Mythili's POV ~

I sat at my desk, staring blankly at the screen in front of me, trying to focus on the report I had to finish by the end of the day. The words swam across the document, blurring together into a meaningless jumble. My hands rested on the keyboard, poised to type, but my fingers refused to move.

How could I focus on work when my entire world felt like it was spinning?

I had been so certain that the missed period was nothing. Just stress, I told myself. After all, I'd been working long hours, and Shivaay had been busy with his new business deals. It had to be stress. But then there was that gnawing feeling, one I couldn't ignore no matter how hard I tried.

The fear. The hope.

I tried to tell myself I didn't need to do anything drastic. I'd convinced myself for days that it was probably just a fluke. But this morning, as I stood in front of the pharmacy shelf, staring at rows of pregnancy tests, that whisper had grown into a deafening roar. I bought the test on impulse, barely making eye contact with the cashier.

I couldn't even wait. I locked myself in the bathroom at home, staring down at the little stick as if it were some kind of magic wand that could change my entire life. In a way, it was.

Two pink lines. Bold. Unmistakable.

I had read the instructions a hundred times. A second line meant positive. Pregnant.

I stared at the test, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might leap out of my chest.

Pregnant.

The word echoed in my head, over and over again, growing louder with every breath. My hand trembled as I set the test down on the bathroom counter. My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, wide-eyed and pale. I didn't recognize myself in that moment, standing there, with this enormous, life-altering truth in my hand.

I felt lightheaded, like the ground had shifted beneath me. My heart raced, my mind whirring in circles. This wasn't supposed to happen, not now. We hadn't planned for this. We hadn't even talked about it.

Shivaay.

My thoughts flew to him. How would he react? What would he say? Would he be happy? Would he be shocked? Would this disrupt all the plans we'd made together?

I pressed my hand to my stomach, the reality sinking in a little deeper. I was carrying a life inside of me. My baby. Shivaay's baby.

The thought should have filled me with joy, and on some level, it did. But there was fear too. Fear that he wasn't ready, fear that I wasn't ready. We'd talked about the future, of course—casual mentions of children "one day," but never now, never so soon.

I couldn't tell Shivaay. Not yet. I needed to process this first. I needed to talk to someone who would understand, someone who would listen without judgment, who could help me make sense of this swirling storm of emotions inside me.

Maa.

Without giving myself time to reconsider, I grabbed my bag, hurriedly gathering my things, and rushed out of the office. My hands shook as I drove back home, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts. By the time I pulled into the driveway, my chest felt tight, like I couldn't catch my breath.

I rang the doorbell, my fingers trembling as I did. When Maa opened the door, she took one look at me and frowned, her brow creasing with concern.

"Mythili? What's wrong, beta?" she asked, her voice soft and warm, always so full of love.

I couldn't hold it back any longer. The tears I had been trying to suppress welled up in my eyes and spilled over before I could stop them. My lips trembled as I tried to find the words, but all that came out was a choked sob.

"Maa," I whispered, my voice barely audible, "I... I think I'm pregnant."

For a moment, the world went still. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't do anything except watch the way her face softened with understanding, with love. She didn't hesitate. She reached out, pulling me into her arms, wrapping me in the warmth of her embrace.

"Mythili," she murmured, holding me close as I clung to her. "It's okay. Let it out."

The sobs came then, harder, as I buried my face in her shoulder. Her hand stroked my hair gently, soothing me as only a mother could. I cried for what felt like hours, releasing all the fear and confusion that had been bottled up inside me.

When I finally pulled back, wiping at my tear-streaked cheeks, she cupped my face in her hands, her eyes full of compassion. "Talk to me, Mythili. What's going on?"

I sniffled, taking a shaky breath. "I... I didn't expect this. It wasn't planned, Maa. And I don't know what to do. I don't know how to tell Shivaay. What if he's not ready? What if he doesn't want this?"

Her face softened even more, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, beta, you have nothing to be afraid of. Shivaay loves you. You know that. And he's going to love this baby too."

I shook my head, my voice breaking. "But we didn't plan for this. We had so many things we wanted to do first. What if he feels like this is too much, too soon?"

