As soon as I parked the car and stepped toward the door, I rang the bell once. Then twice. No answer.

On the third ring, Ma opened it with a knowing smile.

But before I could step fully inside, two familiar hands suddenly covered my eyes from behind.

“Tina,” I said instantly, a chuckle escaping my lips.

She let go, laughing. “How do you always know it’s me?”

I turned around and hugged her. “Because only you have this sneaky habit.”

Pulling back, I looked at her with surprise. “When did you get here from Bangalore? You never mentioned it when we spoke the other day.”

Tina shrugged playfully. “It’s a long story! But you tell me what’s this serious ‘lunch’ I heard about?

I laughed softly. “I was waiting to tell you everything once things were confirmed.

Before Tina could press more, my mother asked with a soft smile, “So, Maithili… how was your lunch?”

And just like that, the entire day played out again in my mind like a movie—Myra and Kairav’s curious questions… Myra calling me mamma for the first time… her little hand in mine… the way she cried when I said I had to leave… and then, that surprise change in her mood after Abhi whispered something to her.

Something inside me stirred, something deep and emotional.

I blinked, realizing I’d gone silent. I smiled faintly and answered, “It was… beautiful, Ma. Unexpected, but beautiful.”

My mother’s eyes crinkled with affection. Tina, however, narrowed her eyes playfully and said, "I need the details now. How can you keep this away from me, Maithili? This is not fair."

I laughed, feeling my cheeks warm. I looked at Tina with a playful glare. “Forget about me. What’s with your sudden surprise visit?”

She shrugged with her usual nonchalance. “Official work, but when I realized I’d be close by, I couldn’t resist. My colleagues are staying at some fancy hotel, but I thought, why miss this chance? So here I am to surprise you and Maasi.”

I smiled, genuinely touched. Tina was more than just family she was my constant. The daughter of my mother’s elder sister, she lived in Bangalore, and her parents had moved there too once Tina’s job settled. Our bond had always been strong, effortless even though she is a year elder to me.

“Hey, did you bring my favourite coffee powder?” I asked her.

Tina chuckled. “Haan meri maa! Would I even dare to show my face here if I forgot?”

I laughed. Tina then turned to Ma, “Maasi, I brought some amazing organic spices and dry fruits from Coorg. You must make biryani with those spices. I’ve been craving your biryani for months. Honestly, that’s the real reason I came here.”

I gasped dramatically. “Oh, so you came here for your Maasi’s biryani? Not for me?”

Tina laughed and leaned against me. “No, no! I came for both. Let’s say it was 80% biryani, 20% you.”

I rolled my eyes, laughing, while Ma shook her head with a smile. But even as we spoke, I noticed her glancing at the wall clock every now and then.

“Ma?” You keep looking at the time. Are we expecting someone?”

She stiffened slightly. “No, no… no one, beta,” she replied too quickly.

I raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Ma rushed to open the door a little too eagerly. And there they were—Poornima Aunty and Vinod Uncle, smiling warmly as they stepped inside.

“Aunty! Uncle!” I greeted, genuinely surprised.

They smiled warmly. Poornima Aunty’s eyes fell on Tina. “Tina beta! When did you arrive?”

“Just this afternoon, Aunty,” Tina smiled. “Good to see you!”

Vinod Uncle asked excitedly, “And did you bring that wine I asked for?”

“Of course, Uncle! I brought the best homemade wine from Coorg. Even Papa loved it.”

As they chatted away, Tina announced, “Okay, you guys carry on. Maithili and I have so much to catch up on. It’s been forever since we met in person.”

Poornima Aunty smiled and teased, “You two talk on calls every week and still have things to say?”

Tina smirked. “Aunty, your bholi-bhali Maithili here has started hiding things from me! So now it’s time for a full interrogation.”

Everyone laughed, and I rolled my eyes fondly as Tina pulled me by the arm.

We slipped away to my room, the door closing behind us.

Tina flopped onto the bed, pulling her knees up to her chest as she fixed me with her no-nonsense glare.

“Okay now. Tell me.”

I raised an eyebrow, pretending to play dumb. “Tell you what?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Really, Maithili? I already got some of the details but I want to hear it from you. First-hand.”

