Arnav's Point of View...

As I ascended the stairs to my home office, a tumultuous storm brewed within me, echoing the conflict I grappled with downstairs. The weight of my dilemma pressed upon me, a palpable tension between duty and desire enveloping the air.

 the door behind me, I sought refuge in the familiar embrace of my office. Yet, even here, my struggle reverberated, a silent echo of the difficult choice I confronted.

Slumping into my chair, I pondered the gravity of my predicament. My pledge to Khushi lay heavy on my conscience, a sacred vow etched deep within my heart. And yet, confronted by the allure of professional advancement, I found myself torn asunder, pulled between competing obligations.

The moral quandary gnawed at my thoughts. How could I reconcile my commitment to Khushi with the tantalizing promise of success? How could I balance the yearnings of my soul against the dictates of my conscience?

I think back to the conversation in the dining room...When Khushi told me she couldn't go to India, I felt a sense of duty to help her."What's wrong?" I asked, worried about what she was going to say next. She explained that her doctor was too busy for her to go on the trip. Lavanya looked at me, hoping I could fix things. "Can't we just change our plans and go next week?" she asked, looking hopeful.

But I knew that wouldn't work. "I have to fix some things and stop in Dubai before we go to India. We can't wait until next week because the fashion week in India is coming soon, and we need to make some clothes," I said, feeling stressed about the situation.

Khushi understood, which made me feel a bit better. "That's okay. I know your work is important, and I don't want to get in the way," she said, trying to reassure me.

Lavanya offered to stay with Khushi, but she said no. "It's okay. You should go and spend time with Arnav before you go to India. I'll be fine here, and there's nothing to worry about. I've already cancelled my trip, and it's too late to cancel yours," she said, trying to make things easier for me.

Khushi's understanding and kindness made me feel grateful. Thinking about our talk, I realized how important it was to keep my promises to her, even if it was hard. I felt a sense of peace wash over me, like the calm before a storm. I knew that whatever happened, Khushi and I would face it together, with love and support.

And so, sitting in my office, I asked for help from above, knowing that true success meant staying true to myself and the people I cared about, no matter what.

I walk downstairs where Khushi's is. I needed to have a conversation with her that was way overdue.

I knock on her door and wait for her to answer... which she does a minute later"Arnavji is something wrong?" Khushi asks me with concern laced in her voice.

"No... I mean yes... Actually, can I come inside? I think this is going to be a bit long." I genuinely ask her through my nervousness.

"Sure." Khushi nods understandingly and leads me into the room.

Khushi sits on the edge of the bed while I wheel the office chair to sit directly opposite to her. 

The depth of my emotions varied, I was tangled between the woman who had been my first love as well as the woman who was carrying my unborn child and my wife.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to Khushi, my gaze soft and laden with complexity only we shared. "Khushi, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

Khushi looked up, her eyes meeting mine with a mixture of curiosity and the unspoken understanding that had developed throughout our unique relationship. "What is it, Arnavji?" she asked, her voice gentle and reassuring.

"I am so sorry Khushi. I told you that I would treat you well and pamper you throughout this time but at the time you mentioned that you were postponing the trip to India because of the doctor's appointment all I could think about was that if I turned this down whatever I worked hard for all these years would go down the drain. Celebrities will be wearing the garments I designed. But I have come to a proper decision now. Lavanya and I will postpone our flights, we will go back with you because the most important thing in my life at the moment is you and the baby. If it means me postponing a trip to India then it is fine as long as you are okay and safe to travel then it is all that I can ask for," I tell her apologetically.
"Arnavji, I... I don't know what to say. Thank you," Khushi whispered, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of gratitude and relief. "I never doubted your commitment to me or the baby, but hearing you say it aloud... it means more than words can express."

She reached out, her hand finding mine, the warmth of her touch sending a wave of comfort coursing through me. "You've always had a way of putting others before yourself, of sacrificing your desires for the sake of those you love. And while it's not always easy, it's one of the things I admire most about you."

A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes. "I know this wasn't an easy decision for you, but please know that I appreciate it more than you'll ever know. We'll get through this together, Arnavji, just like we always do."

Khushi paused, her expression softening with concern. "But Arnavji, I don't want you to miss out on your work either. It's important to you, and I don't want to be the reason you have to give something up." She squeezed my hand gently, her love and understanding radiating like a beacon in the darkness. "We'll find a way to make it work, together. I promise."

"Thank you, Khushi," I murmured, my voice tinged with emotion. "Your understanding means more to me than you'll ever know." Khushi pulled me into the embrace as if she knew I needed it. The room filled with silence before I said my goodnights to her stood up and walked to my room.

Lavanya and I were bustling about the kitchen, ensuring Khushi had everything she needed for her doctor's appointment. We reminded her to video call us from the doctor's office and to take her prenatal vitamins without fail.

Once breakfast was done, we shifted our focus to packing. Our luggage was haphazardly thrown from our bedroom into the living room downstairs, a chaotic scene of clothes and essentials strewn about. I meticulously checked and rechecked that I had all my work documents—my iPad, laptop, designs, and flight details—while Lavanya meticulously ticked off items on her list to ensure nothing was left behind.

As the clock ticked closer to our departure time, the driver arrived to whisk us off to the airport. Khushi, ever the supportive companion, decided to accompany us to see us off before heading to her office.

Arriving at the international departures gate, the reality of our impending separation hit us hard. Tears welled up in Khushi and Lavanya's eyes as they embraced each other tightly, their farewells filled with heartfelt emotion. I watched on, a lump forming in my throat, as I struggled to hold back my tears. Seeing them in such distress only intensified my sense of longing and sadness.

