CHAPTER XXV
Sita and I were busy packing our bags for the trip back to India. The air in the room felt heavy with emotion, yet there was a quiet sense of urgency. Just as I zipped up one of the suitcases, I heard her gagging behind me. I turned around quickly to find her gripping the edge of the bed, her face pale, and her body slightly trembling. She looked dizzy, and within seconds, she rushed to the bathroom, throwing up violently.
Alarmed, I rushed to her side. "Sita, you're not well. Don't worry about the trip. I'll go to India alone, and you stay here and rest. I'll be back as soon as I can."
But before I could say more, she leaned on my shoulder, her voice serious and low. "Ved… I think… I'm pregnant."
I froze. My heart skipped a beat. "What? When did that happen? And—" I teased, half in shock, half in nervous laughter, "—who's the father?"
Sita shot me a look, one eyebrow raised. "Ved, seriously? Who else could it be?"
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Sita, did you have something strong to drink this early in the morning?"
She looked just as amused. "Did you? Because if someone feels sick, they don't stop living. They don't stop traveling. They don't stop showing up for the people they love."
I reached out and cupped her cheek, concern still clouding my face. "But Sita…" then she asked "if you go to India and they somehow manipulate you into marrying someone else…"
She tightened her grip on my hand, her voice firm yet full of vulnerability. "Then what about me, Ved? What about us? I've come too far. I won't let anyone take you from me. You're not just my partner, you're my home."
I sighed, overwhelmed by her stubborn yet beautiful heart. "You never give up, do you?"
She smirked and pinched my nose playfully. "That's because your stubbornness is contagious."
I pulled her into my arms, smiling despite the whirlwind of emotions. "You, my fierce girl, never make things easy."
She leaned forward and kissed me softly on the cheek, her voice warm and tender. "You look your best when you're smiling, Ved."
I stood up and held my hand out to her like a knight ready to escort his queen. "Shall we go, my Queen?"
She grinned, eyes gleaming despite the morning's chaos. "Absolutely, my King."
And just like that, we were ready — to face India, to face family, to face the unknown — together.
I had already booked a cab for the airport, but before it could arrive, Mia and Sasha pulled up in their car, honking playfully as they waved at us. I quickly had all our luggage loaded into the trunk. Sita and I exchanged one last glance at the house we were leaving behind — not just a place, but a space full of memories, laughter, and the beginnings of our journey. Then, hand in hand, we got into the car and began the drive toward the airport.
As we settled in, Sasha glanced at Sita through the rearview mirror and said sharply, "Ved, your wife doesn't look well. Are you even taking care of her properly? Or are you too busy focusing on my girlfriend all the time?"
Before I could even open my mouth to respond, Sita leaned forward with a calm but fierce glare. "Sasha," she said firmly, "it seems you still haven't really looked closely at Vedehi's beautiful wife. Let me make it clear — she has no reason to look at anyone but me."
There was a moment of silence in the car before Mia broke it with a laugh. "Oh, the protective wife appears."
I smiled, a genuine laugh escaping me as I looked at Mia. "Well, at least I got myself a good wife. I honestly don't know what's going to happen with Sasha."
Sasha rolled her eyes. "Ugh! I was so busy trying to tease you, I completely forgot I was dealing with the most possessive girl in the world. What am I going to do now?"
Mia smacked Sasha lightly on the arm. "Sasha, focus on the road. Less talking, more driving. You're not on a comedy show."
Then Mia turned to me, her voice softening. "Vedu, I'm really sorry, but I won't be able to attend your grandfather's funeral."
I nodded gently. "It's okay, Mia. You don't need to come. Honestly, he'd lived a long life. After my grandmother passed, he changed. He became so quiet… barely spoke to anyone at home. It was like a part of him had already left with her. All day long, he would just sit by the window murmuring her name — Nisha, Nisha — like she was still there beside him."
Sita, who had been listening quietly until now, suddenly asked, "Who's Nisha?"
I glanced at her, puzzled. "My grandmother, obviously. Who else would it be? I said he used to call out her name — did I say it was the name of our neighbor or some stranger? Why even ask that?"
She looked taken aback, her expression falling. "I just asked a small question, Ved. Was that too much? Why are you snapping at me like this? You're being really rude."
She folded her arms and turned away. "You know what? Don't talk to me. I don't feel like speaking to you anymore."
And just like that, silence fell inside the car. Not the comfortable kind — but the kind that weighed on your chest, unspoken words hanging heavily between two hearts that loved each other too much to fight, yet sometimes hurt each other without meaning to.
I looked at Sita, still visibly upset, her arms crossed and eyes fixed stubbornly out the window. My heart sank. I hated seeing her like this — especially when I was the reason for it. But in that moment, I was at a loss. I didn't know what to say or do to make it right.
That's when I caught Mia's eyes through the rearview mirror. With a small, knowing smile, she gave me a subtle nod and mouthed the words, "Go on, make up with her."
Taking a deep breath, I shifted closer and gently rested my head on Sita's shoulder. My voice softened as I whispered, "Sita, you know how Ved can be sometimes… she says things without thinking. Please, forgive her. You know she didn't mean to hurt you."
Sita didn't say anything at first. Her lips were pressed into a tight line, her silence louder than any words.
Then finally, with a teasing tilt of her head, she replied, "And Ved, you know how stubborn Sita is, don't you? Winning her over is never easy. So instead, maybe you should forgive Sita."
I smiled softly, warmth blooming in my chest. I leaned in a little closer and whispered playfully in her ear, "If you don't forgive me right now… then I swear, I won't just hold your hands and apologize — I'll fall to my knees and hold both your feet until you say you've forgiven me."
For a moment, silence lingered.
And then… she broke into a laugh.
That beautiful, heartfelt, musical laugh that I had come to treasure more than anything else in the world. She turned her face toward mine, her eyes glimmering with mischief and affection.
"Ved," she said, cupping my cheek with one hand, "defeating you is impossible."
I grinned and gently took her hand in mine. "Good. Because I never want to be on the opposite side of you, Sita. Ever."
We both smiled, the tension slowly melting away — replaced by the familiar warmth of love, the kind that doesn't fear fights, because it knows how to return stronger every time.
To be continue....