Page 151 of One Hellish Wedlock
Aanya.
Reyansh smiled as her message arrived. She was really inviting him ahead of time. And that made all the difference.
Wife,
I’m impressed.
Let me check my schedule and let you know. I really, really want to see you soon.
And I hope… you feel the same.
Your husband,
Reyansh.
Aanya’s fingers trembled as she read the last line. Did she truly want to see him? Was she desperate? Or did she need more time?
“TIME!” Shikha’s voice startled her.
Aanya jumped, as if someone had caught her in the act.
“What?” she asked, scowling.
“Check the clock. We have dinner with the client!”
Only then did Aanya realize she hadn’t even started getting ready. She quickly dressed, suppressing the thrum in her chest, and the two of them headed out.
Day 80 - California
Aanya stirred from her sleep, still caught in a half-dream when a loud knock on the door startled her fully awake. It was the weekend, and she had stayed the night at Radhika and Rishi’s place again.
“Aanya! Aanya!” Rishi’s voice called urgently from outside.
“I’m coming, Jeeju!” she yelled, slipping into her slippers and rushing to open the door.
“What’s wrong? Is Di okay?”
“No. She’s in pain. Intense pain. We need to get her to the hospital. I’ve called the doctor. I’ll get the car ready.”
Without wasting another second, Aanya sprinted to Radhika’s room. She was writhing, holding her belly, tears in her eyes.
“Di… breathe. Calm down,” Aanya whispered, kneeling beside her and rubbing her back.
“Aanya… it’s terrible… I can’t—” Radhika cried.
“I know,” Aanya whispered, brushing the hair from her sister’s face.
Rishi reappeared and scooped Radhika into his arms. Aanya locked the house behind them and followed. The night had just begun, and everything was about to change.
Hospital
Aanya paced the corridor outside the ICU, her heart thudding with worry. Radhika had just been wheeled in for delivery. The doctors had taken Rishi aside to discuss her condition, leaving Aanya feeling helpless. Her lips moved silently in prayer. Complications were expected. Radhika had already suffered a few failed pregnancies.
She needed to talk to someone. To share the storm within her and only one name came to her mind—Reyansh.
She dialled his number, but the call didn’t connect. Network issues, perhaps. Determined, she tried Chopra Mansion. It was daytime there. Surely, Nani would pick up.
“Hello?” came the familiar voice.
