Later that evening, after dinner, Abhiram was about to leave with Myra when Amrutha gently called out to her granddaughter.

"Myra, I need to talk to Daddy tonight. Kavitha Aunty will tell you stories."

Abhiram frowned, glancing between his mother and father, sensing something unusual in their tone.

Myra, unaware of the tension in the air, simply smiled. "Okay, Dadi!" she chirped before skipping away with Kavitha, her nanny, towards her nursery.

Once Myra was out of sight, the three of them moved to the living room. Abhiram settled onto the couch, his br
ows still furrowed in confusion.

What’s going on?" he asked, looking between his parents. "Ma, what is it that you wanted to discuss?"

Amrutha and Rajesh exchanged a glance, an unspoken conversation passing between them before Amrutha finally spoke.

"Poornima visited us today," she began carefully.

Abhiram’s frown deepened. "Is everything okay?"

Rajesh exhaled, his voice steady but firm. "Abhi, Poornima came up with a proposal for you."

Abhiram’s body tensed immediately. His jaw clenched, and he shook his head. "Please, Papa. We’ve had this conversation before."

Rajesh's tone hardened. "First, listen to us."

Something in his father’s voice made Abhiram pause. He inhaled deeply, pressing his lips into a thin line before nodding. "Fine. I’m listening."

Rajesh leaned forward slightly. "Poornima spoke to us about a proposal between you and Maithili."

Abhiram blinked, caught off guard. "Maithili?" he repeated, his brows knitting together.

Amrutha nodded. "Yes, Abhi. You met her last week at Poornima’s get-together."

Abhiram leaned back, exhaling as he processed the information. His mind immediately conjured an image of Maithili—the woman he had exchanged only a few words with.

"And?" he asked cautiously.

Rajesh continued, "We liked Poornima’s idea, Abhi. And now, we want to know what you think."

Amrutha leaned forward, her voice softer yet filled with conviction. "We really like her, Abhi. She’s perfect for you… and for Myra."

Abhiram looked at his mother, startled by her certainty.

Amrutha wasn’t done. "Poornima is confident that this marriage will work. And so are we."

The words hung heavily in the air, settling between them like an invisible weight.

Abhiram swallowed, his mind reeling.

Marriage.

Maithili.

His past.

And most importantly—Myra.

Abhiram rubbed his temples, letting out a slow breath. His parents were watching him carefully, waiting for his response.

Finally, he spoke. "You both are really serious about this?"

Rajesh nodded. "Yes, Abhi. We wouldn't have brought this up if we weren't."

Abhiram let out a humorless chuckle. "So, you meet a girl once, and suddenly, she’s the perfect match for me?"

Amrutha shook her head. "No, Abhi. This isn’t sudden. You know Poornima well—she wouldn't suggest something unless she truly believed in it."

Abhiram sighed. "Ma, you know where I stand. Myra is my priority. If— he hesitated, choosing his words carefully "—if I ever think about marriage, it won’t just be about me. The woman I marry has to accept Myra completely. I can’t risk my daughter’s happiness on a gamble."

Amrutha reached out, placing her hand over his. "And that’s exactly why we think Maithili is the right person, Abhi."

Abhiram frowned. "How can you be so sure?"

Rajesh spoke this time. "Because we asked the right questions. And Poornima gave us the right answers."

Abhiram studied his father, waiting for him to elaborate.

"Maithili isn’t just kind, Abhi. She’s selfless. She has lived her entire life putting her mother first. If she can do that for her mother, she can do it for Myra too."

Abhiram leaned back, exhaling sharply. "That’s different, Papa. Taking care of a parent is not the same as raising a child—especially someone else’s child."

Amrutha’s expression softened. "We know that, Abhi. And so does Maithili. We aren’t saying she will magically become Myra’s mother overnight. But we believe she has the heart to love her."

Silence filled the room.

Abhiram’s thoughts raced. He barely knew Maithili. How could he trust that she was ready for something as complicated as this?

He shut his eyes for a moment, willing away the uncertainty. "And what about her?" he finally asked. "Does she even want this?"

