It was late afternoon, Neev was awake after his afternoon nap.

"My Baby." Myra tickled him.

"Mumma" he screamed loudly, he was continuously turning on his sides while pushing her fingers. "Mumma"

"Ohh my baby, it's time to wake up." She stopped pushing his hairs back, they were falling on his forehead just like his father. "Come"

Neev stood up in his crib raising his hands towards his mother.

Myra picked him and then came downstairs. She made him settle down on his high chair, keeping a few of his favourite toys on a tray. She went inside to get his afternoon snack.

"Booo Booo" Meera heard a baby voice accompanied by some music when she was out of her room.

"Hey Neev" Meera tried to grab his attention while sitting on the dining chair.

Neev looked at her for a moment before concentrating back on his elephant toy. He pushed the red button and the elephant toy started playing A, B, C, D song.

"A.... BBB... CCC" Neev was screaming his lungs out along with the lyrics of the song, though most of the alphabets he was not able to vocalise.

Meera could not take her eyes from her son. It was for the first time she was observing her baby.

She remembered the day, when doctors informed her about the baby's arrival in a private room when she was awake after long unconsciousness due to anaesthesia. She turned to see when the nurse brought her baby wrapped in a blanket. She had stitches on lower abdomen due to a c-section. She was in deep pain and the reason behind that pain was sleeping in the nurse's arms peacefully. Just a thought has infuriated her, she had declined to take her baby kicking the nurse out of her room with her harsh words.

Even when Neil came to meet her, she acted like sleeping in deep slumber revising her own escape plans for the next day. In short, she never even had a single look towards her own blood. But today, he was in front of her, growing up as a happy kid.

His dark brown eyes, his black thick hairs, pointy nose, thin line of lips resembled him much to his father.

"You are just like your father." She caressed his cheeks absentmindedly.

'He is my baby. My Neev.'

Unaware of her own self her heart longed for this little angel.

Neev turned to her touch with a creased forehead.

The same moment Myra stepped into the dining area holding a tray of food. She halted momentarily looking at the scene in front of her eyes. Unknowingly, her heart pricked with a thought of her sister being the biological mother of her baby. Again insecurity started consuming her mind and heart.

"Mumma" But her son had already predicted her state of mind.

"Yes my baby" both sisters replied back at the same time.

Neev scrunched his eyebrows looking at Meera. He turned to look at Myra who was now keeping a tray on the dining table.

"Mumma" , her son even though he was just a year old, had his own preferences over his blood relations.

His simple call filled Myra's heart with peace.

"See these are chicken nuggets. And then Neev will have his favourite banana milkshake." Myra could not meet her eyes with Meera.

Neev clapped his hands in excitement, of course his mother always takes care of his favourites.

Myra started cutting chicken nuggets into small pieces whereas she forwarded a sippy cup to Neev for his milkshake.

In the next moment, Neev took his sippy cup and started enjoying his milkshake.

"Neev baby, slowly." Myra held the cup with other hand. "I know this is Neev's favourite but baby go slowly else it will get stuck."

Neev blabbered something in his baby language earning a small chuckle on Myra's face.

"Does he like bananas?" Meera asked.

"He likes most fruits but Bananas are his most favourite." Myra replied, automatically her lips adorned with a small smile.

Myra took one small piece of nugget when Meera asked, "Can I feed him?"

Myra thought for a moment before nodding her head in agreement. Meera repeated Myra's actions when Neev shifted his confused eyes between two.

"No...no" Neev started shaking his head in denial looking at Meera. He was always used to eating with either Myra or Neil's hands or sometimes Nandini.

"Neev baby please." Myra made a convincing puppy face.

"It's ok." Meera reluctantly passed the food to Myra.

"He is too much dependent on you." Meera confessed, it was hard for her to keep her mellowed approach.

"I observed, you are not going to the hospital?" She asked, from the last 5 days she has seen her sister inside these four walls. "Or did you finish your internship?"

