Meera, as usual, was running late, she again sleepily glanced at her mobile, it was 8.30 am, she shot her eyes open.. shoot.. I am late again.. why god, why me?, she cried internally.
She ran to bathroom to get ready for the day.
She wore linen indigo saree paired with lil deep Vneck black blouse.. sleeves ending just above her elbows, giving away her forearms beautiful skin, kohl in her eyes, small maroon bindi on her forehead, her fav oxidized jhumkas in her ears, her tragus and helix pierced and small crystals hung there, her lightly tinted lips.. She was a sight to sore eyes.
She looked at her reflection, satisfied with how she looks, she just wore few bangles in her hands, and quickly went out to kitchen to grab a quick bite.
As she left her house, her pleats in her one hand, so her saree wont get dirty, and other hand held her tote bag, she hailed a cab and reached her office.
No matter how late she woke up, she always managed to reach office on time, of course by skipping her breakfast and morning tea.
Time Skip to evening -
“Haan Maa, mai dekhti hu.. nai maine abhi kuch nahi check kiya maa, Abhi toh ghar pohochi hu..”
She said tiredly.
Her maa was after her to get married again saying how is she going to manage all alone for the rest of the life, she needs someone to lean on.
Meera’s POV -
When maa says this, I also feel sometimes, that I need someone to lean on, and then again when I think about my marriage, nausea hits me real bad, thinking about being dependent on someone emotionally has already hit me in my gut and my heart so hard that I can not fall for that trap again.
Loving someone was one thing, which I did, religiously.. I loved my ex husband so much that I forgot to love my self.. but getting loved by someone was altogether different, which unfortunately was never experienced by me.
I always thought he loved me, but it was my love, which was carrying all the burden alone.
And one day, when he hit me, it was the last straw.. I have been silent all those years when he abused me emotionally, disrespected me, made me feel low about myself, in a hope, one day he will treat me right, one day he will understand, but when he abused me physically, that one hope shattered.
I just packed my bags and came back, which was a shock to my family. But they tried their best and supported my decision to get divorced.
As I was thinking about my past while having steaming hot cup of tea in my hand, I suddenly remembered, I have to get the groceries.
I finished my tea, changed into a simple teal t-shirt and black joggers with my slippers.
As I stepped out my apartment, the neighbour aunty greeted me with her sweet smile.
“Hi bacche, how are you today?”, she enquired lovingly.
“I am fine aunty, I am gonna get groceries, do you want me to get anything for you”, I asked her. She is been nothing but kind, even after knowing I am a divorcee, unlike other members of this society.
“No bacche, aap jao, its almost dark outside, come back soon, be safe.” Aunty said.
As I stepped into the supermarket, I took out the list and started throwing things in my cart as per the list.
I was almost done, I was in the last aisle.. Icecreams.. I love them. But hagendas chocolate bar, it was the last packet and as I was about to grab the packet, another tiny hand wrapped around the packed from the other end, and I looked up, to see a boy with doe eyes, around 3-4 years old, looking at me with puppy eyes.
“Can I pls have these? This is the last one they have, and this is my fav flavour” he said in his cute tone.
Ofcourse I couldn’t say no to those eyes.
“Of course sweetheart, you can have those.” I replied and those doe eyes sparkled with happiness. Smile bloomed on his face.
“Do you wanna know a secret” I asked him in hush tone.
And he nodded cutely, aww how cute he can be..
“This is my fav flavour of ice cream as well, so same pinch”, I quipped and pinched his cheeks very lightly.. he blushed..
And I couldn’t help but continue my blabber to him, “aren’t you the cutest lil boy?”
To which he frowned a lil and said in a fake anger, “hey pretty lady, don’t call me cute, I am a boy and dadda says, boys are not cute, they are handsome..”
And I couldn’t help but laugh at his cute retort.
“Your dadda is right about one thing, you are definitely handsome.. but he is wrong about cuteness though. Some boys can be cute.” I said.
