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*******
POV AUTHOR
Tara barely managed to unlock the door before a loud, dramatic voice filled the apartment.
“Maaa!”
She had exactly two seconds to react before a small, angry figure came rushing toward her, his tiny arms crossed, his lower lip jutted out in a furious pout.
Vihaan, her little bundle of joy, her heartbeat, her entire world, stood in the middle of the living room, his tiny foot tapping impatiently against the wooden floor.
The sight of him-his ruffled curls, his oversized Marvel t-shirt, his round cheeks puffed up in irritation-was enough to wipe away every ounce of exhaustion she felt.
Tara couldn’t help but smile, warmth spreading through her chest.
Her baby. Her jaan. Her reason for living.
Now, you all must be confused. “Wait, Tara has a child?”
Not exactly.
Vihaan was her brother Manav’s son.
Five years ago, Manav and Tiya got married, and only months after their wedding, Vihaan was born. But the moment Tara held that tiny baby in her arms, something inside her changed forever.
The girl who had always been quiet, distant, lost in her own world-this little boy shattered every wall she had built around herself.
She had never been the type to express emotions openly. She didn’t cry easily. She didn’t laugh often. She had lived for years locked inside her own bubble, existing rather than truly living.
And then, one day, this tiny human came into her life and made himself at home in her heart.
At first, it was small things-he would stop crying the moment Tara picked him up. He would snuggle into her chest, sighing in contentment as if that was where he belonged.
And then, one day, he called her something that changed everything.
“Maa.”
It wasn’t Tiya he had called that. It wasn’t even Manav.
It was her. Tara.
That one word-spoken in his soft, baby voice-had sent her entire world spinning.
From that day on, there was no separating them. Vihaan clung to her like a shadow, and Tara? She never once tried to let go.
Now, you must be wondering-Did Manav and Tiya ever have a problem with this?
The answer is no.
In fact, they were the happiest about it.
Manav had always wanted Tara to come out of her shell, to open up, to truly live instead of just existing. And Vihaan had done what no one else could.
And Tiya? She was the one who made the final decision.
“Tara, Vihaan belongs with you,” she had said one day, watching the way her son clung to his bui (aunt) as if she was the only person in the world.
And from that day forward, Vihaan had stayed with Tara-his Maa.
******
Now, coming back to the present-
Tara carefully shut the door, bracing herself for the storm that was about to come.
Vihaan huffed, his little arms still crossed.
“Aap late aayi!” (You came late!) he accused, his big, expressive eyes glaring up at her.
Tara sighed, rubbing her temples.
“Baby, mujhe kaam tha,” (Baby, I had work.) she tried to explain, stepping forward to ruffle his hair.
But Vihaan was having none of it.
He stepped back, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
Vihaan folded his arms, his little face scrunched up in mock anger. “Yeah, aapke kaam ke chakkar mein aap phir se important cheez bhool gayi!” (Yeah, because of your work, you forgot something important again!)
Tara frowned. Kiya? (What)
Vihaan let out a dramatic gasp, placing a hand on his chest exactly like Aditya would whenever he was ‘offended.’
“Aap bhool gayi?!” (You forgot?!) he exclaimed, looking utterly betrayed.
Tara’s heart sank. Oh no. What did I forget?
She quickly thought back-was it his school event? Some special project?
Seeing her confusion, Vihaan stomped his tiny foot on the floor.
“Aaj humari date thi, Mumma!” (We had a date today, Mumma!)
Tara’s eyes widened. Oh.
She had completely forgotten.
She had promised Vihaan that today they would have a special night together-watch his favorite movies, eat ice cream, and stay up late just the two of them.
And now, she had broken her promise.
Tara knelt down, gently cupping Vihaan’s little face in her hands.
“Baby, I’m so, so sorry,” she whispered.
Vihaan pouted harder, turning his face away.
“Nahi, ab mujhe kuch nahi sunna!” (No, I don’t want to hear anything now!)
Tara bit her lip. God, he was so dramatic.
“Vihaan, Mumma ko maaf nahi karega?” (Vihaan, won’t you forgive Mumma?) she asked sweetly.
