2 Days Later..

Meera came back from her daily morning jog to see Anika setting the table for breakfast.

"Goodmorning Ma." Meera greeted her with a tentative smile. Anika ignored her and continued setting the table.

"Goodmorning Badi Ma!" Dev said as he came down and sat at the table.

"Goodmorning beta." Anika smiled. As she was about to go to the kitchen Meera grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side.

"Mumma!How long will you stay mad at me? Im really sorry na. Its been two days, pls forgive me...pls."

"Prinku!" Anika called out, removing Meera's hand. "Bring dadi's breakfast, Im leaving for the hospital."

"Haan bhabhi...here you go." Priyanka came runnig out and handed Anika a packet. "Once the kids have their breakfast, Ill come with Choti Ma."

"Okay..." Anika replied and started leaving.

"Come Meera, sit and have your breakfast." Priyanka told Meera.

"No Bua, Im not hungry." Controlling her tears, Meera forced a smile. Anika stopped in her tracks.

"Arre but you should have something before leaving.."

"Actually Bua...I have a meeting...So ill eat something along the way." Meera lied.

"What meet-" Dev started to ask.

"Happy Birthday BESTIE!" Alia ran upto Meera and hugged her tightly. Anika gasped as she looked at the date on her phone.

"Birthday?" Dev & Priyanka said in surprise.

"Yeah Birthday...Today is Meera's birthday." Alia said and turned to Meera, "You didnt tell them?"

"Its not important." Meera responded, "Anyways, Alia you have your breakfast, Im going to the office."

"Office? So early?" Alia asked following behind Meera, "Meera wait..."

"Me-" Anika tried to stop Meera but she had already left.

"Bhabhi...Why didnt you tell us its Meera's birthday today?" Priyanka asked walking upto Anika.

"Because I forgot." Anika looked at Priyanka with tears rolling down her face. "What kind of mother am I, Prinku? I was so tangled in my own anger and problems that I forgot my own child's birthday."

"Bhabhi...pls dont cry." Priyanka hugged Anika.

"You know....every year, at 12...I got to her room, and if she is asleep then I wake her up and wish her. Before everyone, Meera's mom wishes her.....and this year I forgot." Anika closed her eyes crying.

"Its not your fault Bhabhi...so much happened, anyone could have frogotten."

"I have an idea!" Dev said, "Why dont we have a surprise party for Meera? UIt will make her happy."

"Yes! I was thinking of that same thing. Ill tell everyone at home & this evening, we will have Meera's birthday party. Its her first birthday in Oberoi Mansion na? We will make it special." Priyanka replied.

"Dev, will you do something for mr?" Anika asked Dev.

"Of course Badi Ma, tell me."

"Take some breakfast for Meera. She never takes care of herself and when she is upset, its worse."

"Ok Ill take her some breakfast & until she finishes it, I wont leave from there." Dev assured Anika.

--------------------------

Location: Oberoi Industries

"Are you okay?" Alia asked as she followed Meera into her cabin.

"Im fine." Meera replied, "Why didnt you have breakfast?"

"You didnt either...Anika aunty is still angry?" Meera nodded.

"Meera..."

"Alia....leave me alone for a bit....pls."

"....Okay....but if you need anything, im in my cabin. Okay?" Alia said and then went to her cabin.

Ring! Ring!

*Phonecall*

M: Hello?

S: Happy Birthday my dear niece!

M: Hmmm

S: Hmmm? What happened?

M: Ma didnt wish me.

S: What?

M (with tears in her eyes): I was awake til 12...actually the whole night. I thought  now mumma will come...now she will come. She didnt come. She is that mad at me.

S: Meeru...Di must have forgotten Dadi is also in the hospital....just see, as soon as she remembers, she will wish you. Who cries on their own birthday? Wipe your tears.

M: Im not crying

S: Liar...

M (still lying): Im not lying. Wou arent even here, how would you know?.

S: I dont need to be there to know that you are crying. Now wipe your tears.

M (Wiping her tears): Done...Happy?

S: Very!

M (smiling a bit): Anyways Ill keep the phone now... I have work to do.

S: Okay...bye.

*Phonecall Ends*

After awhile Meera heard a knock on the door

"Come in." Dev entered with a package and placed it on the table near the couches. "Dev...whats all this?"

"One sec." Dev said and walked to Meera's desk, picked up the phone & pressed a button, "Alia....come to Meera's cabin pls."

"Dev...what are you-"

"Just wait one sec."

