24- Dear Hider

                                    

                                          
*REET* 
"Naah, Aarav is such a cliché name," I protested, still debating the issue with him. "You just want a name that matches yours-it's not fair!" I complained. 
Ariv chuckled. "Come on, Reet, he's a boy. What, did you expect me to name him, Rekha?" 
I glared at him, already irritated. "No, you can name him..." I trailed off, my fingers gently playing with the baby's soft ones, who was now peacefully asleep in Ariv's arms. "Maybe... something like... Raat?" 
"Raita?" he suggested with a mischievous grin. 
I stared at him in disbelief. "I am not in the mood for jokes, okay?" 
He shrugged casually. "Alright, alright. I have a better idea," he said, his tone shifting as he leaned forward. "Take 'Ari' from Ariv and 'eet' from Reet... join them, and we get-" 
"Areet?" I raised an eyebrow, scrunching my nose at the suggestion, but his face showed clear disinterest. 
"No!" he growled, frustrated with my lack of enthusiasm. "I meant... what about Arvit?" 
The name echoed in my mind, and slowly, my eyes widened with a smile. Arvit. It was perfect. "Yes! Arvit! That's so cute," I said, beaming with excitement. I could see him grinning now too, pleased with himself. 
"Fine, so from now on, we'll call you-" 
"Arvit," I completed with joy, softly touching the baby's delicate cheeks. Those soft, pink cheeks... so tender, so fragile. My heart swelled with hope as I admired the little life in front of me. His eyes were dark, almost black, just like Atharv's, and his lips were soft and pink. His hair was tousled, thick, and dark-he was practically a carbon copy of Atharv, barely anything inherited from Maya. But wait... Maya? Where was she? 
"Ariv," I interrupted his tender moment, sensing the rising worry in my chest. "Where's Maya?" 
His eyes snapped to me in sudden realization. "Oh, yeah... the doctor said she's in a severe condition. I'm sorry, I just... I forgot about her the moment they placed the baby in my hands." 
I stared at him, dumbfounded. "You're ridiculous, Ariv! We need to find Maya-" 
"She's gone, Reet." 
A cold voice cut through the air. I turned and saw Atharv standing there, his expression unreadable. 
"What do you mean?" Ariv stood abruptly, rage flashing in his eyes as he held the baby protectively in his arms. 
"Atharv..." My voice cracked, tears already brimming at the edges of my eyes. 
Atharv's face was a mask of indifference. "There's nothing to be angry about. Everyone who lives has to go someday." His voice was chilling, almost heartless, as he stepped forward. He reached out for the child, but Ariv instinctively backed away, holding the baby tighter. 
"What do you think you're doing?" Ariv's voice was sharp, almost feral. 
"It's my blood, Ariv. Give him to me," Atharv demanded coldly. 
"But weren't you the one who refused to accept him as yours?" Ariv's voice quivered with barely-contained fury. "You're the one who rejected him, don't you!" 
"My rejection doesn't change the fact that this life belongs to me," Atharv spat, snatching the child from Ariv's grip. The movement, though swift, was gentle enough to not harm the baby, but the shock was enough to make the little one cry. 
"Atharv!" I gasped, horrified by his actions. But he ignored me completely, turning to leave, the baby's cries filling the room. 
Ariv grabbed him by the jacket, his voice trembling with rage. "Where are you taking him?"