Strangers- Complete FF - Pages 136 to 139 - Page 98

Part 10

Sahana's arrival had made a huge difference to the lives of the inmates of Mishra Mansion. Everyone of them wanted their slice of time with her and fought amongst themselves to get to her. Feeding time was the only time Prachi could exclusively spend with her daughter. The rest of the time which included playing time, sleeping time, even nappy changing time was shared by Milind, Baba, Bua and even Ramu kaka. Every day Baba kept finding innovative ways to entertain in his little grand daughter. He also sang her lullabies in his deep baritone voice to put her to sleep. His doctor was amazed that his blood pressure which was always on the higher side was well within normal limits and advised him to stop taking his BP pills as his grand daughter seemed to be a better medicine.

Bua, who kept saying that she will leave after Prachi's delivery, was reluctant to return to her home. In the pretext of helping the new mother she found an excuse to spend time with her little grand niece. She took it upon herself to prepare all the herbal remedies to take care of normal complaints that little babies may have like tummy upsets or colic pain or constipation. Prachi tried to expain to her that as long as she was feeding the baby, she need not worry about these things but she wouldn't listen to her. She also showed Prachi how to bathe the baby but even after Prachi learnt the art, she never let her bathe Sahana, insisting on doing it herself. Every morning she massaged the baby's body with ghee and wheat flour balls saying that it would improve her grand niece's complexion. Milind overheard this and expressed his annoyance at Bua's remark. How could she even consider his daughter's complexion needed improvement in the first place, he asked her and had to be reassured that she thought that Sahana was the most beautiful baby in the world.

Ramu kaka too found his unique way of spending time with the baby. He made different instruments in natural matter such as bamboo, coconut shell, sticks etc and played them for his little guddi, making her gurgle in laughter.

Milind's efficiency at work had nearly quadrupled as he was keen to get back home as early as possible and whisk 'his' daughter away from the prying eyes and hands of his relatives. Once he was around, the rest of the family could not as much as lay a finger on her. He completely monopolised all the time. He sang perfectly off-key songs to her; he played with her; he burped her; he changed her diapers; he even read bed-time fairy tales to her although the poor little baby could not comprehend a single word he said. Sahana too took a fondness to her dad. She recognised his face around the time she recognised her mother's face, i.e., in a month's time. She seemed to absolutely adore his beard and moustache, for as soon as he lifts her up her tiny hands would invariably extend to them, pulling and tugging at them.

Although Prachi got to spend less time with her baby, her cup of joy was just overflowing seeing all the love and care her daughter was getting. Not only was her baby being taken care of but she too was receiving a lot of loving care. Bua kept a hawk like eye on what Ramu kaka was serving her. Her diet was modified to help in lactation. Bua also showed her how to tie her tummy up with a band to push the sagging flesh in and soon her body returned back in shape, a fact that did not escape the keen eye of her admiring and doting husband, although she herself was unaware of the effect her shapely figure had on his senses.

Sahana was a relatively easy baby to handle and did not wake up more than twice every night. Not wanting to disturb Milind's sleep, Prachi kept the baby's cradle close to her so that as soon as she made the smallest whimper, she woke up to feed her or change her nappies. Although Milind was aware of Prachi's night vigil he did not let her know he was awake, for he knew she will feel guilty for troubling him.

Their relationship had reached a stage where although they continued to hesitate in expressing their love for each other vocally, the awkwardness that they felt in displaying their physical attraction towards each other was slowly disappearing. Prachi did not feel the need to cover herself up whenever Milind walked in on one of her feeding sessions. Milind did not hesitate to change his clothes in front of her. They were behaving like any normal couple although they had not taken their marital relationship to its logical conclusion. There were several times when Milind nearly blurted out to Prachi how much he loved her but there was something that was always holding him back. Just what it was, he could not say.

Days turned into weeks and weeks, into months. Soon Sahana was nearly five months old. It was the day before their unforgettable first meeting in the train a year ago. Milind decided there could not be a better occasion than the anniversary of their first meeting to bare his heart to his wife and tell her how much he really loved her. He planned to make elaborate arrangements for the grand confession the following day.

That morning Prachi had just finished feeding Sahana when Milind stepped out of the bathroom in his towel. Droplets of water stuck to the rippling muscles of his chest and biceps making them glisten. Prachi could not help but admire her husband's taut athletic frame. His hair was still wet from the bath. Buttoning up her nightie, Prachi asked him to hand her the towel so that she could scrub his hair dry to prevent him from catching a cold. He smiled at her concern and handing her the towel, he sat by her side, taking Sahana from her lap. While he held his daughter in his arms and cooed to her, his wife pulled his head in level with her hands and vigorously scrubbed his hair. A couple of droplets of water fell on Sahana's face and she giggled at the sensation. Milind laughed back and tickled her belly to make her giggle more. He turned to see Prachi and his eyes fell on her cleavage which was in line with his vision. He gulped at the sight and looked up to see Prachi's gaze reflecting the desire in his eyes. For a moment he was tempted to lean in and kiss her supple lips but decided to rein in his feelings for one more day. He wanted his love confession and the anticipated make out session after that to be special. Quickly handing back Sahana to her, he proceeded to get ready for work. Just as he was about to brush a light goodbye kiss on her forehead, a habit he had developed of late, Prachi asked him if he can watch over Sahana for a couple of minutes so that she can attend nature's call. Milind was only too willing to spend a few more minutes with his darling daughter. Sitting on the bed, he took her from her hands and asked her to go ahead. Sahana resumed her giggling as soon as she realised she was held by her favourite member of the family. In all the giggling she ended up wetting Milind's expensive pants.

Prachi returned to witness the mishap and quickly took back Sahana, apologising for it. Milind smiled saying that she was only a baby and these things do happen. He removed his pants and looked in his wardrobe but none of the pants were pressed. When Prachi tried apologising for not getting the pants pressed in advance, Milind just waved it off saying that she already had her hands full with the baby. He then switched on the iron on the ironing board and after a couple of minutes he hurriedly pressed his pants before slipping into them. As he was already running late for work, he quickly kissed her forehead, picked up his briefcase and left without having his breakfast, much to Prachi's chagrin.

Prachi felt bad that Milind had skipped his breakfast because of her. Had she not asked him to take care of Sahana, he could have had a quick breakfast before he left. She wanted to make it up to him and prepared his favourite dishes, including dhoklas. She decided to pay him a visit at work and personally hand him his specially cooked lunch. She packed the food and taking leave of Baba and Bua, she left with Sahana to Milind's office in the chauffeur driven company car. Once she reached his office she eagerly walked up to the reception and asked for Mr. Milind Mishra's cabin. She has never visited him at work before so she did not know where it was. The friendly receptionist gave the directions. With Sahana on one hip and the tiffin career on the other hand, she briskly walked towards his cabin. She was about to push open the door when she overheard him speaking to someone. She waited outside till he finished.

She could clearly hear him say, "Don't worry, Ayesha. Even I did not expect this. Just give me some time. I will set everything right. Your love will surely win. Just don't lose hope." Prachi was shocked hearing these words and she gently pushed open the door to peep in. She caught sight of Milind enveloping a young woman in his arms. He had his back to her and she could only see the top of the lady's head over his shoulder.

She stepped back, stunned to the core. Her Milind was in love with another woman and she was the one in the way. Sahana looked at her mama's face in puzzlement and started making noises. Prachi quickly closed her mouth with her palm and left the place. On her way out she handed the tiffin carrier to one of the sub-staff and asked him to give it to Milind. She blindly headed to the parking lot where the driver was surprised to see her back so early. She told him that Sahana was very restless and she wanted to return home. Throughout the journey back Prachi kept weeping silently. Sahana touched her face and felt her tears in wonderment. Realising she had to get a hold of her emotions, Prachi quickly wiped her eyes and turned her attention to her daughter, talking to her and laughing with her, much to Sahana's relief and happiness.

Part 11(i)

Back in his office, Milind was blissfully unaware that he was the cause of Prachi's mental and emotional turmoil. After Ayesha left, his sub-staff brought in the tiffin carrier saying that his wife had handed it to him. Milind was surprised that Prachi had come to visit him at his office and wondered why she did not come in. When the man mentioned that she had come with the baby, he presumed that Sahana may have been restless, the reason why Prachi left almost immediately. He tried calling her on her cell but it was switched off. He called his residence but was told that Prachi and Sahana had not reached home as yet. He thought he will call her later and find out why she left without meeting him.

