Antara's Diary ..... 26th Oct to 30th Oct

26^th Oct

Dear Diary,

It was my birthday…………… what a wonderful day! So many balloons and cake. Yummy, my favourite sweet. And what a big doll I got as a present. I just love her. Papa and Vidya had written a song for me. Vidya sang it so beautifully. I was sailing like a free bird. Papa was stroking my hair and Vidya caressed my cheeks. It was so nice. It was late when we went to sleep.

When we woke up, all was quiet. Vidya was still sleeping. So Abhi and I went out into the living room and began to play. Papa came and was surprised that Vidya was still asleep. We went back to the room. Vidya was sleeping with a sweet smile on her face. Papa woke her up. Abhi wanted to know if Vidya had seen a joke or something. What's a joke? Papa said she's smiling because she's seen a little guest. Guests …….again? Oh no!! Papa said this was a tiny one and would live with us forever. Abhi said, "Like Antara?" Papa nodded but said he didn't know if it would be a brother or sister. Abhi hoped for a sister just like me. Abhi is so sweet, na?

Abhi had to stay at home while Vidya took me with her. He didn't like it but when Vidya promised him a chocolate, he agreed. We were at the doctor's when the doc asked Vidya to take rest. Papa's phone rang but he wouldn't pick it up. I wonder why…….

That's all for now. Sorry about last week. You see with Diwali and my birthday, I didn't get the time to write anything. So sorry………

Dear Diary

What a horrible day it was! Something terrible happened to Abhi, my poor little brother. 😭

Papa Vidya and I were just ready to go home when some phone interrupted us. After that both Papa and Vidya were in a tizzy. Vidya was weeping and she sat on the steps not knowing what to do. Papa was trying to ring someone. I saw an icecream stall and went to it for icecream. But papa had hailed a rick and was urging us to get in. Oh!! No icecream for me......not fair.

When we reached home the door was locked. Papa forced the door open. Furniture was piled against the door. Both Papa and Vidya started to call for Abhi and searched the whole house. Vidya began to cry. It was so sad! I took Vidya's hand and pulled her to our room. I took her to the cupboard. Papa opened the cupboard and there was Abhi hiding amongst the clothes. He looked so frightened that even I was disturbed. He sat in Vidya's arms crying. Papa angrily spoke to someone on the phone.

At night nobody could sleep. Abhi was telling Vidya how the three men barged into the house and asked for Papa. They were rough with Abhi. How mean! How could anyone do that to my little brother! He is so small, na?

Somehow Abhi fell asleep but I couldn't sleep. I went into the living room and began to draw the scene that Abhi had spoken about. The three frightening men and Abhi.

At the breakfast table, it was decided that we wouldn't be left alone anyore. I would go with Vidya and Abhi with Papa. But Abhi didn't want that. He thought Papa would hand him over to those men. That's not true. I remember how Papa had save me when I had got lost before.

Goodnight Diary .............it's been a horrific day!

Dear Diary,

There was nothing much to write about actually. Billo's mom was her usual annoying self in the morning and thereafter it was one long boring wait at the clinic.

I thought I wouldn't write anything because the day was pretty inconclusive.

Goodnight Diary........

Dear Diary,

I don't know what is going on since yesterday about a bag. Abhi and Papa were discussing something about a lost bag with lots of money in it. After dinner, Papa sat with me and was again talking about it. He was saying he tried to be a good man but that didn't help him at all. So he was going to do something dishonest. Isn't dishonest bad? Why should Papa do something bad? I looked at Papa trying to understand what he was saying. Why was he so upset? He left the room and left me alone. He didn't put me to sleep. Why......he's never done that before!

I left the room and went to Vidya's but there too things were not quiet. Abhi couldn't sleep although Vidya was telling him to. Vidya put me on the bed and both Abhi and I were trying to close our eyes. But sleep was somewhere far away. I sat up in bed. Abhi also sat up. We found the briefcase and went with it to Papa who was walking up and down in the balcony. Vidya told him what is the use of keeping this money if none of us could sleep in peace? I don't understand. I think Abhi and I couldn't get sleep because Papa was unhappy over something. What is this money Vidya was talking about? Anyway Papa decided to return the bag. Whose bag was it? How did it come home? Why did Papa bring it home?

Next morning Vidya and I remained at home but Papa and Abhi went out to return the bag. Vidya was praying to God and telling him about how good Papa is and that he should forgive him. Who is God? Why was Vidya standing in the corner with folded hands and crying? Why was she talking about Papa? I was looking at her. I couldn't understand anything. But I don't like to see Vidya cry. I don't like to see Papa cry either. Why do they sometimes cry?

Dear Diary...............I hope Papa returns home soon and Vidya stops crying. I don't like this at all.

I am so happy to hear from you again. And you are expecting more guests in the house? But this one is going to stay with you forever, that sounds like you are going to get a baby brother or sister soon. My mom said the same thing last year and now I have a cute baby brother :)

So good to hear from you again.

I missed you.

Hugs

D