It had been a week since Maithili and Abhiram had first met. Their interaction that day had been brief—a simple exchange of polite greetings, nothing more. Yet, something about Abhiram lingered in Maithili’s thoughts. 

Perhaps it was the quiet intensity in his eyes, the way he carried himself with an air of careful restraint. 

Whatever it was, Maithili found herself thinking about him more than she had expected. 

But Abhiram, on the other hand, remained unreadable. He neither showed interest nor disdain. If their first meeting had affected him in any way, he certainly gave no indication. 

One afternoon, Poornima arrived at the Sinha mansion. 

As soon as Amrutha and Rajesh saw her, they welcomed her with open arms, exchanged pleasantries, and soon fell into their usual rhythm of conversation. 

But today, Poornima had come with a purpose. 

After a few moments of casual chatter, she leaned forward, her eyes holding a knowing glint. 

"Amrutha, Rajesh, she began, her voice calm yet deliberate, we three have been friends since childhood. That’s why I’m going to be honest with you today."

Amrutha and Rajesh exchanged glances, sensing the weight behind her words. 

"Amrutha," Poornima continued, you once told me that you both want Abhiram to settle down in life."

A heavy sigh escaped Amrutha’s lips. "We do, Poornima. Not just for Myra, but for him too. But every time we bring up marriage, Abhi either changes the subject or walks away. He refuses to face it." 

Rajesh nodded in agreement. "We don’t know what to do anymore. We’ve stopped pressuring him, hoping he’ll come around on his own."

Poornima listened intently before speaking again. Amrutha, do you remember how we met unexpectedly at a mutual friend’s wedding?

Amrutha smiled, reminiscing. "Yes, after so many years."

And that’s where I saw Abhiram for the first time, Poornima said, her voice soft yet firm.From that moment, one thought stayed with me. And that’s exactly why I arranged the small get-together last week.

Rajesh raised a brow, his curiosity piqued. We don’t understand, Poornima.

A small, knowing smile played on Poornima’s lips. I wanted you and Amrutha to meet Maithili.

Silence filled the room. Amrutha and Rajesh exchanged thoughtful glances. 

I wanted you to see her, to understand her, before I even mentioned this idea. And I wanted Abhi to meet her too. Poornima paused, her expression unreadable. They haven’t spoken much yet, but I’ve observed them.

She leaned forward, her voice brimming with certainty. 

Abhi is perfect for Maithili. And Maithili… she is perfect for Abhi.

Amrutha and Rajesh remained quiet, letting her words settle in. 

"Now that you’ve met her," Poornima pressed gently, "what do you think?"

Neither of them spoke at first. They thought about Maithili—her kindness, her grace, the quiet confidence with which she carried herself. They recalled the way she had spoken to Myra, patient and warm.

"She’s a lovely girl," Amrutha admitted. "And her mother… she’s wonderful too."

Poornima smiled, as though she had expected that answer. "They are," she agreed. Then, after a brief pause, she added, "Don’t you think Maithili would be a perfect match for Abhi?" 

Amrutha hesitated. "I won’t lie, Poornima. The thought did cross my mind when I first met her."

Rajesh, too, nodded thoughtfully. 

"But," Amrutha continued, her voice quieter now, "after what happened last time… Abhi was deeply affected, Poornima. And not just him—we were all affected. It changed us." 

A shadow passed over her face, and Rajesh reached out, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. 

"And now, Myra is in the picture too," she added. "We can’t just think about Abhi anymore. We have to think about Myra as well."

Poornima nodded, understanding the weight of their hesitation. "I know. And I wouldn’t have brought this up if I weren’t sure. But I can tell you this—Maithili is nothing like what happened in the past." 

Amrutha’s expression wavered between hope and caution. 

Poornima smiled gently. "When you told me about Abhi’s past… I understood the depth of the pain he went through. And because I know that, I also know that Maithili is the kind of woman who would never hurt him."