After lunch, he went to the ATM to withdraw some money to settle payments for the elaborate arrangements he was making for the next day. He stood in the queue and was about to enter the ATM cubicle when he noticed that the person who just stepped out of it had dropped his wallet while trying to slip it in his hip pocket. He called out to him and bent down to retrieve the open wallet when he casually glanced at the photograph inside it. He completely froze seeing it. Could it really be her? He looked up at the owner of the wallet who had walked up to him and took it from his outstretched hands, thanking him as he did so. Just as the stranger turned to leave Milind regained his composure and extended his hands to him.

"I'm Milind Mishra," he introduced himself. "You are...?"

"Neev Shergill," smiled the stranger and shook his hands.

Milind felt the ground under him giving way. So it was her picture in the wallet. He was tempted to flee but stood his ground. He wanted to know what Neev was doing in this city and why was he still having his wife's photograph in his wallet. A guy who has married another woman out of his own freewill should not go around carrying his ex's picture. Something told him that he should not probe further for he may not like what he finds but his curiosity got the better of him.

"Are you new around here?" he asked conversationally.

"Well, not exactly. I've been living in this city for the past six months but am leaving for the U.K. tomorrow." Neev replied.

"U.K? I lived in London for two years."

"Is that so? I'm going to London too. Is accommodation expensive there?"

"That depends. Are you shifting with your family?"

"No. I'm going there alone. Right now my employer will arrange for something but eventually I'll have to find my own place."

"Well, there are wider options for single men. Why don't we discuss it over coffee? That is.. if you have the time."

"Thank you. I'm free for the afternoon," Neev said and led Milind to the nearest coffee shop.

Milind did not know what he was getting himself into. Since he was the one who set the ball rolling, he could not go back.

"Wait, I'll have to withdraw some money," he said trying to buy some more time to compose his thoughts.

"Sorry. I didn't realise you have still not withdrawn your money. I'll wait here," said Neev.

Milind quickly went into the cubicle. As he punched his PIN number in the machine, his mind raced through Prachi's narration. If Neev had married his boss's daughter, why was he here in Pune? And why was he still carrying his ex-girl friend's picture in his wallet even after ditching her? And more importantly where was his wife and why was he leaving for London alone? Only Neev can answer all his questions. He decided to get them out of him without raising his suspicions.

Soon the two men were seated in the coffee shop. After placing their orders they started conversing.

"I couldn't help but notice the photograph in your wallet. Who is the girl?"

Neev smiled, "That is my girl friend Prachi Shah. She is no more in this world but I cannot forget her."

Milind was shocked to hear this. What did he mean by that?

"You mean she is dead?" he asked stupidly.

"Yes, she died a year ago."

"How?" Milind's voice was barely a whisper. Could there have been some serious misunderstanding?

Neev hesitated for a second wondering why he was saying all this to a stranger he just met but somehow Milind looked like someone he can confide in. Moreover, he had been bottling up his emotions for so long, he needed to get it off his chest. He suddenly broke down and covering his face he wept uncontrollably. Milind was shocked to see a grown man crying in a public place. He stretched his arm out and reassuringly patted his shoulder.

"Mr.Shergill. Please control yourself. You needn't talk about it if you don't want to."

Neev hastily wiped his eyes and said that he was alright.

"We were to get married but everything went up in smoke," he said mournfully.

Milind slowly came to know of Neev's painful past through his incoherent ramblings. Neev's story matched Prachi's up to the point where they were to meet in VT station. While Neev was waiting for Prachi, Mr.Dalal's men attacked him with sticks. He was beaten up to a pulp and was left to die. He had passed out almost immediately. The few mute and scared spectators at the station later admitted him in a hospital. He was unconscious for nearly two weeks and was bedridden for nearly six months with multiple fractures involving ribs, thighs and forearms. He had tried to call Prachi several times after he regained consciousness but couldn't reach her. During this time Prachi's brother, Alaap came to meet him at the hospital and lambasted him, blaming him for his sister's death. He was shocked to learn from him that she committed suicide thinking that he ditched her. Although no one was aware that she was carrying his child, he knew that she would have taken this extreme step because she may not have wanted her child to go through what she did as an illegitimate child.

At this point Neev broke down again and wept bitterly.

"I killed her, Mr.Mishra. I killed her. I got her pregnant and was not around when she needed me the most. "

Milind's heart sank hearing Neev's story. Neev was afterall not the bad guy he and Prachi presumed him to be. How would this change his own equation with Prachi? He pushed aside this thought for the moment and tried his best to console the man in front of him by saying that he was not at fault. Fate seemed to have other plans. Just then the waiter came with their coffee. Neev wiped his eyes again, not wanting to create a scene. They had their coffee in silence for some time. Neev then continued with the rest of his story.

After he was discharged from the hospital he left Mumbai fearing that Alaap or Mr.Dalal's men will try to harm him again out of vengeance. He took up a job in his uncle's business but found it difficult to forget the past. He wanted to leave the country so that he gets away from all the painful memories associated with it. That is when he saw an ad in the newspaper for an investment banker in an NRI firm in London. He applied for the job and got it.

"What about the cell?" Milind suddenly asked.

Neev looked at him in confusion.

Realising he said much more than he intended to, Milind recovered to ask, "You must have had a cell at the time of attack. Did you use it to try calling Prachi up?"

"No, someone had stolen it when I was unconscious. In fact I lost my money as well. I had to use the hospital phone to try calling her up."

Milind could now put together the missing pieces. Apparently somebody, maybe Alaap, had deliberately misled Prachi into thinking that Neev had ditched her by sending her the SMS. After they finished their coffee, he left his card with Neev and asked him to get in touch with him for any help finding accommodation in London as he had several friends there. Neev, in turn, gave his cell number and asked him to get in touch with him if he comes to London anytime in future. Milind then took leave of him and returned to his office.

For the rest of the day his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of what transpired in the meeting with Neev. Why did he have to meet Neev now when he was on the verge of confessing his love to Prachi? Why did he have to probe into his past? Why could he have not just walked away after handing over Neev's wallet? Now that he knows about Neev's past, was it right to let him continue to think that Prachi was dead? Should he tell Prachi about Neev? He was scared that if he tells Neev and Prachi the truth about each other he would lose not only his beloved wife but also the child he has grown to love and consider his own. But was it right to deprive Sahana the right to be raised by her biological father? His conscience was torn between coming clean with both Neev and Prachi and wanting to hold on to the two people he loves the most in this world. He knew that both Prachi and Sahana have grown attached to him but they are still in ignorance. Is ignorance always bliss? His head pounded with all these difficult questions and he had no answers to any of them.

Part 11(ii)

Ever since she returned from Milind's office Prachi has been trying to resolve the tussle between her head and her heart, weighed down as she was by guilt and dejection. Prachi's guilt was that she was overstaying her presence well beyond what was agreed upon. When they had got into this marriage, it was to provide a home for her till her childbirth and a name and identity to her child conceived out of wed-lock. It was also to keep Milind's father from hooking him up with anyone else till he got himself declared as a misfit for marriages so that he can lead the life of a perennial bachelor thereafter. Her head told her that since Milind had held his end of the bargain, she needs to fulfil hers by leaving the house inorder to return to him the freedom he has lost in marrying her and assuming responsibility for her daughter.

Unfortunately her heart was reluctant to come to terms with her plight. She had fallen head over heels in love with her benefactor, something she had really not aspired or anticipated in the beginning. She tried hard to suppress her feelings for him for she knew she was not worthy of him in any respect. She had nothing - no money, no status, not even chastity (which was a woman's most precious and basic gift to her man) - to offer a man who can have all this and more. She did not know what she was thinking when she fell in love with her husband. Maybe the problem was that she was not thinking at all. She let her heart lead her on. She seemed to have mistaken Milind's kindness for love and craved for more. She not only loved Milind but his entire family. The absence of love or a real family in her life also made her desperate to hold on to them when she was given some signs of it.

But she can no longer let him feel obligated to her or her baby. She cannot take advantage of his kindness and generosity. She needs to set him free so that he can be with the woman he loves. The gentleman that he is, he will not make the first move to throw her out. She will have to throw herself out of his house and his life. Granted that it would be difficult not only for her but for Baba, Bua and not to forget her dear darling Sahana who has grown very fond of her papa. But no one matters more than the man who saved her life and that of her daughter's. She loved him far too much to come in the way of his happiness and his happiness lay in some other woman. She was willing to do anything for him, even give him up. Her heart finally spoke the same voice as her head. Her love for him was overwhelming enough to accept the bitter truth that he was never hers and will never be. She only hoped Baba and Bua will forgive her for what she intended to do. Her daughter is very young and can be made to forget her papa in time. Once she grows up she will explain to her the constraints she faced. Hopefully she will forgive her for her sins.

