"Neil"

They both jumped when they heard a bewildered voice from the side.

Neil looked around and his eyes landed on Julia. He closed his eyes for a moment and then opened up gulping audibly, looking at Julia who was staring at both of them with wide open eyes.

He sighed in relief heavily because he knew he would have been in serious trouble if it had been Myra. His heart was thudding with marathon speed, anticipating the worst.

'What if it was Myra?'

Meera quickly took a look between the two before walking out from the kitchen hurriedly.

Neil raked his fingers through his hair, licking his lips, nervously.

"Do you need anything, Julia?" He asked her, composing himself.

"No. I just came to close off the light. I thought, I missed switching it off" She trailed off, not moving her inquisitive eyes from his face.

"Ohh! Good night." He wished not to be able to match with her soul piercing eyes.

"Good night." she mumbled.

Neil left a deep breath and rubbed his forehead. He walked out, taking stairs he went towards his room but he could feel continuous eyes on his back.

He carefully opened the door. He stepped inside and went towards his son's crib. His son was sleeping peacefully clutching his favourite teddy bear.

He pushed back his son's hair which was falling on his small forehead. He could feel his son's lips stretched with a small smile.

"He needs a haircut."

He felt a soothing soft touch on his back. Myra had wrapped her arms around his waist. Her face was touching his arms, her eyes were fixed on her sleeping son and her lips were stretched with a serene smile.

Neil could not take his eyes from her pious face, but his mind jolted with the recent moment he had with his past.

'Am I betraying her?'

"Neil, he will look so cute with short hair" She was in her own dreamland.

"I will just take a shower." He released himself from her hold.

"At this time?" Myra asked with a crease.

"Yes. Just a little tired." He made his way towards the closet to get a towel.

He took a long shower. Hot water flowing over his body relaxed his earlier turmoil mind.

When he stepped out, he saw his wife was now on bed, resting her back on pillows with a book in her hands. He knew his wife was a total bookworm in her free time.

He slides on the bed but still his wife was engrossed in her reading. He raised his hand to hold her falling hair strand and then shifted it back to her ear. His mere briefe touch of his fingertips over her cheeks broke her concentration.

"Neil"

"It's time to sleep." He spoke softly, taking out the book from her hands. He closed the book and kept it on the night table.

She closed the night lamp on her side of the bed. Neil pulled her in his embrace and she kept her head on his chest. He kept on caressing her hairs till she slept but he... he was wide awake. Thoughts were running in his mind with jet speed. He did not realise when sleep consumed him.

In Meera's room, she was wide awake, her cunning mind could not conclude the recent moments. She could not understand her own restless state of mind. Scenes of Neil and Myra were kept on running in front of her eyes.

Meera could not understand what Neil saw in Myra that he had forgotten his first love for her.

'But then what was he doing with me when she left? What was in his eyes?'

Next few days, Meera started observing Neil, he was a total loving husband and doting father when he was surrounded with his wife and son but the moment they were out of his sight his eyes were fixed on her.

For the last few days, he was behaving civilly towards Meera. He had not bashed or insulted her like he used to do in the initial days of her stay. He was not on talking terms with her but he did not mind her joining them for breakfast and dinner. She even observed he did not put forward his objections when she had her playing time with Neev... of course under the supervision of Myra.

Meera was playing with Neev. Nowadays, he had started knowing her. He used to look at her with his big doe eyes. For Meera, playing and caring for any kid was a completely new experience. Till entering this house it was a total no go zone for her, but today, she had to, to achieve her dream life which currently her little sister was living. Her eyes went to her sister, she was sitting on an armchair with a book but her eyes were taking a glance of her son every moment.

She saw Neev going towards her sour face.

"Oops you did your job." Myra understood, looking at him. "Come let's change your diaper." She picked him up in her arms.

Meera kept on staring at their retiring fingers when Neil stepped inside after long office hours. Today, again he was pushed by his wife to join one office meeting.

"Myra," He called out, beaming with happiness. His voice captured Meera's attention. She turned to see him holding his laptop bag on one shoulder and a bouquet of white lilies in another free hand.

"Myra." He screamed his lungs out. Happiness was radiating in fact overflowing from his presence.

"She... she just went upstairs." He turned to Meera hearing her apprehensive voice. "Neev needed a diaper change." She answered fumbling looking at his confused face.

