Meera kept on staring at broken pieces of mirror. With red shot furious eyes, dishevelled hair, panting chest, she was giving a perfect competition to any witch.

Meera Ashok Sehgal, first born to Ashok and Shivani, twin sister of Myra, had understood the way how this cruel world works. When she was a kid, looking at her father she understood that one needs to be selfish, cruel, cunning to live life with happiness.

Her father's devious, thievish, vile genes overpowered her mother's calm, sensible, honest and ethical ones.

Post her parents divorced, one part of her heart craved for her mother's love but her mind and her needs conquered her decision making power. She saw her little sister slipping into depression in their mother's absence which led the court to revert their decision and pass on her custody to their mother.

During the second trial, the family court had given 10 year old Meera a choice to choose between their parents but she decided to stay with her father. She prioritised her father's wealth, luxurious and hassle free life over her mother's pure love.

Over the years, her mother tried to contact her even after staying miles away, but she was drowned in the fake lavish lifestyle provided by her father. In the initial days when she visited her mother over summer vacations, her mother and grand-mother used to spend maximum time with her. The time which annoyed her over the years, due to their limited resources to fulfil her unending demands.

It did not take much time for her mother to anticipate her elder daughter's expectations from life. She was turning into a selfish, manipulative, self centric girl as every year passed. Her mother tried her best to make her understand the true meaning of life.

Over the years, Meera started hating her mother who always tried to bring her on the correct path. She badmouthed and insulted her mother, comparing their lifestyle with what her father was providing her. She even instigated Myra to rebel against a mediocre lifestyle, but Myra was a perfect mother's daughter who did not come under her elder sister's influence which annoyed Meera the most.

Meera could not take rejection from Myra, she took it as her insult. She started humiliating Myra in every possible moment of life.

Over the years, Myra became a prey of Meera to dump all her frustrations and resentments. Her behaviour resulted in distance between twins.

Myra on her part ignored her sister's harsh behaviour to concentrate on her studies, her life was filled with unconditional love of her mother and grand-mother.

Myra's negligence always pissed off Meera to her extreme.

After a few years, Meera refused to visit her mother by passing lame excuses. Her father, Ashok took it as his victory over his wife's revolts. To sustain his ego, he gave ultimate freedom to his daughter which led her to consider him as her role model. She started spending maximum time with her father. 

Ashok Sehgal never believed in relations but in his self gain. Abundant wealth, toxic societal culture, abusive and alcoholic friend circle, her father's womaniser nature became a way of life for Meera when she was growing up.

When she had received news about her mother's critical condition from her grand-mother, she ignored it as she was busy with her friends on Maldives holidays. She could not even see her mother's face for the last time and she never regretted it.

She started her modelling career when she was in her early teens. She was a beautiful girl with captivating and sexy features. She used her own self to grab a few modelling assignments, Divya, her father's third wife became her advisor, mentor, friend, philosopher.

Modelling assignments, drugs, alcohol, random sex, and parties became her way of life. She was in Paris, when she met Ryan Martin, a billionaire businessman from the European continent. He inherited his father's legacy.

His charm, his wealth attracted Meera towards him in addition to his way of life which was exactly matching with hers. Their one night stand turned into a casual 'give and take' relationship.

On one night, Police raided as the tip received about rave party in the outskirts of city. Meera was as usual high on the drugs and was immediately handcuffed. She contacted Ryan for her release who came for her rescue with an offer.

An offer to destroy Neil Singhania.

Martins were trying their hard to build their empire on North American land, but their every plan was jeopardised by Singhania's best player. Neil Singhania was focused, intelligent, hardworking, proving himself as the toughest competitor.

Neil took it as a competitiveness on the business front with Martins, but Ryan turned obsessive for his win over Neil.

Ryan had tried all his ways to distract Neil but all his planning and plottings had no effect on him. With Meera he wanted to try his luck to fulfil his long lasting dream to destroy Neil Singhania.

It was Ashok Sehgal, Martin's North American counterpart, who proposed a deal in front of Martins using his own daughter as mole in their enemy's battalion.

Meera was aware about Singhania's, so she instantly accepted an offer in return for her release.

Ryan and Ashok, using their own sources, cleared all Meera's old records and created her entire new profile, they both knew Singhania's would not appreciate Meera's brash, reckless and grimy past.

They groomed Meera in such a way that when Nandini's eyes fell on her she desired to bring her in Neil's life.

Ryan was sceptical about Neil's acceptance knowing him in and out. He was amazed when Neil fell for Meera hopelessly.

