Divya

Today has been amazing so far and it's only 10A.M! I've spent most of the time with Andrew and my son. They have such a great bond, it always amazes me how Andrew takes care of my sweet little baby.

Andrew went upstairs to change his clothes so we can get to the nearest park.

"Maa! I love Andrew. He gave me this." He said showing the new unopened blue bike with training wheels.

I looked at Andrew who has a guilty look on his face, rubbing his neck and showing his biceps.

I am attracted to Andrew, I don't know why but when I saw him semi-naked today morning I couldn't breathe. He is the only man I've seen semi-naked and patients don't count. I wanted to run away from him when I knew that Ammu dumped me, but then I remembered my promise to make more friends.

"You can't take things from people like that baby! Let's give it back to him." I bent down and told my son and he just ran away from me into Andrew's arms.

This child of mine is unbelievable.

"He is almost 3 now Divya, He has to learn how to ride a bike. I can give him anything I want and we don't need your permission right buddy?" Andrew asked the last part to my son in his arms and Amar smiled agreeing with Andrew.

Why bike? How can I teach my son how to ride it when I for one don't know how to ride a bike? My dad never taught me how to ride a bike, a car, or anything. He says girls should always be in the backseat enjoying life not driving it.

Arjun and Andrew taught me how to drive when I came here.

"Maa! Can we take it to the park with us? "

I looked at them pouting at me to accept their request. I am going to teach my son everything, I'm not going to be that kind of parent who always refuses their child, sometimes I want to be the good cop too.

"Fine! We can take it." I huffed at them and they stopped pouting at me and high-fived each other.

"You mister, you have to teach him how to ride since you bought it." I angrily stormed at Andrew so he won't know that I don't know how to teach my son.

He happily agreed to my command and came to me while Amar was unboxing the bike.

"You don't know how to ride a bike right?"He asked smirking at me.

How did he know that? Was my acting that bad?

"I know you inside out Divya, I've been watching you for the last 3 and half years. I know how you react to everything, so stop faking your smile, anger, or happiness with me because I can see through you and your face never lies to me." He whispered standing beside me in my left ear looking at Amar opening the box with excitement.

The proximity was making my body go crazy, My heart started beating loudly at each and every word. 

Andrew was with me through all my pains, he helped me achieve things in life, he makes me feel proud of myself, and most of all he values my opinion which my own parents never did. Why does Andrew out of all the men in the world makes me feel like this?

Stop Imagining things, don't fall into the same old trap your stupid heart sets. You are not feeling anything. All men are the same my brain snickered at me getting out of the chain of thoughts.

Last time I listened to my heart and lived for others but now I will not repeat the same thing again. He might see through my heart but there are 6-inch concrete bricks my brain is going to throw at people before they try to know me.

"I love it, Andrew!" Amar jumped up and down in excitement looking at his bike.

"Let's go and load it in the car," Andrew announced and walked to the garage.

I picked Amar up and walked outside the house while Andrew came out with his car and 2 bikes attached to it in the back.

We got in and went to the nearest park, Andrew gave us some knee pads and a helmet to put on Amar.

I stood there and watched as my son got on the bike with so much excitement. Andrew held the bike from behind and as Amar slowly started pedaling the bike and within 10 min Amar started to ride on his own without Andrew by his side cheering him on as he started the journey on his own.

"Maa! Look I am riding it without Andy's help," Amar yelled stopping his bike in the middle of the road and looking at me.

That's when the reality dawned upon me, My son is growing up and he is not my little boy anymore. It's a bicycle now, in a few years it's going to be a car, and then he is going to leave me for college. What am I gonna do without Amar in my life?

"Divya! Why are you crying?" Andrew asked me and shook my hand to gain my attention while Amar continued riding his bike.

"He is growing up, and he is going to leave me one day," I said sniffling through my tears and Andrew just chuckled at me.

He is chuckling, does he find it funny?

"It's not funny Andrew. This is all because of you. If you didn't get him a bike, he would still be my little baby." I said hitting him on his chest while he was laughing at me.

He held both my hands to stop me from hitting him, pulled me closer, and kissed me on my head.

"You look so cute, You can't stop him from growing up, and don't worry, I'll be here for you. Stop crying and enjoy all these moments." He said and I snuggled closer enjoying the warmth and comfort he always provides me.

