Strangers- Complete FF - Pages 136 to 139 - Page 99

Epilogue (iii)

One month later

Milind waited at the airport to receive Neev and his family. He had called Prachi and told her that he will pick them up from the airport on his way back home and asked her to make all the arrangements to house them. He heard that their flight has landed and yet there seemed to be no sign of them. The last people to come out were a family of five. The woman, who was stunningly beautiful, had a small boy in her arms. Alongside her was a slightly plump tall gentleman in dark shades. The two of them were preceded by two young children who were pushing together the trolley with their luggage. As there was still no sign of Neev, Milind wondered whether he had missed his flight and turned to leave when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Milind, are you not going to take us to your home?" asked Neev genially.

Milind turned around in shock and stared at the gentleman in shades.

"Neev? Wow, I did not recognise you. Man, have you put on some weight there!"

"Don't all Indians do when they go abroad?" retorted back Neev. "By the way, this is Neha my wife. Her excellent Punjabi culinary skills are also to be blamed for my physical transformation. And these are Sanaya and Sanjay, the twins and Abhay, my little boy," he introduced his family.

Milind shook hands with all of them and wheeled the trolley to his car, loading the luggage in the trunk. On the way to Mishra Mansion, Milind caught up with Neev's life in London.

*****

Ishan opened the door to them and seeing Neha with a sleeping Abhay on her shoulders, his mouth gaped open.

"Mama, come soon. Katrina Kaif has come to our house!"

Prachi who was setting the table for dinner looked up and asked, "Katrina who?"

Hearing his shouts Sahana came out from inside her room and was stunned to see the woman at the door. She did bear a striking resemblance to Katrina Kaif but what would a bollywood actress do at their house, particularly with a small child in her arms?

Ishan continued, "Katrina Kaif, the actress!"

"Shut up Ishan. She is not Katrina Kaif," yelled back Sahana as she came down the stairs.

In the meantime Prachi hurried to the door where a smiling Neha fondly pinched the cheeks of Ishan, who still could not get over the fact that a famous actress had come to their home.

"Yes?" she prompted the visitor to identify herself.

Before she could respond she caught sight of a healthy looking Neev who had joined his wife and son, holding the hands of the twins.

"Neev! My, have you changed!" she exclaimed and gave him a bear hug. Ishan looked at his mother in confusion.

"Prachi meet my wife, Neha. Neha, this is Prachi my childhood friend. And these here are my children, Sanaya, Sanjay and Abhay."

Sahana came slowly towards them and Neev's eyes left Prachi's to catch sight of his daughter. Seeing his stunningly beautiful daughter, he felt a lump in his throat. Milind who had joined them after parking his car looked over Neev's shoulder at his daughter and said, "Sahana, this is your Neev uncle."

Sahana's face lit up and she rushed to shake his hands and hug him.

"Are we going to stand at the entrance like this all night?" asked Milind.

Prachi apologised and escorted the visitors in. Milind handed his car keys to the driver, Prabhu asking him to bring in the luggage from the trunk.

The children got introduced to each other and Ishan and Sahana took them to their respective rooms. Extra beds were fitted in the kids' rooms so that the boys can crash in with Ishan and Sanaya with Sahana. Milind and Prachi took Neev and Neha to their guest room. After the visitors had showered, they all sat down to have their dinner. The children were in animated conversation with each other, all trying to speak at the same time. Prachi's pleas asking them to first finish their dinner before chatting fell on deaf ears. Milind asked Prachi to let them be. After a noisy dinner, the children rushed to their rooms to play while the grown-ups caught up with old times.

It was close to midnight before they all turned in. Neev and Neha first checked on their boys, kissing them good night and switching off their lights so that they go to sleep. When they came to the girls' room they found that they were already asleep. Neev stood by the door and stared at his daughter's face lit up in the moon light. Neha laid her hand on his shoulder and pressed understandingly. Not wanting to give in to his feelings, he turned around and smiling at her, he held her waist and led her to their bedroom.

Milind was in the kitchen helping his wife clean up. When they were done he linked his arms around her waist and pulled her to him.

