Chapter Seventeen

Arnav continued to stare at the ceiling. He felt restless and his eyes refused to shut.

What's wrong with me, he wondered. I wanna sleep but I can't. What's up?!

Irritated, Arnav swung his legs over and sat up. He looked at Khushi, who was sound asleep.

Why can't I knock out like she instantly did?

Arnav got up and left the room. He walked around the floor, lost in thought as his legs moved him forward. When he looked up, he found himself in front of the babies' ward. There were so many babies, most of them sound asleep, except for the one his eyes were locked on - Aditi. She was right in front of him, the glass being their only barrier.

Arnav placed his hand on the glass and smiled softly. "Can't sleep either, huh?"

Aditi just looked at him.

Arnav looked at the other babies and then back at her. "I'm surprised you're still up. Were you waiting for your papa?"

Aditi only blinked and then she sneezed.

"Bless you," Arnav smiled.

A nurse came out of the room and saw Arnav. She walked on over to him with a smile.

"That's your daughter," she asked.

Arnav nodded, still looking at Aditi.

"She's beautiful. And she refused to fall asleep," the nurse frowned, looking back at Arnav. "I'm surprised she's up."

"I guess she waited for her papa to come. Then she'd fall asleep. Look."

The nurse looked at Aditi and saw that she was drifting into sleep.

"Wow. The love between a father and his daughter," she said softly.

Arnav smiled softly and then he yawned.

"Looks like someone else should head to bed," the nurse said.

Arnav nodded. He bid her goodnight and then he went back to Khushi's room. Khushi was still asleep, so he tiptoed in and went to bed. Arnav faced Khushi, and there was a small smile playing on his lips.

She's already a daddy's girl, Arnav grinned.

Arnav heard Khushi mumble a few things in her sleep and then she shifted slightly. Arnav looked at her for a moment.

Something has to be settled out between us. I don't want my daughter away from me. I always want to be around her and... I want to be around Khushi.

Arnav blinked at the thought.

Yeah... I won't let her go either. I want Khushi in my life. I just need to settle things. Once she's better and back up on her feet, we can discuss this. Maybe she'll stay with me if I ask her.

Khushi shifted once more and mumbled, and this time, Arnav heard her say his name.

Arnav smiled. "I love you Khushi."

*~*

When Khushi woke up the next morning, her first sight made her smile. She saw Arnav cooing away at their daughter, sitting down and feeding the little one her formula. She watched as Arnav continued to converse with their daughter, when a thought hit her.

What's going to happen after this, she wondered, the smile beginning to go away.

"... and look who's awake, baby girl. Mommy finally woke up," Arnav beamed.

Khushi smiled. "Good morning."

Before Arnav could even respond, the door burst open, revealing a very giddy Payal with a bunch of balloons.

"Good morning," Payal sang.

Khushi chuckled. "Crazy."

Payal ignored her and came rushing in, setting the balloons down, thanks to the little bells on the bottom, and gave Khushi a hug.

"How you feeling," she asked.

"Better," Khushi smiled softly.

"Well I've got a surprise for you!"

Payal pointed at the door and Khushi and Arnav looked up to see Ammijan.

Khushi's eyes pooled with tears. "Ammijan."

She entered the room and went over to Khushi. She gave her a hug and a kiss on top of her head.

"How are you child," she asked softly, her eyes pooling with tears.

"I'm well."

Ammijan ran her fingers through Khushi's hair and looked at the bundle of joy in Arnav's arm. Arnav placed the empty bottle down and went to Ammijan, and handed Aditi over to her.

"Oh my," Ammijan gasped. "She's so precious," she smiled softly.

Everyone smiled.

"What did you name her?"

"Aditi," Khushi smiled.

"Aditi... meaning freedom," Ammijan smiled softly as she ran the back of her finger on the little one's cheek.

"Well I didn't know that. Did you Arnav? You're the one who chose it."

"No," he replied. But she truly does represent freedom - my freedom, he thought to himself.

Arnav thought of all those moments and talks he had with his grandmother. The memories of them irritated him, and he was grateful to be free of her pressures.

Arnav watched Khushi as all the ladies got lost into their conversation. She was smiling, holding their baby, and Arnav admired the view.

This changes everything... to a whole other level.

*~*

Two days later, Khushi was discharged from the hospital. Unfortunately for Dadi, she was still under intensive care. She wasn't even allowed any visitors.

"I'm so sorry," Khushi said softly as Arnav helped her into bed.

"It's okay," Arnav replied, placing a pillow under Khushi's feet.

Arnav went around to tuck her in, when Khushi stopped him. He looked up at her, and by the expression on her face, he knew she wanted him to talk to her, so he sat down.

"I'm fine Khushi. To be honest.... It's whatever, it's life."

Khushi just looked at him. "Why do I get the feeling that there's more."

Arnav smiled softly and cupped her face. "Nothing you need to worry about. So just sit back, relax, and rest. In fact, you should get some sleep. Aditi shouldn't be hungry for another three hours."

Khushi sighed. "I guess."

Arnav smiled and kissed the top of her head. He got up to leave, when Khushi reached out and caught his hand, making him look back at her.

"Are you sure you're okay," she asked.

Arnav sighed and sat back down beside her, taking both her hands into his. "As long as you and Aditi are safe and healthy, I'm perfectly fine."

"You care about us that much," Khushi smiled softly.

Arnav kissed the palm of her hand. "I love you both that much."

Khushi's eyes slightly widened and her lips parted, completely shocked.

"Get some rest," and he got up and left Khushi's room, shutting the door behind him.

Khushi looked forward, still shocked. Did he just confess that he loves me?