MOMMA BY CHOICE

Chapter 9

So, let's get started...

The Raichand mansion was unusually lively tonight. The scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, mingling with the warmth of freshly brewed chai that Gayatri insisted everyone enjoy after dinner.

The family had gathered in the living room, with Veer, the undeniable star of the evening, commanding attention with his playful antics.

The toddler was in high spirits, crawling with a mission that only he seemed to understand. His tiny legs pushed against the polished marble floor, his giggles echoing like music through the grand room. Each time Meera tried to catch him, he managed to evade her, his squeals of delight growing louder.

"Veer, come back here!" Meera called out, her laughter spilling into her words as she tried to grab him again.

But Veer wasn't having it. He stopped just short of her reach, turned around, and gave her a cheeky grin before scurrying off toward the other side of the room.

Gayatri shook her head with a chuckle, sipping her tea. "That boy is going to be a sprinter one day. Look at him go!"

Abhimanyu joined in, his booming laughter filling the room. "He's already giving Meera a workout. Poor girl hasn't sat down since dinner."

Meera placed her hands on her hips, feigning exasperation. "It's not fair! He knows I'll chase him, and he takes full advantage of it."

"Smart boy," Vihan commented dryly from where he sat on the sofa, his legs stretched out comfortably. He watched the scene unfold with a faint smile, his eyes never straying far from Meera and Veer.

Just then, Veer made his way toward the coffee table, his curious hands reaching for the stack of books Gayatri had left there. Meera's eyes widened. "Veer, no! You'll hurt yourself!" She lunged forward, but Veer was quicker.

In his haste to explore, Veer miscalculated and bumped his little knee against the table's edge. The sharp sting made him freeze for a moment before he burst into tears, his wails piercing the once-lively room.

"Veer!" Meera's heart sank as she rushed to him, scooping him up into her arms. "Oh, my baby, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" Her voice trembled with worry as she cradled him, her fingers gently brushing through his injured knee.

Veer's tiny hands clung to her saree as his sobs wracked his small frame. His tears came in big, fat drops, and Meera's own eyes began to glisten. The sight of his pain was unbearable. "I'm so sorry, Veer," she whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "I should've been faster. Please don't cry."

But the more she tried to comfort him, the more her own emotions overwhelmed her. A tear slipped down her cheek, followed by another, until she was crying softly along with Veer.

The room grew quiet as everyone took in the scene — Meera, holding Veer close, her love for him radiating from every tear she shed.

Gayatri, in playful tone, broke the silence. "Oh, Meera! Crying with him now? What will happen when he gets his first scraped knee?"

Abhimanyu chuckled. "You're spoiling him already, Meera. At this rate, we'll have to console you every time he so much as sneezes!"

Meera tried to laugh through her sniffles, but her embarrassment only made her cheeks turn a deeper shade of pink. "I wasn't crying! I just... I..." She faltered, unable to find a convincing excuse.

Before she could say more, Vihan stood and walked over to her, his tall frame towering over them both.

He crouched down, his face calm and reassuring. "Meera, let me see him."