This is another one with Anjali. I don't know why, but I really feel like writing her today.
Alia P.O.V.
I checked the bottles in the medicine cabinet, seeing which medicines we needed more of. Paracetamol and ibuprofen were needed, as usual and I needed to get more vitamins. I made a note of it on my list and moved on to the second shelf.
This shelf was prescription medications, mostly Anjali's. Only four years old and already on half a dozen medications. Neither us nor the doctors wanted her to be taking so many medicines but we decided, with her immune system being so weak, it's better to be on preventative medications now than be on meds for some disease in a few years. Anjali didn't exactly like the meds but she takes them without a fuss. She understands that taking the medication means less time in the hospital and more time to play outside.
I lifted a bottle of one of the medicines and it felt lighter than I thought it should have. I was sure it didn't need a refill yet.
'Varun, what's the date?' I called in the direction of the sitting room.
'Babe, I'm right behind you, no need to shout.' He chuckled. I turned and got off of the step stool, bottle still in hand.
'Is Anjali asleep?' I asked. I placed the bottle on the worktop before turning to Varun. His hands came to rest on my waist, an automatic reflex of his when we were this close, and I happily relaxed into his touch.
'Yeah. She was knackered. I don't know where she gets so much strength. If I just spent a week in hospital, I would've crashed the second I was out of there.' Even with the medicine, Anjali still ended up in hospital. It was her first overnight stay in almost six months though, so an improvement.
'I know. She's stronger than both of us put together.' I told him.
'I don't know about that. You're definitely very strong, Mrs. Dhawan.' I grinned and blushed a little, still getting used to being called that. For the first three years of our marriage, Varun had still said Bhatt more often than Dhawan, for both me and Anjali. I suppose it wasn't really a normal marriage so it does make sense. Now we had finally gotten over the whole last name issue and it felt very nice to be called Alia Dhawan by everyone.
'You're not exactly a weakling yourself.' I told him.
'Okay, we aren't going to turn this into a who's stronger competition. Why did you ask for the date?'
'One of Anju's medicines needs refilling but I don't think it should yet. Did some spill or something?'
'I haven't spilt any. Maybe we've just been too busy to notice it needed filling.'
'It's the 3rd of February right?' I asked. I tend to lose track of days when Anjali is in the hospital, they all blur together.
'Alia, you're a week out. It's the 10th.' Varun had stopped being concerned when I mixed up the date a long time ago. He knew I couldn't keep track of everything.
'The 10th? It does need filling then. I'll go drop the slip for a repeat prescription when I go shopping.' I turned to add it to my to do list when something else clicked in my brain. I froze with my pen hanging above the paper.
'Alu, you alright?' Varun asked.
'You said the 10th?'
'Yeah.'
'As in, February 10th?'
'Yes, Alia. 10th February, 2019.' He spoke calmly, knowing I was freaking out about something. 'What's wrong?'
'I think I might be late.' I admitted, looking around for my phone.
'Late? Do you have an appointment?' Guys can be so oblivious sometimes.
'No, Varun.' I finally found my phone. 'Just hold on a second. I need to check something.' I opened my phone and flicked through my apps to my tracker.
I was right. I was over a week late.
'Alia, can you tell me what's going on?'
'Varun, you know that thing that girls get every month?' I wasn't comfortable talking about this with anyone, not even my sister. Talking about it with Varun was even more awkward.
'You mean a period?'
'Yes.'
'What about it?' There was confusion written on his face and I wondered how a grown man couldn't connect the dots.
'I'm late. Like over a week late. I've never been late by more than a couple of days.' The lights finally went on.
'Oh.'
'Yeah, oh.'
'So what do we do? Do you wanna get a test or what?' He asked, probably a little nervous.
'I don't really trust the tests. Shaheen took three before going to the doctor and they all came back negative. I think I'll make an appointment.'
'Okay. You do that and I can go get the shopping if you want.' Helpful as always.
'It's okay. I'll do the shopping. You'll take longer, I'm less known than you are now.' I joked.
'You'll always be well known. People still want you to start acting again. Me included.'
'Not now. When Anjali is a little older maybe. Right now, she needs one of us to be at home.' He nodded. 'Okay, I'm gonna go. I have to stop at the doctors on the way for the prescription. I'll be back in an hour or so.'
'I'll call you if I need you. Or if I remember something we need.'
'And I will call you after I've made the appointment.' He nodded again and I gave him a quick kiss before leaving.
Varun P.O.V.
It's been a couple of days and we're at the doctors now. Anjali is with Shraddha - or as Anjali likes to say, Shraddhu fui seeing as I have no sisters and Shraddha is practically my sister. Plus aunty didn't sound right.
I was waiting anxiously, and maybe a little impatiently, for Alia to be called. My leg kept bouncing of its own accord.
