Bitter Reality

Maa

Naina's POV

The one thought which scared the hell out me was how to behave in front of Kabir's parents! All the what ifs made their way into my mind and I don't know why but deep down I wanted Kabir's parents to adore me. Maybe I was just being impulsive and was constantly ignoring my rational side but whether I like to admit it loud out or not, I wanted them to like me.

Pushing all these what if's thought aside I checked the time and gasped! It is almost one and a half hour I have to go to my mom's room quickly...

When I was about to enter my mom's room I heard someone laughing. First I thought someone in the opposite room must have laughed but when I turned back the room was closed. When I look into my mother's room, the laughter died immediately. My mom and the aunty who was sitting on the stool near her bed looked at me making me squirm a bit. Something in that woman's eyes made me jittery. The excitement was clear in her eyes. I felt so awkward, as I pushed the door and entered the room, I could feel her eyes on me! She was noticing my every move.

"Naina beta meet Neena Malhotra she is Kabir's mom and Neena Bhabhi she is my daughter Naina," my mother said proudly.

Holy s**t! She is Kabir's mom. I took a minute and looked at her knowing she is Kabir's mom. She looked like she is in her early 50's but still looked beautiful. Honestly, She looked adorable and was already smiling at me. While she smiled, I couldn't help but notice the dimple on her right cheek her look so cute. She had straight hair and her saree was wrapped elegantly. She came close to me and instantly hugged me. Warmth flooded in my heart seeing her this gesture. I felt safe in her arms, It felt like I know her from ages. It pacified all of my tense nerves. "Why was I even nervous?" I thought as I felt relaxed in her arms.

Slowly, I draped my hands around her back and hugged her. I don't have any idea why I did that but as I said previously, all of this feels so damn right that now I don't want to hold back anymore and embrace all of it which is coming my way.

"Umm Namaste Aunty," I said hesitantly, not knowing what else should I do so I did what all typical Indian girls do when they meet their future in-laws, I touched her feet.

"Namastey beta you look too beautiful in reality. I am truly glad that I chose you for my son." She said again her eyes twinkling with happiness.

Her smile was contagious, her affection was infectious. The way she held me by my waist like I am her own daughter melted my heart then and there. I couldn't help but feel jealous of Kabir, he is a lucky man to have a mother like this. What she said next made me uncomfortable and my eyes widened.

"Bhabhi Ji if you don't mind can I talk to Naina alone for some time?" She asked holding me by my waist as if protecting me.

My mom instantly nodded and said," Of course you can. You have every right on her."

She took my hand the way a mother holds a daughter's hand to keep her safe from everything. It felt so good and so right. Damnit this feeling just never goes away!

We sat on the chair as we came in the garden which is there at the backside of the hospital. Previously I was feeling uncomfortable but now I felt comfortable and relaxed. After a few Minutes of silence, fortunately, she broke this awkward silence and said, "you don't have to be scared Naina beta. As a mother I wanted to talk to you".

"It is nothing like that Aunty. I am okay, " I said reassuring myself more than her.

"So beta you know that exactly after twenty days you will get married to my son and you both haven't even met... and now he is going to Singapore due to some work which means you will meet him on the day of your engagement. Naina I know this must so be hard for you to accept this sudden change in your life but just remember one thing beta I will be there for you no matter what will happen. You will be my daughter-in-law only in eyes of the world but you will be more like a daughter to me. I know this is hard for you but I am not that typical mother in law I am nothing the way I look. I promise you one thing you will never miss anything. Just come and take care of my son (who I have noticed has already fallen badly for you) that is all that I want from you Naina." She said keeping her hands on my shoulder and smiling at me Kindly.

Every single word she said was itself so comforting that instead of saying anything I just hugged her and she hugged me back as if she understood what I want to say to her...

"I will try my level best Aunty. Thank you so much for everything. Kabir is so lucky to have you Aunty". I said controlling my tears.

"It's okay beta I am with you from this very moment. If ever you want to share anything just call me and I will be there for you". She said hugging me again. "And Naina, don't call me Aunty from now on. Kabir calls me maa so just call me Maa. Okay?" She asked me.

"Okay Aunt I mean Maa. And thank you again. I think we should now go inside! " I added and she nodded. Soon we both come inside my mother's room and then I got to meet kabir's dad he is also the sweetest person I have ever met. He is too handsome, Kabir looks exactly like him. Now I know where he got his looks from!

I could notice the way he sees Neena Aunty, he loves her soo much. Soon they left and maa again hugged me and said," we all are waiting for you Naina come soon honey". I just smiled at her gesture.

Even the feeling of calling Kabir's mother Maa sounds foreign to me. I mean I never called my own mother maa or mummy. But still the way she looked at me. She is the kindest hearted woman I have ever met. Yes, I do want her to call maa.......