I gave her a sheepish look. “Did Ma tell you something?”

Tina waved her hand dismissively. “What discussion happened between me and Maasi is none of your business, Maithili. Like I said—I want the unfiltered version. From your mouth.”

I laughed awkwardly, raising both hands. “Okay, okay, fine. There’s not much to tell.”

She crossed her arms, unconvinced. “Oh really? Then tell me what you have understood about this man in the past one month. Because Maasi said she doesn’t know anything.”

I smiled softly. “That’s true. I never really spoke to Ma about Abhiram—except on the day I met him for the first time. After that… we just wanted to explore it ourselves before drawing any conclusions.”

Tina nodded thoughtfully. “That's a mature decision, I’ll admit. But Maithili, one month is still a short time to know a man you’re considering spending your life with.”

“Maybe you’re right,” I said with a sigh. “I had that thought too. Can I really choose someone based on a few meetings? But then again… no one had ever gone beyond the first meeting.”

I paused, my eyes softening.

“But with Abhiram, it was different. I don’t know how to explain it—sometimes, a few moments are enough. Your heart, your mind… they just know. And that happened with him.”

Tina reached over and gently took my hand in hers. “Maasi told me he’s a single parent. He has a three-year-old daughter. Are you sure you can take that on”

I sighed, my eyes briefly clouding. “Tina, there have been so many sleepless nights where I’ve asked myself the same thing. But with Abhiram… I feel like I won’t be alone in it. He’s there really there to support me.”

I paused, then added with a small smile, “He’s a gem of a person. Honestly, I’ve never met someone like him before. None of my past proposals ever felt like… this.”

Tina tilted her head. “Like what?”

I leaned back, my voice turning soft and certain. “He’s kind, Tina. Not just in the polite, surface way. He’s deeply empathetic. He listens actually listens. The first time we spoke, not once did I feel judged. And the way he talks about his daughter… it melts your heart.”

A memory brought a faint smile to my lips. “He’s patient. Never once rushed me. When I laid out my terms about taking it slow, even my hesitations around marriage he just said, ‘I understand. Let’s walk, not run.’ That one sentence told me everything I needed to know.”

Tina was quiet now, absorbing each word with rare seriousness.

“And the way he is with Myra… it’s something else. The way she looks at him, clings to him… he doesn’t treat her like a responsibility. He treats her with pure love. Gentle, patient love. Watching them… I realized, I wouldn’t be replacing anyone. I’d just be joining something already beautiful.”

Tina blinked, clearly moved. “Wow, Maithili…”

I smiled faintly. “He’s mature. Not just in age, but in the way he deals with emotions, with people. He doesn’t try to impress. He just is. And that’s rare.”

She shook her head slowly, now smiling. “You’ve fallen for him.”

I smiled back, a bit shy but sure. “Not blindly. But I’m walking into this with my eyes open. And honestly? I like where it’s going.”

Tina narrowed her eyes teasingly. “So? Do you love him, Maithili?”

I went quiet for a beat. Then I said, softly, “I don’t know, Tina. I really don’t. Love? It’s… a big word. I like him. I respect him. I enjoy spending time with him. I like the idea of sharing my day with him. Maybe love will come… but for now, it’s not that. Not yet.”

Tina studied me. “And what about him?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know. We’ve never discussed it.”

She blinked in disbelief. “You mean, in a whole month there haven’t even been hugs? Not even friendly ones?”

I laughed. “Nope. The only physical contact we’ve had is a handshake.”

She stared. “A handshake? What is this—some kind of business merger? Are you two drafting contracts?”

I chuckled, but Tina continued, her voice lowering. “Do you think… maybe he’s still in love with his first wife?”

I shook my head firmly. “No, Tina. He isn’t. He made that clear. He opened up to me completely before we even moved forward. Only after that did I start seeing him in a new light.”

Tina sighed, but her expression had softened. “You know what? That handshake might be more meaningful than some people’s whole relationships.”

I smiled. “Exactly. It’s not about how often you touch—it’s about how deeply you connect.”

