This chapter is dedicated to ChanduSrujana, , & . Thank you guys for your support and love.

Hello peeps!!

I'm back with another update.

Happy Valentines Day, guys.

This chapter is unedited and may contain grammatical mistakes.

Author's POV:

Rishi and Sakshi are sitting in their room, looking at Maya's childhood photos. They still couldn't believe that their little princess is going to be a mother soon.

Just then, Avi and Maya stood at the door. Seeing them busy, they knocked on the door.

Rishi said, "Why are you standing there, come inside?"

"What are you guys doing?" Avi asked them.

Sakshi helped Maya to sit on the bed. As Maya entered her 8th month, she is feeling difficult with her baby bump.

"Wow, our childhood albums", said Maya, getting excited.

"Ayy, you look soo cute here", Avi said, poking her cheeks, looking at a photo.

Little Maya was playing with the balloons and laughing.

Maya yelled at him, "Don't pull my cheeks, you idiot."

Rishi and Sakshi giggled, looking at their banter.

And here come our spoiler, Mr Arjun.

"What's up guys?" He asked, barging inside.

"Ceiling", said Avi.

"That's an old joke Mr. Brother-in-law. Please get updated", he said, lying on the bed, by keeping his head in Sakshi's lap.

Avi made a bad face, listening to him

"You look like a chudail here", said Arjun, teasing Maya.

"And you look a baby panda", said Maya.

"Ayy, don't you know, I'm born handsome", said Arjun.

"You and handsome. Did you look at face in the mirror anytime? You look like a chimpanzee", said Maya.

"Then you are a monkey", said Arjun.

"You are a dinosaur", said Maya.

"You are a lilliput", said Arjun.

Avi got irritated, listening to their banter and shouted at them, "Argh! Shut up, guys. Don't you get tired with this? Be silent, otherwise get out from here."

Arjun and Maya pouted, listening to him.

"Anna, look at this pic", Maya said, pointing at baby Avi who is sitting in front of the cake and gobbling it.

(Imagine him to be baby Avi)

"Foodie baby", said Arjun.

While Avi looked away embarrassed.

"Avi look at this", Sakshi said.

(Imagine him to be baby Arjun)

Everyone burst out laughing looking at the pic. Baby Arjun is eating chocolate ice-cream. There is big tub of ice-cream in front of him and his whole body is messed up.

"I was a toddler then", said Arjun, pouting.

"Even I was a toddler", said Avi.

"All the boys in our family are foodies, only", said Rishi.

"And here comes our little chef", said Avi.

It was a photo of baby Maya around 5 years trying to roll a chapati, and her whole face is covered with floor.

"Aww, this is so cute", Avi said, looking the photo of Nandu, Rishi and Maya.

Rishi was lying on his stomach and holding baby Nandu of a few months in his arms while Maya was sleeping on his back.

And there was another photo where Maya is holding a paper with "I love you, daddy" written on it.

And there was another photo where Arpita and Maya were sleeping on the either side of new born Siri.

There was another one where Avi giving a piggy back ride to Sravya.

And in the another one Nandu and Arjun are teaching Vicky how to walk.

There is another photo of four of the them. Sakshi is hugging Nandu close to her heart and Rishi was hugging from the back and our cute little Maya sat on his father's shoulders.

Maya has a sweet smile playing on her lips, looking at the photo.

They flipped through the pages, rewinding the sweet memories of their childhood.

Maya stopped, looking at a photo and asked her mother, "Amma, whose photo is this?"

Sakshi and Rishi looked at each other and got tensed. Actually the album has everyone's childhood memories. They totally forgot that it has a few pictures of Abhiram too.

"He is Abhiram, your elder brother", said Avi.

"Abhiram", said Maya, caressing the photo with love.

"He looks like nanna", said Maya.

"Amma, what were your feelings when you held him for the first time?" Maya asked Sakshi.

"He was my first baby, Ammu. You knew, when I took him into my arms, I forgot all the pain I had gone through for 6 long hours. He was so naughty and wouldn't let me sleep at the night. He used to stay awake all the night. He used to cry buckets, but when Rishi used to take him in his arms, he used to calm down immediately. He was there with us for 9 weeks. Every week, your Anju maa used to take his photos. That day I didn't know that only these would remain with me", saying that, Sakshi burst out into tears.

Rishi embraced her in his arms. Even he has tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Rishi", said Sakshi.

"There is no mistake of yours, Sakshi. And how many times do I have to tell you not to blame yourself?" Said Rishi.

