Michi FF: Two Little Miracles, Pt 02,Pg 07 (22/11)

|| Two Little Miracles ||

It is raining heavily in the city of New York. The pounding sheets of rain have infused a certain uncanny sense of foreboding in the city. Two people are sitting and communicating in a cafe. Another person is eavesdropping on them. He listens carefully, as he has to report every small detail to the person who has hired him.

In other part of the city, the owner of a Multinational corporation smirked to himself as he kept the phone down, he had finally got what he wanted. His man had done a good job. Just next to his apartment lives a lady. The doorbell of her house rings. She opens the door to see a man. He says, "I have the info"..

"oh good, you found her?" she asked him sarcastically turning away from the door. He balled his hands into fists trying to keep the anger his bay.

"Look, it wasn't my fault that she went away that night all right?" He snapped at her causing her to turn around suddenly.

"oh I know bhai whose fault it exactly was, now I cant even face her all thanks to you"

"Look Sukriti, she came to me'"

"She trusted you and you took advantage of her" Sukriti finished it for him folding her arms across her chest.

"it wasn't my fault and I'll prove it you" he glared at her long and hard before he turned his heels and walking away to his own apartment. He slammed the door shut and locking the door, he dropped himself on the couch. Leaning back he closed his eyes as he thought back about the phone call he received.

It has been two years. two years of silent treatment from his own sister. Milind Mishra was never a type to be ignored but the way his sister had turned so cold after that one single night. He buried his face in his hand and groaned. 'Why the hell did that woman even come into his life!' he felt like screaming. His sister was everything to him. Ever since their parents have passed away, Milind took the responsibility of raising his sister. He had tutored her, fed her scolded her and gave everything she wanted even before she could ask. Like how their father would have done it. He made sure that she never misses their parents. He became her father and mother. And now, she don't even talk to him. being just a door away too, he was a stranger to her. all this happened just because of that woman! Milind thought angrily. picking up his cell he called his secretary and practically barked over the phone.

"Book a seat for me for the first flight that goes to Mumbai tomorrow"

"ye-yes sir" he heard her stammer and he closed his eyes feeling sorry for the poor girl.

"I'm sorry Kuku, just make sure its as early as possible"

"sure sir, I'll call you back once I do so" He heard her cheerful voice and then hang up before she could say anything further.

Milind walked up to his window and slid open the sliding door to the balcony and stepped outside. The rain was still pouring down heavily. He put his hands on the railing and bent his head down helpless. Milind never thought that he would have the need to face her again. she was after all just a casual fling he had years ago. And it wasn't his fault that she started to take things so seriously. he has cleared things even before they started off that he do not commit. He was a never a man who was to commit. And he never has the intention of committing to a relationship. He wasn't just 'the type'.

He still remembers the day when she first walked into his office clad in simple shirt and jeans with no make up at all. Her hands were full of shopping bags and she could hardly see the person walking in front of her and before she could realize it, she bumped onto him and fell down sending the shopping bags flying down.

"Now look what you have done!" She said seeing the bags scattered all around. not even saying sorry to him. she has started to pick up the bags while he just stood glaring at her. Sensing that he wasn't being of any help to her, she looked up, her eyes, hazel eyes blazing with frustration. "Won't you help me or what?!"

From that point on, Milind knew that she was different. He hasn't taken an instant liking in the first place but when she asked for help so angrily, he felt a kind of pull towards her he never felt before. she didn't even blush when their eyes met and held and he was immensely surprised when she tore her eyes away with least interest in him.

It was then he later found out that she was his sisters' best friend who came into help her with the bags and it was when he saw her blush when she realized that the one whom she had ordered to pick up the bags were none other than her friend's brother she was so anxious to meet.

There relationship started out with coincidental meetings from coffee shop to malls to his office. Day by day they would spend hours and hours with each other.

Sukriti would tease them whenever she spot them together saying that they look like a match made in heaven and should consider settling down but she would always laugh at the end which to him was a great a relief as well.

