One month had passed since Sai's arrival at her grandmother's house.

Sai and Savi's bond grew stronger with each passing day.

Their daily meetings became a ritual.

Sai's eyes sparkled whenever Savi appeared.

"Aunty Savi!" she squealed, embracing her tightly.

Savi's heart swelled.

She felt a sense of purpose.

A mother's love rekindled.

Their adventures continued.

Chocolate treats and ice cream dates.

Laughter and stories shared.

Sai's tiny hands held Savi's.

A sense of belonging washed over her.

Savi saw her lost child in Sai.

Her heart healed.

The void left by her unborn child slowly filled.

Sai's innocence and affection.

Reminded Savi of what could have been.

But also gave her a second chance.

At motherhood.

At love.

...

Isha watched Savi and Sai's bond grow.

Concern creased her face.

"Savi's getting too attached," she thought.

"Sai has a family; Rajat, bhagyashree (her dadi) Tara (her bua)...a big family."

Isha feared Savi's heart would break.

Again.

She remembered Savi's lost child, Ishan.

The grief, the pain.

"Savi deserves love," Isha said to shantanu, "But not through Sai."

Sai's presence was temporary. Rajat would eventually take her back.

Savi's dreams of motherhood would shatter.

Isha decided to intervene.

For Savi's protection.

"Savi, we need to talk," Isha said gently.

Savi avoided Isha's gaze.

"I don't want to talk about it, Maa."

Isha's concern deepened.

"Savi, please understand..."

Savi's voice trembled.

"You want me to stay away from Sai."

Isha nodded gently.

"For your own good."

Savi's eyes welled up.

"I can't, Maa. Sai needs me. She needs a mother figure I know. Even though her family is so big but they can't give her the mother's love."

"And I need Sai. I can give sai what I could give to my unborn child. I can be her mother figure Maa."

Savi's voice cracked.

"She's the only one who makes me feel whole again."

Isha's expression softened.

Empathy and worry mingled. Isha knew in the hope that savi would remarry. Isha forget to see her broken mental health. She knew savi wasn't alright. But she kept quiet. Maybe some other day she could made her understand that there is difference between mother figure and being a mother.

.....

Bhagyashree admit little sai in the school where savi teaches as she knew savi would take care of.

It was the first day of sai and she was feeling timid and when she spotted her savi aunty, she come running and hug her till the level of her leg.

"Aunty, take me up!" Sai's voice trembled, her small body quivering.

Savi's heart melted as she lifted Sai into a warm hug. "Of course, baby girl!"

As she cradled Sai in her arms, Savi felt an overwhelming sense of maternal love.

"Aunty, I'm so afraid," Sai whispered, her voice muffled against Savi's shoulder.

Savi stroked Sai's soft hair, her voice soothing. "Don't worry, I'm here. You'll make lots of friends."

Sai pulled back, her eyes shining with tears. "But what if they don't like me?"

Savi smiled, wiping away Sai's tears. "Who wouldn't like this adorable face?"

Sai giggled, snuggling deeper into Savi's arms.

As they walked into the school, Savi felt a sense of pride and responsibility.

Bhagyashree, watching from afar, smiled. "Looks like Savi's already got a special place in Sai's heart."

"Let me take you to your class, Miss Cutie Sai," Savi said, smiling.

Sai's eyes sparkled. "Savi Aunty, aap bhi meri tarah yahan padhne aayi ho?" (Are you also here to study like me?)

Savi chuckled. "Naughty girl! I'm your teacher here."

Sai's face lit up. "Sachchi?" (Really?)

Savi nodded, leading Sai to her classroom.

As they entered, Savi said, "Class, I'd like you to meet our new student, Sai. Please make her feel welcome."

The students smiled and greeted Sai.

Savi introduced Sai to her classmates, emphasizing, "Be kind and friendly, everyone. Sai's new here."

Sai's eyes shone as she took her seat.

Rohan, a curious student, asked, "Sai, do you like drawing?"

Sai nodded enthusiastically. "Haan, main bahut achhi drawing karti hoon!" (Yes, I draw very well!)

Savi smiled. "I'm sure you do. Why don't you show us during art class?"

As the class began, Savi kept a watchful eye on Sai, ensuring her transition was smooth.

......

After the school get over, savi spotted sai near the main gate who was crying. She felt ache in her heart.

Savi knelt beside Sai, concern etched on her face. "Beta, why are you standing here and crying? Where is your dadi(grandmother)."

Sai's eyes welled up, her voice trembling. "Savi Aunty, Papa always lies."

Savi's heart ached as she gently held Sai's cheek. "Rote nahi hai, bachcha (Don't cry, child)."

Sai's tears flowed freely. "Papa promised me he'd come to pick me up."

Savi felt helpless, her own emotions surging. She pulled Sai into a warm hug. She didn't meet Mr. Thakkar till yet but she knew she hate that man for making her sai cry.

"Aap mere saath chalo ghar (Come home with me)," Savi coaxed.

But Sai shook her head, sobbing uncontrollably.

Savi tried every soothing trick, whispering gentle words, stroking Sai's hair.

Just then, Bhagyashree appeared, witnessing the poignant scene.

Bhagyashree's eyes misted, seeing Savi's maternal love for Sai.

"Savi beta, thank you for being there for Sai," Bhagyashree said, her voice choked.

Savi looked up, tears in her own eyes. "Savi's father didn't come, did he?"

Bhagyashree shook her head. "Rajat's stuck in a meeting. I'll talk to him."

Sai's sobs slowly subsided, exhausted.

Savi cradled Sai in her arms, standing up. "Let's go home, beta. We'll wait for your Papa together."

