Swara's heart was thudding with marathon speed, she was waiting continuously tapping her feet.

"Please, please Durga Maa." She mumbled impatiently, giving a glance at the roof tightly closing her eyes.

After a few minutes she took a deep breath, slowly opening her eyes, looking down at the pregnancy test stick. There were two faded pink lines on the indicator which were turning darker and darker by each passing moment.

Tears started streaming on her cheeks. "Thank you Durga Maa." She thanked the almighty for blessing her with the most precious gift of the universe. She touched her stomach feeling ecstatic... feeling her baby.

She came out of the washroom to see her husband sprawled over the bed on his stomach holding her pillow. Taking slow steps she came to him. She caressed his hairs kissing his forehead.

"I will be coming soon Dadda." She mumbled in his ears. She herself could not believe that soon one tiny figure would be roaming here and there calling him, 'Dadda.'

"Swara" He lazily turned without opening his eyes. He kept his head in her lap encircling her waist with his both hands.

"So now you are saying good morning to him first." She was enthralled with just an anticipation of his reaction over the news.

Swara remembered how he handled her crying sessions over the last couple of months. For the last 6 months, they both were trying for the baby. Everytime when Swara got her periods, it churned her heart resulting in her gloominess. Again it was Sanskar's duty to cheer her up. She remembered his ways to ease her mood, encouraging soothing words.

"Sanskar, wake up." She shook him eagerly, she wanted to share the news of their life with him as soon as possible.

"Swara, please let me sleep." He snuggled, burying his face in her stomach.

Last night, he came very late from Delhi after finalising one of the very prestigious deals with the government. As usual, Swara was wide awake for him, both had dinner and their regular 'Me Time' before calling off the day. 

"Oh god Sanskar, you are such a sleepy head. Wake up, there is someone waiting for you to meet." She again shook his shoulders.

"I want to sleep. Ask them to come later."

"You are such a drama king." She started to hit on his shoulder.

"I will file a domestic violence case against you, Swara. Let me sleep." He turned to the other side irritatingly.

"Ok. Then I am not going to tell you the bestest news of your life... Go and figure it out yourself." She hit him again with the pillow and started to leave when she felt a hold on her wrist.

"Where are you going?" He asked, half opening his eyes.

His thick black hair was falling on his forehead, he was struggling to open his eyes, his pouty, sulky face reminded Swara about her favourite nickname she had given to him.

"Mr. Cute Maheshwari, get up. It's 9 now."

"Swara, please don't call me cute."

"Cute, Sweet, little boy." Swara teased him by making a face.

"Swara, don't make that face... You will be in trouble, my love."

"I don't care. You are my cute, sweet, little boy... I will keep on calling you like this. No matter where we are or with whom we are... In fact, I will call you cute even in front of your kids.... Aaaannndddd in front of your grandkids as well." She pressed her lips to suppress her chuckle looking at his creased forehead.

He opened his eyes to stare at her teasing face. And in the next moment he pulled her swiftly making her lay on the bed, hovering over her caressing her face.

"Sanskar" Swara screamed at his abrupt action.

Without saying a word, he smashed his lips over her, kissing her passionately. Swara withered like a fish under his sweet tortures, but gave up to her own needs. She wrapped her hands around his neck pulling him towards her. Both fought for dominance in their passionate moments.

Swara felt his hands at her back, his fingers were moving in search of the zip of her dress. Instantly she pushed him back, breaking their moment. He halted to look at her face.

"Stop it Mr. Maheshwari." She declared authoritatively,

"Do you think you can stop me?" He cross questioned with a smirk.

"Yes, I can." She replied with the same intensity. "Because...." She tried biting her lips.

"And why do you want to stop me?" He squeezed his eyebrows with annoyance.

"Because there is someone who is looking at us." She teased rolling her eyes.

"Who?" Without leaving his hold over her, he looked back, roaming his eyes in every corner of his room. "What are you talking about?" Now he was clueless at the same time his annoyance reached its peak.

"There is someone... who is very dear to both of us." She replied, adding more to his confused mind.

"Swara, don't test my patience." He shook his head, continuing his work to open up her zip.

"Sanskar, behave." This time she used her full force to push him and got up to sit on bed. She used her hands to zip up her dress. "Don't you have any shame to romance in front of someone." But this time she had held his hand to keep it on her stomach.

But in his annoyance, he missed her actions. "Swara... Someone..." that time he could feel her hold over his palm, he lowered his eyes to see his palm which was on her stomach. Finally, his brain started connecting his dots. For the next few moments he shifted his eyes between her face and his palm.