Thinking back, he felt a sudden pang of guilt. He had no idea why he felt so guilty all of a sudden. Not that it was entirely his fault. Banging his fist on the rail, he swiped away the water from his face and stepped inside his apartment and closing the door, he went in to change awaiting for the next day where he would be flying down to Mumbai and get her back to New York and clear it all out with his sister. Then everything will be normal. Milind smiled with satisfaction as he lay down on the bed.

The next day Milind waited impatiently near the departure gate, it was still an hour early, but he was impatient to see her. three years has been a long time and all of a sudden, he felt the same desire grip inside him. just by thinking about her, he felt his whole body stir up. finally after which felt like an eternity, it was time to board and he didn't know why he all of a sudden felt nervous. It wasn't like he was meeting her for the first time. he tried consoling himself but failed immensely. He all the way to Mumbai kept on thinking on what he was going to say to her when he meet her. and according to his investigator, Prachi goes to a shopping complex every Sunday at the same time to buy groceries for the week and he has planned to meet her in the complex so that things wont be so difficult for him also.

After the departure, Milind rushed off to take his luggage and practically ran out of the airport not noticing the eyes that glanced his way as he made his way out. he didn't know what the hurry was. even though he might not catch her in the shopping mall, he has her address and he can obviously meet her there. but it wasn't it. he knew it. there was something else of that he couldn't explain. He never felt so excited to meet anyone in his whole life. Not even when he got a call from Larry King be a guest in his show also. 'I'm just doing this for my sister' he said to himself giving the cab driver the address to the mall.

"thanks" he said to the cab driver paying him extra for getting him to the mall in half time. as the can drew away, Milind took a deep breath as he turned towards the huge mall and then pushed open the door and walked in. his eyes widened as he saw the amount of people around. it was a Sunday and the place was filled with locals. He tiptoed in hope that he would see Prachi amongst them but cursing on seeing so many, frustrated, he began walked upstairs. "excuse me may I help you?" Milind stopped as he heard a passing salesgirl ask him. shaking his head in negative, he went upstairs and began to scan around. minutes passed and finally, he saw her. or more like he thought he saw her. it was just a blink of an eye and then she was gone. Frustrated, he hit his fist on the metal railing and taking his cell, he punched the number of his investigator. While he could get connected, he walked downstairs and got out of the crowded Mall. He breathed out a long sigh which was a mixture of relief and frustration.

"Are you sure she was to come today?" Milind practically barked to which people turned their heads to him.

"I told you, I'm not sure, I just heard her sister talking last night saying she will be shopping there on Sundays"

"You'" Milind stopped as he saw the sight before him. his mouth fell open as he saw her slowly coming out from the other door. As he saw her his breath caught in his throught.

Oh lord she looked gorgeous. Different though. It took him a moment for him to recognize her because she has grown her hair and had it tied back in a pony tail which made her look younger and more freer.

Crazy, she had put on a little weight but it suited her. she looked well and happy and beautiful but oddly considering how desperate he had been for news of her for the past two years ' two years, three weeks and two days to be exact. It wasn't only Prachi who held his attention after the initial shock. It was the babies sitting side by side in the supermarket trolley. Two identical twins and absolutely beautiful girls. His heart constricted seeing her talking to them. they looked just like her which meant they were hers. His heart constricted again as pangs of jealousy and anger within him. 'how dare she let anyone touch her!' he slid his gaze to her neck. There was no wedding chain nor vermillion and the kids looked almost two which meant, they might be his. How often will he see the eyes of true brown? Like his? They had to be his. He didn't know what else to think and instead stood rooted on the spot as Prachi made her way to her mini van and after she loaded her groceries, she lifted her babies and gently kept them in the back seat before handing them a toy and then turned smiling.

Prachi's smile immediately faded as she saw Milind. the shock of seeing him after so long made her heart go weak. Her past came flooding back to her like an erupting volcano. "milind" She whispered his name as her eyes began to cloud. Prachi gripped the car door as he made her way to her and stopped right in front of her.