"No, I didn't. But I took a break."

"Thanks Myra. You did a lot for Neev, you sacrificed everything. Your career, your life." Meera was finding it hard to broach the topic of discussion. "You were forced into this unwanted, loveless marriage with Neil, I got to know about it recently. You are paying for my mistakes. I am so sorry...You had to take care of my fami..."

"That's not the whole truth Meera." Myra's intent reply halted Meera. "Neil and Neev are my family, and I can do anything and everything in my might for both of them." Her clear, determined reply made Meera gulped audibly.

But one person's lips stretched in a small proud smile, it was none other than her husband, Neil. He had just finished his meetings and was walking back towards his room. He took steps towards his wife and son.

"Hey my dumpling" He stood at the back of the chair where Myra was sitting. He bent and kissed her cheeks and then passed a teased smile to his son while wrapping his hands around her neck from back and resting his chin on her shoulder blade.

His one eye was on his son whereas the other was on Meera. He smirked inwardly seeing her anxiousness.

"My mumma" Neev shrieked annoyingly, pulling Myra's shirt sleeves. "No Dadda. No." He threw his plastic spoon towards his father who dodged the attack successfully.

"My wife." He kissed her cheek one more time.

"Mummmaaaa." He protruded his lower lip and the next moment tears started flowing from his eyes.

"Stop annoying him Neil." Myra hit his wrist widening her eyes, trying to get herself free from his clutches. She finally was able to release herself, she got up picking her son in her arms.

"What did I do? I just kissed my legally wedded wife, your son attacked me with this spoon. I could have gotten hurt so badly and still you are scolding me. This is so unfair. Poor me" Neil pouted like an innocent baby.

"Poor you?" Myra just rolled her eyes, patting Neev's back who had wrapped his both hands around her neck and was passing death glare to his father.

"Look at him now. Where did those crocodile tears go now? See see, he is threatening me." Neil was in top of his teasing mood today.

"My Mumma. Go AAfis" Neev showed the main door.

"Why will I go to the office? This is my home. I will send you to boarding school." Neil started tickling his son.

"Mumma" Neev started throwing his hands, pushing back the attack from his father.

"Neil please. Don't tease him."

"You always scold me. You never say anything to him... you didn't even say anything to him for throwing a SPOON at me." Neil widened his eyes exaggerating.

"You are such a drama king." Myra shook her head rolling her eyes.

In their family, time tiro completely skipped the burning glares fired by another pair of eyes.

Two more days passed in a blink. Every day that passed was making Meera realize that now her own family has become someone else's whole world. To be precise her twin sister's. There was a day when having Meera by his side, made Neil extremely happy and today is the day when even her shadow used to enraged him.

It was snowing outside in the evening, Meera was looking outside playing with her chain.

'Is Neil really moved on from me?'

'If he has then it will be difficult for me to get his attention back.'

'He is not a person who can fall for any games. But he came in my lies. How come?'

'Not only her trusted my words but he allowed me to stay here.'

'He said it was because he wants to know the person who is his real enemy but why will he bow his head for my demand to let me stay inside his house.?'

'For sure, he has some inner motive to let me stay here.'

'Or does he still have some soft corner for me?'

'I have to test it, if he has then it's a clear win for me.'

She took a sip of coffee planning and plotting for her next moves.

"Julia Aunty now please go and sleep. It's already 11 pm.." Meera heard her twin sister's requesting tone, while tapping on Neev's forehead.

"But Neil is still not at home." Julia replied and continued, "I will wait with you for him. Once he is at home, I will call off for the day." Julia mentioned, not before passing quick curt glare towards Meera. She was sitting on an armchair flipping pages of some magazine.

It was after two days, finally Myra was successful in convincing her husband to join his office. Earlier, Neil had declared to work from their home till the time Meera residing inside their home. His heart was grappled with the concerns of safety of his two precious possessions.

