*Sudhir Pov*
“I am going to die just because of you Sudhir.” Indu said with so much anger.
“Don’t stress yourself Indu! You need to be calm.” I slowly said and her anger just rose.
“No! I never wanted to die at this age.” She said suddenly with tears.
“You are not going to. Just take a rest.” I calmly said.
“So Mr.Sudhir Arora knows how to lie then.” She said, shaking her head and hissed in pain.
“Don’t move your head like that.” I said stopping her.
“Ayesha is here to see you. She has been crying for a few days.” I added, remembering my daughter’s cries.
“No! I don’t have the patience to console her now.” She said closing her eyes.
“I will come later.” I said, sighing and was about to get up when she stopped me holding my hand.
“Promise me something.” She said, and I looked at her frowning.
“Promise on Ayesha that you will fulfill it. Then I will meet her.” She added and I reluctantly nodded.
“I want you to...”She started saying.
I came out of my thoughts when I felt someone standing right behind me. I turned to look at Nisha looking at me fidgeting her hands.
“I got a room prepared for you, and you can rest there.” I calmly said.
“What?” She asked me completely shocked.
“It is on the other side of Ayesha’s. It is also furnished.” I replied, walking inside the room.
“But I thought… I mean I already placed all my clothes here.” She mumbled, and I turned to see that she has her eyes close.
“You can carry them to your room tomorrow. I need to sleep.” I said and walked to my bed.
When I lay down, she slowly nodded and walked outside taking some dress from the cupboard.
After she left I switched off the lights and drifted off into sleep…
*Nisha Pov*
I sighed, getting up not at all satisfied with the sleep I got. I just tossed around completely maybe because this is a new place.
After freshening up, I walked outside the room and walked inside Ayesha’s to see she is getting ready with the help of Sudhir.
“I am sorry! I didn’t wake up early. I just got sleep very…” I started saying, but he cut me off nodded.
“You do not have to give me any explanation. Breakfast must be ready.” He said walking out holding Ayesha passing me without a glance.
Damn! I just need to wake up early from tomorrow onwards. I thought sighing. I so do not like it, but I need to.
When I went near the dining table, I saw that he was feeding Ayesha by hand, then why did she want to eat with a spoon yesterday.
“I will feed her. You can have yours.” I said, standing beside him.
“It’s ok! She doesn’t like with a spoon in the morning.” He said brushing me off.
I didn’t say anything and just sat beside them looking at them. He is such a loving father! I thought and remember about my Dad.
I wish he didn’t leave the world when I was a kid. I looked up thinking maybe he is looking down at me at present.
“Eat!” I heard a small voice and turned to see Ayesha looking at me finishing her food while Sudhir continued to have his.
“Good morning!” I said kissing on her forehead.
“Good morning!” She said smiling a little.
I started having my breakfast and finished it soon than Sudhir. Then taking three of our plates, I walked inside after he finished ignoring his words.
“You need not to do anything. I can do it for myself.” He said walking inside.
“I am just here right! I can do it too.” I said, turning towards him.
He nodded and walked outside. After washing the dishes, I heard him saying, “I want a responsible nanny.”
He doesn’t wish me to stay in his room, and I was ok because I can understand his need of space. But nanny, I will not allow him.
“I can take care of her.” I said standing near him.
“I don’t trust someone easily.” He said hanging up.
“But you can trust an outsider.” I pointed out.
“I pay for her and if she makes any mistake, then I can complain about her to the agency.” He said, and I stepped back hearing those words.
This is not the way I thought would happen, but well life really gives you the unexpected.
“If I make any mistake, then you can appoint any number of nannies." I said after a few minutes thinking about it.
“I don’t want to take chances.” He said in blank tone.
“Do you want me or a nanny?” I asked walking towards Ayesha.
She frowned and asked, “Do you know Tom and Jerry?"
“I know!” I replied, suddenly smiling at her question even though I was feeling a bit of hurt hearing him.
