"You were right, Dev" Nandini smiled, staring at Neil & Myra, who were smiling looking at Neev. He was on his uncle's shoulders having a fun time.

"Why couldn't I find Myra first for Neil?"

Dev could not find words to reply back. But Nandini found her own answer.

"I was blinded with my own assumptions. But I am happy, then Myra proved me wrong."

"Nandini, let's pray for their bright future. They still have a long way to go. They have recently accepted each other as Neev's parents. But entrusting each other as life partners will take time. We need to give them some time." Dev wrapped his hand around her shoulder. But his heart was also filled with peace looking at his son.

"You are right."

"Mumma" Neev shrieked with a loud voice breaking their trance.

"This guy is such a Mumma's boy." Niren brought him down. He started tickling him, earning a loud laugh from the little boy.

"Dev, it's the first time we are hearing Neev's laughter." True to Nandini's words, they both had heard their grandson's ear piercing cries earlier which used to stab their hearts. "Isn't it melodious?"

"Yes, it is indeed." Happy tears welled up in Dev's eyes.

"Looks like my baby is sleepy." Myra raised hands for Neev.

"Mumma" Neev jumped in Myra's arms. He mewled in the crook of her neck. She took rounds patting his back singing his favourite lullaby.

Neil's eyes were moving towards them continuously, he could not hear but her soft mumblings spread calmness in his heart.

Dinner went well, by each passing minute, Myra was becoming comfortable around Neil's family. Her heart was warmed up with love and care showered over her by Dev and Nandini.

Nandini's welcoming smile along with complaisant behaviour with her plough a seed of belongingness towards this family.

'Should I call them my own family?' thought created its place in her heart.

Nobody realised when the clock struck 1:30 am. All were busy relishing old memories. Dev and Nandini narrated how the two got married 32 years back. It came as little surprise for Myra when she learned it was for the first time Neil and Niren were also first time listeners to their story.

"Yes, these two were always busy with their stuff like soccer, baseball and studies. Neil, left for Calgary for highschool. Thank god Niren was here" Nandini rolled her eyes.

"Mom, if you would not have done all that drama, I would have followed Neil's footsteps for sure." Niren sulked.

"Ohh dear Mom, you spoiled our brother's pact." Niren was supported by his elder brother.

Myra was enjoying their blunder sitting on the couch, Neev was sleeping over there. Earlier Nandini suggested making Neev comfortable in Neil's room upstairs but Myra hesitated due to new surroundings for Neev. She was instantly supported by her husband which raised eyebrows from rest.

"I always wanted a girl for myself, but what to do, these two goofy young men were in my destiny to trouble me." Nandini pouted, rolling her eyes.

"It's not late Mom. You still look like you are in your late thirties." Neil pressed his lips and continued with a wink, "What do you say Dad?"

Myra's eyes bulged out hearing her husband's teasing.

"Shut up Neil" Nandini rebuked.

"See, she has problems. I don't." Dev supported shrugging his shoulders.

"Ohh god, why did you stick me with these three crazy men?" Nandini held her head in her palm in frustration and once again the family room of Singhania house boomed with laughter.

Myra yawned between her laughter. Looking at her tired eyes, Neil looked at his apple watch, his eyes widened. "Shit it's almost 2 am."

He got up from his seat. "Come Myra, let's leave. Mom, Dad Bye. It's too late now."

"Neil, you had a few drinks, it's better you all stay here for night." Nandini suggested with thought. "It's almost 45 mins drive."

"No Mom, I am in control. It's ok. We will leave." Neil shook his head. He took steps to Neev, to pick him up in his arms. He tried to pick up his sleeping son.

Myra also got up from the couch to leave.

Neev started waking up as his father disturbed him, the little baby never liked any interruption from his beauty sleep.

"Can I take him?" Myra asked, looking at her baby started crying in sleep.

"Neil, listen to your mother. It's too late and Neev is also sleeping. Tomorrow is Sunday. Just stay here for the night." Dev came ahead.

"Dad, I have one lunch meeting with Nelson Group's directors. So, I have to leave now." Neil replied, still trying to control his son.

"Mumma... Mummaa" his son started crying in his sleep.

"Neil, give him to me." Myra patted his back, she could never see tears in her baby's eyes.

With dropped shoulders Neil passed Neev to Myra who clutched his mother's neck, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

The moment his son went into his mother's arms he stopped sobbing.

"You are working on Sunday? Come on Neil, it's a day to spend with family." Nandini huffed with annoyance.

"Mom, it's important." Neil pouted with hope to convince his mother.

"I don't believe you." Nandini shook her head. "With that said, you are not leaving anywhere. Stay here for the night. For lunch you can go for your meeting. Myra and Neev can stay here. I don't want them to spend their day alone. And we will also get more time to spend with them." Nandini was back with her dominating nature.

