SS - Can we talk? Part 6 pg 84 Feb 14 - Page 34

"I am Miss Suhana Bose. Can we talk?"

That sweet voice was echoing in his ears as he once again drove his bike towards the hotel. Talk. His daughter wanted to meet him. Talk to him. He was going to meet her. As a father. What should he do? How should he greet her? Could he hug her or would she be too shy? Suhana's face as she had stood before him that day, danced before his eyes. He was used to the rough and tumble games with Golu. But a girl! A sweet little girl. He should be gentle with her. Not crowd her, he reminded himself. He stopped at a traffic signal and saw a guy selling balloons. Should he buy a gift? But what should he buy? He didn't know anything about her, he thought with a sudden pang. He didn't know her favourite toy, her favourite story, which colour she liked, what she didn't like...nothing. What if he bought something and she hated it on sight? First - he would meet his daughter. Suhana. His daughter, he repeated to himself. He was a dad. He had a daughter. His very own little angel. A tiny miny Khargosh! His own voice from the past echoed in his ears. He would get to know every single thing about her and then buy her whatever she wanted. Anything. The light turned green and the bike zoomed through the traffic.

"Ishwari, what happened?" Mamaji asked, coming into the hall to find his sister gazing at the door through which Dev had all but ran out. "I thought I heard Dev?"

"Yes bhaiya. He had come. We talked. But then he got some phone and he left in a hurry," she replied sadly.

"Must have been some work related call. But you talked? Did you hear you out?"

"Yes, he heard me out. It's time for my puja. We'll talk about this later bhaiya." Ishwari went up to her room. You got your son. Sonakshi got her daughter. What did I get? I lost. Everything. She remembered Dev's words. You got your son. Did I, Dev? Did I really? It never seemed that way to me.

****

Fingers that knocked on Sonakshi's hotel room door were all but trembling with a combination of excitement and trepidation. Did his daughter know anything about him? Sonakshi said she told Suhana. What did she tell? That her papa was the rude, arrogant guy who kicked her mom out of his life, not once but twice? His contemplations jerked to a halt when the door was opened by the maid, Gunni. Dev stepped in and there she stood. His Suhana. Dressed in a white, pink and red frock, hair held back in a ponytail, one hand in Sonakshi's.

Realising that he was staring, he blinked and tried to smile, hoping she wouldn't notice his damp eyes. "Hello Suhana!" He extended his hand for a handshake when all he wanted to do was pick her up and hug his little girl tight.

The fingers gripping her mom's hand tightened almost reflexively. Sonakshi touched Suhana's shoulder in a silent gesture of reassurance. "You are the rude guy who barged into our room that day." Suhana stated, all but scowling at Dev.

Dev controlled his wince, refused to let the smile slip from his face. "Yes and I'm really sorry for scaring you like that. It won't happen again."

"I wasn't scared." She tilted her chin up.

After a few moments that were rife with tension and hope, she left her mamma's hand, took one step closer and shook her father's hand once before stepping back to her mamma once again. Uneasy silence descended in the room as if no one knew what to say or where to begin. Dev waited for Suhana to speak. Suhana waited for one of her parents to speak. Sonakshi seemed to be the only one who knew what the other two struggling with.

"Soha," she nudged her daughter. "Are you feeling hungry? Shall we go to the restaurant and have some hot chocolate?"

At Soha's enthusiastic nod, the three of them went to the restaurant where Dev ordered hot chocolate for Soha and two cups of coffee. It was a circular table so Suhana had her parents seated on either side of her. Catching her darting glances at him, Dev smiled and asked. "So, you like hot chocolate?"

His smile widened when she bobbed her head. "But I don't want the milk to be too hot. It'll burn my tongue. So mamma blows it for me." She piped in more information. Suhana was many things but being shy and timid wasn't one of them. "Why were you angry that day?"

