Ayush cradled his daughter in his arms to stop her from crying. He had asked his in laws to leave his Doll with him. She had been crying from the past fifteen minutes and he tried to bottle feed her, in vain. She kept on throwing the thing away whenever it came in contact with her lips.

Samaira on the other hand could not sleep hearing the baby crying. She had already made Kevin and Reyan sleep after a lot of effort.

Her best friend's words kept echoing in her mind.

'Promise me! You'll love my child like its mother.'

Samaira cupped her face to stop the tears that wanted to flow free. She wiped her face with her dupatta and made her way straight to Ayush's room.

She could hear the baby crying hard and Ayush's husky voice trying to sing a lullaby. She knocked on the door heavily and it opened after a few minutes.

"Can't you see I'm trying to calm her down?Are you really mad? "he hissed in anger.

She did not reply and stared at the child for a minute. She snatched the baby from his arms and brought it close to her chest. The child felt a special warmth gripping her entire body. She slowly stopped her wails and looked at the woman who held her with wide eyes.

The warmth could not do anything for hunger. The baby cried again.

This time Samaira turned her back to Ayush and walked away to her room.

She slowly closed the door behind and sat on the bed.

She then opened the buttons of her kurthi and started feeding the child her milk.

The infant who had been all worked up since long, relaxed in her arms. The motherly warmth soothed her organs. She kept on sucking the milk without a pause and hugged Samaira with her tiny arms.

Samaira didn't feel anything different. It was as if she was feeding Reyan. She felt like she owned the child. She felt like she had every right on the tiny delicate female.

She held it more closer. Closer than everything as if she had nobody else to hold so close.

The baby slept after having it's milk. She seemed like a small sparrow wrapped up in a white cloth. Samaira showered countless kisses on her face.

Samaira knew that Ayush would be waiting at her door to receive back his Doll. She hesitantly opened the door to see him standing there with his arms tucked in his pockets. His eyes depicted nothing.. Absolutely nothing.. He looked all blank with a pale face as if he was lost in a haze of thoughts.

She gently extended the baby to him and he held it tentatively.He was not sure if the little kid should remain with him or Samaira who can comfort it better than he could.

"Call me... If she cries again. "she spoke softly.It seemed like she had read his mind.

"Thank you... For.... Feeding-"he was cut off by the woman who stood before him.

"She's mine as much as she's yours. There's no need to thank me. "she said with a tinge of possessiveness.
He just fixed his gaze on her face that had care and concern etched clearly on it.

---***--
The sun slowly peeked out of the it's hideout.

Samaira lay sleepless on a rocking chair, swaying back and forth.She had not closed her eyelids even once last night.

The early drizzles drenched the windows of the house so did her tears soaked her cheeks.

She was completely clueless. She wondered what she should do with life. Abandon it or walk forward, tackling all the obstacles.

If she choose the fist option, her children would cry out of sorrow and promises would go unfulfilled.

If she choose the second option, she would have to face the worst which would be harder than anything.

She knew she won't be able to do anything alone. She would need someone to share her happiness and sorrow. That person shouldn't necessarily be a husband.Anyone would do. A friend. A stranger. Anyone with whom she can open up completely.

Her phone beeped as a message popped up on the screen.

"You'll be back after four weeks right,ma'am?"It was a message from Nitya, her student who was really fond of Reyan.

That's when she remembered that she had to go back. She had to finish off debts.

She didn't want to return at all. She had to look after her friend's daughter. She had promised to her friend.

"I don't know. "she replied and Nitya went offline.

"What should I do? "she yelled and fell down from the chair on her knees.

"Samaira! "her mother entered the room to see her weeping like a child who lost her parents.

She ran to her daughter and hugged her tight. Something Samaira needed at the moment.

"What should I do, mom? "she wailed, wetting her mother's shoulder completely.

Her mother maid her lay on her lap and stroked her hair.

"Listen Samaira, when your dad died, I was in a worse condition. I didn't know what to do with two kids. I even decided to kill both of you and commit a suicide as I had none,absolutely noone, not even my mother by my side. We were not in a good financial condition too. Still, my conscience didn't allow me to do so. I did part time jobs and starved for numerous nights.
You're in a way better condition Samaira.You shouldn't break down this way. You have all of us with you.We'll support you in everything. I know you have the responsibility to look after Praniti's daughter and that's what stopping you from doing something. If my guess is right, that something is about returning back to Dubai.
You take her daughter with you, I will also accompany you. After settling things there, resign from there and we can come back. Resume your service as a doctor here.Don't worry about the debts,we'll find some way."

"But mom,I can't resign my job just like that.And....going back and returning so soon... You know how wealthy Iam."she stopped abruptly.

"Then,you go alone... I will look after the children. "

"No mom.. That won't be alright. I will think of something. You shouldn't worry."Samaira wiped away her tears and smiled faintly.

Her mother stood up and turned to leave. Then suddenly looked at her.

"Are you hiding something from me? Do you want to tell me about anything? "she asked her daughter who stood blank.

"No... Mom.. Nothing like that. "

The middle aged lady walked out of the room.

---***---
Ayush splashed a handful of water on his face for the umpteenth time. He was having a splitting headache.

A deep feeling of despair consumed him from the insides as much as he wanted to get rid of it.

He had understood that life would never be easy. He always believed that life will smooth sailing as he had never encountered something like this ever before. Her death was a deadly blow and he has been nearly demolished.

The only hope he had was his daughter. The only being who can lighten up his life. She is the only possession that he owns completely and he would never allow anyone to snatch her away.

He had overheard the conversation between Samaira and her mother. They were talking about separating him from his blood. How could they?

If he's living, the only reason behind it is her.

"I know you have promised to Praniti that you would look after my doll. But.. If you try to distance her from me. I won't be a mere spectator.I won't even let you touch her. I will look after her in a better way. I don't need your help. I'll hire a thousand maids and take care of her."he talked to himself.

"Even a billion maids cannot replace a mother,my son. "his mother,Mohini,stood leaning on the door of the washroom.

His face softened as tears welled up in his eyes.

"She doesn't want to separate anybody. She just want to ensure that your child doesn't feel the absence of her mother. I have seen her care and love for my granddaughter yesterday night.She fed her milk to your child without even a bit of hesitation. I don't understand why you aren't able to comprehend her."

"I'm not saying she doesn't love my daughter. She should know that I love my child too. She can't just take her away for the sake of a promise. I'm Praniti's husband and I think I can free her from this promise.It's a problem in her life too. She won't be able to do anything if she's bound in this unwanted commitment. "

"You're a fool,Ayush!Do you really think freeing her from this promise would stop her from loving your child? No. A big no. She know how to love and care. I'm sure she'll look after my grandchild no matter what. Even I don't want her to stop concentrating on her personal issues, but I kind of understand her.I don't know why. "

"So you're saying, I should allow my doll to be taken away from me? "

"No. "

"Then what? "

"I don't know... I just hope all of you would be alright.. I just want all of us to be strong. "the mother who had a liquid filling her eyes walked out of his room.

Ayush hit the the mirror infront of him in fury and utter helplessness. Then crashed on the floor and looked at his fingers that were bleeding.

His baby who was laying on the bed started crying out of fear.

As expected, the figure of a woman appeared next to the door of the room as soon as she heard the cries.

Helllllowwwwwwww

Chappie dedicated to sweety_4ever_asf

Seeing you all after a long time.... How are you all?

I'm sorry for not updating for a long time. I had exams 😁
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