"Darling, you are sure about this, aren't you? There would be no turning back after tomorrow."

"Yes, I am. You are right. Sahana deserves to know the truth. She is old enough to understand. I hope she will forgive her mother," she said her eyes filling up fast.

"Hey, don't cry baby. Everything will be alright. We will make sure it is. Sahana loves you and will always love you, no matter what. Come on, give me one of those charming smiles that captured my heart!"

She smiled through her tears and he lifted her in his strong arms, taking her to their room amidst her protests that somebody may see them.

Epilogue (iv)

Prachi woke up the next morning at the crack of dawn and gazed lovingly at her handsome husband who was still fast asleep. In sleep he looked innocent and childlike despite the few grey hairs on his temples. Milind proudly called them the silver strands of wisdom and teased her that she does not have any grey hairs yet because she hasn't developed any wisdom. Barring these few grey strands, his unlined youngish looking face belied his forty-five years of age. She trained her gaze on his full well-shaped lips which must have kissed her atleast a million times by now, she thought shyly. Her eyes then moved up and rested on the moustache that lined his beautifully sculpted upper lip. To her surprise she noticed a couple of grey hairs there and gently ran her fingers on them. Her touch awoke him and before she could remove her hand, Milind caught her by the wrist and seeing her bemused expression he raised his eyebrow quizzically.

"Your moush has started to grey!" she teased.

"So what? My desire for you is still evergreen!" he retorted and pulled her against his chest. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and pressed her against him, making her aware of his growing arousal.

"Milind! We have a teenage daughter in the house who is turning sixteen today. We cannot be fooling around like teenagers ourselves, that too in broad daylight!" she admonished him. Wriggling out of his hold, she rushed to the bathroom and banged the door shut.

Milind turned on his stomach and smilingly took the photo frame on the side table. It was a picture of his wife. He traced her lips with his finger tips and kissed it.

Back in the bathroom, Prachi brushed her teeth and later got into the tub for a bath. As she soaped herself she was lost in thought. Today was the day they were to tell Sahana the truth about her birth. Prachi was very nervous about how she will react. Her thoughts flew back to that fateful day when she realised there was no escaping her past.

Prachi's flashback

A month back Prachi had overheard Milind speaking to someone over the phone.

"OK. I'll arrange for the money but please do not take any hasty steps, Alaap. I don't want my two precious girls hurt by your vindictiveness."

Prachi's eyes widened in surprise. How does Milind know Alaap? And why was he paying him money? It suddenly struck her that Alaap was blackmailing him. There was only one thing that he could blackmail him about and that was her past. She confronted Milind who, at first, was reluctant to reveal the truth but finally admitted that Alaap had called him up the previous week demanding a huge sum of money to keep his mouth shut about Sahana's paternity.

It seems that Alaap had seen a picture of their family in the newspapers which covered a business party they had attended together. As Milind was a successful businessman he easily traced him and came to Pune. He befriended someone in Milind's office and found out that Prachi had married Milind within a month of absconding from her home town. He also came to know that they had a sixteen-year old daughter. On a hunch he tracked Sahana's school records to check her date of birth. As he suspected, she seemed to have been born prematurely. His suspicions were confirmed when his source mentioned that Milind met Prachi in London where they were studying in the same college. As he knew for a fact that Prachi was very much in India at the time, he put two and two together and realised that Prachi was already pregnant with Sahana and Milind seemed to be aware of the truth, going by the story he floated about their meeting in London. He couldn't understand how a man can readily accept a 'fallen' woman like Prachi and also lie for her. He came to know then that Prachi and Sahana were Milind's greatest weaknesses. His criminal mind then hit upon the idea of blackmailing Milind for money by threatening to reveal the truth to Sahana. He claimed to have photographs and letters to prove Prachi's relationship with Neev which he planned to show Sahana. As he expected Milind seemed anxious to keep things under wraps.