Rajesh and Amrutha exchanged a glance.

"We don’t know yet," Amrutha admitted. "Poornima hasn’t spoken to her about it. She wanted us to decide first."

Abhiram huffed out a breath. "So, you’re asking me to consider marrying someone who doesn’t even know about this proposal?"

Rajesh chuckled. "Technically, we’re asking you to consider meeting her properly. Talking to her. That’s all."

Abhiram ran a hand through his hair. "And if I say no?"

Amrutha’s gaze softened. "Then we won’t force you."

Rajesh nodded. "This decision has to be yours, Abhi. We only ask that you don’t dismiss it without giving it a fair chance."

Amrutha’s voice was gentle yet firm as she looked at her son. “Abhi, meet her once. Talk to her. Get to know her. Then, and only then, make your decision. But don’t dismiss this before giving it a chance.”

Abhiram sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on him.

“Ma,” he began, his tone measured, “before you and Papa start planning how I should meet her, let Poornima Aunty talk to them first.”

Rajesh and Amrutha exchanged a glance, sensing the hesitation in their son’s voice.

Abhiram continued, his voice quieter now, edged with something that resembled pain. “I’m sure once Maithili finds out… I won’t even have to say no. It’ll come from her side.”

His mother frowned. “Abhi—”

But he shook his head, a hollow chuckle escaping his lips. “Come on, Ma. No one dreams of becoming a stepmother. No woman willingly signs up for that.”

A heavy silence followed, his words lingering in the air like an unspoken truth.

Without waiting for a response, Abhiram turned on his heel and strode toward his room, leaving his parents behind in the living room.

Amrutha watched her son retreat, her heart aching. She turned to Rajesh, her voice barely above a whisper.

“He’s still afraid, Rajesh. He still thinks no one will accept Myra.”

Rajesh sighed, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Maybe he’s right, Amrutha. Or maybe… this time, he’s wrong.”

Abhiram stood by his window, staring out at the moonlit sky. The night was quiet, but his mind was anything but.

A marriage proposal.

He should’ve been used to these conversations by now. It wasn’t the first time his parents had tried to convince him to remarry. But this time, something was different.

Maithili.

The name lingered in his thoughts longer than it should have.

He remembered her from the gathering Poornima Aunty had arranged. They hadn’t spoken much—just exchanged polite greetings—but there was something about her. She carried herself with a quiet strength, an unshakable grace.

But that didn’t change the reality.

Abhiram closed his eyes, letting out a slow breath.

No woman would willingly become a stepmother.

Not after what he had seen.

Not after what he had lived through.

He wasn’t just a man with a past—he was a man with a daughter. And Myra wasn’t just a responsibility to him; she was his whole world. He wouldn’t let anyone—no matter how perfect they seemed—step into her life only to walk away when things got difficult.

He had made peace with this truth.

At least, he thought he had.

Outside, in the living room, Amrutha sat in deep thought. Rajesh watched her, knowing exactly what was running through her mind.

"He’s scared," she murmured finally, voicing what they both knew.

Rajesh nodded. "Of course he is. And maybe he has a right to be. He’s protecting Myra the only way he knows how."

Amrutha turned to him, her expression troubled. "But Rajesh, how long will he keep running from happiness? How long will he let his past dictate his future?"

Rajesh exhaled. "That’s not something we can decide for him, Amrutha. All we can do is show him the way. The rest… is up to him."

A pensive silence stretched between them.

Then, with quiet determination, Amrutha reached for her phone.

Rajesh raised a brow. "Who are you calling?"

She looked at him, resolve shining in her eyes.

"Poornima."

If Abhiram wouldn’t take the first step, she would.

And maybe—just maybe—fate would do the rest.

Amrutha held the phone tightly against her ear, waiting as the call connected.

It rang twice before Poornima’s familiar voice answered.

“Amrutha?” There was a note of surprise in her tone, quickly followed by concern. “Is everything alright?”

Amrutha hesitated for a moment, glancing at Rajesh. He gave her a reassuring nod.