Vihaan huffed, looking away stubbornly.
“Mujhe maaf karna hai ya nahi, yeh depend karta hai aap kaunsi punishment logi.” (Whether I forgive you or not depends on what punishment you take.)
Tara blinked in surprise.
“Punishment?”
Vihaan nodded, his expression serious.
“Haan! Kal aap puri din sirf mere saath rahengi! No kaam, no hospital, no phone-bus main aur aap!” (Yes! Tomorrow, you’ll spend the whole day with me! No work, no hospital, no phone-just me and you!)
Tara smiled, pulling him into a warm hug.
“Done. Kal sirf main aur mera baby.” (Done. Tomorrow, just my baby and me)
Vihaan’s tiny arms wrapped around her tightly, his earlier anger melting away instantly.
“Promise?” he whispered.
Tara kissed his nose
“Promise, baby.”
Vihaan grinned, finally satisfied
Vihaan pouted, crossing his tiny arms. “Accha, ab mujhe bhook lagi hai!” (Okay, now I’m hungry!) he announced, his mood shifting in a second.
Tara chuckled, ruffling his hair. “Acha? Toh batao, meri jaan ko kya khana hai?” (Oh really? Then tell me, what does my jaan want to eat?)
Vihaan tapped his chin, pretending to be deep in thought. Then, with a dramatic gasp, he grinned. “Pasta!”
Tara shook her head in amusement. “Okay, done. Let me change, then we’ll start our cooking date.”
Vihaan clapped his hands excitedly, bouncing on his feet.
Tara smiled looking at him no matter how exhausting her day was, no matter how much stress she had-this little boy made everything worth it.
Her Vihaan. Her lifeline.
******
Tara changed into a comfortable T-shirt and sweatpants, letting out a tired yet content sigh as she stepped into the kitchen. The exhaustion from her long day still lingered, but the sight before her was enough to wash it all away.
Vihaan was already perched on the kitchen counter, his tiny legs swinging back and forth with excitement, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. The sheer joy on his face made her heart ache with affection.
Tara crossed her arms, leaning against the counter with a playful smirk. “So, Mr. Vihaan, are you all set for our grand cooking session?”
Vihaan gasped dramatically before hopping off the counter with a determined nod. “All set, Chef!”
Tara let out a laugh, shaking her head as she grabbed her apron. After tying it around her waist, she reached for the tiny one hanging beside it-the one she had specially bought for Vihaan.
She knelt down in front of him, wrapping the apron around his little frame and tying the strings at the back. As she did, Vihaan giggled, his tiny hands holding onto her shoulders for balance.
“Mumma, main chef lag raha hoon na?” (Mumma, do I look like a chef?)
Tara cupped his chubby cheeks, pressing a soft kiss to his nose.
“Ekdum perfect! Mere duniya ke sabse best chef!” (Absolutely perfect! The best chef in my world!)
Vihaan’s face lit up, his giggles filling the kitchen like the sweetest melody. His joy was so pure, so infectious, that Tara couldn’t help but smile wider.
This moment-just her and her little one, laughing together in their own little world-was all she ever needed.
******
The kitchen was alive with warmth-not just from the stove, but from the laughter echoing through the walls. Soft music played in the background, its rhythm guiding Tara and Vihaan as they swayed lightly while cooking.
Tara stirred the pasta sauce, humming along to the tune, while Vihaan stood on a stool beside her, his tiny hands carefully holding a butter knife as he tried to cut the mushrooms under her watchful eye.
“Careful, meri jaan,” (Careful, my love) she reminded gently, steadying his little hands with hers.
Vihaan gave her a confident nod. “Mumma, main expert hoon ab!” (Mumma, I’m an expert now!)
Tara chuckled. “Haan haan, bilkul MasterChef!” (Yes, yes, of course, MasterChef!)
With teamwork and endless giggles, they finally completed their masterpiece-creamy mushroom pasta, Vihaan’s absolute favorite. As Tara put the final touches on the dish, adding a sprinkle of cheese on top, Vihaan dashed off excitedly.
