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It could be a little triggering for some. If you have birth-related fears, kindly avoid.

Abhinandan POV

"How are you feeling?" I asked, stepping up the stairs and sitting beside him on the bed's edge. Every time I visited him, my heart sank deeper. He inhaled deeply, opening his eyes to look at me. There was a little smile on his face.

"Are they here?" he asked, and I gulped, caressing his hand. He had begun forgetting things. And, every time I tried to meet him, he would only ask about the babies.

"Not yet," I muttered, and he closed his eyes for a moment to take a moment to speak again.

"How is...?" he could not finish and lifted his finger to point at me.

"Trisha?" I said, holding his hand, "Trisha is fine," I added, and he nodded.

He closed his eyes, and I just stared blankly at him. I could not see him like this, so I stood up and went out from there.

The setting sun's orange hues blinded my eyes. I felt sweat build up in my palm. I did not know how much time he had, and the more I thought about it, the more vulnerable I felt.

But it was not the time to be vulnerable, especially when Trisha was in the middle of the ninth month.

"Maharaj," I noticed Ashwin walking towards me, and I nodded, stepping forward.

"You are here? All of a sudden?" I asked, and he smiled.

"Maharani has put a wish," he said, and I lifted my brow.

"What wish?" I asked and looked up towards her chamber.

"Is she okay?" I immediately began walking in that direction. Ashwin walked beside me.

Stepping inside her chamber, I immediately marched towards her. Ashwin stood out of her, resting her.

I saw her walking with her hand caressing her belly.

"Are you okay?" I immediately asked, slightly running towards him.

She looked up from her belly. Her face was flushed, her eyes slightly wide, and she immediately smiled.

"Yes," she breathed in deeply, and I knit my brows with slight confusion.

"I am craving mango," she spoke out all of a sudden.

"Mango?" I asked, and she nodded.

"Yes, I want Mango," she said, and I looked out for a moment.

"Trisha, this is not a mango season," I tried to say, and she rolled her eyes.

"I want mangoes, yellow and big mangoes," she said, filling tears in her eyes and caressing her belly.

"But, Trisha, there would not be any mangoes this season," I tried to say, and she walked away from me, strolling around.

"There must be one hanging on the tree, waiting for you to pluck it and feed me," she said, and I did not know why she was suddenly behaving so cute.

"Trisha, Guava? Grapes? Apples?" I tried to say, and she looked at me.

"Mango," she muttered, and I closed my eyes, biting my lower lip.

"Please, Abhi, my babies and I are craving mangoes. Just one would work, please," she blinked her eyes rapidly, and I looked away.

"Fine! Fine!" I clenched my jaw, "Do not try to use your cute face and pregnant mood again," I said and cupped her cheek.

"Fine, I will see if I can find mango for you," I said and leaned in to kiss her forehead.

"I will be back soon," I said and went out from there. Ashwin was still waiting for me.

"Mangoes?" he asked, and I nodded.

"Mangoes," I exclaimed.

"Where can we find mangoes at this time?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"Maybe go out in the mangoes' garden and see if one or two are hanging," he suggested, and I nodded.

We both walked down the hallways and reached the stables. Finding Megharaj there, a smile appeared on my face. I caressed his forehead and kissed his nose.

He grunted, looking at me, and lifted his feet to show how much he missed me all the time.

And, out of nowhere, the memory of Trisha riding him and the night we spent in her father's home blurred my vision. I closed my eyes, my hands on her bosom, lips on her neck, and the intensity between us.

And that was the result of the mango demand.

"Shall we go?" Ashwin pulled me out of my thoughts, claiming up on the horse, and I nodded, climbing up Megharaj.

"Such a strange request she has put," I said, signaling the doorkeepers to open it. As they pulled the thick shields apart, we both kicked the horses and began riding.

"Women crave weird things in pregnancy," he said, and I chuckled.

"Still mangoes in this season?" I muttered, and he laughed a little.

"Well, my mother said that she used to eat clay," he said, and my eyes widened with shock.

"Clay?" I asked.

"Yes, the earthen pot," he confirmed, but I could not believe it.

