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The soft chime above the boutique door rang as another customer stepped inside.

Dhwani looked up from the embroidery frame she was working on and smiled politely.

A few months ago, she would never have imagined herself here.

Working.

Earning.

Living alone.

Building a life from scratch.

Yet somehow...

Here she was.

And for the first time in months, she wasn't merely surviving.

She was living.

The boutique bustled with activity around her.

Rows of elegant designer outfits lined the walls.

Tailors worked at sewing machines.

Staff moved around carrying fabric samples.

And in the middle of all the chaos stood Padma Joshi.

Owner.

Designer.

Workaholic.

And perhaps the first real friend Dhwani had ever made outside the orphanage.

"Dhwani!" Padma's voice echoed across the boutique.

Dhwani immediately looked up.

Padma was marching toward her carrying a file in one hand and a coffee cup in the other.

"Dhwani Gupta."

"Yes?" Dhwani blinked.

"Why are you sitting like that?"

"Like what?" Dhwani frowned.

Padma gasped dramatically.

"As if you are carrying a school bag instead of my favorite baby."

Several staff members laughed.

Dhwani shook her head helplessly.

"Padma."

"What?" Padma crouched beside her chair. Then immediately placed both hands on Dhwani's pregnant belly. "There you are."

"You are impossible." Dhwani laughed despite herself.

"I know." Padma nodded seriously. Then lowered her face toward the bump.

"Hello, little munchkin."

Dhwani closed her eyes.

Not again.

"Your mother is working too much." Padma complained. "You need to kick her."

A sudden movement came from inside.

Padma gasped dramatically.

"Oh my God."

"It kicked. It actually kicked!"

Dhwani smiled.

The baby's movements had become stronger over the past few weeks.

Sometimes she would simply sit in her room at night and feel those tiny kicks.

The only reminder she needed that she wasn't alone anymore.

Padma continued talking to the belly.

"Listen carefully. I am your favorite aunt."

"The baby isn't even born yet." Dhwani rolled her eyes.

"Doesn't matter." Padma ignored her. "We are establishing relationships early."

Another kick.

Padma immediately pointed.

"See? The baby agrees."

Dhwani laughed.

A genuine laugh.

One she hadn't heard from herself in a very long time.

Padma looked up.

And for a brief second, her expression softened.

A few months ago, when Nikitha, her college mate, had called her asking for help, Padma had expected a heartbroken woman.

She hadn't expected someone so shattered.

Dhwani had arrived carrying a single suitcase.

No complaints.

No demands.

No bitterness.

Just exhaustion.

The kind that settled deep inside a person's soul.

Padma still remembered their first meeting.

Dhwani had looked so fragile.

As though one harsh word might break her apart completely.

Yet somehow...

She had kept moving forward.

Every single day.

"You are smiling."

Padma suddenly said.

"What?" Dhwani blinked.

"You are smiling more these days."

The smile immediately faded.

Padma regretted saying it.

But Dhwani simply looked down at her stomach.

Her fingers gently tracing the curve of her belly.

"I think..."

She paused.

Then smiled softly.

"I think the baby gives me a reason to."

Padma's heart squeezed.

For a few moments, neither spoke.

Then Padma quietly asked,

"Any calls from them?"

Dhwani knew exactly who she meant.

The Jhadavs.

She shook her head.

"No."

Not entirely true.

Gayathri still called occasionally.

So did Nandan.

They both wanted her to go back.

And Nikitha practically called every day.

But she had stopped asking her to come back. She just called to check on her and the baby’s well being.

Nikhitha stopped trying to convince her.

Stopped telling her she was family.

A shadow passed through her eyes.

Padma noticed.

"You still think about it, don't you?"

Dhwani smiled sadly.

"Sometimes."

Padma sat beside her.

Dhwani stared ahead.

Lost in memories.

After the divorce proceedings had started, the Jhadavs had tried everything.

Nandan had pleaded.

