Chapter 15

As Nitara sat on the bed, her hands trembled slightly while holding the pregnancy tests. The alarm had gone off a minute ago, and she knew it was time to check. Taking a deep breath, she walked into the washroom. 

Seconds later, she exhaled a deep sigh of relief. Negative.

She sat on the closed toilet seat, running a hand through her hair. “Stress… it must be because of all the tension these past weeks,” she muttered to herself. She had read that stress could cause delays in periods. And she had been under immense stress—Dhruv’s health, Anubhav’s silent pain, their financial struggles. 

A part of her felt relieved. She wanted to be a mother one day, but not now. She was too young. More importantly, Dhruv needed them right now. ‘He needed all of their love, care, and attention.’

Her phone buzzed on the bedside table. She hurried to check, and her lips curved into a smile. It was a video call from Anubhav. 

As the screen lit up, she saw Dhruv sitting upright in his hospital bed, a little pale but awake, being fed by Anubhav. His eyes brightened when he saw her. "Bhabhi!" he said excitedly, his voice slightly hoarse but filled with warmth. 

“Dhruv! How are you feeling, babu?” she asked gently. 

“I’m okay,” he said, chewing slowly. “Bhaiya is making me eat this boring khichdi.” He scrunched his nose, making her chuckle. 

Anubhav, sitting beside him, raised his eyebrows as if to say, *It’s good for him.* 

Dhruv sighed dramatically. “Bhabhi, tell him I want some ice cream,” he pleaded. 

Nitara smiled. “No way, mister. You just had surgery. You’ll eat what the doctors say, okay?” 

Dhruv pouted. “You both are the same,” he muttered. Then, after a pause, he looked at her again. “Bhabhi… you look tired. Did you rest?” 

Her heart melted. Even in his condition, he was thinking about her. She nodded. “Yes, I did. You don’t worry about me. You just get better soon. Then we’ll go to the movies, remember?” 

Dhruv’s face lit up. “Yes! And the water park too!” 

Nitara chuckled. “Yes, and the water park too.” 

Anubhav watched their conversation silently, his eyes softening. He faintly smiled at Nitara, as if to say, ‘Thank you.’

She smiled back, feeling a sense of peace settle over her.

As the cab pulled up in front of their home, Dhruv’s excitement was palpable. He had been counting down the days to come back home, and now that he was here, he couldn’t wait to step inside. 

Nitara was already standing at the door, beaming, her hands slightly shaking with excitement. As soon as Anubhav helped Dhruv out of the lift, she rushed forward and hugged him tightly, careful not to hurt him. 

“My baby is finally home!” she whispered, kissing his cheeks over and over. 

Dhruv laughed. “Bhabhi, stop, I just came from the hospital, not from war!” 

Anubhav watched, his heart full. This was home. This warmth, this love. He let out a slow breath, absorbing the moment. 

Nitara pulled back and held Dhruv’s face. “Wait till you see what I’ve prepared for you,” she said excitedly. 

Dhruv’s eyes widened. “What? Tell me!” 

“Nope, you have to come inside and see,” she teased, taking his hand. 

Anubhav carried Dhruv to the living room while Nitara walked beside them, her eyes shining. The moment they stepped inside, Dhruv gasped. 

Balloons in soft colors floated around the room, and a big handmade banner read *WELCOME HOME, DHRUV!* in bright, bold letters. The air smelled sweet—like fresh fruit and vanilla. 

“Oh my god, Bhabhi! You did all this?” Dhruv looked around in awe. 

Nitara grinned. “Of course! Only the best for my favorite boy.” 

Dhruv giggled, then his eyes landed on something wrapped in a neat bow on the table. “What’s that?” 

Nitara nudged him forward. “Go see.” 

He unwrapped the package, and his breath hitched. A brand-new guitar. 

His fingers traced over the strings, his throat tightening. “Bhabhi… Bhaiya…” He looked at Anubhav, who just smiled and ruffled his hair. 

“I know how much you missed playing,” Nitara said softly. “So, as soon as you get your strength back, you can play all the songs you want.” 

Dhruv hugged her tightly, pressing his face into her stomach. “You’re the best.” 

She kissed the top of his head. “I know.” 

Anubhav sat down on the floor, leaning against the sofa, just watching them. A strange feeling settled in his chest. ‘Contentment.’ This was happiness. ‘This was home.’ 

“Now,” Nitara clapped her hands, “before you get too emotional, I have a surprise in the kitchen!” 

Dhruv’s eyes lit up. “FOOD?” 

She laughed. “Yes! But all healthy, doctor-approved. Raspberry sorbets, banana popsicles, whole grain muffins—” 

Dhruv gasped dramatically. “You mean ‘healthy’ food that actually tastes good?” 

“You’ll have to try and find out,” she teased, guiding him to the table. 

Anubhav watched them, his smile small but full of emotion. He had spent years fearing loneliness, carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. But now, sitting here, watching his wife and brother, he finally felt at peace. ‘He wasn’t alone anymore.’

After dinner, Nitara and Anubhav tucked Dhruv into bed, carefully adjusting the pillows around him. Anubhav sat beside his little brother, stroking his hair while Nitara placed the night monitor on the bedside table. 

"Okay, meds taken, pillows fluffed, night monitor on," Nitara said, ticking off an imaginary checklist. "Anything else, mister?" 

Dhruv yawned and shook his head. "Nope, just a goodnight kiss from my bhabhi maa!" 

Nitara chuckled and leaned down, planting a kiss on his forehead. "There, happy?" 

Dhruv grinned. "Very." 

Anubhav tapped his little brother’s nose affectionately before signing “Goodnight.”

"Goodnight, bhaiya. Goodnight, bhabhi maa," Dhruv mumbled sleepily as his eyes fluttered shut. 

Anubhav stayed a moment longer, watching Dhruv’s chest rise and fall steadily. Nitara gently took his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "He’s okay now," she whispered. "Let’s go." 

They stepped out, leaving the door slightly ajar before heading to their room. 

************************************

Silent readers, please vote and comment.

Radhe Radhe