I had successfully gotten rid of Kaashvi's nagging. I filed a restraining order against Thane so that he would stop bothering me. Today was the day I had to make a deal.
" Greetings Ms. Riley."
I had the same cold demeanor I had with everyone.
Before the meeting could come to an end I suddenly felt nauseous, Kaashvi suggested that I get checked by a doctor. After a while, I went for a checkup.
Doctor Susan," congratulations Ms. Riley, you are pregnant with twins."
My eyes grew wide as I looked at the doctor like she had spoken a foreign language , surprise written all over my face I'm sure . This sudden news was unexpected., and definitely unplanned. Getting fucked raw was horrid enough now I have his fuckin seed in me, not even a seed anymore cause it's growing. I'm having a baby, I'm unmarried for fuck sake I don't even have a boyfriend.
Mahira," what do you mean I am pregnant, this can't be, I… I"
Doctor Susan," it's true, not only with one kid but two, lucky you."
Well seeing as that sperm donor is the father I guess it's best he knows he's going to be a father right. Will he accept them or back out since he got what he wanted. I decided to go to the Carson mansion after so long. The drive to the Carson mansion was a bit long but it gave me time to think.
I wasn't ready to be a mother but 16 year old me would be happy to have his baby. I'm happy I really am but I'm not 16 anymore. My car pulled up at the Carson gate as we awaited authorization to get inside. After 2 minutes the gates opened and we drove in the mansion.
As I stood at the door and rang the bell ,a maid let me in. She looked 18 or something, she was pretty. Well there wasn't this much competition in Africa at least you could feel beautiful cause everyone was abnormal but here. Fuck. Memories of the past came flooding. I walked to the dining room but a pillar hid me so whoever was in the living room couldn't see me. I was about to walk right in but stopped on my track's when I heard Thane speak.
" Grandmother, after I reconcile with Mahira, I will go and join the army."
Alf," okay son, as long as Mahira is our daughter in law you can follow your dreams."
Elena," I thought you dropped that idea of joining the army brother but you still want to join the army."
Sofia," If Mahira find's out that you are going to join the army, how do you think she will feel."
Thane," I really don't care, after I marry her, I will go to the army."
I felt my heart breaking into pieces. It was beating so loud I could hear it pumping in my ears. I clapped my hands as I walked into the dining room.
" Wow! What a great idea, really it's a fantastic idea. Let me guess you planned to trap me."
Elena was delighted to see me. I was delighted too. I wanted to hug her my beautiful baby girl. I haven't seen her in years and she's grown up so much. She still had the necklace I gave her and her dusty brownish blonde hair was longer. She would surely grow up to be a beautiful angel.
" Fairy, is this really you?"
She ran and hugged me but I was pushed her away without any hesitation. She was my weakness for sure and if she asked me to stay I would so right now I didn't need anything weakening me. Especially after what Thane did. It's always same story. He uses me for his disposal whenever he wants, it's always the same story. It'll never change.
" Thane , you are going to join the army."
Jordan," aunt , brother always wanted to join the army ,two years ago when you left, grandmother told Thane that if he could fix things with you then he could go and join the army."
I had tear's in my eyes. I couldn't stop them in time. No matter how hard I worked to build the new me, truth is she's always be weak to one man. No matter how much I tried shutting down whatever factory of feelings I had for him, he just kept coming back, hurting me each chance he got and I let him all the fuckin time.
" Thane is this true, the only reason why you pursued me was because you wanted to join the army. Grandmother is this…true?"
Thane ,"Mahira listen I can explain."
Mahira," what exactly can you explain?"
Thane," I agree I pursued you because I wanted to join the army but I really do love you."
I nodded her head as she removed her sonography test. I'm not even sure what the hell was the use of this. Seems like I forgot this one detail. And my babies would live without a father.
" Thane, I am pregnant with twins and you are their father ,but I guess you don't want to be a father now do you? Listen here and listen very attentively, I don't want any of you near me. You all have no right to my babies. I can take care of them myself so please, it's best if you all stay away!"
