Sharon- Aarti di...
Swayam- Ohh. Di, come...
Aarti smiled and came inside. The three sat on the couch.
Aarti- Sharon, firstly, I am sorry. I argued yesterday, didn't get along...
Sharon- It's okay di.. Ek second I'll bring..
Aarti- No! I need nothing. Just have to talk to you both.
Swayam- Yeah...plz say.
Aarti- Even I scolded...Sara.
Sharon- But why!!! Just an ice cream she had...
Swayam- Hey hey. A minute. Sharon?
Sharon- Woh Sara was upset as di scolded her just because she had eaten one ice cream.
Swayam- This was unfair di...really.
Aarti- Yes! I very well know that. Why won't I know when I am doing all this intentionally...
Sharon*disbelief*- What are you saying di????
Aarti- Sharon...I am a divorcee, it's been an year and more. I handle Sara alone... it's difficult.
Swayam- Why you're relating all this?
Aarti- Okay. She goes to school, despite of being a victim of her father's torture, scolding, still she asks for him!! What to answer.? She... She is just a kid!
Swayam- Then get close to her...this is not a solution!!
Sharon- Yeah..why...
Aarti- No... I don't want her to live in a dreamy life! I don't want her to be a weak person.
Sharon- Wait wait wait... one you say she is a kid and next second you are hurting her so that she'll understand. God dammit di what is all this!!!
Swayam- Hey Sharon... aaram se...
Sharon- I am...!
Aarti- I am not capable of taking care of Sara.. My mind wanders around my past... I really am unable to pay attention on her and thus just...just making her get detached from me...
Sharon*shout*- Wohoa. Ohh. Are you mad! What will happen then? Simply destruction!
Swayam held Sharon's shoulder.
Swayam- Cool. Shar. Plz. Sammy ghar pe hai na...plz...
Sharon- Hmm...
Swayam- Her life is precious, right?
Aarti- I know but I have to do this.
Sharon- You are going great... she isn't happy with you... she...she is happy and clung to Maanvi, when I and Swayam came she was so cheerful... she happily played with Sammy!! Maanvi ke saath ghar mein hai... nice!!
Aarti- Sharon! You think is it easy for me to hurt my child??
Swayam- And still you do the same!! And di the reasons like you spoke are nothing valid...why are you on that.
Aarti- Sara needs someone better! I don't want her life to be like mine. This was decided already that what I have to do.
Sharon- I know you are too disturbed but..Plz don't do this with her nah.
Aarti- I...I am shifting... anywhere but not India...
Swayam- That's nice... Sara will be better and happy with you away from here...
Aarti- Sorry... you didn't get me... she needs someone better!!
Sharon- Wait...you are leaving alone!
Aarti- Hmm.
Swayam- What about Sara?? She's your child n you..
Aarti- Haan. There are many kids who live without their parents.
Sharon- DI..!! Where will she live?? What's your plans huh?
Aarti- I'll shift only after I feel she's in secure hands n safe.
Swayam- You serious?
Aarti- See! If you both still doubt on me... I have only one thing to say... I am not going to parent Sara when I know there's no surety of my life itself !!
Sharon*wide eyes*- I am confused. What has happened to you?
Aarti- See no matter what I am not going to reveal that disease. But nobody knows how much I'll survive!
Swayam- But..Sara...n..
Aarti- Chill. Sara is a strong girl, right? I have really less options, she has very few close ones!
Both felt bad seeing her crying silently.
Sharon- Di...Don't cry...plz.
She brought her water and Aarti just drank a sip and kept it on the table.
Swayam- We can talk later... y..
Aarti- No... thanks but I am leaving for now, have some work actually. Anyways, I just want to see her happy... I thought about orphanage...
Sharon*Suddenly*- Hope you didn't confirm.
Aarti*smile*- I didn't. I realised that she needs a family!! A great parenting...
Swayam- Yeahh..if not you...then any..family.
Aarti- Think over it then. Sara is literally, close to you both..not even Maanvi but you two.
