Published on:- 20/11/24 [Wednesday]
...

"In a world that can be cold and cruel,
her heart remains a warm sanctuary,
a place where angels themselves would seek comfort."

NEIL

...

Sunaina's face lit up with happiness as she said excitedly, "Thank you for remembering me. And thank you for helping me kidnap you."

She hugged Aashmaan tightly again and added, "Thank you for your support and blessings. Don't worry, I will take care of your son."

Aashmaan gave her a soft smile but said, "But I was scared, Sunaina. That girl was scary too".

Aashmaan was talking about Nora.

Sunaina held her ears playfully, her expression apologetic and said, "Sorry! But you helped me, and that means so much to me. The fact that you remembered me matters the most."

Aashmaan sighed gently and said, "I still don't have all my memories of you. But you told me your real name, and I wrote it down with your picture. That helped me recognize you but as Divita"

Sunaina understood her mother-in-law's feelings and smiled warmly while saying, "Mom, I am Sunaina. You can call Naina. There are few things that I can't share with you now but in the future I'll share every little things with you".

Aashmaan smiled warmly at her. Her smile was like an acceptance for Sunaina.

"Mom! you are the best and sweetest woman I have ever met. Father-in-law is lucky to have you", Sunaina said as she hugged Aashmaan who laughed softly as her eyes were filled with warmth at Sunaina's words.

Sunaina hesitated for a moment before softly asking, "Did you accept me as your daughter-in-law? Because, honestly, marrying Nilay was unexpected for me too."

Aashmaan's expression softened as she looked at Sunaina. There was a pause, as if she was carefully choosing her words. Finally, she said, "Naina, I may not remember you, but I can see how much you love Nilay. That alone means a lot to me. You didn't just marry him, you have taken responsibility for him, and that's not something I can overlook."

Sunaina's eyes shimmered with emotion as she whispered, "Thank you. It means the world to me".

Aashmaan smiled gently and placed a reassuring hand on Sunaina's shoulder.

"You have already proven yourself, by using all meanie means to be with your love. You are part of this family now, and I am proud to call you my daughter-in-law", Aashmaan said and last line was in a teasing tone.

Hearing those words, Sunaina felt her heart swell with relief and happiness.

Sunaina's eyes brightened with joy, and she clasped Aashmaan's hands tightly. "Thank you, Mom. I promise I'll never let you or Nilay down. I will do my best to protect my family".

Aashmaan chuckled softly, "I am sure you will. But tell me, why did you suddenly want to marry, Nilay? Last night was unexpected".

Sunaina bit her lip, her cheeks tinged with color as she looked away for a moment. "I always wanted to marry him but your son is sloth and last night, your husband.... Seriously, he pushed my limit that made me take an instant and unexpected action".

She glanced back at Aashmaan with a small smile as she said again, "But I don't regret it. Not for a second".

Aashmaan smiled knowingly as her eyes were filled with warmth.

"Love has a funny way of working, doesn't it? Sometimes it finds you when you least expect it and make you do something that you never expected", Aashmaan said and Sunaina nodded as her smile was growing wider.

"It does. And I am grateful it led me to Nilay. Even if he is...well, not the easiest person to deal with", Sunaina said and Aashmaan laughed while shaking her head.

"He gets that from his father. Trust me, I understand", Aashmaan said and Sunaina joined in her laughter.

The feeling of a newfound connection with her mother-in-law made her happy and for the first time, she felt truly accepted, as if she had found another home within this family.

"But it's true that we don't know anything about you", Aashmaan said.

"Mom! This is my country but actually I'm from Nepal and...", Sunaina said and was about to say more but stopped herself.

Suddenly, Sunaina's smile vanished, her face turned blank as she froze in place. Her slight widened eyes stared past Aashmaan as she was unable to move or speak.

Noticing Sunaina's sudden changes of expression, Aashmaan frowned slightly as she followed Sunaina's gaze. Her expression changed instantly when she saw who was standing there.

CHASE Daniel Miller, Aashmaan's son-in-law.

With his arms crossed over his chest, he leaned casually against the doorway, his chestnut-brown eyes were sharp and unrelenting as they focused on them.

"Chasy baby," Aashmaan said and attempteda playful tone, though there was a nervous edge to her voice.

Chase's narrowed eyes flicked to his mother-in-law. With slow, deliberate steps, he moved closer until he stood right before Aashmaan. His gaze held hers firmly as he spoke.

"Aunt Aashi", Chase began as his tone was light but laced with sarcasm.

"You are still as clumsy as ever. Luckily, Uncle Neil did not overhear your sweet conversation with your daughter-in-law", Chase paused for effect as his voice was dropping slightly as he continued to speak, "Otherwise, we'd be dealing with a storm by now".

Sunaina rolled her eyes at Chase's words. Aashmaan, however, forced a smile and waved her hand dismissively.

"Oh, don't be dramatic, Chasy baby. Neil does not need to know everything. And besides, Sunaina is my daughter-in-law now. I will talk to her however I like", Aashmaan said and Chase raised an eyebrow and his lips were curving into a faint and unreadable smile as his eyes shifted to Sunaina.

"Is that so?", Chase said as his voice was calm but unsettlingly direct.

Aashmaan immediately reached up and cupped Chase's face with both hands and her expression had pure affection.

"Oh, my dear Chasy baby, You are always so sharp-tongued, but I know you are just worried about me", she cooed and brushed imaginary dust off his cheek.

Chase rolled his eyes, though a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

"Aunt Aashi, you are impossible", Chase muttered, but his stance relaxed slightly.

"Hush now", Aashmaan said, ignoring his words as she fussed over him. She adjusted the collar of his shirt, smoothed out invisible creases on his jacket, and patted his shoulders.