Hearing what Milind said about Alaap, Prachi's eyes filled up with tears. She knew how much Milind detested being taken advantage of but the guy was willing to give in to her brother's demands for her sake. She cannot let him do that. He has already done enough for her. She told him that Alaap was an insatiable snake and the blackmailing would not stop if he paid up. He would forever hold their secret over their heads and keep demanding for more and more money. She hated to see Milind cave in to that scoundrel's blackmailing. She said that it would be better if she herself comes clean with her daughter.

Deep down Milind too wanted to tell Sahana about her real father when she was old enough to understand, for he felt she had the right to know about her antecedents. He did not fear that she would love him any less if she knew the truth because he was very secure in her love. But telling her the truth about her father would also mean admitting the truth about her mother. He was not sure how Sahana would take that. He also knew how much it would hurt Prachi if she fell in the eyes of her daughter. As they say, 'Why mend something which ain't broken?' so he thought it was best to keep quiet about the whole issue. But hearing Prachi's apprehensions about Alaap, he was not sure silence would help. It may in fact make it worse if she hears the truth from Alaap or someone else. There was no knowing how many people Alaap has already confided in. They still did not know what became of Prachi's step-mother who seemed untraceable. What if she too knows about the truth and starts threatening next.

Milind hesitated, wondering what to do but Prachi insisted in telling the truth for all their peace of mind. Milind assured her that both of them will tell the truth to Sahana on her sixteenth birthday which was to be celebrated shortly. He wanted to invite Neev over although he did not let him know that they were planning to reveal the truth to his daughter. She agreed although she was apprehensive about the whole thing. He kept assuring her that he will make sure everything went well and his daughter comes out of this as a stronger individual.

To shut Alaap up, Milind promised to give him the money but had also informed the police about his extortion attempts. So the police wound him up just as he was about to take the money from Milind's hands and was locked up in prison. He also engaged a private detective to find out more about Alaap's life in the past fifteen years so as to unravel any secrets of his own which could ensure that he spent a longer time in prison.

Suddenly Prachi was brought back to the present by the loud banging at the door.

"Prachi! What are you doing in there for so long? Have you fallen asleep?" Milind was yelling out.

Prachi hurriedly stepped out of the tub and wrapped herself in a large towel. When she opened the latch, Milind who was leaning on the door fell on her. Before she went crashing to the floor, he held her tightly around her waist and pulled her to him. The wet drops of water on her shoulders and arms dampened his kurta. For a minute the two of them froze still, absorbed in each other.

"Come on boys wake up, wake up. Don't you want to wish Sahana di on her birthday? " Neha's shrill voice from the next room broke their trance. Milind ran his fingers through his hair in embarrassment and went into the bathroom to complete his morning routine while Prachi hastily changed into her clothes before going to help Ramu kaka prepare Sahana her favourite breakfast and wish her darling daughter.

That evening a grand party was arranged for Sahana. Baba and Bua who had returned from Mumbai by lunch time, helped in welcoming the guests. Ayesha and Varun arrived with their daughters, Ananya and Sukanya, aged twelve and seven. Ayesha had never stopped thanking Milind for saving their marriage which was on the rocks more than 15 years ago. It was Milind who had finally worked out a compromise between the couple. Varun was to let her start the boutique and she was to fulfil his wish of having a baby as soon as she had settled in her business. They agreed, for both of them were still very much in love with each other. Milind then advised them that in marriage there was no place for ego. Whatever problems they faced in future they needed to communicate openly and treat each other as equals in this life partnership. Those pearls of wisdom stood them in good stead and they were a happily married couple.

With the grown-ups engaged in conversation, the children had their own fun together. Ishan took a fancy for pretty little Sukanya or Suki as she was called. He faced some stiff competition from Sanjay though, for he too wanted to impress the little girl. Noticing the boys' blatant attempts to win her over, Sahana and Sanaya teased their brothers endlessly, prompting the boys to chase them around the house. In the meantime Abhay befriended Suki and they ended up playing together. Ananya remained aloof from all this tamasha. Being a quiet child, she was more interested in music. So she walked up to Neev who was managing the juke box and asked him to play the song of her choice. When he obliged, she sat down in a corner, closed her eyes and got immersed in it.

