Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 95: Mira’s Speech

Chapter 95: Mira’s Speech

Mira finally stood as she spoke gently, addressing the guest.

"First, I want to thank all of you for being here today. It means the world to me to share this special moment with each of you, especially while Zamian is away. This celebration has been a beautiful reminder of the love and support I have around me, and I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and colleagues."

She paused, her eyes scanning the room, filled with warmth from the smiles of those who came to support her. Her voice softened as she spoke of the personal journey she was embarking on.

"Becoming a mother is something I’ve always dreamed of, but I never imagined how much love I could already feel for someone I haven’t even met yet." She rested her hand on her growing belly. "Every kick, every little movement—it fills my heart with so much joy and anticipation for the day I finally get to hold my baby in my arms."

Mira’s eyes glistened, and she took a deep breath, steadying her emotions as she thought of her husband, Zamian. "And while I miss Zamian deeply and wish he could be here with me, I know he’s with me in spirit. I look forward to the day we can experience all of this together as a family. His presence is always with me, even when he’s not physically here."

She glanced at the thoughtful decorations around the room, the carefully arranged gifts, and the kind faces of her friends. "I also want to say thank you for the gifts, the kind words, and for just being here. You’ve made me feel cherished and cared for, and I will never forget this day. The journey ahead might be full of challenges, but with your love and support, I know I’ll be able to face anything that comes my way."

The room was silent as she finished her speech, her sincerity touching everyone. "I’m truly grateful for all of you, and I can’t wait to introduce my little girl to this incredible group of people. Thank you."

With that, a cheerful round of applause erupted from the guests. Mira smiled warmly, though beneath her composed exterior, she was trying her very best to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. She sat down, feeling a whirlwind of emotions—a mix of gratitude, longing, and the overwhelming reality of motherhood approaching.

"Okay, wow! That was a great speech! What do you all think? Wasn’t it amazing?" James asked with enthusiasm, his voice breaking through the emotional tension. Another round of clapping followed as the guests clicked their "Yes" buttons, causing a warm green glow to fill the room once again. It was a high-tech way of affirming their approval, but the glowing lights added a magical touch to the atmosphere.

Mira’s heart warmed even more as she felt the baby move inside her, a gentle flutter that seemed to mirror her emotions. It was as if the baby was responding to the outpouring of love surrounding them. She smiled to herself, placing her hand over her belly. A tender moment passed between mother and child, one that only deepened her connection to the little life growing within her.

Lily leaned in gently, wrapping her arms around Mira in a soft, reassuring hug. "You did wonderfully, Mira.Your husband would be so proud of you."

Mira hugged her back, her eyes closing briefly as she soaked in the comfort of her friend. Lily had been such a steady presence throughout her pregnancy, always knowing exactly what Mira needed even before she asked.

As the party wound down and the guests began to leave, offering their goodbyes and warm wishes, Mira found herself feeling both physically exhausted and emotionally content. The day had been long but fulfilling, filled with so much love. It reminded her that despite the challenges ahead, she wasn’t alone.

She began unwrapping the gifts, her heart warming with each thoughtful present. She paused with each one, feeling a genuine sense of appreciation for the kindness surrounding her. There were blankets, baby clothes, stuffed animals—all the things that made her baby feel real in her arms, even though she hadn’t yet arrived.

She placed the opened gifts on the table beside her, smiling softly as she knew Nana would later put them into the rolling basket for proper arrangement. Nana had been a quiet but indispensable helper throughout the day, making sure everything went smoothly.

"Wow," Mira whispered, her eyes landing on a simple envelope among the more elaborate presents. She hadn’t noticed it before, but something about its plainness caught her attention now. It stood out in its simplicity, almost overlooked among the grander gifts. Curiosity piqued, she picked it up and began to open it carefully.

Inside was a best wishes letter for her baby. As she unfolded it, a smile spread across her lips, soft and genuine. The letter was short, but the simple, thoughtful gesture was more than enough to touch Mira’s heart in a profound way. The words on the paper were kind and filled with warmth, the sort of message that transcended its brevity.

As she finished reading, what made her heart even warmer were the last words:

With love, Lily.

Mira blinked in surprise. She had no idea it was Lily who had written the letter. That small revelation made her smile all the more heartfelt, deepening her appreciation for her friend’s quiet, constant support throughout this journey.

"You can arrange the rest," Mira said softly to Nana, still holding the letter close to her chest. It was one of those things she would cherish, something small yet infinitely precious. "I’ll keep this one."

Nana nodded respectfully, understanding the significance of the letter without needing to ask. She began to gather the other gifts into the basket with her usual efficiency, preparing to store them for later. Mira watched her briefly before her gaze drifted toward the window, where the soft colors of twilight began to settle over the horizon.

Despite the beautiful setting and the loving company she had enjoyed today, there was a persistent ache in her heart. A part of her couldn’t shake the feeling that this would go down as one of the most miserable days she had faced. The bittersweet nature of the day—a celebration filled with joy but absent of Zamian’s presence—left a lingering sadness she couldn’t fully ignore.

With a soft sigh, Mira placed her hand on her tummy, her thoughts drifting back to her baby girl. "I’ve been calling you ’he,’ but I guess now we know you’re a ’she.’" She chuckled softly at the thought. "Of course, your aunt Lily knew—she’s always been a great observer, after all," she said with a small, playful pout. A smile tugged at her lips as she gently rubbed her belly, feeling more connected to her baby than ever.

The bittersweet emotions swirling in her chest didn’t fully fade, but there was comfort in the thought of her baby girl growing inside her, a little piece of hope amidst the challenges. Even on the hardest days, that connection gave her strength.

Mira finally heard footsteps approaching from behind, breaking her from her thoughts. She assumed it was Nana again, perhaps coming to remind her to rest after such a long day.

"Mrs. Mira, why don’t you rest?" Nana suggested softly, her concern evident in her voice. She was always looking out for Mira, worried that she was pushing herself too hard. After all, the baby shower had lasted longer than anyone expected, and Mira had been on her feet for most of it.

Mira shook her head gently, still holding the letter in her hands as she absentmindedly traced the edges of the delicate decoration on it. The texture soothed her, giving her something small to focus on as she processed the whirlwind of emotions inside her.

"It’s fine, Nana. I’ll be going soon," she reassured her.

Nana gave her a gentle nod, though Mira could sense the lingering concern in her posture. She was always so attentive, always watching out for the smallest details. "Okay then," Nana replied before leaving the room quietly.

Mira sighed softly, feeling the weight of the day settle over her shoulders. She wanted to call out, to ask when her husband was coming home. Was he going to stay away for months? The questions weighed heavily on her mind, but she held back. She knew Zamian was busy, and all she needed to do was to be an understanding wife. He had his responsibilities, and she didn’t want to add to his stress.

The thought lingered in her mind as the silence filled the room once more. But then she heard footsteps again, this time slower and more deliberate, pulling her attention away from her thoughts.

Without looking up, Mira spoke softly, thinking it was Nana once more. "You don’t have to worry, Nana. I’m not tired. Besides, I don’t want to get lazy at lea—"

Her words were cut short as she felt an arm wrap around her from behind. The embrace was gentle yet firm, filled with warmth that she instantly recognized. Someone was hugging her, and Mira froze.

That scent, that aura—it was unmistakable. Her breath hitched, her heart leaping in her chest. She didn’t need to think twice to know who it was. Her lips parted, trembling slightly as a wave of emotions washed over her.

"Z...Zamian?" she whispered, her voice barely audible, filled with disbelief and hope.