His Ex Wife - Misunderstandings Create Voids

Chapter 3

Ananya's POV

It's been two days since I'm living in the orphanage, tonight I'm going to leave this place forever and I hope that I won't have to come back ever.

Today I'm going to visit my gynecologist to check upon my baby, I've asked Jay to accompany me as I don't have a car right now and Sister Adrienne is really not comfortable with the idea of me using public transport in this condition.

Someone knocked on the door of my room while I was getting ready

"Come in."

Jay popped his head inside, with a smile on his face it was not his usual smile, but it was an encouraging one, it did encourage me but not for long

"Hey Ananya, you ready to go?"

"Yeah I'm Jay just let me grab my bag."

"Okay I'm waiting outside for you." He said and shut the door

I nodded at him and turned to look at myself in the mirror, the girl in the mirror wasn't Mrs. Ananya Malhotra she was Ananya just Ananya.

The one who is alone in the world has nobody to call of her own.

But hopefully it'll change in the next eight months. I took my bag and walked out of the room; Jay was waiting for me outside the orphanage. I sat on the passenger seat beside him, giving him a small smile, which he took as a cue that we should leave. We started our journey.

Jay dropped me at the hospital and went to do some work he had nearby and because I wanted to go alone. I had made him promise that he'll not come inside and will come back to pick me up later.

I walked up to the receptionist with my medical file in my hand, it had my medical history

"Hello, I'm here to meet Doctor Gupta the gynaecologist."

"She is in her cabin right now on this floor itself. Go straight down the hall, turn left the last cabin is of her. Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist spoke in a polite voice

"Yes, under the name of Ananya."

"Yeah I found an appoint made under the name of Ananya. Mam your mobile number is **********."

"Yes, that's me."

"You may go Mam."

"Thank you."

I quickly walked towards her cabin and knocked the door

"Please come in." a sweet voice replied to my knocking

I walked inside to find a lady sitting behind a brown colour table, she was wearing a white colour apron, round spectacles were resting on the bridge of her nose and her hair was tied in a plait which was quite long I guess.

"Hello Dr. Gupta, I'm Ananya."

"Hello Ananya. Please come and have a seat." Dr. Gupta said while gesturing towards the seat opposite to hers

"Thank you Doc."

I sat on the chair as gracefully as I could

"Do you need something to drink?"

"Yes, a glass of water. If that's not a problem." My throat was parched because it was quite warm today and not to forget the humidity of Mumbai

"Sure."

She walked to the small room present on the other side of the cabin and brought a glass of water for me. I mentally thanked her for getting me a cold glass of water

"There you go." she said while giving me the glass

"Thank you."

"So how can I help you this afternoon?"

"You already know that I'm pregnant. Me and my husband need to leave today in the evening for Chennai due to some family issues which can't be delayed. So, I want to make sure that I can travel right?" I said telling her my worries

"Okay before that I’d like to check your medical file. I hope you have it? " Dr. Gupta asked me

"Yes, here it is." I said while passing her the file she collected the file from me and started reading through the pages, while pushing her glasses upwards on her nose

"Is everything okay Doctor?" I couldn’t help but ask as I felt scared for the baby

"Yes, everything seems fine but just to be sure we need to do an ultrasound to check that as you're four weeks pregnant Mam." She said with a comforting smile

"Okay."

She told me to lie on the bed present on the opposite side of the room.

I softly padded to the bed and lied on it. Dr. Gupta hovered over me and wore her stethoscope and started checking my heartbeat, she took the digital blood pressure monitor and checked my blood pressure which was a little high.

"Would you please lift up your shirt a bit. So that I can apply this gel over your abdomen and yeah mind it when I say it's cold because it's really cold."

I flashed her a smile and gave a small nod. Lifting my shirt up, she applied the gel and boy it was damn cold.

She took the blob like instrument and started running it over my abdomen. Soon the room was filled with the sound of heartbeats. The heartbeats of my baby. My and Arjun's baby. The baby we both created.

"I guess you're having twins." the doctor spoke after clearly observing the monitor.

"Twins?" I questioned with joy laced in my voice

"Yes, see there they are." Dr. Gupta confirmed

I could see two beans type things on the screen, my lips twisted into a smile.

"They are so tiny." I exclaimed when I saw my babies moving around slightly, I was already in love with them, I’d do anything to protect them and give them a better life

"Yes, and they're healthy. Do you want to hear their heartbeat?" The Dr. Gupta asked me, and I nodded my head in affirmation she disconnected the headphones and I could hear the beating of two hearts echoing in my ears, tears sprang out of my eyes.

