Sunday mornings in the Agnihotri mansion were usually peaceful, but today, an unexpected storm was brewing. The usual rhythm of the household carried on—Sneha was lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone, completely absorbed in her digital world. Aradhana, lost in her own little universe, was playing happily with her dolls. Meera, meanwhile, was in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared a fresh batch of cookies for Aradhana, her hands moving skilfully as the warm aroma of vanilla and chocolate filled the air.

 Shivam, as always, was preoccupied with work, his mind deeply engrossed in emails and files even on a weekend.

And then, the grand doors of the mansion swung open.

Shivam’s mother, Sumitra Agnihotri, stepped inside, her regal presence demanding attention. Dressed in an elegant silk saree, adorned with fine jewelry, and carrying an air of authority, she entered the house with the confidence of a queen returning to her palace.

 The moment Aradhana spotted her grandmother, her face lit up with joy. “Dadi!” she squealed, abandoning her dolls and running towards her with open arms.

Sumitra’s hardened expression softened as she embraced her granddaughter. “My little princess! Look at you, growing more beautiful every day.”

After a few moments of affectionate exchange, she turned her attention towards her son. “Shivam,” she acknowledged him with a nod, her tone neutral, before shifting her gaze to Sneha.

Sneha returned the glance, barely lifting her eyes from her phone. “Hello, Mrs. Agnihotri,” she said flatly, her disinterest evident.

 Just as the tension between the two women started simmering, Meera entered the room, carefully balancing a tray of cookies and milk for Aradhana.

The little girl’s eyes gleamed as she ran towards Meera. “Meera Di! Are the cookies ready?”

Meera smiled warmly. “Yes, fresh from the oven.”

Sumitra’s face twisted in displeasure. Her eyes narrowed as she examined Meera, taking in her simple yet graceful appearance. “And who is this?” she demanded, her tone sharp.

 Before Meera could respond, Sneha lazily leaned back into the couch and answered, “She’s Aradhana’s nanny. We hired her to take care of her.”

Sumitra’s eyes darkened. “A nanny?” Her gaze flickered to Aradhana, who was now holding Meera’s hand, her small fingers wrapped around her comfortingly. “How can she be so attached to a stranger?”

Sneha rolled her eyes. “Because she actually cares for her, unlike the past nannies who failed.”

Sumitra scoffed, crossing her arms. “And since when do you get to make decisions about my granddaughter?”

 Sneha sat up straighter, her irritation flaring. “Since I am her mother,” she snapped. “And last I checked, you had no say in our lives. So, do me a favour and stop interfering.”

The words hit Sumitra like a slap, and her face contorted in fury. “Interfering?” she hissed. “You have the audacity to talk back to me when you can’t even be a proper mother? You live in this house, spending my son’s money, doing nothing but indulging in your whims, and now you have the nerve to tell me to mind my own business?”

 Sneha clenched her fists. “This is my home just as much as it is yours. You may be Shivam’s mother, but that does not give you the right to belittle me or dictate how I raise my daughter.”

A cold, cruel smile spread across Sumitra’s face. “Raise her?” she taunted. “Tell me, Sneha, what kind of mother are you? No, let me rephrase that—what kind of woman are you?”

The insult hung heavily in the air, cutting through the room like a knife.

 Meera, standing frozen at the sidelines, watched in stunned silence as realization dawned upon her. Sneha… she was different. The fight, the taunts—it all made sense now.

Sneha, despite her fiery exterior, looked momentarily shaken. But she refused to back down. “You disgust me,” she spat. “You think you can use my personal life to shame me? Guess what, Mrs. Agnihotri? I don’t care. Your words mean nothing to me.”

Shivam, who had remained silent so far, finally stepped in, his voice a sharp command. “Enough. Both of you.”

Sumitra turned to him in disbelief. “You’re just going to stand there and allow this? She has turned your household into a disgrace!”

Shivam exhaled deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Mother, leave. You’ve made your point.”

“But—”

“Now.” His tone left no room for argument.

 Sumitra’s face burned with indignation, but she knew better than to challenge her son when he spoke with finality. With a last, withering glare at Sneha, she turned on her heels and stormed out of the house.

Sneha let out a shaky breath and muttered, “Finally.” Without another glance at anyone, she grabbed her phone and retreated to her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

The house fell into an eerie silence.

 Meera stood there, her mind reeling from everything she had just witnessed. The insults, the revelations, the family’s deep-seated bitterness—it was overwhelming.

Shivam, visibly exhausted from the ordeal, rubbed his temples before looking towards Meera. His gaze, though unreadable, held a trace of something new. Perhaps curiosity? Awareness?

“Take Aradhana to her room,” he instructed, his voice low but firm.

Meera simply nodded, still processing what had just unfolded. She took Aradhana’s hand, guiding her away from the living room, while Shivam stood motionless, staring at the door through which his mother had exited.

The storm had passed—for now.

But the echoes of it lingered, promising that this was just the beginning of an even bigger storm.

Meera's POV:

I can hardly believe it’s already been a month. Time seems to have flown by, yet somehow it feels like I’ve been here much longer. There’s a sense of belonging I didn’t expect. Aradhana is such a joyful child—so full of life now. Watching her laugh, seeing her mischief unfold with such innocence… it fills me with a quiet happiness. She’s healing, little by little, and knowing I’m part of that journey brings me a deep sense of purpose. I truly enjoy caring for her, and more than that, I want to keep being here for her.

Then there’s Geeta Ma—a true blessing in my life. She’s like a mother figure to me, warm and nurturing. I feel so lucky to have her around. Her kindness, her comforting presence… it’s helped soothe the pain I carry inside. Bit by bit, I feel like I’m rebuilding my life. She’s a joy to talk to, always full of stories about the mansion and its people. Her companionship has become a steady anchor for me.

I’ve encountered Sneha Ma’am a few times, and every time leaves me unsettled. There’s something off about her—something in the way she looks at me or tries to get too close. It makes me deeply uncomfortable. Thankfully, I have Geeta Ma. I’ve shared my concerns with her, and she has promised to keep an eye on things. Her reassurance means everything to me. I know she’ll protect me if anything goes wrong.

When Sumitra Ma’am visited, I witnessed a heated argument between her and Sneha Ma’am. It was intense—and revealing. Something came to light that explained a lot about Sneha Ma’am’s odd behavior. There’s more to her than she lets on, and now I understand why I’ve always felt uneasy around her.

Note to Readers

What is the mystery behind Sneha? What is the revelation that shocked Meera? Give your thoughts in the comment section.  

If you like this story, please provide support by clicking the LIKE button. Also provide your valuable feedback and comments via the Comment Section. It will help me to improve my writing skills.

For future updates and spoiler alerts please do follow me on Instagram