After a long convincing session Neil finally dropped his weapons in front of his parents and agreed to stay at Singhania house.

"Come Myra, I will show you Neil's room. This little guy can have a nice sleep there." Nandini said and Myra along with Neev followed her mother in law silently.

When both ladies came upstairs, Nandini showed Neil's room. She opened the room door to enter.

"Come. Come inside." Myra's eyes wandered around the room. It was painted with ash colour complemented with white and black colour furniture and accents.

She kept Neev on the king size bed in the middle. She covered him with a comforter.

"I will send night clothes for you. These will be uncomfortable for you at night." Nandini spoked after showing Myra room.

"Thank you." Myra felt touched with her gesture.

"THANK YOU my girl." Nandini kissed her forehead. She blinked her eyes to push back tears formed in her eyes. It was after a long time Nandini had seen her son being carefree and relishing family time with them. "Good night. Have nice sleep."

"Good night." Myra wished back. Her heart filled with abundant love showered over her by his mother. For the first time Myra could feel motherly warmth in Nandini.

Myra observed the room, it was similar to Neil's room from their house but the only difference was his pictures collaged on the accent wall. She took steps to see them clearly. It was all his pictures from birth till today.

One picture captured her attention; it was from Neil's teenage, that young boy with whom she had fell in love hopelessly for the first time.

Days she spent waiting for him in the music academy, or hoping to get one chance to have a short conversation with him were starting to pass in front of her eyes.

'I wished you would have come for the concert. I was waiting for you.' Thought formed tears in her eyes. She raised her hand to touch his pic.

"Myra, I hope this is ok with you." Neil asked from behind, breaking her trance.

She immediately took her hand back and wiped her tears before turning back to face him.

"What do you mean?" she could not match her eyes with his.

"I hope you are comfortable here. I couldn't say no to Mom, she has always been like this..." Neil tried to explain.

"It's perfectly fine Neil."

"I am in next room besides this. It's Niren's room. So if you need anything just knock on the door any time." He suggested.

"Yes, sure." Myra nodded in acceptance.

Both wished each other before Neil left the room.

He entered his brother's room without knocking. He slumped down on bed, throwing his suit jacket on another couch.

Door opened and Niren came inside. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Shut up Niren." Neil got up and went to his brother's closet to find night clothes for him.

"Don't you have manners to ask me before barging in my room?" Niren shouted on top of his voice.

Neil ignored and entered the washroom for change.

He came out and slumped down again on bed still scrolling on his phone for pictures recently shared to him by his brother. His fingers stopped when the screen displayed a picture of him, Myra and Neev.

'Our perfect family' His heart whispered, earning a small smile on his lips.

"By the way what are you doing here in my room?" Niren asked, looking at his brother who was not ready to move his butt.

"I am sleeping here." Neil replied casually.

"Tadaa. You have your own room. I don't want to get disturbed by your snores."

"I don't snore and..." Neil halted a bit. "Myra and Neev are sleeping there."

"So? One is your wife and the other one is your son." Niren was clueless. "You never shared your bedroom in this house with anyone, not even with me then..."

"Don't go there Niren. Let's sleep." Neil closed his eyes.

He himself did not understand why he felt so peaceful today. Yes, Neil was kind of possessive about his bedroom in this home. He was born in this house, from his young age it was his little place.

Even when he went to Calgary for high school, he did not allow anyone to occupy his room.

With Meera, she never stepped inside this house more than 2 times so there was no situation where she could enter his bedroom. Neil was aware about her unwillingness to gel up with his family, but he was trapped under the facade created by her.

But with Myra, his heart felt it right. He himself wanted her to stay in his room along with his precious possession. He had observed her over evening, she gelled with his parents, like she knew them from years. He could feel her respect towards them in her behaviour.

Though she was still reserved and hesitant, by each passing moment she was getting along with all of them. This feeling felt surreal to him. Smile appeared on his lips.

Niren stared at his brother's sleeping figure. 'Please god, give him one chance.'

New day came with new hopes and aspirations.

Myra came inside the dining area for breakfast along with her son.

"My baby will eat pancakes? Granny made it especially for you." Nandini kissed Neev's chubby cheeks.

"Ca ca" He clapped his hands.

"Pancakes are his favourites." Myra settled down on a chair between her and Nandini.

"Today, Granny will feed Neev." Saying Nandini took a very small piece of pancake to feed him.

"Mumma." Neev shook his head.

"Niren is right, he is turning Mumma's boy day by day." Nandini gasped.

"Just like his father." This time Dev commented, passing a quick glance at his son who took the first sip of his coffee.

