Chapter 9: First Step

There was a light knock at Khushi's door. She opened the door to find Payal there.

"Let's eat dinner. Come on." Payal looked at Shiv fast asleep. "I'll get him you go ahead."

Khushi smiled and started to walk out as Payal gathered Shiv into her arms. Her nephew was fast asleep on her shoulder and she smiled as her heart swelled with emotions. Khushi, too, admired the sight her sister embracing her nephew.

"Come on, Jiji, let's go to dinner. You can gawk at Shiv all you want there." Khushi addressed Payal with a smile. Payal let out a laugh and followed Khushi. Payal felt at ease as it seemed that Khushi was slowly returning to her old, bubbly self.

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There was a light knock at Arnav's door followed by Hari Parakash's head which stuck through Arnav's door. Arnav broke out of his chain of thoughts and looked at the door.

"Arnav bhia, dinner is ready."

"Huh? Oh. Okay, I'm coming." Arnav replied. His heart felt heavy from the sudden guilt that had resurfaced in him. He had to make it up to Khushi, but how? Standing up he headed to dinner.

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As soon as Payal approached the rest of the family at dinner, Shiv woke up. He let out a small cry and everybody in the household was suddenly willing to do anything to appease their newfound bundle of joy.

"Ah, he just needs his milk. Give him to me and I'll put him back to sleep." Khushi took Shiv from Payal and asked her prepare a bottle of milk as she tried to rock Shiv to sleep.

The table was being set for dinner and Khushi realized the excess noise wouldn't aid Shiv's sleep. She walked off with Shiv to the poolside, remembering how peaceful it was out there.

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Arnav walked to the stairs to find Khushi standing next to Payal who was holding Shiv. Arnav directed his eyes back at Khushi, trying to see the changes a child and a year had brought to her.

Looking at Khushi, one would never guess she had gave birth 5 months ago. Her slender body looked slimmer and her flowing hair hung to hips. Her glistening skin still had its glow and her eyes had the spark which had always captivated Arnav. Arnav realized with a pang of guilt that the only thing that had changed about Khushi was her smile. It had been a cheeky smile that stretched across her face and radiated enough energy to light up the city of Delhi. Now it was small smile that looked forced as she kept her lips pushed together and struggled to look happy.

Suddenly Shiv let out a cry and Arnav felt uncomfortable. He realized that he didn't like Shiv crying. Another pang of guilt hit him as he realized that he had made Shiv cry earlier due to his anger. He watched Khushi taking a hold of Shiv and walking to the poolside.

Shiv. It suddenly occurred to Arnav that the best way to start his road to redemption was to show Khushi he wanted to be a father to Shiv. Arnav descended the stairs and followed Khushi to the poolside.