Anamika was still unconscious under the effect of medicine. Because of severe pain after childbirth, the doctor had to give her medicine so that her mind and body can relax while the child was kept under observation for a few hours. Though he's completely sound, the doctor finds it necessary to take precaution.  

Shakshi had pushed Vineet inside the ward where Anamika was sleeping, and he was just standing at a distance unprepared and unplanned, unknown to what he shall do at the moment. 

He just stood at his place for god knows how long but when she grimaced and moaned in pain before opening her eyes and looking at him, he rushed beside her and again went blank. What is he supposed to do now? 

After a moment when she opened her eyes, she found herself on the bed with him standing beside while the cradle on the other side was empty. Her heart feels heavy to realize that her child is still under observation. 

She let out a deep sigh as tears rolled from the corner of her eyes. She rubbed them off, she has a responsibility to look after - her little boy needs a strong mother not a sadist woman who's always crying for love and attention from her ungrateful husband and family. 

''You okay!?" He asked gathering  some courage to speak up, she just nodded. Things have turned so formal between them that now even mere conversation seems to be hard. 

''Conference kaisa raha tumhara? Did you make it?" She questions, after a pause.

He stared at her for a moment,''I couldn't attend, chhoti ka call aaya tumhe hospitalized kiya toh main aa gaya!!!" He said in a manner as if trying to tell her that he left the conference for her - at least she felt it that way. 

''Kya jarurat thi aane ki?? I mean, you could have just denied ya behen ne call kiya toh bol nahi paaye ki tumhe fark nahi padta tumhari biwi aur bacha rahe na rahe!!" She teased him, sarcastically. 

He furrowed his brow, does she want to fight or what? He just states the reality and she's being sarcastic and rude, why? 

''You have a dull opinion regarding this matter, better we don't discuss it here!" He told her in a calm tone, not wanting to pull out an argument when she's already in pain. 

''Your presence here is a questionable matter in itself. Aaj tak tumne kuch janne ki koshish nahi ki bas apni baat pe ade rahe aur aab bhi ho fir tumhare yahan aane ka kya tuk hai? Tum na aate toh thoda kam dukh hota mujhe par tumhara aana jyada takleef de raha hai mujhe. At least na aate toh ek bahana tha ki busy ho par yahan ho ke aab tum jo karoge aur nahi karoge iska koi jawab nahi hoga mere pass aur tum toh kuch bolne se rahe, fir aaye hi kyun??'' She almost shouted and felt pain in her stomach and lower abdomen. 

She mewls in pain placing her hand on the spot, he  too bent to touch her but she jerks away his hand. 

''Please, bahut ehsaan kar chuke ho tum aur toh main seh bhi na paungi!!" She spoke as she turned to the other side, trying to bear her pain. While he stepped back and reserved himself on the couch for he couldn't step out of the room and answer the question his family would ask him. 

Few minutes passed by, but it seemed like decades for him. He wonders how things have changed between them, he's with her in a single room but can't converse with her or comfort her, his presence is unliked by her, she's not even letting him touch her even though she's in pain. But in the past, things were smooth and peaceful, they were the love birds clinging onto each other whenever they got the opportunity, sharing minute details. 

Vineet let out a sigh, his eyes never leaving her movements well, he loves her and it can't be denied. His decision may be wrong but his love for her is pure, she believe it or not. 

Vineet was almost startled when he heard the cries. He turns to find the nurse entering the room with the child. His heart again took up pace, his cries felt like thunder to him. But Anamika - she forgets all her pain when she sees her child. The nurse gently places the little creature in her arms, instant tears build up her eyes when the boy stops crying, feeling the warmth of his mother. Anamika pecks his head lovingly and holds his tiny hands as if promising him to be by his side no matter how hard the situation is. 

''He must be hungry, aap bachche ko ache se feed kar ke iss cradle mei kissi ki help se sula dena!" The nurse told her and also directed how to feed the child, Anamika nodded and fed her boy, staring at his face all the while. 

The little one exactly looks like Vineet - - his father who doesn't want him in his life. But it doesn't make any change, she won't let it affect her child. She glanced at Vineet who was still staring at her - - restless! 

She needs to ignore him and her family now, they are only going to make her life difficult with their taunts and rants. She had to bear every pain given by her mother and gulped the venom of her husband's word but she won't bear anything coming on her child. 

She again pecks his head. Meanwhile the family entered the room, their faces covered with happiness. Kokila and Parag were the last to enter, that too with a plane face. 

Shakshi approaches her and pecks her temple, she kisses on the head of the child as well and holds him in her arms. 

''Anupam ji dekhiye, ye toh bilkul Vinu jaisa hai!! Aise laag raha hai, Vineet hi hai!!" She exclaims, Anupam nods as he stands beside his wife. 

Anamika steals a glance of Vineet who was sitting with a blank expression as if nothing matters to him. 

''Arey Mumma, kitni der aap pakdoge baby ko humein bhi toh mauka do na!!" Avantika complained, making a face as she stood before her mother. 

''Avantika tumhe doctor ne heavy uthane se mana kiya hai!!" Kokila reminded her, not wanting her daughter in law to touch that unlucky creature. 

''Maa itna chhota bacha kahan heavy hota hai, muskil se 3 kg ka hoga wo. Iss se jyada heavy chijein uthati hai Avantika ghar pe!!" Sachin spoke, actually reminding his mother that the child can't cause any bad effect to Avantika. 

Kokila raged but Parag held her hand, indicating her not to create any scene. She let out a deep grunt and stayed silent. 

Avantika again insisted her mother give the baby to her, to which the lady shook her head and placed the child securely in her arms. 

Avantika adores her nephew and directly moves towards Vineet, yes she got a chance to clear her doubt. 

She sat beside him and glanced at him, Vineet was confused at her act as Sachin was screaming to take the child which his sister clearly ignores. And the next moment she asked something which not just shocked him but left him tongue tied.

…

To be continued..