First Wife, First Love.

26. New Morning.

I go towards her room and take a deep breath before knocking on her door. I hear the classical music turning down and a ghungroo sound as the footsteps come closer to the door. As the door opens, I hold the box tighter in my grip.

Sea-green eyes look at me with confusion in it and ask, "Yes?"

"I didn't give you the gift for Raksha Bandhan." I say.

"That's okay." She says as she backs away to let me in, in her room.

"No. Actually... I ordered it, and it took time to come. Here." I say and give the box.

"Well, thanks." She says and takes it from me.

"Open it. If you don't like it, I can ask for another piece." I say and she nods.

"Okay." She says and opens the box and gasps.

"What? What happened? Is it not to your liking? You didn't like it? I should have known before buying something as important as this. I should have asked you. I should have-" I ramble on and stop when she interrupts.

"It is perfect. It would go with my costume very well." Mayra says as she admires the head crown of the Bharatanatyam costume.

"It will?" I ask just to be sure.

"Yes. Thank you." She says and I see her eyes shining with tears.

"You're welcome. I have bought gifts for Ramya and Saira too. If you can just send them their gifts, it would be-" I say and she interrupts me.

"I will." She says with a smile.

I nod and start to leave, but then stop. I turn around and say, "I am your big brother, Mayra. I may never have made you feel like that, but I always felt like that. Whatever my reasons were to not look after my little sisters, I don't know whether that reason was right or wrong. But one thing that was wrong was the way I behaved with you all. You all loved and respected me, but I failed to do so in return. I am sorry for that."

"Please don't be. You never tried to be a brother, but you were also never a bad person. You were always there for me or Ramya, and even Saira, too. That is the reason why every year we make rakhi for you because we know, brother or not, you will always protect us and watch over us from far." Mayra says.

I go near her and take her hand in mine and say, "I can not say anything to Mom, but I have decided something for myself. I have always been guilty and ashamed of the way you were treated. I am sorry about that. And I want a chance to make up for it. I hope it is not late for me to be your brother, Mayra. Because having a sister like you would really make me happy. Do you know why?" I ask as tears run down her cheeks.

"Why?" She asks.

"Because you are just like Mom." I say and after a few seconds, she breaks down.

I take her in my arms, and she hugs me tightly and cries her heart out. I hold her and caress her head. I have always been divided between two people whom I loved and respected. And then there is the third person. I can't stay divided anymore. I don't have to anymore. I know it will not be easy. But love never is easy. So I will show what I feel for a person with no fear and would try my best to be there for them. All of them.

"I should leave you to your practice. But make sure not to overdo it. Practice is good, but overdoing it can cause harm to your muscles. Okay." I say after a few minutes, and Mayra nods as she wipes her tears.

"Okay. You can send the gifts to me. I will send them to Ramya and Saira." Mayra says.

"On second thought, I will do it." I say with a smile. After a pat on her head and I head out.

I breathe out when I am out of her room and see Dadu looking at me with a proud look in his eyes. Tears are shining in his eyes, too. He gives a pat on my back and, without another word, goes down.

After breakfast, I kiss my flustered wife goodbye. I was driving towards my office when I changed my mind and took another turn. I enter the Chopra estate and Mrs. Chopra smiles at me politely.

"Can I know the intention of this visit?" She asks cautiously.

"Just to give you this. Actually, it is for Saira. The Raksha Bandhan gift." I say.

"Okay." She says with a smile as the tension leaves her body and she takes the gift from me, "What is it?"

"It is a lab coat. I heard she is studying medicine. I hope that is okay. If you are going to buy one-" I say, but she interrupts me.

"That's nice, Vedant. She would love this gesture very much. When last year we told her everything she was shocked but she has been very accepting of everything. Especially when she came to know that she is not alone and has siblings. She would love to connect with you all if that is okay." She says.

"It would be perfect. Even I want that. Thanks." I say.

She nods and I leave after that. Saira is right now in America. She wants to become a doctor. She is the youngest of us all and is more mature than her age. On the other hand, Ramya is totally different. She is a force of nature. She comes and goes with her chatter. I smile as I think about how she irritated the hell out of Dadi the last time she was here. That was a long time ago when she was just ten. After that, Ms. Kaur moved abroad for a business partnership. I look at the last gift and move towards her event management company.

"It is nice to see you. Are you here with a business proposal? If you are, I am in." She says with a smile. Even though she looks strict and serious, Ms. Kaur has a kind nature.

"Unfortunately, no." I say with a chuckle, "Here."

"What is this?" She asks as she takes the gift from me

"Ramya's Raksha Bandhan gift. It is a coat which Dadu used to wear. She once complained about why only boys get their grandfather's legacy. Dadu gave it to me and I am giving it to her. It is his lucky coat which always made him calm during chaos and helped him make good decisions." I say.

"Then I need it more than her. But obviously she would go mad at me if I even touched it." She says with a chuckle.

"When would she be back?" I ask.

"Why? Missing her questions and comments?" She asks, and I chuckle.

"Actually, I kind of am." I say.

She looks at me with a serene smile and says, "You are changing, Vedant. It is good. I guess my daughter got a good sister-in-law."

"Thanks, I guess." I say, as I don't know what else to say.

"It is good to see you interacting with your sisters, but make sure to look after your Mom too." She says.

"I will, but I want to move on. The man who spoiled our life is long gone, but we are still trapped in the pain he gave us. I want Mom to move on too and accept everything. It would take time, but we have to start somewhere, right?" I ask.

"Right. It is time she moves on. I respect her and someday would like to take her for some Mom's day out." She says.

I chuckle, but I do really want my Mom to move on and live her life. Because when she would move on, she could finally be free of any pain.