Hello Readers,

Happy Reading :)

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Third Person POV

It has been a week since Vivan encountered Misha at her office. The little affection she had started to feel towards her baby was fading away day by day after the incident at the office. How could she love a part of Vivan? It was just not possible.

The entire Sachdev clan was undergoing a phase of change. Avinash and his wife both had to go to America as there were some problems in their company's American branch.
Misha's cousin, Priya, had moved back to her college in Mumbai.
So the Sachdev mansion only housed Misha,Misha's chacha and chachi and her grandparents.

Every one in the family was letting things work their way because Misha was not ready to disclose the name of the father. Every time they all talked to her, she would close off herself and become distant.
Misha's chachi had become distant with Misha. Her motherly love had now changed. Yes She was worried about what would happen with Misha's future, who would marry her and how would it all work out.
But mostly, She was also worried that if Misha's pregnancy became public knowledge then it would also affect the future marriage proposals for her own daughter, Priya.

After days of showing negativity, Misha's chachi was finally smiling as she entered the Sachdev mansion.

"Mummy ji... mummy ji ... You wouldn't believe the news I bring!" She called out her mother in law (Misha's grandmother)

"Arrey waah bahu, what is it that is making you smile after such a long time?" Misha's grandmother asked coming out of her room.

"Mummy ji Misha ke liye Rishta aaya hai." She beamed at her mother in law.

"Rishta? Misha ke liye? But bahu Misha is pregnant..."

"Mummy ji please ... the guy doesn't know that she is pregnant and it is better kept hidden." Misha chachi was convinced of it

"But bahu how can we hide something like this ? Anyways who is the guy? I hope he is from a good family ... hamare liye family is very very important" Misha's grandmother reasoned

"Yes Mummy ji, he is from a very nice family... you all know him ...  he is .."

"What Rishta?" Misha's chachu's voice boomed in the hall. Clearly he had heard his wife talking to his mother. Misha's chachi's face colour drained hearing her husbands voice. She knew mahesh would say no as soon as he heard who the guy is ...

"Ye.. yes... there is a marriage proposal for Misha" chachi spoke hesitantly to her husband.

"Who is the guy? You said we know him" He asked

"Actually you all don't know him... my mistake.. his name is Akshay, he is a software engineer from Misha's university" chachi gained back her confidence. She had to do this ... she had to send Misha away from their family for the sake of her daughter and for the sake of her kids.

"I will find out about him... but I don't know maybe marriage is not what Misha needs. She needs us more I feel. But we will still ask her and she can decide." He spoke again.

Thank god.. chachi thought until she heard her husbands voice again
"But we will tell him the truth about her pregnancy before even telling Misha about the proposal...and that is final" His voice has finality to it and there was nothing chachi could do that would change his mind.

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Next day

"Misha please beta. You need to understand ... he is ready to accept your child as his.... think about what will happen if you don't marry. Your child will be named as a bast*rd." Misha's grandmother tried to reason with her granddaughter.

"No dadi I don't want to marry anyone." Misha tried to convince her that this marriage will not work.

"Misha beta come here" her chachu called her to sit next to him. He touched her head lovingly as a father would "beta... I know you might think marriage is not what you want right now. But think about your unborn child beta ... what will happen when the child is born. He or she will not get their respect in society if you are unmarried. Also don't you want to have a happy life and family of your own. Even if you wouldn't have been pregnant we would still look for a guy for you to marry. But I know that the decision is yours ... I just want you to know that no matter what you decide I will always stand with you." He side hugged her. Misha felt like her father was with her at that moment.

"But chachu how can I marry someone ? I .. I don't know what to do" Misha sighed.
Her grandmother spoke again "Misha beta Please you need to understand. Think about the unborn child what will happen to the innocent soul. Isn't the child innocent in all this"

She was confused and very unsure about what to do. Even though she didn't feel a motherly connection with her child but at the same time she understood what her family was trying to explain. It was not the child's fault. But at the same time, she couldn't think about love or marriage.

"No dadi please do not force me to marry. I cannot accept a relation like marriage at this point in my life."

Misha's chachi, who was standing outside the room, was getting very agitated. She was becoming furious hearing Misha's refusal. She went in and grabbed Misha's arm tightly.