“Ayansh, what is taking you so long to grab an ice cream packet? Hurry up” a deep voice interrupted our sweet conversation, and then a man turned around from the corner of the aisle and came in front of us. And I was awestruck, I never knew, a man like that existed, with height of above 6, hazel orbs, tanned skin, he was wearing white shirt neatly tucked in dark charcoal grey pants, his sleeves were folded till his elbows showing off his manly forearms, first 2-3 buttons open giving away his perfectly toned chest.
“Dadda… sorry.. I was talking to this pretty lady..” The lil boy said and brought me out of trance.what am I doing? Ogling a man in a supermarket, that too a man who is a dad.
I quickly averted my eyes from him to Ayansh.
“Ayansh, what did I tell you about talking to strangers?” His dad said sternly and then pinned me with glare.
Huh, audacity.. but I can understand, he is right about talking to strangers.
AYansh didn’t utter word in his defence, so I thought I should clarify instead of letting this cutie get scolded by this giant, ruthless man.
I cleared my throat and said, “Actually we both wanted this last packet of ice cream and we were talking about that, he did not give away another information, he is a clever kid.”
“Dadda, this pretty lady also loves the same flavour as me?” Ayansh excitedly told his dad.
“Is that right?” His dad said with a raised eyebrow and again glared at me.
“Uhm, anyways, enjoy the ice cream and rest of your shopping, bye Ayansh.. It was lovely meeting you and remember what I said about cute boys,” I quipped with a wink to AYansh, and left from there.
As I was headed home, my mood lighter because of the encounter with the sweetest lil boy, I called my mom, “ Haan maa, bolo, kya keh rahi thi tum?”
As she listened to my calmer and happier than earlier voice, she chirped, “are bacche, kuch nai, bas tum aisehi khush raho yahi chahti hu mai.. tum gussa nai hogi toh ek baat bolu meeru?”
“Haan maa, sorry maine tumko woh sab kaha, mai bas bohot thak gai hu maa, sabko sawalo ke jawaab dete dete, yeh sab sawaal usko toh koi nai puchta hoga.. aur maa, meri kya galti hai mai conceive nai kar paau is me, maine toh woh report tak nai dekhi aaj tak, any ways..tum bolo na, kya keh rahi thi tum?” I said whatever was there on my mind, and felt a lot lighter.
My maa who always knows what to say next went silent for a moment and then sighed and said, “Meeru, pls ek baar maine jo profile bheji hai woh dekh le, he is a single dad, he also doesn’t want to get married, but is ready to get married, just because his 3 years old son will get a motherly love, mai tujhe force nai karungi, lekin tu mil toh sakti hai usse ek baar, tujhe nai sahi laga toh mana kar dena bacche, lekin ek bar mil toh le usse pls.”
I dont know why but I said yes.. And my maa was happy with just my yes..
I find her funny and childlike, she is 61, but she still finds happiness in all these lil things..
I really want to be like her.
Meeting for Marriage -
Time Skip after 2 weeks—
Mom said his name is Kabir Singh Rajwansh, and he is from royal family of some place from rajasthan, and his son’s name is Ayansh, as I heard that name, instantly my mind recalled that cute encounter, is it him? no no, thats not possible..
I just pushed my thoughts aside, and started getting ready.
I wore my linen grey saree with teal blouse, my signature oxidized jhumkas, and bangles, along with small bindi adorning my forehead.
As I stepped into the cafe, I came across similar 2 faces, one very cute and one very rude.
I smiled whole heartedly after seeing Ayansh, and he came running towards me and hugged my legs. I was so overwhelmed with his sweet gesture, I got on my knees and hugged him back.
He timidly hid his face in my neck and murmured, “Are you going to be my mumma pretty lady?”
And my eyes widened in surprise and I looked up, only to find those cold as steel eyes staring at us. I took Ayansh in my arms and walked to his father.
I was too stunned to speak.
But he was still looking at me with something unexplainable in his eyes which made me squirm on my place.
So finally I decided to break the silence “hi nice to meet you mr. Rajwansh, I am meera Joshi.”