“Do you like them?” She asked still frowning.
“Of course! Who doesn’t like them?” I asked her shocked. Hell, I love them!
“Big people!” She replied, smiling a little.
“Then big people don’t have brains, but I do have one.” I said, and she smiled more.
“I don’t want the nanny.” She said looking at him.
“Ayesha!” he said, shaking his head.
“Please!” She pleaded with him so cute that I feared if I will ever be able to say no to her when she does the same to me.
“Ok! Just one mistake and there will be a nanny.” He said looking at me, and I nodded.
When he left I turned towards her and hugged her tightly smiling…
*Nisha Pov* “Oh, god! I can’t laugh anymore.” I said finally breathing and she too calmed down. “So what do you want to do next?” I asked her smiling. “Tom and Jerry.” She replied smiling. “Again?” I asked her frowning, and she nodded. “But this CD is over.” I replied frowning back. I stared at the clock and saw that it is nearly lunch time, but I haven’t cooked anything. Will he come home for lunch? I thought, frowning. “I will cook something for us.” I said, and she nodded. I got up holding her hand, and we both walked inside the dining room. Like yesterday I made her sit on one chair and cooked for us. While preparing it, I thought about morning’s breakfast. I immediately walked towards her and asked, “Did your Dad prepared the breakfast today morning?” “Yes!” She replied, nodding. I walked back inside the kitchen determining that I need to wake up early from tomorrow onwards. After preparing the lunch, I placed them on the table. I mixed the rice with the curry properl
*Nisha Pov* Sigh, Sigh and Sigh! That’s all I have been doing for a number of times like every day. I didn’t lose hope, but I never thought it would be like this. Even as normal housemates, he can have a conversation right? But no! I am worse than a stranger to him. I started getting up a little early by passing each day and first for a few days prepared lunch for him, but he didn’t take it with him for a few days no matter how much I have tried. So I decided to send it to his company, but it returned not at all touched. Today I got up and walked inside Ayesha’s room to see that she is still sleeping. I smiled and walked towards her. I sat beside her and said, “Ayesha! Wake up.” Caressing her hair. After a few minutes, she woke up with a smile, and I just smiled at her back. Walking near the cupboard, I opened it and showed her all the dresses so that she can select what she wants to wear. “You choose.” She said frowning. “No! What do you want to wear?” I asked her and she fin
*Sudhir Pov* I am sitting at the dining table and started checking the letters I got yesterday and Ayesha is drawing sitting beside me. “So how is the new school?” I asked her as she has been going to school for nearly one month. “It’s new!” She replied, making me smile at her. “Do you like it?” I asked, and she looked at me nodding. “Ayesha! What do you want to eat today?” She asked and looked up to see her leaning outside of the gap like usual. Ayesha just shrugged to which she smiled, shaking her head. She walked outside and said, “I will make chicken today as it is Sunday right.” I shrugged continuing to check my letters, and she walked inside. Ayesha got up yawning, and I think she needs more sleep. “Ayesha! Why don’t you go and take a small nap?” She said before I can tell my daughter making me frown. “Ok!” Ayesha said, rushing to her room. “Careful!” She said again before I can. I shook my head and saw that a few letters are on her name. I cleared my throat and said,
*Nisha Pov* “Excuse me?” I said, standing before the receptionist. “Yes?” she asked, smiling. “Are admissions still open?” I asked her, hoping they are. “Yes! Here is the application form.” She replied giving me one. I thanked her and started filling the form. I finished it and was in the process of submitting it, but someone called me. I turned to look at a girl my age standing and asked, “Yes?” “Can you pass me your pen? I forgot mine.” She replied, and I nodded giving her. “You may get a call by the evening regarding your admission miss.” Receptionist said, and I nodded at her. “Excuse me?” Someone called me again when I started walking towards the entrance. “Yes?” I asked, turning around to see the same girl. “Your pen! Thank you.” She replied. “No problem!” I said and was about to turn, but she stopped me again. “Hey! I am Pavani.” She said and then, I face palmed myself for not introducing myself. “I am Nisha Meh... Arora.” I said shaking her hand. “Pretty weird s