Swayam Sharon looked at each other and then at her. She lightly smiled and bid bye to them without giving them a minute to speak.
***
Sharon sighed! Just sat on the couch after Aarti went.
Sharon- Sway...yam.. Aarti di referred us?? Haina?
Swayam- Sharon..you..you are not well.. Don't think about it, plz.
Sharon- Swayam, unse clear karna hai na...woh kya kehna chahti hai!! Plz?
He came near her..
Swayam- Abhi kuch nahi. We'll talk...thik hai..but as this happened, Give her also time nah? Maybe jaldi mein she spoke, we should keep patience.
Sharon- Sure?
Swayam- Hmm. Agar unhe baat karna hoga, she will come and talk to us.
Sharon- I hope aisa hi ho.
Swayam assured her, she leaned on the pillow kept beside and he started caressing her forehead and hairs.
And in only few minutes, she was sleeping holding the pillow and his hand close.
Slowly, he took his hand out from her hold and headed to their Bedroom where Saamia was sleeping.
He sat on the bed and let out a breath.
Swayam- Huh. A father tortured his own daughter!! My Angel, no need to worry, you are my life. No matter what, your Daddy can/will never hurt you.. Not even in dreams. Even your Mommy, she loves you a lot.
He smiled as she gently yawned.
Swayam*chuckling*- Bore dialogue tha kya? Aah..love you Saamia..
He stopped smiling as the thought of Sara n Aarti's words came into his mind.
Swayam*thoughts*- She was clear through her words. Aarti di, really could see her in pain. And what should I say for Sara...huh... I know Sharon has got it but abhi she isn't that clear.. Thoda time shayad. And I am sure, for Sara, Di will do best only...
***
Sharon was awaken, Swayam was talking to Nilesh on phone.
Swayam- Nil...Kaisa hai?
Nilesh- Bilkul thik yaar. Tere haal chal?
Swayam- Sab thik hi hai yaar...
Nilesh- Tu kuch pareshaan sound kar raha hai? Kya hua?
Swayam- Nahi yaar sab thik hai. Tu bol achanak kya phone kiya?
Nilesh- Sun mujhe thoda kaam hai tujhse.
Swayam- Haan tu kuch keh raha tha ek case ka? Builders ka...
Nilesh- Haan. Tu shayad jaanta hoga.. Mehta sons n Co. hai.. Tujhse thodi information chahiye thi.
Swayam- Haan I know them.. Tu bata kab milna hai?
Nilesh- Agar tu free ho to in an hour?
Swayam- Umm...phir mere ghar pe hi aaja na.
Nilesh- Hmm. Yeh thik rahega, aata hun mein.
***
Swayam was helping Sharon in kitchen stuff. Sammy was coloring a random drawing.
Sharon- Bas Dinner is ready... umm Nilesh aayega and phir saath hi mein Dinner kar lenge? Chalega na?
Swayam- Sure.. And will you follow my suggestion??
Sharon- Say first nah.
Swayam- I am sure that you need a good shower. Go now. You'll feel fresh...
Sharon- How you know me so well?
Swayam- Tumhara friend, tumhara boyfriend tha and tumhara husband hun, itne years mein bohot achhe se I have known you baby.
Sharon- Wondering that tum nahi hote to..
Swayam- Arey baba. Mein to hun na... think this instead of thinking otherwise.
Sharon- Hmm. Okay I'll come in 10.
Swayam nodded.
***
Saamia called Swayam to come and help her with drawing.
And he sat behind her.
Swayam- Kya drawing Angel?
Saamia- Car...
Swayam- Konsi wali car?
Saamia- Jisme hum gaye the na...woh wali.
Swayam- Party? Humari Car...Ohh.. Umm to Daddy help karen isme?
Saamia- Haan plesh..karo..
Swayam- Okay...to jaisa I'll say, vaisa karna draw.
Saamia held the pencil.
Swayam- Ek straight line draw karo paper par, in the middle.
Saamia- Yan par? (Yahan par)
Swayam- Thoda upar.
