Chapter 15 – Your Choice, Your Life

Ravi stayed quiet for a long moment after she spoke, his hand still resting gently on her back, his thoughts moving carefully, not wanting to hurt her further.

He took a slow breath before asking, his voice soft but steady, “Gayu… do you want to abort?”

The question didn’t come harshly.

It came with care.

With space.

Gayathri didn’t react immediately, but after a few seconds, she shook her head slowly.

“No… I won’t,” she said, her voice tired but clear.

Ravi watched her closely, making sure she wasn’t just saying it out of guilt.

“Listen to me,” he said gently. “I asked you because this pregnancy… it’s your choice, Gayu. You’re the one carrying it.”

She looked at him, her eyes still heavy.

“If you feel like you’re not ready… mentally, physically, emotionally… we can take that decision,” he continued. “But not like this… not out of fear or self-blame.”

His words were calm, but firm enough to reach her.

“And loving someone…” he added after a pause, “that’s not wrong.”

Gayathri’s eyes softened slightly.

She shook her head again, this time a little stronger. “No, Ravi… I know I’m not happy right now,” she admitted honestly. “But… I think I will be… eventually.”

He didn’t interrupt.

“I don’t want to take any wrong decision in this state,” she said quietly. “I don’t want to regret it later.”

Ravi nodded slowly.

“You won’t,” he said.

There was a quiet assurance in his voice.

“And you don’t have to figure everything out alone,” he added. “You can talk to me… anytime.”

Gayathri looked at him for a long second.

“Thank you, Ravi,” she said softly.

There was no hesitation in it this time.

No distance.

Just… gratitude.

After a moment, she spoke again, a little hesitant. “I’m not in contact with Rakesh anymore.”

Ravi’s expression didn’t change.

He didn’t question her.

He didn’t react strongly.

Instead, he said calmly, “Don’t think too much about it. Everyone has a past, Gayu.”

Her eyes searched his, unsure.

“I trust you,” he added simply.

That was enough.

More than enough.

Something inside her eased—something that had been tight for a long time.

Ravi lifted his hand and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, then leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Sleep,” he said quietly.

Gayathri’s eyes slowly closed, her breathing evening out as the exhaustion finally took over.

This time—

She didn’t cry.

She just slept.

Peacefully.

Ravi stayed beside her, watching her for a moment before shifting slightly.

His hand moved down and rested gently over her belly.

Not hesitantly.

Not unsure.

But carefully.

Protectively.

As if acknowledging something new.

Something that wasn’t a burden.

But a responsibility he had already accepted—

Without saying it out loud.

And as the night settled around them—

He didn’t move.

He just stayed.

Guarding both of them in silence.