Maa took my hands in hers, squeezing them gently. "Plans change, Mythili. Life has a way of surprising us, of giving us what we didn't even know we needed. Shivaay will understand that. He'll be overjoyed when you tell him. Trust me, he's going to be so happy."

"But what if... what if it changes everything?" I whispered, voicing the deepest of my fears.

Maa's eyes softened further, and she pulled me into another hug, her voice soothing as she spoke. "It will change things, yes. But that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. This baby, Mythili, is a blessing. And Shivaay... he will see that, just as you will. You two are meant for this, for each other, for this next chapter in your lives. And no matter what, you're not alone. You'll never be alone in this. You have me, your baba, Anamika, Nupur, Aarav and Shivaay."

Her words washed over me, filling me with a sense of calm I hadn't felt in days. I leaned into her, letting her hold me, letting her love reassure me in a way only she could.

We sat there for a while, just the two of us, wrapped in the quiet comfort of her home. Slowly, the weight on my chest began to lift, the fear loosening its grip. I didn't have to face this alone. I had my family, I had Shivaay, and now... I had this new life growing inside me.

Eventually, I pulled back, wiping the last of my tears. "I'm scared," I admitted, my voice small. "But... I'm also excited Maa. Is that normal?"

She smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Of course it is. Becoming a mother is one of the biggest changes in life. It's natural to feel scared. But that fear will pass, and the joy will grow. You'll see."

"You know, beta," she said softly after a while, her hand still resting gently on mine, "you're worrying too much about Shivaay's reaction. Have you forgotten how wonderful he is with Aarav?"

At the mention of my now one year old nephew Aarav, I glanced up at her.

"He has such a natural way with children," Maa continued, her smile growing. "Aarav barely fusses when he's with him. And you already see the look on Shivaay's face when he's playing with him, so full of joy. He dotes on Aarav like he's his own."

Just then, a burst of laughter and the patter of tiny feet echoed in the room.

Aarav, who had just turned one, came barreling into the room with an infectious enthusiasm that made my heart melt. His little face lit up with pure joy as he spotted me.

"Maami!" he squealed, his chubby arms reaching out as he stumbled forward.

Maa's face softened even more as she looked at Aarav, a smile spreading across her lips. "Look who's come to greet you, Mythili."

Aarav reached me, his tiny arms wrapping around my legs and his laughter healing my disturbed heart. I knelt down, gathering him into my arms as he squirmed happily.

I couldn't help but smile through my tears.

If Shivaay and I could experience even a fraction of this with our own child, maybe everything would be okay. Maybe it would be more than okay. Maybe it would be perfect.

Maa knelt beside me, her hand gently resting on Aarav's back, her smile knowing. "See? This is the kind of joy that awaits you, Mythili. Your home is already full of love. Now, it will be even more complete."

As if on cue, Baba walked into the room, his eyes twinkling as usual. "What's this commotion I hear? Aarav, are you troubling your Maami again?"

Aarav giggled and buried his face in my neck, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

Just as I was about to speak, the door creaked open again, and Anamika and Nupur walked in, their voices full of laughter as they finished a conversation.

"Oh, there you are!" Anamika exclaimed, her eyes immediately drawn to Aarav snuggled in my arms. "He couldn't wait to come and find you, Mythili. It's like he has a sixth sense when you're home."

Nupur leaned down to tickle Aarav's tummy, earning another burst of giggles. "Looks like we've interrupted something important."

They both settled on the couch nearby, but I could feel their watchful eyes, waiting to see if I would open up to them too. I knew I could. This family was mine, and they'd stand by me no matter what.

But before I could gather the courage to share my news, the front door clicked open, and there was a familiar presence that instantly brought the nerves back.

Shivaay.

My heart raced, thudding in my chest with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. I knew I had to tell him—there was no turning back now. But even after all the reassurance Maa had given me, the thought of sharing this news filled me with both excitement and fear.

I could hear the familiar sound of his footsteps approaching, slow and steady, each one sending a flutter of nervousness through me. When he finally appeared in the doorway, his eyes immediately found mine. That deep, calm gaze, the one that always made me feel like I was the only person in the world who mattered, locked onto me, and my breath hitched.

