Page 132 of Obsession

The next day, Ananya sat on the examination table in her gynecologist’s room, waiting for the doctor to come in. Dr. Nadia had delivered both of Sheena’s babies and hence came highly recommended. She had already assured Ananya that, so far, all was okay, but a final ultrasound check was needed.

She swung her legs back and forth, thinking about the previous night. Like an utter fool, she’d ended up back in Mihir’s arms. Worse still, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about that… or him. Like her post on Noir’s socials said, Mihir was rejecting her rejection. And after talking to him last night, she didn’t know what to do anymore.

I’ve never looked at another woman after you.

His words had hammered against her chest, imprinting on her brain, making her feel so damn conflicted about everything. His admission was huge. It meant that, like her, he’d also been unable to date anyone else. She licked her dry lips. She had to focus on herself for now.

She stared at the ultrasound machine on the side. In a few minutes, she’d finally see her baby for the first time. She continued swinging her legs back and forth, feeling overwhelmed. Sheena and Avantika would surely have been here had she asked them to come with her. They were already mothers and could have been a huge support to her. But like a fool, she’d tried to be brave and come by herself. Only now, her nerves were all aflutter.

Dr. Nadia had been gone for half an hour now. A nurse had popped in a few minutes ago to tell her that the doctor was going to take a little longer. Her heart rate steadily increased with each second that passed. She wiped her clammy hands on her skirt. Any moment now… The doctor would be here any moment. The ultrasound was going to be fine. It was just a regular initial scan. Nothing else, she kept repeating to herself.

The door opened. She looked up, her mouth parted in greeting, but instead of the doctor, Mihir sauntered in. He took one look at her and rushed to her.

“Is everything okay?” His voice was heavy with concern. “Why do you look so pale?”

“H…How are you here?”

He gave her a smile. “I told you I wanted to come with you to the doctor. But since you didn’t tell me, I found out on my own, and here I am. I hope I’m not late.”

She stared at him, unable to believe he was actually here. She wet her lips. Why was she even surprised? She already knew he kept tabs on her. All he had to do was ask Anton.

God, even looking at him made her skin tingle. His admission of love last night had shaken something loose inside her chest. And then he’d kissed her. Or she’d kissed him? God, it was all such a blur. The only thing she remembered was how good it had felt to be back in his arms. How all her fears had disappeared when he’d been holding her.

Her mother had told her all that had transpired last night before Aditya and she had returned. Her parents, after they were ensured that Mihir was the right guy for her, had given him their blessing to woo her, as had her siblings. Everyone was now rooting for her to be with him. To give him a second chance. It was not so easy, though.

Seeing him here now, with concern etched on his face, added to her confusion. But what mattered was that he was here, and she wouldn’t have to go through this alone.

As if on cue, the doctor entered, followed by her assistant.

“Oh, the father’s here, I see.” Dr. Nadia nodded at Mihir. “You made it in time, just like you assured me you would.”

Ananya sighed and rolled her eyes. Great, he had the doctor also answering to his demands now. Just great. No wonder the doctor had waited all this while to do her ultrasound.

“Why does she look pale?” Mihir asked the doctor.

Dr. Nadia paused while donning her gloves and looked at Ananya. “Are you nervous about the scan,habibti?”

Ananya gulped.

A frown stretched across Mihir’s forehead. “Does she need to be worried?”

The doctor smiled. “Of course not. It’s normal for first time mothers to worry. All will be well, you will see.”

The assistant reclined the bed to an angle so Ananya could see the screen. She lifted Ananya’s top and lowered the waistband of her skirt, squeezing cold gel onto her skin. Ananya looked up and found Mihir staring at her as still-flat stomach. The doctor put the ultrasound wand on her belly, and the screen lit up. Her hand caught Mihir’s.

He gave her a soft smile as they both laid eyes on their baby for the first time.

“What do we have here now, Ananya? Two little ones in there,” the doctor said gleefully.

Ananya shared a shocked glance with Mihir before saying, “Two, as in twins?”

“Twins?” Mihir repeated, his eyes wide with shock.

“Yes, look!” The doctor showed them two peanut-sized pods, which she said were their babies. Her heart raced. She felt like the gods were all getting entertained at her expense. Twins?

A second later, the doctor turned up the volume, and two heartbeats echoed. Her breath hitched. She looked at Mihir. His misty gaze met hers, and he squeezed her hand.

“Those are our babies…” he said, pointing at the screen, smiling.

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