Thank you all for the prayers and wishes. My kid is okay now, but we got lucky the third time as we were placed in quarantine again. 😔😔😔🙏🙏🙏

It's a long update with 2408 words.❤

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Kanika's POV

No...No...No Kanika, control your hormones. You can't jump on him or kiss him. You have to be cold, arrogant, and bitchy. My heart raced fast seeing him so close to me, and I was having difficulty controlling it.

"I-I, "Nandhu stammered, looking anywhere but me. This was the only word he spoke to be since the time he walked inside my room.

Can't you just look at me? Am I that ugly? I mentally scoffed.

Woah ...his dimples look so cute. I just wanted to kiss them. Stupid hormones; I looked at him dreamily.

Stop ogling at him like this. He is your own husband. He ain't going anywhere. Just say you forgive him, and then he will be all yours, my mind voice screamed at me.

I know...but not yet. I have to give him a small teeny weeny punishment and also has to reconcile my Nandhu with my Nandhini, I consoled my mind.

All the while, Nandhu wasn't looking at me, but his eyes were constantly on my baby bump. He was looking at it affectionately. My heart swelled with emotion seeing his concern for our little angel. But soon, it was replaced by a bit of envy, seeing him love the baby more than me.

How dare he? Here I was dying to see him look at me with affection, and he had only eyes for his daughter.

Nandhu looked distressed and had dark circles around his eyes. It was pretty evident from the disheveled look that he hadn't slept for days.

"So, Mr.Yadhunandhan..."I cleared my throat, and finally, he looked at me in shock but soon it was replaced by guilt.

"Kani...I...Our baby..." he stuttered in confusion. I felt sorry seeing his miserable state, and all I wanted to do was hug him and say everything was fine and I loved him more than anything in this world. But I couldn't do that yet. I had to make him stay away from our child and me for at least a few days to make all those who hurt my Nandhu suffer. Also, I have to bring the mother-son duo together soon.

With a stiff heart, I asked him, "Do you think I will accept you after knowing what transpired between us?"

"Kani...I-I know no woman can forgive a man who abused her. I'm ready to accept any punishment you give me. But please... our child...don't hate her because of me," he was teary-eyed by the time he completed his plea.

I, too, had tears in my eyes hearing him. How can he think that I will hate our child? She is part of the only person I have ever loved. I may act like I'm jealous of my kid, but in reality, no mother will be jealous of her kid. I wanted to scream at him that I would never be angry at him or our child, but then again, I had to act rudely to achieve my aim.

"I won't hate my child, "I said, protectively placing my hand over my baby bump. I saw Nandhu relaxing a bit, seeing my actions.

"You said you would be accepting any punishment from me. So are you ready?" I asked him with a grave face.

By this time, Arjun and Shreya too walked inside the room.

"Kani...I'm your culprit, and I will happily accept any punishment from you. I'm ready," Nandhu spoke with a faint smile lacing his lips.

"Stay away from my child and me, Dr.Yadhunandhan.This is the only punishment I want you to accept," I said sternly.

Nandhu looked at me in agony while Arjun and Shreya looked at me in shock.

"Kani...please ...just one last time...may I touch your tummy and feel our baby?" Nandhu begged with tears streaming down his cheeks. I fisted my hands to control my emotions. Seeing his tear-filled eyes made me want to rethink my decision. I knew he was hurt and was also amused by how he accepted my punishment without any protest. But I needed time to resolve the problems in both my as well as Nandhu's companies.

"Yes..."I said, looking away. Nandhu sat near me and caressed my baby bump affectionately.

"Don't hate me, baby. Papa loves you and your mama so much..." he talked with tear clouded eyes as I watched him bend down and kiss my baby bump. As soon as he kissed my bump, I felt a movement inside my stomach. I looked at Nandhu in confusion, but he held my hands and placed it together with his hands over my stomach. And then I felt it again, a tiny flutter.

"She moved, "he said softly, and I knew that it was my baby's first movement. We both had tears in our eyes as we felt our child's first movement together.

"Take care, and I'm sorry...for everything, "Nandhu said and abruptly raced outside the room, making me feel lost. Shreya went behind my Nandhu, but Arjun remained inside the room, looking at me curiously.