"Are you pregnant?" He asked absentmindedly.

"UPT test came as postive." Swara replied sheepishly.

It took a few moments for him to absorb the news of his life. "We should visit the doctor today itself. Let her confirm."

"Yes, I agree." She nodded her head.

He rubbed his hands without any other word.

"Are you not excited? I thought you would be jumping with joy."

He stared at her face, bent to kiss her forehead. "Swara... you have this doubt? Come on. I just want to be 200% sure. So let's celebrate after the doctor's confirmation."

"Such an over-practical businessman." She mumbled twisting her nose.

"And I am nervous too." He murmured looking down, staring at her stomach.

"Nervous?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.

"I mean, I will be Dad soon... I have no idea what to do." He cribbed.

"Sanskar, What do you have to do? I have to be more nervous than you. I am going to carry the baby for the next 9 months in my tummy. I will have to face morning sickness, countless restrictions and then deadly labour pain. What will you get? You will hold the ready-made baby in your arms who will carry your name from his first breath. Wow!!! And still you are saying you are nervous." Swara grumbled over.

"Yes you are right." he agreed, pulling her in his embrace. He caressed her tummy. "Hey baby... if you are awake.... This is me. Your Dadda."

On that day Sanskar cancelled all his meetings to accompany his wife to the doctor who confirmed about Swara's pregnancy. She also advised Swara to book an ultrasound appointment after 3 weeks.

After coming home, Sujata and Ram were the first ones to know about the good news. Sujata had tears in her eyes whereas Ram could not believe the news fell on his ears. He just wrapped his daughter in his embrace blessing her.

Instantly Sujata started her instruction session about what to do and what not where as Ram and Sanskar kept on looking at two ladies admiringly dreaming a blissful future ahead. They even called Uttara and Niren to inform them about the news.

Three months back Uttara got married with Niren in US. It was for almost 2 months when Ram's entire family stayed away from his brother's family. Durga Prasad and Annapurna joined the wedding celebrations a week before. But other two cousins of Uttara and their families could not.

These two months acted as a fresh breath for Sujata. After her marriage it was for the first time she could feel the freedom to choose, decide and live her life on her own conditions. She felt light as pressure of being judged or fulfilling her responsibilities were long gone. And the same radiated on her face which did not go unnoticed from her husband.

'Because of my debts she had to wore the shackles of duties, sacrificed her own preferences and lived her entire life under someone's authority.'  Just a thought unsettled Ram these days.

Sujata took Swara towards the downstairs house temple. Annapurna was there preparing for evening arati.

"Sujata, I was waiting for you two only. Let's start." Annapurna held the aarti thal and the trio did the aarti. Post aarti, Annapurna gave prasad to Sujata.

"Jiji, please give extra prasad to Swara. Now she has to share the prasad with one little soul." Sujata announced. Swara blushed profusely.

"Really" It took a few moments for Annpurna to grasp the news. She hugged Swara. "Congratulations. Bless you my child." She kissed Swara's forehead.

By dinner time each and every family member received the news. Maheshwari house once again started rejoicing the news of the arrival of a new member. It was almost after 6 months, the usual tense and stiff atmosphere of the house turned into a casual relaxed one.

Yes, it's been 6 months to that incident, when Ragini's betrayal came to light. Annapurna was hurt deeply the most with her betrayal. She forced Laksh to throw Ragini out of the house, breaking their marriage bond.

But this time, Laksh stood with his words strongly. His words, 'If she cannot stay in this house, then I will also leave.' caused Annapurna to drop her weapons defeatingly. He supported Ragini to fulfill his responsibilities towards her, but the pious thread between them was on the verge of breaking.

Ragini closed herself in the four walls of her room, enveloping herself in her agony and miseries. After that incident, she asked for forgiveness from Annapurna and other members of the family, but this time none of them fell for her words. They do feel sympathy towards her but the scars of her betrayal were deeper.

"It was your choice Ragini, your decision. You have to own up for your mistakes. This time I cannot help you." These were Swara's words when Ragini had asked her step sister's help to persuade their family members.

Day by day, Ragini was slipping into deep depression, she hardly stepped out of her room. Servents took care of her daily necessities but none of her family member tried to bring her out of her shell. Parvati, Shekhar & Sharmishtha were an occasional visitors. But apart from them, Ragini had no contact with outside world.

Laksh was obidiently doing his factory job without complaining. Today, he was understanding the struggles of a commoner. He stayed in the same room as of Ragini but the walls of mistrust and wounds of betrayal were too high resulting the couple felling apart. He hardly talked to Ragini or consoled her but followed his husband's duty, he made himself busy with his job.