Tina looked at me seriously, her tone softer now but still laced with concern.
“But are you sure, Maithili? Can you really take on the responsibility of his daughter? And… his first wife? I mean… can he truly move on? Will he ever be able to accept you completely—not just as someone filling a space?”

I met her gaze, steady and calm. “Tina, as I told you… we had this discussion. He laid his past bare in front of me. Everything. Only after that did I choose to move forward.”

She nodded slowly, then asked hesitantly, “So… how did his first wife die? During childbirth or after?”

I went silent.

That was something Abhiram had told me in trust something deeply personal. I couldn’t betray that confidence.

Looking at Tina, I said gently, “Tina… if you don’t mind, let’s not talk about his past. He doesn’t want to share that with anyone. Not about his first wife, not even about Myra. He trusted me when he opened up. I can’t break that. You understand, don’t you?”

She groaned dramatically. “Wah, following your to-be husband’s code of silence already!”

I rolled my eyes. “To-be husband? You’ve taken it way too far. We’ve just decided to proceed. I only met Myra today. He still has to speak to his parents, and I need to talk to Ma. Let’s not think too far ahead. I really don’t want to jinx it.”

Tina chuckled. “Okay, okay. But still… what if he proposes? Shouldn’t he do something grand for you.”

I laughed and shook my head. “No, no. I don’t need grand gestures. He’s simple, Tina. And so am I. We’re both comfortable in our own ways. There’s no big proposal in sight. In fact, we haven’t even said I love you to each other yet. So let’s just slow down and hold your horses.”

She snorted, trying to suppress a laugh.

“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

“Nothing,” she said, still giggling. “Just… watching you trying to act all calm and rational while clearly falling for him? It’s very entertaining.”

I laughed too, my heart lighter now. “Maybe. But it’s a different kind of falling, Tina.

Tina leaned in and hugged me tightly. “I’m so happy for you, Maithili. Like… really happy.”

She pulled back and grinned. “Alright, enough of this emotional build-up. Show me the picture of your hero.”

Laughing, I reached for my phone and opened the gallery. I scrolled to the pictures we took today—the one Vikrant had clicked of Abhiram and me sitting side by side, smiling naturally. Another where Myra, with her tiny messy hands, was feeding me pasta. And then the one that stole my heart the three of us together. Myra in Abhiram’s lap, me leaning toward them, all of us mid-laugh. A real moment.

I handed the phone to Tina.

She looked at the screen. Then stared. Swiped. Looked again. Her voice softened, almost to a whisper.

“Picture perfect, Maithili… I swear, no one would believe you’re not the mother of this child.”

My chest filled with quiet warmth. “Even I was scared, Tina. I didn’t know how she’d react to me. Her acceptance… it mattered so much. For both of us.”

Tina glanced at me, eyes full of anticipation. “And?”

I looked up, a slight shine in my eyes.

“Today… she called me ‘Mamma.’”

Tina gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “She did!”

I nodded slowly, the memory still fresh, still magical.

“You know, Tina… I never understood how powerful that one word could be. But today, hearing her say it to me... it was something else. Like my heart paused for a second.”

Tina reached over and squeezed my hand. Her eyes glistened just a little.

“Maithili… I don’t know what destiny is doing, but I think you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.”

“I’m going to change and come,” I said, getting up from the bed.

Tina looked at me, puzzled. “You’re going to change? Why?”

I shrugged, already walking toward my wardrobe. “Why not? I want to get into my comfy pyjamas.”

She blinked. “But Maithili… what’s the need?”

I turned and raised an eyebrow. “Wait do you want to go out?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I thought we could go out for a bit.”

I laughed. “Okay, fine. We’ll go after some time. I’ll just change back then.”

Tina sighed. “But Poornima aunty and Vinod uncle are here… how can you wear pyjamas in front of them?”

I paused and looked at her like she had grown two horns. “Tina, what are you even saying? We’ve worn pyjamas in front of them a hundred times. This isn’t the first!”

She opened her mouth to argue, but I cut in, shaking my head. “I seriously don’t understand why you’re making this a big deal.”

And with that, I turned and walked off to change into my pyjamas because comfort always wins.

I came out of the room in my soft cotton pyjamas, feeling instantly more at ease. Tina gave me a disapproving look but didn’t say anything this time.

