After breakfast, as the dining table slowly cleared and laughter still lingered in the air, Maithili’s phone buzzed. It was Tina.

“Hey, guess what!” Tina chirped over the phone. “Mom and dad are in town! Just reached this morning!”

Surprised and delighted, Maithili sat up straighter. “Really? They didn’t tell anyone!”

“Yup! Came in quietly. We’re all at Maasi’s place right now. Why don’t you, Jiju, and Myra visit? Let’s enjoy just like old times. It’ll be fun with Bhai around!”

“Why not?” Maithili smiled. “I’ll let you know.”

With that, she ended the call and turned to Amrutha, excitement lighting up her face.
“Ma! Badi Ma and Bade Papa have reached! They’re at Mamma’s place right now.”

Amrutha’s eyes lit up. “That’s wonderful, beta. We should have them all over for lunch tomorrow. Call everyone let’s make it a proper family get-together. After the wedding, they haven’t come to our home even once. It’ll be nice.”

Maithili nodded. “Sure, Ma. Can I visit them today?”

Amrutha looked at her with a gentle smile. “Beta, you don’t have to ask. You can go and come whenever you want. It’s your home.”

Maithili smiled gratefully.

Just then, Abhiram walked in, “Where are you going?” he asked, curious.

Maithili turned to him with a grin. “Not me—we.”

Abhiram looked confused. “We?”

“Badi Ma and Bade Papa are in town,” she said. “Let’s go meet them. And Ma said we’ll invite them here for lunch tomorrow.”

Abhiram nodded. “Hmm. I’ve got a few work calls now. Can we go in the evening?

Maithili nodded. “No problem.”

Evening Maithili quickly got Myra dressed. Myra was thrilled to wear her favourite little yellow frock, with matching tiny sunflower hairband. Her hair was tied neatly in two short ponytails, bouncing as she twirled in front of the mirror.

She turned with hopeful eyes. “Ma, can I wear my new sparkly shoes?”

Maithili raised an eyebrow. “No, sweetheart we’re not going to a wedding!”

Myra giggled and came running, wobbling as she struggled with one sandal.

Abhiram crouched down, helped her into them, then scooped her up into his arms. “Ready to go to Nani’s place?” he asked with a grin.

“Yesssss!” Myra chirped, throwing her arms in the air.

Abhiram drove, Maithili sat beside him, and Myra hummed in the back seat.

As the car glided smoothly Maithili glanced at Abhiram, then back at their daughter. She turned slightly in her seat, her voice low but gentle.

“Myra, sweetheart… remember, there are some things we don’t talk about with other people. Like what happens in Papa and Mamma’s room, okay?”

Myra blinked, confused. “Why not mamma?”

Maithili smiled softly. “Because… it’s private. Just for us. Only the three of us. It’s our little secret, okay?”

Myra nodded slowly, trying hard to understand the seriousness of it.

Then, after a thoughtful pause, she asked with utmost sincerity,
“So… can I tell Nani that Mamma looked cute in Papa’s big t-shirt?”

Maithili’s eyes widened in horror. “NO!” she yelped, nearly jumping in her seat.

Abhiram burst out laughing behind the wheel, nearly swerving. “Oh my god,” he gasped, wiping tears from his eyes. “She’s cute.”

“Myra, baby, please,” Maithili said, turning around, her tone pleading but still affectionate. “You really can’t say things like that to anyone, okay? It’s… just between us.”

Myra looked thoughtful, then tilted her head. “But why can’t I say you’re cute, Mamma? You were looking cute.”

Maithili turned helplessly to Abhiram. “Say something!”

Abhiram cleared his throat, still chuckling. “Sweetheart,” he said, glancing at Myra through the rearview mirror, “you’re right—Mamma did look very cute. But some things are special just for us. We don’t always share them, not because they’re bad, but because they’re just… ours. Like a secret hug, or a special bedtime story.”

Myra nodded slowly, satisfied with the explanation. “Okay. Secret safe.”

Then she added brightly, “But I still think Mamma looked cute!”

Maithili groaned, sinking back into her seat. I won't make it through her teens.

Abhiram grinned, eyes still twinkling. “I’m actually looking forward to it.”

Maithili gave him a sharp look. “Traitor.”

Soon, they arrived at Swapna’s place. The door flew open as soon as the bell rang.

“Finally!” Swapna beamed, wrapping Maithili in a warm hug. She gave Abhi a quick side hug, then turned her full attention to Myra. “And here’s my little princess!”

She scooped Myra up into her arms and kissed her cheek. “How’s my favourite girl doing? Are you going to school?”

