Chapter 11

"Complication part 1"

Ishwari was shocked when she heard that word.

"Oh my goodness, am I Pregnant?"

Instinctively, she put her hands to her belly. She was stumped, surprised, and a little excited. Her head was swimming with a million questions. Tears were falling from her eyes now and she couldn't help it.

"Ishwari, are you crying?" Tina came near her.

She didn't answer.

"You should be happy, shouldn't you?"

Davnur looked at Tina, made signs with eye and brow, and turned Ishwari's shocked face.

"In my estimation, you may be pregnant but still we can't really say for sure, Miss Ishwari. We'll have to wait to get the blood test back to be sure. So let me take some blood from you," he smiled friendly, trying to comfort her.

She finally moved her head, nodded. Davnur took out a syringe from his bag, inserted her arm and drew blood into it.

When he was finished, stood up.

"I will have to check it in the lab and I will contact you when I get the results."

"When will you have the results?"

"I'll give this first priority, you can get the results by tomorrow morning. I'll let King Min know as soon as I have-"

"Please," Ishwari grabbed his arm. "Don't tell him."

There was a moment of silence as Davnur and Tina both looked at each other. Ishwari looked away.

"You don't want to tell him? Why?" Tina frowned, a little disappointment in her voice.

"I can't, not now."

Davnur sighed nervously.

"I understand, Miss, I won't tell King Min, until we get the results. But I suggest you explain to him that if the test result is positive."

"Thank you Davnur," Ishwari was relieved and a little excited.

After he left the room, Tina sat beside her, held her hands.

"Ishwari why are you so afraid? You think Pagan will be mad at you when he hears about the baby?"

"I really don't know what to think Tina. He could be... because this is the last thing he needs. We're in a war. It's already so hard to plan better future for Ajay. Now if I'm pregnant how can I protect my baby from everything?"

"Calm down, Ishwari, being pregnant is not a disaster, and you should have known this better than me, besides, this is a miracle can't you see? You changed him already. Now I'm sure, he would want to provide Kyrat a better future because he is going to be a father."

"I hope you're right. But promise me you won't tell him anything for now."

"He's the king, and you're carrying his baby, and also asking his most trusted maid to hide this from him?"

"Please," she whined.

"All right. But you can't hide your secret forever, I mean your belly is going to be like…"

She put her hands over her belly and spread her arms widely.

"Stop it!"

Ishwari threw a pillow to her, Tina giggled.

"You can sulk all you want, I'm really happy and I'm sure he will be happy too."

After she left the room, Ishwari fell into a brown study and conjured up how would she tell him and how he would react.

A few hours later, she pulled herself together by realizing Ajay was crying. He was pulling on the sheets trying to climb up on the bed. Ishwari lifted him, took into her arms, pressed against her chest.

"Ajay, would you want a sibling? I know you'd be a good big brother. Right?"

He just stared at her blankly, she kissed him on the cheeks and then left the room together. They were both hungry.

When they entered the kitchen, noticed Davnur having lunch with Tina. They both stood up when they realized them.

"Please, keep eating. I'm here to get some snacks for Ajay."

They sat down, Ajay ran beside them. Tina took him into her arms.

Ishwari opened the refrigerator door.

"I thought you left already," she said without looking at the doctor.

"King Min called, Miss Ishwari"

She looked at him, breathless.

"He's on his way to the palace," Tina added.

"You didn't…"

They both smiled at her facial expression.

"No, of course, I didn't tell him, I promised you miss. He said there is a sick woman and I must examine her."

Ishwari relieved but confused.

"Sick woman? Who? One of the maids?"

"He is bringing her with him."

Ishwari frowned.

"Who could it be," she thinks.

Their conversation ended when they became aware of the sound of the helicopter. As the sound became louder Davnur quickly left the table and went outside.

"You're not going to greet him?" Tina asked to her.

"I'm not ready, Tina. For some reason, I feel nervous right now. I've never felt this nervous before."

"Calm down. You are going to reveal yourself."

When they heard Pagan's voice, Ishwari's heart started to beat fast.