Surprisingly, this time Ragini also could not fetch much of aid or shield from Gadodia family members. Her beloved grand-mother was engulfed in her own woes. Deendayal Gadodia, Parvati's husband had abandoned his marriage and left to Kashi for finding some peace.

Parvati Gadodia, this time no one tried to cover up for her beloved grand-daughter's deeds from society. She and her grand-daughter became a talk of town. Everyone from society, started maintaining their distance with Gadodia's. Parvati's efforts to justify her grand-daughter's actions on the basis of sympathy could not earn any pity from society.

Guit, remorse feelings started creating their home in Sharmishtha's heart. Last 6 months, her heart assessed her own actions, her counsicousness abhored over her partial, selfish behaviour towards her own blood. But her mind overpowered her heart with thoughts of Aayush's future.

For Shekhar, he was hurt with his lovely daughter's actions. But more than hurt he felt humiliated infront of society. His mother and daughter both have brought disgrace for his so called reputation. Few months later to the incident he started going to his shop to earn livelihood but he could not miss sceptical eyes from his business neighbours.

Few of Gadodia's relatives and acquiantances reachout while masking their instrusive objective under compassionate expressions, gossiping about Gadodia's once they turn their back. 'Scandles at Gadodia family' became top gossiping topic for them.

"Bhabhi, I have kept your food on the table." Radha one of the maid of the house, informed Ragini.

"Hmm" Ragini was looking outside of window at the full moon. "You can go."

"Bhabhi...." Radha trailed. Ragini turned to her. "Badi Ma asked me to inform you....  That... that... tomorrow there is Shanti Havan puja at house for Swara Bhabhi and Sanskar Dada. She... she told me to ask you to stay inside your room only." Radha bowed her head not meeting her eyes with Ragini's teary ones.

"Puja at home for Swara and Sanskar?" It came as surprise for Ragini, as it's been after 6 months her family was arranging such kind of event.

"Haa.. wo Swara Bhabhi is expecting, so, Badi Ma urged to keep Shanti Havan to get blessings her and her baby's good health and future." Radha spoke without taking a breath.

"Swara is preganant?" It was more of a surprise to Ragini.

"Yes... a week back Dada and Bhabhi announced it to family." Radha added.

"Ohh ok." Ragini could hardly mumble turning her face back towards window gazing at the full moon.

Next day, Maheshwari House was once again beaming with happiness. Gadodia family and very close relatives of Maheshwari's were invited for Shanti Havan puja.

Annapurna was reluctant to invite Gadodia's because of her past experience with them but she could not deny the relation her other daughter in law shares with them. Swara would be upset if her maternal family was not able to join to celebrate and bless her for the new phase of her life. Only this thought was the result Annapurna accepted their entry inside her house.

Swara got ready in pink coloured saree with heavy jwellary. She came downstairs along with Sanskar to withness her parents and her grand-mother.

"Congratulations Shona." Sharmishtha wished her daughter kissing her forehead.

"Thank you Ma." Swara smiled brightly. She received wishes and blessings from other Gadodia's as well.

Sujata called both of them as Panditji was waiting for them to start the puja. Swara along with Sanskar sat for the puja to pray for their future and wellbeing of their unborn baby.

Parvati's eyes were searching for her other grand-daughter and her husband, both were not present for their family event. Seeing everyone busy with puja rituals, Parvati took stairs and went towards Ragini's room. She knocked on the door as it was closed from inside.

Ragini opened the door and Parvati could not believe on her eyes looking at her beloved grand-daughter, she had lost weight, had dark circles down her eyes, she had turned pale.

"Dadi Ma?"

"Laadoo? What is this? Why are you looking so pale?" Parvati entered inside.

"Dadi, you here?" Ragini ignored her grand-mother's question.

"We came for Puja. Sujata Bahu invited us." Parvati replied but asked staring at Ragini, "What happened to you? Why are you here? Where is Laksh?"

"I just don't feel like to come down." Ragini lied looking everywhere but not at her grand mother.

"Don't lie to me." Parvati interupted.

"Ma asked me to not come downstairs." Ragini replied, "And Laksh, he went to factory."

"Why? This is a Shanti Havan for family members..."

"No Dadi, this shanti havan is for Swara and her baby." Ragini reminded.

"Haa but you are also family member..."

"Dadi, they don't consider me one of them... just because of Laksh, Ma is allowing me to stay under this roof. Else, she would have thrown me out long back." Ragini's eyes once again filled with fresh tears of guilt.

