ArHi FF! Gravity - Thread 1 - [Completed] - Page 88

Interlude II: Meet the parents

"You are back early," Pankaj observed as Garima walked into their room looking visibly disturbed. Seeing her plight, Pankaj softened. "Hey...what happened?"

"It's nothing...I wasn't in a mood to sit through another toddler's birthday party." Garima sighed and started taking off her jewellery. Pankaj observed his wife's reflection in mirror and saw the lines of worry etched deep on her forehead. It didn't take a genius to guess what had entailed at the party.

They had been married for a decade and half but had no legacy to leave behind. No leaf was unturned in the hopes of having a child in their arms but their efforts were in vain. Pankaj was alright with living the rest of his life with only his wife for company but Garima was a true mother at heart; intelligent, kind and principle oriented and he wished he could see all those aspects of her come out in harmony while raising a child. His stomach clenched when he remembered the words of their doctor. Garima couldn't carry a child to full term, her body attacking fetus as if they were foreign body.

The words had rendered Garima speechless and she had surrendered into black oblivion when the words hit her hard. She felt betrayed by her own body and hated every inch of her. It had taken Pankaj a lot of words, determination and persistence attention to save her from herself. Garima's depression had hit Pankaj hard and knew that the sorrow of her tragedy would eat them away till they were alive. And then there were days like these when surrounded by children, there would be an offhanded remark about her by a young immature woman which would bring tears to Garima's eyes. Society hadn't been exactly unkind to them but there were odd moments which lashed through their hearts and shoved them into deep shadows.

"We have to consider adoption," Pankaj said carefully. He didn't know where Garima's stand on this option was and he had left the decision completely to her. He wanted the decision to come from her and he would support whichever path she took.

He had promised that on their wedding day when they performed the rituals in front of holy pyre.

"I know," she said. "Can I think about it?" She asked softly.

"Certainly Garima. Take whatever time you need," he replied lovingly. He decided not to rake the topic voluntarily. He decided to wait for her to initiate the conversation on this regard.

It was five weeks since he had brought up the topic of adoption and Garima hadn't spoken about it yet. He wondered if her silence was an answer in itself of was she still contemplating on the thought. His work demanded him to travel frequently to various cities in the country and sometimes abroad too and he thoroughly enjoyed it. Garima accompanied him whenever he had few days of stay planned and it worked out well for the two. He had started feeling guilty of leaving her behind, even if it was only for couple of days in their luxurious flat all alone. She was becoming isolated at an alarming speed and he wondered if her loneliness could somehow be abated if he stayed with her. She would at least have some company in her loneliness. If it meant increasing an iota of happiness, he would gladly give up his role and take up a smaller job.

He was woken up from reverie when the phone rang on his desk.

"Garima? Is everything alright?" He asked as soon as he heard his wife's voice on the other end.

"Everything is fine. Can you come right away to the orphanage which Mrs Sharma runs?" Garima said urgently.

"I'll come right away, but why?" Pankaj asked balancing the receiver between his ears and shoulder as he picked up his blazer.

"To meet our daughter," Garima said breathlessly. Pankaj felt as if something was strong hammered into his heart in full speed. Tears sprung in his eyes as he allowed the words 'our daughter' to encapsulate in its sweetest embrace. A sense of pride, responsibility, fear of something so adorably new hit him and he collapsed on his chair to take a long deep breath. Garima had hung up the phone which he realized only few moments later.

He was a father now.

The thought brought him back to present as he rushed out of his office telling his secretary that he was taking off for the rest of the day and probably next few days too.

Pankaj and Garima welcomed the little darling 'Payal' into their life. Payal was fourteen days old and left in hospital by the woman who gave her birth to. Irony had hit Garima hard but the little bundle in her arms had made her ignore the mother who had left her child all alone in the world by choice. She couldn't understand it and by looking at Payal's adorable face, she didn't care.

Pankaj saw Garima taking caring of little one and knew that would be a great mother. And he was proven right as years went by and Payal's anklets started reverberating all around the house as she ran around the house as fast as her little feet could take her. Pankaj had cried laying his head on Garima's lap on Payal's first day at school. Their little daughter was growing up fast and finally Pankaj understood the unfathomed pride his colleagues felt when the spoke about their sons and daughters. It was a joy that one could relate to when they experience it on their own.

"Our daughter is growing so fast," Pankaj said closing his eyes.

"She is only four years old," Garima deadpanned.

"In few years, there will be boys." Pankaj sat up suddenly with a horrified look on his face. "Boys aren't good for my daughter. I was young once and I know exactly what kind of species that is. So that's a big no-no." Pankaj said seriously.

Garima laughed happily.

Pankaj reduced the frequency of his travels just so that he could be close to his family. It wasn't because he was too attached to Garima and Payal to leave them for several days at a stretch but because he knew that it would be tad difficult for Garima to take care of everything around her. She was a strong woman and he knew very well that she would pull it off spectacularly but a part of him wanted to be there - for both the girls in his life and reduce a bit of stress for his wife.

Garima came inside with tears and sobbing softly. Seven year old Payal looked alarmed and looked at her father in wonder. He ushered her into her room and took Garima's hand.

"Puja and her husband were in an accident today," Garima said placing her head on her husband's chest. "Her husband died on spot and Puja died on the way to hospital." She hiccuped. Puja was more of Garima's friend than her cousin. They had grown up in same town and went to same school thus their paths were crossed too many times to ignore.

"Where is their daughter now?" Pankaj asked.

"She is with her father's sister who was visiting them. I am not sure what is going to happen to her." Garima said. "That little girl was so strong you know? She was standing in hospital quietly in a corner and looking around the mayhem around her."

"She doesn't know what is going on now, I suppose." Pankaj wondered.

"No, she doesn't." Garima said. "I wanted to ask you something..." she trailed. Pankaj looked at her as she took several steps away from him and sat on their bed. He nodded her to go on. "Puja doesn't have anyone in this world Pankaj and her husband married her against everyone's wishes. So I am not sure what is going to happen to their daughter." She looked at him worriedly.

Pankaj knew exactly what she was talking about. "Well, she will always have us." He said simply. Garima closed her eyes and prayed to her revered Goddess for blessing her with such a kind and understanding husband. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

Twenty-three days later, Khushi was formally adopted by Pankaj and Garima.

Pankaj saw his two teenage daughters arguing about advantages of radish over carrot with their mother as judge. As soon as they realized their father had come home, they ran to welcome him and started the argument all over again. Garima walked out with snacks and tea for everyone as the girls chattered non-stop demanding their father to intervene and provide his observations.

Pankaj looked at Garima and smiled. Tears glistened in both their eyes when they saw their daughters. They were happy.

They were family.

Next Chapter: Chapter 20 - Blazing hearts and calming arms