Yuvraj's pov

I woke up with the first rays of the morning sun filtering through the ornate windows of the haveli room.

My mind was restless, the events of the previous night lingering like a haunting melody. I had seen the distress in Heer's eyes, sensed her discomfort as she retired to sleep.

I had already contacted Arun last night through a SMS, instructing him to bring Daai Maa first thing in the morning.

Ever since I received the news of Heer’s pregnancy, I had meticulously arranged a special room in the hospital, equipped with all the necessary amenities. This room, bringing sense of comfort, was reserved for Heer until I decided otherwise.

Dressed in my kurta, I leaned down to kiss Heer's forehead, tenderly brushing my lips against her skin. She mewled softly in her sleep, a sound that made me smile.

"Sleep well, my Heer," I whispered. With the utmost care, I slipped out of bed, not wanting to disturb her rest.

Unbeknownst to me, this peace was about to slip through my fingers like sand.

As I walked through the quiet corridor of the haveli, the grandeur of the old mansion enveloped me. The walls, adorned with intricate carvings and soft morning light streamed through the arched windows, casting a golden hue over the marble floors.

I saw my mother ascending the stairs, a brass pot of water in her hands.

She was on her way to offer water to the sun, a daily ritual she never missed.

She smiled warmly at me as we crossed paths.

I nodded in respect as an answer.

Reaching the main door, I noticed Arun helping Daai Maa out of the car. Her presence was reassuring, a beacon of calm in these turbulent times.

"Daai Maa, Pranam. Savere savere aapko pareshan hona padha humare liye.

(Daai Maa, Namaste. I caused you trouble in early morning)

I greeted her, joining my hand.

"Sada Khush rahiye, Sarpanch ji. Yeh toh Humara Saubhagyaa hai ki hum aapke kaam aa sake"

(May you always be happy, Sarpanch ji. It is my good fortune that I could be of service to you.)

Daai Maa replied, warmly. She patted my head lovingly.

With concern laced in her voice, she asked about Heer's health.

"She’s doing okay, but I think it’s best if you see her. Come in, I'll explain everything," I said, guiding her inside.

Before I could offer her some water or refreshments, the quiet of the morning was shattered by a piercing scream that echoed through the haveli.

Fear gripped my heart like icy talons. My eyes widened in horror as I realized it was coming from our room.

"Meri (my) Heer!" I exclaimed, panic rising in my chest.

Without another word, Daai Maa and I rushed down the corridor, our footsteps pounding against the marble floor.

The peace I had cherished was slipping away, replaced by a storm of fear and uncertainty.

We reached our room to find a scene of chaos. My mother was already inside, her face etched with concern.

Heer lay on the bed, her features contorted in agony, clutching her swollen belly. Blood stained the sheets beneath her, a stark and terrifying reminder of the perilous situation they were in.

Without a second thought, I ran inside, pushing my mother slightly to reach a screaming Heer.

I held her in my arms as she stuttered my name and complained about the pain.

"Bhot dard ho raha hai, Yuvraj ji !"

(It hurts so much, Yuvraj ji !)

she cried, her voice trembling.

"Mai yahi hu, Heer. Bas kuch der aur, theek hai? Sab theek ho jayega, meri jaan"

(I’m here, Heer. Just hold on, okay? Everything will be alright, my love)

I tried to console her, my heart breaking at her distress.

Daai Maa removed Heer's blanket and looked between her legs. Her expression turned grave.

“We have to deliver the babies here, in this room,” Daai Maa declared.

“What!?” I exclaimed, panic rising in my chest.

"Sarpanch ji, khoon bhot zyda behe chuka hai. Doh bache hone ki wajah se, hume jo bhi karna hoga, jaldi hi karna hoga."

(Sarpanch ji, too much blood is sipped out. Due to having two child, we have to take actions as early as possible).

Daai maa expalined.

I didn't miss the look of her distress and silent notion through her face that reason of my life - my Heer, was in danger.