The tears that kept rolling down where traitors. And I was betraying myself by crying. He didn't deserve them. He didn't deserve any of these tears. I wiped my tear's and turned around to leave. Sofia stopped me, holding my hand in her loose grip.
" Mahira sweetie. Please…"
"what? What please? What please huh? Tell me what. I am a joke to this family am I not. A clown you fool around with. Let me be."
Thane," Mahira please you need to understand."
Mahira," understand what Thane. Understand that I'm pregnant. Understand that my kids will suffer lacking the love of a father. Ooh don't worry I understand very well. So well. Understand that when I finally decided to give you a chance, you just used me to get blessings from grandmother, blessings to go to the army. What more is there to explain? What should I understand? "
Thane's expression was filled with guilt, but all I could do was laugh. My laughter held bitterness even to me, my tongue filled with so much venom I wanted to spew everywhere but that wasn't who I am. Not to him.
"You must be satisfied, once again you fooled me. You made me believe in love only to break me again. What do you plan to do?"
Elena," look at the bright side Fairy. You are carrying brothers children. I'm going to be an auntie."
Thane's eyes pleaded for understanding.
" Mahira, I…"
Mahira," You don't have to explain yourself. Listen here, you have two choices. Go to the army and never see your children, stay and we'll raise our children together and I'll forgive you for everything."
The room fell silent, awaiting Thane's response. My gaze hardened, my voice icy. I know this was selfish of me, I had fulfilled my dream and he hadn't and I was making him choose between both but he had more than five years to fulfill that dream. As far as I'm concerned, only the life's growing in my womb matter nothing else, not even my selfishness.
" Speak up darn it! You came back into my life, told me you loved me, impregnated me so now choose. You want me ,a happy family or you choose the army.
Sofia," Mahira please don't force Thane to make such a choice. He really does love you no matter the choice."
I Ignored Sofia my eyes stuck on Thane wondering if he'd choose me this time or just like every other time he would choose something else and I'd be an option, a tool needed only for leisure.
Mahira," choose darn it!"
I raised her voice as I lost my patience. Elena clung to my leg, tear's streaming down her face. I wanted to hug her back and tell her it's alright. That it didn't matter if her brother was in my life as long as I had her. That I wanted to start over with her and take her out for her favorite ice cream just like she wanted but not now. I couldn't do that.
" Mahira Fairy, please don't be mad , brother loves you."
My expression softened momentarily but I didn't back down, I couldn't. It was for my kids not for myself. It was so they could have a father. A complete family not just a single mother.
" You can't have both."
Thane's eye's looked around. The weight of his decision was heavy. He looked at me, took a deep breath looked down. This was enough for me to know it wasn't me he chose this time. Again he had chosen something else and my eyes dropped to my feet. I should have known. It was obvious he wouldn't choose me. But it's nothing new right. I can handle it right. Just like I did years ago I can do it again.
Thane," I love you Mahira but joining the military is my dream. I can't settle down. Now that I have the blessings from grandmother I'm sorry but I'm joining the army."
Why couldn't the tears stay back a little longer so no one could see me cry. Why did they have to fall before him? Why did he have to hurt me again? Why? Why didn't he ever choose me? He could have chosen me. It could have been me
I couldn't hold back the tear's. I nearly lost balance but regained my stature. Again I wiped my tears because they held no meaning, no value to him. They were just water to him. Nothing important. As always.
"Good luck. I hope you succeed. Go and fulfill your dreams."
Thane," Really?"
His eye's glimmered with hope.
Mahira," Yeah for real. Fulfill your dreams but stay the fuck away from me and my children."
Thane," Please don't do this."
Alf," Please dear, don't make such a haste decision.".