He pointed to the area and she tried doing it with scale but the scale used to slid aside and the line would bent.
Saamia- Nai aayi?
Swayam- Nahi. Scale ko tight pakdo na.
Saamia smiled, took his hand on hers and asked him to show.
Saamia- Batao ab..
Swayam, as contentment, smiled and made her draw the structure.
Saamia- Isme wo gol gol (round round) nahi hai...jo chalta hai..
Swayam- Hai na.. Tyres...Dekho 4.
Saamia- Ye naiii. Umm...haath wala..
Swayam- Ohh. Steering? Woh mein jisko pakad ke drive karta hun?
Saamia- Haaann wo...
After a pause,
Saamia- Ye wala...
She kept the pencil point where the steering is present in a car... Swayam pecked her cheek and widely smiled.
Swayam- Hmm... karo draw.
Saamia drew an improper circle but still was best for her at that age.
Swayam- Good girl. Ab ho gaya bas??
Saamia- Abi Mommy, Daddy, Sammy bhi banana..
Swayam- Par Sammy to bohot chhoti hai... kon banayega phir.
Saamia- Daddy, banao naa plesh...
Swayam- But kal A, B, C, D...sab achhe se bol kar dikhana..
Saamia- Haan pakkaa.
She gave him the pencil, he nodded a no and then took her hand so that she could learn it atleast, a bit.
Saamia- Yeh kon?
Swayam- Angel ki Mommy.
Saamia- Waaoo... meine bana liya na...
Swayam*laughed*- Haan. Angel, aapne banaya.
Sharon had the shower and was out wearing a blue kurti n leggings..
Saamia- Mommy!!!
Sharon- Haan baby... kya kar rahi ho?
Saamia- Car banayi...aao naa..
Sharon went to her and saw that.
Sharon- Ohh so Mr. Painter is helping..
Swayam- Haha. Now Mrs. Painter is here to give final touch.
Sharon*happily*- No. Tum hi karo...
Swayam- Vaise are you alright now?
Sharon- Yup! Really felt relieved after this.
Swayam- Hmm. Thanks for obeying me.
Sharon*confidently*- Haan so I always do, and if ever I didn't do, you aren't my teacher, okay?
Swayam- Wah. Answer! But I want you to obey one thing.
Sharon- Mr. concentrate on my baby's drawing... okay...not anywhere else.
Swayam gave a glare to her as she broke out laughing. She waved him a bye and kept going out.
Swayam- Ab kahan???
Sharon- Dinner...bye..
Swayam- Huh. Ab to wife ke saath time spend karne mein bhi wife ki permission! Hey bhagwan! Kalyug!
Saamia- Daddy...Suno na...
He sighed sheepishly and continued with Sammy's Car drawing..
Swayam- Arey yeah. I left your face half and actually didn't sketch myself!
Saamia looked at him, like waiting from hours..
Swayam- Angel.. Ruko baba.
He somehow made a random puppet and assured her that it was them.
There, Sharon spoke "Swayam!! Nilesh is here...aao ab."
Swayam- Yeah!!! *to Saamia* Chalo come down.
Saamia- Yaha par hi...Daddy go..
Swayam- Okay, zyada masti nahi karna... Mommy bhi kitchen mein hai.
Saamia- Haan...
He walked down to Nilesh, met with a buddy hug.
Swayam- Simmi nahi aayi?
Nilesh- Out of town gayi hai...
Swayam- Hmm..
Sharon- Nil...you wanna have snacks or directly Dinner?
Nilesh- Mujhe kuch nahi khana... dinner ho gaya hai mera!!
Swayam- Kya yaar..tu bhi..
Nilesh- Sach mein yaar...
Sharon- Achha okay, I'll bring snacks.
She went... Nilesh Swayam were discussing about a client.
A minute after, Sharon was arranging few items in the plate when a voice, a sound made her...
***
Next, Swayam N Nilesh, who ran towards..
***
A scream..."Sammy!!!!!!"
***
9