CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Jwala:

I understood why Agni is angry with me and why he behaved like that with me.

"I didn't expect your flashback is this horrible. I am sorry about your mom. But Agni, is killing the only solution? Can't you do something else to punish him?"

"Death is the only punishment he deserves."

"If you think so, go on with your plan. I am with you in everything" I said holding Agni's hands to assure him.

"Fine, I decided to leave him without killing. Only for you, but it doesn't mean I will leave him without giving him what he deserves" he said.

I looked at him.

"But"

"I promise on our child. I won't involve in such criminal activities from now. Trust me. Now leave your anger" he said.

"Not yet," I said pouting.

"Why baby? Are you still angry with your husband? But he decided to leave him only for you."

"Husband? When did you marry me?"

"I married you long back in my dreams. First, tell me why you are angry at me?"

"Why did you shout at me yesterday?" I asked pouting.

"I don't like throwing food. In my childhood, I faced a lot of problems with food, and I know it's value. We have everything and we waste food, but many children like me search for food in the garbage, dustbins of hotels, near marriage receptions, etc. Even I fed my stomach many times from the remains of the food in the trash."

"I am sorry."

"Don't be it's not your fault."

He made me sleep in his lap and kissed my forehead. He caressed my hairs while speaking.

"Jwala, I am not a spoilt rich kid. I faced the worst in my life. Today, I am in a good position, and this world gets scared of me, but there was a time where this world and every dawn scared me. Every morning, I was afraid as I never knew how that day would be. There are many days where I slept with hunger, with pain and tears. You asked me why I hurt you so much.

I suffered you because you are trying to save the person who made my life a mess. He is none other than my father. I thought to take over that orphanage not because I am greedy for money. I wanted that orphanage to seek revenge from him and to throw him out of the orphanage. I wanted him to beg around the streets as I did. But, you saved him. That's the reason I made you experience everything that I faced. Even now you saved him from death.

Jwala, I am not a grave husband or father as he is. I want my wife and child and their happiness. I can't leave them to hell for my revenge. That's the reason I left him alive for you both. Never let your mouth say you will move again from me. Otherwise, I will go, and you can never find me forever. However, I will start after arranging everything for you and baby to live happily lifelong. I can't see you both in pain" he said caressing my hairs slowly.

I got up from his lap.

"Will you marry me?"

"Asking out of sympathy?"

"No, asking because I didn't want our child to face those problems which you faced. Agni, I can't say whether I will love you or not, but I love my child a lot. For our child, I am ready to marry you. Let's get married before the world knows about my pregnancy. Talk to my parents and marry me."

"Sure, I will speak to your parents tomorrow."

Next day he called to my parents to talk about the wedding, but his expressions showed something else. He disconnected the call.

"Your parents are not ready to get you married to me," he said looking at me.

"What?"

"They enquired about me. Your parents found that I have many affairs and I am so arrogant."

"Of course you are."

"They are saying that they didn't want to spoil their daughter's life. They saw another match for you."

"Didn't they know you were the one who cleared the debt?"

"No, they didn't."

"Tell them."

"No sweety, I did it as I am guilty of what I have done to you. I can't use it for marrying you. After all, even if I give my whole property, it won't make me guilt free. Taking your virginity, making you look like a slut... "

He stopped his words looking at me. I didn't say anything but looked into his eyes. I felt his words genuine by looking into his eyes. Did he change? Is he repenting for his past doings?

"I played a lot with your emotions, self-respect, and heart. I am sorry, sweety. Can you please forgive me? I know it's tough. I am not asking you to forgive me at once. Forgive me only when you feel I deserve your forgiveness. But please don't leave me."


"I won't," I said assuring him patting on his hands.

"What shall we do now about marriage?" I asked worrying

"Go and marry the one chosen by your parents."

"Agni, please."

"What should I do? Both the bride and her parents hate me. How can I marry you?" He said keeping his face dull.

Great actor!

"You have to marry me at any cost at least for our baby, stop acting now," I said touching my belly.

"I am ready to marry you even now. Come let's marry" Agni said holding my wrist.

"I can't marry you without my parent's acceptance," I said, and tears came from my eyes with tension.

"Hey don't cry, please. I will surely find some way to convince your parents. Please don't cry" he said hugging me from the side.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, baby."

"You won't leave me in the middle, right?"

"No way, Sweetheart. I will marry you with your parent's acceptance, and you will be my princess forever. Now please don't cry. Let me think the way" he said.

I leaned on his shoulder holding his arm tight.

"Sweetheart, be cool, I am there to take care of everything. Don't you trust me?"

"I am scared to trust you. But Agni, if you didn't marry me, I will die. I can't marry anyone else after all this. Moreover, if all this is an action, I will surely die of heartbreak."

"Shhh, don't repeat it or I will scold you," he said keeping his forefinger on my lip.

"I won't miss you or our baby,” Agni said.

"Hope so."

"Can't you trust me at least once?"

"It takes time for a broken heart to trust.”

"I hope one day I will earn your confidence and love."

"I hope so," he said again.

Next whole week, he was with me. I enjoyed a lot with him and his siblings. I understood that he is changing for me. I hope his change is real though I can't trust him wholeheartedly. His siblings went back to the hostel, and we returned home from the farmhouse. After one month, he took me to the hospital for a check-up. Doctor asked Agni to wait outside and checked baby growth. He came inside after check-up.

"How is she, doctor? How is my baby?"

"Nothing to worry Mr Agni, she is perfectly fine. Child growth is also perfect. She is much better than before. If you take care of her in the same way, definitely she will give birth to a healthy baby" doctor said.

"Thank you, doctor," he said.

He discussed with the doctor about my diet, little exercise, medicines and everything. His lengthy discussion for half an hour completed and he held my hand slowly to take me to the car. We were going, but the doctor called us.

"Look Agni, your love and care for her are exceptional. But if you love her and child, marry her as soon as possible. Within a few months, everyone will understand she is pregnant as the baby grows in the stomach. Don't let people know that she is pregnant before marriage.

If a girl gets conceived after marriage, it's a celebration. But if it's before the wedding, it's an insult to the girl and her character. Hope you understand."

He nodded and took me home. He dropped me at home and went to office ordering me to have food on time and take rest. However, he will call me again at lunch hour, juice time and snacks time to know whether I am following my diet schedule as per doctor's advice.

In the evening, I am preparing dinner for both of us. Agni didn't want me to cook and get tired, but I requested him as I want to cook something for Agni and me. I sent maids soon today. I planned to cook something he likes. I know he loves the food prepared by me. I am busy with cooking, and he hugged me from back placing a kiss on my shoulder. I didn't realise his arrival, focused entirely on preparing food.

"I love you," he said suddenly making me froze in my place with shock.

Is it real or am I daydreaming? He turned me towards him and held my waist pulling me close to him. My lips were touching his lips making me shiver.

"I love you, my angel," he said again.

"We are going to marry tomorrow in a registrar office for now. Later, I will marry you again as per our tradition after convincing your family, please."

"But Agni....."

He stopped my words by placing his finger on my lips.

"After marriage, you have a surprise baby."

"What is that?"

"The surprise which you will love a lot," he said kissing my lips so sweetly which made my knees unable to stand.

"Ok fine, Do whatever you feel is right," I said.

"You are trusting me way too much."

"No problem. I love you" I said and placed my head on his chest hugging him and feeling his love.

These days, I am enjoying his love, care, and touch. Hope everything will happen according to our wish.