Twisted Hearts – Chapter 30

Pallavi was in her room with Deepika and the makeup artist, who were helping her get ready for the baby shower. Deepika stood beside her, carefully passing the jewelry pieces one by one while the artist completed the final touches.

Just then, Aditya entered the room carrying a glass of juice. The moment his eyes fell on Pallavi, he let out a low whistle in admiration.

Pallavi was dressed in the soft golden saree he had chosen for her. Her hair was tied into a graceful bun adorned with jasmine flowers and the radiant glow on her face made her look absolutely ethereal.

“Oh my God… someone please remind my heart about its actual function. It seems to have forgotten its duty after seeing you, baby,” Aditya said dramatically before leaning down to kiss her forehead.

Pallavi smiled shyly and wrapped her arms around his waist while he kissed the crown of her head affectionately. Deepika quietly looked away and busied herself arranging the items on the vanity table.

“You look like a hero… my hero,” Pallavi said, showing him a thumbs-up sign.

Aditya, who was dressed in traditional attire, proudly twisted his moustache and grinned. “Absolutely no evil eyes for my babies,” he declared before making sure she finished the juice.

Soon, the entire family arrived at the party hall. Aditya held Pallavi’s hand protectively and guided her towards the beautifully decorated love seat arranged for the ceremony. Traditional lamps, fruits, flowers and a large tray filled with colorful bangles had been placed in front of them for the ritual.

Garlands were handed to the couple and they exchanged them with soft smiles. Aditya’s mother stepped forward first, gently applied sandal paste to both their cheeks before sliding bangles onto Pallavi’s wrists and blessed them wholeheartedly.

Next came Pallavi’s mother. Her eyes turned moist as she looked at her daughter glowing with happiness, but she quickly hid her fear and emotions behind a smile and completed the ritual.

One by one, the elders blessed the couple, adorned Pallavi with bangles and presented gifts to the women attending the ceremony.

Pallavi’s hands were soon filled with colorful bangles and she excitedly showed them to Aditya like a little girl. He smiled at her happiness and lovingly kissed her cheek while the photographer captured every precious moment.

Later, Aditya fed sweets to Pallavi and made sure she relaxed comfortably with her friends and neighbors while he moved around taking care of the guests. Even then, he ensured that Rani and Pallavi’s mother remained by her side throughout the function.

After all the guests had left, Aditya and Pallavi spent some time clicking photographs together before finally returning home.

Pallavi looked confused when she noticed the makeup artist following them inside. Before she could ask anything, Aditya handed her a shopping bag with a mischievous wink and walked away without another word.

Curious, Pallavi opened the bag and gasped softly on seeing a beautiful pink gown inside.

“Sir has planned a maternity photoshoot,” the artist revealed with a smile before quickly beginning her work again.

Meanwhile, Aditya changed into a light pink shirt paired with white pants. When he stepped out of his parents’ room, everyone smiled in admiration. The first button of his shirt was left undone, making him look effortlessly handsome. Deepika stood stunned for a moment before smiling softly.

“You look perfect for my sister,” she said with a smile.

Aditya smiled and thanked her warmly and felt genuinely relieved that she had finally stopped all her advances and accepted their relationship wholeheartedly.

Nearly an hour later, Pallavi stepped out of their bedroom and everyone instinctively rose to their feet at the sight of her.

She looked like an angel in the soft pink gown. Her hair flowed freely over her shoulders, a delicate silver chain rested against her neck, tiny studs adorned her ears and a floral wreath crowned her head beautifully.

Aditya took an exaggerated deep breath and dramatically placed his hand over his chest.

“God, Pavi… you are breathtaking. The glow and innocence on your face are making it impossible for me to breathe,” he murmured softly, unable to take his eyes off her.

“Let’s go,” he finally managed to say before taking her hand.

They returned to the party hall once again, but this time it was completely empty except for the two of them.

“Pavi, your beauty is honestly dangerous. This glow, this smile… you are making it very difficult for me to behave.” Aditya whispered near her ear.

He gently pecked her lips before they heard footsteps approaching. Moments later, the photographer entered the hall and began directing them for the maternity shoot.

Aditya and Pallavi followed every instruction naturally, completely lost in each other and every single photograph turned out perfect, filled with love, warmth and happiness.