Milind returned home late that night looking highly distraught and pensive. Prachi would have noticed the change in his demeanour had she herself not been so highly strung. In fact both of them were going through their own private hell wondering whether the person they loved with all their heart and soul loved them back or whether they were coming in the way of the happiness of their beloved.

Baba and Bua had already had their dinner and retired to bed. While serving his dinner Prachi tried to set aside her emotions and said with as much placidity as she could muster, "Milind, I have already overstayed my presence in your house. I'll leave as soon as possible. I found out that it takes very long to get a divorce and relatively less complicated to get an annulment which would nullify our marriage."

Milind looked at her in shock. Not meeting his eye she continued, "You can get an annulment by claiming that I was pregnant with another man's child at the time of marriage. DNA reports of Sahana can be used to prove it. I'll have them sent to you as soon as you file for annulment."

Milind nearly choked on his food when he heard what Prachi had to say about the paternity of their daughter. Just then Sahana who was sleeping in their room started wailing. Prachi rushed up to check on her. Milind suddenly felt claustrophobic and wanted to get out as fast as possible. He left his food mid-way and washing his hands he rushed out and drove away. Hearing the sound of the car Prachi, who had patted Sahana back to sleep, rushed down to find that he had already left, not finishing his dinner. She crumbled on the stair and wept her heart out.

Part 11(iii)

Milind hit the bar that night to drown his sorrows. Asking for a stiff glass of vodka, he downed it in one gulp. Despite his valiant efforts to blink back the tears that threatened to overflow, a large drop escaped and made its way past his lower eyelid, down his cheek, staining his moustache and beard before dropping to his knee. He hadn't cried since the death of his mother when he was merely an eight-year old. Whatever be the challenge or pain, he always faced them boldly. To him, tears were a sign of weakness- one he can well do without. But now a wisp of a girl and her tiny work of creation broke this giant down and literally reduced him to tears.

Prachi's words kept resounding in his ears. How could she say that Sahana was another man's child? Does lending a sperm alone make a man a father? Does his love and care for her count for nothing? He had watched her grow from a little tadpole in her mother's womb to a fully grown beautiful baby. Dammit, he even helped to bring the little angel into this world. He spent every waking minute he could with her. Did he not deserve to be her father? She meant the world to him. She has become so much a part of his life. She had him wrapped around her little finger. How could Prachi even imagine that he can live a single minute without his daughter? His pain and anguish at losing his daughter soon turned into anger against Prachi. How could she play with his feelings? How could she lead him on? How could she deprive her daughter of her father? How could she plunge her daughter in the same ignominy that she faced as an 'illegimate' child? Does his Sahana not deserve better?

When he brought Prachi home a year ago all he thought about was to give an identity to the unborn baby she was carrying. He did not know who she was or where she came from but for some incomprehensible reason he could not let her baby go nameless. He never figured out why he felt so strongly for her baby back then. He cannot say he was altogether altruistic. The situation that presented itself seemed to provide him an escape route from marriage in the real sense. He thought he can ward off all marriage proposals by keeping a fake wife by his side. Even after being forced into a real wedding, he thought their marriage did not mean anything more than a piece of paper - a paper that can be torn at will. He never bargained for the emotional exhilaration of falling in love with the woman he married and the baby she begot. Neither did he anticipate this emotional trauma of losing them both. His impulsive streak always got him into problems but he also managed to get out of them relatively unscathed. This time though he has been badly burnt. The full import of living life dangerously had hit home hard. The risk he took has knocked his breath away, leaving him an emotional wreck.

What upset him more? Was it the fact that she could not love him as much as he did or that their baby will be deprived of a name? While he realised both hurt him equally, the latter was unacceptable to him. She may leave him because she does not love him but he cannot sit back and let her raise her child fatherless. He cannot let all his efforts to keep the tag of illegitimacy from being tied to that sweet little angel go waste. The baby has to have a father. It was then that the significance of his meeting with Neev that afternoon hit him. Was this destiny's answer to this quagmire? It seemed so now. He suddenly started seeing things more clearly.

He could not blame Prachi for not loving him. Yes, he did his best to make her fall in love with him as he did with her, but then love cannot be forced, can it? Maybe in the deep recesses of her heart she still harboured feelings for Neev. It was clear that Neev still loved her although he presumed her dead for a year now. By uniting them he will not only get together two lost souls but also give a real home for his daughter. Afterall she does need a father in her life and what can be better than having the biological one? The mere thought of another man raising his daughter wrenched his heart but he had no choice. If he remained silent now and let Neev leave tomorrow, Prachi and Sahana would have lost forever their chance to have a complete family. He loved them both far too much to be that selfish. But will Neev accept Prachi after he finds out that she has lived as another man's wife for nearly a year even though the marriage was not consummated? He would never know the answer to that unless he tells him the truth.

Making up his mind, he called up Neev. A sleep slurred voice answered the phone.

"Mr.Shergill. This is Milind," he identified himself.

"Milind? Milind, who?" asked back a confused Neev, still not fully out of his slumber.

"Milind Mishra. We met outside the ATM machine this afternoon and later had coffee together?" he tried jogging Neev's memory.

"Oh, Milind. Yes, I remember now. What is this late night call about?" he enquired in a puzzled tone.

"Neev... Can I call you Neev?"

"Yes, you may."

"Neev, what if I were to tell you that your Prachi is alive?" he asked hesitatingly.

"Prachi is alive?!!!" yelled out Neev in disbelief, by now fully awake.

"Yes, she is," Milind reaffirmed, his heart already sinking.

Over the next half hour he narrated all the events in his life since the fateful meeting with Prachi a year ago.

"I am sorry Neev. I should have told you all this when we met this afternoon but you were highly emotionally strung. I did not want to load you with all this lest you snap. Your girl friend may be my wife to the world but believe me I have not laid a finger on her. All I wanted to do was to provide her a house till she delivered her baby. She needs you now, don't forsake her. Destiny may have separated you but the very same destiny is giving you an opportunity to mend what it has broken."

Neev could not believe his luck. His Prachi was alive. Not only that, he also had a daughter. Suddenly his life did not seem as bleak as it did before.

"Tell me Milind. How does my daughter look?" he asked excitedly.

"As beautiful as an angel," said Milind with a large lump in his throat.

Neev took down Prachi's cell number and promised to call her the next morning.

As he disconnected the call, he realised the magnitude of what he had just done. There was no retrieval now. He has opened up the dam and should prepare himself to be drowned in the deluge. He turned to the counter and asked for another drink. Soon he gulped down glasses after glasses of hard liquor, losing count of how many pegs he had. However much he drank, the pain just wouldn't numb. He felt like being pierced by a thousand swords all at once and left to be bled to death.

It was well past midnight before he left the bar. He staggered to his car and tried inserting the key to the door. As his vision was blurred he could not locate the key hole. Just then Ali who happened to be in the vicinity noticed him. Rushing to the side of his swaggering friend, he asked him what he was doing so late in the night. Milind turned to him in surprise and asked him the same question, rolling over the words.

"Asma has been having loose motions since this evening. I came to get the medicine from the 24-hour pharmacy here. But what are you doing here, drunk in this manner?"

"Prachi....Prachi...", he kept repeating.

"So you had a fight with Prachi? Welcome to the club of warring couples. However big your fight is, it still does not give you an excuse to contaminate your body with liquor," reprimanded a teetotaller Ali."Come, I'll drop you home after handing these medicines to Rehana. Can't risk you driving at this state."

He took him to the other side of the car and opening the door, he pushed him down on to the seat. Leaving behind his own bike, he got into the driver's seat of the BMW and drove first to his own house. Handing the medicines to his wife and promising to return after dropping off Milind, he returned to the car and drove to Mishra Mansion.

By the time they reached their destination it was close to one o'clock. Prachi was shocked to open the door to an obviously drunk Milind who was supported by Ali. Ali's keen eyes noticed her puffy blood shot ones. These two seemed to have had some serious fight, he thought to himself and hoped that whatever it was they resolve it soon. He could not bear to see his best friend and his wife suffer this way. He took Milind to his room and stretched him on the bed before taking leave of Prachi. Milind fell asleep almost immediately.