Soon it was time for the party to commence and Milind called all the children back. Once the birthday song was sung and the cake cut, Sahana offered the first piece to Milind. Neev blinked back the tears in his eyes. She then offered the second piece to Prachi. When she took the third piece, Milind prompted her to offer it to Neev. Looking at him puzzled, she nodded and took the piece to Neev's mouth. Neev held her hand and pushed the cake into his mouth, his teary eyes silently thanking Milind who blinked his eyes in acknowledgement. She then distributed the cake to her Dada, Bua Dadi and the rest of the guests.

The guests were served refreshments and later there were games organised by Ayesha and Neha. Buffet dinner was served after that and by the time the guests, including Ayesha's family left, it was close to ten o'clock. Baba and Bua retired to bed. The children assembled to open the gifts that the birthday girl had got. Ishan said that he would do the honours, for Sahana was his sister. He looked possessively at Sahana who gave the nod. Soon the kids got engrossed in the gifts which were being unravelled by Ishan. Milind took Prachi to their room inorder to discuss with her the manner in which they will break the truth to Sahana. They planned to call her in after the gift unwrapping was over and slowly break it to her. Neev and Neha watched the kids for some time and suddenly Neev got emotional and abruptly got up and left with Neha following him.

Sitting with the kids, Sahana's eyes suddenly fell on a long envelope which was marked "For Sahana's eyes only." She took the envelope curiously and ripped it open. Inside was a crisp sheet of paper, a couple of old letters and a photograph. She eyed the photograph and her eyes widened in shock to see her mother with Neev uncle. Both looked much younger, maybe in their late teens. Neev had his arm around Prachi's shoulder and she had hers around his waist. She wondered what her mother was doing with Neev uncle for she was under the impression that he was her father's friend and her mother came to know him through her father. She quickly skimmed through the old letters. To her horror she realised that they were old love letters written by Neev uncle to her mother. She turned and saw that her brother and Neev uncle's kids were still engrossed in the gifts and had not noticed Sahana and her letters. She hurriedly got up from there and went to her room with the envelope and its contents. She shut the door and read through the crisp letter.

Dear Sahana,

This is your uncle Alaap writing to you. You may not know me because your mother would not have uttered a word about her family. Why would she? After all now she is the wife of a wealthy businessman. She would be too ashamed to acknowledge her humble relatives. She admitted as much to me herself. She forbade me from seeing you and when I insisted in doing so, she has got me locked up in prison for a crime I did not commit. You may wonder why was she adamant in preventing me from seeing you. Do you know why? She was scared. She was scared that I will reveal the truth about her lack of character and avarice for money.

Yes, Sahana, your mother, after sleeping with her boyfriend of eight years, ditched him on their wedding day, in order to elope with your father because he was rich. Are you shocked? I bet you are. Wait, there is more. The man you are calling your father is not your real father. You are Neev's daughter. Milind accepted to father you because he lusted after your mother.

For their own gains your parents have ruined your life, Sahana. They have ruined it. They deprived you of being raised with love in a normal family, by your own father and mother. Instead you are being raised by a mother who lusts after money and a father who lusts after her. You may biologically be her kid, but my sister Prachi loves your brother more than she loves you because he is Milind's son. Your father pretends to love you but how can any man love another man's child more than his own? So you see, neither of them care for you or love you. They are just keeping up the pretences for the sake of that old man, your grandfather who still thinks you are his own flesh and blood. Once he is gone, I shudder to think what would be your status in this family. That is why I wanted to warn you in advance so that you are not shocked when they throw you out of the house in future.

You ever loving and caring uncle,

Alaap.

Sahana was horror stricken reading this letter. She dropped it and made a dash out of the door. As she ran out into the corridor she overheard voices coming out of the guest room in which Neev and Neha stayed. She stopped and listened.

"Neha, it is so hard to hear Sahana call me Neev uncle. I know I cannot expect anything more but I so want her to call me Dad, atleast once."

"You know that is not possible, Neev......"

