The Only String Attached

8

"How are you Bela"? he asked.

"I'm fine Vyom", she said wiping her tears.

He treats Bani and Bela as his own sisters. He is also in a shock after knowing about Bani. And Bela returned after two years . He is feeling sad for whatever happened with me. But as Bani said it's just fate.

"Bela I will again come here with Vish and Yuvi, we need to talk to you", he said.

"Ok..fine Vyom", she said.

He gave Bela a peck on her forehead and took her in another hug. He must be missing Bani .

"Mahir I came to meet you people, but now I have to go. I will come some other day buddy", he said taking me in a hug.

"It's ok Vyom, you can come whenever you are free", I said.

Vyom left as he was a little busy. He came from states after one whole year. Now he is also a busy business man like me.

It's been weeks since Vyom's visit. Mahira is now seven moths old. She started crawling on the floor like an expert now. I heard from my mom that girls are faster than boys during their growing stages. My baby is a fast learner. I and Bela were playing with Mahira while sitting on the floor.

"Mahira...say mumma ....mumma", said Bela.

"Mum..Mum..", Mahira blabbered while we both were giggling.

"Mahira..say dadaa....dadda", I said.

"Shooo..shooo", she said while looking at me for which Bela was laughing and Mahira too started laughing as if she understood everything.

"Ok..so you are making fun of dadda"? I asked tickling her. She was laughing while struggling in my arms.

"Mumma...mummaa", said Mahira and we both froze looking at each other.

"Mahira baby, what did you say? Say it again baby", Bela said while gulping her lump formed in her throat.

"Mum...mummaa...", said Mahira while looking at Bela. Bela took her in her arms and showered her with kisses.

I was feeling a bit odd when Mahira called Bela as mumma. It's Bani's right. Bani is her mother. How can  Bela be called as Mahira's mumma. Tears started pooling in my eyes. My Bani would be happy when she hears Mahira calling her mumma. Mahira is very comfortable with Bela. I removed all the traces and memories of Bani from this house. But I cannot remove her from me. Mahira should never get to know about Bani. I don't want to put up a messed up family photo of mine even in her dreams. Mahira should never know about Bani. It may spoil her relationship with Bela.

"Mumma..mum..", Mahira started ranting and I came out of my thoughts.

Bela was looking at me with happy tears but I stormed out from there to balcony. I literally started crying thinking about Bani. She was my world. My mom left me and then Bani too. I was feeling suffocated.

"Mahir", I heard Bela calling me. I turned around and looked at her.

"Mahir I know you are upset that Mahira called me mumma, but I'm married to you for that reason", she was explaining herself. I stopped her by showing my hand.

"It is Bani's right and you took that", I said coldly.

She was hurt. It was clearly seen on her face. Tears started pooling in her eyes but she did not let them fall.

"Anyways you married me for that reason, now you are her mumma, I can't change that bitter truth", saying that I stormed out from there.

BELA