Myra was aware, there was an important meeting held in the office. Being CEO of a business group, her husband's presence was utmost required. She had a hard time convincing her stubborn husband as for the first time after his marriage he had full support from his brother and father.

Even Dev and Niren were against it, Neil crossing the threshold of his household in the presence of the Witch, resulting in leaving Myra and Neev alone under one roof.

But, after a long convincing, assuring session from his calm and matured wife Neil accepted to step out for any urgent and critical official meetings, not before giving strict instructions to his security team to keep a close eye on each and every activity of insiders.

"It's ok aunty. He will be at home in 5-10 minutes. He had already messaged me when he left." Myra covered Neev with a blanket, he was sprawled over a nearby couch. Little baby was asleep while waiting for his father.

But Julia did not leave. She stayed along with Myra. It has been not even 8 minutes, Neil stepped inside home, the same moment Julia got up and started to leave the living area. She was following Myra as her shadow from the moment Neil stepped out after his lunch.

"Hey Nightingale," He called from behind.

Hearing his cheerful tone, Myra turned swiftly, widening her eyes and keeping her finger on her lips indicating to him that their little one was in deep sleep.

"Ohh" Neil took a few steps to see his baby sleeping.

"For you." He forwarded his hand which had a bouquet of white lilies. Neil was aware about Myra's favourites. He had made a habit of bringing a bouquet of her favourite flowers everyday while returning back to their home.

"Thank you." She took them smiling brightly and continued with narrowed eyes. "What is the need to bring this every day?"

""Your twinkling eyes. Your blushing face. Your serene smile. Your..." He could not take his eyes from her face.

Hearing his flirtatious tone, Myra could just roll her eyes.

"Go get freshen up. I will reheat our food."

"Have you not eaten yet?" he asked even though he was aware of her wait. "Come on Myra, it's 11. You should have eaten your dinner on time." He shook his head.

"You know the reasons, then why do you ask?" She shrugged her shoulders, pressing her lips looking at his irked face. "Can you please take him upstairs? He will be alone here."

"For sure." He said but interrupted with an unwanted voice.

"Myra, I am here only. I will look after him." Meera was a silent observer till now. Looking at the scene in front of her eyes, it was a challenge for her to bring calm, requesting tone out from her vocal cords.

Her voice broke the moment, and captured attention from Neil and Myra.

"Not needed." Even before Myra could say anything, Neil declared picking up Neev in his arms.

"I will be back in 10 minutes." Neil told Myra.

"Yes. Just switch on the monitor and bring it down." Myra reminded him.

He nodded his head before taking stairs towards their room.

Meera was watching both of them with gritted teeth. It has been 7 days since she was staying in their house but not even for once she could have a decent conversation with her ex-husband. He was avoiding, insulting her at every step she took towards him or his beloved son. His insults were jeopardising her every move.

She was allowed to be around Neev but under the strict eyes of security and Myra. She was making every effort to be in the good books of her own son but she had failed miserably last week. Her own blood was not much fond of her, he used to show his aloofness by throwing tantrums whereas her own sister was Neev's world, it did not take much time for Meera to experience over possessiveness of her son for Myra. It was one more way Meera was insulted in this household.

Myra passed a quick look at her sister before leaving towards the kitchen.

After dinner, Neil asked Myra to make a cup of coffee for him. He was getting addicted to her hand made coffee.

Meera stepped out of her room to fetch some water as the bottle inside her room was empty. She heard whispers when she was at the entrance of the kitchen. She stopped and hid herself behind the wall but keeping eyes on insiders.

"You know what? You make the best coffee in this world." Neil was standing behind Myra, keeping his chin on her shoulder blade. He has kept both hands on countertops, trapping her between himself and countertop. His lips were grazing over her ears.

Myra bit her lip, her cheeks turned red when her skin felt the touch of his lips.

"My blushing Nightingale." he moved closer to her. Their bodies were pressing against each other.