Sahana did not wait to hear more. With tears streaming from her eyes, she blindly ran out of the house. Just as she opened the door to rush out, Ishan caught sight of her as he ripped the wrapping of the last gift to be opened.

"Didi, where are you going?" he yelled out in alarm. Neev's kids looked towards the door but she was gone by then.

Hearing Ishan's shout, Milind, Prachi, Neev and Neha came rushing out of their respective rooms. Seeing that Sahana was missing Milind asked his son where was she.

"I don't know Papa. She ran out of the door without turning around," said a confused Ishan.

"Uncle, I saw her running out of her room before she ran out," said Abhay.

Milind rushed to Sahana's room with Prachi, Neev and Neha behind him. He found the letters and photo strewn around. A quick look at the letter told him the reason for Sahana's strange behaviour.

"That rogue, Alaap. If ever I get my hands around his neck, I will throttle him!" he gnashed his teeth.

"What happened?" asked Neev.

"She knows only half truths and lies," whispered Milind angrily handing the letter to him.

Neev was horrified to read it. "Now what do we do?"

"I'll find her."

"I'll come with you," Neev volunteered.

"No Neev. It is better that Prachi and I confront her and explain the truth to her."

Neha nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Neev. Let them handle their daughter. They know best. Moreover, we need to calm the rest of the children. Somebody needs to be with Ishan and assure him all is well with his sister."

Neev had to agree that she was right. By now the children came trickling into the room. Milind quickly shoved the envelope into his pocket lest they see it and asked Ishan to be with Neev uncle and Neha aunty while they go to bring back his sister.

"Why did Didi run away like that?" asked Ishan innocently. "Was she angry that I opened her gifts?"

"No darling. She is not angry with you. She loves you," said Neha patting his cheek. "It's very late. You need to catch up on your sleep." She took the kids to their guest room and made them all lie on the bed. She stretched out between them and tried to envelope them all with her arms asking them if they wanted to hear a story. The children enthusiastically nodded their heads. She then narrated a long fairy tale. Soon the children's eyes felt droopy and they fell asleep.

Epilogue (Final Part)

On leaving her house, Sahana had got on to her bicycle and peddled as fast as she could. She reached her haven in fifteen minutes. It was a small secluded mound not very far from her house. It was where she went whenever she wanted to be on her own and think. Tonight of all nights she wanted to be on her own but she did not want to think. She just wanted to blight all memories of her life for they were filled with images of the two most important people in her life, her Papa and her Mama. Today she felt let down by both the people she had reposed all her faith and trust. She did not care that it was nearly eleven in the night and she was the sole person in that desolate place which was dimly lit. All she cared was that she got the much needed air to breathe, for in her own house she felt suffocated. She sat on the green grass and pulling her legs up, she buried her head between her knees and wept bitterly.

Meanwhile, Milind and Prachi got into their car and Milind started the engine.

"Where could she have gone?" asked Prachi

"I know where she would have gone," Milind said without elaborating further. He knew his daughter's secret getaway. He had followed her there several times but always stood at a distance so that she felt she was on her own. He always kept a watchful eye over her though.

When they reached the spot, he saw her bicycle lying at the bottom of the little mound. He parked his car and together with Prachi he climbed up. Even before they reached up they could clearly hear her heart wrenching loud sobs tearing the quiet of the night. His heart went out to his daughter. In the past he never intruded into her private space but tonight he had to, if only to stop the unbearable sobs. Prachi followed him silently, her own heart heavy with grief and despair. As soon as they spotted her, Milind rushed to his daughter and sat down beside her. He then gently laid his hand on her shoulder. She jerked her head up and seeing him, her eyes opened wide in surprise. How did he know her secret place, she wondered. She shrugged his hand off her shoulder and yelled.

"Please leave me alone. Have you not done enough?"

"What have I done, darling?" asked Milind in a pained voice.

She did not respond for she felt ashamed to say that he lusted after her mother. All said and done she had called him Papa till now. She cannot speak so derogatorily to him.

"Sahana, your Papa is not at fault. I am," Prachi tried to intervene.