"What?" I snapped at him.

"How do you know Yadhu?" He asked.

"I-I don't know him, "I replied, trying to ignore him.

"Hahaha...And I'm the prime minister of India. I know Yadhu's mom Nandhini is your Priya aunt. Am I right, or am I right?" Arjun smirked at me.

"How did you find out?" I asked anxiously.

"So I was right, my sweet Kani. It was just a wild guess, and you fell for it so quickly, "he chuckled.

"I hate you," I said grumpily. I usually have my guards up when someone interrogates me, but I was careless with Arjun because of the positive vibe I got from him. I sighed and looked at him holding my head.

"Thank you, sweety. Now tell me, why are you acting as you hate him? And why did you ask him to stay away from you and your child?" Arjun questioned.

"Again, a wild guess?" I asked in annoyance.

"Not every guess of mine is wild, Kani. This time I know, I'm right. The way you were desperately trying to hide your tears when you asked him to stay out of your life is the proof that you don't hate him," Arjun smiled.

"You are right, Arju. I can never hate my Nandhu. He is my Priya aunt's son. She gave me mother's love, and for me, she held herself back from bringing her son back to her life. Now it's my turn to pave the way for their reconciliation," I sighed.

"I'm so happy, Kani. I just want to see the rotten faces of Mr.Saran and his family...oops... illegitimate family, especially his illegitimate son's wife, Anjali," Arjun couldn't stop his laughter when I briefed him about my aunt's past life. I looked at him in astonishment. He was indeed a friend to Yadhu.

"Why are you staring at me? Trust me...I want all of them to suffer in hell. They have destroyed my best friend's life. Even the root cause of the mishap between Yadhu and you were mainly due to Mr.Saran.I will never forgive him for spitting nonsense about my friend in the whole media," he said bitterly.

"All of them will get what they deserve, Arju," I added angrily.

"Though you don't remember the moments you spend with us, it feels good to hear you call me Arju. I remember my..."Arjun paused, looking at me with affection.

"Your sister Yami," I completed for him.

"How do you know?" He asked me suspiciously.

"Don't forget that I'm Kanika Nanda Varma. I keep myself updated about the people around me, "I winked at him, showing a fake attitude.

He pouted at me cutely, and we both started laughing.

"Can I join the fun, Ms. Kanika Nanda Varma?" a voice asked, startling us both.

"Actually, it is Mrs.Kanika Yadhunandhan. And of course, you can join the fun Mr.Dev Pratap Varma," I smirked at my dad, who had tears in my eyes.

"Don't do this ever again, Nanda. I'm not leaving you out of my sight ever again," he gave me a tight hug and kissed my forehead.

"How are you, Nanda. How is my grandchild? He asked me lovingly.

"We both are fine, Papa. I missed you. And I'm sorry for risking your life. It's my fault you were in that accident, "I cried in pain, embracing him.

"Sshhh...it's not your fault, Nanda. It's all fate. I'm just happy that you are safe and sound. So, where is my nephew/son-in-law? Did you successfully chase him away?" He chuckled.

"Papa..."I grumbled.

"Okay, my mother...I have no say in this. Do whatever you want but don't hurt him much. That poor boy has suffered a lot. It's partly my fault too. I should have brought him with me back then when Priya met with that accident. I didn't know that bastard would mentally torture Yadhu. They will all pay for their sins," Papa spat angrily.

"Exactly, Papa. Anyways, Meet Arju, Yadhu's friend and Shreya's husband".

"Hello, Mr.Varma," Arjun forwarded his hand for a handshake.

"Call me Uncle, young man, "my father patted his back.

"I'm here to take you back home, Nanda. You have been discharged from the hospital," Papa said.

"Finally...Now I am all ready to take back whatever belongs to my hubby rightfully," I declared.

"Kani...I know you want to get back at Saran and his family. But Anjali ...she is dangerous. Be careful," Arjun told me in concern.

"I know Arju. But it's time to show them their place for hurting my Nandhu. And I will not stop until I destroy them all", I said in anger.

"And one more thing, Arju. Don't let Shreya know of our conversation unless I accomplish my goal," I requested him.

