Gauravi sat on her bed with Nishaant beside her. The two were engrossed in their respective laptops reading about pregnancy and abortion. After an hour or so he turned to her. "Gauravi," he called for her attention after keeping his laptop on the table.

Only when he called her the third time, did Gauravi realize that he had been calling her.

"You okay?" He asked sitting before her taking her hand in his.

"Is it wrong for me to terminate the pregnancy?" Gauravi asked softly. "Will I be killing a life?"

"No. It's just a bunch of cells right now. Not even a heartbeat yet."

"If you were in my shoes what would you do?" She asked holding his hand in both her hands.

Nishaant looked at her thoughtfully for a minute. "I'd go for abortion. This isn't the best time for a baby. I know how much you've wanted to be on your own feet and have a wonderful career. I am not saying it won't be possible with a baby. But... yes, it will be a lot more troublesome."

"Hmm," Gauravi hummed sinking in his words. "But I can't legally terminate this. I am unmarried and there are no abnormalities." She spoke fearfully.

Nishaant cupped her face. "I know. We'll figure a way out. Give me a final answer Gauravi...

"You won't be mad at me for terminating it, right? Now or in future?" She asked hesitantly.

"I won't." He smiled, reassuring he rby placing a kiss on her forehead.

"How will we do it? Given your family reputation and how things get out in the media..."

"I know if someone leaks the news into the media it might be a big scandal. The media had made a mess about Shiv's wedding too. They blow it out of proportions and come up with stories that can really affect an individuals mind."

"Are..we... going to tell everybody In the family about it?" Gauravi asked her heart freezing. She wished with all her heart that they didn't have to. She could never meet their eyes without being ashamed.

"No. We won't." Nishaant answered quickly.

"How are we going to go about it then?"

"We can get legally married and get a legal abortion but, then, just our names on the record might get the gossip around. Or we can find a trustworthy doctor who can help us terminate it illegally. Many people do it that way. But, we need to get the right person who can keep our secret." Nishaant vocalized his thoughts.

He further added, "You're barely three weeks, it shouldn't be complicated. But, from what I've read so far, it can get really painful and nasty. Like a prolonged period."

"That's okay. I am ready to put up with that."

"We need a good gynaecologist and trustworthy one. I have a list, made. They are all very high profile gynaecologists. But, given our case, I can't trust them enough to not make this a scandal."

Gauravi's face was written with despair. "I am sorry Nishaant. This is all my fault. If only I hadn't suggested it in the first place nothing of all of this would be happening. I should have just..."

"No, don't. That was your way of showing how much you trust me and love me. Don't regret it." He lifted her hand to his lips kissing it. "I have an idea..."

"What?"

"We should take Shiv in the loop. We need to Gauravi. He's the only one who can prevent things from getting volatile."

"But," Gauravi panicked. "What if he doesn't approve of it? He might not see me in the same way again. He'll tell Raashi..and eventually, everyone might know."

"Gauravi, listen, Shiv won't judge you. Trust me at that. He's very practical. We just have to get him to not tell Raashi anything. Raashi would be one to disapprove it. Not Shiv."

Gauravi looked at him. "Are you sure?"

"We need to tell him, Gauravi."

"What's the worst-case scenario?" She asked, pressing her upside together.

"He will tell and convince Raashi, both. Or he won't. Either way, he won't let the matter go out of hand. That's why Shiv. Besides, I have an idea about what he might do."

"What will he do?" Gauravi asked curiously.

"Tina Mathur, his very good friend is a gynaecologist. She's a very nice friend to all of us. But she's very particular about rules only Shiv can get her to help us."

Gauravi took a deep breath. "Okay."

Nishaant pulled her closer for a hug. "Don't worry please, we'll sort out everything."

* * *

Gauravi felt rather awkward sitting at the table for four beside Nishaant. Shiv sat across the table looking at the two of them curiously. "Guys, what is this about?"

Nishaant looked at Gauravi nervously. If any man could make him nervous it was his elder brother. It was easier to put it in words that he will tell Shiv than to actually tell him.

Gauravi held his hand under the table, to give him some moral support. He really appreciated that small gesture.

Gauravi was freaking out. She hoped they were doing the right thing. Nishaant had arranged for a coffee meeting with Shiv in his office's terrace. Shiv was evidently astonished to see Gauravi there too. Right now he looked a little bit tensed as well.

"Guys, Nishaant..." Shiv stared at his brother then switched his gaze to Gauravi. "Can you both tell me what is this about. Do you guys don't want the marriage or something like that?"

"No!" They both answered in unison turning to each other. Their eyes met with a softness sparkling in them.

