Kk: Your room is absolutely stunning… just like you.
Meera: (blushing slightly) Thank you, that’s sweet of you.
They sit down together on the bed, the room filled with a soft silence.
Meera: So… what are your hobbies?
Kk: Hmm… I love dancing, singing, going on long drives—bike or car, doesn't matter—as long as the wind hits my face. Also, I’m into shooting and boxing. They keep me grounded.
Sahil: Woah! Car rides? Now you’re talking my language!
Kk: (grinning) Of course!
Kk: By the way… just out of curiosity—does anyone here have a girlfriend or boyfriend?
All three answer in perfect unison:
Samar, Sahil, Meera: NO!
Kk bursts out laughing.
Kk: What a synchronized lie! Impressive!
Samar: (raising his hands in defense) I swear, we’re not lying! No girlfriends, seriously!
Kk: Are you all being real with me?
Sahil: 100% real. Promise.
Kk: (turning to Meera) And you? You mean to tell me you’ve never had a boyfriend?
Kk: (shaking her head with a smirk) Feels like you all were raised by a textbook.
Samar: (softly) Please don’t say that…
Sahil: He gave us a roof over our heads and a future… we never really needed anything else.
Meera: You must be thinking he’s our father?
Yes… he is our father. But he’s more of a shadow in our lives. Always lost in meetings, business trips, deadlines. We grew up in the same house, but hardly ever shared words with him. He gave us everything we could ever want—except for his time.
But we don’t blame him. It’s just how he is. Maybe he never learned how to love out loud.
Kk: (quietly) Hmm… okay. I get it.
Just then, Kk’s phone buzzes. A notification lights up her screen:
Mass: Did you eat your breakfast?
She stares at the message for a few seconds but chooses not to reply.
------
Mass: WOW. Left me on seen. Impressive.
Moments later, his phone starts ringing. He looks down. It's Abhimanyu calling. He picks up.
Abhimanyu: You got married… and didn’t even bother to invite us? After everything we did for you?
Aaisha: Seriously! That was low, Mass. Really selfish of you.
Nargis: I’m done with you. Not even a text?
Mass: (sighs deeply) If it were up to me, I’d have invited the whole world. But the truth is… it wasn’t my call.
Sinem: (confused) What do you mean it wasn’t your call?
Mass: Kat didn’t want anyone invited. She wanted it to be quiet. Just us. No chaos.
Shagun: (sarcastically) Wow. Our dear friend. How thoughtful.
Ali: Alright, alright. Let’s drop it. What matters now is—how was your first day with her?
Mass: (exhales) She slept on the bed. I took the couch.
Shagun: What???
Mass: Harsh reality, my friend.
Aaisha: Explain. Now.
Mass: Why not.
After the wedding, we flew straight to Australia. Not a word from her the entire flight. I thought maybe she was tired… or mad. But when we reached home, she laid down rules. Conditions. She said if I crossed even one… she’d end her l!fe.
Nargis: (horrified) What the actual he||? What’s going on in her mind?
Sinem: What kind of conditions?
Mass: I’m not allowed to touch her. Not even accidentally… until the day she accepts me as her husband.
Ali: Damn. That’s some emotional pr!son right there.
Mass: Don’t worry. I’ll survive. I always do.
But I promise—when the day comes… when she finally accepts this marriage… I’ll throw the biggest wedding party the world’s ever seen. And this time, you all will be there.
Abhimanyu: Have you tried speaking to her today?
Mass: I did. Called her. She didn’t answer. Messaged her. Left me on seen.
Shagun: What about college? Isn’t she supposed to join?
Mass: She won’t go. Not now. It’s my college too, remember? I’ll handle her documentation myself.
Okay, guys, I need to head to a meeting now.
Aaisha: Alright. No worries. Take care of yourself.
____________
After eating a hearty meal, they settled into the cozy living room. The afternoon sun poured through the curtains, casting a warm golden hue over everything.
Meera: Can I ask you something?
Kk: (smiling softly) Yeah, of course.
Meera hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of the cushion cover, eyes searching Kk’s face for some kind of sign.
Meera: Can L… I mean…
(suddenly, she blurted out)
Meera: CAN WE CALL YOU MOM?
Her voice cracked just a little at the end.
Meera: If you’re not comfortable, then it’s completely okay—we understand. It’s just that… we always wanted to call someone Mom. But Dad never remarried, and—
Before she could finish, Kk gently cut her off.
Kk: (with a warm, emotional smile) Hey… it's okay. You can call me Mom. Or whatever your heart wants to. I’ll be honored.
Meera: (stunned, eyes teary) Seriously?
Without wasting a second, Meera leaped forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Kk. She kissed her cheek, her face lighting up like a child’s. Soon, Samar and Sahil joined in, turning it into a group hug that felt like something out of a dream.
Meera, Samar, Sahil: We love you, Mom.