"Insane!" I chuckled, and we both rode out of the Kingdom's region and entered the forest area.

"It's dark; I do not know how we can find a mango at this time," I said. I noticed Ashwin had made all the preparations and lit a wooden fire torch.

"Nice," I muttered, and he chuckled.

"All of these are mango trees," he said, and I looked up. There were leaves, and I could see the moonlight spreading wide, sifting through them.

We both stepped down the horses and held the rein in hand to walk.

"All of these are mango trees?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Yes," he answered.

"You are going to be father, Abhinandan," Ashwin said, and I knit my brows.

"Yes, thanks for telling me," I said, and he shook his head with amusement.

"I mean, it is not even a year since your marriage, and you are already going to be a father. And, of two kids," he said, and I chuckled, biting my lower lip and trying to spot a mango.

"I was shocked, too. And, scared and unprepared in the beginning, but with each passing day, I became comfortable being a father," I said, remembering all the sweet and good moments I spent with her and caressing our babies kissing her.

I always thought that nothing would be better than our friendship. I thought that we would never be like before. But, with time, we got even happier.

Indeed, a child is a blessing if one has the eyes.

"I am still so shocked. I mean, how will you hold your babies? Have you ever held one before?" he asked, and I shook my head.

"No, and I do not know," I chuckled, and we both walked past some trees. The moon was heading towards the middle. "All I know now is that they are naughty, very active, and very cute," I said, and he smiled.

"You, they do not do anything when I sit with Trisha. They are happy with that. But, if I try to touch her anywhere except the belly, they kick her. It's like they know my presence around her, and if I do not touch her belly, they are unhappy," I said, and his eyes widened.

"Really?" he asked with a soft chuckle.

"Yes, I mean, they are so intelligent. They know me, and they do not react to Daadisa's touch," I laughed.

He smiled.

"How cute!"

"Yes, they know everyone's touch. They just move in her belly when Maasa touches them. And, you know, they do not like their mother to be sitting. It's like they can sense the motion. I mean, I could never think that babies could be so intelligent and like this," I said with amusement.

"You really love them," he said, and I nodded.

"I do not know when I began loving them this much. But it's like I could not stop thinking they are Trisha's and mine—our blood—the proofs of our bond—marriage, and relationship," I exclaimed, and he smiled.

My heart felt full and had a mix of feelings.

"And, you are excited to meet them? I mean, how do they look? Will they have hair or not?" Ashwin chuckled, and I nodded.

"Of course. Daadisa says that they are boys, considering how naughty they are. But I hope one of them is a girl, too," I muttered, walking past a tree. My gaze thinned as I felt something small hanging on the three.

Ah! that was leaves.

"They will be here anytime," I said, and suddenly my feet froze.

A deep shiver ran down my body, and I immediately looked at Ashwin.

"Trisha told you to get mangoes," I asked, and he nodded, knitting his brows.

"And, to tell me that, as well?" I asked further, inquiring, and he nodded.

"Yes," he nodded, "What happened?" asking.

My hand immediately reached out for my chest, caressing my heart as I felt a deep pain course through my chest. How could she? Closing my eyes, I tried to inhale deeply.

Shit!

I hate her.

"I need to go back," I immediately exclaimed and walked around to climb Megharaj.

"What? Why? And mangoes?" Ashwin asked, and I shook my head.

"There are no mangoes. I am leaving," I said and kicked in to make the horse move.

"Wait, I am coming," He yelled from behind, but I quickly picked up the speed.

She tricked me. She was having contractions. And she did not tell me.

I felt the pain growing in my heart, and the wind sharpened as I rode through the forest, passed the field, and reached the outskirts of Mahabaleshgarh.

She knowingly sent me this far. She used Ashwin, too, to help me distract. What the hell did she think of herself?

How could she?

I fisted my fingers tightly on the reins and signaled the soldiers to open the doors. They immediately moved and opened it. And I barged in quickly. Riding to the stable, I stepped down, and a soldier took over to put Megharaj inside.

I could feel the heat rising in my body as the thoughts of her pain, screaming, and crying crossed my mind. How could she send me away?

I really hoped that I was just overthinking and she was fine.