"I’m sorry I didn’t mean to cry it’s just I’m so happy…" I said and started crying

"I understand. Do you want me to give you some alone time?" Dr. Gupta asked with a smile

"No, I’m okay it is just I’m so happy." I said wiping my tear stained face with my palms the smile not leaving my face

"So, the babies are healthy and are developing at proper growth rate and you can travel but you need to make sure that you take proper rest and eat healthy food because you'd be eating for three people. Also, your blood pressure is a bit high you need to avoid Caffeine of any sort at all costs, because it can be dangerous for you and the babies both, I hope you understand." Dr. Gupta advised me in a strict tone, but I knew she wanted the best for me

"Yes, Doctor I understand."

She wiped off the gel from my abdomen with the help of some tissues and helped me in getting down from the bed.

Writing a few instructions and some tablets and iron supplements on the prescription she handed it over to me.

"You need to rest a lot. Avoid walking at speed because you're not that healthy. Make sure to eat healthy food and don't neglect your cravings. Go regularly for check-ups. Try to avoid stress as much as you can. Lastly try to be happy as much as you can be because if you're happy your babies will also be happy."

I nodded at her every word she spoke. Taking leave from the doctor I walked out of her cabin.

I took my phone and called Jay, he picked upon the second ring for which I’m thankful as the hospital air was making me feel nauseous and if I stayed for a minute more, I’d surely throw up

"Hey Ananya, you're done?"

"Yeah I'm done Jay. Please come and pick me up."

"I'll be there in ten minutes Ananya."

"Okay see you bye."

"Bye."

I kept the phone inside my purse and started looking here and there. My eyes spotted the shop I've been looking for. I slowly walked in it's direction and entered inside

"Excuse me. I want to get a printout of my ticket can it be done." I said to the guy who was I think the owner of the shop and was working on a computer

"Yes, please tell me your train name." the guy asked me while typing out the website name in a new tab

"Mumbai Rajdhani Express."

"Okay. What's your name.”?

"Ananya. Seat number 18."

"That'll be ten rupees Mam."

I fished out ten rupees from my purse and handed it to the shopkeeper. Taking the ticket from him I quickly kept in my bag's inside pocket so no one could see it.

I quickly crossed the road and stood on the pavement outside the hospital. Waiting for Jay after some time I saw Arjun's car stopping in front of me on the road. The windows of his car were tinted so he couldn't see me, I quickly looked away ignoring him. I heard the car door opening, and the sound of boots setting on the hard pavement

"Ananya?" It came out more like a question

I ignored him and started tapping my foot impatiently waiting for Jay.

"Ananya please listen to me."

Before I could turn to him my phone rang. I picked it up without checking the caller id

"Ananya I can't come. I'm sorry." His voice sounded like he was about to cry

"What's wrong?"

"Maya, she tried to kill herself."

"WHAT!!!!" I tried to scream but I could not, and it came out more like a whisper from my mouth

"I'm going to the hospital. I can't leave her alone. I'm sorry."

"It’s okay. Just take care of her and keep me posted with her update."

I hung up and heaved a sigh, God what is happening? Please I can’t take this don’t let anything happen to Maya, I mentally prayed

I took a few steps ahead walking towards the corner of the street as now I'd have to look for a taxi to go back to the orphanage

"Ananya can we please talk?" I heard Arjun speaking

"I guess there's nothing left to talk about Mr. Malhotra. Or is there?" I asked him with a raised eyebrow

"Why did you cheat on me? I gave you my heart my soul my everything then why did you cheat on me with him?" he asked me in an accusing tone, and I lost my cool

"Trust you didn't give me your trust that's why you believe that I cheated on you. If for once you listened to me then I guess something would have been left in my heart for you, but now there's only hate that I feel for you. So if you have even an ounce of self-respect in yourself so just f**k off because I guess it won't be good for your reputation if you're found talking to a b***h w***e, who was your personal slut for three years on the road." I said with venom dripping from my voice

He looked a bit taken aback from my answer and stepped back, I walked away after shaking my head at him and quickly hailed a cab and gave him the address for the orphanage.

Arjun's POV

I just can't believe that My Ananya spoke such words to me.

Did I not trust her, but those pictures were not morphed, or photo shopped?

Ananya you're wrong I gave you my everything, but you betrayed me and my trust I wish I had never met you then all of this wouldn't have happened ever.

I walked towards the shop and brought some more alcohol for myself.

Keeping them all in the backseat, I drove my car rashly on the way back to the apartment and sat on the couch in the living room and started drinking from the bottle itself not even bothering to get a glass.

The same numbness took over my body after a few sips, but I kept drinking until I passed out because of it.

Ananya's POV

I was writing a few letters sitting on my study table, my cab was going to arrive in a few minutes, and I need to leave from here quickly that to without making any noise.

Putting the letters inside the envelopes I wiped my face and took out my duffel bag.

Making sure that no one was there in the passage and everyone was sleeping in their rooms I walked to the main gate and kept my bag near it.

