MOMMA BY CHOICE

Chapter 10

So, let's get started...

The clock struck eleven, but Meera's thoughts were far from restful. She paced her room, her bare feet padding and anklets jiggling against the cool marble floor. The dim light of the bedside lamp cast long shadows, but it wasn't enough to soothe her turbulent mind.

Veer's tiny knee had borne the brunt of his earlier tumble, and though the bruise was light, Meera couldn't shake her worry. What if he twisted in his sleep and pressed against it? What if the pain woke him in the middle of the night, leaving him restless and crying? She shuddered at the thought of Veer's big teary eyes, filled with discomfort.

But it wasn't just Veer she was concerned about. If Veer woke in distress, Vihan ji wouldn't get any sleep either. The man already seemed exhausted, his usual composed demeanor showing cracks of fatigue. His broad shoulders had slumped slightly as he carried Veer to bed earlier, and the lines on his face seemed deeper tonight.

"What do I do?" Meera whispered aloud, wringing her hands together. She felt helpless. Veer was in Vihan ji room now, and she couldn't exactly barge in uninvited. The thought of asking Vihan if she could stay made her cheeks burn. It wasn't proper — wasn't it?

A knock on her slight ajar door broke her thoughts. Before she could respond, Gayatri peeked in, her saree trailing elegantly behind her. "Meera? Why are you still awake?"

Meera froze mid-step, startled. She must have looked as disheveled as she felt because Gayatri's eyes narrowed with concern.

"I... um..." Meera stammered, unsure how to explain. But Gayatri wasn't one to wait for answers. She stepped inside and closed the door softly behind her.

"You've been pacing for a while, I just saw," Gayatri said gently. "Is something on your mind?"

Meera hesitated, but the kindness in Gayatri's gaze made her falter. Before she knew it, the words spilled out. "It's Veer. He hurt his knee earlier, and there's a small bruise. I know I shouldn't be.... But I can't help please.... I'm worried it'll bother him while he sleeps. If he wakes up in pain, Vihan ji too won't get any rest either. And he already looks so tired..." Her voice trailed off as her worry consumed her.

Gayatri listened patiently, a faint smile playing on her lips. When Meera finished, Gayatri reached out and took her hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "Oh, Meera," she said fondly, "you're such a mother hen. It's endearing, really."

Meera blinked, caught off guard by the affectionate tone. "I just... I don't want them to suffer. I feel responsible."

Gayatri chuckled softly and pressed a kiss to Meera's forehead. "You have such a good heart, dear. But fretting alone in your room won't help Veer or Vihan."

Meera opened her mouth to respond, but Gayatri tugged on her hand, pulling her toward the door. "Come," she said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Where are we going?" Meera asked, startled. "To check on the boys, of course. Let's see how they're doing."

Meera hesitated for a moment, but Gayatri's determined grip left no room for argument. They made their way to Vihan's room, the soft glow of a lamp spilling through the crack in the door. Gayatri pushed it open quietly, and the scene that greeted them was both endearing and chaotic.

Veer was wide awake, his little hands flailing as he babbled nonsensically. He was clearly in a playful mood, much to Vihan's dismay. Vihan sat on the edge of the bed, his hair slightly disheveled and his eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. He looked like a man on the verge of surrender.

"Veer," Vihan said, his voice low and firm, "Please lie down. It's bedtime, Stop pulling my shirt."

But Veer, blissfully unaware of his father's fatigue, giggled mischievously and tugged on Vihan's sleeve again. When that didn't get the reaction he wanted, he reached for Vihan's pajama, which was still hanging loosely around his torso from earlier.