Myra’s eyes lit up. “Yes! And I have swimming class too! I swim like this—” she demonstrated little arm strokes in the air, making everyone laugh.

Inside, Maithili and Abhi greeted Suguna and Mahesh.

“Hey there, little girl,” Suguna said warmly, “Do you remember us?”

Myra paused her excited talking, studied Suguna and Mahesh carefully, then gave a small nod. “Yes. Badi Nani. Bade Nanu.”

Suguna grinned and scooped her up. “Wow, you do remember us! What a smart girl!” She reached to her purse and pulled out a small chocolate. “Here, something for you.”

Myra looked at her parents before taking it. After a tiny pause, she reached for the chocolate and said, “Thank you, Badi Nani.”

“You’re welcome, Myra,” Suguna smiled.

“Mamma,” Myra turned to Maithili, “can I eat the chocolate now?”

Maithili shook her head gently. “You just had lunch, sweetheart. Keep it safe, okay? You can have it later.”

Myra nodded, handed it over, and said solemnly, “Keep it safe, Mamma. I’ll eat it later.”

Everyone chuckled.

Maithili looked around. “Where are Tina and Bhai? Haven’t seen them yet.”

Suguna replied, “They just stepped out. Should be back any minute now.”

As if on cue, the front door opened and Tina and Mihir walked in, carrying shopping bags.

Tina spotted Maithili and squealed, pulling her into a tight hug. Then, leaning close, she whispered in her ear, “Whoa, Maithili... you’re glowing. Looks like jiju made up for everything, huh?”

Maithili blushed. “Shut up,” she muttered under her breath, nudging Tina playfully.

Tina grinned and turned to Abhi. “Jiju! Honeymoon phase is back, huh? I’m impressed—you’ve really convinced her.”

Abhi chuckled. “What can I say? I’m a charmer and your sister can’t resist me.”

Just then, Myra, who had been watching this with arms folded and a tiny pout, spoke up. “You only met Mamma yesterday. You didn’t come to see me.”

Tina gasped dramatically. “Oh no! My little queen is upset with me?”

Myra nodded.

“Well then,” Tina said, opening one of the bags, “how about we make up today? Look—we brought new games just for you!”

She showed off a stack of colourful boxes. Myra’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Maasi!”

Meanwhile, Mihir walked over and greeted Maithili and Abhiram with a warm smile and a handshake. Myra, noticing the unfamiliar face, quietly walked over and stood close to her father.

Abhi knelt beside her. “Myra, princess… this is your Mamu. Mamma’s big brother. Don’t you want to say hi?”

Mihir knelt too and extended his hand gently. “Hi, little princess. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Myra gave a shy look, hid behind Abhi’s shoulder, then peeked out again.

Abhi gently nudged her forward. “Come on, sweetheart. Say hi.”

She stepped forward a little and mumbled, “Hi.”

Mihir’s eyes sparkled. “You know what? I’ve been waiting a long, long time to meet you.”

Myra tilted her head. “You know me?”

“Of course!” Mihir said, his tone soft and playful. “I saw your pictures. And your Mamma tells me all your stories.”

Myra’s eyes widened. “All my stories?”

“Yup,” Mihir said with a wink. “Like how you love yellow frocks, how you swim like a fish, and how you once tried to feed a biscuit to your teddy bear.”

Myra giggled. “Teddy was hungry!”

“See?” Mihir said. “I do know you!

Myra giggled, then tilted her head curiously. “But… what’s your name?”

He laughed. “Mihir.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Meeeer? Like a goat?”

The room erupted into laughter.

“My name is Mihir,” he said, chuckling. “Like me and here. Got it?”

Myra grinned. “It sounds funny.”

Just then, Swapna walked in from the kitchen, balancing a large tray.

“Enough chatter—snack attack!” she announced with a flourish. The aroma of fried samosas, mint chutney, and warm sandwiches filled the air. She placed the tray carefully on the table as everyone gathered around.

As everyone sat back on the sofas, finishing the last bites of samosa and sipping on tea, Myra wriggled off Abhi’s lap and stood in front of him, her hands behind her back and her eyes wide with mischief.

“Papa?” she said sweetly.

Abhi raised an eyebrow, instantly suspicious. “Yes, princess?”

She rocked on her heels. “Can we have ice cream?”

Before Abhi could respond, she added quickly, “I want Meer Mamu and Tina Maasi to taste my favourite one!”

Abhi chuckled, immediately catching on. “Ohh… so this isn’t about you wanting ice cream?”