Post marriage, Meera made sure to create a distance between Neil and the rest of the other Singhania's. It was her and Ryan's plan to cut him off from his family, breaking his self confidence, destroying him on business front and leading him in deep depression.

But Neil was too strong for their attempts.

With the help of Meera, Ryan started striking him down on the professional level, Meera used to pass confidential information to him which helped him to win over a few deals. But even then Neil never lost his self- temper, in fact he started working harder than earlier.

Every day Meera used different methods to insult Neil. Accepting vulgar modelling assignments or insulting his parents, or restricting his own brother to enter inside their penthouse or carelessly spending millions of dollars on useless things were usually top of her list. She had thought these things would trigger his temper but Neil was trusting her blindly, he took all her misbehaviour as her childish immature nature.

His calm, sensitive and responsible way to handle every situation started inflaming Meera's anger to its peak. Their expectations to humiliate Neil in society was failing on every step.

One fine day, she realised about her pregnancy, without consulting with any one she went to hospital for abortion but Neil got to know about it as he was on the board of directors panel for hospital. He felt betrayed but when he questioned Meera, as usual she convinced him with her fake tears and he ended up falling in her trap.

When Ryan and Ashok got to know, they decided to use it in their favour. She threatened both of them to confess all their deeds to Neil. They both needed to sidelined her, she has started becoming a risky investment for them.

Both convinced Meera to keep her baby and assured her that they would be taking her out of this unwanted martial relationship soon. She tried every possible way which led to miscarriage but destiny always had a different plan where Meera was just a pawn.

When she was in her seventh month, it was intolerable for her. She bribed the doctor of the hospital who convinced Neil and family about premature delivery for Meera's safety.

Ryan and Ashok had planned everything, the day Meera delivered the baby immediately the next day arrangements were made to send her back to London. She did not even look once towards her baby which was born a few hours ago. Baby was crying, his sobs could not melt her heartless soul. She stepped out to see Ryan in the corridor which took her to a new journey which she had never imagined in her wildest of dreams.

And Today... a week back she saw Neil again after almost a year and two months. He was pushing a stroller while roaming around in the mall. She guessed the baby inside the stroller must be her baby whom she had left just a few hours after his birth. She was a mother who did not even know the gender of her own flesh.

'Ohh, so it was a boy?' thought crossed her mind when she was following the duo.

She followed them, there was one girl with them, and the moment she saw that girl's face it took floor beneath her feet. It was her own sister... twin sister Myra.

Her sister whom she hated the most in this world. Before their parents separation, when they both started schooling, her sister was everyone's favourite. Her down to earth, studious, obedient  nature made her everyone's preferred choice.

It amazed her to see her ex-husband along with her sister. It was her who had introduced both of them on one of dinner nights. Meera's goal was to insult her sister in front of Neil showcasing her lousy lifestyle in front of her own affluent one. But when Neil contradicted and took side of Myra, she sealed her mouth.

And that day, she saw Neil buying an expensive necklace for her.  She could not sleep that night, she tried to gather information about Neil after almost a year. Neil hated any social attention or paparazzi which was the reason she could not find a single detail about him.

Finally, after long efforts she could find Divya's number.

"He got married to Myra. And it looks like your ex-husband is very fond of his new wife." Divya spat from the other side.

"What do you mean?"

"Neil played his cards in such a way that your father was thrown out of his own company." it came as a news to Meera, her father had cut all his contacts with her after her departure.

Divya gave her details about the events that happened during her absence over a call .

"No... No... He can't do this with me.'' She pulled her hair.

She observed her own shoddy surroundings. She was living in a 12x12 rented apartment house, working in a small coffee joint and dancing at strip clubs for nights to earn livelihood.

She was living like a queen once upon a time in a lavish penthouse and today with her own hands she ruined her life to the fullest.

When she returned back to London, for a few months Ryan kept her with him but later when he found new attraction he threw her out of his life.

'What if I had not listened to Ryan?'

'What if I had accepted my marriage with Neil?'

'He had charm, wealth, status, freedom. He was trusting me blindly, he was in love with me hopelessly. He was ready to do anything for me.'

'Why did I put on a blindfold?'

She cursed herself.

'And Myra, that cheap, awful, trash is thinking of taking my place.'

'No way, she does not deserve this lifestyle, this richness. She can't even become a nanny for my baby. Neil, you married her. How could you Neil?'

"No... No way... I will not let this happen to me. I have to remind you, Neil, about us. I have to get back my each and everything from that vile girl... my status... my home... my wealth... everything."

