"Thank you so much dear." Nandini took Myra'a icy cold hand in hers. Her eyes were filled with tears.

Myra blinked her eyelashes a few times. It took some moments for her brain to process Nandini's words. She gulped heavily.

Nandini chuckled with teary eyes looking at Myra's expressions. 'She is too innocent.'

"You are also a mother Myra. I hope you will understand me now." Nandini pulled Myra along with her to the hallway's couch.

"Even though Neil is a 29 years old grown up man. Even though he is a father to a kid. For me, he is still my baby." 

Myra was still quite trying to understand the sudden change in her mother-in-law's demeanor. Myra was used to with Nandini's harsh behavior but her current soft and soothing stand pushed her in hole.

Nandini understood Myra's anxiousness, she thought to clear misunderstandings as well as reasonings for her past behavior.

"My younger brother got married with a girl from a poor family in love marriage. She destroyed him leading him to opt for suicide. We lost him. My parents could not take the loss and they also bid bye to this world. This left a huge impact on me. I know generalizing everyone due to one incident was my fault but I could not help it." 

Myra felt Nandini slipped in her memory lane as tears started steaming over her cheeks. She took deep breath to gain equilibrium of her emotions.

Taking a deep sigh, she continued, "When Neil attained the age of marriage, due to his charm, wealthy family background and successful career, girls used to throw themselves on him. I used to get worried about him. I brought Meera into his life thinking she will be perfect life partner for him but that was my worst decision."

"She destroyed my baby. She killed his heart mercilessly. If Neev was not there, I would have lost my son just like my little brother. I have seen him crying bitterly. My hatred for Meera increased by each tear my son had shed for her." 

"You are a mother to Neev. You tell me Myra, what would you have done if somebody tried to harm Neev?"

Just a simple thought passed shiver down her spine. Tears started rolling over her cheeks. She shook her head in denial mentally promising herself to shield her baby from any hardships.

"I could not neglect the fact that you are Meera's sister. As a mother I wanted to protect my child. Was I wrong?" 

Myra nodded her head in denial, today she could understand Nandini's reasonings. She was right at her place. 

"I know you both are different individuals and looking at you from her lenses was wrong. But my motherly heart saw Meera in you. I am sorry for dumping all my anger and anguish for her on you without your fault." Nandini, caressed her cheek with her free hand.

"It's ok Mrs. Singhania." Myra could hardly mumble.

"I am sorry but my mind does not allow me to trust you fully with my son even now. In fact, I don't trust anyone nowadays. But that's my problem. I will never bother you for it. Recently, I was pushed to look at you in different angle and I am happy, that I started to know the real you. I can see you have been taking good care of my son and grand-son. You are a nice girl Myra. Thank you so much for it."

The same moment Neil had returned from his office, he halted in his tracks looking at his mother and wife talking. He had already heard his mother's words. It amazed him.

"I am his mother, I can see him coming out of his shell. My heart feels, you are that ray of sunlight which will soon push away all dark clouds from his life brightening it with bright sunshine."

Myra starred in Nandini's eyes which were filled with hope.

"Please, don't prove my heart a lie." Nandini begged in helplessness.

Myra gulped her own unshed tears, she shook her head with promise, "I will never."

Just three words and eyes filled with surety and innocence were captured by dark brown eyes. Neil's heart felt unusual comfort with her simple gesture to convince his mother.

He did not dare to disturb both of them but left for his room silently thinking about her words.

After a few more talks Nandini left for her home with a small smile gracing her lips.

Whereas Myra was rooted in her place, Nandini's words had stirred in a whirlwind of emotions.

'If I was at her place I might have behaved the same way.' She got up from the couch finally coming to a conclusion.

She saw Neil coming out from his room after freshening up.

"When did you come?" the question was out even before she realized it.

"When you were busy with Mom."

"Ohh. ok." She turned to go downstairs. "I will get your coffee."

"Neev?" Neil asked.

"He is sleeping."

Myra came to the kitchen and started preparing his coffee followed by Neil. He was standing at the doorstep.

She got a call on her phone. It was flashing unknown number. She picked up wondering about the caller's identity.

"Hello"

"You must be really happy now Myra?" a woman seethed from the other side.

"May I know who is calling?" Myra was clueless about the caller.

Neil scrunched his eyebrows looking at Myra's expressions.

"You bitch, cursed girl. You destroyed us. You brought us on roads." Woman was shouting on top of her voice from the other side.

Neil gestured with hands asking her about the caller. Myra shook her head in denial, shrugging her shoulders.

"Excuse me, I am not sure what you are talking about. Sorry! Wrong number." Myra cut the call.

"Who was it?"

"I don't know." 

Again her phone started ringing with the same number but this time instead of Myra, Neil picked the call and kept it on speaker.

"How dare you filthy girl to cut my call? You leech, moron girl, you gold-digger, you must have provoked your husband to bring us on roads. How dare you? I will kill..."

"Enough Mrs. Sehgal. Stop wasting our time. And dare you call and talk to Myra again. You will see the worst of me. Today, I have brought you on roads, but if you repeat this I promise, you will surely land in jail." He cut the call and blocked the number without even asking Myra.

She was rooted to her place with wide open eyes.

"She is not going to call you again. But if she does, tell me. I will take care of her." He said keeping the phone back on kitchen counter.

"What was that?" Words were out by Myra; she was still in daze. "I did not contact her or her husband." She bit her lower lip lowering her gaze in nervousness.