"Okay, then, what is this about?" The elder brother sighed, getting impatient by the minute.

"Shiv, " Nishaant looked up wondering where to start. "Your coffee is getting cold." He said staring at the cup of cappuccino placed before his brother.

Gauravi took a deep breath glancing at Nishaant. She had literally never seen him so nervous. He was indeed a nervous wreck right now. Maybe her presence was making him uncomfortable. She decided to excuse herself to the washroom so that the two brothers could get talking.

"I will just use the restroom," Gauravi spoke up looking at Nishaant and nodding briefly, silently asking him to go on.

Nishaant took the cue nodding. The two brothers looked at her retreating figure.

Once Shiv was convinced Gauravi was earshot, he glared at Nishaant. "What is this about? Can you speak up, today?"

"Gauravi's pregnant!" Nishaant answered shutting his eyes. Damn, he didn't mean to say it that way.

"What!" Shiv exclaimed shocked.

"She's three weeks pregnant .." he repeated, adding a little more information.

"You?" Shiv asked, raising his eyebrows to just to make things clear.

"Yeah!" Nishaant replied, picking up the glass of water before him. He gulped the entire contents as his throat suddenly felt like Thar.

"You got her pregnant?" Shiv repeated the same question rephrasing it to get the confirmation.

"Yes, I did." Nishaant answered gulping, looking into the serious eyes of his brother.

"Seriously?" Shiv muttered looking away momentarily and then back at him. "You both just barely went on a few dates. Raashi and I asked you to get to know each other. Not be so forward with each other."

"Uh, about that..... Actually, we've liked each other for a long time now." Nishaant's basic sense of explaining had left him. He was just starting sentences, throwing out facts without making the whole thing sound clear and understandable.

"Okay, go on," Shiv muttered, tapping his feet restlessly.

"Even before Daadi suggested the marriage," Nishaant added looking at his elder brother. His eyes gauging his brother's for a reaction, to understand what his brother felt about the whole thing.

"Wow," Shiv uttered. "So you both.....wow. So, to sum it all, you and Gauravi liked each other from the start, then Daadi brought up her marriage and you took the offer, and now she's pregnant."

"about right!"

"Nishaant, do you know about contraceptives, condoms?" Shiv asked, leaning forward on the table.

"Shiv, I am not an uninformed teenager. I know. I don't know how it just happened. I swear I used condoms all the time, mostly."

"Were you drunk? Please say a no, or I might punch you on the face." Shiv glared at his brother.

"No, I wasn't drunk. Very much awake." Nishaant shot back offended.

Shiv sighed sitting back in his chair. "Do you realize how messed up this is? Do you think everyone at home will be proud of you?" Shiv taunted, while a storm was raging in his mind with all the possibilities.

"Stop taunting will you? We took precautions. Things don't always go as you expect them to go. I understand that the situation is messed up... but it was it is."

"Do you love her?" Shiv's question caught Nishaant by surprise.

"I do." He answered honestly.

"Does she know?"

"She does." He answered, with the hint of a smile.

"THANK God! What's your decision?" Shiv asked composing himself.

"We want to go for abortion."

"We or you?" Shiv cross questioned.

"We," Nishaant answered. God, his brother was acting more like her brother.

Gauravi walked back, looking at the two. She looked at Nishaant with questioning eyes. He nodded giving her the answer she was looking for.

Timidly she spoke up, "Am I interrupting something?" She was uncertain, whether she should sit or give them some more time to talk.

"No, sit," Shiv spoke smiling at her. "You okay?" He asked.

"Yeah," Gauravi said, turning to Nishaant who nodded briefly. So he had told Shiv about it all.

"He told me. Nishaant, you ...can you give us a few minutes to take alone?" Shiv spoke staring at him.

Nishaant looked at his brother bewildered. "Me?"

"Yes you!" Shiv gave him a hard look and Nishaant quickly got up from his chair. Giving Gauravi a reassuring look he walked away.

Shiv watched as Nishaant made his way towards the parapet wall of the terrace. He turned to Gauravi, "Are you sure about the abortion? I mean, you're not doing it because Nishaant wants it, right?"

"No, in fact, it's more of my decision than his. I mean, he said he was okay with anything." Gauravi spoke up nervously, clasping her hands together on her lap.

Shiv nodded. "Is there anything you want to tell me apart from that?"

"No. Umm, are you mad at us?" She asked.

"No. No way. I am happy for you both, I mean, happy that you both found love. As for this unwanted pregnancy, don't worry about it." He reassured picking up his phone to call Nishaant.

Nishaant turned when his phone flashed Shiv's id. He walked back to the table when his brother waved to him, beckoning him. They sat in silence.