"Ohh." He thought about going upstairs but then something clicked in his mind, that he settled down on the couch in the living room checking out his emails.

"Should I make your coffee?" Recently, Meera has observed her ex-husband needs a cup of coffee when he returns back from his office. Her eyes were stilled on the bouquet of flowers. It's only Meera who knew why she started abhorring those white lilies he daily brought her for her sister.

"Do you even know how to make coffee?" He asked, chuckling humorously, raising his eyebrows.

"As far as I remember, waiting for husband, cooking for him, respecting his family, taking care of the household.... All these things are not your cup of things." His hoarse voice hit her eardrum, reminding all their moments post marriage when she used to betray him on every step of their life.

"I am glad at least you remember we were married once upon a time. I thought you had forgotten everything." She added extra pain in her words. She had learned to put a mask on her face according to the situation. And this time she needed the mask of a dejected, grief stricken, broken hearted soul.

"Of course I remember. I remember everything. Every single damn thing between us." He gulped, not taking his eyes off her face. His cold, emotionless eyes were trying hard to peep inside her soul to find the truthfulness behind her words.

"What is visible to eyes and heard to ears is not always the truth. I wish you would have understood... I wish things would not have turned so bitter for us." Meera mumbled purposefully shedding a tear, "I will ask Julia to make your coffee." She wipes her tears making sure her ex-husband witnessed her actions before escaping from living room.

"No thanks. Myra will make it." He spoke without giving a single glance to her. "I am used to her handmade coffee."

She heard his challenging voice which irked her more.

"Neil" Myra was descending stairs when she saw her husband in the living room. "When did you come?"

"Just some time back." He got up handing over the bouquet to her. He bent to give her a peck when he was pushed by his son who was in Myra's arms. Neev had kept his little palm on his father's lips, shooing him away from his beloved mother.

"No Dadda. No." His son was looking at him in a total angry bird avatar.

"I can." His father held his palm in his big one and then gave one quick peck to his wife. He pulled back not before winking at his son who had already took out his lower lip and was on the verge of crying.

"Neev, baby, Mumma loves you the most." Myra knew how to make his mood. She kissed his cheeks.

"Your Mumma also loves me. Her violinist." He mumbled in her ears, but he captured a shadow at one corner of the living hall. He raised his eyes to see Meera, looking at them shedding tears. He stared at her, not even blinking. He wrapped his arm around Myra's waist and then kissed her ears. He mumbled "Thank you so much my Nightingale."

"For what?" She turned, narrowing her eyes.

"We won one more deal. Aldrins... With this, Singhania Incorporations is back to number one in North America as the leading business group." He told her with a bright smile spread on his lips and eyes glistening with unshed happy tears.

"It's the same deal which you and Niren were working out from last month?" She was not able to believe his words.

"Yes, it is."

"Ohh my god. That's so amazing... congratulations. Congratulations so much... I am... I am so so so proud of you." He could see her eyes dazzling with her inner happiness and proud feeling over him.

She circled her free hand around his neck clinging to his body. And in a next moment they both were wrapped in his embrace.

"No Mumma no." He was crushed between them. He made his best efforts to separate them. He was screaming his lungs out. "No Dadaa No. My Mumma."

Finally, Neev kicked his father in his stomach as well as hit his father on his head with his small hands.

"My Mumma." He screamed loudly.

His ear piercing scream as well as physical attack on his father brought them back.

Instantly, Neev wrapped his both hands around his mother's neck passing death glare to his father.

"Your son has started using his hands on me nowadays." Neil pinched his chubby cheeks.

Myra rolled her eyes. She kept Neev on the ground and made him busy with his toys.

"Where are you going?" He asked when he saw her walking away.

"Your coffee." She smiled.

He followed her till the kitchen. He saw her taking out something from kitchen drawers.

"Here take this" She brought one chocolate cookie in front of his mouth. "We need to celebrate your success, my dear husband. Sorry, I was not prepared but I can cook your favourite chicken parmesan with pasta for dinner."

He took a half bite of the cookie and then rest forwarded in front of her lips. "All credit goes to you my dear wifey." She smiled, gulping the remaining.

"By the way, there is one party this weekend and we must attend it." He spoke observing her facial expressions. She was busy making his coffee.