After he left, Prachi removed Milind's shoes and loosened his shirt. She kept staring at his haggard sleeping face for a long time. She felt that her heart was being squeezed. After he had left she realised that what she said about Sahana's paternity must have killed him. She never once doubted his love for her daughter. But she knew that his life would be more complicated if he were to continue shouldering the responsibility of fathering her child. She did not know Ayesha at all but it would be difficult for any woman to accept this peculiar situation. She will not deny him the right to visit her daughter and spend as much time with her. But she will not burden him with her problems - she had no right to. The severance from his family will come at a very heavy price which all of them would have to pay, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Throughout the night Milind kept muttering in his sleep, repeatedly apologising to her for forcing her into this marriage. Prachi did not know how to comfort him. With tears streaming down her eyes, she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go of him.

The next morning she was woken up by a call. Hurriedly she got up and answered it. When she heard his voice she nearly dropped the cell in shock.

"Prachi, please...please don't hang up on me. Please meet me. I have a lot of things to tell you. Please Prachi, please don't say no," he begged her.

She did not know how to react to it. After a long pause she agreed to meet him. She took down the address of the hotel on a piece of paper lying on the side table and promised to meet him at 9.30 a.m.

She quickly finished her morning routine and got ready. Milind was still asleep although Sahana had woken up. She fed and bathed her daughter and took her down. Baba and Bua were having their breakfast and asked her to join in. She excused herself and said that she had to meet an old friend from London who was in the city that day and assured them that she will be back in an hour. She tried to leave behind Sahana with Bua but her daughter wailed loudly and wanted to go with her. She thought for a minute and decided to take her along. She took a cab and headed towards the hotel where Neev was awaiting her. She did not know what to expect but strangely she did not care, for she had already made up her mind.

Part 12

(i)

Prachi reached Hotel Le Meridien well on time. As she got off the cab after paying the fare she was surprised to see Rehana with the kids going towards the hotel. Seeing Sahana and her they came hurrying towards them. Aamir, Aarif, Amaan and Ayaan circled Prachi and pulled at different parts of Sahana's little body in excitement. Sahana herself was more interested in Asma who was in Rehana's arms. The two girls reached out from their mamas' arms and caressed each other's chubby cheeks in admiration. Prachi noticed a young teenage girl by Rehana's side.

"This is my niece, Farzana," introduced Rehana. "She is doing her first year B.Sc zoology in Nagpur. She's here on vacation."

"So how come you are here?" asked Prachi, a little puzzled.

Rehana was surprised to hear this question.

"For the same reason that you are here, to attend Neelima's daughter's first birthday party."

It is only then Prachi remembered that Neelima, Rehana's best friend had invited her as well to the party when she had gone to Rehana's house the previous weekend. Somehow in all the emotional turmoil she was going through since yesterday, she had forgotten about the party. Prachi hit her forehead and apologised to Rehana, saying that she had completely forgotten about the party.

After hesitating for a couple of seconds she said, "One of my friends from London is here on a short visit. I came here to meet him."

"Oh...Where is Milind? Your friend must also be his friend, wouldn't he?" asked Rehana perceptively.

Prachi felt that Rehana had caught her in the act of lying. Quickly composing her thoughts she said, "No. Milind does not know him well enough. Since he was my class mate in college, he was much junior to him."

Rehana was not convinced by Prachi's story. She wondered whether Ali finding Milind drunk the previous night had anything to do with Prachi meeting this 'friend' of hers. Anyway she was not one to pry into her friend's life unless she was willing to share things with her. Clearly Prachi did not want to discuss this issue further. So she let things be for now. Although she had seen very little of Prachi, she knew her well enough to be sure that she will not betray her husband.

Seeing that their daughters were getting along famously, she suggested that she take Sahana to the party.

"She will have more fun with the kids there than be forced to listen to her mother go yack, yack yack with her old friend," she said light heartedly.

"But how will you manage so many kids?" asked Prachi sceptically.

"Don't worry. Farzana here will take care of Asma and I'll look after Sahana. Sahana darling, you do like your Rehana aunty, don't you?" she asked and handing Asma to Farzana she stretched her arms to Sahana who gladly leaped into them.

Prachi was relieved that she did not have take Sahana in for she was not too comfortable letting Neev see her. She thanked Rehana and promised not to be too long with her meeting. She then realised she had not bought any gift for Neelima's kid. She asked Rehana to wait in the lobby area and went to the gift shop inside the hotel to quickly pick up a large teddy bear. Handing it to Aamir, she asked him to give it to the birthday baby on behalf of his little friend Sahana. Aamir nodded his little head and held the teddy tightly in his little arms. Patting his cheek she took leave of them. Sahana kicked her legs in glee at being in the company of so many kids and waved her mama good bye.

While Prachi went to the hotel's lounge, Rehana and her little troop turned into the adjacent banquet hall of the hotel where the party was being conducted. Prachi looked around and spotted Neev sitting in one of the plush sofas waiting for her. The minute he spotted her, he rushed to her and held her hand tightly in his.

Prachi looked at him with a mixture or confusion and scepticism.

Neev then recounted the chain of events since that fateful day when they landed at the VT station but could not meet each other. By the time he had finished his story her eyes were streaming with tears. She could not believe that her family could go to such lengths of viciousness. She remembered seeing Mr.Dalal's men at the station, and getting into the nearest train to avoid them. This corroborated Neev's statement that he was hit by Dalal's men. It was appalling to know that Alaap or some other person had sent the SMS from Neev's cell giving her the impression that it was he who had sent it. The news that he had ditched her had pushed her over the edge and made her consider ending her own life, a decision she regretted to this day. How can people be so cruel to their own kindred she wondered. More than what happened to her, what pained her more was the fact that Neev was made to bear the brunt of their anger against her for absconding on the wedding day. The guy was not only put through physical torture, being laid up in hospital for six months as it were but was also put through the emotional trauma of being made to believe that his lover had killed herself. She can well imagine Neev's guilt of feeling responsible for her death as he had impregnated her. As she sat sobbing her heart out, Neev bent forwards and tried to console her by holding her hands in his.

********

Back in Mishra Mansion, Milind woke up with a pounding headache. He cursed himself under his breath for having binged on too much alchohol the previous night especially on a half empty stomach. Trying to shake off his hangover, he looked around and found Prachi missing. He then looked into the cradle and found Sahana missing as well. Presuming them to be down in the hall having breakfast, he staggered to the bathroom to brush his teeth and have a quick shower. As he was getting dressed for work, the events of the previous night slowly dawned on him. He remembered Prachi talking of leaving the house and asking for an annulment on the grounds that she was pregnant by another man. That hurt real bad even now. Then he remembered landing in the bar and trying to numb his pain by drinking heavily. He vaguely remembered the conversation with Neev asking him to accept Prachi and the baby. At this point he started sweating profusely. What has he done? He has gone and handed HIS wife and HIS baby to her erstwhile lover, virtually on a platter. How can he do that? What was he thinking? He suddenly felt like kicking himself hard. Would Neev have called her by now? What would have been her response? Forgetting his headache he rushed down calling out to Prachi. Bua informed him that she had gone with Sahana to meet her friend from London. Hearing this he panicked more.Has she left him for good after getting the call from Neev taking away his daughter? Has he lost them forever?

"Yes, she said she was going to Hotel Le Meridien," answered Bua.

"I'll be back," he said and rushed out even as Bua and Baba shouted after him to have his breakfast first.

"What is wrong with our children?" asked Bua to Baba. "First Prachi rushes out without having her breakfast and within minutes Milind follows her skipping his breakfast too. What is more important than the first meal of the day?"

Baba shrugged and said that this generation gave scant regard to both their health as well as advices from their elders.

*****

Part 12(ii)

"Excuse me Sir, can you kindly move aside?" asked someone in a polite voice. Milind broke from his trance and turned around to see a smartly dressed waiter, holding a tray with two wine glasses in his hand. It is only then did he realise that he was blocking the entrance to the lounge. He looked back at his wife and her ex-lover leaning towards each other on the sofa. His eyes widened in disbelief. How come Neev was back on the sofa when he was supposed to be on the floor? He looked confused for a second and shook his head to clear it. Finally it dawned on him that he had been hallucinating about the entire scene of his rushing in and punching Neev. He apologised to the waiter for standing in his way and stepped aside to let him pass. What was wrong with him? Since when has he started dreaming in broad day-light? Still seething in jealously, he decided to make his dream a reality and took a couple of steps towards them when his eye caught a large portrait of a butterfly in flight on the wall in front of him. Under the picture was this caption in big bold letters:

If you love something let it go,

If it comes back to you it's yours,

If it doesn't, it never was.