Dev darted a quick glance at Sonakshi's impassive face. She wasn't going to help or intervene. "There was some kind of misunderstanding and instead of clarifying it, I got angry. I shouldn't have barged in like that."

"You didn't know I was there?"

"No Suhana. I didn't. I didn't know about you until I saw you."

"I know. Mamma told me. I was in her tummy when you got separated."

Separated. Such a civil word. Sonakshi seemed to have given his daughter the polite version of that separation, he thought. "So when is your birthday?"

"September 5th. I will be seven years old this year," she declared proudly.

"Wow! A really big girl you are then, huh! Do you go to school?"

"Yes. In Kolkata. Mamma drops me and dadu picks me up. She said I can go by school bus from next year if I wanted to." Her eyes fell on the glass pane of the restaurant and she shrieked. "Mamma! Look! It's raining!"

Sonakshi looked at the slow drizzle and smiled at her daughter. The waiter got the hot chocolate and coffee. "Soha, sit. Or you are going to spill that all over you."

Soha sat but her eyes remained on the rain. "Mamma, can I go and put my hand out? I want to touch the rain."

Sonakshi transferred a little amount of the hot chocolate into another cup and blew on it. "Not now. First drink this. And no getting wet in the rain."

Soha looked like she wanted to argue but reconsidered her priorities after looking at her favourite drink. She sat back and sipped, her eyes once again fixed on her father. "Do you like rain?"

Dev made no attempt to drink his coffee. He seemed to have forgotten all about it, so busy he was gazing at his daughter's adorable pout, heart breaking innocent smile and clear sweet voice. "Rain? Yeah, I like rain."

"I love rain too. I guess I'm like you that way. Like two frogs," she said, giggling at her own joke.

Dev's smile turned into a grin. She was looking for similarities, he thought. Whatever Sonakshi had told about him to Suhana, she hadn't painted a black picture. "Thank you Sonakshi," he said in a low tone.

But either Sonakshi didn't hear him because she was typing something in her phone or she chose to ignore it. He turned back to Suhana. "Do you watch cartoons?"

"Yes. But only for some time. I like Tom and Jerry."

"Oh. Tom and Jerry is my favourite too!" Dev grinned.

"Really? You watch cartoons? I thought adults watch news channels."

Dev laughed. "Yeah but Tom and Jerry has no age bar. And you know, I love Nibbles."

Suhana laughed and clapped before smacking her lips, opening her mouth and patting her tummy in a - I'm hungry - gesture that was the trademark of Nibbles. Dev burst out laughing and then as if he couldn't resist anymore, ran his hand over her hair and gently cupped her cheek. Suhana peered at the window once again.

"Mamma, I've finished my hot chocolate. Can I go and touch the rain?"

"Soha, you will get wet and then you will have cold."

"But mamma, I won't. I'll stay in the shade and just put my hand out."

Sonakshi smiled at her daughter. "Oh really?" Because with that kid, it never stopped there. First it's just the hand, then both the hands and then the head and then the whole body. She would have a drenched kid in her hands within five minutes.

"This time promise," Soha cajoled.

Dev intervened. "I will take her. Make sure she doesn't get wet." One look at Sonakshi's small frown, he hastened to add. "We'll just be here. Near the door. You will be able to see us." Sonakshi nodded reluctantly.

And Dev got to spend some more time with his daughter. He even got to hold her hand while she reached out the other hand to hold the falling rain drops. Got to laughingly pull her back when she tried to stick her head out.

"You like to play in the rain?" he asked.

"Yes," she said with a happy grin. "I do it sometimes with Asha. Mamma doesn't like rain."

And just like that another image from the past flashed before his eyes.

Mein toh roz aa sakta hoon haan lekin baarish ko sath lane ka wada nahi kar sakta

Barish aaye ya na aaye, aap aayenge toh man khud hi bheeg jayega

Had he made her so bitter that she has shunned everything associated to him, even the rain? His heart pricked. He tried to ignore it even as his eyes darted towards her. She seemed to be arguing on the phone and she didn't look pleased. Probably work related. Should he ask her? No. She wouldn't like any meddling there. But what was it about? Would this mean she would be returning back to Kolkata, taking Suhana along with her? The hand holding his daughter's firmed instinctively. No! His heart screamed. Slow down, his mind cautioned. And for once, Dev Dixit heeded his mind.

