Page 134 of Obsession

“Why are you doing this?” she asked.

He gave her a sideways look before focusing on the road ahead. “I want you to know that I am one hundred percent committed to you and these babies, and I’m willing to do anything, to go to any lengths to ease all your worries and fears.”

Moments later, Mihir stopped outside Poseidon’s building. She climbed out of the car, and Mihir came to her.

“Thank you…” She looked at him and then at the papers she was holding. “For this and for being there at the scan today.”

His mouth kicked up. “You’re welcome! Have a good day. I’ll send you the amended papers soon.”

She walked toward her office building and turned. Mihir was still waiting at his car, watching her. She entered the building, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. She clutched the papers tighter. At least now, she was certain of his intentions. He was not going to fight her for the babies, ever. And seeing him at the scan today, she realized that he was serious about her. Her chest clenched, telling her to give him a chance and get done with this pain she felt because she wasn’t with him. The pain that had been a constant companion in her life.

The few days she’d spent with Mihir in Moscow were the only time she’d been free of this pain. And now, her heart craved that freedom again. She pressed the button on the elevator, silencing the demands of her heart. This time, she’d be more careful; she had the babies to consider too. Twins. Good God, she’d barely come to terms that she was going to have a baby, and now, to know she’d have two?

All this meant that, even though this was going to be hard to manage by herself, she wasn’t simply going to give in to Mihir. No. This time, she was going to look out for herself first. He’d hurt her so many times that she’d lost count. She wasn’t giving him the power over her heart again.

36

Later in the evening, Ananya sat on a reformer, waiting for her Pilates class to begin. The class was a small group, and the other two of the four reformers were already occupied by expectant women in different stages of their pregnancy. She smiled at them. She’d been going for Pilates for years now. It was a part of her daily routine, and she was happy that she could continue with it while being pregnant. Today was her first antenatal class, and she was very excited to begin.

A familiar heat prickled down her nape, and she looked at the door to see Mihir walk in. His eyes met hers, and he came straight to her, plonking on the reformer beside hers. He was dressed in black gym pants and a plain white tee shirt, and now he was leaning down to wear his grip socks.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Joining the class with you,” he said.

“Why?”

“Because I want to spend as much time as I can with you and my babies.”

“Didn’t you just relinquish all rights to them?”

Earlier in the day, he’d sent her the amended legal documents to her, already signed by him.

His face tightened. “That doesn’t mean I don’t want to be a part of their lives, or yours. I do and I will. If that means joining a Pilates class meant for pregnant women, then that is exactly what I’ll do.”

The two ladies in front of her glanced at Mihir and whispered to each other. And then, as if suddenly realizing how utterly striking he was, their heads snapped back to him, and they began to openly ogle him. A shard of jealousy pierced through her chest. They were pregnant women, for God’s sake. They didn’t need to ogle her husband.

Fuck. She was so mad at him, yet she’d just claimed him as her husband in her own head. It was all his fault. He drove her crazy.

She looked at Mihir.

“Shh,” he said. “Look, the class is starting.”

For the next hour, he did all the exercises the trainer instructed them to do. At the end of the session, Mihir didn’t speak a word to her. He simply escorted her to her car. Only once she was seated inside did he go to his own. She watched him pull out of the lot, waiting for her to leave first. She drove her car into the traffic, unable to come to terms with the fact that he was willing to join this class just for her. Perhaps, he’d get bored and stop coming.

But he didn’t.

She saw him thrice a week at class. On most days, he usually came before her and spoke to her briefly, mostly to check in on her health. As the days passed, she began to reveal more of herself to him. She told him about her day at work and how Noir’s anniversary edition was coming up. In fact, without even realizing it, she’d started coming early to class too, just so she could spend a few minutes chatting with him. It felt like they were two people starting a relationship all over again. And she liked it.

Mihir still didn’t call or text her, but he did ensure he was there every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at her Pilates class. After the first week, he asked her to join him for a small bite after every session. She’d refused always. He looked disappointed every time, but he never pushed and continued asking her post every session. He never touched her and maintained a healthy distance from her.

Something was evolving once again between them. She recognized what it was. Comfort. In his own way, Mihir was giving her space from him while simultaneously ensuring she was once again comfortable around him.

By now, everyone in their families knew she was having twins, and they were all so excited. In their own way, they kept nudging her to give Mihir a chance. However, no one knew about their sessions together, and she didn’t want them to know. She was on the brink of building something new with Mihir, and she didn’t want anyone interfering.

Two weeks passed in this newfound harmony. She could finally admit that she wasn’t quite as angry with him anymore. She knew he wanted another chance with her, but despite all the time they’d spent together recently, she was still undecided on that.

She drove to her class, excited to see him. Noir’s sixth-anniversary edition had come out earlier that day. She glanced at the magazine cover lying beside her and smiled. As promised, she’d put Mihir on the front page and centerfold. He looked absolutely amazing in the pictures Avantika had clicked of him. The one on the cover was a front portrait image of him, his hand on his tie, looking straight at the camera. She’d already sent across copies of the magazine to his office, and now she couldn’t wait to hear his thoughts on the cover and the interview.

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