Meera started pacing in her room, thinking about possible ways to re-enter in Neil's life.

Here thousands of miles away, Myra was waiting for Neil to come back home, he had messaged her earlier about his departure from office. She was reading a book where as her son was sitting on the floor, he was tapping his fingers on his piano toy making a loud noise.

She felt an arm encircling her from back around her neck in gentle touch. She turned to see her husband with a bright smile.

"Hey"

"Neil"

"This is for you." He forwarded another hand which was holding a bouquet of white lilies.

"Me" she stood up with an exclamation. "These are beautiful." She took it. "Thanks."

"Not more than you." His eyes were not leaving her face even for a moment.

She lowered her head to hide her blush.

He took a step, holding her chin to raise her face. He bent to kiss her on her cheeks.

"Neev is here" she kept a palm on his chest trying to create a distance. She gave a quick glance at her son who was busy.

She could not match her eyes with his intense ones.

"I don't care." saying he kept his lips over her cheeks.

'Thankfully he is busy else he would have run behind with his bat.' He stared at his son in corner eyes.

Since his son was busy with his toy, he took it as an opportunity to romance with his wife.

"Looking gorgeous as usual." he rubbed his nose over her cheeks.

"Neil, stop it." She felt ticklish. She giggled which grabbed her son's attention.

"Dadda," he shouted. That moment, Neev's eyes fell on his father who was trying his hands on his mother.

"Your son has perfect timing." Neil mumbled in her ears rolling his eyes.

"Dadda, pio come." He wanted to show his new toy to his father.

"I will get your coffee." Myra turned to the kitchen laughingly.

Neil went to his son after making faces. He settled on floor taking his son in his lap/

After a while, the trio left for Singhania house as Nandini wanted to meet them after their trip to London. Neil and Myra had decided to spend a weekend at Singhania house.

Over their frequent meets and visits to Singhania House, Myra's bonding with Nandini had gone to the next level. Family has a real gala time over the dinner table.

Neil and Niren were teasing Myra and Neev over their unmatched bonding. Neev's hyper possessiveness for his mother became a topic of discussion.

"Yes, he did not even allow me to take a single couple picture. Can you believe it?" Neil's statement resulted in one more round of laughter inside Singhania'a family room.

"He loved to take pictures." Myra took her son's side as usual.

"No... love to ruin our pictures." Neil was still annoyed.

"Without him it's not a family picture." Myra muttered, twitching her nose.

"I am talking about a couple pictures of my dear wife." Neil raised his eyebrows.

"What you don't have a single couple picture til today." Niren exclaimed at the same time.

"Thanks to the over possessiveness of our son, right Myra?" Neil pressed his lips tightly.

"Stop it now. Don't you two dare to tease my daughter any more." Nandini scolded, widening her eyes. She was having a tough time suppressing her laughter over Myra's flushed face when Neil was narrating about his son's adventures.

Dev was laughing his heart out. His heart was at peace looking at his elder son, his one decision, one forceful decision brought his son out of the darkness.

"But seriously Neil, you are alone fighting a battle against the mother and son duo. You should have someone in your team." This time it was Dev, who joined the teasing session.

"Yes I totally agree with Dad. Why don't you try for little Myra? That little angel will be in your team." Niren blurted out without even thinking.

There was pindrop silence except Niren's laughing sound. Even Dev and Nandini were aware about the truth of Neil and Myra's marriage. Their second son had broached the most sensitive topic unknowingly.

"Shit" Niren realised the blunder. Nandini widened her eyes asking her younger son to shut up.

"I... I will take Neev to my room. It's almost 12, he must be sleepy." Myra got up from her seat. She picked up Neev and left, not meeting her eyes with anyone.

Dev and Nandini also left, giving an excuse of late night.

"I am sorry." Niren apologised to his brother.

"To bring little Myra into this world, you have to take care of my son." Neil spoke seriously.

"What?" Niren could not understand.

"Your nephew will not even allow me to touch my wife." He chucked, shaking his head sulkingly.

"Ohh.... ok... wait! What? ... What did you say?" Niren was awestruck.

"You heard what I said."

"You mean, you consummate your marriage with Myra? I had advised you to take this London trip as a new beginning but you took it as your honeymoon." Niren was awestruck with his brother's sudden unexpected confession.

"No Niren, it's nothing like that. We are just taking baby steps towards each other. It's still a long way to go for us. Us... A violinist and his nightingale." Neil fell in the memory line.

"What do you mean?"