"Look at you, so handsome and proper. No wonder my daughter loves you and everyone admires you", Aashmaan said and Chase let out a long-suffering sigh, though his chestnut-brown eyes softened under her doting.

"You are spoiling me again, Aunt Aashi. I am not a kid anymore", Chase said but Aashmaan replied in a stern tone, "Nonsense! You will always be my Chasy baby, no matter how grown-up you think you are or our relationship is different from the past".

She pinched his cheek lightly, making him jerk back with a half-laugh, half-grumble.

Sunaina watched the scene in silent amazement as she felt the tension from earlier melting away.

It was strange and slightly amusing to see the sharp, commanding Chase Daniel Miller being coddled like a child.

Aashmaan turned to Sunaina with a proud smile and said, "See, Naina. This is how you keep men in our family in line- with love and care!".

Chase chuckled softly, shaking his head as a rare smile graced his lips.

"Only you, Aunt Aashi. Only you. Not even my daughter can pamper me like this", Chase said with a teasing glint in his eyes.

Before Aashmaan could respond, a deep voice interrupted from behind them.

"What's going on here?".

They all turned to see Neil standing in the doorway.

Neil's gaze, however, was sharp as it swept over the room, landing on Chase, Aashmaan and Sunaina.

"Oh, Neil! It's nothing serious. I just realized something fascinating that both my daughter-in-law and son-in-law are foreigners!", Aashmaan exclaimed and there was a playfulness in her voice as she quickly made her way to him.

Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she placed a comforting hand on his arm.

Neil raised an eyebrow while glancing at her with mild curiosity and a hint of lingering grumpiness.

"Foreigners?", Neil repeated while glancing coldly at Sunaina.

"Yes! Naina is not from here, and neither is Chase. Isn't it exciting how we've become such an international family?", Aashmaan nodded enthusiastically, her expression beaming.

Chase smirked while folding his arms as he leaned casually against the doorframe. "Guess we bring a little global flair to the Khanna family, don't we, Aunt Aashi?", Chase said and Sunaina chuckled softly at his words.

Neil's grumpiness returned as he gave Chase a pointed look. "Global flair, huh? Or trouble. I am not sure which one you are more skilled at bringing. One is a trouble maker and another one is trouble itself".

Sunaina, who did not greet Neil, suddenly spoke up, "Dad! Thanks for the understanding".

Chase bit his cheeks, stopped himself from bursting into loud laugh. However, Aashmaan laughed while patting Neil's shoulder as if to soothe him. "Oh, Neil, don't be so serious. This is a wonderful thing! It shows how open and welcoming our family is".

Neil huffed and his grumpy tone and rage for Sunaina returned as he crossed his arms while glaring at Aashmaan, "I told you to stay away from her. We know nothing about her, yet you're here acting all friendly with her".

He cast a pointed look at Sunaina and began to say again, "Love! Baby! Aashmaan".

But Aashmaan's face fell immediately and the cheerfulness evaporated from her expression. Her smile faded and her eyes showed a flash of hurt as she took a step closer to Neil and said, "Neil... I..."

Neil didn't let her finish. He cut her off and his tone was growing sharper, "No. This is not just about you. I don't trust her, and you shouldn't either. She is a stranger. Who forcefully got married to our son".

Sunaina stayed silent as She could feel the distrust in Neil's gaze, and she wasn't sure how to respond.

Aashmaan, though, took a deep breath and faced Neil with determination.

"You don't have to trust her yet. But she is a part of the family now, and she deserves the same respect we give everyone else", Aashmaan's voice was soft but firm and it trembled slightly as she spoke.

Neil scoffed while shaking his head in frustration.

"I am just saying, be careful. People like her... you don't know what they are capable of", Neil said and Aashmaan was about to say something but a familiar voice halted them.

"Dad".

Nilay only called Neil as he stood there calmly but there was a storm inside of him as he looked at Sunaina and then at his parents and brother-in-law.

On the other hand, Sunaina was still unsure of what to say or do as she simply lowered her gaze and felt like an outsider at this moment.

Aashmaan sensed the tension and gave Nilay an apologetic glance but said nothing further.

"Neil, please. Don't say things like that. You barely know her", Aashmaan spoke softly as she tried to make Neil understand.

His coldness and stubbornness against Sunaina could cause a rift between him and Nilay.

Nilay stepped closer to Sunaina. She looked up at him when he neared.

Nilay stood before her and his gaze softened as their eyes met. Sunaina could feel the storm inside him, but there was a quiet strength in his presence.

Aashmaan glanced at them both, sensing the unspoken connection between them. She could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on her, knowing that things were about to change.

"Let's go to eat breakfast", Aashmaan said as she grabbed Neil's hand and dragged him away while nodding at Chase whom followed them.

But Nilay didn't take his eyes off Sunaina. His expression was unreadable, yet she felt the pull of his gaze.

"Don't entangle yourself with my mother", Nilay said and his voice was cold as he turned away from her.

Sunaina stood frozen for a moment and her heart was pounding. She wanted to say something, to defend herself, but all she could do was whisper to herself, "Oh! But she is my mother too".

She felt a rush of emotions - hurt, frustration, and confusion, welling up inside her but she kept it all in as she was unable to speak in the face of his harsh words.

"I don't want to share her with anyone", Nilay said and at this point, Sunaina couldn't hold it in any longer.

Her frustration spilled out and she said grumpily, "You are the most jealous man I know".

Nilay's expression shifted instantly and his eyes darkened. For a moment, she saw a flicker of something she couldn't quite place.

"You know other men?", Nilay asked and his voice was low and almost challenging, as though daring her to answer. His tone was completely different from his usual self.

..

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