Until The Very End

Chapter 15.

He stopped talking, almost on the verge of tears.
Imlie hugged him tightly from sideways.

Aryan continued,
"Then mumma-papa laid out the plan for Rathore Group, it was their dream since the college days. Rathore Group was their brainchild, it became their raison d'être. It was like their first child.
They started it on a small scale. They had saved some capital and got some more finance from selling a few properties. It was started to cope up with the loneliness they felt in the absence of their elders and to fulfill their parents' dreams. They worked hard, day and night to make it successful. And when chachu joined them, they became stronger. It was difficult in the beginning, to find investors, to attract the crowd, to manage everything, to hire best employees. But they didn't lose their hope.
And they weren't disappointed. Rathore Group started gaining momentum in a couple of years. They were happy and satisfied with their work."

Imlie looked at Aryan and there was a proud smile on his face. His eyes were shining in the dim lights of the balcony. She tightened her hold on his arm. It was surreal to him like this.

It happened rarely that Aryan expressed his emotions like this. His actions always spoke louder than his words.
Though she had noticed many changes in Aryan after their marriage.

Imlie snuggled closer to him and said, "Continue please."

Aryan looked at her with a soft expression on his face and kissed on her temple.
"Rathore Group became successful and the family was content. Then Narmada maa, I mean Chachi joined the family. She and chachu had a love marriage. Mumma-papa adored the couple. The four became a close knit family. They were a happy, peaceful and strong family.
Their happiness was doubled when chachi's pregnancy was announced, they were going to have a tiny member in their home. Then Arpita didi was born and their happiness had no limits, she was papa and chachu's princess. Her arrival brought more success to the Rathore Group, she was literally a form of Lakshmi in their lives."

Both smiled remembering Arpita. She was the best elder sister both of them could have. A perfect blend of maturity, naughtiness, intelligence and motherly warmth.

"Mumma and papa also desired to have their own little family. They wanted a baby who would be a combination of both of them, a little bundle of joy who would be the reason of their happiness. They were trying for a baby for a long time, but were disappointed every time. They had consulted the best doctors but there was no improvement.
Mumma was disheartened. She badly wanted a baby on whom she could shower her love, affection and give him/her warmth and care.
Papa was distraught seeing her like that. And to distract her from the grief, he proposed a plan to expand Rathore Group in the Hospitality Industry. Mumma was always passionate about her work, so it was easy to distract her mind. She momentarily let go of her motherhood dream and got busy in taking Rathore Group of Companies to higher levels.
And then there was the biggest surprise of her life, her biggest happiness when she found out that she had conceived.
Both were ecstatic with the news and mumma was over the moon."

Imlie smiled widely hearing him. Motherhood is indeed a very blissful journey.
Blood rushed to her cheeks as she imagined herself in that state, carrying her and Aryan's baby.
She closed her eyes tightly in embarrassment when she felt Aryan's gaze on her. She was thankful that he couldn't see her flushed face in the darkness.

Aryan was amused seeing Imlie. She had her eyes closed and a tiny smile was playing on her lips.
"Imlie?" He called her name.

Imlie opened her eyes slowly and looked at him. She cleared her throat and said, "Aage bolo."

Imlie noticed a very grim expression on his face, his face contoured with pain.
"You can stop if you are not comfortable." She said softly.

Aryan shook his head and said, "I want to tell you. You should be knowing this."