"What did he tell just now?" I asked Kavya.

"Yeah, actually we planned on asking Abhi, Sandhya and Siddharth to join us. The more people, the fun it will be right?" Kavya said and I subconsciously nodded.

"Wait, no. Why would you guys call them? If they are coming I am not coming. You already have enough people to enjoy. You guys don't need me anymore!!!" I said. But, what I was thinking inside was different. I was actually happy that I get to spend more time with Siddharth.

Shhh don't tell them. They will tease me to death.

"Oh, shut up. We know you and Siddharth have to make a decision by next week, cause your first trimester is going to end. After that, you cannot abort the baby even if you want. So, this is going to be a good chance for you to spend more time with him and take a good decision," she said.

"Kavya, you know what? I have decided to keep this baby. Even if Siddharth is not going to be a part of it. I am either going to do this alone, or with him. BUT, I am going to do this. I want this baby. I can't kill an innocent soul because of my selfish reason. You know, my brothers already hated me for doing this and I don't have any reason to stay here now. If Siddharth doesn't want this baby, I am going overseas where having a kid before marriage is okay, where people won't shot me dirty look for having this baby," I said, trying to control my tears. I really had to let this out of my mind.

To be honest, I am not ready to do this alone. Because I want Siddharth to be with me. I don't know what is the name of the feeling I am feeling right now!!! Is it love? Or just attraction? I don't know. But I want to be with him. But still if he doesn't want me, then I cannot force him. I will just let him live his own life and go further away from him.

To say women cannot live without men is BULLSHIT. I can definitely do it on my own. The first few years is going to be difficult, but I can definitely do it. I just feel bad for the baby because I know the pain of growing up without a father.

But, as any other normal human being, even I want to have it easy. If I had Siddharth with me, then he can work for us while I stay at home taking care of the baby until it is old enough. The baby will have love from both their parents and I can have a complete, easy and happy life. Only if Siddharth wants it. I mean now that I know he loves me, he wants me to stay with him. But, what will I do when he changes his mind after the baby is born? What if he doesn't want the baby or me anymore? I just want to have a Plan B.

"Answer me, dammit," Kavya shouted, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"What?" I asked her again. That is when I noticed she had tears rolling down her cheeks.

"What do you mean you don't have any reason to stay here? Am I a joke to you? You can leave us and go? How can you even think like this?" Kavya said and this time she was serious, because she was full on crying.

"Kavya, stop crying. You know I don't have any other choice. I cannot be here because, in India, people consider this a sin. The society will never accept this baby and I don't want my child to feel left out here. Many people are struggling having babies and I don't want to commit a sin by killing the baby God gifted me. I know I can't leave you guys and go, but I HAVE to do it. I am sorry," I said and she hugged me tight and sobbed.

After a few minutes she calmed down and she stormed out of my table. Wait, is she angry with me? Hmmm I mentally said sorry to her. I didn't follow her outside knowing she needs some time alone. I really hope Siddharth loves me just like Sandhya said because...I like him, that's it. I have no other reason. I really really like him. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. That's it!!!

"Harish, come let's have lunch. I am hungry," I called him. "Yeah two minutes, get Kavya here and we will go together," he said. I nodded and went to her table to get her. But, she was not there. I went to the manager's room to see if she was there but she wasn't!!!

"Harish, Where is Kavya? She is not in the office. I have searched everywhere!!!" I even checked the washroom but, I couldn't find her.

"What do you mean she is not here? Did you ask Anand?" Harish asked and I shook my head. We both went to Anand's cabin.

"Anand, did Kavya inform you anything about going out?" I asked him.

"Yeah, she took half day leave and kind of left in a hurry. She didn't tell you?" he asked me back.

What? Why would she leave in a hurry?

"Why would she rush out like that without even informing us?" Harish asked out my thoughts to me. I shrugged and took out my phone to call her.

"She is not picking up," I mumbled.

"Ananya, relax. She might have went to her home or something," he said. But, I couldn't relax. Because I know what I said to her. I know why she is angry. She must be so hurt for her to leave like this. Just because she cares about me. All because of me. Why did I have to tell her that? I should've just shut my mouth. She's been with me for so many years now and it hurts me to think of leaving her, and Harish. But, I cannot do anything. This society WILL NEVER accept my child. They will haunt us all our life.

"Ananya, your phone is ringing," Harish brought me out of my thoughts. I didn't even hear it ringing until Harish pointed it out.

"Hey Siddharth?" that came more like a question as I was still in shock seeing his name. Why was he calling me?

"Ananya, you got medical check-up today right?" he asked me. OMG I almost forgot it.

"Yeah!!! Shit, I forgot. How did you know?" I asked him. "Last week you mentioned it to Sandhya and she told me. I will pick you up from office and we will go together," he said and I was taken aback. It took me a few minutes to register what he told. I felt so happy. I said okay and hung up the phone.

