Divya

I'm staying at Amaya's home for the past 3 days. I never met her grandparents before, so I was really scared that they would judge me and think bad about me.

When I came here it was completely the opposite of what I imagined it to be, grandma and grandpa were really sweet. Amaya's grandpa doesn't talk a lot but he told me that he will take care of me and would never let them come and take me away against my wishes, his words gave me comfort. I wish heard that from my parents instead of him, my life would've been different if my parents trusted me more than a random stranger they got to me in the name of a Son-In-Law.

I wish my grandpa was alive, My paternal grandpa died within a month of Ram Uncle's death. I was 5 at the time, I remember him vaguely but Sharmila Akka remembers him.

I don't know what I should do with my life, do I have a purpose? I did everything my parents asked me to, but now that I took the major decision of running away from them. What do I do? All this new independence and freedom is killing me.

 All my decisions and my life were planned by my parents but now it's all in my hands. This is so overwhelming, I'm a freaking 26-year-old now and I don't have direction in life, Did I do a mistake leaving Jay and running away from everything?

I felt someone wave their hands in front of me to get my attention and I looked at them to find who that is.

"Divya! I've been calling you for the last 5 minutes. Are you okay?" Amaya asked me with so much concern.

"Thank you so much Ammu! I don't know what I would do without your help." I thanked her feeling grateful for her presence in my life.

"Don't say thank you, you would do the same for me if I ever wanna leave Jameson right?" She said hugging me and brushing the tears off my face.

"WHAT! Why would you leave me?" Jameson's voice echoed through the hall. I smiled at his reaction.

"It's hypothetical and I will kill you if you leave me again." She scared him while he came and sat beside her.

"I'll help you, Ames, let me know if you wanna run away from this Idiot. We could elope together." Andrew said winking at Amaya settling on the couch before of us.

This is what they do, Andrew and Amaya gang up on Jameson and make him angry and piss him off.

"Don't worry Jamie. I will tie her down and drug her till you come back." I supported Jameson, he smiled at me.

"Thank you, Divya! You are my best friend from this moment, Unlike someone who always sides with my girlfriend." Jameson snickered at them.

I looked at Andrew who has a smile on his face and is staring at me. I immediately averted my eyes away and looked at Amaya who looks shocked and surprised at my comment.

"Hey! You are my sister, not his. You better support me." Amaya said to me with a cute pout.

I just smiled at her, she is 2 years younger than me and she acts more like a kid than everyone I know.

"You took Andrew from me, so I'm taking Divya, That's a fair deal right?" Jameson announced pulling Amaya into his lap.

They are such a cute couple, I wish I had a life like hers. Jameson's phone rang and Amaya went out with him for a better signal to talk to his parents. It's just Andrew and me now.

"She is such a child right?" Andrew asked me looking at Amaya's tactics.

"That she is. She was way worse back then in school. I think she got a lot better." I told him.

"How do you know her? I heard your families don't talk." He questioned me.

I smiled reminiscing the moment I met Amaya.

"I was in my final year of my bachelor's and they needed volunteers for the blood drive the hospital was conducting. So, I went in as a volunteer and there was Amaya fighting with the head to take her blood even though she didn't have the needed hemoglobin levels." I started explaining looking at him. Andrew is looking at me like I'm telling the most interesting story ever.

"I jumped in to stop the fight and we started talking. Then we found out about her parents while talking, my mom told us about Ram's uncle and his kids. Ever since that day, we have been in touch without my family knowing about it." I told him the whole story.

"I could definitely see her fighting. The first time I saw she punched a kid in his ribs, She hit, punched, and bit Jamie so many times that he lost count." He said smiling.

I don't know what it is but it's easier to share things with Andrew. He makes me feel comfortable after all that happened to me. Maybe it's the way he takes care of Amaya or the respect he gives me. He is such a beautiful soul.

I started feeling nauseous all of a sudden and felt like puking. So I immediately ran to the bathroom and started puking my guts out.

I felt someone holding my hair and rubbing my back. I pulled my head off the sink and saw Andrew looking at me with so much pain and concern. He has such a readable face.

"Here wash your face and take long deep breaths." He said and I did what he said like a kid.

He left me while I am washing my face and came back with some drinking water and a towel. I drank the water and with his help walked to the couch.

"Are you feeling better now? Do you want me to get a doctor?" He questioned me squeezing my hand for assurance.

"I am fine, it could be a stomach bug," I said looking at him up so close. He has pretty sea green eyes it feels like looking into an ocean.