"I have a meeting. We need to go now." Sonakshi came out of the restaurant. Suhana immediately went to her mamma.

His heart cried out for more time with his Suhana but he didn't voice it. "How long will you be staying?"

"I-I haven't decided," she hedged. "I'll let you know."

"Call or message me whenever you are free. I would like to spend more time with Miss Suhana Bose," he directed those last words at Soha. Soha smiled, pleased at the addressing.

"Bye Suhana." Soha waved and walked away with her mamma.

It was past lunch time when he came back home, his mind still busy replaying the time he'd spent with Suhana like in a loop. Golu comes barrelling towards him. With a grin, Dev picks him up and throws him over his shoulder in a caveman style, making the kid shriek with laughter.

"Bigcha! Put me down! Bigcha! I'll fall down!"

Dev carried him up to his room and gently threw him on the bed. "Whoa Bigcha! That was awesome!"

"Why are you home today? No school?"

"Oh come on Bigcha! Today is Saturday! And you are looking..." Golu tilted his head to the side, studying Dev. "Happy."

"That is because I am." Dev ruffled the kid's hair.

Golu leapt up and hugged his uncle. "I miss you when you are not there Bigcha!" Dev hugged him back but his eyes turned distant, the light in them dimming. That's when it hit him. After hearing Golu's Bigcha chant. Suhana didn't address him. Not once. She didn't call him papa or baba or dad. She didn't call him anything. And there wasn't a more precious title Dev Dixit wanted to win in that moment. Papa!

****

As much as Dev tried, Suhana's face kept flashing out in front of him. He tried to keep a calm and composed exterior and yet he just couldn't stop smiling.

Like two frogs she said... How cute was she...His daughter. His Suhana.

Sonakshi would return to Kolkata soon and God knows when he would get to see his daughter again. Maybe he can travel there weekends to meet her. Oh how he wanted to see her again.

Dev was still lost in thought when his phone beeped. It was his lawyer. By the end of the conversation Dev was fuming. He stormed out to the living where the entire family was sitting and lunged at Vicky.

"How dare you!! How dare you sell a part of my office without asking my permission. Vicky I gave you this position because I know you are not capable of anything and you just proved that you are a cheat. You sold of the office and tried to pocket all the proceeds. I give you one hour, understand an hour. You better transfer all the funds into the company account. Just how dare you!!"

"Bhai.. I, I thought you were shutting down the company and if the news got leaked in the market, I thought, I could protect"

"Vicky don't think. You are not capable of thinking. 1 hour. You hear me else I will forget that you are even related to me. I promise you that."

Dev was still fuming in his room. The family knew not to cross his path when he was in such a mood, when his phone rang. Dev was not in a mood to talk to anyone but when he saw the name being flashed he couldn't stop smiling. It was Sonakshi Bose.

Sonakshi sounded very apprehensive. "Dev, I need to talk."

The seriousness in her voice was inconceivable. Dev could only imagine the reason. Fear the worst. Was this call to let him know that she was leaving for Kolkata. First he lost a part of his office and now he would lose a part of himself.

"Sonakshi, are you leaving? Can I see Suhana once before you leave?"

"No Dev, I didn't call for that. There was something related to work. "

"Don't get me wrong. There are just so many things about Suhana I don't know yet. I just want to spend some more time before you head out back. Have you decided when you are going?"

"No, I haven't but it will be a while. I need to extend my stay. "

Just to the point. No explanations.

"Dev, listen to me. The reason I called, Ishwari communications sold a part of its office today. Bose Nutritionists bought it. Now I don't know what the game plan is. I just found out."