“Hi”, he said with his deep, honey like voice and i felt shivers ran down my spine.
what is wrong with me, why would I feel shivers because of someone’s mere voice.
And what is wrong with me again, I am performing this monologue, while staring at his hazel like eyes, oh his eyes, they are so beautiful, but they lack warmth.. so sad.. again.. I am at it, seriously.. and suddenly he snapped his fingers in front of me and mocked me ,”You are staring, I know I am handsome, but its rude to stare.”
I internally rolled my eyes, and spat back “I wasn’t staring, I was just thinking about something”
“Yea sure! pls have a seat, lets get over with this already” again his smart mouth replied.
I scoffed and gritted my teeth,“ as if I am dying to marry you”.
“I will just ignore your comment for now, let me get straight to the point. I have agreed to this only for my son’s sake” and then he looked at his son who was in my arms, and I saw how his eyes held warmth and love, the sharp edges of his face softened a lil, and then he looked at me again, and suddenly, those eyes held nothing, just cold, hazel, steel..he continued, “he needs a motherly love, and I really don’t want to snatch that from him, I have seen him looking at his friends’ mothers with longing in his eyes, even if I give all the time and love to him, I know that I wont be able to fulfil that place for him, so if you are ready to become his mother, I am ok with this marriage, but never, and i mean, never expect anything from me as a partner. Is he asleep?” he asked in between, I looked down at Ayansh, and saw he was fast asleep. I just nodded. and then again he continued his monologue. “So as I was saying, dont expect anything from me, in front of Ayansh and rest of the world, we will act like a couple, but apart from that dont expect anything.” and I nodded again.
“So thats it? you dont have any questions?” he looked surprised at my reaction.
now it was my time for the monologue, and nobody beats me to it mr rajwansh, not even you, I have years of practice. I smirked internally and started..
“No, I am ready to be his mother, this boy is lovely and deserves the world and I am ready to give him that. but my maa said that you are from royal family, and i really dont care about that, I will continue working, its hybrid, I just have to go to office once a week. And I will need my personal space, and i want you to respect that, just because you are my husband, I wont tolerate nonsensical questions. also no cheating on me in front of me, in short, you cant bring any girls home, do whatever you want to do out of the house. I dont have any strength to witness my husband with another woman” And i stopped abruptly muttering last sentence under my breath, but I know he heard that, and finally I looked up at him, and saw him looking at me intensely.
“I dont know what happened to you in last marriage, but I dont cheat Meera.. I will never do anything wrong to you. But I am short tempered, I know it's not a reason, but I am just saying. But I promise, I wont hurt you, and I will never disrespect you, and about you working, its your life, your choice, I will never say anything about how you live it.” he said very calmly.
His eyes held sincerity and I don't know why I trusted him, even after getting betrayed in an inhuman way, I trusted him.
“Okay” I whispered still trying to get over the way my name sounded from his mouth.
Why everything about this man seems so sexual.. oh thats just your sex drought of 4 years lady, another voice in my mind countered..urgh.. Meera, concentrate…
“Can I ask you a question about Ayansh’s biological mother?” I asked in a low voice.
He just nodded, and I continued, but i did not know how to form a question that I had in my mind, I did not want to hurt him or bring back the worst memories.
“Did she.. i mean did she die? I mean you dont have to answer that but I thought I should know this and you know”
“Meera.. relax.. she did not die, you are not bringing any sad memories back, so stop blabbering.” he cut me between and explained.
Arghhh, why is he so annoying and rude and jerk and..
“Ok stop abusing me in your mind, i can see it on your face clearly” he again broke my chain of thoughts, well,, chain of abuses, I looked at him surprised.
“Fuck, you are an interesting person Meera, this is going to be fun.” he again commented with a smirk on his face, clearly finding something amusing on my face.
I really wanted to wipe that smirk off his face.