She watched with a fond smile as he ran around the dining area, setting up their ‘date night’ just the way he liked. He carefully placed the plates, arranged the napkins, and even put a small battery-operated candle in the center of the table-his proudest touch.
When Tara walked in with the bowl of pasta, Vihaan quickly rushed to her side and, like a true gentleman, pulled out a chair for her.
“Please have a seat, Miss Tara,” he said with a cheeky grin, his little chest puffed up with pride.
Tara’s heart melted instantly. She leaned down, pressing a loving kiss to his chubby cheek. “Thank you, Mr. Vihaan.”
Vihaan grinned, bowing dramatically. “My pleasure, miss!”
Tara burst into laughter. This had become their little tradition-whenever they had a special dinner, Vihaan would always pull out the chair for her like a true gentleman, and she adored every second of it.
No doubt, he was being raised with all the right values.
As they started eating, Vihaan launched into a nonstop chatter, his hands flailing animatedly as he recounted every little detail of his day.
Tara listened with rapt attention, reacting to every little thing he said, laughing at his adorable expressions and exaggerated storytelling. Moments like these made her forget every ounce of stress in her life.
Once they finished dinner, Tara gathered the plates and moved toward the dishwasher. As expected, Vihaan trailed right behind her, never wanting to leave her side.
“Mumma, kal hum ice cream aur pizza khayenge!” (Mumma, tomorrow we’ll have ice cream and pizza!)
Tara sighed. “No, jaan, ice cream doesn’t suit you.”
Vihaan gasped, his eyes widening as if she had just told him the worst news in the world. “Maa, please!”
And then it started-his famous dramatic act. He pouted, giving her his biggest puppy eyes, clutching her hand as if his life depended on it.
Tara groaned, shaking her head. “Fine, but only one scoop! And no tantrums at the shop, samjha?” (Understand?)
Vihaan immediately perked up, nodding eagerly. “Okay, pakka! Sirf ek scoop!” (Okay, promise! Only one scoop!)
“Promise?”
“Pinky promise!” He held out his tiny pinky, and Tara hooked hers around it with a soft smile.
But before he could celebrate his small victory, a yawn escaped his lips. His little hands rubbed at his sleepy eyes, and his energy-finally-started fading.
Tara bent down, scooping him up in her arms with ease. “Sleepy time now, mere baby. Chalo, let’s go to bed.”
Vihaan sighed contently, resting his face against the crook of her neck, his tiny arms wrapping tightly around her as if he never wanted to let go.
Within seconds, she felt his breath even out, his soft snores warming her skin.
By the time they reached his room, he was already fast asleep. Tara gently laid him down on the bed, carefully tucking the blanket around him. She leaned down, pressing a featherlight kiss to his forehead.
“Goodnight, meri jaan,” (Goodnight, my love) she whispered.
She stood there for a moment, just watching him-her baby, her world, her reason for living.
And with that, a soft, peaceful smile graced her lips as she turned off the lights, knowing that no matter how chaotic life got, as long as Vihaan was with her, she would always be okay.
*******
The sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow over the city as Tara and Vihaan stepped out of their apartment, dressed for their much-awaited “Mumma-Baby Date.” Vihaan, dressed in his favorite blue denim overalls and a white T-shirt, hopped excitedly beside her, his tiny hands holding hers tightly. Tara, in a comfortable floral dress, looked down at him, her heart swelling with love.
“Mumma, jaldi chalo! Bohot saari games khelni hain!” (Mumma, hurry up! We have so many games to play!) Vihaan chirped, pulling her towards the car.
Tara chuckled, ruffling his soft curls.”Arre arre, araam se! Main aa rahi hoon, itna mat daudo.” (Hey hey, slow down! I’m coming, don’t run so fast.)
Vihaan let out an excited cheer as Tara buckled him into the car seat before driving off towards their destination-Vihaan’s favorite game zone.
*****
As soon as they arrived, Vihaan practically jumped out of the car, his eyes shining with excitement. The game zone was a child’s paradise-rows of arcade machines, claw grabbers filled with stuffed toys, racing simulators, and a giant soft play area.