“There are no amenities! How are we going to deliver them?”

Ignoring my outburst, Daai Maa continued preparing.

I insisted on staying by Heer's side, but my heart felt like it was being torn apart as if someone was hammering at it.

“Yuvraj ji, please don’t leave me,” Heer sobbed, clutching my hand tightly.

Her nails dug into my skin, but I couldn’t feel any pain compared to what she was enduring.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere,” I assured her, my voice shaking.

My mother pulled me away, manipulating me with concerns for Heer's health.

“Yuvraj, you need to bring some things: a bucket of cold water, a box of thread and needles, many clean clothes, cotton, and some towels. We need to be ready.”

“I’ll get them right away,” I said, reluctantly letting go of Heer’s hand.

As I ran to gather the supplies, Arun followed me closely. My hands were trembling, and I nearly spilled the bucket of ice-cold water.

“Here, let me help,” Arun said, catching the bucket just in time. He pulled me into a manly hug, giving me the assurance I desperately needed.

No word left my lips. I felt so helpless as the moment.

“We’ve got this. Everything will be fine. Just focus,” he said firmly.

Despite his words, the fact that it wasn’t near Heer's due date was driving me insane with worry.

We managed to gather the necessary items and rushed back to the room.

I had never felt so helpless before. I wanted to rush to Heer's side, to hold her hand and comfort her, but was stopped inches away by my mother, her expression stern and unwavering.

"You cannot be here," she said firmly, pushing him back with a force that surprised me. "Wait outside."

"Yeh kya bole rahi hai aap!? Biwi hai woh meri! Mai yahi rahuga uske paas"

(What are you saying!? She’s my wife! I will stay with her!)

I almost yelled in frustration. My wife was screaming in pain, and my mother was telling me I couldn’t be with her. This was bullshit!

"Yeh kya bole rahi hai!? Biwi hai woh meri! Mai rahi rahuga uske paas"

(Yuvraj! You won’t be able to handle this, son. And if something happens to you, it will affect Saanvi’s condition. Understand my point!)

she tried to persuade me.

I shook my head frantically, my chin trembling as I looked over my mother's shoulder at my wife’s pained, tightly shut eyes.

“Maa—” I felt like a loser, helpless in the face of my wife’s agony.

"Agar Heer ko kuch hua toh mai mar jaunga."

(If anything happened to my Heer, I will die)

The words felt like curse to me when I uttered them.

"Yuvraj, mai hu na beta. Mai wada karti hu ki mai Saanvi ko kuch nahi hone dungi"

(Yuvraj, I’m here, son. I promise I won’t let anything happen to Saanvi)

my mother said, her voice firm despite the tears in her eyes.

I looked into her eyes, seeing her determination despite her own tears. I hugged her tightly, feeling a mix of gratitude and helplessness, and I chose to believe in her strength.

Clutching my hand, she gave me her promise.

With one last look at my crying wife, I was pushed out of the room.

“Stay strong, meri jaan. Your Yuvraj ji is right here for you!” I called out, my voice cracking.

My forehead leaned against the closed door, and I punched it in frustration, blaming myself for my carelessness.

I paced in front of the closed door, anxiety gnawing at me. Arun leaned against the railing, making frantic calls to ensure hospital equipment would be available. In my mind, I kept praying over and over for the safety of my wife and our babies.

“Please, God, please keep them safe,” I whispered under my breath.

An hour passed,

but Heer's screams did not subside. My heart felt like it was being ripped apart. My ears assaulted by the agonizing screams emanating from within the room.

I slid down against the door, trying to block out the sound by covering my ears. The helplessness was unbearable.

Suddenly, Dhuni arrived, tears streaming down her face. She banged on the door, yelling to be let in, but they didn’t open it for her either.

“Let me in! Please, let me in! Don't you dare you hurt my Sanu! I want to meet my Sanu” she cried, her voice cracking with desperation.