Meera could not hear their whispers, but their proximity was so painful for her. For the first time she felt something breaking inside her heart. She remembered a few moments she had with Neil post their marriage. She did not realise when tears started welling up in her eyes. Her hatred for her twin reached its peak. Her twin was the reason behind her turmoil.

"Neil please." Meera was snapped out of her thoughts hearing a sharp voice of her sister.

Myra was now facing Neil holding a cup, whereas his hands were now on her waist but not on the countertop.

"This will turn cold if you don't drink it now. And I won't be making it again and again." She narrowed her eyes.

"I know thousands of ways to convince you, my Nightingale." he smirked. He took a coffee cup from her hands. He took a sip.

"Really?" She crossed her hands challenging him.

"This is just wow." He licked his lips but not moving his eyes from her face. He kept his cup on the countertop and in the next moment he caught her waist wrapping his own arm around and with others holding her cheeks, he pulled her in a passionate kiss.

Myra was withering like a fish out of water at first but experiencing his sweet tortures she gave up and reciprocated kiss with equal passion.

He moved his hands inside her shirt, caressing her bare waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck for support. He pulled her closer, slightly lifting her to make her stand on his feet.

'How can he kiss her like this? How can he move on so fast? We were married. He was my husband. He was in love with me. He was obsessed with me! For god sake.'

Meera clenched her fist in pain, agony, anger, defeat, and hatred. She battled with her eyelashes to push back the tears forming under her eyelids. She closed her eyes and rested on the back of her head on the wall behind.

Dire need of air made them part breaking their passionate moment.

"You know you are becoming irresistible day by day." He pecked her nose tip.

"Enjoy your coffee. I am sleepy now." Meera heard the cheerful voice of her sister. She peeped back.

"I will be back in a minute. I have to send one reply by email." he shrugged his shoulders. "And yes... your son is sleeping in a crib." He made a point. Everyday he had to remind his wife.

"I cannot guarantee." She left laughingly.

Meera hid her while eyeing Myra going upstairs. She stepped inside, switching back to the same innocent lamb look.

She saw Neil leaning back on the countertop, smiling widely. This enthralling smile again broke something inside Meera when her mind poked that, 'This smile is for that bitch. But not for you.'

She gazed down while taking steps towards the countertop. She took out one glass from the drawer but she could feel one continuous gaze on her. This was the first time Meera was trembling in someone's presence, her guards of confidence had left her the moment she stepped inside.

She moved towards the refrigerator but felt he was moving towards her. With his every step, her heart was beating with jet speed. He stood beside her. She turned to face him. For a flicker moment she stared into his eyes. They were blank, but there was something deep and indecipherable in his orbs. He took the glass from her shivering hand, not moving his gaze.

Neil trapped her between himself and the refrigerator. It was almost the same as he was doing a few moments back with Myra.

"Drink" he raised the glass to Meera's face.

"Hmm?" she was still clueless.

"Water?" he said again.

Meera moved, parting her lips to drink water. She started drinking water and he made her drink in one breath but at last he titled the glass resulting in some of the water droplets escaping from her mouth.

"Tsk Tsk..." He mocked and before she could know he took out his handkerchief from his pockets to wipe the water off her lip. All the time, he did not move his eyes from her face.

Meera could not understand his current stand, when she started playing this game she was ready to take his wrath, but the way he was treating her was even worse than what she had imagined. It was way darker and dangerous than his ire.

'What does he want? Why is he not angry? Why is he still here? Or is he still in love with me deeply?'

Thoughts were running in Meera's mind with marathon speed. She gathered courage to speak out loudly staring back in his intense eyes.

"I... I ... You need to know a lot of things Neil. Truth is always different from reality." She got her vice back.

"Then I am sure I would want to know the truth." His deep, cold yet sharp voice made her gulp her own saliva.

He took one more step, hovering over her. His breath was fanning over her face.

"Neil"

Meera gasped at the voice and Neil moved away from her with almost lightning speed but it was already too late.

*************************************************

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