For a moment, I forgot all about Kavya, being too happy that Siddharth is coming to the check-up with me. But then it dawned upon me. I still haven't hear from Kavya. For the rest of the day I spent my time calling Kavya only for it to went straight to voicemail. I grew more worried with each minute passed.

"KAVYA WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?" I yelled as soon as she answered the phone after a hundrends of tries.

"Ananya, I am Kavya's mom speaking," my heart stopped. My mind went back to the time when she found me in her house. I couldn't get words out of my mouth. I seem frozen in my place, because I don't know how she felt about me.

"Aunty, I am sorry," I said and went to hang up when her voice stopped me.

"No beta. I should apologize to you. Kavya didn't talk to me nor her father for two weeks after we said those harsh words about you. I was just caught up on how the world will think. I forgot to think from your shoes. You always saw me as your mother and even I said you was like a daughter to me. But then I didn't do anything to prove it. I can never be a mother to you. Please, forgive me," she finished and sniffled. She was crying because of me.

"Aunty, i-its okay. It is n-not your fault. I won't blame you," I said. I don't know what else to say. How am I suppose to react?

"Aunty, is Kavya okay? She didn't inform before leaving and she was not answering my calls also. Is she there?" I went back to the thing I wanted to ask to avoid this awkward situation.

"Yes beta, She is here. She is sleeping. When she came home, she said she was having headache so she went straight to sleep. I heard the phone ringing so I answered it," she said.

"Oh," she was having headache because of me.

"When she wakes up, ask her to call me please," I said.

"Sure," she said and with that I hung up. I broke the heart of the girl who didn't talk to her own parents because they said some harsh words about me. I broke her heart, when the only thing she did was to care for me. She has always been there for me but I was going to hurt her by going away from her. No wonder she got angry. She is right.

I couldn't go away from her. Her reaction only made me stop from telling Harish the same thing because he is going to react worse than Kavya. If Kavya being the most understanding girl also reacts like this, I cannot imagine Harish reacting to this. I couldn't do that.

"God, I really pray to you please make Siddharth loves me forever. Let him stay with me forever and ever. I will not ask you anything else, please. I cannot go away from my friends and my brothers. Please," I silently begged to God.

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

Soon it was time for me to go to...medical check-up. I have never felt happy going there because the doctor will always ask me about my husband (who doesn't even exist). But, today I am happy because Siddharth will be following me, without even me asking!!! I am truly happy but I tried my best to be normal, not to show the excitement I am feeling.

"How was your day?" Siddharth asked me as soon as I got into the car, showing me his sweetest smile. God, I missed that smile. What is happening to me? Why am I falling for him this harder?

"Yeah, all good. How about you?" I asked him back and he just smiled, telling it was okay. "Why you suddenly...you know follow me to hospital?" I asked him and he looked shocked. "Are you not feeling comfortable with me following?" he asked.

"NOOO, that's not what I meant," I quickly said. "Just wanted to know," I mumbled and he didn't answer me. Okay fine if you don't want to answer. I am happy at least he came.

He parked the car in the parking lot at hospital and I got out. Siddharth came to my side and wrapped his hand around my waist, protectively. I felt so happy in that small gesture of his.

"Mrs.Ananya.... Are you ready for the scan?" the doctor asked me. I just nodded. "Doctor, can I follow?" Siddharth suddenly asked, making me shocked. "Yeah, of course." The doctor said and his face lit up.

Then, we followed the doctor to the scanning room. Siddharth followed me closely. The doctor made me lie down and applied some cold gel on my belly. Then, she brought the machine to my belly and moved it. The baby's image popped up in the screen.

"There, that is your baby. It looks healthy and in the correct size. You are doing a great job Ananya," the doctor said and I smiled. Suddenly, I felt his hand on my hand. He gently squeezed it, and gave me the sweetest smile ever. I was mesmerized by the smile he gave. I saw tears rolling down from his eyes. My hand subconsciously went to wipe the tears.

"I am sorry Ananya. I didn't take care of you properly all this days. I have been such a stupid. But, after this I will take care of you!!! I promise," he said and tears welled up in my eyes also. The doctor excused us and went outside.

"Don't cry Siddharth. I am happy that you are doing this much for me," I said and he smiled. He helped me up and wipe my tears. We went out and waited for the doctor to come. Siddharth's hand never left my hand even for a second.

"Mr and Mrs Siddharth. Your baby is fine and you just need more nutrients. Your body looks little week. Being a mother is not easy. Control your emotion. You have crossed the most sensitive period of pregnancy but, you have to be more careful after this," the doctor said and I nodded, feeling on top of the moon.

I had the man I liked beside me and my baby in my stomach. This is all I've ever wished for. I just wish this moment to never end. I am too happy for this to end.