Chapter 4

*Neville Pov*

Everyone moved away from the door hearing the sound and turned back to see the reason for it while I too glanced inside to see who made such a noise.

Why these three are not moving? I thought, frowning when I couldn’t see a thing inside the house.

“Move!” I said, pushing myself between them and with a lot of effort stepped before them.

“I am not used to suspense.” I said when they gave shock sounds.

I placed the bag on the floor before looking at the whole inside of the house and then my eyes fell on some woman standing a little near to us with some utensils on the ground before her legs.

Narrowing my eyes, I stared at the woman who is looking back at me with shock covering her face.

I gasped before taking a step back realizing she is my Mom. Am I sure? I thought and then nodded to myself because she definitely is.

Except the Saree she is covered with and the long hair instead of short, everything is same as per the photo I hid in my room.

“Mom!” I whispered and she stepped back in more shock.

“You… you…” she just stuttered, but didn’t say a word.

“What are you doing here?” I heard a voice and shook my head when the before woman stood in front of me.

“She is my Mom!” I said, pointing at her.

“And?” she asked, folding her hands.

“I am her Daughter. Are you slow in getting into the head?” I asked frowning at her.

“How dare you?” she shouted glaring at me.

“Kalyani!” my Mom’s husband said before standing beside this Kalyani woman.

“Why are you here?” he asked with his hands holding behind him.

“Oh god! How many times do I have to tell you all? My Mom is staying here and I want to meet her. I think she has enough holiday without me for eighteen whole years.” I said rolling my eyes.

“Mom! What is she saying?” the before girl asked my Mom walking near to her.

“Mom!” she called again, shaking her.

“Lakshmi! Go to your room.” The guy said or I think ordered because the girl immediately left even though she didn’t want to.

“Didn’t Bhabhi told you that she will never be able to meet you?” Kalyani woman asked staring at me.

“Did she? I don’t remember her words. You see I was just a kid.” I said, staring at them and then at my Mom.

“How are you, Mom?” I asked, staring at her.

“What? You used to scold me so much when I do something wrong or praise me when I do something good. What happened now?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

“Is that how you talk to your Mom?” the guy asked frowning at me.

“What is your name?” I asked, staring at him.

“Excuse me?” he asked frowning.

“I am sure that is not your name. Now, tell me your name.” I literally demanded.

“Harsha Roy!” he replied and I nodded forwarding my hand.

“Neville! You can call me Nev if you like me, otherwise stick with Nev, Step-Dad.” I said after he held my hand.

“Step-Dad?” he asked, taking away his hand.

“Yes! You married my Mom right? Wow! I am such a lucky girl. I have a beautiful Step-Mom and Handsome Step-dad.” I said, patting my back and started walking towards Mom but stopped beside him.

“Are you handsome even in your heart?” I asked, staring at him and walked away ignoring his shocked look.

However, when I stepped before her I couldn’t say a word and felt numb everywhere. She seems to be in the same position.

Why am I feeling this much? I shouldn’t feel right? I thought, shaking my head and gave her a small forced smile.

“How are you?” I asked, to which she shook her head.

“Fine! You?” she asked in a small voice before glancing behind me.

“Do you need to be so reluctant to talk to me even after all these years?” I asked frowning at her and felt the hurt inside but I didn’t let it out.

“No!” she mumbled and moved her hand but stopped when that Kalyani Woman stood beside us.

“You need to leave this house.” She said, holding my hand and started dragging me towards the door.

“Well, seems like everyone is lying about Indians completely. They are the worst hosts I have ever known.” I said, sighing and picked up my bag on the way.

“Stop!” I heard my Step-Dad’s voice and turned to see him fidgeting with his hand.

“You can stay here, but do not talk about your Dad.” He said after a few minutes.

“Ok! You are such a sweet Step-Dad.” I said pulling his cheeks.

“Do not act foolish and you are not a kid.” He said stepping back.

“How do you know? You never knew anything about me, right?” I asked, folding my hands.

“And you have a huge responsibility on your shoulders.” I added when he opened his mouth to say something.

“What?” he asked, frowning.

“I always read about Step-Mom’s in the fairy tales like the cruelness and everything but never about a Step-dad of a princess. So, you need to show your attitude and I will decide it to be the general view of the Step-Dad’s.” I replied shrugging.

“Didn’t your Dad taught you any manners?” Kalyani woman who is my Aunt I guess asked staring at me with disgust.

“The person who would have done that, got hidden from you all. Now, show me my room.” I said, walking towards the stairs.

When no one moved, I sighed and started walking towards the stairs while stealing glances towards my Mom.

“It’s ok! My little sister will do the honors.” I said and Lakshmi immediately stepped away from hiding under the stairs with guilty expression.

“Dad…” she started saying scratching her neck.

“We will talk later.” That’s all he said and she glared at me.

“What? Didn’t like my nick name?” I asked frowning.

“You are rude to my parents and you just booked me in front of my Dad.” She muttered angrily before climbing the stairs.

“Great!” I mumbled, shaking my head and followed her.

“This is your room!” she said, opening a corner one door.

“Ok! Thank you little sister.” I said to which she grumbled and started walking away.

“Why do you guys need this much house for so little members?” I asked making her stop.

“Here I live with my parents while my Aunt who is my Dad’s sister live with her family too, and sometimes many family members come to stay.” She replied emphasizing on my parents.

“More family and more fun.” I said, smiling to which she huffed and walked away.

I shook my head and entered the room before closing the door.  I leaned on it and released the breath from inside which I held from the moment I glanced at my Mom.

What am I doing here? I thought holding my head but shrugged away the doubts deciding to see how it will go for a few days.