𝐈𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓-𝐇𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞

AUTHOR'S POV

Beta, tumhara naam kya hai?" Dhruv's mom asked tenderly, her hand gently stroking my head.

(What's your name, daughter?)

"Ji aunty, Naina hai," I replied softly, looking down.

(Yes aunty, it's Naina)

"Kya tumne kuch khaya?" she inquired, waiting for my response. When I didn't reply, she turned towards Dhruv. "Dhruv, tumne unhe kuch khilaya nahi?" she questioned.

(Did you eat anything?)
(Dhruv did you make them eat anything?)

"Maa, main poochhne hi wala tha," Dhruv said defensively.

(Mom,I was about to ask)

"Yeh kya baat hui Dhruv," she responded sternly, her gaze fixed on him. "Meri pyaare bete aur beti aayi hain aur tumne unhe abhi tak khana nahi diya?"

(What's this behavior dhruv)
(My son and daughter come for the first time and you didn't lett them eat anything yet)

"Naina, tum batao kya khaoogi?" Dhruv's mom asked softly, her voice carrying warmth and concern.

(Tell me what will you eat)

"Kuch bhi chalega aunty," I replied hesitantly, then gathered courage to express my craving. "Aunty, kya mujhe thoda spicy khana mil sakta hai? Bahut mann kar raha hai."

(Anything would work for me)
(Can I have something spicy,I am craving it)

"Tum itni awkward feel mat karo, mujhe apni maa samjho," Dhruv's mom reassured with a gentle smile. "Aur yeh cravings toh is waqt bilkul normal hain."

(You don't need to feel so awkward,think of me as your mom)
(And it's normal to have this cravings during this time)

Can I have some Chole Bhature?" I asked eagerly.

"Isme puchne wali kya baat hai," Dhruv's mom replied with a smile as she got up. "I'll make some. Tumhare pati ka favourite bhi hai yeh."

(There's is nothing to ask)
(Btw it's also your husband favorite)

Dhruv's mom disappeared into the kitchen while I settled down, requesting me to rest for a while. In the meantime, she instructed 'Rambo'-as she fondly referred to him-to show me to a room. After a quick tour, he left me alone. As I stepped into the room, my phone began ringing.

Naina's POV

My goodness, Naina, tu ne ek call bhi nahi kiya!" Shivanya exclaimed in exasperation. This girl can be so dramatic sometimes.

"Shivi, thank God you called me. I have to tell you something serious," I said urgently, my voice laced with relief at hearing hers.

"What is it?" she replied promptly, her tone immediately reflecting concern.

After discarding my old SIM card, I had recently activated a new one which I purchased from the store near the train station. As I went through the painstaking process of updating contacts, I remembered jotting down Shivi's number in my diary for emergencies like this. It was a stroke of luck that I had her contact saved, a connection preserved through thoughtful foresight and the unpredictability of life's twists and turns.

I gave her a missed call, my balance barely enough for that fleeting connection. Thankfully, she returned my call,

"Actually, what happened was-------" I told her about the whole drama except the fake pregnancy part