“Mumma! Pehle yeh wali game khelenge!” (Mumma! First, we’ll play this game!) Vihaan exclaimed, dragging her towards a basketball game.
Tara laughed as she picked up a small basketball, handing it to him. “Chalo, dekhte hain kaun jeetega!” (Let’s see who wins!)
For the next hour, they played one game after another-racing cars, shooting hoops, air hockey. Vihaan’s laughter echoed in the space, his joy so contagious that Tara found herself forgetting everything else.
Just as they were about to move towards the bowling alley, Tara’s phone rang.
“Vihaan, baby, ek second. Mumma ko ek zaroori call attend karni hai,” (Vihaan, baby, one second. Mumma has to attend an important call.) she said, kneeling down to his level. “Tum yahin khelo, kahin mat jaana, samjha?” (Play here only, don’t go anywhere, understood?)
Vihaan, still focused on the racing game, barely looked at her as he nodded. “Haan Mumma, main yahin hoon.” (Yes, Mumma, I’m right here.)
Satisfied, Tara stepped aside to take the call.
******
The call took barely five minutes, but as soon as she ended it, a strange uneasiness settled in her chest.
Something felt… wrong.
She turned back toward the game Vihaan was playing-only to find the spot empty.
Her heart stopped.
Panic gripped her as her eyes darted around the game zone. Vihaan? Where is he?
“Vihaan!” she called out, moving quickly through the arcade.
No response.
Fear clawed at her throat as she rushed towards the soft play area, the bowling alley, the ticket counter.
“Excuse me, did you see a small boy-curly hair, wearing denim overalls?” she asked the staff frantically.
They shook their heads.
“Vihaan!” she screamed louder this time, her voice laced with desperation.
Then-she saw him.
Standing a few feet away, holding a large teddy bear in his tiny hands, grinning up at a man.
Tara’s breath hitched.
“Vihaan!” Tara’s voice trembled as she shouted again, her panic rising.
At once, Vihaan turned around, his innocent face lighting up as he spotted her. Completely unaware of the fear in her eyes, he ran toward her with his usual excitement.
But the moment he reached her, Tara knelt down and grabbed his tiny shoulders, her heart still racing.
“I told you not to go anywhere! But you never listen to me!” she scolded, her voice firm yet shaky from relief.
Vihaan’s smile faltered, his lower lip jutting out in a small pout. “I’m sorry, Mumma…” he mumbled, looking down.
Tara exhaled a deep breath, trying to steady her pounding heart. Seeing him safe in front of her, unharmed, was all that mattered. She pulled him into a quick hug before cupping his cheeks gently.
“Don’t ever do this again, Vihaan. You scared me.”
The little boy blinked up at her before nodding quickly. “Promise!” he said earnestly. Then, as if remembering something important, his face brightened again. “But Mumma, look!”
He lifted a large teddy bear excitedly, his eyes twinkling with joy. “Woh machine mein yeh teddy tha, aur mujhe bohot pasand aaya! Phir yeh uncle ne game jeet ke mere liye nikal diya!” (There was this teddy in the machine, and I really liked it! Then this uncle won the game and got it for me!)
Tara barely heard his words.
Because the moment he said “uncle”, she finally turned to look at the man standing behind him-
And her entire world came to a halt.
Tara barely heard him.
Her ears were ringing.
Slowly, hesitantly, she forced herself to look up at the man.
And the moment her eyes met his-her heart stopped.
No. It can’t be.
A chill ran down her spine, a feeling so raw, so paralyzing, that for a moment, she couldn’t breathe.
Her vision blurred, her body swaying as a wave of dizziness crashed over her.
She tried to take a step forward, to say something, to pull Vihaan closer-
But before she could, the world around her darkened.
The last thing she saw before everything faded to black-
Was Vihaan’s panicked face as he ran toward her.
And the man’s haunting gaze, fixed solely on her.
*******
Who will be the person???
Hey, lovelies! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Don’t forget to hit that vote button and leave your thoughts in the comments. Till then byy see you soon ❤️
Thank you for your love and support!
Love from,
Miss Sharma ❤️
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