“How are Bade Papa and Badi Mamma?” I asked as I sat down beside Tina. They could’ve come too. And Mihir Bhai? What’s he up to? Last I heard, he mentioned he’d be relocating to India in a couple of months.”

Tina nodded. “Yeah, he’s tying up everything over there. Wrapping things up slowly.”

I smiled. “He asked me to shortlist a few good places for him to stay in Mumbai. The best options, he said.”

Tina chuckled. “That sounds exactly like Bhai always after the best, but making you do all the running around.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Classic Mihir Bhai.”

“And coming to Maa and Papa they have gone to visit bhai in the U.S. Helping him with a few things before his move.”

“But guess what? From there, they are going to Italy!

“What! Are you serious?” I asked, eyes wide.

“Dead serious,” Tina replied, laughing.

“But why this sudden Italy plan of theirs?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “I mean, it's not like them to just take off like that.”

She chuckled, lowering her voice like she was about to share a national secret. “Okay, this stays between you, me, and Bhai. Promise?”

I nodded eagerly. “Promise.”

She leaned in, eyes twinkling. “They’ve been on Bhai’s and my case nonstop. Constantly saying, ‘When are you both getting married? Should we start looking at alliances?’ Ughhh.”

I burst out laughing. “Classic badi mamma and bade pappa!”

“Right!!” Tina groaned. “So, Bhai and I decided to distract them. We figured—what better way to send them on a ‘second honeymoon’? We told them to take a vacation, sent them off to the U.S. to ‘help’ Bhai pack… and then sneakily booked them a full Italian tour.”

My jaw dropped. “No way! You bribed them with travel?!”

She laughed wickedly. “Business class tickets and a villa in Tuscany. Bribery works wonders.”

“You two are evil,” I said, grinning. “Pure monsters.”

“I know,” she sighed dramatically. “But can you blame me? I can’t get married until I find someone on my own. I’m terrified of the type of rishta’s they’d bring. Last time, they sent me a photo of a guy holding a fish as his profile picture. A fish, Maithili.”

We both cracked up, our laughter echoing around the room.

Soon, we stepped out of my room, and just as we reached the living room, Ma and Poornima Aunty looked up.

“Why did you change?” Ma asked, almost in unison with Aunty.

I frowned, confused. “Why is everyone behind my dressing today?” I said, half-laughing. “I’m just in my regular comfy clothes—how I always stay at home. Why are you all acting like I’ve committed a crime?”

Vinod Uncle waved a hand dismissively. “Ignore them, Maithili.”

Then Uncle turned to her. “So where are Suguna ji and Mahesh, Tina? They didn’t come with you? Last time I spoke with your dad, he said he would be coming this month.”

I chuckled just as Tina rolled her eyes and flipped her hair playfully and added with a grin, “They’re on their second honeymoon, Uncle. Enjoying their time… rekindling their young love and all that jazz.”

Vinod Uncle chuckled, raising his eyebrows. “Ah, Suguna ji and Mahesh? Rekindling young love? That’s something I never thought I’d hear.”

Ma smiled and shook her head fondly. “Well, good for them. They deserve it after all these years.”

Just then, Vinod Uncle turned to Poornima Aunty and said with a teasing glint in his eyes, “Poornima, this sounds like a good idea. Second honeymoon. Shall we go for ours?”

A soft blush crept onto Poornima Aunty’s face. Tina and I exchanged a glance and burst out laughing.

“Wah, Aunty!” I said, teasingly. “You’re blushing like a new bride!”

Poornima Aunty laughed, clearly amused, and shook her head. “Don’t worry, Tina. Your mother’s already given me responsibility to find a good match for you. She messaged me just yesterday.”

I laughed out loud as Tina mock-gasped and turned dramatically toward me. “See? No matter how far we send them, they still manage to throw in the shaadi talk from across the globe.”

I nudged her, grinning. “Just admit it, Tina. You love the drama.”

She winked. “Only when I’m not the centre of it.”

Laughter filled the room, light and warm, wrapping around us like an old blanket. Just as the mood hit its peak, the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” I said, standing up with a smile, and walked toward the door.