CHAPTER 22: THE GENTLE HOPE

CHAPTER 22: THE GENTLE HOPE

Arjun's POV

The house was silent when Pia returned from the hospital. Not the silence that follows fear or sadness—but the soft, waiting kind, like the breath before a kiss. She stepped inside slowly, her eyes scanning the familiar yet distant walls. I was standing in the living room, hands clenched behind my back, waiting. Her gaze met mine, and I saw it immediately.

Something had changed again.

"Arjun," she said softly, like tasting the word. Her eyes studied my face, unsure at first, but then they softened with recognition. "I… I'm sorry I scared you."

"You're home," I said gently, not wanting to rush her. I walked toward her slowly, every part of me holding back the impulse to sweep her into my arms.

She nodded and took a step closer. "Can't believe you have been tolerating me for a year now!" She said, with a smile.

I froze for a heartbeat.

A year.

Not five.

Not even two.

Just one.

Another memory loss.

I offered a small smile. "Yes. One beautiful year."

And just like that, we were back to another version of us.

I guided her inside, helping her settle on the sofa. She looked at everything with a familiar affection but with a stranger's eyes—as if she knew this life, but not entirely. I sat beside her, watching her breathe, her fingers curling into the fabric of her dupatta.

"Are you okay?" she asked suddenly, turning to me. "You look… worried."

I shook my head and smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "Just glad you're okay. You gave us all a scare."

She frowned. "I don't really remember what happened. I was crossing the road, and then… nothing."

"You fainted," I said gently. "They took you to the hospital, but you're alright now."

She nodded, then smiled faintly. "You stayed with me?"

"Every second," I said, voice low.

She gave a small laugh. "Of course you did. You're always there."

And then she looked down at her hands, studying them for a moment, before glancing back at me. "Arjun… I've been feeling different lately. Tired… sensitive. Is something wrong with me?"

I looked at her carefully. She didn't know.

Of course she didn't.

Another wave had swept away the memories—the pregnancy included.

"You're not unwell," I said carefully, taking her hand into mine. "There's… something else."

She tilted her head, curious. "What?"

I drew in a soft breath and squeezed her hand. "Pia… you're pregnant."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"You're going to be a mother."

The silence that followed was like still water. I saw the emotion rise slowly, like the sun slipping over the edge of the horizon.

"I… I'm pregnant?" she whispered, her voice trembling between disbelief and joy.

"Yes," I said, brushing my thumb over her knuckles. "Three months along."

Her free hand flew to her abdomen, hovering just above the place where life quietly bloomed.

Tears filled her eyes. "Are you serious?"

I nodded, smiling now. "Completely."

The tears spilled down her cheeks as she covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh my god… I'm… going to be a mom?"

I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around her gently, not too tight. She melted into me, her body shaking with silent sobs—happy ones. Relief flooded through me as I held her.

After everything…

This child—this miracle—had found its way into our lives again.

"I had no idea," she murmured into my chest. "It's still early, right?"

"3 months now," I said, placing a kiss on her temple.

She pulled back slightly, still crying but smiling now. "How do you feel about this?"

I chuckled softly. "Terrified. Overwhelmed. And so, so grateful."

She looked at me for a long moment. "I can't believe this is happening."

"Me neither," I said. "But it is. And this time, I'm not letting anything hurt you. Or our baby."

Her eyes glistened again as she reached up and cupped my face. "I don't deserve you."

I leaned into her touch, closing my eyes. "You're all I want, Pia."

For a while, we just sat there, her hand on her belly, my fingers laced through hers.

Later that evening, I made her favorite tea and we sat on the balcony, watching the city lights blink like stars scattered across the earth. She kept stealing glances at me, as if seeing me again for the first time.

"You've always taken care of me, haven't you?" she asked softly.

"I try," I said with a light smile.

"Don't ever leave me!"

"Never."

She leaned her head against me, and we stayed that way, watching the world go by in quiet peace.

That night, she curled up in bed beside me. Her hand rested gently over her stomach, and her leg draped lazily over mine.

My heart ached with the weight of everything we had endured—but at that moment, I felt hope. Maybe it wouldn't be easy. But we were still here. Together.

And for the first time in a long while, I let myself believe in the possibility of a future filled with quiet mornings, shared laughter, and a child's tiny feet echoing through these walls.

Everything we lost… maybe it was slowly finding its way back.