Brisk walking to my room I took the envelopes and walked towards Sister Adrienne’s office and slid it inside through the gap between it and the floor

Sister Adrienne’s letter

Dear Sister,

Thank you so much for giving me the love of a mother, thank you for being there for me every time I needed you. I'll forever be indebted to you.

I know you'd be mad at me for leaving like this but I'm sorry Sister I don't have any option left. I can't live in this city anymore and now that I'm pregnant I can't raise my kids over here. The fear that their father might take them from will haunt me forever.

I love you all very much Sister, you're the only people whom I've known since I've gained my senses. You guys have seen me in my most vulnerable and broken states too.

I'm just scared Sister. Scared of Arjun, I can't trust him, he might harm my kids not physically but mentally and emotionally if he'd gets angry knowing that I'm pregnant.

I hope you'd forgive me Sister.

With Love 

Ananya

After sliding Sister Adrienne’s letter, I walked towards Jenny's room and opened it.

Jenny has been a heavy sleeper since the beginning. Even an explosion can't wake her up when she's in deep sleep, I quietly chuckled recalling that time when she kept sleeping during the whole lecture of English, the teacher and students made every sort of noise to wake her up but she didn't budge even an inch.

I still smile while remembering those good old days, I quietly placed the gift box along with the envelope on the bed side table. Jenny's birthday was in two weeks. So, I had already gotten a wristwatch for her as she's obsessed with them.

Jenny's letter

Jenny, 

I know you'd be terribly mad at me when you'd reading this letter of mine. Trust me Jenny I was left with no choice rather than leaving this place for good.

I know you wanted to come along with me, but I'm sorry I can't let you, because coming with me mean that you'd have to break all your relationships over here and join me. I can't be that cruel and inhuman Jenny.

Please if you find it in your heart to forgive me then please do.

I Love You Jenny, you're my sister that I never had. Happy Birthday in Advance.

With Love 

Ananya

I walk out of her room and quietly making sure to not make noise while crossing the corridor.

I looked back at the building once I was out of it, I gave a smile to myself encouraging myself that I've to do this.

I picked up my duffel bag and started walking towards the corner where the driver was standing because I didn't want him to come and stand in front of the Orphanage because if he did he would have honked the horn and it would wake everyone up well except for Jenny of course.

I settled myself in the cab along with the bag.

"To the station Mam?"

"No, please I want to go somewhere else before."

"Okay but that'll take extra charges Mam."

"Okay."

"Where to?"

I gave him the address and he started driving, I kept looking out of the window trying to remember each and every detail of this city in which I've spent my entire life, but I cannot deal with the emotional trauma and all this negativity it's really hard.

The driver halted the car at the familiar building

"Please wait for some time, I just need to drop this letter and come back."

"Sure, Mam take your time."

I got down from the cab and walked inside the building, taking the lift I pressed the button for the floor on which I desired to go. The led at the top of the lift kept indicating the floor number as it stopped at 9th floor I got out and walked towards Apartment number 906.

I took out the last letter. The letter I addressed to Jay and put it inside the mailbox and the gift I got for him

Jay's letter

Jay,

My best friend, I know you'd be super angry once you would finish reading this letter but trust me. I'm not going to do something stupid.

Jay we've known each other since ages. You've been like an elder brother for me. Please don't hate me for doing this. I know what I'm doing just trust me.

Jay, I know you hate Arjun but please don't hurt him. I can never see him getting hurt you know that.

Jay I'm not strong enough to fight for my love, so that is why I'm leaving, but don't you dare leave or give up on Maya. She loves you a lot. Please I don't know whether I'll ever come back or not. But I promise once I'm okay I'll get in touch with you all. Okay.

I love you Kungi.

Your one and only 

Mungi.

I walked out of the building and sat inside the cab

"To the station please."

"Yes Mam."  the driver answered me

The drive to the station felt very fast like I was there in a blink of an eye.

I paid the driver and wheeled my bag to the designated platform. I kept looking at the clock every minute and soon the announcement for my train was made.

The sound of train was coming closer and becoming louder with each passing second.

The train stopped and I quickly boarded it, I sat on my seat as I thanked God that it was a window one because I really feel suffocated.  I quickly took out my mobile phone and removed the sim card and broke it, throwing it out of the window gave me a relief that now no one will be able to contact me.

I quickly wiped my tears and inserted the new sim card that I brought few days back before my divorce.

I gave one last look at the platform and to the city where I had spent my whole life.

'I hate you Arjun Malhotra. I hate you for making me break my relations with the only people I love. I hate you for not believing me. I wish I had never met you.'

With these last words I tore the only picture that I had of him in my wallet and let the wind blow those bits from my palm

I paddled back to my seat and sat on it. Soon the sleep took over me and I was into a deep slumber.