I hurried into the kitchen, where my lovely Maa was busy kneading dough.

Without a word, I gently took the bowl from her hands and began kneading it myself. I couldn't bear to see her working in the kitchen while I was around-this was the least I could do.

She sighed, watching my stubbornness with affection."Do you even remember what the doctor said?" she asked, her tone soft but firm.

Sometimes, silence is the best for you.

"Your body is still weak, beta. The doctor ordered you to rest completely. Too much work isn't good for you, and yet here you are!" she scolded me gently, her voice laced with concern.

"Maa, I'm fine now," I replied, a smile tugging at my lips.

"I've been following all the rest orders-you and the doctor made sure of that! Please, at least let me do this much. I'm getting bored," I pleaded, giving her my best puppy eyes.

She shook her head, a small smile creeping onto her face despite her disapproval.

The puppy eyes always worked.

I grinned, sensing my victory.

"By the way, where is my ladla?" she asked, turning to light the stove.

I giggled, remembering his antics from earlier.

"What?" she asked, laughing with me.

"What did he do now?"

"Maa, you won't believe what your ladla did today!" I began, recounting the story, and soon she was laughing too.

"Aww, my little bacha! He misses his chachu so much..." she said, her eyes twinkling.

"He's getting naughtier by the day," I said, shaking my head, though a fond smile betrayed my words.

"Don't you dare call my child naughty!" Maa replied with mock indignation.

"He's such a little cutie pie."

Ansh had everyone wrapped around his tiny finger.

"Yes, yes... like father, like son," I chuckled, but as soon as the words left my mouth, my smile faded.

The heaviness in my chest returned, and I swallowed hard, lowering my head as tears pricked at my eyes.

I focused on rolling the chapatis, biting my lip to keep from sobbing.Maa noticed the shift immediately.

Without a word, she wrapped me in her warm, comforting embrace, and that was all it took.

The dam broke, and I began to cry uncontrollably in her arms, my long-suppressed emotions flooding out in the form of hot tears.

"What did I do wrong, Maa?" I cried, my voice cracking.

"Why is God making me suffer so much? First, he took away my parents, and now, he's taken my husband too! Why, Maa? Why me?"

Maa didn't say anything. She just rubbed my back and kissed my head, silently sharing my grief.

I could feel her own tears soaking into my hair-after all, she had lost her son too.

She pulled back slightly, cupping my tear-streaked face in her hands.

"Bacha, you did nothing wrong. Some things are just out of our control. God has his reasons, even if we don't understand them."Her words did little to soothe the ache in my heart.

"But, Maa... what about Ansh?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

"Right now, he's too young to understand, but what about when he grows up? When he starts going to school and asks where his father is? What will I tell him? When all his friends come to the PTM with their moms and dads, and he only has me... what will I say?"

Maa's eyes filled with tears, but she shook her head.

"No, bacha. We're all in this together. We'll shower Ansh with so much love that he'll never feel the absence of his father."

I nodded through my sobs, my heart aching yet somehow lighter in her embrace.

"Now come on, wipe your tears, or my grandson will think I scolded you," Maa said, dabbing at my face with her saree's pallu.

I chuckled softly at her words, wiping her tears as well.

Author's POV:

Unknowing to them, Aryan had come downstairs with Ansh in his arms.

He had heard every word of their conversation, his heart heavy with emotion.

"Aree Aryan beta, when did you come?" Nivedita asked, noticing him first.

Ansh, upon seeing his grandma, squealed in delight. She smiled and took him from Aryan's arms, cuddling him close.

"Mumma, it's time for his milk. I brought him down," Aryan explained.

"Yes, Ankita, take him to the room. I've already washed his feeding bottle," Nivedita said, preparing to get back to the kitchen work.

Ankita's POV:

"Yes, Maa. I'll also put him to sleep early tonight. Tomorrow's his vaccination day, and it's going to be tough for him," I said, taking Ansh into my arms.

The mere thought of tomorrow made me anxious.

Ansh hated injections with a passion. He would squirm so much that it was nearly impossible for the doctors and nurses to hold him still.

His screams would echo through the clinic, making everyone cover their ears.

"Oh, right! It completely slipped my mind," Maa said, smacking her forehead lightly.

"But, beta, are you sure you can handle him alone at the hospital?" she asked, her worry evident.

"I'll be fine, Maa. I've managed before-"

But Aryan interrupted me.

"Mom, don't worry. I'll go with Ankita and Ansh tomorrow," he said firmly."

But Aryan, you have an important meeting at the office,"

I frowned, looking at him in disbelief. "What about that?"

He smiled reassuringly. "I've already taken the day off."

I gasped. "Why would you do that?"Aryan's expression softened.

"Ansh is getting his vaccination. How could I leave him alone in that situation? And besides, it's too much for you to handle by yourself."

I sighed, not wanting anyone to sacrifice their plans for me and Ansh. I had taken him to the hospital on my own before-it wasn't my first time.

"But, Aryan-"

"No more ifs or buts, Ankita. I'm coming with you tomorrow, and that's final," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Maa nodded in agreement, leaving me with no choice but to relent.

Later that evening, I sat in our room, trying to get Ansh to drink his milk from the feeder.

But my mischievous little boy was still in the mood to play. Every time I brought the bottle to his mouth, he giggled and clapped his hands, making it impossible to stay mad at him.

I gave him a stern look, widening my eyes as a warning. Instead, he giggled even louder, probably thinking my face looked funny.

"Shona, you've played enough. Come on, now. Drink your milk like a good boy, hmm? You're your mumma's good boy, right?"

I cooed, stroking his hair as I tried to push the feeder into his mouth again. But he continued with his antics.

Sighing, I took him into my arms.

"Why isn't my shona drinking his milk? Are you not hungry, baby?" I asked softly, rocking him gently.

He looked up at me with his big doe eyes, and with his tiny hands, he tugged at my saree's pallu, making little baby sounds.

I smiled, instantly knowing what he wanted.Due to constant feeding, my nipples had become sore, and the doctor had recommended using a bottle feeder at times.

But how could I deny my baby what he truly wanted?

"Do you know you're becoming naughtier every day? But I love my naughty boy," I said, kissing his forehead.

After placing him on the bed, I unhooked my blouse and bra, gently guiding him to my breast. His tiny mouth latched on immediately, and he began suckling hungrily.

"Slow down, shona. Mumma's not going anywhere," I whispered, as his little fist clenched the skin of my other breast.

"You were so hungry, yet you refused the feeder milk," I murmured, brushing the hair from his forehead.

As he continued nursing, his eyes fluttered shut. I let my hair down from its bun and lay beside him, wrapping us both in a warm blanket.

Feeding my child was the most beautiful feeling in the world-one that no mother could ever truly put into words.

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