Amaya and Jaya came in and broke my eye contact with Andrew. After Andrew explained my vomiting, they took me to my room to get some rest. I was feeling sick for the past 2 days but never nausea. Maybe it's the change of water, I told myself walking into the room.

"Let me call the doctor and Maybe he will know what it is." Asked Amaya.

"I am a doctor Ammu, it's nothing. I will be fine after taking some rest." I said getting into the bed.

"Are you feeling better Jaya? She has really bad periods." Amaya asked Jaya and explained her problem.

"I'm fine, let me get some water and a painkiller for her." Saying that Jaya left the room.

Amaya settled in the bed beside me. I looked at her worried face and smiled at her. How can all these people be so caring and loving? It's been 3 days and she never asked me about Jay and why I'm leaving him. Everyone welcomed me with open arms even though my own father betrayed them.

"You should stop stressing yourself Divya. I don't care what happened to you. Now all that matters is you being happy and healthy. I can't lose my favorite girl cousin." She said hugging me from the side.

"I'm worried Ammu! What if my dad finds me? I can't go back. I don't want to live with Jay." I said to her in tears.

"I will protect you with my life. Grandpa and grandma are with you. There is Jameson who said that you are his best friend and Andrew will do anything to help you. We will raise hell against them if we have to. Please take care of yourself. You are no longer smiling and it scares me." She said and I feel for her.

My happy and cheery self died after the day of my marriage, all my dreams of a happily ever after with my prince charming seemed vague and hazed. 

I told my mom and dad but they were too worried about their prestige.

"I'll try Ammu! Don't worry about me." I told her.

She drifted off to sleep while we were talking to each other, she told me how Jamie left her at the hospital and why. I felt sad that I wasn't there for her.

That's when Jaya came with tablets, and the dreading thought hit me, looking at Jaya reminded me that I didn't get my period for the last 2 months. I'm nauseous and sleeping all the time. I could be pregnant and that would explain everything happening to my body.

I felt chills at the mere thought of being pregnant. Jaya gave me some water and painkillers.

"Jaya! Can you get a pregnancy test kit for me? Don't tell anyone." I asked her and she nodded before leaving the room.

Amaya woke up after a few minutes and we both left for the kitchen. Grandma is making food while grandpa is out talking to people. Jaya gave me the bag and I hid it in my room.

After dinner everyone dispersed, I went to my room, peed on the stick, and right now I'm waiting for the results, hoping to not be one. I prayed to all the gods I knew to not bring someone into my directionless life right now.

My timer rang and took the test into my hands, only to find the scariest two lines of my life.

| |

I'm freaking pregnant.

Tears started to run out of my eyes at the thought of life that has been inside me.

 What should I do with this child?

 Should I go back to Jay? Should I get aborted?

Knock Knock

I heard the door, brushed the tears off my face, and walked to open the door it was grandma. I don't know what came over me but I hugged her tightly and bawled my eyes out.

"What happened Divya? Stop crying...Stay strong...No one can harm you here." Grandma consoled me.

"Maa! I... I don't... know what to do. I'm... scared." I said my breaking out because of the hiccups.

She pulled me towards the bed and made me sit with her.

"We are here! We will never let him come to you. Stop crying." She started consoling me.

But the sad reality was that the damage has been done, I was no longer scared for one person, I was scared for both of us. 

"I'm pregnant with Jay's child," I said to her, trying to gather all the courage I could find in myself.

Saying out loud that I am pregnant, reminded me of the worst night of my life. The day where I completely lost the last ounce of faith in god, lost the courage that I could do anything.

"He RAPED me! He freaking raped me Maa. One night he came home drunk and forced himself on me. I tried to stop him, but I said No. He was so heavy that I couldn't push him away. I tried... I did whatever I could do. I wanted to kick him but he locked my hands and legs and raped me that night. I kept looking at the door and waited for someone to come in and help me. No one came for me that day. I tried everything, but I was not strong enough to stop him that day. I am so weak that I couldn't protect myself. I hate myself after that day, I hate everything about me, I feel disgusted right now too." I started telling her about one of the worst days of my life.

"I don't know what to do with this child. I am scared. I tried, I tried everything to stop him that day but he wouldn't listen to me." I sobbed in her arms.

I feel disgusted about myself, I wish I was strong enough to stop him that day. I wish to erase so many things. I wish I never married him. I wish I died at the moment, I tried to kill myself not able to take in what has happened to me. 

The moment he pinned my hands and was forcing himself on me, I felt like I lost everything and everyone. With every stroke he took into my body, I lost my wish to live.