Kk: (tears threatening to spill) I love you, my babies.
Meera: You should rest now. We know you’re pregnant, and you need more care, more sleep.
Kk nodded with a grateful smile. She gently patted their heads and walked to her room. As she laid down on the bed, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen—Mass calling. She sighed and let it ring out. Moments later, a message popped up:
Mass: Did you eat lunch?
She read it but didn’t reply, simply left it on seen.
---
11:00 PM
Mass gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove through the quiet streets. His jaw was clenched, and a storm of thoughts whirled in his mind.
Mass: (to himself) Tonight… I’ll talk to her. No running, no hiding. I’ll clear everything—whatever it takes.
He pulled into the driveway, his heartbeat echoing in his chest. Inside the house, he made his way straight to his room—but it was empty. His eyes darted around.
Mass: (to himself) Where is she?
He knocked on Samar and Sahil’s door.
Mass: Is Kat here?
Bodyguard: She’s probably in Meera’s room.
Without another word, Mass walked towards Meera’s room. The door was slightly ajar, and soft laughter floated out.
Peeking in, he saw something that made his heart freeze and melt at the same time.
There she was—Kat. Laughing freely, her eyes glowing with joy. Meera had her head on her lap, and the two were talking like they’d known each other for years. The boys were teasing each other, and she was right in the middle of it all—his wife. Laughing with his kids.
Mass: (whispering to himself, almost bitterly) Wow… six months of marriage, and she never looked at me like that. And Meera? She just met her yesterday…
A deep breath.
Mass: (softly) Can I… can I take her for a minute? I want to talk.
Meera: Yeah, sure. She is your wife after all.
Meera: (with a teasing grin) Good night, Mom.
She leaned forward and kissed Kk on the cheek.
Mass's eyes widened in disbelief. Did Meera just call her Mom? And k!ssed her too? His heart did a weird flip.
Kk: Good night, my love.
She k!ssed her back, without hesitation. Mass stood there stunned, as if someone had frozen time.
Kk stood up and walked toward the hallway. Mass followed her to their room.
Mass: (gently) Hey… why aren’t you picking up my calls? Why don’t you reply to my messages?
She said nothing. Her face turned away, her silence louder than any scream.
Mass: Please, talk to me… please say something. I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. I’ll accept anything—any condition, any punishment… Just don’t shut me out like this.
He reached out to hold her hand.
Kk: (sh@rp and cold) Don’t you d@re touch me.
Mass froze.
Kk: I don’t want to talk to you. Not now. Not tonight. So shut your f*cking mouth. I’m going to sleep.
She climbed into bed, pulled the blanket over herself, and turned her back to him.
Mass stood there for a moment, guilt slicing through him. Then he quietly walked into the bathroom, changed into his nightwear, and left the room.
--
Dining Room
Jadav sat there sipping warm milk.
Jadav: You look like someone just slapped your soul out of your body. What happened?
Mass: (sighs) She’s still not talking to me.
Meera: (grinning) I think Mom is still holding her grudge.
Mass: Mom? You just met her! And you’re already calling her Mom like she raised you?
Everyone burst into laughter.
Mass: What’s so funny?
Jadav: You sound jealous of your own daughter.
Samar: Don’t worry, Dad. She’ll come around. Just give her time.
Sahil: She’s already your wife. You know she’s not going anywhere. If she wanted out, she would've left long ago… she would’ve—
(pauses)
Sahil: …she would’ve ab0rted the baby.
Jadav: He’s right. Now go sleep… on the couch.
Mass: (blinking) Wait—what? I never told you I’m sleeping on the couch. How do you know?
Everyone laughs again.
Mass: What the f*ck? How do you all know?
Jadav: I have my sources.
Meera: She told us.
Mass: (eyes wide) She told you? Really?
Meera: Obviously. How else would we know?
Mass: (defeated) Fine, fine. You all go to sleep. I’m going too. Good night.
All: Good night!
---
Next Day
Mass had already left early for work.
Kk and the kids enjoyed a lazy, laughter-filled day filled with movie marathons, pillow fights, and silly gossip. She even made her famous pancakes for breakfast.
Kk: How’s it?
Meera: (with a mouthful) This is heaven on a plate.
They all giggled.
1:00 AM
The movie credits rolled, but none of them moved.
Kk: Why isn’t he home yet?
Samar: He won’t be.
Kk: What? Why?
Sahil: Every Saturday and Sunday, he flies to India for work. Business stuff.
Meera: (teasing) Why are you asking, hmm? Are you… missing him?
Kk: No! I was just curious, that’s all.
Meera: Don’t worry, Mom. You can tell us. We won’t snitch to Dad.
Kk: No! I’m not missing him.
She crossed her arms but couldn’t hide her small smile.
Kk: Now all of you, go to sleep. Good night.
All: Good night, Mom.
She walked to her room, heart strangely warm, and finally drifted into a peaceful sleep.
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