'Varun, calm down. We don't know anything for sure.' Alia told me.
'I know but I can't help it. I just keep thinking about having another kid.' I never refer to Anjali as anything other than my daughter. And I never will. 'Getting to see all those firsts again. First word, first steps, first smile. And this time maybe we can both be there, you know. I won't just see it on video when you send it to me.' I hadn't actually been at home when Anjali had said her first words. I had been filming and then I got off set and had a message with a video of Anjali saying Papa. It was mixed with babble but she was very clearly saying Papa.
'I know, jaan. But let's find out before we think too far ahead.' I nodded but my leg was still bouncing a little.
'Alia Dhawan.' A nurse called. I stilled and got up at the same time as Alia did. She gave me a small, slightly nervous smile and we went through the doors.
'Alia, Varun, I can actually say good to see you this time.' Dr. Patel, our family doctor, joked as we walked in. 'From what I've seen about the reason for this appointment, you may be getting some good news.'
'I hope so, doc.' I told him.
'Well, Alia, if you wouldn't mind giving us a sample, we should be able to see if you are pregnant. And we can send you for an ultrasound.' Perks of seeing a hospital doctor. Alia nodded and went to the bathroom.
'So, excited to have another one?' Dr. Patel asked me.
'A little. I don't want to get my hopes up, but having two kids would be amazing. Alia's always wanted at least two kids and I've always wanted a big family. I can just imagine Anjali being a big sister as well. She's been asking for a sibling since she started nursery.'
'Well, hopefully I'll be able to give you the news you want to hear.' He smiled at me. I heard the toilet flush and Alia came back out holding the little cup. She set it on the desk and washed her hands. 'Excellent. We can get this tested now. If you will excuse me a second.' The doctor took a paper towel and picked up the cup. He went outside, presumably to give it to a nurse. 'We should have the results in about ten minutes then, depending on the result, we can send you for an ultrasound. It does look like good news right now.'
***
Ten minutes later, the computer let out a sort of whistle. The doctor turned to look at it and he frowned.
'The results came back negative, but I'm going to send you for a scan anyway. Come back once you've been and we will discuss the results.' He told us.
We left the room and a nurse showed us where we needed to go.
It didn't take very long to get the scans done and then we were back in the doctor's room. He looked at the images and his frown just kept deepening.
'Is everything alright, doctor?' Alia asked.
'I'm afraid not. It seems I can only give bad news to the two of you. I'm sorry.'
'That's okay, doc. Maybe it's just not the right time.' I tried for optimistic but I think I sounded a little upset.
'It's not just that. You said you were over a week late, Alia?'
'Uh yeah. Why else could that be?'
'Stress. With Anjali being in the hospital again, that too for a longer stay than usual, it's natural to be stressed.' He said.
'So nothing to worry about?' I asked.
'It wouldn't be. But with the scan, it is.'
'What do you mean?' I queried.
'Well, the scan shows that you have cysts on your ovaries. Combined with the fact that you have missed a period before it suggests you have poly cystic ovarian syndrome.'
'I thought you said you've not been late by more than a few days?' I asked.
'I haven't. Not since I was 18. The doctor told me it was just stress. Filming and promoting for my first movie and all, they said it was natural.'
'They should have done some more tests. They could have put you on the correct medication and you'd be fine.'
'Meaning I'm not going to be fine?' Alia asked.
'You are. But, I'm so very sorry, the chances of you having kids are very slim. Maybe a four percent chance.' Alia's face fell and my heart dropped to my feet.
'I can't have kids?'
'You may be able to but it is unlikely. I am really sorry.'
'It's not your fault, doc. Thanks for telling us though.'
'If you would like, we could try some medications that might help. I can't guarantee anything, especially considering it's been a few years that you've had this problem, but it may increase your chances.' I looked to Alia but I already knew what her answer would be.
'No. With all of Anjali's appointments and medicines I'll probably just forget to take them. Thank you though.' The doctor nodded.
'If I can be of any help at any time, don't hesitate to call.'
'We won't doc. We've already got you on speed dial.' I said.
'We'll let you get to your other patients.' Alia told him, getting up. He opened the door for us and we left.
2 years later
It was Anjali's sixth birthday. Varun was downstairs with her, getting her ready for our day out. I sat on the bed, looking at the piece of paper that was about to change our lives.
I had gone for a routine check up about a week ago and they had run all kinds of tests. They still ran the pregnancy test though I was never told the results. There had been a issue with getting the results that day so Dr. Patel had told me he would send me a letter with the results. I had received the letter this morning and had taken it upstairs when I went to get changed.
I hadn't been able to believe my eyes when I read the results. One of them was highlighted, so I knew Dr. Patel had wanted to draw my attention to it.
Pregnancy test: positive.
A/N: so, this will be getting a continuation. It will be up tomorrow for sure.
See you then.