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Chapter 8: Colliding Fates
Shivanya never wanted to be in this position—pregnant before marriage, carrying the child of a man who was miles away in another country, preparing to get engaged to someone else.
She had always dreamed of having a family, of love that wasn’t bound by fate’s cruel games. But now, her reality was far from the fairytale she had hoped for. She was alone, drowning in fear and uncertainty.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she clutched the medical report, her fingers tightening around the edges of the paper. The bold letters confirmed what she already knew deep in her heart—she was pregnant.
What do I do now?
She turned, her vision blurred by unshed tears, and collided into someone.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper, before attempting to walk away without even looking up.
But before she could take another step, a firm grip caught her wrist, stopping her in place. A familiar voice reached her ears.
"Shivanya, why do you look so stressed?"
Her breath hitched as she looked up and found herself face-to-face with Balraaj, her so-called neighbor and occasional work acquaintance.
She sighed in irritation. Of all the people in the world, why him?
"I don't remember when I called you my best friend," she said, jerking her wrist away.
Balraaj’s face fell slightly, but he forced a smile. "Shivanya, I know we’re not best friends, but we’ve known each other for years. You can still talk to me."
Shivanya wasn’t in the mood for this. She had enough on her plate.
"Thanks, Balraaj, but I'm completely fine. And please—don't interfere in my life. Keep our relationship strictly professional."
Balraaj clenched his fists, his expression unreadable. But before he could say anything else, she turned on her heels and walked away in hurry.
---
On the Road
Shivanya hailed an auto and settled into the seat, trying to clear her mind. Her hands trembled as she gripped her phone. Maybe she should just delete Rudraksh’s snap of that altogether, erase the last memory of him, and pretend he never existed.
But can I really forget?
Her train of thought came to a screeching halt when the auto abruptly stopped in the middle of the road.
"Kya hua, bhaiya?" she asked the driver, confused.
