Page 196 of One Hellish Desire

“There he is.” Mom finally sees me and reaches me quickly to give a morning hug. “Morning, son. Thank you for sleeping early last night. I got to steal your wife to impress my husband.” She winks.

“Mom? I can’t believe it’s really you… I mean, you and Maahi? How?”

Maahi instructs the chefs and servants to get the table arranged for breakfast while Mom tells me everything that transpired between them last night. How Maahi helped bake and how Mom asked for forgiveness.

“I don’t know if she’s forgiven me yet, but I’m trying my best to be a good mother to her. Something she always yearned for.”

Maahi comes back to us. “The table is ready. Shall we?”

“Oh sure. I’ll get the juice from the fridge,” Mom says.

“I’ll get it.” Maahi quickly heads to the refrigerator, and Mom pats my cheek, asking me to come out soon. I nod, and as soon as she leaves, I walk to my wife. She’s busy taking out the juice jug. But the moment she sees me, she puts it on the marble island behind her.

“You and Mom, huh?” I tease, and she just shrugs.

“I know,” Maahi grins. “Not exactly a weird combination, though. I spent almost 100 minutes with her alone in the kitchen last night. Can you believe it?”

I chuckle at her excitement. “Wish I was awake to see you two.” I sigh. “I missed it.”

“If you’re lucky enough, Mr. Vikram Singh Grover, you’ll get to witness such scenes quite often henceforth.”

That’s true! Mom seems to be loving Maahi now, and she’ll like to spend time with her.

“Please teach Mom to make aloo pakoras. I’ve tasted the ones you make. I can’t wait to eat the ones she fries for us.”

Maahi laughs at my innocent request, and before she approves it, I pull her for a kiss. I’m so happy right now that I could kiss her for hours. But we hear Mom calling us with the juice, forcing us both to pull apart. Some other time, perhaps!

Overall, Dad’s birthday has really started on a good note for all of us, and my gut feeling says this happiness is going to stay forever in our lives.

CHAPTER 52

VIKRAM

Dad's birthday two weeks ago was unlike any other. We had a small, private party at Ratna Mahal, and it was the best one yet. Mom and Maahi took care of everything, from the cake to organizing dinner with Dad's favorite chef from Mumbai. Watching Mom and Maahi work together was incredibly pleasing, and their bond has only grown stronger since.

“Vikram? Where are you lost?” Daadi gives my arm a gentle push, breaking my trance. We are in the garden, enjoying our early evening tea. Dad and Mom are out but will be home any moment, and my beautiful wife is at her boutique, working.

“Nowhere.” I sip my tea.

“Don’t lie. You were surely thinking about Maahi. The way you were smiling, proved that.”

Do I still look like a love-sick puppy? Maybe. Every time my family teases me, I feel that’s what they see. I’m smitten by Maahi, and it’s hard to hide it.

“Well, yes. I was thinking about Maahi but also Mom. I mean, how their equation has changed in the past two weeks.”

Daadi nods happily. “Meera is opening up with Maahi. I’m so glad they are bonding. I wish to work on my relationship with Meera too but don’t know where to start.”

I sigh, holding her hand over the table. “You are a mother, Daadi. Start with that!”

She takes a moment to understand, and I’m in no rush. I really want the family to come together, support each other, and stick together forever. Dad and Mom have started accepting and loving Maahi like they love me. Dad knows his mistakes and is working on his relationship with Daadi too. Only Mom and Daadi still need to reconcile and I can’t wait for that to happen.

“What’s going on there?” My parents interrupt our conversation. They return with loads of shopping bags. I know whenever Mom is out with Dad, she shops like they are celebrating. I hug Mom, who looks exhausted, and then pull a chair for her. Daadi quickly asks the servant to bring tea for them.

“What is all this?” Daadi asks Dad about the shopping.

“Don’t ask me, Maa. It’s all your Bahu’s stuff.”

“Really?” Mom glares at Dad. “I just got a mascara for myself; the rest is for the family.”

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