𝓢𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓣𝓸 𝓕𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 ♾️

✨BROKEN BUT NOT DEFEATED-CHAPTER-20

I let out a soft laugh, pulling her close by the waist. "You really want to fight me now, pondati?"

"If it'll make you smile, I'll wrestle you right here on this bed," she smirked.

"Tempting," I murmured, brushing her nose with mine. "But I'll let you win today."

"You better. I earned it," she whispered, placing a small kiss on my forehead.

I wrapped my arms around her tighter, burying my face into the crook of her neck. I didn't say anything more. I didn't have to.

She kissed my head, slowly... gently. Like sealing a promise into my skin

***

Weeks passed like this. Not too fast, not too slow. Just enough for the wounds to scab and for breath to return steady. I wasn't the same man who came home shattered that night... but I wasn't whole yet either.

Nithya's love... that quiet, constant love... it stitched me back together.

Coaching center faculty.
Not a fancy designation. But it was mine. And I was proud of every single hour I taught.

Accounting and Logical Reasoning. That's what I taught. The first, all numbers and rules. The second, all twists and tricks. My students knew I wasn't the sugarcoated type. Strict, yes. But fair. If they studied, I stood by them. If they slacked off, I didn't spare them either.

"Sir, you're too serious sometimes," they'd grumble.

I'd smirk and say, "Try answering the wrong question in the exam and see how serious life becomes."

But deep down, they respected it. And I could see it. In the way they sat straighter when I walked in. In the way they tried just a little harder.

One next morning started different.

Not with Nithya's humming or tea scent. But with the sharp sound of her coughing behind the bathroom door.

Then, the unmistakable sound of her vomiting.

I rushed up, knocking. "Nithya? Enna aachu ma? (what happned?) Open the door."

She came out slowly, eyes watery, lips pale. "I dont know nga, even Yesterday I are rasam rice only but I am feeling very tierd" she whispered.

Before I could ask more, Amma came to our room probably hearing my fuss,  wiping her hands on her saree pallu. "She threw up?" Amma asked, half-knowing already. Her smile was that half-smirk only experienced mothers wear.

"Yes," I said slowly. "Why amma?"

Amma narrowed her eyes, looking at Nithya like a hawk. "Nithya ma... when was the last time you had your period?"

Nithya's  looked down, twisting the edge of her kurti top. "It's been... umm... two months athai."

The air stopped.

My ears heard her, but my heart? My heart froze, then galloped like a horse let loose.

I looked at her again, fully now. Her tired eyes, the way she kept holding her stomach like a secret... my fingers started trembling.

Two months?

Amma's eyes welled up instantly. "Don't wait, Karthi. Take her to the hospital now. I'll get the bag."

I didn't even argue. I grabbed the towel and walked to her, gently placing my hand on her back. She looked at me—half nervous, half guilty.

"Sorry, nga" she whispered. "I wanted to wait until I was sure."

I smiled. " Its ok ma, Let's go find out together."

After the breakfast, I took Nithya to the nearby hospital and got the appointment to a duty doctor.

I sat in the hospital waiting room.

I don't think I've ever been that restless in my life. My legs were bouncing, my palms sweaty, heart thumping like a drum. Every time the nurse walked out, I jumped up. Then sat back down. Then jumped again.

I was sweating like I was the one giving birth.

Finally, the doctor called me in. I walked in with my pulse in my throat.

And there she was—my wife, sitting on the stool, her fingers tangled nervously in her lap. And the doctor smiled at me like she'd just seen fireworks.

"Congratulations, Mr. Karthik," she said.

I blinked. "Sorry... what?"

"Nithya is pregnant."

I forgot how to breathe.

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