"Hey," Shivaay greeted softly, his voice low and warm, as if sensing the strange tension in the room. His eyes darted between me and the rest of the family, but his attention remained mostly on me. "Everything alright? You got home without even telling me and I found your phone on your desk."

I smiled weakly, but the butterflies in my stomach were relentless, fluttering wildly. I stood up, still holding Aarav, who squirmed playfully in my arms.

"Yeah, everything's fine," I replied, my voice slightly shaky but he obviously gave me the look, telling me to stop lying but did not press the matter at the moment but I knew he would, once we were alone.

He took Aarav from my arms, giving him a quick kiss on the head before handing him off to Anamika who chuckled as she took over the baby duties.

"Both of you go and freshen up now and then come downstairs for dinner." She said before making her way into the kitchen.

Nupur and Baba sat in front of the TV, watching some movie and as I walked upstairs with Shivaay, my heart pounded in my chest like a drumbeat that wouldn't stop. I could feel his gaze flicking toward me, trying to read my expression, but I kept my eyes ahead. I wasn't ready yet to look at him, not until I had figured out how to say those words.

We reached the bedroom, and I walked in first, my hands instinctively resting on my belly as if to protect the secret I held inside. Shivaay followed me, quietly shutting the door behind him.

He crossed the room in just a few strides, his hand landing gently on my shoulder.

"Mythili," he said, his voice calm but laced with concern. "What's going on? You've been distracted all day and then you leave without telling me and forget your phone in the office. What is going on?"His fingers tilted my chin up gently, forcing me to meet his gaze.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but my hand trembled as I reached for his. I couldn't find the words, no matter how hard I tried. Instead, I slowly guided his hand down, pressing it gently against my belly, holding it there as I looked up at him, my heart in my throat.

For a moment, Shivaay's brows furrowed in confusion, his eyes searching mine. But then, slowly, realisation dawned. His gaze dropped to where his hand rested, his fingers lightly tracing the curve of my stomach. His eyes widened, and his breath hitched.

"You..." He swallowed hard, his voice catching in his throat as he spoke. "Are you...?" His words trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

I nodded, biting my lower lip, my heart thundering in my chest. "Yes," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Yes, I am."

The silence that followed was deafening. I watched as the emotions flickered across his face—first shock, then wonder, and finally, an overwhelming sense of joy that lit up his entire being. His eyes, always so intense, softened as they filled with love, the kind of love that was boundless, all-encompassing.

He let out a breath, his shoulders sagging as if he'd been holding in tension he didn't even realise was there. "We're going to have a baby?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he was afraid to believe it until he heard the words again.

I nodded, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "Yes, we're going to have a baby."

For a heartbeat, we stood there, frozen. Then, Shivaay pulled me into his arms, holding me so tightly that I felt like he was afraid that I'd evaporate into thin air if he doesn't. His face was buried in my hair, and I could feel the rapid beat of his heart against my chest, matching the rhythm of my own.

"I can't believe it," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "A baby, Mythili. Our baby."

I smiled against his chest, the warmth of his embrace chasing away the last of my fears. "I was so, so scared to tell you," I admitted, my voice muffled against his shirt. "I didn't know how you'd react. This wasn't what we had planned, and I thought you might be upset."

Shivaay pulled back just enough to cup my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had spilled down my cheeks. His eyes searched mine, filled with so much love that made my heart ache in the best way possible.

"Upset?" he repeated, his voice incredulous. "Mythili, how could I ever be upset about this? How could I possibly be upset over the fact that very soon, I am going to have a mini version of you run around the house, how could you possibly think think that this is not the happiest day of my life?" He leaned down, pressing his forehead against mine. "You have just given me the best news of my life. I love you, and I already love this baby so much."

I let out a shaky laugh, relief flooding through me like a tidal wave. "You're really happy?" I asked, needing to hear him say it again, needing to be sure.