"Chachi..?"

"You stupid girl. If you cannot marry then we are going to the hospital RIGHT NOW and getting an abortion. You cannot remain in this family and carry that filth with you" Misha's chachi was fuming with anger.

"What are you doing? leave her" misha's chachu tried to pull his wife away from his niece.

"No! enough of this drama! I will not accept a girl who disgraced our family. If she wants to remain as part of our family then she will either marry or she will get an abortion today itself" Misha's chachi stood her ground. When Misha didn't change her decision she tried another ploy "I am sorry Misha but think about your sister. You know how this society is and if they find out you are pregnant without marriage then nobody will want to marry my Priya. You get what I am saying, don't you?!" 

The sooner she is out the better! Misha's chachi internally smirked but kept puppy eyes to convinve Misha. 

Misha's POV

Seeing chachi's expression did it for me. I was indebted to her for caring for me after my parents death. Even though she had been angry with me for the past weeks, but she still cared for me as a mother before that. I owe it to her that her daughter's life does not get destroyed because of me. 

I wiped my tears off my cheek and stood up to face my grandmom, chachu and chachi and finally spoke with enough determination to convince myself that what I was saying for right for everyone.

"I am ready for this marriage"

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After 4 days

We both took our 7 pheras and sat down again. He tied a mangal sutra around my neck and sindoor on my forehead. 

"Now I pronounce you husband and wife" the priest's voice brought me back from my thoughts. I turned to look at my groom but he was still wearing his sehra. I hadn't seen his face till now. I hadn't even talked to him in the last four days. We got married in this small temple with just my family and his family present. 

We both got up and took everyone's blessings. Chachi was the only one who looked happy, but my chachu and grandmom were getting emotional. I hugged them and we then walked towards Akshay's car. As we sat down, I couldn't control my tears any longer. 

Dadi came and hugged me "Misha beta, I wish that your bidai was in much happier circumstances. I am sorry putar, you are my princess always remember that. We will be here for you always. Akshay has accepted you and your child with open arms, so please try to give this marriage a fair chance." she kissed my forehead and closed the door signalling us to leave.

Akshay's family was in another car and we both were in a separate car with a driver.

The car ride was silent and after what seemed like an eternity, the car pulled up into a farmhouse. It took all courage to speak up "Akshay.. don't you want to remove your sehra now?"

(This is a sehra) --

His didn't speak but shook his head in a negative gesture. That was weird I thought.

Together we got out of the car and went to the threshold where his mother, father and sister welcomed us with aarti. I looked up to see the house but saw that there were no guests, no lights, no decorations; and I found it extremely weird. 

His mom guided us to his room and then left me. I entered to find the room simply decorated. Seeing this increased my heart beat. I need to tell Akshay that we can not live like a normal husband and wife. 

Suddenly I feel a warm handhold me around my waist and pull me into a hard masculine chest. 

"Akshay.. please leave....." I tried to wiggle out of his hold

"Tsk tsk.... Akshay? who Akshay baby?" My my body shivered at hearing that voice, my blood froze and my heart.... my heart stopped beating...

To be continued 

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Hello Readers

Thanks for staying in to read another part of this novel.

There are a few things I need to clarrify

1) Yes sometimes my chapters are small but I am trying to write longer ones

2) Some of the readers felt like the plot was going slow, so hopefully this chapter was nice as I stretched the plot alot

3) I don't try to fall short on my commitment of giving you all an update.

But you guys need to understand that I might live in another part of the world than most of you and the time zone differs. So my day starts after yours. I cannot update according to the time zone of India as I don't live there. Hence you might feel that I am delaying my updates but in fact I am just following the time zone that I live in... hope you all can understand that :) I want to thank most of you who understand me and give me the time I need to update.

I know how it feels to be a reader and wait for the next update. I will try my best to increase the frequency of the updates...

Lastly, I want to know what you all think about this chapter. I am always open to suggestions and I try my best to follow some as well. Such as increasing the pace of the plot.

Thanks for sharing all your thoughts about this book.... I am looking forward to hearing from you all about what you think

Best,

lovestruck420