“Poornima, did you talk to Maithili and Sushma ji?”

Poornima sighed. “Not yet. Vinod and I decided to speak to Sushma first before approaching Maithili. I told Sushma to come home early tomorrow so we could have this discussion before Maithili arrives.”

Amrutha took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of hope and nervousness.

Poornima sensed her hesitation. “Amrutha, did you talk to Abhi? What did he say?”

Amrutha exchanged a glance with Rajesh before responding. “We spoke to him… but he’s convinced that Maithili will reject the proposal outright. He believes no woman would willingly sign up to be a stepmother.”

Poornima was silent for a moment “He really thinks that?”

“Yes. And that’s why I think I made a mistake in talking to Abhi first before knowing what Maithili truly wants. If she rejects the proposal, I fear Abhi will never consider marriage again showing this as a reason.”

Poornima’s voice softened. “Amrutha, you haven’t made a mistake. Let Abhi think whatever he wants—it’s only natural for him to feel this way. But trust me, if I wasn’t sure about Maithili, I would never have come to you both with this in the first place. His fears are understandable, but so is Maithili’s right to make her own choice. Let them meet, let them talk, and only then will they know if this is right for them.”

Amrutha nodded, even though Poornima couldn’t see her. “Fine. Let them decide.”

When the call ended, she set the phone down and exhaled deeply.

Rajesh placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Now, we wait.”

The next evening, Poornima and Vinod arrived at Maithili’s home, warmly greeted by Sushma.

Sushma, always the gracious host, handed them cups of tea and sat across from them, curiosity evident in her eyes. “So, tell me Poornima, Vinod bhai—what is this important matter that you wanted to discuss? You specifically asked me to come home early before Maithili arrives.”

Poornima and Vinod exchanged a glance before Poornima spoke.

“Sushma, you know that to Vinod and me, Maithili is like our own daughter. We have always loved and cared for her as much as we do if we had our own children.”

Sushma frowned slightly. “Why are you saying this now, Poornima? You know that I have always considered you both as family. After Manoj, when I had no one to support me, it was you and Vinod bhai who stood by me and Maithili. Your support was unforgettable.” Poornima reached for Sushma’s hand, squeezing it gently. “Then I hope you will trust me now as well.”

Sushma looked at her curiously as Poornima continued.

“You’ve met Amrutha and Rajesh, haven’t you?”

Sushma nodded.

“And you’ve met their son, Abhiram.”

Sushma nodded again, her expression turning thoughtful.

“Yes, they seem like a very grounded, kind family. As for Abhiram… I’ve heard Maithili mention him a few times over the past week. She spoke about his achievements, his dedication to his business, and how humble he is despite his success. And his daughter, Myra—such a lovely child. It breaks my heart that she lost her mother at such a young age.”

Poornima took a deep breath before speaking. “Sushma, I believe Abhiram and Maithili would make a perfect pair.”

Sushma froze, staring at Poornima in shock.

“What?” she whispered, as if she hadn’t heard correctly.

Poornima continued, her voice steady yet gentle. “I know this is sudden. But when I met Abhiram for the first time months ago, I felt he was the perfect match for our Maithili. At the time, I didn’t know he was a single father. When I found out, I felt bad for him… but I still had hope. Because if there’s one woman who can truly bring happiness into that man’s life, it’s Maithili. And if there is any man who could love and respect Maithili the way she deserves, it’s Abhi.”

Sushma listened, her hands tightening around the edge of her saree as she processed Poornima’s words.

Poornima leaned forward slightly; her expression sincere. “You know Maithili better than anyone, Sushma. She’s strong, kind, and incredibly responsible. She isn’t someone who runs away from challenges—she embraces them. But at the same time, we can’t make this decision for her. That’s why we wanted to talk to you first. If you aren’t comfortable, we won’t move forward.”

Sushma remained silent, absorbing everything. Seeing her hesitation, Vinod spoke up.

Vinod, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, his voice calm yet firm.

