“Yes, well, our baby. Yours and mine,” he reemphasized.
“So, now you no more think I will confuse between lust and love?”
“Mia, that was then; all that is moot now. We now have another human being to think of. We can be good parents. Let's get married, let’s make this real.” He caught her hands in his.
“Are you kidding me?” Mia was beyond furious.
“Do I look like I’m joking? Since when has a proposal become a joke?” He retaliated.
“First of all, that wasn’t a proposal. You did not ask me; you made a statement. Secondly, I am not going to marry for the wrong reasons. Once was more than enough, thank you. I don’t even know if I ever want to get married to anyone.”
“Wait, are you comparing me to that lowlife you were married to?”
She shivered at his icy tone. This was an Armaan she had never seen. “No! Of course not! But, can’t you see? I cannot put myself through another marriage that’s sure to end in disaster. I barely survived the first time. What makes you think I can handle it this time around? Especially with you?”
“Do you even hear yourself? You sound so selfish. A child needs both parents, and I am trying to do the right thing here. Why can’t you understand that?”
“Really? Am I the selfish one? So, two individuals barely tolerating each other would do a world of good for my child? Is that what you want? History of your childhood repeating itself?”
“Don’t! Don’t bring my family into this. I am not my father, nor are you my mother. You’re just being stubborn.” He gritted out, his patience wearing thin.
“No, Armaan. I am not okay with the idea of a loveless marriage.” She tilted her chin in defiance.
“What happened to all your love? Evaporated all of a sudden?” He snarled.
“I’m not talking about me, and we both know it. It’s you. You don’t love me the way I love you.”
“What love are you talking about, Mia? You claim to love me, yet you won’t accept my marriage proposal. I don’t love you, or so you say, but I want to do the right thing for our child. I want to give my child, my legal heir, and you, everything that I have. I want him or her to have the best of everything and protect you at the same time. Now you tell me, is your notion of love even real? Is it worth it?” He was breathing fire.
“I can’t believe you’re dismissing my feelings and needs like this. I don’t want to discuss this. Not now. Please.” Her voice shook with pain and unshed tears.
“Fine! But remember, I am going to be involved in my son or daughter’s life every step. Don’t even think of keeping me away. It would only end in a huge custody battle, and we both know I have the means to fight you endlessly.” He walked out of her house, banging the door after him.
Mia collapsed on the couch, her body trembling in the aftershock. She didn’t want to go about her pregnancy or her child’s life this way. She wished Armaan understood her reasons for once. For a long time, she cried, his words echoing again and again. Was she selfish to choose her happiness? How could she ever be a good parent if she had to deal with the emotional trauma of another marriage that spelled doom? She prayed she was doing the right thing for her child. Absently rubbing her abdomen, Mia lay down on the couch, not even bothering with dinner. When her back started aching and cramping, she slowly got up and went to her room.
∞∞∞
The next morning, Mia got up to intense cramps and pain in her lower abdomen. Even before she got up, she knew something was wrong. When she found she was bleeding, she immediately called Armaan, uncaring about their argument the previous evening. “Hello, I don’t know what’s wrong. I’m...I’m bleeding.” She whispered.
“Don’t worry and don’t you move. I will be there right away.” He immediately hunted for his car keys even as he put on the first shirt that he could lay his hands on. He drove to Mia’s place like a madman, coming to a screeching halt next to her place in half the usual time.
By the time he took her to the hospital, Mia knew it was too late. She looked at the nurse who helped her with the necessities. “My baby is dead.” She whispered to no one in particular.
Armaan swallowed and looked bleak, even as the nurse gave her a sympathetic glance. “The doctor will see you in a minute. Don’t beat yourself up; unfortunately, sometimes these things happen.” She quietly went out of the room.
Within a few seconds, a pleasant-looking woman entered the room. “Hi, Mia. How are you feeling?” She stood by the bed, looking at Mia’s chart.
Mia nodded in response. “Is it because of my endometriosis? Is it something I did?”
“No! Not at all. Believe me, spontaneous miscarriages happen all the time. If you could conceive once, I don’t see why you cannot have a successful pregnancy in the future. Just come in earlier, so that we can stabilize the pregnancy right at the beginning, okay? Don’t lose hope, Mia. And, don’t blame yourself. It certainly isn’t your fault.” She patted her shoulder once. “I will sign your discharge papers. Take it easy for a couple of days, and if you want to speak to our therapists, you can fix an appointment. Take care!” She smiled and went out of the room.
Armaan followed the doctor, frantic with worry. “Doctor, one moment please.”
“Yes?”
“I’m...I’m the father. Mia’s baby”
“Oh, okay. Please come with me for a moment.”