After an hour, they finally returned home and Aditya carried Pallavi in his arms because she was completely exhausted from the long day. As soon as they entered, Pallavi’s mother lovingly warded off evil eyes before allowing them inside the house.

Aditya gently helped Pallavi freshen up and change into a simple, comfortable gown. Once she lay down on the bed, he sat beside her and softly caressed her hair until she slowly drifted into sleep. Even after she fell asleep, he carefully applied massage oil to her legs and gently massaged them for a while to ease her soreness.

He placed a pillow beside her protectively and thought of stepping outside to spend some time with their parents but his heart refused to leave her alone.

With a small sigh, he discarded his shirt and lay down beside her. He spooned her gently from behind and held her close as if she were the most precious thing in his world.

A month later, Aditya received a call from the gynecologist. Based on Pallavi’s latest reports, the doctors had decided that it would be safer to proceed with an emergency delivery.

That same day, Aditya and Pallavi arrived at the hospital for her routine check-up and were immediately sent for an ultrasound scan. Later, carrying the reports, the couple entered the doctor’s room together.

Aditya instinctively tightened his hold around Pallavi’s hand, already sensing what was about to come.

The doctor’s expression turned serious as she placed the reports on the table.

“Mr. and Mrs. Aditya, the amniotic fluid level is no longer within the safe range. If we continue waiting for the expected delivery date or attempt a normal delivery, the baby could be at risk. Moreover, Mrs. Pallavi’s blood pressure is unstable. Considering everything, it would be much safer to perform an emergency LSCS and deliver the baby immediately,” the doctor explained calmly.

Pallavi panicked hearing those words and fear instantly filled her eyes.

Aditya tightened his hold on her hand and gently tried to calm her before turning towards the doctor again.

“Mrs. Pallavi, please relax. Cesarean deliveries are very common nowadays and your baby is completely safe to be delivered at this stage. The risk is only if we delay the procedure further. You may need to stay in the hospital for about a week, but in just a few hours, your baby will safely be in your arms. Right now, all you need to do is stay calm and cooperate with us,” the doctor reassured patiently.

Aditya guided Pallavi outside the room for a moment and gently kissed her forehead before wiping away her tears.

“Pavi, don’t be scared. Didn’t you hear the doctor? She said our baby is completely fine. We just have to bring him or her into our world a little earlier than expected.” he whispered softly and  squeezed her trembling palms gently and smiled at her reassuringly.

Pallavi slowly understood the seriousness of the situation and nodded her head. Aditya immediately pulled her into a comforting hug before they both returned to the doctor’s room.

“Doctor, my wife has understood. Please proceed with the surgery,” Aditya said firmly, even though fear itself was tearing through his chest.

Since the delivery had already been expected within the coming days, Aditya had informed Pallavi’s parents earlier and they had arrived in Delhi two days ago. The moment he called and informed them about the emergency situation, panic spread through both families.

Pallavi’s mother hurriedly packed a hospital bag while praying to every deity she could think of to protect both her daughter and grandchild.

Meanwhile, Pallavi was admitted as an inpatient at the hospital and Aditya completed all the formalities and payments in a rush. Within less than thirty minutes, Pallavi was changed into the OT gown and prepared for surgery.

Aditya sat beside her, holding her hand tightly as though letting go would break him apart. He kissed her trembling knuckles and forced himself to smile despite the fear consuming him.

“My brave girl… just a few more minutes and our baby will be in our arms,” he whispered softly and Pallavi nodded weakly.

“Stay relaxed. Don’t let fear or negative thoughts cloud your mind. Just think about our future… you, me and our baby together.” Aditya said gently.

A faint smile appeared on Pallavi’s lips hearing his words.

Moments later, the nurses wheeled her towards the operation theatre. Aditya stood frozen as the doors slowly closed in front of him.

Finally, he sank into the chair outside the OT, closed his eyes tightly and prayed to every god he had ever believed in.

“Please save my Pallavi…” was the only prayer that kept repeating inside his heart.

The family arrived shortly after and Pallavi’s father squeezed Aditya’s shoulder, silently giving him the strength he desperately needed at that moment.

A lone tear escaped Aditya’s eyes and he quickly wiped it away before closing his eyes and chanting Pallavi’s name like a prayer.

“Pavi… baby, come back to me. I need you. Don’t ever give up on us,” he begged silently in his heart, hoping somehow she would hear him and understand how deeply he needed her.

