Page 86 of Mrs. Rathore

What?! Pregnant?

“I noticed you’ve been skipping breakfast these past few days,” she added.

That’s because I’ve gained weight, not because I’m carrying a child! I wanted to say it, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Why was she so desperate for a great-grandchild? Wasn’t having a grandson and granddaughter enough?

“She’s been having morning sickness, which might be why she’s skipping breakfast,” my mother-in-law chimed in, making matters even worse.

“I saw Bhabhi throw up this morning,” Rhea added cheerfully.

“God, no! That was because I took the wrong medicine,” I snapped, turning to Rhea. “I’m not pregnant.”

I regretted saying it the moment the words left my mouth. The room fell silent, and everyone stared at me like I had grown horns.

Then came the sound of a chair scraping against the floor. Aryan stood up and walked away without saying a word.

Of course, he wouldn’t defend me. He knew I had started this lie in the first place, and he wouldn’t want to get involved in the drama.

I cleared my throat, trying to soften my voice. “I mean… not now. I don’t think I’m pregnant. My legs haven’t fully healed yet, so I haven’t considered the idea of being pregnant.”

“I’m sorry for being so greedy,” Grandma said quietly, shaking her head. “Sometimes I forget everything you’ve been through. I was hoping to live long enough to see my great-grandchild, but deep down, I know I may not have many years left.”

“Dadi, please…” Rhea interjected gently, squeezing her hand. “Don’t say that.”

My heart twisted at the sight of grandma’s sadness. I wished there was something I could do to ease her pain. But I knew Icould never give her a great-grandchild, not just because Aryan and I had a broken marriage, but because I never wanted to be a mother.

I loved my dreams and my passions, and I intended to follow them for the rest of my life. I had never once imagined myself being pregnant or raising a child. Maybe it sounded selfish, but I had always envisioned a different path for myself, one filled with purpose even if I had to walk it alone.

Maybe Ira would give Dadi the great-grandchild she longed for.

My legs were almost healed. I had started walking with less help from my crutches, even attempting to walk on my own sometimes. That was progress, it was a small victory, but still a victory.

“We’re leaving for Bangalore for Grandma’s check-up,” Rhea said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“You’re leaving?” I asked, even though I already knew about Dadi’s cardiologist appointment. Aryan had suggested going with her, but he couldn’t make it. He would be called on duty next week and wouldn’t be back in time. I hadn’t expected Rhea to go to his place.

A selfish part of me hoped they would ask me to join them. I couldn’t bear the thought of staying here alone with Aryan and Mrs. Rathore. The two people who disliked me, and the feeling was mutual.

I didn’t know how I would get through a whole week without Rhea and Dadi. I wanted to cry, but instead, I smiled.

“When are you leaving?” I asked.

“This afternoon,” Rhea replied between bites. “We’re going to miss you, Bhabhi.”

“Me too,” I mumbled. I wanted to say, “Please take me with you,” but the words stayed trapped at the tip of my tongue.

Later that afternoon, they left.

I stood by the gate, watching their car disappear down the road, a hollow ache settling in my chest. The house already felt heavier.

I went to my room, and my eyes landed on my half-burnt ghungroos. Aryan had tried to destroy them, but I had managed to save half.

An idea sparked in my mind.

I picked up a thick thread and began tying the tiny bells back together. The thread bit into my fingers, but I didn’t stop. The more I worked, the calmer I felt. It reminded me of who I used to be before the accident, before the lies, and before Aryan.

These ghungroos were a part of me. The sound of those tiny bells brought me peace, as if a part of me was waking up slowly, shakily, from a long, painful nightmare.

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