"What the hell is wrong with me," she thinks. "It's not the end of the world."

"Oh, Ishwari, dear. How are you feeling?"

She gulped, but quickly smiled at him.

"I... I feel much better."

He put his hands on her shoulders, examined her face concernedly.

"Davnur told me it's physical fatigue. You need to rest right know, love. What are you doing here in the kitchen?"

"I'm all right, really. Ajay needs to eat some food."

"I'll feed him," said Tina, she already took Ajay into her arms.

"See? Tina is looking after him and you are coming with me," he grabbed her arm, pulled her closer.

Ishwari's eyes narrowed made Tina chuckled.

While they were walking upstairs, Pagan wrapped his right arm around her.

"I'm relieved actually. When I saw you in the morning, I was afraid, and I cursed myself for leaving you like that. "

She looked at his face, his warm, coffee-brown eyes were telling about his feelings towards her. Suddenly she got angry at herself and decided to tell him.

As soon as they entered the room, they both looked at each other.

"I need to tell you something."

"I've got something to tell you."

They both surprised and laughed at each other's timing.

"All right, I'm listening," Pagan crossed his arms.

Her courage got away while looking at him.

"No, you first. It wasn't that important, anyway."

"Ladies first," he blinked.

"You're the King, so, you first."

Pagan laughed loudly, covering his mouth with his hand while laughing.

"Fine, fine. This is very childish, don't you think?"

She giggled hysterically.

"Yes, but it can wait. I'm listening to you."

"Well, if you say so…" He pulled her to the black couch, sat her down.

"Ishwari, do you remember that captive?" His face was serious.

"You mean… Sevat?"

"Yes, him. Listen, I didn't tell you, but I made a deal with him earlier. And, as a result, I promised him that his family will be under the protection of the king."

She didn't say anything, waited for him finish his word.

"You know them right? His family?"

"Of course I know them. His wife Hansa was my childhood friend. But I haven't seen her for years."

"Well, you will see her very soon, she's here. I brought them here."

"Here?"

"Yes, hm, she has a disease but I don't think it's deadly serious, also, Davnur probably could cure it."

"Disease? Oh, I should see her."

"You don't have to, love. They will be sent to the Utkarsh after Davnur finished examining."

"Utkarsh?"

"Safer than Banapur."

"Sevat joined the Royal Army?"

"Not exactly. I gave him a duty after he succeed with it, he can join if he wants, though."

"May I ask what it is?"

"Don't think about that, love," he brushed her face with his finger. "Just trust me, all right?"

"I trust you, of course. But, I really need to see her, Pagan."

"Your wish is my command," he smiled widely. "But before that, I have something for you."

He took a little black box from his pocket, balanced it on her left knee.

"What is that?"

"Well, why don't you just go ahead and look what it is," he said with excitement.

She opened it, a golden ring sparkled in the dim light. The gold made a fragile web around the diamonds which throwing rainbows in the light.

"It's so pretty," she murmured to herself, surprised.

"Do you like it? These diamonds were processed from the mines. I have ordered to Tae before he left, he surprised me and sent it yesterday. I should invite him to Kyrat again, sometime."

"Pagan, it's beautiful, thank you."

He chuckled. "See if it fits."

She hesitated at first, then reached for the ring but his long fingers reached before hers. He took her one hand in his and slid the ring into place on her finger. They both examined the oval sparkling against her bronze skin.

"Perfectly fitted, that's nice, saves me a phone call with Tae."

Ishwari giggled but then looked at his playful face.

"It looks like a wedding ring and you slid it into my third finger?" her eyes narrowed. "You're not going to propose me are you?"

He laughed hysterically.

"Ishwari, please," he sighed. "I don't need a ring to show, you are mine. And I won't ruin our thing with stupid boundaries. Plus, marriage is a piece of paper, an object, we're beyond that. I just wanted to give you a present."

"I loved it, thank you again."

"It looks very nice on you."

She stared into his scorching eyes. He was glowing and his face was brilliant with joy that knocked her breathless. And if he didn't kiss her at that moment, she was going to kiss him first.