She took a deep breath before continuing. "Amrutha, Maithili is a wonderful girl. I may not have given birth to her, but she is no less than a daughter to me. Vinod and I have cherished her since the day she was born. If we had a daughter, we would want her to be like Maithili."

Rajesh and Amrutha remained silent, absorbing her words. 

Poornima’s voice softened."Her parents were truly fortunate to have her. And if she becomes a part of your lives… you will be just as fortunate. And so will she." 

The weight of her words settled heavily between them. 

For the first time in a long while, Amrutha and Rajesh found themselves considering something they had never dared to before— 

Could Maithili be the one Abhiram needed?

Could she be the woman strong enough to mend his guarded heart? 

Could she be the mother Myra deserved? 

The thought lingered, heavy yet hopeful. 

After a long pause, Rajesh finally spoke. 

But Poornima, he asked carefully, Maithili why hasn’t she been married yet? Is there a reason? Has she… had someone in her past? 

Poornima smiled at Rajesh’s question, as if she had been expecting it. 

Actually, she doesn’t have anyone in her life, Rajesh, Poornima said gently. "But… she does have one condition for marriage. One request. And that is the reason she has remained unmarried until now." 

Amrutha and Rajesh exchanged puzzled glances. 

"What is her condition?" Amrutha asked, curiosity evident in her voice. "Is it about money? Or something else?" 

Poornima chuckled softly, shaking her head. "No, Amrutha. Maithili is not someone who values wealth over people. She has never been the kind of person who measures a person’s worth by their monetary status." 

She paused for a moment before continuing, her voice laced with quiet admiration. 

The thing is,as you both know, Maithili is the only daughter of Sushma and Manoj. When Manoj passed away, Maithili was just thirteen years old. Since then, it was Sushma who raised her—alone, without any help from their extended families. 

Rajesh and Amrutha listened intently, their expressions turning somber. 

No one stepped forward to support them, Poornima continued. It was Sushma who took care of Maithili, who ensured that she got the best education, who shielded her from the hardships of life while bearing the weight of those hardships herself.

She took a deep breath, her voice filled with respect. 

And now, Maithili feels it is her responsibility to take care of her mother. Every time Sushma arranged a match for her, Maithili asked the same question to the prospective groom—she wanted to bring her mother with her after marriage. 

A silence settled over the room as Amrutha and Rajesh absorbed her words. 

And that is why none of those matches worked out. Almost every man rejected the idea. They wanted a wife, not an additional responsibility. And Maithili… she never once put herself before her mother. She rejected them all, rather than leave her mother behind.

Rajesh let out a slow breath, glancing at Amrutha. 

Amrutha, however, remained quiet, deep in thought. 

She had seen many young women prioritizing their careers, their ambitions, even their desires before marriage—but to see a woman who had put her mother’s well-being above her own life choices,her own comfort… it was rare. It was admirable. 

Poornima continued, her gaze steady. There were many good matches for Maithili, Amrutha. She could have been married long ago. But she never once compromised on this. Never once chose herself over her mother. 

A moment of silence passed before Poornima spoke again, her tone more serious now. 

If you are considering this match… Maithili will definitely ask you about this. I don't need your answer now. Discuss it amongst yourselves. Ask yourselves—are you willing to have Sushma be a part of your family too? Are you ready to welcome not just Maithili, but her mother as well?

She paused before adding, "Most importantly, talk to Abhi. If this is to work, his thoughts matter the most." 

Amrutha and Rajesh exchanged a long glance. 

This was not what they had expected. 

And yet, as they thought about it, something about Maithili’s unwavering loyalty to her mother resonated deeply with them. 

Amrutha remained silent for a long moment, weighing everything Poornima had just told them. 

Finally, she spoke, her voice hesitant yet firm. 

Poornima, even if Rajesh and I agree… will Sushma and Maithili—especially Maithili—be willing to marry Abhi?"

Poornima raised a brow, waiting for Amrutha to continue. 

