Chapter 2: The Meeting

The next morning, Pragati opened her eyes and slowly sat up from the uncomfortable hospital chair.

She hadn't slept the entire night.

"Ab toh raat mein neend bhi nahi aati," she muttered to herself. "Yeh tension jaati kyun nahi?"

She rubbed her tired eyes and stretched her stiff back.

"Kitne dino se theek se nahi soyi hoon main. Bas yeh boss ke saath meeting achhi ho jaaye. Phir yeh 9 mahine nikal jayenge aur main Papa ke saath aaram se reh paungi. Unki dekhbhal karungi."

A small smile appeared on her face.

"Operation ke liye 40 lakh chahiye. Uske baad jo 20 lakh bachenge, unse main sab kuch theek kar dungi."

She checked the time.

"Mujhe kahan jaana tha?... Haan! Second floor, private cabin."

The clock showed 7:00 AM.

"Meeting toh 9 baje hai. Tab tak mandir ho aati hoon."

Pragati went to the hospital temple.

She folded her hands and closed her eyes.

Pragati had immense faith in God. Ever since her mother's accident and death, she and her father had prayed every day. Sometimes it felt as though they weren't talking to God but to Sunita, Pragati's mother.

After spending some time in the temple, Pragati walked around outside the hospital.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize how quickly time had passed.

When she checked her phone again, it was already 8:58 AM.

"Oh no!"

She immediately rushed towards the lift.

Pragati valued punctuality and hated being late.

While hurrying, she accidentally bumped into someone.

"Dekh kar nahi chal sakte? Andhe ho kya?" she shouted without looking up.

The moment she raised her head, she froze.

"Aap?"

It was Rahul.

Rahul frowned.

"Main tumse nahi takraya. Tum mujhse takrayi ho."

Pragati rolled her eyes.

"Haan haan, apni galti mujh par mat daliye."

Rahul narrowed his eyes.

"Tumhari himmat kaise hui mujh par chillane ki?"

"Ab mujhe jaane dijiye. Waise hi late ho rahi hoon."

Without waiting for his response, she hurried away.

Rahul watched her leave and shook his head.

"Ajeeb ladki hai."

A few minutes later, Pragati reached the private cabin.

The doctor called her inside.

"Miss Pragati, ek baat yaad rakhiye."

"Ji?"

"Mr. Rahul Suryavanshi ko zyada baatein pasand nahi hain. Woh jaldi gussa ho jaate hain. Isliye unse behas mat kariyega."

Pragati sighed.

"Kya ajeeb insaan hai. Insaan hai bhi ya nahi?"

The doctor ignored her comment and opened the cabin door.

Inside, a man wearing a black suit sat with his back facing them.

"Mr. Rahul, surrogate mother aa gayi hai."

Rahul turned around.

The moment he saw Pragati, he stood up in shock.

"Tum?!"

Pragati's eyes widened.

"Aap?!"

The doctor looked at both of them in confusion.

"Aap dono ek doosre ko jaante hain?"

Rahul and Pragati spoke at the same time.

"Bura ha!"

The doctor blinked.

"Matlab?"

Rahul pointed towards Pragati.

"Yeh meri bacche ki surrogate mother nahi ban sakti."

Pragati folded her arms.

"Mujhe bhi koi shauk nahi hai."

The doctor sighed.

"Sir, bahut mushkil se yeh agreement ke liye ready hui hain. Ab tak koi bhi aapki conditions maan ne ke liye tayyar nahi hua."

Rahul remained silent.

His conditions were extremely strict, which was why most women refused.

Finally, he sighed.

"Theek hai. Main ready hoon."

Pragati looked at him and thought,

"Aa gaya oonth pahad ke neeche."

Neither of them knew that this agreement was about to change their lives forever.

To Be Continued...

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