The Entwined Fates

Epilogue

Five years later

We rushed to the hospital immediately when I felt immense pain. The labour pains were excruciating. We reached the hospital at record speed.

As everything was pre-booked, we didn't have to worry much about the formalities. As we reached, the nurses immediately rushed me into the delivery room.

My attending doctor, Sania, made her way into the room.
"How are you feeling, Arya?"

"My hips hurt! So bad!" I croaked as another wave of pains came in.

"Yea, I am sure you will be ready to push soon."

Dhruva stood by me the whole time, holding my hands and threading fingers through my hair, effectively calming me down. I gave him a quick smile.

"Good. Because I can't wait to meet my baby any longer."

It looked like my baby heard me as another wave hit.

"Yeah! No longer!"

Dhruva chuckled but stopped when I squeezed his hand tightly. His face was contorted in pain. Well, look at that. Now he felt the fraction of pain I was feeling. He still managed to mumble a quick sorry.

"Sorry! It's just funny. The one time, I mean one time that we went outside to grab food at McDonald's, was the one where our little one wanted to make an entrance."

"I know. The looks people gave were hilarious."

The both of us started laughing. But my laugh ended abruptly, as I felt extreme pain. This one hurt more than the others. That's when we realised it was time.

After a while, our bundle of joy had finally decided to grace us with her presence.
Yes. HER.
It was a girl.
Our princess.

I was exhausted but still eager to meet her. Know her. Teach her. Play with her. Love her.
As the midwife handed over our princess, I felt an overwhelming sense of emotions pass through me.
Awe. Happiness. Love. Affection. Pride.

I looked up to Dhruva with teary eyes to see that he was crying.
"Happy tears! I promise! She's so pretty."
"I know! We love you, princess."
Both of us proceeded to kiss her head.

Everyone was informed that our little princess had arrived. Dhruva and I needed to spend some time with her alone before inviting visitors.

In the evening, however, an important guest made an appearance. Dhruva went out to bring them in. He came in with Aarav. Our little toddler. The apple of our eye. We had him two years in our marriage. Dhruva was telling him to be quiet and not to disturb his sister.

Aarav came running to me as he saw me, demanding to be picked up. But I couldn't. Dhruva made sure that Aarav washed his hands and then placed him on my bed. He hugged me tightly.

"Momma!! I missed you."

"I missed you too, honey."

"Is my baby here yet?"

Both Dhruva and I chuckled.

"Yes. Your baby sister is here."

"I have a SISTER!" He exclaimed. "I wanted a sister."

"We know! Do you wanna meet your baby sister?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" He started jumping on the hospital bed with excitement.

I quickly gathered him in my arms. Dhruva went to fetch our princess and bring her over. He sat beside me on the bed.
Aarav leaned closer to get a good look at his sister. The both of us observed him quietly, patiently waiting for his reaction. Though he was excited before, we didn't know how exactly he would react now. We let out a deep breath after he excitedly started speaking.

"Momma, she is so pretty. Look, Dada."

"Yes. Will you take care of your baby sister?"

"Yeah, Dada. I will protect her."

"Look, she is sticking her tongue out. She's teasing me."

Dhruva and I glanced at each other, barely containing our laughter. Kids were so innocent. So pure.

"She is not teasing you. She doesn't know anything. Will you teach her everything you know?" Dhruva asked him.

"Yes, Dada. Do you think she will like it if I sing for her?"

"Yes. Your sister will love it."

Aarav started singing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'. This was the one song he always sang when I was pregnant. We had told him that his baby sibling loves it. And we were proven right when she gave him a lazy smile.

"She smiled! Momma, Dada, did you see?"

"Yeah, honey! We saw. See, she loves it when you sing to her. Why don't you sing her some more?"

And sing her he did. His joy had no bounds. It brought a smile to our faces.
Aarav would be the best big brother to our princess.
There was no doubt about it.

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Author's Note:
Hello guys!
Finally the book is complete. It has been quite a journey for me, writing my first novel.
I hope you guys loved reading it as much as I loved writing it.
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Thanks for reading!
- Mitali