Neil explained to him the destiny's game.

"Are you... are you sure?"

"Yes"

"Neil, then this is planned by destiny. You two are soulmates." words were out from Niren even before his realisation.

"Yes, that's what I think. I am accepting this pull I feel for her. I won't call it love but maybe this is an attraction... I want to know more about my own feelings but this is something which I am taking as step -1 in our bonding.I have accepted this marriage but I want to take it slow. I don't want to disturb my and Myra's bonding in any hurried steps." Neil confessed genuinely.

"She loved me all these years. She waited for me. I respect her, and taking our relationship to the next level when I still have some insecurities in my mind... will be disrespecting her love for me. I just want to go with the flow, eventually I will fall for her... I know she is my destination. But till that time I want to build a strong relationship with her based on trust and respect which can stay strong to face any future storm"

Niren kept on looking at his brother. His mind was thanking Myra for thousands of times.

'You have already fallen for her Neil' Niren thought looking at his brother's face which was shining under the night lamp's light.

Both brothers called off for the day and started towards their room. Niren halted in his place for a moment when Niel opened the door of his room.

'He never stayed in his room when Myra was here, but today... I am happy for them.' He kept on staring at his brother's back before turning to his room's door.

Neil entered to see his son was sleeping on his bed covered with a blanket. He moved towards his sleeping figure. He sat on his side while tapping on his son's head lovingly.

Myra came out of the washroom changing herself into a night dress.

"Neil?" It was a surprise for her to see Neil in their room, over their stay in this house, Neil always slept in his brother's room. But today, he was sprawled on her bed.

"I just change and come." He got up and moved towards the dressing area.

Myra kept on staring at his back with a blank mind. 'He must be here just for a change. After that he will go to Niren's room for the night.' She gave a conclusion to her confused mind.

She settled down on bed beside her son caressing his hairs. She kissed his forehead. She kept on tapping on his chest gently, not moving her eyes from his peaceful face. This had become her favourite hobby over the months.

She felt someone sliding down beside her, so she turned to see her husband.

"I hope. You won't mind." he asked, slightly pushing her to his son's side and making a place for him to sleep.

She gaped like a fish not able to find any words to reply back. She stared at her husband for a moment and then again turned to her son with a mind filled with thoughts running in all different directions.

"He is sleeping but still tapping him to make him sleep." She heard his mutterings. "Make the one who is already awake." 

She turned her face, Neil just shrugged his shoulders.

"Sleep, Neev will wake up." she shook her head turning back to her son.

"Do you think I am scared of your son?" He turned her to his side holding her arm.

"Maybe." Myra shrugged her shoulders teasingly.

"If he is your son, I am your husband. Don't you dare to forget that." He slightly hovered over her. He shifted her hair strand behind her ear.

"You are my life, how can I forget you?" Myra blurted out without a thought.

"And you are my destiny" he kissed her forehead before pulling her in his embrace.

Myra buried herself in his embrace, he kept on speaking some soothing words which were reciprocated by his wife in either nod or light giggle. Both did not realise when they slipped in deep slumber.

Neil felt a weight on his chest when he opened his eyes, his wife was sleeping clutching him. Her head was in the crook of his neck, her right hand was on his chest clutching his t-shirt in her fist. Few hair strand were disturbing his view, so he moved them back. He could see a small smile gracing her lips when his finger touched her cheeks. He could not control but kissed her cheeks which led her mewled like a kitten in his embrace.

He stretched his hand to take a phone from the night stand. He opened the camera and took a selfie... their first couple picture.

He did not know how much time passed, his eyes were not moving away from her calm, serene face.  He took a number of selfies with her. But when he felt her blinking her eyes. He closed his eye acting as sleeping in deep slumber.

Myra opened her eyes, to find herself engulfed in his embrace. Her heart was filled with peace. Peace which she could see on his face after fighting with a storm.

"I love you Neil." she confessed for the first time ever thinking of him sleeping peacefully. The wish she had felt would never accomplish to confess about her love for him was fulfilled today. She raised herself brushing her lips over his forehead. "I always loved you. I will always love you. Forever and ever and ever."

She detangled herself after a few moments making sure not to disturb his sleep and left for the washroom.

That same moment he opened his eyes, eyes filled with tears of joy, peace, overwhelmness.

Her words kept on ringing in his ears. His hands automatically moved to the night stand to get his mobile. He opened the picture gallery to see recent pictures of them. He took out the best one and forwarded it to his wife accompanied with text.

'Our first picture towards us forever and ever and ever.'

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

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