He froze reading these words and realised what a foolish thing he was about to do. He was relieved that he did not impulsively act on his thoughts. After all it was he who had asked Neev to call Prachi. It was he who had literally begged him not to forsake her. Then how can he now go around hitting him for harmlessly holding his wife's hands, that too to apparently comfort her? Moreover, if he really loved his wife as much as he claimed to, then he has no business making her choices for her. He has to let her decide. He turned to leave the place but stood transfixed. He desperately wanted to know the outcome of this meeting. So he quietly went to the seating area close to theirs and sat with his back to them. He took out the newspaper lying on the teapoy in front of him and hid himself behind it.

Prachi's loud sobs tore at his heart. It seemed to disturb Neev too for he could hear him asking Prachi to calm down.

"Prachi, please don't cry so much. It breaks my heart."

"I am sorry Neev. I am sorry that you had to go through so much because of me. I have never brought happiness to anyone in my life," she sobbed pitifully.

At this point Milind wanted to yell out, "You are wrong Prachi. You brought plenty of happiness in my life." He remained silent though and listened to his wife.

"I hope we had never met. Had we not fallen in love my family would not have come after you like they did," Prachi was telling Neev in a remorseful voice.

"Prachi, don't blame yourself. I do not regret meeting you or falling in love with you. Past is past. Let us not revisit it. It is not going to give us anything but pain. Let's look to the future," he tried to cheer her up.

Prachi lifted her tear-stained face to him and looked at him in confusion.

"What future? Whose future?" she asked in a low tone.

"Yours and mine, ofcourse. Now that we have found each other, let us make a fresh beginning. Let's get married and raise our daughter together."

The mention of marriage and her daughter alerted her and she snatched her hands from him.

"No, Neev. I cannot marry you. I am already married," she said stiffly.

"I know," he assured her. Prachi was startled to hear this. Neev then told her how he had met Milind the previous afternoon and heard everything about what happened in her life in the past year.

"In fact he was the one who gave me your cell number last night and asked me to call you. He asked me not to forsake you and our daughter. He assured me that your marriage was only in paper and that he would get it dissolved soon."

Milind wanted to scream out, "No, I don't want to get it dissolved. I want to concretise my marriage with her. I want to make her mine. I want to be a father to her child. I want my little family. I don't want to surrender it to anyone." It required tremendous effort on his part to hold his tongue. He squeezed the edges of the newspaper in frustration as he impatiently waited to hear her response.

Prachi looked at Neev in shock. Did Milind call him and ask him to take care of her? Her heart sank at the thought that her own husband was willing to give her up. But then that is Milind - a man who always thought about her and cared for her well-being. She knew he loved another woman but he still did not breathe a word to her lest she feels forced to leave. Instead he had asked his lover to wait. Although he had met Neev the previous afternoon, he did not tell him about her till late last night. He seems to have taken the decision to let her go only after she had asked him to file for an annulment. Knowing that she will be homeless he has tried to find her a permanent place.

"I know that my husband cares for me enough to try and ensure that my future is settled but I still can't marry you. Not even after getting my marriage with Milind declared as null and void by the court."

"Why?" asked Neev in confusion.

Prachi remained silent. Neev lifted her chin with his forefinger.

"Prachi, look at me," he ordered.

Prachi reluctantly lifted her gaze to him.

"You love him.... don't you?" he asked her seeing the love she had for Milind transparently reflected in her eyes.

Prachi nodded her head in silence. She then said slowly. "I am sorry Neev. I care for you too much to let you settle for something far inferior to what you deserve. You deserve a woman who can love you with all her heart. Unfortunately my heart is no longer mine to give. It belongs to him and him alone."

"Him? Him who?" Milind wondered as he could not see either of them but only hear what they were saying. "Could she mean me?" His heart was thumping loudly in anticipation.

"I love him with all my heart. I love Milind so much that it hurts," she said with great passion.

Hearing this Milind's heart leapt with joy. "She loves me, my Prachi loves me." He now vaguely recollected her hugging him tightly last night. He thought it was a dream but now he was more than certain that she did indeed hug him. He wanted to jump up, take her in his arms and kiss her passionately. It took every ounce of his effort to stay put. He needed to know why she was leaving him if she loved him so much.

Oblivious to the myriad emotions she was evoking in her husband who was sitting not more than five feet away, Prachi continued her conversation with Neev in earnest.

"I cannot marry you because no matter what the court declares, I will live the rest of my life as his wife, if not to the world but to myself. I cannot give my body to one man and my heart and soul to another. That would be infidelity to both men. I cannot live my entire life with the guilt of betraying the two most important men in my life. All my life I have let myself be led by others. I was a drifter, an indecisive fool. When in the heat of passion you wanted physical intimacy with me, I was not strong enough to resist it. Had I been firm then, you would have accepted my decision and I would not have ended up getting pregnant before we got married. But I let you take me and we know where that left me. When I thought you ditched me, I was unable to face the world and tried to take the easy way out by attempting suicide. If it had not been for that good man I would have been dead and gone, killing my baby along with me. When he offered to marry me, give me a home and an identity for my child, I accepted without thinking. I should have been more assertive back then and told him that I will handle my own problems. But no, I took the softer option. It is high time that I take hard decisions. I need to assume responsibility for my mistakes and not drag everyone down along with me."

"What do you plan to do?" asked Neev, raising the query that was on Milind's mind.

"More than nine months ago I had visited 'Snehalaya', an orphanage run by the nuns, asking them if I could live with them and work in their institution after my baby was born. Sister Teresa, the head of the institution had agreed for both. I will soon join them and hope to find peace in taking care of several kids there apart from my own. I no longer want to burden anyone else with my problems."

Neev was astonished to hear this. Milind who was listening in on their conversation nearly dropped his newspaper. She wanted to live and work in an orphanage, leaving him behind? Why? What about Sahana? What about his daughter?

Echoing his thoughts Neev asked her, "What about Sahana? What about my daughter? You are going to raise her fatherless?"

"There is no other alternative, Neev. I will double up as her father and mother. I'll give her all the love in the world and make her strong enough to face the world."

"What about me? Don't I have any right as her father? I did bring her into existence, didn't I?" he asked in a hurt voice. Prachi did not immediately answer his question.

His pain soon turned into anger when she remained silent and he said bitingly, "I'll fight you Prachi. I'll fight you if you try to keep me away from our daughter. I cannot force you to accept me but you cannot force me to give up on her, either."

He was right. He did have a right, not only a moral right but also a legal right as the biological father of Sahana.

She trembled at the thought of a custody battle for her daughter. She has to try reasoning with him before it was too late.

She hesitated for a while and haltingly said, "Neev, you are right. You do have a right as her biological father. But please try to understand me. I cannot give you a right that I am unable to give Milind. You may have fathered her but Milind has been more than a father to her. His bond with my daughter is far more stronger. He has been taking care of her and watching over her even before she arrived in this world. He modified his entire life to suit her, sacrificing his freedom for her. He even single-handedly brought her into this world when I could not be taken to the hospital due to a curfew. He loves her and she means the world to him."

"If you love him and he loves our daughter then why are you leaving him?" he asked puzzled by her strange decision.

"Because I do not want to come in the way of his happiness. Fathering a baby that is not even biologically his will only complicate his life. Hence I have decided to leave him for his own good. Even after I leave, I will not stop him from visiting her and spending time with her but I can't allow him to assume the responsibility of a father and ruin his own life. I can't continue to keep him away from Ayesha," she said sadly yet firmly.

"What?" Milind sprang up and came out of hiding. He had enough of this. He needed to know what was going on in that pretty little head of hers. He rushed to Prachi's side and clasping her arm, he dragged her up from the sofa. Gritting his teeth he asked in a raised voice, "What did you say?"

Prachi and Neev looked at him in astonishment.

Part 12 (iii)

"Milind, what are you doing here?" asked a surprised Prachi trying to free her arm.

Neev watched them silently with his mouth gaping slightly and his eyes open wide.

"Never mind about that. Answer my question first. What did you just say?"

Prachi started trembling, seeing the fury in his eyes.

"I won't come in the way of your happiness," she muttered.

"No, after that," he said impatiently.

"I'll let you visit Sahana," she said with feeling.

"No....at the very end," he persisted.

"I can't keep you from Ayesha," she said regretfully.

