Chapter Sixty

When Khushi opened her eyes, light invaded her sight. She tried adjusting to the light as her hearing began to clear, the sound of static going away. She heard both Arnav and Aryan calling out her name and that was when she finally looked at them. Before she could say a word to Arnav, she was taken away from them, the two being prevented from joining her.

Seeing the lights and people around her, Khushi realized she was in the hospital. Barely anything registered afterwards, the doctors doing whatever they needed to. When things began to clear for her, she saw Arnav bent over her, running his hand through her hair.

"Arnav," she weakly whispered.

Tears escaped and flowed down Arnav's cheeks, and he placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Mr. Raizada?"

Both turned their attention to the doctor and Arnav placed another kiss on Khushi's forehead before joining the doctor. They stepped to the side and that made Khushi curious.

"I'm afraid the condition is quite critical," the doctor began. "I'm afraid it's either the mother or neither can survive, not both."

Both Arnav's and Khushi's eyes widened.

"We can try to save the child, but it won't do good for Mrs, Raizada and it may end her life. The situation is critical - you must decide what to do," and she left the room.

A sob escaped from Khushi's lips and Arnav quickly dashed to her side. He held her tightly in his arms as both cried.

"Khushi-"

"Save her."

Arnav pulled back and looked at her in shock. "What?"

"Save her, Arnav. Please, you have to save her."

"What-? No! No, I will not risk losing you Khushi-"

"You have to save her Arnav. She deserves her chance at life-"

"Not by losing you. Khushi she needs you, Aarav needs you, everyone needs you," he said, running his hand through her hair. "I need you."

Khushi shut her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"You can't leave me," he whispered.

Khushi opened her eyes and looked into his. Memories since the first day they had met flashed in her mind. For every moment, she was grateful for and she mentally thanked divine above for all of them.

"Save her Arnav," she whispered. "Or I'll never forgive you."

Arnav's eyes widened as his jaw slacked. "Khushi," he breathed.

"Save her so I can die in peace."

Arnav recoiled at her words, stepping back as he looked at her in horror. Khushi turned her face the other away as tears continued to pour down her cheeks. Arnav was stunned by her words, his mind no longer working. He found his legs walking him out of the room, his parents spotting him immediately.

"Chote? Chote how is she? How is the baby," Shalini cried.

But Arnav didn't answer and his legs continued to walk him away.

"Save her Arnav, or I'll never forgive you."

Arnav felt his heart constrict as he continued to walk down the hall.

"Save her so I can die in peace."

Arnav shut his eyes as his jaw and fists clenched. I can't let you go Khushi. I can't.

Arnav stopped and he opened his eyes to find himself among a few others, praying to DM. He was shocked that he had absentmindedly brought himself here - he, a man who had no faith.

"For years I didn't believe in you. Ammu would teach me that you were the answer to all prayers, and when I asked you for my mother's happiness, you did nothing but give her torture. You took her away from me and I stopped believing in you."

Behind Arnav stood Aryan and Shalini, both with tears in their eyes.

"You broke my faith, you broke my belief in you. Then many years later my wife managed to bring it back, bringing back my mother. I thought it was one of your miracles Ammu would always speak about, that Khushi was that miracle. For a long time I couldn't believe it, until it happened before my eyes. Khushi was my miracle from you and she started to help me in believing in you once more.

"Then why? Why after all she's done, after you brought her into my life, are you trying to take her away from me? What did she ever do that was wrong? All she ever wanted was love and a family, and you punish her," he yelled.

Shalini placed her hand over her mouth to stop a sob and Aryan held her.

"The one who deserves to be punished is simply locked up in a cell, breathing just fine! The one who did all the wrong deeds is doing absolutely just fine! Why?! Why is my Khushi being punished for nothing, why?! Why is my son being punished and losing his mother?! Why is my unborn child being punished when she hasn't even been able to take a single breath?! WHY?!!!"

Arnav's legs gave away beneath him and he fell to his knees. Shalini quickly ran over to him and cupped his face in her hands, but Arnav hid his face behind his hands as he cried.

"Chote please-"

"Why is she doing this to Khushi," he asked, looking at her. "What did Khushi ever do? She did nothing wrong! Why should she be punished? Why should Aarav be punished, my unborn child be punished? Why should I-?"

Arnav's eyes widened and Shalini looked at him with concern as she wiped his tears away.

"It's all my fault... isn't it," he whispered.

"Chote-"

"It's my fault. My lack of faith is what's killing my wife, what's killing my child, what's ridding my son of his mother."

"No Chote-"

"It is! It's my fault they're dying! I killed them-"

Shalini's hand made its way across Arnav's cheek, Arnav stunned by her action, even Aryan. This was the first time Shalini had ever struck Arnav. "Now you listen to me, and you listen to me very carefully, Arnav - you did not kill them. Both are alive and both Khushi and your baby will live, and Aarav will have his mother. You are not responsible for any of this, Divya is. Your disbelief did not kill anyone because you do believe, you do have faith. If you didn't have faith, why would you come here? Why would you come to DM? It's because deep down, you do believe."

Arnav simply looked at his mother.

"You and I will stay right here, even your father, and pray for their well being, for both. Khushi and my grandchild will come out of this just fine, I promise you that."

Aryan came forward and placed his hand on Arnav's shoulder. "And the one who deserves to get punished, will get what they deserve."

Arnav nodded and Shalini took his hand, giving it a squeeze.

"Mr. Raizada?"

The three Raizada's looked up at the doctor. Arnav wiped his tears away and stood up, making his way to the doctor.

"Have you decided?"

Arnav looked back at his parents, at DM, and then to the doctor. "Both will live."

"Mr. Raizada-"

"Both will live. I have absolute faith both will live."

"It's nice to hear that you believe as such, Mr. Raizada, however the condition-"

"Doesn't matter. Both will live."

The doctor nodded with a sigh and looked down. "We'll do our best. But in case something goes wrong-"

"Both. Will. Live."

The doctor nodded and walked away, heading back to Khushi to prepare with the team. Shalini came to Arnav's side and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"I know she won't forgive me for my decision, but I don't care. I need her more than anyone."

Arnav turned back to DM and put his hands together, shutting his eyes. Save them.