Yuvraj's pov

"Badhai ho Sarpanch ji, aap pita banane wale hai."

("Congratulations, Sarpanch ji, you are going to become a father.")

The old dai ma's wavering voice conveyed deep emotion as she shared the news that I was going to be a father. She inquired about Saanvi's health and, drawing on her years of experience, made her conclusions.

Numbness enveloped me, yet it was laced with a profound sense of responsibility. The thought of being a father stirred something within me as I envisioned my Heer's belly nurturing the life born from our love.

If only I had known how swiftly things would unravel.

A throbbing ache pounded in my head. Fragmented images flashed through my mind: distant giggles, red blood, a body collapsing like a rag doll, screams, the haveli. It all blurred together, chaotic and senseless.

I tried to open my eyes, but the pain in my head held them shut. My body felt heavy, resisting my attempts to wake.

As I opened my eyes a little, the first thing that came into view was a blindingly bright light.

Who the hell keeps such bright lights on?

My head throbbed unbearably, and my forehead creased in pain.

Giggles.

I knew exactly to whom they belonged. Only my Heer. My Saanvi. My heartbeats quickened as her melodious voice reached my ears.

Summoning all the strength in my being, I opened my eyes and hissed at the bright light falling on me.

I glanced to my right but couldn’t find her. Turning to my left, there she was.

A heavily pregnant Heer, her full, round stomach visible, stood blabbering softly.

Am I in heaven?

She was gently caressing her round belly, talking continuously while standing near a bed that looked like one of the poorest I had ever seen.

It seemed like even heaven couldn't afford a good bed for her. But I will! She deserves the best.

"H..eer," I called after admiring her for a few minutes.

She gasped, her eyes meeting mine. She rushed to me and settled on the bed beside me.

"Aap uth gaye, Yuvraj ji. Pata hai kitni chinta ho rahi thi mujhe,"

("You've woken up, Yuvraj ji. Do you know how worried I was?")

she said, resting her head on my chest.

I smiled, realizing she still cared about me, even in heaven. I had thought she would be angry with me for not saving her from evil, but she proved me wrong.

Not getting an answer from me, she caressed my cheek and kissed it.

"We missed you."

Her voice pierced my heart, leaving a trail of love behind.

We. She and our baby. Now we can live happily ever after in heaven.

I sighed and encircled her waist.

I tried to speak, but my throat felt like it was lined with thorns from dryness.

"Paani,"

(Water)

I croaked.

She gently moved away and picked up a glass from the side table.

I tried to sit up despite my headache, but my eyes widened in horror as she removed a pillow from under her long green dress and placed it behind my head.

What the actual fuck is happening.

Her stomach flattened, and I shook my head, trying to comprehend what was happening. She offered me water, and I drank it, then sat up straight against the headboard.

She looked at me fully and smiled innocently.

Narrowing my eyes, I asked, "Hum kahan hai abhi?"

(Where are we right now?)

"Aspatal mei," came her nonchalant reply.

(In hospital)

So we weren't in heaven.

The fall. The body. I shook, realizing it.

"Chhat se kaun gira tha?"

(Who fell from the terrace?)

My eyes searched for any injuries on her as I pulled her to sit near me. Her smile faded, replaced by a different emotion.

"Soha," she said sternly.

I sighed as she hugged me tightly, and I felt wetness on my chest.

"Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha. Hua kya tha?"

(I can't understand anything. What had happened?)

I groaned in frustration.

"Soha was fighting with us. She tried to push me off the terrace, but Dhuni kicked to save me. Soha accidentally fell from the impact of that sudden push. I was unconscious all the while, and so were you.

When I woke up, Dhuni was here. She told me everything.

Arun bhaiya and aunty (the helper) sought the help of our neighbor and admitted us to the hospital," she detailed.

The memories of the past started to overwhelm me. I recalled her call and how I had already been feeling restless. I had a feeling that something terrible was about to happen.

When I saw a body falling from the sky, landing near my feet, I fainted.

My mind concluded it was her body, and I lost consciousness from the shock.

"You were on the verge of a heart attack," Saanvi sobbed, clutching me tightly.

I kissed her head and then slapped her back harshly. She looked at me with angry eyes, tears streaming down her face.

"Kyu mara?"

(Why did you hit me?)

she cried.

God, I would have fucked her if only I was not mad at her.

"Pehle tu bata yeh sab karne ki kya jarurat thi!!"

(First, tell me, what was the need to do all this?)

My voice thundered as I gripped her jaw tightly, eliciting a hiss from her.

"Mana kia tha tujhe koi shaitaani nahi. Koi khatra mod mat lena. Par nahi inhe toh jhansi ki rani banana hai."

(I told you not to indulge in any mischief. Don't take any unnecessary risks. But no, she wants to play the role of Jhansi ki Rani,)

I scolded, her eyes cast downwards.

"Mujhe pata hai aapko apne bacho ki chinta hai. Kuch nahi hua hai unhe."

(I know you worry about your children. Nothing happened to them)

she said rudely, earning a slap on her back.

"Kyu mara!?"

(Why did you hit me!?)

She punched my chest in anger.

"Mujhe bacho ki nahi teri chinta! Bache toh firse aa jayenge par tujhe kahan se laaunga mai!!"

(I'm not worried about the children, I'm worried about you! The children will come back, but where will I bring you from?)

My voice turned hard as I tried to make her understand.

She didn't say anything, just sniffled and played with my kurta.

Moved by her tears, I kissed her forehead, and she looked at me, fluttering her eyelashes.

"Maaf kar dijiye"

(Forgive me)

she said innocently.