"Gauravi, Nishaant, tell me what you guys want, and how you want it."

"We don't want anyone to know about it," Nishaant spoke up solemnly.

Shiv looked away.

"Not even Raashi Bhabhi." Nishaant added. "You and I, we both know that she's against the idea of abortion."

"Raashi is going to really be cross with me if she comes to know later." Shiv spoke up. He hated hiding things from his wife, especially when it was the matters of family.

"She won't. We won't speak of it once it's done. It will just remain amongst us. I was wondering if you could convince Tina Mathur." Nishaant spoke softly carefully looking at his brother's face.

Shiv's gaze immediately snapped up at him. "Raashi will definitely kill me if she knows... that I told Tina but not her."

"Please, just convince Tina. After that, I will take care of it." Nishaant spoke.

"Nishaant, that is not how easy it is. How is Gauravi going to cope up with all of it all alone?"

"She us not alone. I am there, and now you are with us," Nishaant spoke.

Shiv lowered his gaze to the red table cloth, pinching the bridge of his nose. "She's going to go through severe cramps and stuff like that. How is she going to hide that? It's very risky." He spoke up.

Nishaant was now evidently worried and so was Gauravi. Shiv felt bad looking at them like that.

"Give me a day, I will think of something. In the meanwhile, I will talk to Tina about it." Shiv spoke picking his phone and typing something.

A minute later he looked up from his phone, "I am meeting her in person today. I think she will help. You guys get home. And you.." he pointed at Nishaant, "better take care of her."

Nishaant rolled his eyes, and Gauravi smiled.

"He does." She spoke aloud, which got the two brothers smiling at her. She looked down shyly.

Shiv chuckled, "take care!" He muttered before walking off in his brisk gait that meant business.

"Tell me what else, 'he does'?" Nishaant teased once he was sure Shiv had left the premises.

"Shut up, Mr.Lambu, can we eat something? I am super hungry." She said, picking up the menu.

Nishaant smiled relieved that she was smiling again. "The Corn cheese sandwiches here are dope." He remarked.

"Then I will have that." She said.

Nishaant quickly ordered two plates of the sandwiches looking back at her.

"What's Tina Mathur's back story? Does Raashi Bhabhi not Iike her?"

Nishaant bobbed his head up and down. "She and Shiv dated in high school!"

"What!" Gauravi exclaimed shocked.

"Yup. But they broke up very cordially and hence are still friends. For obvious reasons Raashi isn't much fond of her."

"Duh!" Gauravi mumbled.

* * *

Nishaant opened the door of his room to find Shiv standing there.

"Hey!" He greeted and Shiv walked in. "Appointment with Dr. Mathur is at ten-thirty tomorrow morning," Shiv spoke sitting on his bed. "You guys are sure, right? About the abortion."

"Yes we are," Nishaant responded sitting beside him.

"I still can't believe you actually got her pregnant!" Shiv muttered.

"God, please, let's not go there." Nishaant replied.

"You know you would have got recorded in the CCTV cameras of the passageway. Mom, Dad anyone can see that." Shiv turned to look at him.

"Umm, I, use the balcony to go to her room," Nishaant revealed and Shiv looked at him stumped. He turned his head in the direction of the open balcony door.

"Wow. Never thought you would turn out to be such a smartass."

Nishaant chuckled.

"I mean... it's barely been a few months you know Gauravi. Didn't really expect you to fall in love, so fast after Maya."

"Well, I don't know too. How when why... no idea, it just feels so damn right when I am with her. She's different. Definitely not something I thought I'd fall for. But, there's something about her, that just gets me so crazy. She's a gem of a person. To have a person like her love you back is like the best luck. I can't think of a life without her." Nishaant spoke in the flow of emotions.

Shiv smiled rubbing his brother's back, affectionately. "Romeo, relax!"

Nishaant rolled his eyes.

"I am happy for you both. Everything will be fine. Don't worry. And please... listen properly to what the medical analysis has to say. Don't zone out. Take care of Gauravi. Her body would be going through a plethora of changes, just don't annoy her. Women get.."

"I know, I know. You literally ate my ears with that when Raashi was pregnant." Nishaant cut him short.

Shiv chuckled. "Take care, good night!" He wished walking out.

"Shiv," Nishaant called. "Please don't give Raashi a suspicion by acting weird. And...thank you!"

"I owe you!" Shiv winked and Nishaant laughed walking behind him to shut the door.

He sighed wishing that everything happened smoothly without any drama. After locking the room's door, he walked over to the balcony.

• • • ♡ • • •

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. 

Do vote ☆ if you're enjoying this book.

-Anami!♡