"Hey...whats going on?" Alia said as she entered. Meera just looked at her and shrugged.

"Sit there." Dev pointed to the couch & pulled Meera along with him, "You too."

Once both girls were sitting, Dev sat in between then and opened the package.

"Aloo Puri?" Meera said looking at the two containers.

"Yep Aloo Puri.Its Badi ma's favourite so Mom made it for breakfast today.But you two didnt eat."

"Im not hungry." Meera said and got up. Dev grabbed her arm and pulled her back down.

"I know, thats what you said at home. And you also said...what was it.....right meeting. You have a meeting right, right?" Dev looked around, "So...where's the meeting?"

"Dev....Im really no-mmnn." Dev grinned as stuffed Meera's mouth with some aloo puri when she tried to talk.

"Sorry Meera but afterall I am your brother, I have to fullfill my duties...so I suggest that you eat all this food because until you do, I will not move from here."

Sighing in defeat, Meera took one of the containers and continued to eat, glaring at Dev. Dev took the other container & handed it to Alia.

"This is for you."

"Thanks." Alia smiled. Dev leaned towards Alia and whispered in her ear.

"We are planning a surprise party for Meera...in the evening. You just need to get her ready.."

"Done."

"Guys...what are you two whispering about?" Meera asked.

"Nothing!" Alia & Dev said at the same time.

*********

That Evening...

"Yaar why is it so dark here?" Meera asked as she and Alia returned home.

"Maybe....cause everyone went to visit KD at the hospital." Alia lied and quickly took Meera upto her room.

"Alia...Im seriously not in the mood to go out."

"Too bad." Meera turned around to see Sona sitting on her bed with some clothes out. "Its your birthday. So the three of us are going out...to celebrate!"

"Exactly...now wear this." Alia took the dress & handed it to Meera.

"but where are we going?" Alia & Sona looked at each other panicked.

"Uh....its a surprise....just change." Sona said and pushed Meera into the washroom. After all three girls were ready, they went downstairs.

"SURPRISE!" The lights turned on and Meera was surprised to see Oberoi Mansion was decorated with ribbons and balloons all over. There was a huge banner that read 'Happy 25th Birthday!'

(Meera's Look)

"Happy Birthday Di!" Pihu & Ishaan came upto Meera and hugged her.

"Happy Birthday Meera." Dev & Jai each hugged her too.

"Thanks guys!" Meera smiled. She looked around until she saw Anika at a distance. Once Anika saw Meera looking at her, she opened her arms and motioned for Meera to come.

"Mumma!" Meera ran to her mom and hugged her.

"Mera Bacha (My child)..." Anika hugged Meera tightly, "Im such a bad Mom na? I forgot my own daughter's birthday."

"Absolutely not. You are the world's best Mumma!" Meera looked at Anika and held her ears, "Im sorry! I never intended to hurt you....thats the last thing I would want to do. You are very important for me."

"I know...you are important for me too." Anika wiped Meera's tears, "Acha now no more crying. You are looking so beautiful, do you want to ruin your makeup?"

"Its waterproof."

"Oohhh, so you already planned on crying from before?" Anika joked.

"Very funny Ma!"

"Happy Birthday Meera!" Anika kissed Meera's forehead. "May god grant you all the world's happiness!"

"See!" Meera felt two fingers poke into her side tickling her.

"Aah! Mama!" Meera complained dodging her.

"Didnt I tell you? Everything will get better." Sahil said.

"Yeah yo-" Meera stopped and then narrowed her eyes at Sahil, "Btw mama, did you know about all this when you were talking to me?"

"Of course not Meeru! If I knew, I would have told you." Sahil responded.

"Oye!" Om smacked the back of Sahil's head, "What do you mean you would have told her? This is a surprise party."

"Om...you dont know this Mama Bhanji (niece) duo. Even if is life depended on it, Sahil cant keep a secret from Meera. Thats why I called him last." Anika told Om.

"Meera Didi!"

"Mish! Hi!" Meera bent down and hugged her little sister.

"Happy Birthday Didi!"

"Thank you so much!"

One by one, everyone wished Meera a happy birthday. Shivaay stood to the side and smiled at how happy Meera looked. Noticing him, Meera walked to him.

"Papa...did you knwo, one by one everyone has wished me, even KD called from the hospital....only you havent yet." Meera crossed her arms and frowned. Shivaay smiled & placed his palm on her cheek.

"I know...I was just looking at you."

"Heh?" Meera asked confused.