But, as soon as I reached closer to our chambers, I heard a faded scream. My heartbeat stopped, and a shiver ran through my body. I palmed my mouth and stopped for a moment as my knees weakened.

What the hell was happening to me? The sweat beads formed over my forehead, and suddenly, I could not breathe.

Another scream followed, clearer than before, and I fisted my hand and inhaled deeply.

Be Strong!

Be Strong!

Be Strong!

I stood up straight and caressed my cheek, and the moment I entered her chamber, I noticed everyone there. The attendees were outside, and Daadisa was sitting there. She looked at me with a worried face, and I immediately ran inside.

The physicians were there, Maasa was there, and Trisha was screaming in pain on her bed.

My feet froze, hearing the sharpness in her cry and the pain that followed.

"Aaaa!!!" she cried out loud; her scream echoed in the chamber, and I immediately looked beside me and stepped ahead. Climbing the stairs, I immediately parted the curtains, and the moment my sight fell on her laying on the bed, covered in sweat, her legs wide apart, shaking, shivering, and she was crying.

"Abhi!" Maasa looked up at me. She shook her head.

"She cannot bear the pain. It's difficult for her," She cried out.

I gulped with the fear and took a step ahead.

"Maharaj! Maharani is weak; she cannot take the pain. She is losing," the physician said, and I heard the other one say.

"Push!"

Trisha cried out louder, "Ahhhhhh, I cahnnootttttttttt," She broke into cries, and I noticed the blood on the sheet.

I palmed my mouth and took a step ahead.

"Wh... What is wrong?" I stuttered, asking the physician.

"She cannot bear the pain. It is too much for her," the physician said, and I immediately sat beside her. She had her hands fisted on the bed sheets, pulling it, crying out.

"Push harder. One more," the physician said, and I inhaled deeply, seeing Trisha trying to push, but she shivered and shook her head.

"Ahhhh, I cannot. I cannot! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. I want it out. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," her scream trembled my fingers, and I gulped, wondering what to do.

"You have to, Maharani. You have to. There is no other option," the physician said, and I looked up at Maasa. She seems terribly worried and constantly caressing Trisha's feet.

"Come on, my child, you can do it. Come on," she said, and Trisha cried out even louder.

"I cannot Maasaaaaa! I cahnnotttttttt, ahhhhhh," she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes for a moment. She was losing her senses.

My whole body felt weak just by looking at her.

"We will lose her, Abhi, if she cannot take the pain," Maasa said in a low voice, catching my attention.

"What are the options?" I asked, catching the physician's attention.

She looked at me with worried eyes, and I looked at Trisha before leaving her hand and walking out. The physician followed. My hands ran into my hair, scratching.

"What can we do? Shall I call more physicians?" I asked, and she shook her head.

"Maharani is weak. Babies are healthy. She cannot bear the pain. It's too much for her. She does not have the strength to push harder. I am afraid that if this goes like this for long, we will lose her and have the option to save only babies," she said, and I could not believe my ears.

"Save the babies?" I asked, unable to believe it.

"Yes, if she is going to lose it, we will have to cut her belly and take the babies out. But, she would not make it alive," she said, and I immediately gritted my teeth, glaring at her.

"This will never happen," I said in my low breath.

She shook her head, "Then we cannot save any of them," she said, and I looked away.

She could not take the pain. The pain. The pain. The pain.

My gaze lowered, staring at the floor beneath me. My brows knit as I recalled the time when a man was bitten by a tiger, and Guruji tried to save him. He was so much in pain, screaming the whole night and going insane.

"I will be back in a moment," I said, stepping down the stairs and running towards my chamber. Rolling my sleeves up, I stepped inside and went directly into my study room.

My gaze raked over the puzzled shelves, finding the thing. Only this could help her. I had to find it. But where the hell did I keep it?

I hid it from everyone. I did not want anyone to find it.

My fingers trembled, putting out the random books, trying to find a tiny box.

Fuck!

I pushed the whole shelf down with frustration and went to the table. Everything was scattered.

"No, no, no, where the hell is it?" I yelled, and suddenly, I recalled the last time I had it.