Gayathri had cried.

Nikitha had practically begged.

"This is your home too."

"Stay with us."

"We'll take care of you."

"You are carrying our grandchild."

"Please don't leave."

For a brief moment...

Dhwani had almost agreed.

Not because she wanted to stay.

But because she had been terrified.

Pregnant.

Unemployed.

Alone.

The future had seemed frightening.

But then reality had settled in.

And with it came clarity.

No matter how much they loved her.

No matter how angry they were with Nikhil.

He was still their son.

Blood.

Family.

One day...

Maybe not now.

Maybe not next year.

Maybe not even five years later.

But someday...

They would forgive him.

Parents always did.

And when that day came...

Where would she stand?

She didn't want to find out.

She didn't want to become an unwanted reminder of his betrayal.

She didn't want pity.

And she definitely didn't want charity.

And Gayathri Jhadav. She knew her ex mother in law was calling her back only for the baby. If there was no baby involved, she would have been the happiest to see Nikhil breaking ties off with her.

So she had left.

Not because she hated them.

But because she respected herself.

And because she wanted her child to grow up seeing a mother who stood on her own feet.

Not one surviving on someone else's kindness.

"Nikitha was very angry with you for leaving."

Padma said.

Dhwani smiled.

"I know."

"She still complains about it."

"I know that too. But she understands me. Maybe she is the only one in that family who truly ever loved and understood me."

"That woman calls me every week asking if you are eating properly." Padma laughed.

"She worries too much." Dhwani shook her head.

"Someone has to." Padma replied immediately. Then she narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Speaking of worrying."

"No." Dhwani immediately groaned.

"Oh yes."

Padma opened the file she was carrying.

"No."

"Yes."

"Padma."

"Doctor Vaidehi Khoda." Padma pointed dramatically. "Day after tomorrow."

"I know."

"What time?"

"Ten thirty." Dhwani sighed.

Padma looked impressed.

"Good."

Then she pointed a finger.

"And don't even think about cancelling."

"I wasn't planning to."

"Good."

Because, Padma knew exactly how stubborn Dhwani could be. Dhwani wanted to go to any nearby government hospital only. But they all know that the government medical system in this country is not very advanced. Better safe than worry later on.

The moment she had learned Dhwani didn't have proper maternity coverage, Padma had practically dragged her to an insurance office. Then came the health insurance. Then the hospital registration. Then consultations. Then prenatal care. Then diet charts. Then supplements. Then scans.

Dhwani often joked that Padma was more invested in this pregnancy than she was.

"I still can't believe you did all that." Dhwani said quietly.

"Did what?" Padma looked confused.

"The insurance. The hospital. The doctor."

"As if I would let you handle all this alone." Padma shrugged.

Dhwani's eyes stung unexpectedly.

People had always been kind to her.

The Gupta couple who ran the orphanage in which she grew up.. The orphanage staff.

The Jhadavs. Well, Nandan and Nikitha Jhadav.

But this felt different.

Because Padma owed her nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Yet she showed up every single day. Without expectations. Without obligations. Just because she cared.

"You know..." Padma suddenly said. "If this baby turns out cute, I deserve some credit."

"What?" Dhwani burst out laughing.

"I talk to the baby daily." Padma argued. "Obviously my influence matters."

Another kick came from inside. Both women immediately looked down. Padma grinned.

"See?"

"My child." Dhwani shook her head.

"No." Padma placed a hand over her stomach. A warm smile spread across her face. "Our child."

For a moment, the pain of the past faded.

The betrayal.

The divorce.

The heartbreak.

Everything.

And as the baby kicked once more beneath her palm, Dhwani realized something she hadn't felt in a very long time.

Hope.

Maybe her life hadn't ended in that apartment in Bangalore.

Maybe...

It was only the beginning.

A/N

Just like the other two Punarvivaah stories, the initial chapters will be a bit boring. It will get better guys..😉

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