"What? Yes I just found out about it too. I was taking Vicky to task."

"Oh so people sell your office and you don't even know. Come on Mr. Dixit. How can that be Dev?"

The sarcasm in her voice was not missed. It had started seeming like a habit. First he didn't know how the prenup got signed. Then he didn't know how his office was sold. Would he never take responsibility for his actions, wondered Sonakshi.

"Vicky committed a fraud. He didn't have my permission. I will buy back the office Sonakshi."

"My current office lease is up Dev and the owners are not willing to provide any extensions. They apparently sent notices which we didn't respond to. The new Owners want to renovate and move in. That's why the urgent purchase. We have to vacate the old office. So I don't know how it is going to work between us Mr. Dixit. But I don't want any trouble. "

If anything, Dev was amazed at the crisp professional demeanour that she maintained. She was being very professional about the entire thing no doubt. The minute she found out, she called him to have things clarified. . So maybe there still was a chance he could spend time with Suhana or so he hoped.

"What is the staff strength?"

"20 people"

"I can look around for some other properties, if you like...?"

"No Dev. This is my baby. Let me take care of it. My team did the ground work and I cannot let the past affect someone else efforts."

Everything changed in the last 7 years and yet nothing did. Sonakshi was still the same. Her self-respect, her pride still the same. She wouldn't take favours from anyone. Even if it was him.

"May be we can work something out Sonakshi. I am sure we can try and manage."

But working with Dev. Would sharing the same office be such a good idea

"Dev, I am personally not too sure. I don't think it would be a good idea but there is no other option. I just don't want any trouble. At this stage I would have to stay back to get the Delhi operations back on track. I will be extending my stay here. "

Well some 10 minutes ago Dev was worried if Sonakshi would still talk to him. He just hoped she wouldn't avoid him. And now with the turn of events, she couldn't really avoid him.

"You are as much an owner Miss Bose fair and square. There will be no trouble."

The way he said "Miss Bose", Sonakshi couldn't help but smile. Dev knew how to work with people. He knew how to get around them too. Even Miss Sonakshi Bose.

"But we would have to move in tomorrow morning itself. I have to vacate the office by the end of the day tomorrow. And Dev... this will not be temporary arrangement, so let's have everything sorted out."

"Sure, Of course. Let me make a couple of calls. Just ask your staff to get there. The office manager Mr. Desai will expect you and he will help the team setup." He paused, thinking fast. "Ahh... Sonakshi, Can I meet you for breakfast then?"

Again, second time during the conversation, Sonakshi caught herself smiling.

When she saw Dev in the hotel she was shocked at the transformation. But really somethings don't really change. Dev Dixit was still just as relentless as before. When he broke up with the first time, he just didn't let go of her. He kept stalking her. There was a sense of familiarity about him but Sonakshi controlled herself again. She wouldn't let him affect her already. She needed to maintain a stoic front. That's how she survived all these years. As much as she would like to distance herself from Dev, something always tied her back to him.

The first time it was her love. This time it was the love of their daughter.

If anything Soha was just getting to know her father.

"Actually, I will get late tonight. She will be in bed by the time I return. I am hoping to catch up with Soha over breakfast. Is it okay, if I got her along to office. You can spend time as while we setup."

"Sure Sonakshi. Thanks"

***

Dev couldn't sleep that night. His tiny miny khargosh kept flashing before his eyes. His eyes welled up. Would he be able to bond with his daughter? What if she didn't like the person he was? He had become? At least she wasn't disgusted by him. She looked for something that would bind them. She made it so easy to talk to her. She was just like Sonakshi in that sense. He never realized when Sonakshi became his friend. How from being his mother's nutritionist she suddenly became his best friend. He could talk to her anytime, about anything. She was always there for him.

Then what went wrong. For the first time in seven years. Dev looked back trying to find just what went wrong.