He pulled me closer, his hands sliding down to rest on my waist as he kissed the top of my head. "I am more than happy, my love." he murmured, his voice filled with quiet reverence. "I'm over the moon. You, me, and now... this one here." His hand found its way back to my belly, his touch gentle and reverent.

As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the future had suddenly become so much more real. The fears I had felt earlier seemed so far away now, replaced by a joy so deep and pure that it took my breath away.

Shivaay leaned down, his lips brushing softly against mine in a kiss so tender that it made my heart flutter. I melted into him, my hands tangling in his hair as he deepened the kiss, his fingers splaying across my belly.

When we finally pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine, his breath warm against my skin. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion.

I frowned slightly, confused. "For what?"

"For giving me this," he said, his hand pressing gently against my stomach. "For giving us this."

Tears filled my eyes again, but this time they were tears of happiness, of love. I rested my hands over his, smiling through the emotion that swelled in my chest.

He led me to the bed, pulling me down to sit beside him. For a long while, we just sat there, his arm around my shoulders and my head resting against his chest and his hand never left my belly.

"Shivaay," I started hesitantly, "there's something else I need to tell you."

He raised an eyebrow, curious but patient as ever. "What is it, love?"

I took a deep breath, feeling my nerves creeping back in. "Maa... already knows."

Shivaay blinked, his surprise evident as he raised a brow. "She does?"

I nodded sheepishly. "I went to her first before I told you. I was so scared, Shivaay. I didn't know how you'd react, and I needed someone to talk to.

He stared at me for a moment before a slow smile spread across his face. "So Maa knew that I was going to be a father even before I did?"

I giggled nervously, nodding. "Yes. She's been holding back her excitement, I think, waiting for me to tell you."

Shivaay shook his head, laughing softly. "Of course she was happy."

His laughter was contagious, and soon I was laughing too, relief washing over me. His fingers trailed up and down my arm as he spoke, his voice lighter now. "So, should we tell the rest of the family? I'm sure Maa will be bursting to share the news."

I bit my lip, feeling a flutter of excitement mixed with nerves. "I can't wait."

With that, Shivaay stood up, offering me his hand. "Then let's go and tell everyone."

We made our way downstairs together, hand in hand.

Shivaay cleared his throat, immediately drawing everyone's attention. "Hey, everyone. Mythili and I have something we need to share."

I felt my heart race as all eyes turned to us. Aarav looked up curiously from his toy, while Anamika and Nupur exchanged glances, intrigued.

Maa stepped out from the kitchen, her eyes shining as she leaned against the doorway, clearly already anticipating the moment.

Shivaay gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before he spoke. "Mythili and I just found out..." He paused for dramatic effect, his gaze sweeping across the room before finally landing on me. His voice softened with love as he finished, "We're having a baby."

For a moment, the room was completely still. Then, the air filled with gasps and exclamations. Anamika jumped up from her seat, her face lighting up with joy.

"Oh my God! Mythili!" she cried, rushing over to hug me tightly. "I knew something was up with you! Oh, this is amazing!"

Nupur followed closely behind, practically bouncing with excitement as she hugged me next. "You're going to be a mom, Mythili! This is wonderful news!"

Baba had put down his newspaper and was beaming proudly. "A baby? I am going to be a par naanu?" he said, his voice full of warmth. He clapped Shivaay on the back, congratulating him with a grin.

Aarav, still too young to fully understand what was happening, toddled over and tugged on my hand. "Maami? Baby?" he asked, his little face full of curiosity.

I knelt down, pulling him into my arms. "Yes, Aarav, you're going to have a little cousin soon."

He grinned, clapping his hands together in excitement. "Baby!"

Maa finally stepped forward. She wrapped both Shivaay and me in a warm embrace, her voice filled with joy. "This is the best news, beta. I'm so happy for both of you."

I couldn't help but tear up again, overwhelmed by all the love. I leaned into Maa, sighing.

As the family moved around us, talking excitedly about the baby, I caught Shivaay's eye. He smiled at me, that same soft, loving smile that never failed to calm my nerves.

Everything felt right. The fear and uncertainty I had carried melted away, replaced by the warmth and excitement of our family's love.

Everything was going to be perfect.