At the Villa
Jai glanced at the clock on the wall, his eyes narrowing with growing concern. It was getting late, and there was still no sign of Shivani. His fingers trembled slightly as he dialed her number, but the call went unanswered. His heart thudded with unease—Shivani never ignored his calls. A thousand dreadful possibilities flashed through his mind.
Not wasting another moment, he immediately called the bodyguards he had sent to keep an eye on her. The phone barely rang twice before one of them picked up. Jai's voice was sharp, almost demanding. "Where is she? Why isn't she picking up?"
The bodyguard's voice came steady but cautious. "Sir, she's fine. She's at a house... we have the address." He shared the details, and without wasting a second, Jai grabbed his car keys, his mind racing with thoughts of her safety.
The car roared to life, and Jai drove with singular focus, the engine humming aggressively as he sped through the city streets. His hands clenched the steering wheel tightly, his mind solely on her. When he finally pulled up to the house, his eyes immediately searched for her. And there she was—safe, unharmed, and sitting comfortably with a kind-looking elderly man and a woman. Relief washed over him, softening the harsh lines of worry etched on his face.
Just then, the elderly man, Somesh Ji, came out to call Shivani and another woman named Lakshmi for dinner. His eyes caught Jai's tall, imposing figure near the gate. With a welcoming smile, Somesh Ji waved him in. "Come, son, join us. We are just about to have some dosa. You must be hungry."
Jai hesitated for a moment but nodded and walked inside. The aroma of freshly made dosa filled the room, and soon, they all sat together, sharing a meal filled with warmth and hospitality. Shivani seemed comfortable, even happy. But then, her face suddenly changed. She pressed her hand against her stomach, her expression shifting to discomfort.
Jai's eyes immediately filled with concern. He leaned in closer. "What happened? Are you alright?"
Shivani looked up, her face pale. "Sir... I feel strange. I need to go to the washroom," she murmured, her voice shaky.
Without a second thought, Jai helped her up and led her to the washroom. Shivani stumbled in, and Jai waited outside, pacing nervously. Moments later, he heard the unmistakable sound of vomiting. Worry clenched his heart. He opened the door slightly, enough to pass her a wet towel, and gently rubbed her back as she leaned over the sink, her breaths shaky and uneven.
When she finally straightened up, her face was pale, her eyes tired. Jai cupped her face in his hands, his thumb gently wiping the dampness from her cheeks. "You okay?" he asked softly. Shivani nodded, though her eyes were still clouded with fatigue.
As they stepped out, Somesh Ji stood waiting with a look of deep concern. "What happened, beta? Is she unwell?"
Jai shook his head with a soft smile. "No, she's not unwell," he paused, his voice filled with tenderness, "she's going to be a mother."
For a moment, there was silence—just stunned, beautiful silence. And then Somesh Ji's face lit up with pure joy. His hands folded together in gratitude. "Mubarak ho, beta! God bless you both!"
Jai thanked him, his eyes glancing lovingly at Shivani, who blushed and looked away. Taking Somesh Ji's permission, Jai led Shivani back to the car, helping her settle in with utmost care. His protective nature grew tenfold now that he knew she was carrying his child.
As soon as they reached the villa, a doctor arrived for a check-up. Jai hovered nearby, his eyes never leaving Shivani. The doctor finished his examination, scribbled down some prescriptions, and assured Jai that everything was perfectly fine. Jai thanked him and saw him out before returning to Shivani's side. He gently helped her take her medicine and tucked her into bed, watching as she drifted off to sleep. His hand brushed over her hair, and he smiled—a kind of smile he hadn't worn in a very long time.
Evening Time
Shivani woke up slowly, stretching out her arms to find Jai sitting right next to her, watching her with gentle eyes. "You didn't leave?" she asked softly.
Jai smiled, shaking his head. "Not even for a second," he whispered.
They sat there for a moment, a comfortable silence stretching between them. Shivani finally broke it, recounting everything that had happened in the morning—her unexpected visit, meeting Lakshmi, the warmth of Somesh Ji's hospitality, and then Lakshmi's tragic story. Jai listened intently, his brows furrowing as Shivani explained the hardships Lakshmi had endured.
But then, her voice grew softer, almost hesitant. "Sir... Can you do me a favor?"
Jai raised his eyebrows. "Anything."
Shivani looked away for a moment, gathering her thoughts before finally meeting his gaze. "Can you find out if the fire at my father's showroom was deliberate? I... I have this feeling that it wasn't just an accident."
Her eyes were full of emotion—pain, suspicion, and a longing for the truth. Jai leaned back, his eyes never leaving hers. "If you want the truth, Shivani, then I promise you, I will find it." His voice was resolute, firm, and unyielding.
Shivani's eyes shimmered with tears, and she nodded, her voice cracking as she whispered, "Thank you."
Jai reached out, placing his hand gently on hers. "Not just for you," he said softly, "but for our child... and for us."
His words hung in the air, filled with a promise that this time, he wouldn't let anyone harm her—not now, not ever.