When I returned from Gurukul, after meeting her, I promised myself not to consume it again. My gaze moved around, scanning the old place. There was an old shelf.

My feet moved towards it, hurriedly and shaking.

I looked at the books and the scrolls and knelt on the third shelf. My sight fell on a green old book, and I took it out. It was not a book but a way to keep the secrets hidden. I opened it and inhaled a deep breath of calm. Taking the tiny box, I immediately ran back to her chamber and declared.

"Those who are not doing anything. Go out," I said, and extra people moved from there.

Climbing the stairs, I parted the curtains and sat beside her.

"Trisha," I called her out, taking her hand in mind. She was almost faint. Her body was turning cold.

"Trisha," I caressed her cheek, cleaning the sweat away. Maasa was breaking into silent cries, and I shook my head.

"Hey, hey, Trisha, listen to me, please," I tried to say, caressing her cheek. She inhaled deeply as another contraction hit her. She tightened her fist, her whole body shivered, she pulled her knees up, almost throwing them and cried out, pushing her face into the mattress.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I want to dieeeeeeeeee," she screamed, and I shook my head.

"Water!" I said, and an attendee immediately passed me a glass of water.

"Trisha, have some water. You can do it. You are a Queen, my love; you can do it," I said, helping her lift her head and kissing her forehead.

"You cannot leave me alone. You have promised me," I said, reminding her and helping her drink the water.

This was not the time to go weak. I could never let anything happen to her. She was mine to protect.

"Here," I said as she was done drinking it. Putting the glass away, I opened the tiny box and collected the brown paste on the nail of my tiny finger.

But, before giving it to her, I stopped and looked at the physician.

"She will have to breastfeed the babies right after the birth?" I asked, and she nodded.

"Yes," she confirmed, so I decreased the quantity. I could not take any chances with the babies' health. Trisha could bear it, but they could not.

"What is this?" the physician asked.

I prayed to God and pushed my tiny finger into her mouth.

"Opium," I muttered in my low breath and noticed Trisha suck it clean. She trusted me with it.

"Listen to me. This is going to be okay," I promised her, and she closed her eyes, nodding.

"How long will it take?" I asked, and the physician looked down at her and said.

"Just a little more to see the head,"

I nodded and placed my hand on her belly, gently caressing it. Why were they troubling her this much?

In a few moments, the opium began to work, and Trisha calmed down a little. I held her hand and leaned closer to make her look at me.

She smiled weakly and dizzily, staring at my face.

"Our babies are coming," I said in a low voice, almost a whisper, and she nodded.

"You said that babies are a blessing. I know it's difficult. It's... ending you. But you have to do it. You can do it. You can do everything," I muttered, and she chuckled, shaking her head.

"I cannot," her voice calmed down, slightly muffled. The drug began its work. And I knew everything was at risk. Everything.

But she needed it to forget the pain, even if a little.

"It is time for another contraction, I think," the physician warned, and I nodded and caressed her cheek.

I held her hands and muttered.

"Just one more,"

She nodded and inhaled deeply. Her trembling lips signified that it began, her belly shivered, and she broke into cries. Her scream echoed in the chamber, and I could not help but feel fear.

"Better," the physician said. And I looked back for a moment and gulped before looking back at Trisha.

She sighed and closed her eyes.

"Hey," I muttered, making her look at me.

"Do not fall asleep. Do not pass out. Talk to me," I said, and she chuckled.

"I asked you for the mangoes," she said, and I nodded.

"There are no mangoes," I muttered in a low breath, and she looked away.

"I really want a mango," her improved voice said, making me feel better. Then, suddenly, she looked back at me.

"You look blur a... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," she cried out again and fisted her hands tightly on my hand.

"Her contraction came early," the physician said. "A little more time," she added.

She was so much in pain, and I did not know how I would live for the rest of my life with this face of hers—exhausted, sweaty, crying, half-naked, vulnerable, still doing that one thing no man could ever do on this earth—fighting bravely.

"Trisha," I breathed, and she looked up, opening her lazy eyes.

She cried out again, even louder; her whole body shook, and I rubbed her hands.