Sahana turned to her mother and looked at her with flaming eyes, "Yes, you are. You are the one who ditched your boyfriend on your wedding day and forced another man to father your child," she spat out.

"Sahana!" For the first time in his life he raised his voice at his daughter. "Is this the way to speak to your mother?" If there was one thing he could not stand, it was anyone accusing his Prachi of immorality.

"Milind, please!" implored Prachi, a hand on his arm before he flew off the handle.

Milind soon realised it was futile to yell at his daughter. He can't fault her, for she has been fed lies by that snake Alaap. She wasn't thinking clearly. After all she was just sixteen years old, not old enough to discern truth from lies. She was at an age when one is super sensitive and hot blooded. He has to give her a wide margin.

He ran his hands through his hair and asked her in a more subdued tone, "Sahana, I have given you 16 years of my life. Will you give me 16 minutes of your time and hear me out before you pass your judgement on your mother?" His voice and eyes betrayed the pain and hurt he was feeling which Sahana could not ignore. She silently nodded her head.

He then continued, "Most of us look up to our parents and treat them like demi-Gods but we fail to realise that they are human too. Our expectations from them are high and when we realise that they have failed in some respect we are more unforgiving of them than we would of any other relative or friend because we feel that parents are supposed to set examples for us to follow. But then nobody is born a parent. A parent was also once a teenager and went through all the confusions and temptations of one. Some fall prey to it but some survive and come out unscathed. Your mother committed a mistake, one she never ceased to repent. She gave into the weakness of the flesh and conceived you. You can pass your judgement on her based on that single fact but do you realise what her life was before she got into this entanglement?"

Sahana looked at her father questioningly. Milind turned to Prachi and silently apologised with his eyes for what he was about to do. Prachi knew that her old wounds would be reopened but if in the process her daughter's emotional wounds are healed, she would be more than grateful. She nodded her head to give her approval.

Milind then went on to give a complete account of Prachi's life before he met her, right from the fact that she was an illegitimate child to the miserable life she led in her own house after her mother's death. When he recounted the torture she was subjected to by her step-mother and her brother, Sahana's eyes widened with shock and filled up with tears.

"You believed what your uncle wrote about your mother. But did you know that this very same uncle tried to molest your mother when she was just fourteen and that he was locked up in a juvenile delinquents home for it? Now the guy has the audacity to talk morality," he said between gritted teeth.

Sahana felt nauseous just hearing about this dark part of her mother's life. Her revulsion for this unseen uncle kept growing. She turned to look at her mother who sat crumbled next to her, weeping silently. Her heart went out to her mother.

Milind continued, "Yes, your mother absconded from her wedding but the scheduled wedding was not with your biological father, as your uncle would like you to believe. It was with an old widower who was more than twice her age. She tried to escape so that she could wed your natural father. Unfortunately here too it was your uncle and his accomplices who ruined everything. They beat up your father and got him bed ridden for six months. In the meantime they made your mother believe that your father had ditched her."

Prachi intervened here and said in an emotional voice, "I was all set to take away my life, unable to face the prospect of raising you fatherless. If it had not been for your Papa, we would not be around now. We both owe our lives to him."

She then told her how Milind saved her, took her to his house and later married her inorder to give an identity to a child he did not even father.

Milind hastened to add, "Well, I have to admit I was not totally selfless in marrying your Mama. It suited me fine because I wanted to perpetuate a lie I told my father."

Seeing his daughter's surprised expression he nodded his head. "Yes, Sahana. Your Papa is flawed too. I was an incorrigible liar. But believe me darling, whatever I am telling you now is the truth and nothing but the truth."

Prachi continued, "Your Papa may have had his reasons for marrying me but darling he had fallen in love with you long before you even arrived in this world. He modified his entire life for you, giving up on his freedom to spend more time with you. Did you know that your Papa even brought you into this world single-handedly?"

Prachi then described how she could not go to the hospital due to a curfew and Milind helped deliver her baby. Sahana looked at her father in amazement on hearing this.