"I told my parents but Jay convinced them that I was lying and they sent me back to him again.  I tried to kill myself but I couldn't do that properly. I am a loser. I don't want to go back to him. Please don't send me back to him. I don't have the strength to face him again. Please don't send me back. Please... please." I begged her with fear of facing Jay again.

"Divya look at me! You are never going back to that bastard. I'm going to kill him. How dare he touch my child. I'm never sending you back to that family. Don't worry I'll never send you back. I'll protect you like my child." She said with passion and hatred for Jay and she is in tears.

"Don't cry, The courage it takes to stay with people like that is more than enough. You are the strongest child I've ever seen. The hardships you face make you stronger. Divya, you didn't do anything wrong, so keep your head up." She supported and me gave me the comfort my own mother never did.

"And about the baby, if you don't want the baby we will go to the hospital." She said holding my chin.

"I want to keep the baby. I don't think I have the right to kill a life. What did this baby do for me to kill?" I told her and she hugged me.

"I'll always support you in your decision. Stop crying about others. From today you and the baby are your main goal. Take care of yourself. We can't change what happened but what you can do right now is change your future. Stop fretting about the finished chapter of your life. This child is your new chapter." She said and every word she said gave me courage.

She made me feel proud and confident. And at that moment I had a purpose to live. My main goal is my child and his happiness.

"Please, don't tell this anyone. I don't want any pitying looks." I pleaded with her.

"Sure! No one's pitying you. In fact, they should be proud of you. You are like Amaya to me, stop degrading yourself. One bastard doesn't define you, You are the strongest and the most talented child."

"You are a doctor who saves people's lives, remember the moment you became a doctor and treated your first patient, and carry that feeling with you. I know it's easier said than done. But love yourself first, no one is above you." She said pacifying me while I slept in her lap.

Three days turned into a week, Grandma started to take care of me, she slept with me every night. She and grandpa went out for a wedding today. So it was just us. I was talking to Jamie and Andrew when Amaya came in out of breath.

The words she said shook me away and pulled me from the ground.

"Guys! They are coming, we have to move Divya away from here." Amaya said in one go.

My heart started beating so fast, that I thought I will die. My hands started sweating and tears started to run through my eyes.

"Divya! I have a plan if you don't have a problem with it. Let's go to The United States, you already have a Visa. No one will bother you there and we will all be there to look after you." Amaya said.

I lifted my head up and found Andrew standing in front of me like a Dad protecting his child. I moved to the side and stood beside Andrew

"I don't wanna bother you Ammu! You already did a lot for me." I told her with hesitation.

She already did so much for me, it's not fair of me to ask her for more.

"You are never a bother, I love you like my own sister. Jameson, you look for the earliest flight, Divya and I will go pack our stuff." She came by me and hugged me.

I cried in her arms for a few seconds and said yes. Amaya and I started walking upstairs to pack out bags.

"Amy you should stay here with Jamie. You guys have to convince your grandpa. I will take Divya and keep her safe till you guys come back." Andrew said to Amaya.

For a moment he looked at me and I saw anger, pain, and love in his eyes. He loves Amaya so much, I never thought about Jameson and Amaya but he did. Such a thoughtful person.

I turned my head to Amaya and she asked for her approval to go with Andrew instead of her and I said yes. I don't know why but I trust Andrew.

I went into my room and started packing when Amaya came by and told me

"You are comfortable traveling with Andrew right." She asked folding my clothes.

"I wouldn't let him near you if he is not good enough. I'm sorry that I am not coming with you." She said.

"It's okay Ammu, you already did so much for me," I told her zipping my bag.

"Aunt called and told me about them coming. She asked me to say sorry to you. I also informed Vasudha Pinni about you going there. So Andrew will take you to pinni's house and I will come back after convincing Thathaya." She said and hugged me.

My mom told her, I knew she was by my side. At least she is supporting me now. I felt happy at that small movement of my mother.

We went downstairs and saw Jameson giving Andrew talking to each other waiting for the car.

The driver took our bags and placed them in the trunk. I hugged Amaya and Jameson and sat in the car.

"Dude! Take care of her and keep me posted on the deal. Amy will break your bones if she cries." Jameson said leaning towards the window.

Everyone laughed at what Jameson said and Amaya punched him.

Whooo Hoo

That was the second chapter. And can you believe that I wrote this chapter in 2 days? I'm so proud of myself right now, I'm gonna reward myself with a pat on the back.

Hope you enjoyed it.

Don't forget to vote and comment.

Love,
Sneha