But then again he beat me to it and continued “Ishika never wanted a baby, but got pregnant with Ayansh, and she wanted to abort him, ofcourse I was not in favour but it was her body, I did not want to compel anything on her, but the doctors said abortion could be risky for her, so she carried him, gave birth to him, but never gave him the love he deserved, then after 2 months I caught her cheating on me in my house with my cousin, when I asked where is Ayansh, she said he is sleeping very coolly, as if I didnt just catch her cheating on me. I was already mad after seeing her with that bastard Raghav, but controlled myself from snapping, as Ayansh was nowhere to be found, I searched him everywhere and finally found him in a storeroom which is in basement, he was all red from crying and I snapped. I punched the fucker Raghav, in the face and asked her how can she do that to her own baby, you know what she said, she told me that he was disturbing them a lot even being in the next room, so she kept him in the storeroom. I divorced her, took the legal custody of Ayansh, I made sure she will never see him again.”
I had tears in my eyes, my hold my baby tightened as if she was gonna come here snatch him from me.. what was wrong with her, for god sake, he was just 2 months old, even the devil himself wont do that with a baby that small.
When i finally blinked back my tears and looked at him, he only had rage in his eyes.
“Please meera, I request you if you can’t accept him let me know now, but I cant afford to have someone hurt ayansh, I wont hesitate to kill.”
“Hey I wont ever do anything wrong with him.. ok.. if you want me to become a part of his life as his mother, you will also have to trust me enough with him.” I suggested.
He nodded, and gave me a reassuring look.
And then I remembered his foul mouth.
So i snapped at him , “And Mr Rajwansh, dont you ever again run your foul mouth in front of my baby, dont use f and b words and all those bad words.”
And again, I got his signature smirk, what is wrong with him?
“Sure ma'am, so its a yes, so we will get married next week, Sunday, it would be a court marriage.” he ordered.
And I raised my eyebrows at him and almost shouted at him, “What? next week? are you crazy?”
but then I looked at AYansh, who was sleeping soundly in my arms, and thought that the earlier we get married, the more i get to be with him. caring for him, adoring him, comes so naturally to me, I cant deny the pull I feel towards him.
So I finally nodded and said, “Fine, I am ok with next Sunday.”
“Great, I will inform my parents, for now I have to leave, i have a meeting in an hour.” Mr Rajwansh said in a very professional tone.
“Sure Mr Rajwansh, see you later.” I also didn t want to drag this so called meeting.
“why do you call me mr rajwansh, you can call me by my name, its Kabir, or you can call what everyone else calls me.” he again said in his same cold, dominant tone.
“And what everyone else calls you?”
“ well after my coronation, everyone started calling me Hukum in my family and Rajgadh”
“Sure Hukum.. will do that.” I said sarcastically rolling my eyes.
“Give me your phn.” he again ordered and I looked at him questioning thru my eyes.
“Let me save my number Meera, how are we gonna contact each other otherwise..”
“Well you are Hukum, you would always find a way right.” I said not wanting to accept his orders.
“Anyways, Ayansh is sleeping, how are you gonna take him home?” I enquired completely ignoring his glaring.
“Well he has his car seat, so I will drive him home, his nanny would be home now, so she will look after him” he informed.
And I nodded and with that they left and I was already missing Ayansh.
Kabir’s POV -
After my meeting, I reached home at 9.30 in the night, checked on Ayansh, he was sound asleep.
Finally, I was going to get some rest, last week was hell, Ayansh has been cranky all week, work was a nightmare, there was a design theft in my company, we are still investigating that,
I had to hire a PI. And my mom is after me to get married.
But today was surprisingly refreshing, Meera Joshi is something else.. She seems kind and softspoken, at the same time she is fiesty when it comes to righteousness..
She cried when I told her about Ishika, she thought she was successful in hiding her tears.
I could sense from her eyes and expressions, she has already accepted Ayansh in her life, but i cant trust anyone blindly with my baby.
What if she is also after my money as others.
No.. I cant let her in.. But she is attractive and I am attracted to her. at least physically, she looked like a ticking bomb in that grey saree. And the way she runs her smart mouth, I want to shut her mouth in so many sinful ways.
I need to stop thinking this.
She is just here for Ayansh. And I am sure, it is for her benefit, she is gonna get a luxurious life and money afterall.
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