Arun held her tightly, trying to console her. “Dhuni, they need space. She’ll be okay. Trust them.”

She threw curse words and thrashed in his hold to get free. Somehow, Arun held her and consoled her.

I felt so powerless, unable to do anything but wait.

Each cry pierced my soul, a painful reminder of the woman I love enduring unimaginable pain.

More minutes ticked by when I finally heard it—a cry. A loud, piercing cry of an infant. Goosebumps rose on my skin, and tears welled up in my eyes.

Then, another cry resonated through the haveli. I smiled, a surreal feeling washing over me. Our babies had arrived in this world.

Arun and Dhuni hurried away as an ambulance arrived at the gate, likely with a nurse and equipment.

I stayed rooted to the spot on floor, my legs weak with relief and fear. The sound of the door unlocking came, but I couldn’t move.

“Yuvraj,” my mother called through her sobs, holding a small body wrapped in a clean white towel.

I couldn’t bring myself to look at the baby. I needed to know something else first.

“Heer?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.

“She’s fine, just fainted from fatigue,” my mother reassured me.

Relief flooded through me, and my patience finally broke. I let out a loud sob and cried openly.

“Shhh… bas, bas, shaant ho jaa, Yuvraj,”

(Shh... Enough Yuvraj, calm down, son)

my mother said, holding my shoulder. But I was too far gone, overwhelmed by emotion.

She placed the crying baby in my hands.

“It’s a boy and a girl. This crying one is the girl, and the silent boy is asleep,” she explained.

The baby girl instantly stopped crying as my tears fell on her face.

She squinted her eyes open and smiled with big, beautiful eyes—the same eyes as my Heer. Oh God, my heart!

I cried, hugging the baby close to me, marveling at how perfect she was. My mother urged me to go inside, and I stood up on trembling legs. The girl in my hands was now smiling and babbling.

I saw Heer, exhausted and sleeping. I didn’t dare look at the blood-covered cotton and cloth nearby.

“Congratulations,” Daai Maa said, smiling warmly.

“Mother, give her one lakh rupees as a token of our happiness,” I said, and my mother nodded, her own eyes filled with tears of joy.

I placed the baby girl beside the sleeping boy on the bed. The girl instantly started crying, making me chuckle despite everything. I let her hold my left hand and, with my right hand, took out the cash I had in my kurta pocket. I circled it around the sleeping Heer to ward off the evil eye and negative energy, then handed it to Daai Maa.

Nurses came in with necessities, and a female doctor followed to run check ups on Heer and the babies.

Another hour went by as they set up the room and ensured everyone’s health.

Dhuni was taking care of the baby girl, making her laugh with her playful gestures. Arun ran back and forth, making sure everything was settled properly. The baby boy still slept in the cot now placed nearby.

Heer eventually woke up, her eyes confused until the events hit her. I sat beside her, letting her cry out the emotional turmoil.

The baby boy woke up at the sound of her sobs, and we both chuckled, noticing he had Heer's eyes too.

She took him in her arms and rocked him gently, tears of happiness streaming down her face. “Thank you, my Heer,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Thank you for being so strong.”

Daai Maa came over and taught her how to breastfeed the baby. Heer glowed with maternal happiness, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. After she fed the baby boy, Dhuni came over from the sofa, carrying the now-sleeping baby girl.

“Smile, please,” Dhuni said, as Arun stood ready with a camera. I smiled and hugged Heer's shoulder. She smiled too, with the sleeping baby in her arms.

“Cheers to the journey of new parents!” Dhuni yelled in happiness, making all of us chuckle as Arun clicked our family photo.

My mother circled a bundle of notes over the four of us to ward off any negative energy.

I smiled and kissed Heer's forehead, and she rested her smiling face on my chest. This was our life, our story, and my life dedicated to MY HEER.

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Hello Readers!

Here comes the second last chapter of this book. I'm going to miss this couple so much !!!

One chapter remaining 🥺