"I couldn't save our Abhi, Rishi", said Sakshi, crying hysterically.

"Shh, he is with his grandparents, getting pampered by them in the heaven. It is written in our destiny and we can't change it. Please, Sakshi, control yourself", said Rishi, kissing her forehead.

They totally forgot about the presence of Avi, Maya and Arjun. Three of them had tears in their eyes, looking at them.

"Amma, what do you mean that you couldn't save him?" Maya asked them, bringing them out of their world.

Sakshi didn't understand what to say. Even Rishi sat there in a dilemma.

"Umm, nothing, kanna. By the time, doctors told us about his condition it was already late", said Rishi, covering up.

But Maya wasn't convinced with his answer.

"Then why is amma blaming herself?" Maya asked him.

Rishi and Sakshi were mentally slapping themselves for bringing this topic in front of her.

"Nothing, kanna. Ayyo, see, it's already lunch time. Come everyone must be waiting for us", said Sakshi, getting down from the bed.

"Amma, I know you guys are hiding something from me. If you don't tell me now, then I'm not going have my food", said Maya stubbornly.

"Bunny, they are saying, right, there is nothing. Stop being stubborn", Avi said sternly.

"You stay out of it, Avi. I'm talking to my parents. The same parents who forgot about their children for some years leaving them to bear the pain alone. Now, they have realised their mistakes, and are trying hard to mend the relationship. I know, everyone makes mistakes. And we should give them another chance when they are repenting for their mistakes. But, don't you think I need an explanation? Look how happy we were in these photos. We could have created many more if you hadn't ignored us for your career. Is money more important to you than your children, amma?" Maya said, angrily.

"Pumpkin, don't come to conclusions without knowing the truth", Arjun said, controlling his emotions.

Avi, Rishi and Sakshi stood still in their places.

"Look, who is saying about that?" Maya said, sarcastically.

She is not in a position to understand what she is saying. All these years of her wait, anguish and sorrow are making her speak harshly. On the top of that, her pregnancy hormones are not at all helping the situation. And she would definitely regret it later for speaking like this.

"At least tell her now, peddamma (badi maa). You guys have suffered enough. And she has that right to know everything", said Arjun.

"We can't", said Rishi.

"Why mavayya? If Maya and Nandu endured the pain, then both of you have also gone through the same or may be more than them. Losing your first child in front of your own eyes was not easy. And feeling helpless, when the person who killed your baby was roaming in front of you without getting punished." As soon as Avi said that, Maya gasped, looking at him wide-eyed.

"You don't know right, Maya. Then listen to me carefully. Abhi bava didn't die normally. He was murdered. And all these years they are staying away from you and Nandu to protect both of you and us," said Avi.

Maya is about to stumble, but Arjun held her at the right time. He stood there supporting his little sister.

With that, Avi told her everything that he knew.

"Just think about their pain, bunny. I'm not saying that you didn't suffer. Even you went through a lot. I'm not supporting them, Maya. Maybe the path they chose wasn't right, but at that time they might have felt that it was right. Losing your first child, and then Nandu's kidnapping, and Anju Atta's accident, just assume how much they had gone through. I can't compare your and Nandu's pain with theirs. But just for once, think from their place", before he could say more, Maya fainted in Arjun's arms, making everyone tensed.

That's the reason, they have been hiding this matter from her.

Avi picked her up in his arms and made her lie down on the bed. Arjun ran out of the room to call Diya.

Diya, Janaki and Anitha immediately rushed inside the room. Diya started, checking Maya.

Diya started, shouting at them as Maya wasn't responding, "Didn't I tell you to keep her away from the stress?"

She composed herself and said, "Anna, pick her up in your arms. We have to take her to the hospital. Arjun take the car."

Avi picked her up in his arms, while Arjun ran down.

************************

Soon they reached the hospital. Diya already told her assistant to make everything ready. They admitted her in the ICU. Her BP levels went high and her body turned cold. Maya woke up slowly but she felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen.

Diya checked her and did all the tests. She told something to the nurse and went outside. She saw everyone sitting there with tensed faces.

"How is she?" Avi asked her.

"She woke up a few minutes back. But she went into an early labor. And we have to go for the cesarean delivery. The baby's position has changed and it's not possible for normal delivery", said Diya.

"But there is still time for her due date, right?" Avi asked her.

"I know, as she went into labor too early, the baby may not have had time to turn in preparation for birth yet. So now baby is in breech position now, means the baby is positioned with its feet down in the birth canal. We can go for the normal delivery but it's a little risky. So, I suggest C-section", said Diya. "But the decision is yours. Think quickly and complete the formalities. I'll just come now," saying that, she moved to her cabin.

