Just Another Mother

Chapter - 36

Neena picked up the kids from schools as Meera had an emergency meeting to attend and Nakul was also out of town.

When she reached home, she was caught off guard on seeing two strangers sitting in her living room chatting with her kids! Jo and Jeff were animatedly talking something to the man and the woman, while Jaiky and Jessi were joining the chat in between. They were Asians and probably Indians too from the features! Since Jaidy had opened the door, he was standing next to her.

Meera was shocked to see the way her kids were entertaining two strangers in her absence. And seeing her expression, Jaidy soon explained who they are.

Jaidy introduced them as Nakul's parents. She smiled at them and after ensuring that the kids had given them something to drink, she excused herself to freshen up, gesturing Jaidy to follow her.

Meera: "What have I told you about strangers Jaidy?" she looked at him seriously, folding both her hands in front of her.

Jaidy: "Sorry Mommy... You were in a meeting. So I thought not to disturb you. Nakul called me a while back saying that his parents are here to surprise him, and asked me to let them be here until he comes back! And he said he would be back by today night." With a deep sigh, she smiled and nodded in understanding, that he cannot be blamed for this.

Meera: "Good job darling, but next time please let me know before opening the door to strangers, or at least soon after that. Always ensure they are the right ones before letting them in. I know you are big enough, and I trust you, dear. But just for my peace of mind. OK?" Jaidy nodded in agreement.

Meera: "Ok, I will come after freshening up. Could you please check whether the guest room is clean and change the bedcover? Ask Jaiky or Jessi to help you." Saying ok, he left the room.

After making sure that the guest room is clean, she went to meet the guests. She offered them to use the room if they want to relax or freshen up, which they accepted, after denying at first. Meera, with the help of her kids, carried their luggage into the guest room. She excused herself to prepare dinner. When the lady offered her help, she politely declined and left to do her work.

During dinner, they got to know each other. She came to know that Nakul's dad, Ravishankar, and mother, Sujatha were retd. Professors and has been settled in the US for 40years. Both Nakul and his elder sister, Nayana was born here. Nayana is settled in Florida with her husband, Siddarth, and their daughter, Daksha who will be seven years old in 3 months.

Since both the ladies didn't know what Nakul was up to, they got along really well! It felt like her parents have come to visit them...

Nakul was getting late and his parents were tired and sleepy, so they went to bed around 9 pm, along with the kids. It was almost midnight when Nakul had reached. He missed Meera and the kids a lot on these last three days. He wanted to hug her when she opened the door. But his senses acted fast and refrained himself.

After freshening up, he went to check on the kids. He was so happy to be back home with them.

Nakul had noticed that Meera was so quiet since he came home. He made various attempts to have a chat with her. But every time she dismissed it with her short and curt replies. He understood that she was upset but didn't know why and the only reason he could think of was his presence and his parents'! He felt a pang on his heart at that thought! He wondered whether she had missed him at least for a second or if he is pushing too much?

He didn't know that he was taking it all in the wrong sense!

Meera was avoiding him because she was scared of her actions! At first, she wanted to lash out at him for not informing her about his parents, but she didn't want to offend him. So though it's better to keep quiet! But when she opened the door and saw him, instead of anger, she wanted to hug him and kiss on his cheeks like she used to do for her loved ones! She knew that the happiness she was feeling right then was not the same as the one she used to feel for Sachin or her dad or any of her friends! That thought scared her more!

Since Nakul's parents were staying in his room, Nakul occupied the couch, though Meera had told him that Jaidy was ready to share his bed with him.

Nakul: "No. I'm good!"

Meera: "Ok. As you wish. Good night then." She was about to leave when Nakul stepped in front of her.

Nakul: "OK. Let's stop this Meera! What's the problem? Why are you not talking to me?"

Meera: "Nothing. I'm talking to you. it's late Nakul. I'm sleepy. Night!"

He held her right hand when she was about to leave and looked into her eyes. She couldn't look straight fearing that he would see through her lies.

Meera: "What's this Nakul? Leave me. What is with you? Huh?"

Nakul: "Exactly Meera. What is with you? Tell me dammit! How will I know otherwise? I'm not a mind reader!"

Both of them started whisper yelling at each other.

Meera: "OK fine! I'm angry. I didn't want to yell at you but since you are insisting so much, I'll better do it. Why didn't you think it's necessary to inform me about your parents?"

Nakul: "Oh! Sorry to bother you! I didn't know that they were coming and I couldn't come up with a better option. If you want, I can wake them up now and we'll leave. Sorry for the trouble."

Meera: "That's not my point Nakul! I don't have any problem with you all being here and you know that! My point is why haven't you felt it important to talk to me about it first, instead of Jaidy? Don't you think I have the right to know about it?"

Nakul: "I was sure Jaidy could handle it and I had even sent their pictures to him! For God's sake Meera, stop being so overprotective! I care about their safety too! They are my..." He stopped realizing that he was going to say his kids! Fortunately or unfortunately Meera didn't notice his slip of the tongue.

Meera: "Yes I'm not questioning it! My point is just simple. Don't you think you should have discussed it with me before inviting anyone home? I don't mind them being here. I felt like I was left out from this decision-making!!!! Nothing... Leave it. It's just me! I have been making all the decisions by myself for all these years, and it didn't sit well with me. I'm sorry...I made an unnecessary issue out of it!" By this time, her eyes were teary, threatening to spill at any moment.

She was caught off guard when Nakul embraced her.

Nakul: "No. I'm sorry for not thinking from your point. I'm sorry! It's not your fault. I should have thought about it too. I'm sorry for making you worried. Next time I will inform you for sure, though I cannot promise that I wouldn't decide things by myself. But I will try my best to discuss it with you beforehand. Is that OK?"

Meera nodded resting her head on his chest. She was already a crying mess and she couldn't point out the exact reason for it. But she couldn't stop and let it all out.

And finally, they both were happy to be in each other's arms, though they didn't express it!