"Let's go, now it's your turn to learn how to ride a bike." He said and showed me the other bike he bought along with me.

"No, I am not doing that." I stepped back from his hold not agreeing with what he said.

"Divya! Stop acting like a baby, Is this the example you want to set for Amar?" He questioned me looking at Amar who was coming toward us on his little bike.

I want to be the best role model for my son and Andrew knew that hitting me at the right spot knowing that I would never back down on anything if it's related to Amar.

"Fine, but I'm doing this for my son," I grunted and stomped on his feet for playing with my weakness even though it's for a better reason.

I got onto the bike with the legs on each side while Andrew is holding the bike.

"Start pedaling!"

"This seat is really uncomfortable, it's so hard. Why don't we start tomorrow after getting one with a cushiony seat?" I asked him hoping that would get me out of this session and he nodded in disagreement.

"What if I fall down? Who's going to take care of my son?"

"I won't let you fall down."

"Did you know that cycling causes Bone loss, Nerve and artery compression?" I questioned him again.

"Your excuses are not going to work with me Divya, you better start pedaling, or else I'm going to call the little man and tell him that his super strong mama is scared to ride a bike," He said smirking at his threat while I sighed in disappointment.

"You better not leave me then," I mumbled praying to god to not let anything happen to me.

I tried to get out of this, but this man is persistent in making me ride, So I gave up and started pedaling.

"Keep going! You are doing great." Andrew said running behind me as I increased the pace.

"Says the one who's running, do you know how uncomfortable this stupid seat is?" I asked looking at him running beside me holding the bike at the back.

I felt the bike wiggle losing the direction it was going in but Andrew held it tight making sure I won't fall down.

"Divya, concentrate on the road. Stop whining." He said placing the bike straight and rolled my eyes at him and continued to pedal.

"Mama!." My son said coming by my side on his bike.

"Are you having fun, baby?"

"Too much fun. I love this." He screamed with happiness and pedaled faster and moved away from me.

My son is a quick learner just like me, I'm so proud of him. He is the best kid I could ever get.

"Andrew! Thank you for teaching Amar how to ride a bike." I told him.

Why is he not responding? Did he leave me? Am I riding this on my own? I jerked the bike to a stop using the brakes and found Andrew way behind watching me with a smile on his face.

I felt betrayed that he left me, I got down and walked along with the bike to him.

"You said you wouldn't let go! You cheated and I'm not getting on that thing again." I said and stomped off handing him the bike.

"Divya! Divya!" Andrew kept yelling following me from behind while I walked away from him.

He held my hand and stopped me from walking, I tried to wiggle but his hold is really strong. Maybe I should go to a gym and learn how to fight like Amaya, damn my laziness.

"I'm sorry Divya, You were doing good after your concentration jumped towards Amar and I let you go on your own." He said in a sad and apologetic tone.

"You said you wouldn't let me go, Andrew, What if I fell? I trusted you but you left me." I yelled at him with tears forming in my eyes blurring my vision.

"Listen to me Divya! I am extremely sorry that I left you but you would never feel confident in yourself if I didn't let you go. I would never let you fall Divya trust me, that's the last thing I want." He said and I regretted yelling at him.

I don't why I am mad at him, it's such a small thing but I felt sad, somehow his leaving stirred up all the insecurities probing my brain that everyone I get close to will eventually let me go. I don't want Andrew to let me go ever.

He is the one who got me up from all my lows and pushed me to reach all the highs in my life, He never made me feel alone, He is the person I would rely on after Amaya. He is more than my family to me.

"I know! I'm sorry, I lashed out at you." I told him feeling guilty about my behavior toward him.

"It's okay, Do you want to try this again?" He asked me pointing to the bike and I nodded.

I got on the bike and started riding it without Andrew's help. This feels so good, I can feel the wind passing through my face as I rode through the park with my son by my side, Amar and I raced through the park.

All the enjoyment came to an end when my phone rang and it was from the hospital to come in for emergency surgery. We rode towards Andrew who was on a call with someone yelling at them. I have never seen him furious in my life, he is always calm, peaceful, and funny. As soon as he saw us there he cut the call and gave me a question mark face.