"Nahi karunga,"

(I won't)

came my stern reply, making her pout.

She needed to understand that it wasn't a joke. She could have been pushed too far. I had warned her so many times, but she always brushed it off.

"Saanu yeh le tere halwa aaa?"

(Saanu, here your halwa aaaa? )

A girl came screaming as if she had been handed a microphone. She stopped abruptly when she saw me.

She bowed her head in respect, and I acknowledged it with a nod.

Saanvi left my side, and with a big grin, she snatched the halwa and devoured it. Her mood swings were truly amusing.

"Heer"

I called out, extending my hand, and she came rushing, nestling herself in my arms.

"Where is everyone else?" I asked the girl, while Heer was busy devouring the halwa.

"The doctor must be arriving soon," she replied before leaving.

Sighing, I rested my back against the headboard. She offered me the halwa, but I declined, and she happily ate it.

"Dactar ne kuch bataya."

(Did the doctor say anything?)

I asked indirectly, inquiring about her health.

"Hmm umm. Mai ek mahine se pait se hu aur bikul swasth hu. Dono bache bhi swasth hai"

(Hmm, umm. I've been feeling carrying for a month, but I'm perfectly healthy. Both babies are healthy too)

she said happily, making my heart swell with joy.

Two kids. She's carrying two little mini-versions of us.

I caressed her cheek as she gulped down the last bit of halwa. She smiled wholeheartedly, and I kissed her, tasting the halwa smeared around her lips.

She kissed me back, gripping my hair, and a small kiss turned into a full-blown session.

A throat clearing caught my ear, making me grunt in frustration.

Saanvi blushed and hid her face in my neck.

I chuckled and patted her back where I had slapped.

My mother and the female doctor were standing there.

"Kaisa hai beta."

(How are you, son?)

my mother asked, caressing my hair.

"Behtar hu maa"

( I'm doing better mom)

I replied

"Pranam Sarpanch ji."

(Namaste Sarpanch ki)

Female doctor gretted amd I nodded.

She started detailing about us, about Heer's condition, and gave advice too.

In the village, women usually preferred a dai maa for pregnancy-related issues. They had experience with normal, natural deliveries and ensuring the mother's health post-delivery.

That's why I preferred a dai maa too.

The doctor explained that they had run some tests on Saanvi, which confirmed that she was three weeks pregnant. She was carrying twins, and we had to be careful as it was her first pregnancy.

In my case, I underwent shock and fainted upon seeing the body in front of me. A minor heart attack was delayed; otherwise, I would have faced it.

As for Soha, well, fortunate for her, she died on the spot. Otherwise, I would have skinned her alive and pushed her off that terrace for torturing my Heer.

Arun, my mother, and Dhuni had handled the villagers and Soha's death. They had revealed her truth with the help of a voice recording, saving me from any further drama.

The doctor left after detailing us. Dhuni and Arun joined us.

Heer was still nestled against me, looking at everyone.

"Shukriya Dhuni"

(Thank you, Dhuni)

I genuinely appreciated her for saving the reason for my life.

She looked bewildered but nodded. I nodded at Arun, silently conveying my thankfulness, and he proudly nodded back.

My mother was standing to my right, and she circled a bundle of cash over me and Heer.

"Kisi ki nazar na lage tumhari khusiyo ko."

(May you happiness have no evil eyes)

She spoke, her words a whispered prayer carried on a sigh. I silently echoed her sentiments, hoping for the same outcome.

As she handed the bundle to Arun, who then passed it to Dhuni with a swift exchange of glances, my intuition stirred.

Something seemed awry between them, a subtle dance of secrets hidden beneath smiles.

"Dhuni," I interjected, drawing all eyes to me.

"Doh din ke liye tumhe Saanvi ki jimmedari leni hogi."

(For two days, you will shoulder Saanvi's responsibilities.)

Dhuni's brows knitted in confusion, mirrored by Saanvi as she broke away from our embrace.

"Kyu?"

(Why?)

Saanvi inquired, curiosity mingled with apprehension.

Cradling Saanvi's chin tenderly, I revealed,

"Doh din baad baraat ke saath tumhe lene aayenge."

(In two days' time, we will come to take you with the wedding procession.)

Dhuni's sharp whistle punctuated the air, while Saanvi blushed, her disbelief painted across her face.

Amidst laughter and animated discussions on preparations, my mother, Arun, and Dhuni wove the threads of excitement and anticipation, setting the stage for a tale yet to unfold.

"Tyar hai aap hamari biwi banane ke liye?"

(Are you prepared to step into the role of my to be beloved wife?)

I murmured softly, the words imbued with a tender anticipation meant exclusively for her ears.

Her lips, a gentle caress against mine, whispered back,

"Nahi honge toh?"

(And if I weren't?)

"Fir," I teased, a mischievous glint in my eyes,

"Toh, utha ke le jaynge humari dulhan ko."

(Then, we shall sweep away our bride ourselves.)

A playful wink joined my words, drawing a musical laugh from her.

In a fleeting moment, our lips met, sealing the unspoken promise between us. Her playful punch to my chest was a dance of affection, and as our foreheads touched, a silent vow of unity passed between us.

Amidst the aura of joy and bliss enveloping us, our saga of unwavering love and steadfast loyalty stood tall, ready to navigate the challenges of life with grace.

Our bond, a different version of the timeless saga of Heer and Ranjha, unfurled as a luminous hymn celebrating the victory of love, creating a canvas adorned with hues of joy and contentment.

Yuvraj and Saanvi, a pair

whose love defied adversity, their hearts entwined in a bond forged amidst challenges, resonating with the echoes of a captivating romance.

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