"What has Ayesha got to do with us?" he asked in annoyance.

"She is the woman you love," she said in a pained voice.

"Says who?" asked Milind furiously.

"I saw the two of you in your office. You were hugging her and telling her that her love will win."

Milind was shocked to realise that Prachi had seen him with Ayesha.

"Was it the reason that yesterday you left without meeting me and handing over the food you prepared?" he asked as he suddenly comprehended her strange behaviour.

She nodded her head silently.

"Now, don't tell me that you were jealous of Ayesha."

She remained silent but bent her head down in shame. Although her head told her that she had no right to be jealous of any woman in his life, her heart couldn't help but feel upset seeing another woman in his arms.

Milind secretly felt happy that Prachi was as possessive of him as he was of her.

"For your kind information I don't lust after married women," he said gruffly.

Prachi looked at him in shock.

"She's married?"

"Yes, she is. To my close friend Varun. All three of us were together in the same college in London and were very good friends. Varun and Ayesha got married only a year ago and live in Delhi. Both of them are passionately in love with each other but have giant sized egos. Ayesha is very ambitious and career minded. She wanted them to postpone plans to expand their family for some time as she wanted to start a boutique. Varun on the other hand was keen to have a baby soon. They had got into an altercation and Ayesha left him a month ago and came to her mother's place here in Pune. She expected that her husband will call her back soon but instead he has sent her a notice for judicial separation. She received it yesterday and came running to me in tears. She still loves Varun deeply and was desperate to get back with him. She asked me to help unite them. I assured her that I will speak to Varun and sort out their issue. Since Varun is head strong I had asked her to give me some time to soften him up. I told her that her love will win, meaning her love for Varun, not for me. How could you even think I could love anyone else when I am so obviously and hopelessly in love with you?" he asked in indignation.

She looked up at him stunned.

"You love me?" she asked incredulously.

"Were you not aware of it Prachi? How can you be so blind? Why do you think I spend so much time with you and Sahana? Why do you think I am desperate to be in your company always. Does that not speak for itself?" he asked in a hurt voice.

She had to admit that he did indeed behave like a lovesick little puppy. Only she presumed all that attention was for her daughter. How wrong she was.

He continued in a husky emotional voice, "You two are the most important girls in my life. My life is meaningless without you. When you talked of annulment on grounds that the baby was not mine, you broke my heart, darling."

Her eyes welled up as she clearly saw the love in his eyes. Why could she not see it before or was she too scared to see it, lest it turns out to be a mirage?

"I am sorry, Milind. I was too scared to believe anyone could love me for who I am. I thought I was unworthy of you although I couldn't help falling irrevocably in love with you."

"How could you think so little of yourself?" he admonished her. "Your inner beauty radiates through and brightens your external looks, making a confirmed bachelor like me go weak in the knees."

She blushed at the compliment and bent her head down in shyness.

Holding her chin he lifted her face and was about to kiss her when they heard the unmistakable babble of little Sahana. They turned and saw her in Rehana's arms as she and her little troop made their way towards them.

"Well, well well....look who's here, Sahana. Your Papa! And shamelessly romancing his wife in broad day light, that too in a public place!" exclaimed Rehana mischievously.

Both Prachi and Milind turned tomato red and looked bashfully at the new entrants as well as the sole existing one who was looking at them pensively. Sahana leaped into Milind's arms and calling out 'Papa....Papa..." she covered his face with her drool as she literally licked it in happiness. Milind hugged her close, his eyes softening with love for his little angel.

Prachi tried to lessen the embarrassment of being caught red handed by introducing Neev to Rehana.

"This is my friend, Neev. Neev, this is Rehana, Milind's friend's wife."

"Why, am I not your friend, Prachi?" asked Rehana jocularly and turning to Neev, shook his hands.

Rehana then introduced all the members of her family to him. Neev shook hands with everyone including little Asma. As the children were getting restless, Rehana took leave of them. Sahana was still busy admiring her handsome papa, pulling at his moustache and beard and trying to tell him about the party in her childish gibberish.

Prachi turned her head to Neev and then to her husband and back to him again, her tear-filled eyes silently pleading with him not to separate them. Neev understood her plea. He had been silently observing the depth of love these two obviously had for each other when they impassionedly confessed their feelings to each other. He knew that they were really meant to be. Although it was heartbreaking for him to lose the woman he loved so soon after finding her, he knew that the man she has chosen was far more worthy of her than he ever could be. A man who saved his beloved's life, who so selflessly took care of her in her hour of need, who accepted her unconditionally into his heart and who was prepared to give her up for her happiness surely deserved all the happiness he could get. He would definitely not stand in the way, especially since the happiness of the woman he loves is so inextricably woven with that of this man. He only wanted to hold his daughter for a few minutes before he bade them good bye.

"Would you not let me hold my... sorry...your daughter for a couple of minutes?" he asked Milind.

Milind who was absorbed in listening to his daughter turned to him and smiled at him guiltily.

"Sorry for the intrusion. We created quite a scene, didn't we?" Milind said apologetically. He then turned back to Sahana and stretched his arm holding her towards Neev.

"Sahana baby, this is your.."

"Neev Uncle," finished Neev for him. Hearing this both Milind and Prachi heaved a sigh of relief although both of them felt bad for Neev. In that one word Neev conveyed his acceptance of their relationship.

When Neev tried to take her from her papa, Sahana shrugged her shoulders and turned away from him, clinging to her papa tightly.

Neev could not help feeling hurt by her reluctance to come to him. Milind felt embarrassed by her behaviour and explained that she generally took time getting used to new faces. Milind tried to reason with his little daughter. "Sahana baby, this uncle is a wonderful man, a close friend of your mama and papa. Won't you go to him?"

This time Sahana looked at Neev curiously and although she was not too keen to leave her papa, she let herself be lifted by this stranger. She stared at his face intently wondering why was her papa keen to palm her off to this man. Neev smiled at his little girl and remarked to Prachi that she was a carbon copy of her. He then asked them if he can get her a gift. Milind and Prachi nodded their heads. He went to the nearby gift shop and asked Sahana to pick what she wants. She looked around and pointed her hand to a big air filled Bugs Bunny which was nearly twice her size. He nodded his head and bought it for her. As it was too big for her to hold, Milind carried it for her.

They then walked Neev to his bike. Milind passed on the Bunny to Prachi and took his daughter from Neev's arms. He asked Neev when was his flight so that they can come to the airport to see him off but Neev said that he hated good byes and preferred to leave alone. Milind tried to apologise to him for everything but before he could proceed further Neev asked him not to feel sorry for him. He would always be grateful to him for letting him know that his Prachi was alive and well and happy with her family. He then jocularly said that if he ever heard that he hurt her in any way, he will take the next flight back to India to 'take care' of him. Milind laughed and said he will never give him an occasion to complain. Wishing them all the very best Neev got on to his bike and sped away as the threesome looked on.

Part 12 (iv)

Milind turned to Prachi and asked if they can go back home. Prachi nodded and they went to their car. They had taken their seats and Prachi was about to buckle in her baby and herself when Milind suddenly leaned forward towards his wife and daughter. He gently closed his daughter's eyes with his right palm, held the nape of Prachi's neck with his left hand and turning her face towards him he enveloped her lips in his plump ones in a deep kiss. Prachi was too startled to react immediately but slowly her lips parted to let him invade her mouth. Meanwhile Sahana was getting restless and used her chubby fingers to pry open the palm which covered her vision. Finally Milind reluctantly let go of his wife's lips and removed his palm off his daughter's eyes. Sahana looked up at him curiously and her face broke into a broad toothless smile thinking he was playing a game with her. She then turned sidewards and reached up her tiny hand trying to cover his eyes. He smiled at her indulgently and holding her hand in his, he gently kissed her little fingers. He then leaned down to kiss her plump cheeks. He looked up at his wife, whose cheeks flamed red after having received her first kiss from her husband. He winked at her and whispered 'Happy Anniversary'. She looked back at him in puzzlement.

"Remember our eventful first meeting in the train last year?" he asked.

Prachi eyes immediately filled with tears as she recollected how he saved her life. She looked at him with gratitude and love. A tear drop fell on the top of Sahana's head and she looked up at her mother wondering why she was crying.

"Come on, darling. Don't get all emotional about it. We have found each other and we are never letting go of each other. That is what matters." He said and wiped her eyes with his palms. She nodded her head in agreement and slid the buckle of the seat belt in as Milind turned the ignition of the car.