"When did I say you contacted her?" He took a coffee cup. He moved out of the kitchen but this time he was followed by Myra.

"Why did she call me? What happened?" Myra needed answers.

"I brought your father on the road, he is on the verge of bankruptcy."

"He is not my father." Her murmurings were enough for Neil to hear.

"I am sorry." He regretted his earlier statement.

"But what did you do to him that his wife was so mad?" she asked abruptly. Neil stared at her for a moment to find his words.

"Sorry!" She turned to go back to kitchen when she felt his hold over her wrist.

"Sit" He sat on a nearby couch and also forced Myra to sit in front of him on an armchair. "Why sorry?"

"I don't want to interfere in your personal and professional life." She did not meet his scrutinized glare.

He took few moments.

"There was one deal which he grabbed by cheating, we provided proof and now the client is breaking contract with his company. He had already taken out a loan but since the deal is on the verge of cancellation, banks and investors will sell off his assets to get back their dues and penalties." He explained keeping his eyes on her face trying to peep in her mind. This time he purposefully avoided to refer as 'your father.'

She chuckled humorously, shaking her head. "Karma pays you back." her eyes welled up with tears remembering her mother's miseries . She closed her eyes to push them back.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked inquisitively. Her words had baffled him.

"Karma is a bitch! What goes around comes around. He deserves it."

"Why do you say this?" He wanted to know about her. He himself did not understand the reasons for his inquisitive approach for her.

Myra thought for a while, till today, she had never discussed her childhood with anyone.

"It's ok if you don't want to share." he suppressed his curious mind looking at her apprehensiveness.

"He cheated on my Mumma. I was in my early teens. Don't remember much but Mumma's swollen eyes, scars on her body are still fresh in my memory."

"Your mother?" he asked again.

"She passed away long back. Granny was only my family all these years." Her eyes filled with fresh tears remembering her loss.

Unknowingly, Neil's hand reached to her in support. "I am sorry for your loss. I never knew you had a grandmother."

Myra felt his comforting touch over her palm. She raised her eyes to stare back in his dark brown orbs. 

Two broken souls shared their first beautiful eye lock.

Days were passing by with blink, Neil and Myra fell into a convenient routine. As Julia was asked to take bed rest for a few months, Myra took responsibility for the household. She got a helping hand from Neil. He used to help her whenever he was at home.

Myra was observing his efforts to be around her. Her hopes increased for a stable and sturdy relationship with her husband.

His help and care started forming the foundation for their relationship. Neither they were friends nor strangers.

It was late afternoon when Neev had already completed his afternoon nap. Myra fed him his snacks and took him out to the garden to play. Neil had already messaged her about his late arrival, today he was busy with meetings.

Neev was playing with his walker. For a few months Neev has started taking steps with support. Myra was taking his video. But she widened her eyes when she saw Neev standing without support.

"Ohh my god." she screamed with happiness.

"Mumma." Neev took a small step towards her.

But after two, three steps Neev lost his balance and fell on his bump. Myra ran to him and took him in her arms kissing his face everywhere.

"My baby started walking. My baby is becoming so big now. My big boy." She was blabbering unstop.

Neev could not understand the sudden joy on his mother's face but he understood whatever he did a few moments back is the reason for his mother's happiness. For Neev his mother's happiness meant a world to him.

He wiggled and Myra placed him back on the mat. He made an effort and again stood up.

"Mumma" his victorious smile earned laughter from Myra.

She took his pictures and videos. But her heart yelled with thought to share her happiness with Neil.

She called him on his phone via video call.

Neil was in discussion with his father and brother. His phone flashed with "Myra Calling"

Niren saw and nudged his brother. Neil was also surprised to see her call. They had exchanged numbers long back and also shared messages but never had a call.

"Excuse me" He took a call and moved in the corner to speak.

"Myra?" He called.

"Neil, see this. Surprise!" He could not see her but the screen was showing his son standing on his feet without any support. He was shaking his legs and raising his arms like he was dancing.

Myra's joyful voice boomed in the room capturing everyone's attention.

"Woooh... Neev my baby." Neil shrieked in happiness. He jumped on his place.

"He is standing without support." she cried. "He even took a few steps."

"Really? Ohh my goodness."

Neev took a step but again lost his balance and sat on the mat. Myra went to him and pulled him in her laps. She switched the camera view and now Neil could see his wife and son on the screen.

"I thought you would want to see Neev. I didn't want you to miss this so called you." She gave her side of explanations.

"Sorry if I disturbed you." Myra became cautious.

"No way, don't be sorry. It's a day of celebrations. I will be coming home soon. Let's go out for dinner." Neil exclaimed from the other side, keeping his eyes on screen.

"Ok. Say bye to Dadda. Tell him to come soon." Myra suggested taking Neev's hand in her's and waving to her husband.

"Commmme shoon" Neev copied her.

"Of Course my baby."

"Bye" this time it was Myra.

"Ba" Neev again copied his mother.

"Bye both of you." Call was cut. He turned to face his father and brother. They both were looking at him with wide open eyes.

"Dad, Neev stood on his feet without any support. Myra said he even took a few steps for the first time." Smile was gracing his lips.

"Even you took your first step." Dev murmured but his eyes filled with tears which he blinked.

"Really Neil?" Niren screamed.

'Ding' sound indicated notification. Neil opened, it was a video of Neev.

"Look at this" Both brothers started looking at the video.

But Dev was staring at his son, who has started walking on a new path. After a long time Dev's heart filled with relief.

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