Mahira," Why should I always be the one sacrificing and waiting hmm? I'm not going to wait for anyone. I don't want to see Thane anywhere near my children. I don't want to see any of you ever again. Good luck with your dreams Thane. I hope you're happy now. "
With that being said I turned my back, like always I was the one who had to leave. Who had to go back running with hope only to have it shattered into a million pieces. Again I was the sacrifice, the sheep that was slaughtered. Kaashvi was standing near my car when I came out and I was glad I called her on my way here. She held me in her tight embrace when we got in her car and I cried. Why couldn't things go my way. What would I tell them.
Thane came running after me with someone else behind him but I looked away because I didn't want to see any of the emotional drama. Kaashvi was the one who stood in between and this time I was glad I didn't have to look a him and I didn't feel like going back to him.
"Thane I was going to forgive you and convince Mahira to accept you because she loves you so much but I guess I just fell for it. Elena, Mahira loves you so much but you need to stay away from her because she may hurt you. During those past two years Mahira changed, she's not the forgiving Mahira. The new Mahira is heartless Thane and once she makes a decision, she won't change her mind. I suggest you stay away from her. She's not our Mahira anymore. She is Mahira Riley the CEO of AMS Film Production Studio. You made your bed now lie on it."
Elena's attention was stuck on me when I looked out the window. In between the silence were words unsaid. She had tears in her eyes, tears because of me after I promised not to hurt her. Sofia held Elena in a tight embrace as Elena sobbed uncontrollably burying her face in Sophia's chest. Sofia tried to comfort Elena and I looked away this time averting my attention to Thane, who stood frozen realizing the cost of his decision.
It was too late now. He kept breaking, breaking and breaking. That's what he always does and he wants everything to be alright. How about me? My pain. When we got back to the whitehaven hotel I packed my luggage and booked at ticket back to London. Kaashvi had to go back to Korea so I would be alone
There was no use being in America where I would risk my babies life. London was my home and is surely find happiness there.
End of Mahira's POV
Thane's deployment training letter came soon a week later. He had been accepted as a candidate so he had to go. Thane reported to Fort Benning Georgia for basic training. The grueling 12 week program pushed him to the limits. Drill sergeant Robert barked orders pushing him to the limits. Obstacle courses, and task's that drained him. Thane complied, his muscles screaming protest.
Fellow recruit's struggled alongside him. Thane's thoughts drifted to Mahira time and time again. Every night he would write letters that remained unsent. Training intensified, combat stimulations and tactical strategy sessions. Thane excelled, driven by his passion to serve the country and one day make his children proud.
Meanwhile, Mahira focused on herself, her children in her womb and AMS Film Production Studio, throwing her energy on new projects. Kaashvi checked on Mahira everyday despite being in Korea. She called frequently and sometimes shipped gifts that arrived weeks later. Mahira missed Elena and thought she didn't deserve to be punished for Thane's decision. Her belly grew. Her pregnancy drained her energy as well as the workload.
Mahira decides to resolve her issues with Elena. She was uncertain of the decision she had made but she wanted to give to a try. Mahira wondered if Sophia would just give her child away to her, if she'd let her take in Elena, if she'd let Elena go to a foreign country to someone who wasn't even family. After contemplating her decision and telling herself she'd accept anything she called Sofia.
" Sofia…"
Sofia was overwhelmed by emotions.
" Mahira darling, you called. I didn't expect you to ever call. What's wrong dear?"
Mahira," uhm actually I don't think Elena should be punished for Thane and his mistakes nor my anger. I know what I'm about to ask of you is difficult but can Elena come to London,?"
Sofia," Mahira…I'm willing to send Elena to you. Right now, I think she needs her fairy more than she needs her mom. No mom would do that but I trust you. But will you be able to take care of Elena along with your kid's."
Mahira," I'm not so weak, I can raise my children and take care of my fairy goddaughter. I'm eight months pregnant now and… you know what just send Elena to London. Thank you for… I don't know how you do it. As a mother this must be hard for you but thank you so much ."
Sofia," okay dear. Please take care of my child, please ".