By the time they reached home it was 11.30 a.m. Sahana was hungry. Bua had prepared her favourite meal, ragi malt. Volunteering to feed her, she asked Prachi and Milind to have an early lunch since they had fled from their morning breakfast. After his lunch Milind kissed his wife and daughter good bye and hurriedly left for work, having already lost half the day.

That evening he returned early to take his wife out on a date. Baba and Bua were glad to hear that the young couple will finally get some alone time together and volunteered to take care of Sahana. Milind and Prachi went up to their room to get dressed. As soon as they were in, Milind held Prachi's arm and thrust a plastic cover in it. Inside was a beautiful indigo blue chiffon saree with matching blouse. Prachi's eyes widened in surprise and she thanked him for the gift. She went in to change into her saree while Milind changed into a plain snow white cotton shirt and blue jeans. When she came out dressed, he couldn't take his eyes off her. The thin material of her saree enhanced her curves making her look ravishingly beautiful. As she sat in front of the dressing table to comb her hair, Milind came from behind and snatching the comb from her, he ran it gently through her long tresses. He then got a jewellery box and brought out a delicate diamond necklace set in platinum. Unclasping it from the case he slid it around her neck and clicked it in. He looked at her reflection in the mirror and cocked his brow to enquire whether she liked it. She smiled shyly and silently conveyed her appreciation of the gift.

As they were about to step out of the house Sahana spotted them and wanted to go with them. No amount of coaxing and cajoling by her dada and bua dadi could hold her back and she yelled out loudly for her papa and mama. Milind decided to take her along and swung her in his arms, bringing back the smile on her face. Prachi quickly packed her bag of feeding bottle, baby food, diapers and a couple of extra frocks.

Once they reached the restaurant, he led her to their reserved table in the coziest corner of the restaurant. Milind plonked his daughter in the centre of the table, holding her around the waist for support. Prachi tied the napkin around her neck and prepared to feed her but Sahana was more interested in the things around. She reached for the knife and the fork. Milind hurriedly removed the meal weapons out of reach of his daughter and instead gave her the spoon. She put it in her mouth and tried biting it with her gums. She soon got tired of it and wanted some new things. She picked up the rose in the nearby vase and plucked the petals, putting a couple of them into her mouth to chew. Prachi pulled the petals out of her mouth and picked her up to wash her mouth in the nearby wash basin.

When she returned Milind asked her to place the order, passing the menu card to her. Sahana leaped and taking the card from her she tried munching the corner of it. Snatching it from her hands, Prachi asked Milind to place the orders and forced a spoonful of her baby feed into her mouth. After making a fuss for sometime Sahana finally finished her food and burped loudly prompting a broad smile from Milind. When their food arrived, Sahana clapped her hands and wanted to taste them all. Her little mind wondered why they had given her the bland baby food when they themselves seemed to have ordered yummy looking dishes for themselves. She kept kicking her feet asking them to share their goodies with her. Although Prachi tried to stop her from having the food, Milind asked her to let her be. He dipped a spoon into one of the dishes and let her taste it on the tip of her tongue. The pungency of the food made her grimace and she stuck her tongue out in disgust. He smiled and quickly wiped her tongue clean, giving her water to wash away the taste from it. She did not come anywhere close to the dishes after that.

"See, never refuse things to kids. Let them sample them. They themselves will stay away after that. The more you forbid them from doing things, the more they will feel tempted to do them," he gave Prachi tips on child psychology.

He asked Prachi to have her meal while he kept Sahana entertained. As she was getting restless, he took her out to the lawns of the hoteland showed her the colourful lights which kept her distracted. Soon Prachi finished her meal and called Milind on his cell asking him to come in to have his food. While her papa was having his food, Sahana watched him with great admiration, her mouth opening and closing in tune with his. Prachi couldn't resist chuckling at her daughter's antics. Once he finished his meal and washed up, Sahana wanted to sit on her papa's lap and stretched her arms towards him. While he was trying to take her across the table, her plump feet knocked the water glass and the water flowed towards Prachi and before she could clear from its path, it had dripped on to her saree, drenching it. Prachi jumped up in dismay, prompting both father and daughter to laugh at her plight. She gave them an angry stare but Sahana's peel of laughter only made her laugh back. Milind settled the bill and walked his family towards the parking lot. Holding Sahana in his arms, Milind remarked that their date was literally a damp squib, pointing to her wet saree. Prachi laughed out loud and Milind joined in. Although Sahana did not understand the joke she too giggled and clapped her hands. Milind soon stopped laughing as his attention turned to her feminine curves which, in the moon light, were accentuated by the wet thin saree as it clung to her body. He looked at her with desire. Prachi noticed the change in his expression and went red. She quickly ducked into the car to escape his searing gaze. On the ride back both of them did not say much as the physical tension between increased. Sahana was lulled to sleep by the motion of the car.

Once they reached home, they tucked Sahana in her cradle. Milind went to change his clothes but Prachi kept standing by the window in her wet saree, looking out at the night sky and immersed in deep thought. Milind was surprised to see that she had still not changed. He smiled to himself as he saw the saree fluttering in the gentle night breeze, exposing her flat fair stomach. He came from behind and pushing her hair aside, he unclasped her necklace and bent to kiss the nape of her neck, sending shivers down her spine. He slid his hands across her exposed midriff and linked them forward on her stomach, burying his face in her neck. She closed her eyes as tears streamed from her eyes down to her cheeks. He lifted his face from her neck and with his eyes closed he moved his lips up her cheek when he tasted the salty tears. He opened his eyes in alarm and saw that his wife was silently crying. Not understanding what provoked them he turned her around and wiping her tears dry he asked her what was wrong. She did not answer immediately but kept weeping. By now the silent tears turned to whimpering. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight, trying to calm her down with his gentle reassurings. After several prompts she finally revealed the reason for her tears.

"Milind, I am not worthy of you. I cannot give you the most precious gift a woman can give her husband on her first night with him, her virginity. I am tarnished in comparison to your purity....."

Milind closed her mouth before she could continue further.

"How can you say such a thing darling? Remember that you are my love. By calling yourself tarnished you are tarnishing my love. I can't bear that honey, I can't bear that you feel so small about yourself. Don't you know how precious you are to me? I fell in love with your soul before I fell for your body. And to me your soul is still untarnished and pure, as pure as a lilly. I am not interested in your past. That is over and done with. I want to share your present and your future. All I want is your pure unadulterated love. Will you give it to me darling? Will you?"

She nodded her head in silence. He whispered in her ear. "Can we take this relationship to its culmination tonight darling or do you need more time? I can wait if you want me to."

She said that she was ready to become his wife in every sense of the word. He removed the pin that held back the pleats on her shoulder to let the saree slide down. He then proceeded to uncover her. When he was done he gently lifted her and stretched her on the bed, lying next to her. She kept her eyes closed as she was too shy to see him. His eyes caressed every part of her feminine form from head to toe. When his eyes fell on her thighs he gasped in shock to see thin long burn scars across her thighs. Running his fingers over them, he asked her how she got them. She hesitated for a while and said that her step mother had whipped her with a burning iron rod as part of her punishment for being her father's favourite child. His eyes clouded with tears imagining the pain she underwent throughout her life. Bending down he kissed the scars gently and said that he wished he had been there to protect her from that dragon woman. He promised to always keep her from all harm. He then returned to her face and tenderly kissed her forehead, he eyes, her nose, her ears, her cheeks and her chin. He finally captured her lips in a prolonged kiss. She responded with equal passion and slid her fingers into his longish mane. They had to break free to come up for air. He then proceeded to cover with his lips every part that was caressed by his eyes, making her moan in desire. When he was sure that she was ready for him he gently slid in and together they discovered the pleasures of loving and surrendering oneself to the other, body and soul. Once they reached the pinnacle of their love together, they whispered each other's name in love.

Later as they lay panting, holding each other close, he kissed the top of her head and whispered to her "My darling wife, we are no longer strangers to each other!"

She smiled at him and nodded her acquiescence. Soon they drifted into sleep, dreaming sweet dreams about their life with their darling little angel, Sahana.

Epilogue

(1)

Fifteen and a half years later

"Ishan, give it to me now," she demanded, chasing her 10-year old brother around the house. The boy was too fast for her as he sped down the stairs with her make-up set in his hand. He dashed into the kitchen and tried to hide behind his mother.

She came running after him and panting in front of her mother she complained to her, "Mama, Ishan has taken my make-set and is not returning it to me. I have to get ready in the next half-hour for the farewell party for our seniors at school. Ask him to return it back to me."