"She is getting closer. And, now she is doing better," the physician and I could feel my heart exploding any moment. I could not see her like this.

"You know our babies are coming," I said, caressing her cheeks, and she laughed in the middle of the scream.

"Come on," I tried to encourage her.

After a few more painful screams, the physician sat between her legs and said.

"I can see the head,"

My heartbeats raced, and Trisha screamed louder at the top of her lungs, almost fainting, and just then, a small, lovely cry filled our ears.

"A boy," the physician said.

"Come on, my love, just one more," I muttered, and she shook her head.

"Abhi, please take care of them when I die," she breathed, and I shook my head.

"You will not," I said, kissing her hand. A tear rolled down my eyes, and I gulped, trying to be strong. I could not lose myself. Not now. She needed me the most.

"Second one is coming," she muttered, and I held her hand tightly as she inhaled deeply and exhaled, pouting her lips a little before using all her energy to push.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!" her body shivered like anything and suddenly her voice lost. Another beautiful, lovely cry echoed in the chamber.

My eyes widened as she stopped breathing.

"Both are boys,"

"Trisha," I called out and caressed her cheek. My tears flowed freely.

"Trisha," the physicians immediately placed both the babies on her chest.

"Maharani," she also called out.

The babies' crying echoed louder in the chamber, and suddenly, she inhaled a deep breath and pulled her hands from mine to place them on her babies.

I fell, palming my mouth. My knees lost their strength, and I broke into cries.

I could have lost her.

"Oh! Oh! Oh my... Abhi," she breathed, breaking into the cries, and looked at me.

Her gaze softened, and she extended her bloodied hand towards me, shaking her head.

"I am okay, I am okay, I am okay," she muttered, and I could not help but cry out.

"I am okay, come here," she said, and I took her head, trying to crawl over the bed, and pushed my head into the mattress, screaming hard.

She caressed my head.

"Maasa," she muttered and laughed, "You have become Daadisa. " Her voice soothed me, and I noticed Maasa coming closer, chuckling and washing her tears.

Lifting my head, I noticed the physician bringing scissors closer to her.

"What are you doing?" I immediately asked, wrapping my hands around my babies and here.

"Cutting the cord," she said, and I knit my brows.

She signaled me to look down, and I noticed that the babies were connected with a purplish tube.

"It will hurt them," I said, and she shook her head.

"No, it will not. It's for the babies to receive food and water in the womb," she explained, and I nodded.

Trisha chuckled, kissing the baby's hand, and looked up at the physician, stretching her hand out.

"Let their father do that," she said, and I gulped with fear.

I could not. It scared me. I had not seen anything scarier than this.

She nodded, smiling at me. I felt scared and took the scissors from my trembling hand.

"I should go and tell Maa-saheb," I heard Maasa say and walk away from there.

"Abhi, I have carried them in my womb and delivered, but when you cut these cords, you must understand that you parted us away to give them a life separated from my womb. And, as much as I will be responsible for them, you are, too. My motherhood has taken the birth. Now, your fatherhood should, too," she said, caressing their heads, and I gulped, lowering my gaze.

Meanwhile, the physician was tying the cords near the belly.

"Come on," she muttered, and I inhaled deeply, taking the scissors closer to the cords. As I touched one of them, the baby cried, and Trisha immediately kissed his head.

"Are you sure they do not feel the pain?" I asked, and the physician nodded.

"Yes," she confirmed, and I could feel my fingers trembling.

Nothing in this world ever scared me more than this whole night. It was like my life had changed entirely now. And, as I collected my courage to put the parted scissors on the cord, I looked at the baby for a moment. He was white, slightly red, and messed up in blood and white fluids.

The baby began crying even louder, and I muttered in low breath. "Shhh," 

He hiccuped, and I cut the cord. The blood flowed out a little.

It felt so different. It hit me hard. They were my children. I had become a father now. I shifted a little closer and held the cord of another baby. It was slightly easier at this time.

Suddenly, Trisha cried out again in sighs, and the attendees moved quickly, bringing a wide vessel.

"The afterbirth is coming," she said, and I looked at the skin, blood, and things I did not know came out of her womanhood.