"Party? Ohh ok." She nodded her head. "One second, you said we. We?" she turned to him with raised eyebrows.

"Yes. We both need to go." He knew it was going to be a long convincing sessions as his wife was uncomfortable with such social events.

"Neil, you know I don't like to go to such parties. I am not used to this social culture. You know I always messed it up. You know...I don't know how and what to talk with people. Last time I was so pathetic ... I embarrassed you in front of everyone" He held her shoulder interrupting.

"Last time it was me who should feel ashamed of my doings." He remembered how he left her alone post misunderstanding. He continued, "Myra you don't need to worry about it. This time I will be there. I will not leave you. I promise. I will stick with you." He raised her hand and kissed her knuckles.

"And what about Neev? Can we take him?" She asked hopefully.

"It's a party Myra. We cannot take him." He replied carefully.

"Then there is no way I am coming with you. I cannot leave him alone." She turned adamant.

He knew he had a long battle ahead.

"We have Julia here." He tried.

"We have Meera as well..." She halted abruptly.

For sure her point was valid, they both did not want to keep their precious possession with a witch alone.

"We can drop him to Mom's place. All will be at home, so they can take care of him and while returning back we can pick him up." He mentally thanked his mind for popping this idea.

After a long session, Myra finally gave up and agreed to accompany him for the party.

Weekend came in a blink, Neil had gone out for one quick meeting in the office whereas Myra was settled in the living room beside Julia surrounded by a few party wear dresses. Dresses which Nandini had brought for her last time.

"Julia aunty, what do you think? Is this the good one?" She took out a bottle green colour dress and kept it on her chest.

"Dear, anything will look good on you." Julia commented, she had a hard time controlling her laughter looking at Myra slipping into the nervous zone by each passing minute.

"But this is too short. It's hardly coming till my knees. I can't wear this." Myra checked the length of the dress.

"Myra, it's beautiful. It will look good on you. Trust me my girl."

"But I have never worn such a type of cloth." Myra scrunched her nose. "And Neil..." She remembered his distasteful glare when she had accompanied him to a party.

"I don't think he will mind dear. Anyway if you are not comfortable then choose something different." Julia suggested smiling.

Meera was observing her little sister drowned in her dilemmas. She passed a sly smile when an idea popped up in her mind. For the last two days Myra and Neil's going out for the party was the main topic of discussion between Julia and Myra. When Julia was not around she found a perfect opportunity to play her cards.

"If you want I can help you, Myra." It was hard but she put all her efforts to bring a tender tone from her vocal cords. She settled beside her sister who turned cautious instantly.

"I know you have never been to such parties so I can understand your perplexities. I was a total party animal back in the days... but choice is yours." Meera hoped her twin sister would accept her proposal.

"After all you are Mrs. Neil Singhania, you have to match with his status and reputation. Even though sometimes we hate it, these social events are crucial to maintain family's esteem and honour." Meera stressed when Myra did not reply back.

Myra was pushed in whirlwind of thoughts, from last fifteen days, she was observing her elder twin. There had not been even a single moment where Myra could point out her sister's fault or sinister motive. She was true to her words.

'May be she had realised her own mistakes. And she wanted to grieve over them.' Thoughts used to cross Myra's mind these days.

"Ok."

"Then come along." Meera smiled inwardly, mentally tapping her own back.

In two hours, Myra was ready in black shimmery strapless gown reaching till ankles, bare shoulders were already making her anxious.

"Don't worry you are looking beautiful." It was Meera giving confidence.

But when she looked at herself, she could not believe her own reflection in the mirror, with silverish smokey makeup highlighting her eyes as well as painting her face with extra glitters and blush. She was giving tough competition to any fashion fiesta.

Meera had set her hair in a bun so her hanging diamond earrings could be visible. No doubt she was looking ravishing in her new look.

"Here take these" Meera passed her stilettos which were going perfectly with her dress.

"Thank you... Thank you so much Meera." Her gaze was still fixed over the mirror.

"Pleasure is all mine sister." Meera smiled with triumph.

Myra came back to her room, she was waiting for Neil to come back. She again went back to her closet to see herself in the mirror. Her son was awake now and was playing with his toys in the crib. She went to her son hoping to see his reaction.