*Nisha Pov* Finishing the preparing of breakfast, I walked inside Ayesha’s room to see that she is already up. “Wow, Ayesha! You already got up?” I asked her sitting in front of her. “We need to wish Dad.” She replied looking at me. “For what?” I asked her confused. “Birthday!” She replied excitedly. “Really? And you remember it?” I asked her thinking what we can do today for him. “Yes! Let’s go!” She said, holding my hand and dragged me outside her room. I knocked on his door, and he opened it rubbing his eyes. Ayesha immediately went near him and said, “Happy birthday!” “Thank you, Ayesha.” He said, kissing her cheek. “Happy birthday!” I said, smiling at him, and he nodded mumbling “Thanks!” “I will get her ready.” I said, holding her and went inside her room when we three just stood there for a few minutes in silence. “When is yours Ayesha?” I asked, brushing her hair. She showed me the calendar, and I saw the date where it was noted. There are still two months for her
*Sudhir Pov* “Promise me that you will Marry my cousin Nisha.” Indu said. “What? Are you mad?” I asked her getting up. “Look you do not have to worry about her. My Mom really loves Ayesha and doesn’t want her away from the family.” Indu replied. “So? That doesn’t answer why you want me to marry again and that too with your cousin.” I said completely confused. “I don’t know! She wants this and I too don’t want to stress Mom with Ayesha.” She said. “Look, I can take care of my daughter and don’t want anyone to do anything for her.” I said shaking my head. “That just means you will take her away from my family.” She said glaring at me. “They can meet her whenever they want.” I said, trying to make her understand. “No! You made a decision to shift to Mumbai on your own taking me away from my family. I will not let you take Ayesha away from them.” She said. “Calm down, Indu! No one is taking anyone away from you or your family. Just sleep.” I said. “Promise me! Then I will meet
*Nisha Pov* “Happy birthday! Happy birthday! Happy birthday to you.” I whispered in her ears, and she got up smiling at me. “Happy birthday dear.” I said hugging her. “Thank you!” She said kissing my cheek. “Do you want a gift?” I asked her, and she nodded jumping on her bed. “Here you go!” I said giving her gift. She started opening it, and I helped her. She just looked at it and then glanced at me. “You didn’t like it?” I asked her frowning while biting my nail. “Thank you!” she said, placing it aside and hugged me. “I want to call you Mom.” She suddenly said making tears start their way. “No, Ayesha! Please don’t ask me that again.” I said, brushing my tears away so that she will not see them and then released her from the hug. “Get ready! I even bought chocolates to give to all the children in your class and teachers.” I said, taking out her dress which Sudhir bought for her. “Ok!” She said and started getting ready when I went downstairs to check everything. I again
*Nisha Pov* It is exams time for both of us and I am sitting beside Ayesha while she is studying. I am also doing the same but opened my mobile when I saw that I got a message from Pavani. ‘I am scared!’ that’s what she messaged with terrified emotions. “Study now!” I messaged back. “Study!” I heard Ayesha said patting my book. “Sure Madam!” I said bowing and continued to read. “What are you doing?” I heard him asking and looked up to see him standing near the door. “Studying!” We both replied but I just did in a whisper. “Dinner?” He asked, walking towards her. “I had!” She replied nodding. “Go to sleep.” He said looking at her. “Exam!” She said whining. “So? Write how much you know. No need to study this much.” He said closing her books. “I want to!” She said, opening the book. “Sleep, Ayesha!” He said, shaking his head. “No! I want to study.” She said stubbornly. Wow! She definitely has my qualities. I thought and stopped myself from smiling. “Ayesha!” He said in a