I mean, Amrutha exhaled, her thoughts forming into words. "Abhi is a single father. Sushma must have dreams for her son-in-law, and Maithili… she would have her own expectations too. This marriage wouldn’t just make her a wife—it would give her a new role, a new responsibility. Can she be a mother? Will she want to be?" 

She hesitated before adding, "It’s not a normal marriage, Poornima."

Rajesh nodded in agreement, concern evident on his face. 

Poornima’s lips curled into a knowing smile. "Believe me, Amrutha, I understand your worries. But let me tell you something— she leaned forward slightly, "I haven’t spoken about this proposal to either Sushma or Maithili yet. But I am confident that Sushma won’t say no to this proposal."

Amrutha and Rajesh exchanged surprised glances. 

"What makes you so sure?" Rajesh asked. 

Poornima chuckled softly. Because I know Sushma, and I know Maithili.

She took a moment before continuing. 

"Sushma is a woman who has lived her life for her daughter. She has taught Maithili kindness, resilience, and responsibility. And Maithili… she isn’t someone who runs away from responsibility. She embraces it. If she gives her heart to someone, she will give it fully."

Her voice softened. "She may not have considered the idea of becoming a mother along with getting married, but I do know this—when Maithili takes on a responsibility, she never backs out, no matter how tough it is. And I believe she would give Myra the love and care she needs. The love she is missing."

The weight of her words settled in the air. 

For the first time, Amrutha and Rajesh didn’t just think about Abhiram or Myra. 

They thought about Maithili. 

Was she ready for this? 

Would she be willing to embrace not just Abhiram, but Myra too? 

Would fate, which had brought them all to this moment, take them forward? 

"You don’t have to decide now," Poornima said, sensing their thoughts. "Talk to Abhi first. Talk to each other. And then, if you feel this is right… we will see how to move forward."

A contemplative silence followed. 

For the first time, Amrutha and Rajesh truly considered the possibility of Maithili entering their lives—not just as Abhi’s wife, but as Myra’s mother. 

Poornima, sensing that they needed time, rose from her seat. 

She smiled warmly. "I’ve said what I had to. Now, it’s up to you."

Amrutha and Rajesh stood up as well, walking her to the door. 

As Poornima stepped out, she turned back and said one last thing— 

Sometimes, life gives us second chances in the most unexpected ways. All we have to do is take them."

With that, she left, leaving behind a house filled with unspoken thoughts and an uncertain future. 

Rajesh exhaled deeply. We need to talk to Abhi.

Amrutha turned to him, her expression conflicted. Are you sure?

Rajesh frowned. About what?

"Before we talk to Abhi, are you sure Maithili can be a good wife… and a good mother to Myra?"

Amrutha’s voice was filled with hesitation. "Rajesh, I accept that Maithili is a wonderful girl. She could be a great wife, a great daughter, even a great daughter-in-law… but being a mother is different. A woman can love her own child unconditionally, but being a stepmother is not the same. What if—"she stopped, unable to voice her fears. 

Rajesh took her hand in his, his grip firm yet comforting. "I understand your fears, Amrutha. But my intuition tells me this is the right time, and Maithili is the perfect person for both Abhi and Myra. And you know my intuition has never been wrong." 

Amrutha sighed, nodding reluctantly. "I do believe in you, Rajesh. But that doesn’t mean I’m not scared." 

Rajesh gently squeezed her hand. You wanted Abhi to get married, didn’t you? Then this situation would arise no matter what.

Amrutha nodded again. Yes, you’re right. I wanted him to move on, to find someone… but I’m scared for Myra. What if Maithili doesn’t love her the way we do? 

Rajesh gave her a reassuring smile. "And if she doesn’t, we are here for Myra. Always." 

Amrutha took a deep breath."You’re right. Let’s talk to Abhi first."

Rajesh nodded. "And I’ll call Poornima. She should talk to Sushma and Maithili today itself."

Amrutha hesitated for a brief second before nodding. "Alright. Let’s do this."

For the first time, she pushed her fears aside. 

Because maybe… just maybe… this was the second chance life was offering them. 

And maybe it was time to take it.