*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 finally selected one.
I send her in the bathroom and filled the bucket with very little warm water while making her brush her teeth. I waited outside for her, and she came out in a few minutes.
I had her ready and at the same time he walked inside. He just looked straight at us in shock and cleared his throat, saying, “Breakfast is ready.”
He took her from me, and I stopped myself from sighing. We all had breakfast, and I talked with Ayesha and felt she needs to go outside.
“Can we go outside today?” I asked him.
“No!” He replied.
“With Ayesha! She wants to go to the water park.” I said looking at him.
“Do you want to, Ayesha?” He asked her, and she nodded smiling.
“I will book two tickets. We both can go today.” He said, and I stepped back.
“Three!” She said, holding my hand.
“Two!” He said and walked outside.
“Three right?” She asked, pulling my Saree end bringing me out of my shock.
“No! Dad and you are going to go there.” I replied, smiling and she frowned at me.
“Do you want to play doll house today?” I asked her, and she nodded smiling.
We both went inside her room, and she started arranging the things inside the doll's house while I sat beside her.
She gave me a Barbie doll, and she took one. She again looked at me saying, “Three right?”
“Let’s take our dolls to the park.” I said and made her take two dolls to the small park type toy.
“See my doll is swinging very well." I said and she shook her head saying, “My doll is.”
“No mine is.” I said, shaking my head.
We both laughed at the end. She sat on the dining table coloring her book while I cooked dinner for us.
As usual, I sent the lunch for him fully knowing it will return untouched. We both took a small nap in the afternoon.
I woke up with someone patting on my cheek. I opened my eyes to see Ayesha looking at me smiling.
“What happened?” I asked her getting up.
“We need to get ready.” She replied, and my smile left my face.
“I will get you ready.” I said and got her in her room.
She wore some comfy clothes, and I can see the excitement in her eyes. We both walked downstairs.
“You should stay with him always and don’t leave his hand.” I said again.
“I know!” She said smiling.
“How do you know?” I asked, lifting her up.
“You told me!” She replied, and I hugged her.
“Are you ready Ayesha?” We heard a sound and turned to seeing him closing the door and then turned towards us.
“She is!” I said, putting her down, and she ran towards him.
“Bye, Ayesha!” I said, waving my hand.
“Three!” She said looking at me.
“Have fun!” I said, smiling and he walked outside with her frowning.
After they left I let the smile fall from my face. This is expected! I should not feel bad. I chanted to myself.
I looked around and started dusting a little feeling bored. I then started cooking and heard the door closing.
I leaned outside from the gap to see them walking inside. They returned within two hours?
“Hey! So soon?” I asked her when she came near me.
“I didn’t like it.” She said shaking her head.
I nodded and had her sit on the chair before going inside. I brought water for both and gave one to Sudhir to which he shook his head.
I made Ayesha to drink a little and continued to cook. At the dinner, he was completely silent, not even talking to Ayesha.
I stared at her and raised my eyebrow. She gestured at me to get near her, and I bent a little.
“He is mad at me.” She whispered in my ear.
“Why?” I asked her in a whisper.
“I asked him to take me back when we reached there.” She replied looking down.
“That’s bad! But, why?” I asked her frowning.
“Because there are two and not three.” She replied and I just stared at her.
I tried so much, but the tears started forming in my eyes. I must be looking like an idiot with a big smile and also tears at a same time on my face.
She accepted me in just two months, and that’s all I need for me to keep hope in this marriage without any doubt.
“Ayesha! Tomorrow onwards you have to go to school.” He suddenly said, and she smiled hearing that.
“You got bored with me every day?” I asked her in a whisper.
“No! But school is fun.” She replied, shaking her head.
“What about school uniform and other things she may need?” I asked looking at him.
“Everything is arranged.” He replied looking down.
Tomorrow I will need to wake up even earlier. God! What happened to me? I am only thinking everyday only about getting up.
But again, I really hope I get to make breakfast tomorrow though…
*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
*Nisha Pov* “We are going to a party and you are not saying ‘No’.” Pavani said rushing towards me walking out of her exam room. “No!” I said smiling and then turned to walk. “Oh, come on! You need to come.” She pleaded. “Did you forget about Ayesha?” I asked her frowning. “No! But you said your Mom was in the town right. So she will take care of her.” She replied. “They will return today evening sharp at 9.” I said, shaking my head and smiled when Rajeev walked towards us. “9 right! Then I promise you that you will be at home before 9.” She said pleading more. “Pavani! Don’t ask like that.” I said groaning. “Please… please...” She continued to plead, and I finally said, “Ok!” “Yes!” She said shouted, and few people glanced at us with funny looks. “She is just happy that she wrote the exam well.” Rajeev said, and the stares reduced. “I wrote today’s exam worst.” She said, rolling her eyes. “Who cares? This was our last exam for this year, and we should just look forward to
*Nisha Pov* I walked inside the house and saw that Mom and Aunt are waiting for me. I glanced to their sides to see even the luggage is packed. “I am sorry I got late.” I mumbled walking towards them. “You are not late.” Mom said, smiling and I nodded. “Ayesha?” I asked them frowning. “She had her dinner and is sleeping now.” Aunt replied, and I nodded. “We will go now. Otherwise, we will miss our train.” Mom said, bringing me out of my thoughts. “Will you both be fine to go alone?” I asked her worried. “Yes! We will be all right, and the station is near to this area right. We already called the taxi.” Mom replied. “I will note down the taxi number.” I mumbled, looking around the house. “Are you ok?” Mom asked, coming near me. I stared at her and hugged her saying, “I am!” “Looks like our taxi is here.” Aunt said, and I walked near her releasing Mom. “I miss you too Aunt.” I said, hugging her which I have never done in recent years. “Hmm...” She whispered patting my back