Myra's eyes met with his annoyed ones. She raised his eyebrows and mouthed without voice, "what happened?"

"Coffee" he copied back to her without making any sound. He made a face like he would vomit anytime.

Myra pressed her lips, lowering her eyes. Unknowingly, her cheeks turned red when her heart realised her husband started depending on her for his little things. Their exchange was observed by two pairs of eyes.

"Neev, please, see Granny is feeding you. Be my good boy." Myra convinced Neev.

She saw Neev eating from Nandini. She got up from seat. "I will make coffee for myself. Does anybody need it?" She asked, passing a quick glance at Neil.

"Yes I need one more." Neil replied instantly. He felt good when she considered his request without even voicing it out.

Post breakfast Neil went to his house first to get his Mac and pendrive which he needed for the meeting whereas Myra stayed at Singhania house.

Myra along with the Singhania family were in the garden where Niren and Neev were playing with a ball. Dev also joined them. Whereas Myra and Nandini were sitting on a swing watching the three with smiles.

Myra's phone started ringing, flashing "Neil Calling."

She picked up.

"Myra, where is my navy blue Armani Suit? I am not able to find it" her husband did not bother to wish her. She could see her husband in a hurried mood on screen.

"It must be in the closet, I have kept it there only." Myra replied, from last few weeks she was the one who was taking care of her husband's belongings.

"Ok. Just slide down all your suits at the back. It is there."

Neil did as per her instruction. "You are such a genius Myra." He praised and cut the call.

In next 5 minutes again her phone flashed with "Neil Calling"

"Myra, do you know where I kept that pen drive which had a presentation. Yesterday, I thought I had brought it back to my room to keep it safe but I am not able to find it." again her husband was buried in his problems.

"Neil, it must be in your study. Remember, you got one call just before we were leaving, you went inside to study to check something. Maybe you can check there."

"Ok I will check there then." He cut the call saying bye to his wife.

Nandini observed Myra and her son's talk, she was amused to see her son getting dependent on Myra for every single small core.

'He was never like this. Not even with Meera. He could never rely on her. Their relation was obscure, apocryphal.' She shook her head. But turned again to Myra as her phone rang a third time flashing 'Neil Calling'.

"Myra, where is my car...?" he blurted out from the other side.

"Neil,I didn't know my son would be so disorganised one day. You can't find a single thing of your own without Myra? Go and find your own things, don't you dare to bother my daughter again." Nandini boasted with total dominance.

Myra was gaping at her mother in law with a wide open mouth and eyes. Earlier, Nandini had snatched the phone from her hand even before she could say 'hello.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Nandini closed Myra's wide open mouth.

Nandini could guess Myra's feelings. It was a perfect mixture of amusement and fervent feelings. 'She called me daughter.'

"Come on, you seriously need lessons on how to be bossy with your husband." Nandini tried to keep it casual though.

Neil's mention as her husband pushed Myra in her zone. Even today, she and Neil were just Neev's parents there was nothing between them as husband and wife. At Least they thought it was nothing.

She started biting her lower lip, gulping hard to find words. Nandini's experienced eyes did not miss the plethora of expressions flashed in a moment on Myra'a face.

"You both are great as Neev's parents." She turned to look at her grandson who was jumping and laughing loudly in the swimming pool along with his uncle.

"But along with that.. You both must remember that you are husband and wife as well."

Myra'a heart started running inside her ribcage with marathon speed.

"You must make him realise that you are his wife... not just a mother for his baby."

Myra stared at Nandini gaping like a fish. Her eyes filled with tears.

The hope that she had killed some time ago, now the same has started dwelling in her mind and heart. 'Is it possible for us?'

"Mumma come" Neev shouted waving his hand.

"Neev... he is calling." She stuttered but found a good excuse from Nandini's interrogation.

It was late afternoon, Neil returned back to his parents home. Myra and Neev were downstairs ready to leave for their home.

He came to his room to get Neev's essentials. He went inside the closet where Myra had kept Neev's diaper bag. He took it out and started moving out.

But at the doorstep he remembered his days in this room. His childhood, his teenage, days when he used to come over during his summer vacations.

Feeling nostalgic, he took a round of his own room, touching his things and remembering his old golden days. He came towards his study table. In the drawer, he saw some old photographs along with his school friends, some with university friends, his old note books, inshort, his favourite belongings which he kept there safe.

He started ruffling his own things when he found one CD. A bright smile flashed on his lips looking at his own handwriting on it.

'My nightingale'

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

Thanks for loving this story. Let me know how you found this chapter in the form of your votes and comments.

Please feel free to share this story in your message board as a suggestive read if you think that they will enjoy this roller coaster ride.

Love
AngelTweet