His lips moved over her body, down her neck, then he raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her hand. Her arms wrapped around him and held onto him. He hugged her gently and placed his lips on the top of her head.

They both enjoyed that beautiful moment for a while.

Later, when they went outside together, Pagan noticed Yuma were coming.

"What now," he murmured. "Dear, you go first and check your friend, looks like I'm going to be veeery busy."

Ishwari chuckled. "Good luck."

He kissed the top of her head and watched as she entered to the infirmary. Then turned to his sister with a fake smile.

"Sister! What brings you up here this time of the evening? Let me guess, you drugged your captive again, didn't you?"

"Close."

"What did he talk about this time? Unicorns, aliens maybe?"

Yuma rolled her eyes.

"I wish. He's about to lose his mind actually. Anyway, why did you send her away? I won't bite her."

"Well, I'm not sure about that. Look, she's tired in these days and I don't want you to confuse her with that bloody paintings crap."

"Thangka paintings."

"Yes, whatever."

"Fine, I won't. By the way looks like I need to send few men to the Himalayas."

"Jesus, Christ, Yuma! We sent a fucking team there, already."

"They were fucking jackasses and ruined everything. I want to call them back, send another team instead. Will you allow?"

"Do whatever you want, dear, but pick the healthy ones. Davnur is the only doctor we've got and I don't want to see any sick guard around."

"Copy."

…

In the Infirmary, once Davnur finished examining his new patient, he looked at and gave her a reassuring smile.

"I am confident that we will be able to cure you with proper treatments."

She looked at him blankly, held her throat, aching from coughing.

"I'm not going to cough anymore? Will I get better?"

Before he could answer the door knocked. They both turned to look over.

"Can I come in?" Ishwari asked kindly.

"Sure, please come in Miss Ishwari," Davnur made gesture her to come in. "I just have finished examining her and was saying she'll get better."

"Really? Thank Kyra." Ishwari sat beside her.

She didn't say anything, just staring at Ishwari with confusion on her face.

"Okay, I'll leave you two alone now."

After he got out of the room, Ishwari looked at her.

"I'm sorry Hansa, I didn't know about your disease."

"It's okay, we haven't seen each other for years. You married Mohan and moved, out of the Banapur."

There was silence for a while.

"Sevat told me about everything. I was shocked when I heard Mohan sent you here. What was he thinking? And I was also shocked when King Min brought me here to just cure my disease."

"He is not the man we thought."

"He said that Min cares about you. Thank Kyra. He could've killed you when you exposed, otherwise."

"No, he wouldn't. He loves me and so do I."

Her eyes opened widely.

"You too? Gods help us."

"It's not a crime, and I can't help it."

Another silence.

"I believe that I can change him, and provide Kyrat better future for Ajay."

"And for my baby," she thinks.

"What about Mohan?"

She couldn't answer, just looked away.

A knock on the door interrupted them, Tina came inside.

"Time to go. Car ready and waiting."

"Okay," she coughed and stood up.

"I should accompany you to your new home," Ishwari held her hand.

When they went outside two kids came running to their mom. Ishwari smiled at them.

"What beautiful girls."

"They're everything to me in this world," said Hansa smiling.

"Mom, can Ajay come with us?"

"Please mooom!"

Ajay came after them, tried to pull Ishwari's dress. She looked down at him.

"Do you want to go with them, Ajay?"

"Go! Go!" He pointed the red car with his finger. She giggled, took him into her arms while walking through the car. After Hansa and kids get in, Ishwari opened the car door.

"Ishwari, you are going with them? But King Min doesn't know."

"He's with Chief Yuma. Besides, I was in Utkarsh before, Tina."

"And you returned as unconscious, remember?" Pagan muttered, came near her and grabbed her arm. "You can't go, Ishwari."

"Why not?" she whined. "I can't let Hansa and kids go there by themselves."

"Do you really think I would let you go there without me? No bloody way!"

"But-"

"I'm coming with you," he said.

It wasn't a request.

"Prepare the car," he ordered the guards.