Ashutosh:
Rudrani left from there without a single word. I asked Artika to take rest and returned to my room without answering the questions of my friends. Rudrani sat on the bed hugging her knees.
I can understand her mental turmoil right now. She just can't imagine this even in her wildest dreams. I sat calmly infront of her and tried to hold her hand to soothe her but I got a shock. Rudrani is not crying and was actually busy with some book.
"Rudrani, I am..I mean," I tried to talk.
Rudrani smiled and held my hand. She placed a soft kiss on my hand.
"I trust you, Ashu. I am sure that my husband can never betray me even in dreams. My trust is not that fragile to fade easily," Rudrani said with an assuring smile.
"Ashu, I am sure it's not you who is the reason behind Artika's pregnancy. I won't force you to tell me about the person because I know you will share it with me when it's right time."
Her smile and trust made me happy. I am lucky to have her as my wife. I embraced her in a love filled hug.
"Even Artika didn't know who is the father of the child. I mean she didn't know how she became pregnant," I said to Rudrani.
"What?" Rudrani asked me.
"Yes Rudrani. From last two months she is feeling sick and weak. When she went for check up, they confirmed her pregnancy," I said.
"But how can it be possible? Did anyone spike her drink and took advantage of her?"
"No, she said no."
"I just don't understand how it happened without Artika's notice," Rudrani said as if she couldn't believe.
"We need to find it out, Rudrani. For this I need your support and help. Till then let everyone think it's me who spoiled her life," I said.
"But Ashu, what if mom and dad misunderstand you? At least we need to say the truth to mom and dad."
"No, we can't say all this to anyone as no one believes Artika nor tries to understand her situation."
"Whatever I am with you, Ashu. Because I love you," Rudrani said resting her head on my shoulder.
"Relax baby, I am there to manage everything," I said.
"And I am there for you," my love replied immediately making both of us laugh.
Having a wife who trusts me completely and understands me well is a blessing. I just want to hold her hand ever and walk with her throughout my life.
"Ashu, tomorrow is my appointment with the psychologist. Can you accompany me?" Rudrani asked.
"How will I leave you when you need me the most?" I said.
Next day, we went to the doctor. We were waiting for the doctor to call us as per appointment. We sat in the waiting room. My love was so panicked and she leaned her head on my shoulder. I smiled looking at my angel. Hairs fallens on her forehead and then into her eyes making her feel uncomfortable. I removed her hairs from forehead and then made her to look into my eyes.
"Sweet heart, why are you so nervous as if you came here for an exam or interview?" I asked to cool her.
"Ashu, I didn't even scared this much for any exam till now. But now I really feel as if it's an exam related to my life. I didn't want to miss you or our family. What if I can never accept your touch and can never gift you a heir? I love you, Ashu. I love you so much. I didn't want to miss you. But I really can't control my agony and fear when I remember my past and cannot become your's completely. What if doctor says I can't become normal ever? I didn't want to miss your love," Rudrani spoken her heart out with tears filled eyes forgetting the surrounding and everything.
I hugged her resting her head on my chest. Sometimes few acts make peoe feel better than any consoling words. I placed a soft kiss on her temple caressing her hairs.
"My love, did you hear my heart beat?" I asked.
She nodded in confusion.
"Until that heart beat stops, my love for you never fades. Whatever doctor may say, whatever God may decide, I am your's forever and my love is forever your's. Rudrani, according to me a relationship between a couple is not related to two mere bodies, it's divine and eternal where two hearts and souls are interconnected till their last breath.
I always see opportunity in adversity. If we can't have our own child, then we can turn it into an opportunity to give a great life to any orphan child by adoption. Then that baby will get loving parents and we will get an heir too. One more thing is I love my wife a lot and I can't see her even in little pain. So how can I bear seeing her when she goes through labour pain during delivery? So, I will think God understood my love for my lovely wife and relieved me from that stress, if doctor says as you imagined. Otherwise, I will think God gave an opportunity to make my wife happy by giving her a child. Anything is okay with me until my wife smiles."
Rudrani smiled hearing me. Doctor called her for check up. I waited for her. She returned after one hour and then doctor called me into her chamber.
"Mr Ashutosh, I had a talk with your wife. I didn't understand how to tell you this but as a doctor I shouldn't lie about the patient. Your wife can never accept you as a husband. Of course, no doubt that your wife loves you a lot but that incident of molestation in a tender age can't be erased from her mind forever. I am sorry. She is not suitable to be a wife," the doctor declared in her professional tone as I have already expected.
"Thank you, doctor," I said with a smile and returned to my love.
She hugged me as soon as I came outside.
"Ashu, tell me! What did the doctor say? Will I be able to become your wife completely ever? Can I remove that fear?"
My love asked me worriedly in a choked tone.
"Of course sweetheart! The doctor said that you will recover soon and will become all mine. But she recommended another doctor," I said.
"Who and why?"
"She recommended Dr Ashutosh who can read your mind instantly and can do anything for you. She said only he can make you normal," I said.
"What?" She asked with frustration.
"Yes, my sweet heart! Actually the doctor said that you are perfectly alright and treatment is not required. She said that I can make you normal through my love and care. She said your's is not a big problem."
"Really?" Rudrani asked surprisingly.
I am sorry, my love. I lied to you because I didn't want to hurt you and I trust our love than the words of the doctor. Only the strength and confidence of a person can cure a person. If I say what that doctor has said, you will lose your courage and hope. That ruins our happiness and relationship too. I can't let that happen to us.
I embraced her in a side hug by holding her by waist and murmured in her ear.
"Yes, baby! That doctor said very soon I can start romancing with my lovely wife like this," I said kissing her on cheek noticing that there were no patients in the waiting room luckily.