"Mama, tell her not to paint herself. I don't like it," Ishan had his own demands.

"I don't care what you like or dislike. You are not my father, my husband or my boy-friend to tell me what I should do or not do." With her arms around her hips she yelled back at her brother who was bending behind his mother's back and peeping over her shoulder. Turning to her mother she complained, "Look at him, Mama. He's constantly interfering in my affairs. Ask him to mind his own business."

Prachi looked from one kid to the other and sighed. "I think my hair will all turn grey trying to settle your fights. Ishan, hand over your sister's make-up set to her."

"But Mama...," he tried to protest.

"Do as I say. You cannot go around taking things that do not belong to you," she said firmly. Her son meekly handed the make-up set to his sister. "And Sahana, go a little light on the make-up. God has gifted you with enough natural beauty, you don't need these cosmetics to enhance it."

Sahana nodded her head although not too happily and walked up to her room.

"Ishan, have you finished your homework?" asked Prachi.

He shook his head in the negative. "Go on. Go finish it or you'll not be allowed to go out and play." Ishan hurried to his study room lest his mother carries out her threat.

Milind came in early that evening as he had promised to drive his daughter to school for the party. Loosening his tie, he bent to kiss his wife tenderly on her lips.

"So how's the queen of my heart doing?" he asked pleasantly.

"Your kids are giving me a headache," she complained.

He smiled at that and pulling her to the nearby sofa he sat by her side.

"I'll take care of that in a jiffy," he said and pulling her down on his lap he held her temples between his thumb and middle finger and massaged her head.

"How's that, now?" he asked.

Prachi closed her eyes and wordlessly conveyed her contentment in a long, "Mmmmmmm."

Just then their daughter came down the stairs in a micro-mini narrow skirt which fell well above her thighs and a halter neck blouse with a plunging neckline. Milind's mouth gaped at the sight of his sixteen-year old in such a revealing outfit. Prachi who sensed him tensing up opened her eyes and jerked up straight. She was relieved that her father-in-law wasn't in the house that day. He had gone to visit his sister in Mumbai for a month. Had he been around the poor old man would have died of a heart attack, seeing his darling grand-duaghter clad in this manner.

"Sahana, you can't wear THAT to the party. By the way where did you get that dress? I had not bought it for you."

"Mama, it is Cheryl's dress. She lent it me. I didn't have anything appropriate to wear to the party."

"You call THAT appropriate???" Prachi's voice was gradually on the rise.

Sensing that there was going to be a big show-down between mother and daughter, Milind held Prachi's arm to silence her and smiling at his daughter he said,

"Darling, that surely looks like an interesting outfit but are you sure you want to wear that for the party?"

"Why Papa, don't you like it?" asked Sahana cheerfully and twirled around so that he can have a good look at her.

Milind did not answer her immediately but instead asked her whether she felt comfortable in it.

"For instance, say you drop something down in the party. What would you do?"

"I'll bend down and pick it up."

"Try bending down in this dress."

She bent down and noticed how her cleavage was showing through the neckline. Embarrassed she pulled the neck of the top together. She looked behind and saw her backside up in the air, her panties showing. She quickly straightened up, her face flaming red.

"Darling, you may think that this outfit makes you look hip but see how uncomfortable you are in it. Moreover, the dress would only attract the wrong boys to you. You wouldn't want the guys to think you are easy to get, would you?"

She shook her head in the negative.

"I understand this is your first big party and you like to look attractive in it. But there is a very fine line between what looks fashionable and what looks cheap. Believe me darling, being a man myself, I can say that most guys respect and admire a girl who is tastefully and smartly dressed rather than one who is barely dressed."

Sahana looked crestfallen. Walking up to her he put his arm around her shoulder "Now, don't lose heart. We'll find just the right dress for you, shall we?" he asked and escorted her to her room. Opening her wardrobe he took out a well fitted knee length wine red sleeveless dress with a sweet heart neck line, trim waist and a flair. Sahana silently took it from him and went in to change into it. When she returned he asked her if she felt comfortable in it. She twirled, making the flair of the dress swish around her knees and smiled a big yes. She then leaned in and kissed his cheek, thanking him for helping her choose the right dress to wear to the party. He lent her his arm and she linked hers in his.

"Shall we go now?" he asked her and she nodded enthusiastically.

Seeing father and daughter come down the stairs, Prachi smiled at them proudly.

Later that night as they lay in bed together Prachi, basking in the afterglow of a loving and intense union with her husband, asked him how he managed to handle his teenage daughter so well. Milind smiled and kissing her forehead said that he goes by pure instinct of a father who cares deeply for the well-being of his daughter and she in turn understands and appreciates him for that. Prachi kissed his chest and said how lucky they were to have him in their lives to which he responded that he was the lucky one.

Epilogue (ii)

Around the same time nearly 4,450 miles away in an apartment in upmarket London Neev had just come in from work to be greeted with a kiss by his lovely wife Neha. She handed him an invitation with an Indian postmark. Neev did not have to open it to know who it was from. He could recognise Milind's bold strokes any day. Taking the envelope, he asked her, "Where are the kids?"

"They are playing with the Gladstone kids," she replied.

Without waiting to change his clothes he ripped the envelope open. Inside was a card, a letter and a couple of photographs. He first looked at the photographs. One was a solo picture of his daughter and the other a family photograph of the Mishras. His daughter had grown into a stunningly beautiful teenager.

"She would be sixteen next month," he muttered to himself and opened the card. It was a printed invitation to attend the sixteenth birthday party of Sahana Mishra. Reading the surname pricked his heart but he soon overcame the feeling and flipped open the single sheet of letter and read the letter written in Milind's hand.

Dear Neev,

Our daughter is turning sixteen next month. I am sure you are aware of it. I have a humble request to you. Can you make it to our place with your family to celebrate this special occasion with us? We would love to have you. It would give us an opportunity to meet your family too.

With warm regards,

Milind & Prachi (Prachi had signed her name)

The children would have their summer vacationthen so it should not be a problem visiting India, he thought. Ever since he had come to London over fifteen years ago he has not visited his home country even once. As soon as he landed in London he came to know that Milind had made arrangements for his accommodation as a paying guest with one of his acquaintances, the Kapoors. He finally ended up marrying their daughter, Neha who had relentlessly pursued him from the beginning. His melancholic and mysterious looks had always intrigued the ravishingly beautiful girl and she tried to get him to open up. It was not an easy task, for Neev preferred to keep his problems to himself. He had tried to politely dissuade her overtures but the girl was not one to easily give up. She waited on him hand and foot, cooking for him, cleaning for him and generally following him around. She finally succeeded in prying him open when on one emotional day he let out all his feelings and shared with her his past. Her love and admiration for him grew when she came to know the extent of his sacrifice for the sake of the woman he loved. Neev was hesitant to open his heart to another woman after being so badly hurt in love but gradually he softened towards her. When her father offered his daughter's hand in marriage he had reluctantly agreed although he was not really in love with her then. Living with his wife and getting to know her more closely, he slowly but steadily fell for her beauty and goodness till he was as completely in love with her as she was with him. As symbols of their deep love for each other they have a pair of ten-year old twins, Sanaya and Sanjay and a seven- year old boy, Abhay in the twelve years that they have been married. But he always had a special place for his first born, Sahana, in his heart. As if understanding his sentiments, Milind had been regularly sending him pictures of his daughter. Once Sahana learnt to write, he started receiving letters from her addressed to her Neev Uncle, describing her life to him. He always responded her letters promptly. Now there was an opportunity to meet her in person. While a part of him was eager to meet her, another part of him was apprehensive of the meeting and the effect it would have on all their lives.

That night after making love with his wife, he gently broached the subject of Milind's invitation to Sahana's birthday party, wondering how she would react. Contrary to his expectation, his wife was thrilled to hear about it and started excitedly making plans.

"Neev, we'll go shopping tomorrow and buy a lot of gifts for your daughter- all the things she loves -- jeans, t-shirt, costume jewellery, mathematical game CDs.."

"Wait, wait, wait...how do you know she loves all these things?" he asked in surprise.

She bent her head and admitted in a low voice to reading the letters Sahana wrote to her husband."I am sorry, Neev."

"Shh... no sorries between us, remember?" he said softly and lifted her face to capture her lips in his. Soon the kiss turned more passionate and he rolled over to demonstrate the extent of his love for his woman who was large hearted enough to so joyfully accept her husband's daughter.