"Annapurna is such a chameleons... Now that Swara is preganant. She started pampering her now." Parvati spoke twisting her nose.

"Dadi leave it na... after all even god is on her side... she is always blessed with the thing which I desired dearly." Tears started rolling over her cheeks. "I have accepted his harsh truth of my destiny."

Parvati and Ragini talked for a long time before maid came with Ragini's lunch.

"Sujata, Swara is looking so pretty. Iski najar utar dena please." Sujata's elder sister suggested.

"Ofcourse Jiji." Sujata replied staring at Swara, who was sitting on couch besides her husband and his maternal cousins. She was turning cherry red when everyone was teasing her.

"I don't understand why everyone is wishing you only. I mean, I am also going to be Dad. But still...." At night Sanskar mentioned on their 'Me Time' after puja and bidding my to their relatives. "Look at Mom, she had totally forgotten me over last two weeks. Dad... he was giving me lessons on how to take care of women when she is preganant.... Even Uttara, she called but she talked to you only these days. There is no demand for me in this house." He spoke sulkily.

"So are you feeling jelous, Mr. Maheshwari?" Swara pressed her lips.

"Ofcourse... it's all my hard work. And nobody is even taking it into consideration." His expressions were same.

"Have some shame Sanskar...Hard work seriously???" Swara could not believe on his words.

"Swara..." Sujata called entering on terrece.

"Ohh god... Sanskar please save me." She mumbled audible to only Sanskar but her eyes were on the glass her mother in law was holding filled with milk.

"I know this is your and his time but you forgot to drink milk." Sujata came towards them.

"I did not forget.... I tried to escape." Swara muttered giving pityful look to her mother-in-law.

"Don't make that face Swara... now I am not going to listen to you. You have to finish this." Sujata stressed. "It's your duty to see she finishes this entire glass." She warned her son.

"Sanskar" Swara made puppy face to her husband the moment Sujata was out of sight.

He laughed at her cute innocent face. He took the glass and kept it aside. He encircled his arm around her shoulder to talk about other things diverting her mind.

"It's ok. Leave it... So tomorrow I will come early... we have an appointment at doctor for first ultra sound right." He mentioned.

"Yes, I am so excited. Let's see. You know I subscribed for few sites as well... they give lot of information about preganancy."

"Really... wow... that's interesting. Even we should go for yoga classes... they say it's beneficial...." there they went on discussing about the new phase of their life which has become their routine from last few weeks.

Swara herself did not realise when he made her drink entire glass of milk in his talks.

Next day, both were infront of Swara's gynac after ultra sound appointment. Technician has already send images to doctor and she was examining them from last 15 minutes without saying any further word.

"What happened doctor? Is everything ok?" Sanskar asked carefully. Swara was terrified to even speak a word. She could feel his palm over her in assurance.

"No... not an issue. I just need to clarify few things. But don't worry everything is fine." Doctor assured, "Just give me a moment." Saying doctor left from her cabin leaving two behind.

"Hey don't worry... she said everything is fine." He consoled Swara but somewhere his heart was also thumping with anxiety.

After almost 10 minutes doctor entered.

"Congratualtions once again... you guys have twins." Doctor declared with smile.

"Twins??" both asked with surprise.

"Yes... it's twins in your case." Doctor confirmed.

"Ohh my god..." Swara instantly caressed her tummy.

"Ohh wow... that's great... but doctor will there be any complications?" Sanskar asked holding his breath.

"No no... we just need to be little careful..." doctor gave set of instructions before bidding bye to couple.

"Twins?" Sujata screamed with excitement. The moment both stepped inside home Sujata bombarded both of them with her questions.

"Yes Mom." Sanskar replied. "Doctor just confirmed. It's twins."

"Swara... Thank you Kanhaji... now my home will be filled with happiness." Annapurna caressed her hairs.

"Ohh my goodness... This is a news of my life." Sujata engulfed her in bear hug.

Ragini had tears looking at the scene from upstairs. She was deprived where as her sister was bestowed with added blessings.

Few more weeks passed, it was a morning, when Swara was helping Sanskar with his tie. He was ready to leave for office when both saw Sujata entering their room hurridely.

"Mom, what happened?" Swara asked when her eyes fell on her mother in law.

"Sanskar we need to take Ragini to hospital." Sujata declared worriedly.

"Ragini what happened?" Swara asked bewilderedly.

"She is unconscious. She consumed a bottle of sleeping pills." Sujata's words swiped away the floor beaneath their feet.

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