Fifteen minutes later, a nurse stepped out of the operation theatre with a smile and announced that Pallavi had delivered a baby girl. Aditya’s parents immediately hugged him in happiness. Pallavi’s mother, despite the fear gripping her heart for her daughter, forced herself to smile and embraced Aditya, who still felt as though his heart was hanging by a thread, waiting to hear about Pallavi.

Another ten agonizing minutes passed before the doctor finally stepped out, followed by a nurse carrying the baby.

“Congratulations. Both mother and baby are fine,” the doctor said warmly.

A broken sob escaped Aditya’s lips. Folding his hands before the doctor in gratitude, he took his daughter carefully into his arms.

Tears streamed down his face as he kissed his daughter’s tiny forehead, the little girl who would one day become his greatest solace.

The baby was taken away briefly for observation and routine checkups while Aditya waited impatiently for Pallavi. Soon, the neurosurgeon stepped out and Aditya immediately followed him away from the others.

“Aditya, she is stable. Her vitals are normal and her neurological condition also looks stable. Relax and celebrate your daughter. We had to sedate her briefly to conduct a few tests, so she will be shifted to the ward once she regains consciousness.” the doctor reassured him.

Aditya closed his eyes in relief and thanked the doctor wholeheartedly.

Thirty minutes later, Pallavi was wheeled out of recovery room and Aditya instantly held the hand that was free from the IV line. Though barely conscious, Pallavi weakly tightened her fingers around his hand.

She was carefully shifted onto the hospital bed in the ward and Aditya bent down to kiss her forehead while tears continued to roll down his cheeks.

“Aditya, she is fine. Caesareans are very common nowadays. Don’t scare her with your fear,” his mother gently scolded, trying to calm him.

But Pallavi’s parents, who knew the full truth about her fragile condition, understood his terror completely. They had lived through the same fear every second.

Soon, the nurse brought their daughter back into the room. Aditya carefully lifted the baby into his arms and sat beside Pallavi.

“Pavi… look at our daughter. She looks just like you… a little Pallavi.” he whispered emotionally.

Pallavi’s lips curved into a weak smile as she gazed at their daughter. A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye and Aditya immediately wiped it away before gently placing the baby beside her.

“She is fine… you are fine,” he reassured her softly and Pallavi slowly nodded, unable to speak.

The next few days passed with Aditya, his mother and Pallavi’s mother constantly by her side, helping her with everything. Aditya watched over her like a shadow, monitoring every movement and every breath. Along with painkillers, the doctors also continued her anti-seizure medications as a precaution.

One evening, Aditya stood quietly near the window watching Pallavi feed their daughter. Noticing the exhaustion on his face, Pallavi beckoned him closer and kissed his cheek gently.

Aditya smiled faintly and sat beside her on the bed, wrapping one arm protectively around her shoulders. Pallavi leaned against him while both of them stared at their sleeping daughter peacefully curled up in her arm.

The family showered the baby with endless love, buying tiny dresses, soft toys, mittens, socks and countless baby essentials. Pallavi excitedly showed Aditya the tiny socks and gloves and together they laughed softly at how unbelievably small and adorable everything looked.

After a full week of careful monitoring, both Pallavi and the baby were finally discharged from the hospital.

Aditya’s mother carried the baby lovingly in her arms while Aditya held Pallavi’s hand securely and walked slowly beside her as they entered the lift that would take them home.

The front door opened and Pallavi’s mother and Deepika stood waiting with an aarthi plate to welcome the new parents and the baby. Deepika hugged her sister gently before carefully taking the baby into her arms.

Aditya carried Pallavi to their bedroom and carefully laid her down on the bed.

“How do you feel now?” he asked softly, brushing the hair away from her face.

Pallavi patted the empty space beside her and Aditya immediately lay down next to her and she rested her head on his chest with a peaceful sigh.

“I feel at home…. you are my home.” she whispered.

Aditya kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes, holding her closer.

“You are my home too,” he whispered back.

A moment later, their daughter’s tiny cry echoed through the room.

Aditya slowly slipped out of Pallavi’s embrace, walked out for a few seconds and returned carrying their little girl carefully in his arms.

In the small world they had built together, they created a life, welcomed another life into it, filled every corner with memories and nurtured a love so deep that it felt eternal …….. a love destined to find each other again in every lifetime.

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