Chapter - 3

A bright sun light hit her face, she slowly opened her eyes and found Krithi sleeping like a cute doll. Meera wished to look her beautiful face forever. She checked her mobile and it was half past 9. Since it was Sunday, she woke up late. At that time she got a call from Priya. A bright smile spread over her face.

"Hi darling" she started the conversation happily. "Meera!! How are you? How is my daughter in law? What she is doing now?" She asked with excitement. " I'm fine and Your daughter in law is sleeping peacefully and how about my baby boy? Is he awake?" She too said with same excitement.

"He is sitting near me only. He too wanted to speak to you" she exclaimed happily. Priya turned on the video call and Meera wished Good morning to Adarsh, (Priya's son) and Priya. Priya smiled and searched for Krithi. Meera slowly turned the mobile to her direction. Priya kissed the screen when Meera turned it towards Krithi.

Meera talked to Priya and Adarsh, meanwhile Krithi woke up from her sleep. Meera smiled and made her sit on her lap. Krithi gave a hearty smile seeing Priya. Priya became excited seeing Krithi. Priya always wanted to have a girl child but she was blessed with a cute baby boy. When Krithi was born, Adarsh was one year old. More than others Priya felt excited to see Krithi.

Krithi had chubby cheeks which admired her more and in her childhood, Priya will never drop her down. Krithi too loved her a lot. 2 years ago, Varun(Priya's husband) got some project in Vietnam. So they shifted there. She would call Meera every Sunday and that would be the happiest part of every weekend.

After an hour they ended the conversation. Meera and Krithi got down from the bed and rest of the day went happily around Krithi.

Next day,

Meera prepared breakfast and lunch. She got ready and waited for Kamala. Meera left asking Kamala to take care of Krithi. Meera reached office and started working on the ongoing project. "Hi Meera, good morning" Aditi greeted her with a warm smile.

"Good morning Adi" she smiled. "Today evening Aarav is coming back, so we have to be ready with the presentation" Meera said focusing on her desktop.

Aditi's face changed hearing Aarav's name. She smiled and Meera noticed it. "I said something" Meera said clearing her throat. Aditi blushed and left the place immediately. Meera smiled looking at her actions. Meera noticed Aditi several times and understood that she likes Aarav. 

Meera smiled and resumed her work. She was done with her work and kept all the files ready. Aditi too worked on her part and kept those files ready for presentation. Aditi was asked to give the presentation that evening. She was prepared but at the same time she felt nervous.

Meera encouraged her and gave some tips in presentation. It was Aditi's first presentation, that too in the presence of Aarav. Aditi took a deep breath and prepared herself for the presentation.

It was evening, everyone gathered at the venue including Aarav. Meera gave thumbs up and cheered her up. Aditi stood there with confidence and started her presentation. She did her job so perfectly. Clients were happy with her presentation. Aarav appreciated her with a warm smile. Aditi was on cloud nine to hear his compliment.

Meera hugged her once they came out of the conference room. "You did that perfectly" Meera said happily. Aditi smiled for her compliment. They both had snacks in cafeteria and resumed on their remaining work.

It was around 9.30, Meera reached home. Kamala ma left once she reached. Meera thought Krithi might be sleeping and entered the room slowly but to her surprise, she sat on the couch and was in deep thoughts. Meera slowly reached her and took her in her embrace.

"Wow!! my darling girl is awake!" She said kissing her cheeks. But Aditi's face was dull and it indicated she was thinking something. "Ooh! My baby girl is so serious. What you're thinking so deeply sweety? Let mommy help you" she said raising her chin.

"Mommy, today teacher gave me an assignment. But I couldn't complete it till now" she said sadly. "Ohh! But my girl will not sit sad. She will complete all her assignments by her own right. Why not today???.. what happened?. Did your teacher give a very tough assignment?" She asked making faces to calm her down.

"No, all my friends started doing their assignments in class. But I don't know what teacher was asking me to do?" She said like crying. Meera couldn't understand and looked her sad face.

"Today teacher taught a lesson, "my family". She said mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, sister and brother will be in a family but I don't know what all are those. All my friends answered when she asked about them but I don't know what they are talking about" she said it very sadly which broke Meera's heart. She looked her with tears.

"Tomorrow is father's day and my teacher asked everyone to prepare a greeting card with drawings and photo of daddy. But mommy who is Daddy?" She asked which stumbled her whole world. She looked her helplessly with tears. Meera expected this question from her but not so early. She was out of words and tears continuously flowed through her cheeks.

Krithi panicked seeing Meera in tears. "Mommy please don't cry" Krithi said wiping her tears and she started crying. Meera hugged her tight and consoled her. "You only have mommy in your life Krithi" she said slowly but Krithi had already slept in her embrace.

Meera looked at her face and her tears made their way to her cheeks without her control. She made her to sleep on the bed but her sleep was so far. Krithi's question echoed in her ears, she simply starred at the ceiling thinking about the things happened in her past and slept without her concern.

"You cheated me in many ways but now you betrayed me by separating my daughter from me. I'll never forgive you in this birth. Better get out of my sight and Don't dare to even touch my daughter. You already lost the position of a mother of my child. Don't think to come into my child's life again. You're no one to her and now just get out of this place immediately before I loose my remaining patience" he shouted at top of his lungs.

She jerked in fear, "I did nothing. Please believe me. I don't want anything from you. I don't want you to forgive me but Please give my Krithi back to me. Please! She is the only meaning of my life. Please give her back to me" I begged him kneeling in front of him.

"Che. Just stop your cheap acting, I know about you and I'm not the fool as how I loved you blindly in the past. You don't deserve to stand in my house. I was patient till now since you took care of my daughter. I'll pay you hundred times more than you spent on my child. Take that and get out of my life and don't dare to come into my life again" he said throwing daggers on her.

"Money! who wants your money. I want my daughter. I want her. Only her and you can't just take her away from me" she said firmly getting Krithi out of his hold. 

"Take your hand away from my child. She is not your daughter anymore. Get out!!!!" He shouted. "What he said is right, don't make us loose our patience and don't create scene here. Get out!" The Person whom she respected equal to her parents said those hurtful words.

"Yes Meera, come let's go and you should face the consequences for the sin which you have committed" these words came from her parents. She looked at them with a painful smile and her eyes finally fell on her daughter who stood there with fear. 

Her heart rushed her to take her in her arms and to console her but she felt she was too far from her even though she stood near her. Her heart couldn't take the pain anymore and ached as if it was going to explode.

"Get out!" He said and walked in taking Krithi in his hand. "Amma!!?" She cried which broke her heart. "Krithi!!!! Don't go away from me. Please don't take my child from me. Please!!!" She shouted.