"prachi" he said her name as a she chocked in a sob. "why didn't you tell me?" He said looking at the babies who were cheering at the back seat. Prachi's eyes blazed with horror but then it was of no use in denying as he has the right to know about them as he was their father and no matter how much she hate the man in front of her, she cant deny him of the responsibility as father and nor she could let her kids to deny of the love from their father. Prachi had tried her level best to give her children the best care and love. but it all didn't seem enough for her and she knew why. it was all because she has been raising them as single mother.

"What are you here Milind, why now?"

"why didn't you tell me?" He asked her again which was almost an angry demand.

"you told me yourself that you don't intend to commit in any relationship so what was I suppose to do?" some of his anger escaped in spite of himself. "you should have told me the minute you found out"

"well, I'm really sorry but I did came to tell you but you were so busy laughing your head off with your friends making fun of me"

"what?"

"oh please don't try to act so innocent in front me!" Prachi gave a soft laugh and then turned. "I heard it all Mr.Mishra how you and your friends had made fun of the plain Jane falling for the charms of the playboy!"

"what'" Stunned Milind asked her.

"look, I have better work to do, if you excuse me" She excused herself as she heard the babies wail and getting in the car she drove away leaving Milind standing exactly where he was.

What was that? he asked for himself. Plain Jane falling for the charms of a playboy? Didn't she know what it was all about? He has made it all too clear for her. so where did anything go wrong? Nothing made sense. He wanted answers. More answers and even more, he wanted to hold his children. They were his and he wanted them.

It was only then realization drew into him. she left. Oh god she left, how on earth was he to find her now? he his palm on his forehead as he remembered his investigator handing him Prachi's address.

"taxi!" He called to a cab to which a cab immediately halted infront of him, getting in, he directed the cab driver to her place.

Milind still couldn't recover from the shock. He was a father. A father of two. Raking a hand through his hair, he glanced around as he felt that the car has stopped. Glancing up, he saw that they were stuck in the traffic. Letting out a sigh, he leaned back as he watched the busy road people walking up and down, rickshaws moving about, cars halted and motorbikes stopped.

for now, all Milind wanted to do was just go and see his daughters. he didnt want to think of anything else. just want to see his daughters and tell them that he is their father.

Prachi stopped in front of her house and called out to the nanny she hired. An elderly lady came running and picked up the groceries for her and Prachi tagged along with her inside holding her children's hand. But before Prachi could reach the door, she stopped as she heard car tires screech outside and turning around, she saw Milind getting out of taxi and dropping in the fares to the tazi driver, he ran towards her.

"let me hold them please" Milind asked and Prachi made no hesitant to deny. He was after all their father. The girls, who were now hiding behind their mother peeped behind her afraid of the stranger standing before them.

"go on, he's your papa" Prachi encouraged the kids but they still held back. Milind looked at her helpless with the rejection from his own daughters.

"Priya? Why don't you go?" Prachi asked to the one hiding behind her right. But she shook her head. Prachi glanced at Milind and then gave him a slow smile before turning to her other daughter. "Payal?" but she too just remained behind her mother biting her nails. Prachi turned to Milind and said.

"they will get use to you" and Milind just nodded his head. "Lillith" Prachi called the nanny and she again came outside running. She gave a look quick look at Milind and turned to Prachi with curious eyes and that moment was enough for Lilith to guess who the stranger was. "take them inside, I'll be in in a minute" Prachi said and Lilith held both Priya and Payal's hand and walked inside closing the screen door.

As soon as they went inside, Prachi narrowed her eyes and folded her arms across her chest and asked. "why did you come here Milind?"

"I just want to see---"

"don't act coy with me Mr.Mishra, you didn't come here to see my daughters, in fact you didn't even know about them till now so what was the real reason to come to here looking for me milind? I know there must be some reason which is beneficial for you I guess" she bit out each word clearly letting him to know how much she had come to hate him.

"Please Prachi can I just stay with them?" Milind pleaded. "they are my daughters"

Prachi was about to say no but didn't dare to. There was no fault of the two little girls she gave birth to. they had no idea what their mother went through. even if they did, she didn't want them to be deprived from their fathers love since she herself wasn't able to get one when she was at the age.