The babies were pulled away from her by two nurses, and I looked at her.

She looked at mine.

I could not help, but a lone tear rolled down my cheek.

"Thank you," I breathed, and she shook her head, chuckling softly.

"Thank you," she muttered, and I could not stop myself from leaning in closer and kissing her forehead.

"Here," the nurse said, bringing a thick cotton cloth folded neatly and putting it between her legs. Trisha tried to sit up and pull her thighs closer, inhaling a deep breath.

"What is this for?" I asked in a low voice, and she smiled, answering.

"I will bleed for a few days,"

I gulped and helped her move a little as the attendees came to pull the sheet beneath her and replace it with a clean one. Another one came and put a thick blanket to cover her till her midriff.

"Here, Maharani, time to feed the babies," the physician said, and I looked at Trisha, smiling while holding the first baby in her hand.

He had been wiped clean and wrapped in a fresh cloth. She brought him closer to kiss his forehead and muttered.

"Awww, how are you feeling? my tiny little mouse,"

Her words made me smile widely.

"You troubled me a lot in my womb," she added, and the baby made a face, threatening to cry. He had tiny little hairs and pink lips, taken after my skin color. His lashes were long, beautifully long, spreading on his cheek. He had a tiny little face and was someone to die for.

Trisha held him in one hand and pushed the other on the bed so he could sit up straight. She pulled her legs close and crossed them. I immediately shifted closer to help her do that, and she looked at the nurse for a moment to signal her to undo her inner on the shoulder.

But, before she could, I took my hand closer and pulled the cottony strings slowly on her shoulder. It fell low, and I noticed Trisha blushing in my presence.

"Let them be alone for a while," the physician said, and I noticed all the nurses and attendees move out except her. She was holding another baby.

I stared at her and touched her breast. A tiny drop of milk was already sticking to her nipple. She caressed the baby's cheeks before putting her thumb on her chin and gently opening his mouth. His mouth was so tiny that the nipple seemed bigger for it.

She tried to put the nipple in her mouth, but he made a face and did not suck. She knit her brows with confusion.

"You have to pinch the nipple and drop the milk in his mouth. He will learn how to suckle," she said, and Trisha nodded.

He was so fragile. And, when he was in the womb, he seemed to be the world shaker. But this was new for him. I wondered if he would recognize me or not.

She pinched the breast a little carefully, and a few drops of thick, yellowish milk came out, dropping into his mouth. He reacted by gulping it and moving his tiny lips. As she moved closer and put her nipple again in his mouth, he suckled a moment and then stopped.

She chuckled.

"He is learning,"

I smiled, looking at them. My goodness!

I did not know that a moment could change my life. I only thought that Trisha was the only one who would ever be the most precious person to me. I was wrong, absolutely wrong.

She pressed her breast again, and the baby began suckling slowly. In a few moments, he understood that he had to suckle and get liquid gold.

"Abhi," she muttered, and I looked up at her from behind the baby.

"Place your hand here," she said, signaling to her hand under the baby's head.

I gulped with fear, shifting closer and gently putting my hand under the baby's hand. She freed her hand for a while and took another baby from the physician. She helped her to undo the other breast and flow the milk into the baby's mouth.

He was beautiful as well.

"They are identical. They have similar faces, eyes, lips, cheeks, and even hair," I was stunned.

Trisha smiled, and once she settled with the other baby, she placed her hand under his head. I pulled back slowly.

They need her mother.

It was amazing.

Her exhaustion, pain, and everything had vanished. All that remained was the beautiful smile to die for.

"They are here," Daadisa said suddenly. I immediately stood up and stepped aside, and Maasa stepped into the curtained area, too.

"Ah! Oh my God!" Daadisa broke into happy tears.

"My babies," she said and stepped closer, sitting beside Trisha and watching them.

"Thank you so much, Trisha," she said, and Trisha smiled, shaking her head.

"You are promoted now," she said with a smile.

"Indeed. This is the best promotion I have received in my life," Daadisa said, and I smiled. Trisha looked up and noticed her flushing cheeks. I understood that she was not comfortable in this condition with them and me.

I nodded before walking out.

My heart was absolutely full.

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