Janaki looked at guilty faces of Sakshi and Rishi.

"There is no mistake of yours akka and bava. Stop feeling guilty. She has to know the truth one day or other", said Janaki.

"I should have kept a check on my emotions. I shouldn't have broken down like that", Sakshi said, crying.

"Akka, please control yourself", said Janaki.

"Arjun tell Diya to go for the C-section. And Yash go with Avinav and complete the formalities", said Anitha.

They nodded their heads and moved from there.

"All of you go back to home. It's not good for Taara to stay here for a long time. Arjun, akka and Vani vadina will stay here along with Avi. Anyways, me and Anitha will be here only", said Janaki.

Though everyone want to stay back, they left as there are kids and elder people back at the home. Vani told everyone to have their lunch after going home. She told them that she would inform them once the surgery is completed.

Rishi stayed back as he didn't want to leave Sakshi alone. And he can't be in peace, until he sees his daughter and grandchild safe.

***********************

Diya made everything ready for the surgery. Though she told everyone to be strong, she was tensed. Taking a deep breath and praying for her favorite "Kannayya" (Lord Krishna) in her mind. She started the surgery.

Avi was pacing in the corridor tensed. Sakshi and Rishi are praying for the God to keep their daughter and their grandchild safe. Anitha sat opposite to them along with Vani. And Janaki was sitting with her sister and brother-in-law.

"Don't worry, everything will be alright", Arjun said, patting Avi's back.

Finally, after an hour Diya came out of the delivery room with a baby in her arms. She has a smile in her face.

As soon as Avi saw her, he ran towards her.

"Anna, your baby", saying that, she handed the baby carefully to Avi. "And it's a boy."

"My little man", Avi said, kissing his forehead.

He has tears in his eyes looking at his baby. He is so happy and he couldn't express it in words. "Bunny?"

"She is fine, but a little weak. She is sleeping due to sedatives", said Diya.

"He is so cute and little", said Avi.

"He looks like Abhi a little", said Vani, admiring her grandson.

"Yes", said Janaki.

While Rishi and Sakshi has a sweet smile, playing on their lips.

"Anna, we have to keep him under observation for some days, as he is under-weight", said Diya.

Avi kissed his little one's forehead and gave him back to Diya with a heavy heart.

"Can I go inside?" Avi asked Diya.

"Sure Anna, but she is asleep. And you can go once we shift her to the room", saying that, she went away from there with the baby.

Avi nodded his head. Arjun jumped on Avi said, "Congrats daddy, dear."

Everyone chuckled, looking at them. Anitha called home and informed everyone. She told them not to come there, as she knew after listening to the arrival of the baby they would definitely come.

They sat there waiting for the staff to shift Maya to the room. They booked a private room for her, increased the security.

********************

Avi moved inside the room and saw Maa sleeping peacefully. He pecked her cheeks and muttered "I love you, bunny".

He sat on the stool beside her bed, admiring her. He drifted into sleep, holding her hand.

After sometime, Maya opened her eyes and looked at the white walls of the hospital. She placed her hand on her stomach and said, "my baby". She looked around and found the empty crib. She noticed Avi who was sleeping.

She shook his torso, to which he sat with a jerk.

"What happened, bunny? Are you fine? Is it painting anywhere?" Asked Avi.

"Baby", mumbled Maya.

"He is under-weight, so he is under observation", said Avi.

"He?" Asked Maya.

"Yes", Avi said, happily.

"I want to see him, please", said Maya.

Avi nodded his head and went to call Diya.

Diya came inside along with the others.

"How are you feeling, kanna?" Sakshi asked her.

"Fine, maa", said Maya.

"I want to see my baby, vadina", Maya told Diya.

"Okay, but you can't be there for long", said Diya.

Maya nodded her head. Avi picked her up in his arms and took her to the room where their baby was there.

Maya looked at her baby who is sleeping peacefully and burst into tears. Diya handed him to her. Maya hugged him close to her heart. He opened his eyes as if he felt his mother. Maya looked at the beautiful brown orbs of her baby which he inherited from his father.

He burst out crying, while Maya was cooing him.

"Looks like, he is hungry. You have to feed him Maya", said Diya.

Diya instructed her how to handle the baby while feeding, and moved out leaving the little family alone for sometime.

Avi stood there admiring his wife and son. After feeding him, Maya and Avi moved back to the room, with a heavy heart.