Mahira," I will. Thank you. "
Mahira hung up and called her mother Teresa after four year's. She had never turned back after her mother disowned her. But her kids deserved as much family as they could get.
Teresa ," hello, Teresa speaking ,who am I talking to?"
Mahira's eye's had tear's as she heard her mother's voice.
" Mom. It's me Mahira, your daughter."
Mahira remembered how she got separated from her mother four year's ago.
Flashback
Teresa read all the letters in Mahira's secret box. She didn't want to believe it. She found a phone number, which was Thane's phone number. As she called all her daughters act's in high school. Her heart was broken. The betrayal was major.
" Mahira how could you do this to me? How could you break my heart? How could you betray me like this? "
Mahira smiled," what is it Mom? Did something happen?"
Teresa slapped her
" You are so shameless, such a betrayer. I had only one request and that was for you to stay away from boy's and study but you, you have been in love for five years. You did so many things and lied to me every single day."
Mahira," Mom, ho…w did … you…. Find out about.."
Teresa," you have disappointed me and betrayed me. I never want to see your face ever again ,leave."
End of flashback
Mahira," mother I know you are…"
Teresa started crying
"My child, where have you been? I never thought I would hear your voice ever again. That night when you left, I was so angry at myself but I couldn't even contact you, I had no idea were you where. I'm so sorry my child."
Mahira wiped her tear's and spoke.
" Mother, I will tell you everything. Listen please pack your bags as soon as possible. I want you to come to London as soon as possible. I already booked tickets for you, for dad, for sister Aliya and brother Leo."
Teresa thanked Mahira and hung up. Mahira rubbed her huge belly and whispered to herself.
" My babies ,I'm sorry, mommy couldn't keep daddy by her side, now because of me you will grow my without a father."
Eight hours later, Elena's flight landed in London. She was taken directly to Mahira's house. Mahira welcomed her.
" Uhm come in Elena. I'm sorry about the few dishes I prepared."
Elena," You just disappeared now you want me back. Wow! That's great. You are so selfish you know I can't believe it. What do you want from me?"
Mahira didn't even show any emotion . She was as cold as always as if she had never known how to pacify someone.
" You know why I left Elena. Thane is to blame not me. It's not my fault. You shouldn't blame me. He made his choice there's nothing I can do about it."
Elena," That's not fair. Brother loves you so much but you are blind. You don't want to see it."
Mahira," Love? He chose the army over me and my children. What kind of love is that?"
Elena's anger boiled over.
" You're just as bad as Thane. You are punishing everyone! We didn't do you wrong but we are paying for someone else's mistake."
Mahira's composure cracked for a moment as she looked at Elena.
" I'm protecting myself and my children. You'll understand someday."
Elena's shook her head violently. Her eyes lingered on Mahira's as she let the tears fall.
"I already understand! You're hurting us all don't you realize it. You are hurting me. You are ruining me . Why are you punishing me fairy?"
Mahira's gaze softened. She stepped forward to hug Elena but Elena stepped back creating distance and her hand in between them so Mahira could stay away.
"Elena, I… I".
Elena cut her off
" No! You always say you care ,but you never show it! Why are you trying to come back into my life if you don't have any intention of opening up to me. The Mahira who loved me is not alive so why take me back. You don't love me anymore so go away. Leave me alone. "
Mahira," I wanted to resolve our issues…and ensure you understand my side."
Elena's voice rose.
" Your side? You always think about yourself! What about Thane's side? What about mine?"
Mahira's expression turned glacial
" I've heard enough Elena. If you can't understand…."
Elena interrupts
" No, Mahira! You've never listened! You only dictate!"
The argument escalated until both stood ,faces inches apart, demanding answers. The tension between Elena and Mahira snapped, replaced by vulnerability. Elena's anger crumbled and she sobbed uncontrollably. Mahira's icy façade melted completely revealing her own pain.
Elena" I miss you Fairy. Living without you was so difficult. Every night I was haunted by our memories."