Bhagyashree smiled, grateful and thought, I could see a mother to sai in savi.

Savi's eyes met Bhagyashree's, filled with a deep connection.

.....

Bhagyashree gently coaxed Sai, "Beta, come with Dadi. Let's leave Savi Teacher alone. You are tiring her climbing on her."

But Sai clung to Savi, refusing to let go.

Savi chuckled, reassuring Bhagyashree, "It's no problem, Aunty. I can easily manage her. After all, she's like a daughter to me."

Sai's arms tightened around Savi's neck, and Savi smiled, her eyes shining with affection.

Bhagyashree's expression softened, witnessing their bond. "Okay, beta. Go with savi aunty at her house , I will come in an hour to take you."

As Savi carried Sai to her house, Isha Maa watched from the window, a mix of sadness and concern on her face.

"Why don't you understand, Savi?" Isha Maa whispered to herself. "You need to marry again, have a child of your own. This emptiness will consume you."

Savi entered her home, Sai still snuggled in her arms.

"Let's get you some milk, baby girl," Savi said, settling Sai onto the couch.

Sai's eyes sparkled, and she leaned into Savi's touch.

Isha Maa's gaze lingered, her heart heavy with longing for Savi's happiness.

.....

Savi poured milk into a cup, humming a gentle tune as Sai played nearby.

Isha Maa entered the kitchen, her expression serious. "Savi, you can't fill your emptiness with Sai."

Savi turned, confusion etched on her face. "Maa, what do you mean?"

Isha Maa's smile was tinged with sadness. "You're escaping, Savi. Your thoughts of adoption, your attachment to Sai... it's all a distraction."

Savi's eyes narrowed, defensive. "What are you trying to say, Maa?"

Isha Maa's voice softened. "You don't need a baby, beta. You need peace. Inner peace."

Savi's gaze dropped, her mind racing.

Isha Maa continued, "Marriage, children - it's not just about fulfilling societal expectations. It's about finding completeness within yourself."

Savi's thoughts swirled:

Was Maa right? Was she using Sai as a distraction?

Savi's eyes searched her mother's face, seeking answers. "Maa, what do you mean? I thought I was doing the right thing."

Isha Maa's expression softened. "Beta, I just want you to be happy. Truly happy."

Savi's thoughts swirled:

Was she genuinely ready for motherhood?

Or was it just a distraction from her pain?

....

Savi chimed in a babyish voice, "Milk is ready, Sai!"

Sai sat on the couch, eyes fixed on the milk, but before Savi could hand it over, a man in his early 30s entered.

"Sai!" he called out.

Sai's gaze shifted, and her face lit up. "Papa!"

She squirmed out of Savi's hold, abandoning the milk, and ran into Rajat's open arms.

"I'm angry, Papa!" Sai exclaimed, her tiny fists clenched.

Rajat scooped up Sai, apologizing to Savi, "Sorry about today. Thanks for taking care of her."

Savi handed over Sai's school bag, her smile masking the pang in her heart.

As Rajat turned to leave, Savi felt:

Ache of being incomplete.
Longing to be a mother.
Pain of witnessing Sai's perfect family.

Savi stood frozen, milk still in her hand, as the door closed behind Rajat and Sai.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. She was there with sai when Mr Thakkar didnt come still sai didnt take a minute to go to her father. Wasn't she giving the love to sai that she didn't care for her savi aunty.

Isha Maa's words echoed in her mind:

"You don't need a baby, beta. You need peace."

Isha Maa's gentle voice cut through Savi's thoughts. "Savi, Sai is not your daughter. She's Thakkar's daughter. You'll always be a teacher to her. Don't get so attached."

Savi's eyes dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why are you saying this, Maa? It's just Sai went with her father. That's it."

Isha Maa's expression softened. "Beta, I know you. You're already in deep pain. I don't want to see you hurt."

Savi forced a smile, avoiding her mother's gaze. "I'm fine, Maa. Really."

But Isha Maa's words struck a chord:

"Sai is not your daughter."

The truth stung, and Savi's eyes welled up.

Savi's facade crumbled, and she pulled away from her mother's touch. "You don't understand, Maa. I can take care of Sai. I can be her mother figure."

Isha Maa's expression turned stern. "Savi, that's exactly what I'm afraid of. You're replacing your own desires with Sai's needs. It's not healthy."

Savi's voice rose. "You're always saying I should move on, find someone else. But what if this is my purpose? Being there for Sai?"

Isha Maa's voice softened. "Beta, being a mother figure isn't the same as being a mother. Don't confuse your roles."

Savi's eyes flashed. "You don't get it, Maa. You never have."

The tension between them was palpable.

Savi's thoughts swirled as she stormed out of the room:

Why can't Maa understand?

I'm doing this for Sai, for myself.

I need this.

But doubts crept in:

Am I truly ready for motherhood?

Or am I running from my past?

Savi's inner turmoil intensified:

She recalled her own childhood, her parents' love and support.

Her desire for a family grew stronger.

But fear lingered:

What if I fail?

What if I'm not enough?

Savi pasted on a bright smile, erasing her emotional turmoil. "Maa, don't worry about me. I'm fine."

Isha Maa's eyes narrowed, seeing through Savi's facade. But she remained silent, her expression a gentle mask.

Savi continued, overcompensating with enthusiasm. "I'll go start dinner. Your favorite dish, Maa."

Isha Maa nodded, her gaze never leaving Savi's face. "Okay, beta."

The air was thick with unspoken emotions.

Savi busied herself in the kitchen, pretending normalcy.

Isha Maa sat nearby, watching her daughter's performance.

.....

Vote and give long comment.

What do you think about savi mental health and her attachment towards sai??