Maithili narrowed her eyes playfully. “Yeah, right. That’s your way of asking for it? Dragging your Mamu and Maasi into your plan?”

Myra giggled, clearly caught. She nodded, eyes sparkling. “It’s also for me.”

Everyone laughed.

Abhi smiled, standing up and ruffling her hair. “Okay, okay. I’ll go get it. How can I say no when you’ve planned it so sweetly?”

Mihir set his cup down. “Wait, I’ll come with you.” Myra jumped up and waved. “Get the big cup, Papa! BIG one!”

“Big cup,” Abhi repeated, mock-saluting her. “Yes, ma’am.”

Abhi grabbed the keys, grinning.

And with that, Abhi and Mihir headed out, laughter following them as they disappeared down the hallway.

Soon, Abhi and Mihir were on the road, the car humming quietly as the evening sun dipped low behind the trees. Abhi was at the wheel, calm and focused, while Mihir leaned back, eyes scanning the lit-up shops and parlours lining the street.

“There are so many ice cream places here,” Mihir remarked, pointing out a cluster of colourful signs. “Where exactly are we going?”

Abhi smiled, not taking his eyes off the road. “There’s one about half an hour away. Myra likes her ice cream only from there. Says it tastes like magic.”

Mihir turned to look at him thoughtfully. “You really love your daughter, huh?”

Abhi glanced at him for a moment, then back at the road. “I don’t just love her, Mihir. She’s… she’s my world. Every day begins and ends with her smile.”

Mihir nodded slowly, silent for a moment. Then he said, almost hesitantly,

“When I first heard that Maithili was marrying a man who had a four-year-old daughter... I was shocked. Not because of you—but because I know my sister.”

Abhiram remained silent, letting him speak.

“You see,” Mihir continued, “Maithili has always had one condition—one that many knew. She always said, if she’s getting married, the family she marries into should accept her mother as her own family, without question.”

He smiled faintly. “And I knew if she agreed to marry you, she must have seen something in you—because she wouldn’t compromise on that. Not for anyone.”

There was a pause before Mihir’s voice dropped to a more honest, vulnerable tone.

“But still, I was scared for her. Because Maithili... she doesn’t talk much when something hurts her. She bottles it up. Unlike Tina, who will scream and throw a shoe, Maithili just... folds it inside and smiles.”

He looked at Abhiram now. “I kept wondering—would she be respected? Loved? Protected? Would she matter as more than a caretaker or a second mother figure to your daughter?”

Abhi finally glanced at him. “And what do you think now?”

Mihir gave a small smile. “After yesterday… and today specially… I think I’ve never been more wrong in my life.”

Abhi's brow lifted slightly in surprise.

He paused, then smiled slightly. “Still, I had doubts. Because our meeting was brief yesterday, I just saw you as a couple. I was impressed by the love you showed my sister—and hers for you. But today, seeing you three as a family... it’s different.”
Abhi glanced at him.

Mihir nodded. “You two—there’s something in the way you look at her. And in the way she looks at you. It’s real. And Myra… she doesn’t just call her Mamma. She is her Mamma.”

Today at the table, when Maithili scolded Myra for eating too fast and choking, then she calmly cut her food, I noticed how you reacted. While others might have lost their temper, you stayed composed and supportive. Abhi admitted, “I was scared, but if Maithili hadn't yelled, I would have—because nothing worries me more than Myra's safety.”
Mihir nodded “The bond Myra and Maithili share—it’s different. For people who don’t know their relationship, they may assume Maithili is Myra’s biological mother.”
Abhi’s face softened. “That’s because she was born for us—for Maithili and me.”
Maithili may not have given birth to Myra, but some relationships don’t need blood to be real. They’re made by the heart. What Maithili and Myra share may not be biological, but it’s pure love—deep and undeniable.
Mihir leaned back again, arms crossed. “You’re not the man I expected, Abhi. I’d read all those stories. Ruthless CEO. Cold. Stone-faced. And here you are, driving 30 minutes for an ice cream because your daughter calls it ‘magic.’”

Abhi chuckled. “I am ruthless. I’m cold. I’m stone-faced… in boardrooms. Not in my home. Never with my girls.”

Mihir smiled genuinely now. “I’m glad my sister found you. I really am.”
Abhi looked at him. “Thank you. That means more than you know.”
Mihir’s expression softened. “Just promise me one thing?”
“Anything.”
“Always fight for her. Not with her.”
Abhi nodded, his eyes returning to the road as the ice cream shop’s sign came into view in the distance
.
“Always. She’s my treasure—someone I’ll always cherish. She’s a blessing to me, to Myra, and to our whole family.”