Mahira," sweetie no. Please don't say that. I love you Elena, I love you so much and I shouldn't have ever been so rude with you my sweetheart. I'm so sorry."
Elena," don't push me away ever again. If you do you'll loose me forever. If you do this to me, it's all over fairy. "
Mahira smiled through the tears as she hugged Elena gently her belly bump creating distance between both of them.
Elena bent down and kissed Mahira's baby bump.
" Hello children in there. I'm your fairy godmother. Just like your mom is my fairy godmother I'm yours as well. You're not alone Fairy, I'm here now."
Mahira smiled," thank you sweetie. I'm famished. You came earlier than expected so I could only make paratha, lentils and dal makhani with laddos as desert and falooda. Please eat. My family will be here around nine o'clock so please help me order some basic things for them."
Elena," Mahira you are pregnant. Eight months pregnant and you have the nerve to waltz around making energy consuming food and stressing out ,let me do the work. Just sit down and relax."
Mahira," No! I'll help you okay, no negotiations. I'm the eldest here. Besides I've been handling this for months now no biggie ."
Elena helped Mahira with setting the dinner table. Mahira didn't have a housemaid because she preferred doing things herself even when she was pregnant. Three hour's later, Mahira and Elena went to the airport. It took about an hour to find Mahira's family. Mahira's heart jumped with joy as she saw her family.
" M..m.. mother!"
Mahira exclaimed as she struggled to walk over to them. Her face was covered so that no one could crowd her and ruin her peace but now that everyone thought she was a nobody they pushed her. Teresa ,enveloped her in a warm hug , tears streaming down her face.
" Oh sweetie, it's so good to see you. You are pregnant? Wow that's quick I mean you are still twenty two years old and already.."
Mahira," Mom."
Mahira's father, John, smiled awkwardly at her then brought his hand forward for a hand shake. Mahira's smile momentarily faded but she smiled again.
Mahira," still no hug dad, after so many years your won't hug your favorite daughter. I'm offended. "
John smiled and hugged Mahira.
" uhm I guess it's good to see you. "
He broke out of the hug and put his hands in his pockets. Mahira averted her attention from her father to her siblings.
"Mahira remember me?" Aliya asked
Mahira," of course I remember you ,come here."
Leo," Hey sister who's that gorgeous little girl."
Leo asked as he stared at Elena with admiration. Elena was standing awkwardly next to Mahira with her head held down not daring to look up at the people Mahira called family. Her hair was neatly adorned with floral pins, she wore a black Ferrari jacket with a pair of leather jeans and butterfly boots.
" She's so cute sister. I think we are going to get along."
Elena looked at him and smiled then her gaze averted to Mahira.
" hi everyone. Nice to meet you."
Mahira," Mom, Dad guys meet Elena. My Fairy goddaughter."
Teresa looked at Elena with disdain then back at Mahira who gave her a warning glare to stop her from saying anything against Elena. John didn't even bother to look at the little girl and Aliya didn't cover her dislike for her. Mahira took them to the cars.
The family drove back home . During the ride home Teresa questioned Mahira.
" Who are you pregnant for."
Mahira," Mom, we'll talk during dinner time okay."
As they pulled into the driveway, Mahira welcomed her family into her huge mansion. Her family followed her into her house. As the evening went on , Mahira served everyone in the dining room . The table was filled with exquisite dishes and made everyone's stomachs grumble.
"Welcome home mom. Make yourself feel at home. This is one of my houses ." Mahira said, smiling.
The aroma of the food filled the room Terrassa senses as she remembered the day's when Mahira would talk non stop about her impossible dream's. As they passed dishes around the table, Aliya began sharing stories about her social life as an influencer. Elena was so vibrant and also talked about many interesting things.
Leo talked about his dream of joining the army which immediately erased the smile on Mahira's face. Everyone noticed Mahira's sudden cold demeanor after Leo mentioned the army. Teresa had never seen this side of Mahira. It sent shivers down everyone's spine.