"Okay, come in" Prachi offered and Milind broke into a smile making Prachi to remember all those womderful moments she spent with him. 'damn him' Prachi gritted her teeth and went inside with milind following behind her.

Milind entered the house and was shocked to see the area so small. It was even smaller than his penthouse. The bedroom, kitchen, family room bathroom all seem to have been fitted into the same area which was no more than a shoebox!

"you live here?" Milind asked shocked and Prachi turned and replied.

"yes, and we happen to manage very well"

"but this is a shoebox!"

"enough for three" Prachi rolled her eyes and Milind took a step back as he felt himself step onto a soft toy.

"that's it, you are coming with me" he scooped up her keys and handbags from the side table. "get our daughters we are leaving"

"where?" Prachi demanded.

"I'm taking you to what it will be our place"

"you cant just take us to YOUR place like that"

"I'm not requesting you Prachi, I'm ordering you, take our daughters and lets go, you are not going to stay in this place even for another second!"

"stop it milind, you are forgetting that this is my house and my daughters you are talking about"

"they are mine too"

"They are, but I have been the one who has raised them till now and I wont let you take them away from me, got that" Prachi said her eyes flaring with anger that even Milind was surprised.

"I'm not taking them away from you Prachi, I'm telling you to come with me"

"we are not coming with you" Prachi said out slowly biting each and every word. they stood staring at each other. not giving up on any of them. they turned as they heard a muffle cry from the doorway. Priya was standing there near the door way crying hugging her soft toy while Payal stood staring at them scared.

They have been shouting too loud that even Lilith was unable to stop the kids from hearing out. a moment later, Lillith has come out from the room and took them inside. milind and Prachi glanced at each other and a sudden rush of awkwardness fell over them.

"we shouldn't hav'" Prachi began and Milind nodded his head and said.

"I'm sorry, I'll come later and you better change your mind about going with me"

"oh that's the last thing that's gonna happen" Prachi laughed and Milind smirked moving forward and prachi backed away.

"wha- what are you doing?" Prachi stammered her eyes widened.

"trying to figure out that what will happen if that's not going to happen" he murmured against her mouth and Prachi squeezed her eyes shut and before she could realize it, he was kissing her. his fingers combed through her hair, cupping her head and bringing her closer.

Her mouth opened to him letting him take the kiss deeper and stroked the attraction between them. he tasted of wine and she picked up the scent that was warm and all male. Just like the night they shared, nothing has changed. prachi thought lazily leaning on to him and then immediately, her eyes snapped open and pushed him away hard to which he almost tumbled backwards.

"Don't you dare Mr. Mishra" Prachi warned her eyes stinging with tears. "Get out!"

"I'm going for now, but I will come back sweety" Milind stepped forward and stoked a finger down her arm and prachi shoved his hand off in disgust. "I take what's mine and you know that don't you?"

"so ruthless'

"thanks" Milind smiled broadly and opened the door to go out and then stopped. "I'm staying at Royal Blue hotel suite 209 call me there and oh by the way, you still smell the same, like strawberries" and all prachi could do was turn away from him. so many painful memories has flooded back all of a sudden. Till a moment ago, she thought that maybe, just maybe he must have changed. Seeing the rejection from his own daughters, she has seen the pain flash across his face but he has proven them all to be so fake after demanding to come with him in such a ruthless way.

Prachi slumped down on the couch and buried her face in her hands and then both Priya and Payal has come running towards her. Smiling, Prachi scooped them to her lap and asked. "did I scare you?" and neither of them answered instead both got off from her lap and went to take the toys that laid infront of them. Prachi watched as Priya and Payal sat down playing with her toys and she suddenly felt a sudden jab of guiltiness inside her. was she making the same mistake her mother has made? She too has done the same thing. She never went to Australia with her father when he asked her to and ended up divorced later on depriving her from her father's love. No, she will not do it. she wont let her children to grow up without the love of her father like she did. Though she like it or not, she will have to move in with him. only for their children's sake.