"I will not tell her. Don't worry," Arjun smiled at me and helped me get out of the bed to accompany my dad to our apartment in Trivandrum.

Yadhu's POV

A week later

"Yadhu...everything will be fine. Just have faith in God. Kani and your child will come back to you soon. This is my promise to you," grandpa caressed my hair as tears trickled down my eyes.

"No, she won't ...neither will I be able to see my child. This is my punishment, and I accept it. It's my fate to burn in this fire I created for myself, "I closed my eyes in pain.

Though I promised Kani I would stay away from her life, I couldn't come to terms with it. This punishment was way too painful than I thought. Grandpa was still unwell and worried for Kanika, but he was still consoling me.

"Yadhu...I want to tell you something important. Just stop grieving, and trust me. Kanika and my great-grandchild will soon be back here," he said with determination.

"Now stop sulking and wash your face. I want you to accompany me somewhere, "he stated, much to my astonishment.

I hesitantly walked inside the washroom and came out only to hear sounds of argument between grandpa and a woman.

"I will not go unless I meet Yadhu," the woman I recognized to be Anjali yelled.

"Get out," grandpa too shouted back and started coughing vigorously.

I rushed towards him and made him sit on the couch.

"What do you want, Anjali?" I turned towards her angrily.

"Yadhu...please listen to me. I made a mistake by divorcing you. But trust me, I was blackmailed by Harsh. He wanted to get back at you because you were the illegitimate son in the family. I'm innocent, Yadhu. I have only loved you. But I was scared of Harsh and your family. They threatened to kill my parents and me," she sobbed, shedding her crocodile tears.

I was disgusted by her. She was not even worthy of being called a woman. And her confession of love made me want to murder her. How can someone stoop so low?

"Enough, Anjali. I'm not the naive Yadhu to fall for your lies once again. And for your information, Kani is my wife not just in this birth but in every birth that I take. It doesn't matter to me whether we are together or not. I will only love her. Just get that straight to your head," I spat.

"Wife?... You are still in a delusion, Yadhu. She is not your legal wife. In case you forgot, let me remind you. You and Kanika got married when she didn't have her memories, and such a marriage is legally invalid. And one more thing, that child in her womb will also be deemed illegitimate. Just consider I was doing a favor to you when I pushed that bitch down the stairs. It would have been better had the child died during the fall along with its mother. But the bastard survived, "she gritted her teeth and spat her venom without any remorse. And her calling my child a bastard pushed me to the edge.

"You bitch...how dare you call my child a bastard. I will burn you alive if I see you anywhere near me. I don't need a legal document to prove that Kani is my wife. I love her and my child. That's enough for me. Get the hell out of here before I do something that I will regret later," I shouted, scaring her to the brim. She rushed out of the house while I raged in a fury.

"Calm down, Yadhu," grandpa tried to soothe my anger.

"I don't know what she wants from me now. I will kill her if she dares call my child a bastard. That very word destroyed me; I will not let my child go through the same," I fisted my hands.

"Anjali is very cunning, Yadhu. Beware of her. She is after you for Saran Industries, "Grandpa said calmly.

"What? But Saran Industries doesn't belong to me, "I voiced out in confusion.

"Yadhu...Saran industries belong to you since your mother transferred it to your name. You are the legal owner of Saran industries now, "Grandpa said, looking away from me.

"But how? Saran Industries belonged to Mr.Saran.How can my mom transfer it to my name? My confusion heightened.

Saran industries belonged to your mom Nandhini. Recently she has transferred it to your name, "he continued.

"Grandpa..."I almost shouted when a sudden realization struck me.

"What do you mean by recently?" I shivered.

"Does that mean my mom?... Is she?" I stuttered in disbelief.

"Your mom Nandhini...I mean, Priya Nandhini Varma is very much alive, "grandpa stated as I stood there frozen, hearing the most shocking news in my life.

How was the chapter?

What do you think of the punishment given by Kanika to Yadhu? Do you want her to punish him more?😈😈😈

Any words on Anjali's love confessions and her claim of Kani and Yadhu's marriage as invalid?😈😈😈😌😌😌

Will Yadhu accept his mother after the revelation.😏😏

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