Please don't do this" tears trailed down his cheeks.

"Promise me" she insisted and he nodded his head trying hard to suppress the pain.

"I love you Sanskar. And I think I'm the happiest person now, because I got to spend my forver with you."

"I love you too. Forever and always." He whispered as he joined their foreheads while tears streamed down their faces.

*

She didn't make any fuzz. She was gone just like that. Peacefully yet completely aware of the broken heart she left behind.

But she had faith in him. That sooner or later he will once again find his happiness. Because she was out there somewhere looking out for him and the two beautiful souls they created.

*****************************************

Heya guys,

Ignore the typos.

Finally, we have come to the end of this journey. I'll try posting the epilogue soon.
About the ending, I had planned it from the time this story struck me and I really didn't want to change it😬.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. May you have an even better one next year.😍

Stay blessed and stay happy 😘