"You were so upset for the past few days. It felt good to see you smiling." Shivaay replied and hugged Meera, "Happy Birthday princess."

"Ahem! Shivaay..wont you introduce us to your princess?"

"Mallika!" Anika exclaimed happily.

"Anika!" Mallika hugged Anika, "Oh my god! Its been so many years! Im so happy to see you again!"

"Im glad you guys made it!" Shivaay greeted Mallika & Siddharth.

"Of course, when you told me Anika is back home & you have a daughter! We had to come!" Mallika said and then she noticed Meera standing there, "And I think your daughter is a bit confused!"

"Oh! Meera this is  Mallika, an old friend of mine, this is Siddharth, Mallika's husband and their kids." Shivaay introduced everyone to Meera.

"Nice to meet you." Meera shook hands with Mallika's kids and Siddharth. Mallika came and hugged Meera.

"Sorry! Im a bit of a hugger."

"Thats okay."

*****

Meera was walking towards her cousins when she was pulled into a washroom.

"Aah! He-Kabir?" Meera whispered seeing him, "Where were you?"

"Getting you a gift."

"Gift?"

"Haan gift...usuallywhen its someone's birthday they get gifts. If you had told me earlier then the gift would have been ready...but anyways here." Kabir handed Meera a small wrapped box

"You didnt need to."

"Yeah...but I wanted to." Kabir replied. Smiling Meera took the box. "I didnt know what to get you then I remembered something. I think you'll like this."

Meera unwrapped the box and opened it to reveal.....

"Kabir...this is empty!" Smirking Kabir turned Meera towards the mirror while he stood behind her. He brought his hand infront of her and held out a necklace. Meera looked at the necklace for a second and then gasped, "Wait is that..."

"Yep...a butterfly." Kabir leaned towards Meera and whispered in her ears while making her wear the necklace, "To match the tattoo."

"You said you didnt see anything!" Meera spun around and smacked Kabir's arm, horrified.

"Ouch!" Kabir grabbed his arm in pain, "Well I have to say that, common decency.... But I lied."

"KABIR!"

"Relax!" Kabir laughed, "You know I dont have any wrong intention. Don't you trust me?"

"No...I mean...yes I do trust you." Meera replied.

"Then? Tell me...do you like the gift? I kinda guessedthat you like butterflies....but if you dont I can return it." Kabir reached for the necklace.

"No!" Meera put her hand over it and Kabir smiled, "I like it....its beautiful. Thank you."

"Great."

"BUT!" Meera held her finger out, "You can NEVER tell anyone why you got me a butterfly necklace....just say, I told you that I like butterflies."

"Got it...btw does noone know about the tattoo?"

"Mama knows, cause I cant hide anything from him, and Alia knows cause she was with me when I got it....but other than them, nobody knows." Meera replied.

"Not even Anika aunty? That means this is top secret...Nice!"

"Kabir! Im serious!"

"Ok! Ok! I promise I wont tell anyone!"

"Good."

*******

"Wow! Nice cake!" Meera said as she saw the cake she was about to cut.

"I chose it!" Rudra announced proudly.

"I love it Chachu!" Meera smiled. Everyone sang the happy birthday song and then Meera made a wish and blew the candles out. First Anika came and fed Meera a bit of cake & then Shivaay did. At that moment a hand came from behind, took a bit of icing and smeared it onto her face.

"Aah! Adi uncle!" Meera turned around and saw Alia's dad laughing his head off.

"Hahaha!"

"Adi! You have an adult daughter and still you behave like a child. You got cake all over poor Meera's face." Nandini scolded her husband and handed Meera a tissue.

"Thank you Nandini Aunty."

"Sorry kiddo." Adi laughed and hugged Meera.

"Who is that?" Shivaay whispered to his brothers.

"Why? Jealous?" Rudra joked.

"Shut up Rudra!"

"Shivaay, you're so obviously jealousy. Relax, no matter how close Meera is to them, she will still be your daughter." Om said.

"Papa! Ma!" Alia hugged her parents.

"Oh! They are Alia's parents!" Shivaay said.

"Oh yeah, Gauri told me about them. Alia's Mom, Nandini...is an old childhood friend of Anika Bhabhi." Om replied.

"Papa!" Meera called Shivaay, "Come here."

Shivaay walked to Meera and she introduced him to Aditya & Nandini.

--------------------------------

Note: Hey Readers! Hope you are liking the story so far. Next update, the wedding rituals will finally start so you know there will be lots masti and a bit of romance too.