"After all this, do you still believe your uncle's words that your father does not love you? Let me tell you something. Why do you think there is a six-year age gap between you and Ishan? It is because it took me five years to convince your Papa that his love for you will not diminish or be divided if he has another baby. In fact, love can only multiply when shared. So you see, your Papa loved you so much that he was willing to give up having a child who was genetically his in the fear that his attention on you will be lessened."

Sahana was moved to tears hearing about her Papa's love and the sacrifices he made for them. She could not have dreamed of having a more loving set of parents than she already had and she had hurt them by doubting their love. She flung her arms around both of them and hugged them tight.

"I love you Papa. I love you Mama. Please forgive me for being so harsh in judging you," she cried, whimpering loudly.

"Sh....sh..." Milind patted his daughter's back soothingly. "Darling. You needn't ask for forgiveness. It is we who should ask yours for not being the perfect parents that you so deserve to have. We should have told you everything. In fact we were planning to tell you the truth tonight but that sadistic uncle of yours beat us to it and that too filled your head with all those grotesque lies."

"But still Papa, I believed the lies told by a stranger whom I had never met without thinking how they can be true. I have witnessed nothing but love in all my sixteen years of existence and yet I suspected that love."

"Darling, don't be so hard on yourself. You only behaved the way any teenager would have behaved, hearing such horrible things about her parents," Milind assured her and kissed the top of her head.

Sahana lifted her eyes and saw the love and understanding reflected in her father's eyes. She kissed his bearded cheek and said that she was lucky to have such a wonderful Papa, the best in this whole wide world. She then turned to Prachi and kissing her chubby cheek she said, "Mama, I am sorry you went through hell. I cannot even imagine what your life must have been like. I have been privileged to have such lovely parents like you unlike you who did not have a real family. I hope I could do something to alleviate your pain."

"You have, baby. You have more than compensated for everything I went through. The minute I laid my eyes on you, I knew you were worth all the trouble. I am very sorry darling, I nearly punished you for my sins by trying to take away my life," Prachi's eyes started streaming thinking about that fateful day. Milind wiped his wife's eyes and asked her to forgive herself first.

Turning to his daughter he said, "We are not exemplary examples to follow darling but I guess you can learn from us what you should not do. Your mother's pre-marital relations very nearly cost her life and yours as well. The lies I told my Baba cost me my freedom and deprived me of my cherished bachelorhood, not that I am complaining. I guess that marrying your Mama may have been the best spur of the moment decision I took. Both of you are like my two eyes. I can't imagine a life without you. You are my special baby, Sahana, because you brought together two strangers."

He then got up and with both his arms he yanked his daughter and wife up simultaneously. "Come on, it is getting late. Neev and Neha will be worried."

At the mention of Neev's name Sahana's face fell. Milind was quick to notice the change in his daughter's expression. He did not say anything immediately. He shoved the bicycle in the car's trunk and got into the car. Prachi asked Sahana to sit in the front next to her Papa and Sahana gladly agreed.

On the drive back home, Milind slowly broached the topic of Neev again. "Darling, Your natural father is not at fault, darling. He was as much a victim of circumstances as we were. He loved your mother very much. Yes, he should have waited till they wedded before he...(he did not complete the rest of the sentence, considering the delicacy of the subject). But he had no intention of duping your mother. He too suffered. Can you make room in your heart for him?"

Sahana had tears in her eyes, "Papa, how can you be so magnanimous? You accepted Mama and me into your heart and now are even willing to share me with my natural father."

Milind smiled and said, "Remember what your Mama said a few minutes back? Love multiplies when shared. It does not get divided. I know you will always love me and I will always love you. I don't feel threatened by Neev."

"Papa, give me some time. It is all too much to accept in a day," she pleaded. He pressed her hand and smiled understandingly.

"Yes, darling it is too much to handle in a day. Take all the time you want. I am sure Neev can wait a little longer."

When they reached home, Neev came rushing to them asking them if everything was fine. Milind nodded his head and turned to look at his daughter. Sahana gave Neev an embarrassed glance and hurried to her room. Milind asked Neev to give her some time and Neev nodded.

