Namaste
Chapter 28

It had been two weeks since Tanushree had last seen Abhimaan, and the emptiness was overwhelming. Her mind constantly raced with thoughts of the future, spiraling into worry. How would she raise this child? Even if her parents managed to cover the delivery expenses, how could she expect them to shoulder the burden of raising a grandchild when they had already sacrificed so much?

Her room door creaked open, pulling her out of her spiral. Her parents walked in with cautious smiles. Her mother sat beside her, gently massaging her swollen feet.

“Beta, we’ve managed to arrange one lakh for now,” her mother said softly. “And for the rest, I’ll mortgage my gold chain to get the thirty thousand. Don’t worry about the delivery expenses. We’ll handle it.”

Tanushree remained silent, her gaze fixed on her feet.

“And don’t think about raising the child either,” her father chimed in, trying to sound optimistic. “We’re looking for buyers for the plot. Someone’s offered forty lakhs already. If we sell it, that money will take care of you and the baby. You’ll have nothing to worry about.”

Her mother nodded eagerly. “Yes, Laado, everything will be fine. Stop stressing yourself.” She tried to smile, her tone filled with forced cheer.

Tanushree didn’t respond, the weight of their sacrifices pressing heavily on her chest. Seeing her parents so excited, so hopeful, only made her feel guiltier. They were bending over backward for her when they had already endured so much.

After a while, her parents left, exchanging worried glances. As they settled into their bedroom for the night, her mother finally spoke up.

“She’s grown so quiet, Sushil. She barely talks. I’m scared,” Riva whispered, sitting on the edge of the bed, her voice trembling with concern.

Sushil sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. “What can we do, Riva? She’s been through so much. And now... now she’s carrying the burden of raising a child all alone.”

Riva wiped her eyes with the corner of her saree. “If only... if only Taniya hadn’t stolen all the cash and jewelry when she ran away. We wouldn’t be struggling so much now. We could’ve supported our Laado better.”

Sushil’s face darkened at the mention of their eldest daughter. “Don’t remind me. Twenty-five lakhs in cash and every last bit of gold and silver jewelry. She didn’t just steal from us—she stole her younger sisters’ future too. She stole our security, our dreams for the future.”

Riva nodded, her voice breaking. “And yet, we can’t even hate her. She’s our child, too. But it’s Laado who’s suffering now. If only things had been different...”

Sushil placed a hand on her shoulder, his own expression softening. “We’ll manage, Riva. For Tanushree, for our grandchild. Whatever it takes, we’ll make it through this. But I just wish... I just wish I could see her smile again.”

Tanushree sat curled up on her bed, clutching a pillow tightly as silent tears streamed down her face. Her head throbbed with a dull ache, and a fever was slowly taking over her body, making her shiver. She felt weak, helpless, and completely lost. Every breath felt heavier, the weight of her thoughts pressing down relentlessly.  

Her parents' conversation echoed in her mind. Selling the plot? The one thing they had left after Taniya’s betrayal? The plot wasn’t just land—it was their safety net, their future. How could she let them give it up because of her? Her father already worked tirelessly at the shop, barely bringing in ₹35,000 a month, most of which went toward their daily expenses and her mother’s medical bills. Selling the plot would leave them with nothing.  

Tears blurred her vision as guilt and regret clawed at her. Her parents had sacrificed so much already. They didn’t deserve to bear this burden. But what could she do? She felt trapped, unable to find a way out. Her chest tightened as she let out a shaky sob, the thought of her parents losing everything because of her crushing her completely.

She wiped her cheeks, but the tears wouldn’t stop. Her thoughts spiraled further. Why did I fall for him? she thought bitterly, gripping the bedsheet. She cursed herself for the choices that had led her here, chained to a man who had treated her love with such disdain.

A fresh wave of regret hit her. I should’ve known better. The signs were always there. Abhimaan was never mine. He never even tried to be. She remembered every cold glance, every dismissive word, every insult that chipped away at her self-respect.

Her hands instinctively rested on her belly. She closed her eyes, the fever making her lightheaded. This child didn’t ask to be born into this mess, she thought, her chest tightening. The baby deserved a chance, but how was she supposed to give them one when she could barely stand the thought of tomorrow?

A knock at the door startled her, breaking her thoughts. “Laado?” It was her mother’s voice, soft yet worried.

Tanushree quickly wiped her tears and croaked, “I’m fine, Ma.”

“You haven’t eaten anything all day, beta,” Riva continued. “Should I bring you something?”

“No, Ma,” Tanushree whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’m not hungry.”

Outside the door, Riva exchanged a glance with Sushil, who had come to check on their daughter too. “She’s still crying,” Riva whispered, her own eyes misty.

“She needs time,” Sushil said softly, though his heart ached. “Let her rest for now.”

As their footsteps faded, Tanushree curled into herself again. The room felt colder, the walls closing in on her. She stared at the ceiling, fresh tears streaming down her face.

“I’m so sorry, Ma, Baba,” she whispered into the empty room, her voice trembling. ‘I have to. I can’t let you lose everything because of me.’ She thought. 

The next morning, Tanushree’s parents grew concerned when she still hadn’t come down for breakfast. It was already noon, and not a sound had come from her room. Worried, they exchanged glances and hurried upstairs.  

Her father gently opened the door and walked to her bedside. “Laado?” he called softly, but she didn’t stir. He touched her forehead and immediately drew back, his eyes widening. “She’s burning up! Her fever’s too high!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with panic.  

Her mother rushed out and returned moments later with a wet cloth. She placed it gently on Tanushree’s forehead, her hands trembling. “Laado, wake up,” she said, her voice cracking. “We’re taking you to the hospital. This is serious.”  

Tanushree stirred slowly, her eyelids fluttering open. She tried to sit up, her movements sluggish. “I’m fine,” she whispered weakly, her voice barely audible. She knew she wasn’t fine, but the thought of a hospital bill terrified her. She couldn’t let them spend more money because of her.  

“Fine? Look at yourself,” her father said, his worry etched deep in his face. “You’re shivering. You’re not fine, Tanushree!”  

Ignoring their protests, she pulled the quilt over her shivering body, curling up on her side. “Please, just let me rest,” she muttered before drifting back into a fitful sleep. She knew she couldn’t take just any medication because of her pregnancy, but the exhaustion and fever made her unable to think clearly.  

As she lay there, her mind wandered. What could she do? What should she do? The weight of her predicament pressed down harder than ever.  

---

Meanwhile, across the city, Abhimaan sat in his glass-walled office, the bustling streets of Jaipur sprawling out before him. The view usually brought him a sense of power and control, but not today. His mind was elsewhere—on his wife.  

He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair, his eyes distant. *What must she be doing right now? Is she okay? Is someone looking after her?* The questions gnawed at him relentlessly.  

Abhimaan sighed, guilt and regret coursing through him. He had wronged her, pushed her away, but he couldn’t lose her. Not like this. Not forever. How do I make things right? How do I get her back?

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