“Sushma, think about it. Amrutha and Rajesh are incredible people—they would love our Maithili as their own. When Poornima first shared her thoughts about Abhi and Maithili, I didn’t just take it at face value. I did my own research.”

He paused, choosing his words carefully.

“And do you know what I found? Abhi is perfect for Maithili in every way. It’s unfortunate that he is a single father, yes. And if there’s any reason to hesitate, it’s simply because he was once married and has a child. But beyond that? There is nothing about him that makes me think he isn’t worthy of our Maithili.”

Sushma sat still, absorbing his words.

Vinod exhaled, then continued, his tone softening.

“We understand your concerns, Sushma,” he said gently. “Abhiram is already a married man… a single father. This may not be the life you envisioned for Maithili, and if you feel this isn’t right for her, we won’t push.”

Then, after a moment’s pause, he asked, “But tell me something—haven’t you and Maithili spent years alone, supporting each other through everything? Haven’t you wished for a life where she wouldn’t have to carry all the burdens by herself? This isn’t just about Maithili stepping into an unfamiliar role… this is about her gaining a family who will truly cherish her.”

Sushma’s fingers trembled slightly as she played with the edge of her saree.

“She deserves love, Sushma,” Vinod said softly. “A love that respects her. A love that stands by her. A love that sees her for who she truly is. And I believe Abhi and his family can give her that.”

A heavy silence settled in the room.

Sushma exhaled slowly, her heart warring between a mother’s protectiveness and a friend’s trust.

A heavy silence settled in the room.

Sushma exhaled, her emotions warring within her. She finally spoke, her voice measured but heavy with concern.

“I don’t doubt Abhi or his family,” she said, glancing between Poornima and Vinod. “If you both say he is a good man and that his family will cherish Maithili, I trust you. And I know my daughter—she never gives anything half-heartedly. But being a wife is one thing. Being a mother, especially to a child who has already lost hers… that is something else entirely.”

She hesitated for a moment, her fingers clenching around the edge of her saree. “If Maithili agrees, will they truly accept her? Will Myra accept her? Or will she always have to prove herself?”

Poornima and Vinod exchanged a glance but remained silent, allowing Sushma to voice everything weighing on her heart.

She took a deep breath. “If you and Poornima believe that Abhi is the right man for Maithili, then I have no objection. I have no problem with him being a single father. He is still young, and that innocent little girl deserves a mother’s love. But my concern is… can Maithili take on that responsibility?”

She swallowed hard before continuing, her fears spilling out. “Being a mother is not easy, and being a mother to someone else’s child? It’s even harder. A mother can discipline her child, scold them, make decisions for them, and no one questions it. But if Maithili has to raise her voice in the future, will they accept it? Or will she always be seen as just a ‘stepmother’—a title that carries so many unspoken limitations?”

Sushma’s eyes turned glossy as she whispered, “If they can never truly see her as Myra’s mother, then what is the point of this conversation? No matter how much love she gives, if she is always treated differently, what will it do to her? What will it do to her marriage?”

Her voice trembled slightly. “And what about Abhi? We don’t know his past, not really. He must have loved his late wife dearly. Can he open his heart again? Can he give Maithili the love and respect she deserves? Will he ever see her as his equal, or will she always live in the shadow of a love that once was?”

Poornima reached forward, taking Sushma’s hand in hers, offering the quiet strength that years of friendship had built between them.

"Sushma," she said gently, "I won't lie to you—your fears are valid. This won't be easy. But we can't sit here and let our worries decide the future. Talk to them. Ask your questions. If Maithili agrees, let her speak to Abhi. Let them decide for themselves. Let her decide if she is ready for this journey. If she is confident in her choice, then and only then will this marriage happen."

Sushma closed her eyes briefly, absorbing Poornima's words. When she opened them again, there was a quiet resolution in her gaze.

Sushma nodded I will never force her into something she doesn't want. I only pray that whatever decision she makes, it brings her happiness."

Poornima reached out and held Sushma's hands. "That's all any of us want."

The conversation was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening.

Maithili had arrived.