Khushi stood at the gate, waving goodbye until we disappeared from view, her tears mingling with the bittersweet ache of our departure. As I boarded the plane, I couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that washed over me, a silent reminder of the profound bond we shared.

After a few days in Dubai, Lavanya and I managed to organize all the textiles and materials we needed for our upcoming projects in India. We made sure to gather everything we required from my branch in Dubai, ensuring that we were fully prepared for the work that lay ahead.

Once our tasks in Dubai were completed, we boarded our flight back to India. However, the toll of constant travel began to show, particularly in Lavanya. Each day, she appeared more pale, fragile, and lethargic. Concerned for her well-being, I repeatedly urged her to visit a doctor, but she stubbornly refused.

Despite my insistence, Lavanya brushed off my concerns, insisting that she was simply tired from the journey and that she would be fine once we settled back into our routine. However, her worsening condition weighed heavily on my mind, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at me.

As Lavanya sat beside me on the balcony, her restlessness was palpable, her eyes swollen from recent tears. My heart clenched with anxiety, and a myriad of questions swirled in my mind. Had something gone wrong in Switzerland? Were Khushi and the baby alright? The uncertainty gnawed at me, amplified by Lavanya's distressed state.

"Is Khushi okay? Is the baby fine?" I blurted out, unable to contain my concern.

"They're fine, but..." Lavanya's voice faltered, tears welling up in her eyes.

"La, what's wrong?" I reached out to her, gently grasping her trembling hands.

"Arnavji..." Her voice trembled as she struggled to speak, her tears flowing freely.

"It's okay. We can talk about it later if you're not ready," I assured her, my heart aching at her obvious distress.

"No, I have to tell you now, before it's too late," Lavanya insisted, her gaze locking with mine. "I... I have cancer, Arnavji."

The words hit me like a sledgehammer, disbelief coursing through my veins. "What?" I gasped, unable to comprehend the gravity of her revelation.

The revelation hit me like a tidal wave, knocking the breath from my lungs and leaving me reeling in its wake. Lavanya's words hung heavy in the air, each syllable laden with a weight that threatened to crush me beneath its burden.

"Lavanya..." My voice trembled, barely audible over the rush of blood pounding in my ears. The world seemed to blur around me as I struggled to comprehend the enormity of what she had just revealed.

Tears welled in Lavanya's eyes, shimmering like diamonds in the fading light of the setting sun. "I'm sorry, Arnavji," she whispered, her voice cracking with the weight of her sorrow.

At that moment, time seemed to stand still as I reached out to her, pulling her into my arms with a desperation born of love and fear. "Don't apologize, La," I choked out, my voice thick with emotion. "We'll face this together, I promise."

Lavanya buried her face against my chest, her tears mingling with my own as we clung to each other, seeking solace in the warmth of our shared embrace. The world outside faded into insignificance as we surrendered to the rawness of our emotions, finding strength in the simple act of being together.

As the sky darkened and the stars began to twinkle overhead, I made a silent vow to cherish every moment we had together, to hold onto her with all the fierceness of my heart. 

The gravity of the situation settled over us like a heavy blanket, suffocating in its intensity. Lavanya's revelation left me reeling, my mind spinning with a whirlwind of emotions. But amidst the chaos, there was a sense of clarity—a determination to face this challenge together.

"We need to tell Khushi," I finally managed to say, my voice tinged with urgency.

Lavanya nodded solemnly, her eyes reflecting the weight of our shared burden. "She already knows... She accidentally found out the day before we left."

"How?" I asked, my confusion deepening.

Lavanya explained her words as a testament to the unpredictability of fate. "She kept her files on top of mine and grabbed them when she was rushing to her office. Well, that's what she told me."

"So, that's what you were talking about over the phone?" I inquired, searching for answers amid uncertainty.

"Yes, and she also wanted me to tell you everything," Lavanya confirmed, her voice laced with resignation.

"Okay," I said firmly, determination coursing through my veins. "I'm going to call Aman and have him book an appointment with the best oncologist in the country. I don't want to hear any excuses, La..."

With those words, I reached for my phone, my fingers trembling with a mixture of fear and resolve. No matter what lay ahead, I knew we would face it together, united in our determination to overcome whatever challenges life threw our way.

As I dialled Aman's number, my heart pounded with a mixture of dread and determination. Lavanya's diagnosis had thrust us into a world of uncertainty and fear, but I refused to let despair consume me. With every ring, I prayed for a glimmer of hope, a beacon to guide us through the darkness that lay ahead.

Finally, Aman answered, his voice laced with concern as I relayed the urgency of the situation. Without hesitation, he assured me that he would make the necessary arrangements, his efficiency a reassuring balm to my frayed nerves.

Hanging up the phone, I turned to Lavanya, determination burning bright in my eyes. "We'll get through this, La. I promise," I said, my voice a whispered vow against the tumultuous tide of uncertainty.

Lavanya nodded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Thank you, Arnavji. I don't know what I would do without you," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Pulling her into my arms, I held her close, the weight of our shared burden pressing down upon us like a heavy anchor. But amidst the darkness, there was a glimmer of light—a flicker of hope that refused to be extinguished.

Together, we would face whatever lay ahead, united in our resolve to overcome the greatest challenge of our lives. And though the road ahead would be fraught with obstacles and uncertainties, I knew that as long as we stood together, we could weather any storm that came our way...

To be continued...

Thank you, everyone, for reading this chapter. Hopefully, you enjoyed it as much as i enjoyed writing it.

Look forward to regular updates now...

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Author's Note
Please tap the '☆' as it will motivate me to continue writing.
Thanks for reading♡😊
Lots of love
SovArshi😙