“By the way,” I asked, wanting to change the subject, “when are you due?”
“Any day now,” she replied, biting her lip nervously.
“Don’t worry,” I said reassuringly. “I’m sure you’ve prepared yourself. You seem to be very organized.”
“I’ve read books. I researched on the internet. Attended Lamaze classes,” she said quickly. “Somehow, I still feel like I’m not prepared.”
Her nervous hand movements and the way she blinked rapidly reminded me so much of Eva near the end of her pregnancy.
“You’ve done everything that you are supposed to,” I said gently as I held her hands.
The moment my fingers closed around hers, a jolt shot through me. Her touch felt fragile, warm, and far too right, stirring something protective in my chest.
“Trust me, you’ll be just fine.”
A few minutes later, Oreo wandered over lazily before stopping beside my chair. Without hesitation, he shoved his large head beneath my hand, demanding attention.
“There he is,” Jiya murmured with a small smile while continuing to type.
I scratched absentmindedly behind Oreo’s ears, and the dog immediately let out a satisfied groan before pressing closer against my leg.
“You’ve spoiled him,” I said quietly.
Jiya laughed softly. “Me? You’re the one always petting him.”
Oreo lifted his head and licked the side of my hand before resting his chin heavily against my thigh as though he had completely claimed me.
A quiet chuckle escaped me.
It was hard to believe this was the same dog who had growled at me the first time we met. Back then, Oreo had stood protectively in front of Jiya with his body tense and low warning sounds rumbling from his chest every time I moved too quickly near her.
Now he looked half asleep beside me, completely content.
“I think he finally trusts you,” Jiya said softly.
After thanking her for helping me with the website, I left and went back home. My chest remained tight with thoughts of her. A quiet sense of responsibility wrapped around me, as if her well-being had somehow become tied to my own peace of mind.
The next day,I was startled by furious banging on my door.
“Bhaiya! Bhaiya!”
The doorbell rang continuously as the pounding grew louder.
I rushed downstairs in my sweatpants, pulling on a T-shirt haphazardly as I ran.
When I opened the door, I saw Geeta standing there, looking completely frantic.
“What’s wrong?” I asked immediately.
“Didi!” she screamed breathlessly. “Didihaving baby now!”
19
JIYA
Cole and Geeta rushed into the house, and their expressions changed the second they saw me.
I followed their gaze and looked down.