Milind picked up the sleeping boys, took them to their room and laid them on their beds. Neev carried his daughter to Sahana's room and laid her in bed. He turned to Sahana and said in a soft voice, "I'm sorry for everything." When she did not respond he shuffled his feet and murmured a hurried good night and left her to her thoughts.

The next morning Neev and his family got ready to leave for Goa. He explained that the kids wanted to see more of India. After their Goa visit, they planned to visit Kerala, Chandigarh, Agra and Delhi before they return back to London at the end of the month. The Shergills and the Mishras had an emotional farewell. Sahana remained unduly quiet throughout it. Baba and Bua who were blissfully unaware of all the happenings of the last 12 hours asked Neev to visit them every year as the children got along so famously with each other. Neev smiled ruefully and said he will try. Milind then dropped them at the airport.

One month later

Milind got a call from the detective he had engaged to do a background check on Alaap. The news he gave was shocking. It seems Alaap had ended up killing his own mother Amrita in an altercation five years ago. He hit her hard and she fell down dead. He later buried her in the garden in their house in Surat. He had admitted to his crime in his diary which was kept well hidden but was unearthed by the detective. There were other evidences too which pointed to him. Milind submitted all these to the police. With this he was sure Alaap would be locked up for life.

That same day Sahana sat at her table to write a letter.

'Dear Neev uncle,' she began her letter and then struck out the words 'Neev uncle' replacing them with 'Dad'. She then went on to describe her school life to her natural father. At the end she signed. 'Your loving daughter, Sahana'. She smiled and sealed the letter in an envelope. She was a lucky girl indeed. When she was in her mother's womb she very nearly did not have a dad but now she has two. Both of them loved her very much. While she had accepted Neev into her heart, her Papa will always hold a very special place in it forever.

***The End***

Originally posted by: aritha

thank you!😊

Poor poor Sahana. Loved it that Milind knew precisely where his precious daughter will be, since he has followed her there before – what a beautiful father/daughter bond you have portrayed here Opti – he knows her better than Prachi does in some respects. Sahana's initial reaction to her dad was understandable he and Prachi are the last people she would want to see at this stage. I don't think that Milind could have explained the whole deal any better to his daughter – he's simply magnificent.

I had a lump in my throat when Prachi said that we both owe our lives to your Papa. Gosh didn't realize that Ishan was born so late because Milind wanted to shower all his love on his daughter -Wow!! Sahana is such a sweetheart and a mature girl for understanding how deeply her parents love her and for asking for forgiveness for doubting that love.

"You are my special baby, Sahana, because you brought together two strangers." Beautiful dialogues. I can totally understand Sahana's hesitant feelings towards Neev, she definitely needs time for this.

Alaap's and his mother's fate was as it should have been – i think I'm satisfied with their outcome.

The ending was beautiful too – Sahana accepted Neev as a second dad.

In my opinion this FF showed perfectly that mistakes can and do happen by us humans sometimes the consequences can be devastating but most times when people realize their mistakes and change their ways to not repeat those mistakes, then tremendous gains can be made as in this case – Sahana said she has two very caring and loving father figures in her life and also equipped with knowledge of the experiences of her parents Sahana can go through her life knowing fully the difference between right and wrong. Also must also point out that Milind as portrayed in this FF was a guy who was one in and a million – that helped this situation so greatly too, and destiny played it's important part by bringing these two souls together – they were meant to be united all along.

A wonderful FF Opti , that had all that were fortunate enough to read it to understand that hasty judgements regarding people can be incorrect and that one should understand what they are all about and what their past circumstances have been before making an opinion. A great piece of work - well done!!!

Originally posted by: may268

I finished reading it Opti

God I didn't come online for a day and I miss so much

It was wonderful

It was shocking that alaap killed his own mother

Glad that Sahana knows the truth

Thank you for this wonderful FF

Originally posted by: Shabz.

aww, i'm so glad everything ended so well...sahana is a a very lucky girl.
i cant believe alaap actually killed his own mother..at least he is paying the price for it.

thanx for a wonderful FF opti, i enjoyed reading it immensely.