Neev felt someone's presence behind him, he turned to see. He stared at her face for a few minutes with confusion spread all over his face. It took almost 3 minutes for the little guy to recognise his mother who was hiding behind costly apparel, heavy makeup and hairdo. He jumped in her arms when he realised it was his beloved mother.

But this small moment acted as an awakening for Myra. She made Neev busy in his toys and again went in front of the mirror.

'My own son did not recognise me in this look? What is the use of it then?' Her thoughts started running in all directions.

'But Neil? What about his status and reputation?' Meera's earlier words started pushing her in a confused state of mind.

'You know what, you have a golden heart. Your simplicity, purity, innocence, maturity, caring nature is what makes you stand out from the crowd. That matters the most to me.' His words rang in her ears boosting up her confidence and after almost two days she reached to a conclusion.

"This is not me." She spoke to her reflection.

First thing she released her hairs from bun and with tissue she removed glossy make up. She even changed her dress to the one which was comfortable yet elegant.

She came downstairs holding Neev in her arms and the maid brought his bag with essentials following them.

"Myra, what happened to you? You changed?" Meera asked when she saw her sister dressed in a baby pink colour dress which had caps sleeves, reaching till her ankles. Her neck has lacy and pearl work. She has also washed layers and layers of makeup and has decked herself with minimal make up including eye liner, blush and lip gloss.

"I am so sorry Meera, but I was not comfortable in that attire. I know you have done a great job but..."

"But what about the social event... you will look so dull over there."

"That's fine. If my son and husband couldn't recognize me, then what's the use of getting dressed like this?" Just one sentence was enough for Myra to quieten Meera.

Meera gave a tight smile, cursing her sister in mind for jeopardizing her well laid out plan to create a rift between her ex- husband and sister.

In the next half an hour Myra and Neil were in the car on the back seat with Neev settled in his carseat. They both dropped Neev at Singhania house and then drove to the Party venue.

"Stay with me. You are looking gorgeous." He mumbled in her ears when they were walking inside. He had already slipped his hand over her waist holding her possessively.

Today, Myra observed Neil's eyes were not leaving her alone from the moment they landed on her. He was dressed in a dark navy blue coloured suit with matching tie.

Neil was introducing her to other guests of the party.

"It was really great to meet you pretty lady." One of the old associates of Singhania wished.

"I must say Mr. Singhania, you are lucky to have this beautiful lady as your better half." another one praised.

"For sure I am." Neil replied confidently, passing quick glances at his beloved wife.

"Long time Mr. Singhania." One man in his early 30's grabbed their attention with his calculative tone covered with professionalism.

"Mr. Ryan Martin." Ofcourse Neil knew him on a professional level. Martins and Singhanias were rivals on business level. "Nice to meet you after a long time."

Both shook their hands professionally.

"Congratulations for Aldrin's deal. As well again grabbing the top position in North America." Ryan has mastered hiding his true intentions behind his charming face.

Of course, deviating Maritn's from top position as well as losing three major deals in a row to Singhania's was the reason for Ryan's abrupt visit.

"The position always belonged to Singhania's." Neil counterbacked with narrowed eyes.

"Anyway, let's hope the best one stays on the top." Ryan concluded as well as challenged indirectly when finally his eyes landed on the girl standing besides Neil.

For a moment, he thought it was Meera. His wide open eyes could not missed from Myra's scrutinising gaze. She instantly felt uncomfortable when he did not move his eyes from her figure. She stepped near to Neil.

"Ahh... Meet my wife Myra." Neil introduced.

"Myra?" Ryan mumbled to himself.

"Yes. Mrs. Myra Neil Singhania."

"Nice to meet you lady." Ryan wished still zoning out.

For the entire evening, Myra could feel someone's gaze following her, though she was with Neil, gaze made her uncomfortable. Whenever she tried to find out the source it was from the same person she met a few moments before. 'Ryan Martins.'

Whenever their eyes met, she could not understand the hidden emotions behind those green orbs. But for sure those green orbs terrified her.

Both returned to their home after picking up sleeping Neev. Myra settled him in his crib covered with his blanket. She went to the washroom for a change when Neil came out.

'Sir, we found lot of discrepancies in Ms. Meera's medical reports and hospital records. I have attached the proofs in the email sent to you. We suspect she is lying about her medical conditions.' Neil read a message, he got from his security chief.

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