Chapter23

"What happened to Ava??" The cold tone reverberated in the room
Armaan stiffened when she saw his ex lover's sister.
"An allergic reaction. Bee sting allergy." Armaan said
"And you have been careless enough to let that happen" the question was shot in the
direction of Janani and Armaan froze.
How dare she come here and blame the person who had been taking care of Ava all these
days.
"I am sorry" he heard the tremble in Janani's voice.
She was already guilty and blaming herself for what happened. There is no need to add on
to it.
"It was not her fault" Armaan said flatly
"Who is she???" The woman asked
"I am her nanny" Janani said even before Armaan could respond and he looked at her
jerkily.
"Shreya Iyyer. Ava's aunt" The woman introduced herself
"Janani Trivedi" she said in a low voice
"Shreya, was Ishana allergic to anything??" Armaan asked straight to the point
"You mean you didn't know?? She gave birth to your daughter and you don't even know
about her medical histories??" Shreya asked mockingly
"Shreya, this is not the place and time for a verbal war. We need to know your sister's
medical history" Aadesh said
Shreya sighed
"Akka was allergic to bees. I will mail her medical reports" she said stiffly
"We will be in the waiting room" Aadesh said pulling Shreya along not before she bent down
to give a light kiss on Ava's forehead
"Don't take her words to heart. She is still bitter at the fact that Ishana mentioned my name in
her will to take care of Ava" Armaan said
"Of course. You are the father. Who else would she give that responsibility to" Janani said
and Armaan sighed.
He didn't want to talk about Ishana. He is too tired for that now. Maybe sometime in the
future he might. He is not ready yet.
Meanwhile in the waiting room, Shreya paced to and fro making Aadesh sigh.
The woman is one stubborn horse
"Calm down, will you" he asked only to get a hostile stare in return
"My niece is suffering and you want me to calm down??" She asked
"She is alright now" Aadesh pointed out
"I knew something like this would happen. I knew your brother is not the right person to take
care of Ava" Shreya said and Aadesh stiffened
"What do you mean by that?? My brother is a wonderful father" Aadesh defended his
brother
"And where was this father when Ava was born?? Where was this father when my Akka was
pregnant and alone??" She asked vehemently
"Your anger is misdirected Shreya. It's your parents who disowned your sister when she
needed someone the most. Not my brother " he argued
"He is the one who got her pregnant. And he should have been there with her. He should
have been there to provide for them . If he did, my sister would have been alive now"
"And he would have, if he had known about her pregnancy. It's your sister who kept him out
of the loop" Aadesh reminded
"And whose fault is that if she couldn't trust him enough to confide in him"
"What had he done to earn that mistrust??"
"He refused to marry her Aadesh. So don't support him"
"The whole nation knows about Armaan's commitment issues. And if she had still gotten into
a relationship with him, then she sure did walk into that with her eyes open. You can't blame
my brother for something he never promised "
"My sister loved him. She was pregnant with his child. Wasn't that enough for him. They
could have been happy" Shreya said her voice breaking with every word. She missed her
sister
"And you think your sister would have been happy with someone who didn't love her"
Aadesh said his heart reaching out for the woman in front of him.
She might act rough and tough in front of them.
But he knows deep down she is hurt.
Hurt at losing her sister.
And what he feels for her would never be reciprocated.
"So she was good enough to sleep with. But he couldn't love her" Shreya said venemously
She hates Armaan Verma and whatever she feels for the man sitting in front of her will
always be overshadowed by that hate
"You come from a very conservative Brahmin family, Shreya. You don't understand this
world. Your sister was a model. She understood this world. She knew what Maan was. He
never promises anyone anything."
"I wish she hadn't gone against Appa to pursue her modelling career. If she hadn't she would
have never met your heartless brother and I would have never lost her." She said
"I know you miss your sister, Shreya. But that doesnt gives you license to say whatever you
want about my brother " Aadesh has had enough listening to her bad mouthing his brother.
"Truth hurts Aadesh. Your brother is a heartless monster who uses woman as per his wishes
and throws them away when -" he put an end to her angry tirade the only way he knows.
He simply kissed her.
It was neither gentle nor passionate.
It was an angry kiss.
The anger and frustration running through their veins poured itself into the kiss.
They sprang apart from each other when they heard a surprised gasp and looked up to see
Janani looking at them with her eyes widened.
Aadesh cleared his throat putting an end to the awkward silence.
"You wanted something, Janani??" Aadesh asked awkwardly.
"Nothing. I just came to tell you it's better you go home. And also give me a video call once
you reach home. Advi would make a fuss if he didn't find me any longer" Janani said
awkwardly
"Who is Advi??" Shreya asked
"Advi is my son" Janani looked up to see Armaan standing besides her.
"What took you so long??" He asked looking at Janani and she just nodded a nothing in
return.
"You have a son??" Shreya asked in disbelief
****
They brought Ava home from the hospital the next morning. The second they entered the
house Advi began to squawk.
Thinking he was tired of Shanthima and was missing her, Janani rushed to him and took him
in her arms.
But Advi kept squawking.
Until Armaan walked over with a sleeping Ava.
Advi patted Ava's face and cooed making Shanthi Seth gasp in delight.
"Isn't that adorable. He missed her"
"I never thought about it" Janani said as she held Advi close enough so that he could pat
Ava.
"He was a little fussy last night until he saw you in the video call. Then he slept like an angel.
But this morning he was crazy" Shanthi Seth said
Janani smiled happily.
"He missed his sister. But right now we need to put her to bed. She is still sleeping" Janani
said
Armaan caught her gaze "maybe we could put them for a nap together "
She smiled and nodded "that would be nice"
They placed Ava on the bed and let Advi cuddle with his sleeping sister who fell asleep
promptly making a smile appear on his dada's and mama's face.
They placed pillows around them creating a wall so that the kids wouldn't fall off the bed.
As they came downstairs they saw a dull Aadesh sitting in the living room.
"Where is Shreya??" Armaan asked
"In your guest house" Aadesh replied making Armaan frown.
"I know you don't like anyone going over there. It's your retreat. But yesterday she simply
lost it after hearing that you have a son. She is terrified you are going to ignore Ava. God
knows what nonsense she was talking. So I thought it would be better if she calms down a
bit before she sees Advi." Aadesh said
"Fine" Armaan simply walked out
He doesn't care what Shreya thinks about him.
He loves both his children.
He doesn't have to prove it to anyone.
Janani sighed and sat down next to Aadesh.
"So you and Shreya??" Janani finally asked the question Aadesh had been dreading since
the moment she caught them.
"Its nothing" Aadesh said evasively
"It didn't seem so" Janani said
"It wouldn't work out. There are so many barriers, Janani. Logically, me and Shreya being
together is impossible" Aadesh said heavily
"Aadesh, dil ke pass dimag nahi hota, aur jo dimaag se ho, wo pyaar nahi hota. Logic
doesn't comes in love Aadesh. Follow your heart" she said ruffling his hair fondly
(Heart doesn't have a brain of its own. And what you think with brain can never be love)