"I got a call from the hospital, so I have to go. Can you keep Amar with you till I come back?" I asked him

"I would love to have him for the day. Let's go I will drop you off at the hospital?" He said picking Amar into his arms.

"Thank you but the hospital is sending me a car, you guys have fun," I told them and kissed Amar on his cheek.

"Don't trouble Andrew, Be nice. Don't get him more things he is already being spoiled." I told them, getting into the car.

I waved them bye as the car started, I miss them, I wish I took the day off instead of being on call. I called Becky to know more about the patient and his history before getting into the hospital.

I walked into the hospital and got greeted by Nurse Valerie and Rowan waiting for me. I changed my clothes and Chaya the other resident explained that the Appendix was ruptured and the infection has spread to the other organs as well.

And now here we are performing an open appendectomy, with Chaya, Rowan, and Valerie assisting me.

"You look happy Dr.D, What's the occasion?" Valerie asked me as I was performing the surgery.

"Amar and I went to the park and rode bikes today, and he learned how to ride one in 10 minutes," I told them grinning, proud of my son's achievements.

"That's awesome, but remember Dr.D you can't bring Amar as your date for the Global Fundraising Ball," Valerie said handing me the scalpel.

"I know, and I can't skip it either." I huffed at the stupid rule that you have to have a date for the ball.

"Do you guys have someone to come with?" I asked Rowan and Chaya.

"Yes, Divya! We are going together." Rowan said while Chaya was shocked at his reply. There is something going on with these two, I just can't put a pin on it.

"Good! " I sighed and asked Chaya to close the patient's incision with some sutures.

I waited till everything is done and walked out and told Rowan to inform the family that the surgery is done and went great. I looked at the clock and it was almost 4, so I decided to stay in and complete some paperwork before Andrew comes in and picks me up.

"Divya! we are here." Said Andrew as soon as I picked up the call.

Maybe I can ask Andrew to be my date for the ball, I don't want to go with some random person and Amaya for sure won't be coming to the hospital events with Sophie being there.

I climbed down and went to the parking lot and found them waiting for me. I peeked into the car to look at my son who was completely involved in whatever cartoon show he was watching on his iPad.

"Andrew, do you wanna come with me for the Charity ball coming Friday?" I asked him putting my seat belt on.

He sat still in shock for a moment and then quickly changed his posture with a happy smile jumping on his face.

"Sure! But you have to be my date for my mom's Cancer Foundation event in November." He asked and I said yes.

"What did you guys do without me?"

"We stayed in the park for some time and went to Jamie's place so he can hang out with Elena, Alex, and Danny. He had a blast. You should've seen him with Alex." Andrew explained in an elated tone.

Soon he dropped us home and left as he had a meeting scheduled with some lawyers. I went in and put Amar in his tub giving him a bath.

"Mama! Who is my dada?" He asked playing with the water bubbles giving me a heart attack.

I froze. I should've prepared for this but I never thought this would come so early in life. Where did he pick up that word?

"Amy says that dada is a boy who loves you and me so much, pomises to buy me things. Andy does all that for me, Is he my dada?"

I brushed the tears off my face and started answering him before he made any more assumptions.

"Andy is not your dada baby, he does all that because he loves you more than anything in this world. Your dada is in India."

"Will he come back here for you and me? Is he mad at me?"

"No baby! He is not mad at you. Sometimes Mommies and Daddies don't get along well and they live apart like Katie's parents. It's not your fault baby. " I said and hugged him.

"Okay!" He said and went back to his bubbles.

I should be prepared for this type of question in the future and he deserves to know who his father is but not what kind of a person he is. I will do anything to protect my son from that monster that's my promise to you, Amar, I will never let him harm you as he did to me.

"Don't you wanna know more?" I asked him confused by his okay.

"I love you and I trust you and I love you okay!" He said rubbing a bit of foam on my face making me cry in happiness.

I was free this weekend and wrote this chapter by staying up all night. I completed 3 tests this week and I have 3 more to go thanks to all of you I did well.

Just a quick question

How do you like this book so far? Is it interesting enough? Is it slow? Do you want me to make it fast?

Anyway, Don't forget to Vote and Comment with your opinions.

Corona's second wave in India just ruined all my plans. So please stay safe and let the second wave pass.

Love,

Sneha