Two weeks later
Hiya sat alone in the small washroom attached to their campus library. Her fingers trembled as she stared at the small white stick in her hand.
Two lines.
Not faint. Not unsure.
Bold. Clear.
Two pink lines that split her world in half.
She clutched the sink, her breath hitching, throat tightening.
No. Not now.
Her hands went to her belly, then dropped like they'd touched fire.
She wasn't ready. She was just adjusting. She still had assignments due. Midterms. Practical rotations. She had dreams — dreams she was chasing just to be beside him, to walk with him in a world that once doubted her.
A sudden rush of nausea hit again, and she leaned over the sink, holding back the wave of tears more than the sickness.
She washed her face. Twice.
Then sat on the bench outside, in the shadow of the campus tree, staring at her bag like it might offer answers.
That night, she came home quiet.
Too quiet.
Dev noticed.
"You didn't call today," he said gently as he poured her tea.
She forced a smile. "Was busy."
"Hiya…" he placed the cup beside her. "Look at me."
Her eyes lifted.
Dev's gaze softened. "You've been pale. Restless. I know you."
She tried to hold it back, but her throat choked, eyes suddenly wet.
"I'm… late," she whispered.
His eyebrows knit. "For?"
She swallowed. "My cycle."
He blinked.
Then, "Did you check?"
She nodded.
He was silent for a moment.
Then sat down beside her slowly, took her hands into his. "Hiya… are you scared?"
She couldn't speak. She only shook her head—and then nodded—then broke into a quiet sob.
"I don't know what to do," she whispered. "I can't tell Ma. Or your family. What if I can't handle it? What if I ruin everything? What if you think I—"
"Stop," Dev said gently but firmly.
She looked at him, afraid.
He brought her hand to his lips, kissed her knuckles. "You're not ruining anything. You are everything."
"But my studies—"
"Will go on. We'll manage. I'll carry every burden you can't."
"What about your research?"
"You are my life's greatest work, Hiya. This?" He rested his hand over her stomach gently. "This is our miracle."
Her breath caught.
His fingers brushed her cheek. "Do you want this?"
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
He smiled faintly, forehead touching hers.
"Then we want this. Together."
That night, Dev held her like she might shatter — but inside her, something had already begun to bloom.
A life.
A love.
A chapter they never planned… but were ready to write, hand in hand.