***

Sonakshi spoke to Soha over breakfast. She tried to get Soha to tell her about her meeting with Dev. If she had any apprehensions, if he made her feel uncomfortable. But Soha kept to herself. If she was excited she didn't show it over breakfast. Soha merely smiled and let her know she would like to know him better. But as it was time to leave.

"Mamma, let's go, we are getting late...Mamma!" Soha tugged her hand impatiently.

Clearly Soha was thrilled at the prospect of meeting Dev again. Sonakshi picked up her purse and they head out to office.

Dev was outside the office door waiting for Sonakshi and Suhana. This time, the minute Soha saw Dev, she stopped and smiled. That was probably the biggest smile anyone could ever give. Dev warmed up. Just looking at her made him so much at peace with himself.

Ever since Sonakshi left him, there was this void and yet a storm brewing in his heart. Try as much he couldn't forget the night. He drank, he tried to date multiple women but Sonakshi's words kept ringing in his years.

But last night was different. Even after knowing about the office fiasco, for the first time in seven years Dev slept and slept well.

As Dev looked at her and smiled, Soha looked up at Sonakshi. Only when Sonakshi smiled back and nodded, Soha walked up to Dev and put her hand forth.

"Hi," was all that she said.

"Hi," smiled Dev. "Mr. Desai will help you setup. Sonakshi, while you are at it, can we wait for you in my office. You can see us from here. I will leave the door open."

Dev's words meant to assure Sonakshi only hurt her more. Dev was always good with kids. Even since they first met, Dev spoke of having a tiny, miny Sonakshi. And yet here he was meeting his daughter and how. In as much as she wanted to be angry with him. She couldn't help but pity the man in front of her.

Soha was right what did Dev get?

"Sure. But Soha no mischief."

"Sure, Mamma," saying Soha happily trod along with Dev to his cabin. He hesitated but then picked her up and seated her on the table.

Six women in his life and yet he was tongue tied talking to the junior Miss Bose.

"So Miss Suhana Bose, I have a surprise for you." Pulling out an Oreo milkshake. "I thought you like chocolate. You might just like this."

"Mamma will scold me."

"Why?"

"Sweets are not healthy."

"I will remember that the next time. I will tell her, I got it for you. It will go waste if you won't have it. But if you still don't want it, I can throw it away."

"No, no." Smiled Soha. If Dev thought she gave him a big smile when she first saw him this morning, he was wrong. Every time, she smiled it seemed like her smile only got brighter.

As she dug into her milkshake, she quietly handed over the cup to Dev, to have a bite. Oh this baby, his baby was such a sweetheart. Wordlessly he took a spoonful and handed over the cup to her. Soha took the cup back and continued to eat, while Dev continued to stare at her.

Sona could see them. See Dev's eye get moist as Soha offered him her milkshake. It was like she was offering him a piece of her childhood and Dev so carefully took a piece of it. She quietly clicked a picture of the two of them sharing the milkshake.

"So do you like it here Suhana?"

"I don't like this room. It is too plain. There are no pictures on the wall. My room in Kolkata is very pretty. I have pictures of butterflies, flowers on the walls. "

"Oh you like pictures, colours. You are so much like your mother. Can you make a picture for me?"

"What will you do with it?"

"I will frame it hang it in on that wall, so whenever I sit in my chair I can look at it. Okay? "

"Okay, I can make one now. I carry my crayons everywhere. I have them in my bag here. Would you like to see?"

And Soha started pulling out her crayons. And then suddenly stopped and her face straightened. The change didn't go unnoticed by Dev. Dev's phone had just began to ring. Dev quietly switched off his phone and continued to talk to Soha.

"Are you busy? Mamma asks me not to talk to her when she is in her calls. Do you have a call? Are you busy to talk to me?"

"Soha, I am never busy to talk to you, beta. I will never be busy. "

Just then Sonakshi walked into the cabin. "We are all done Dev. We should head back. Come Soha, I have some more to finish. We should get going."

"Yes mamma," saying Soha jumped from the table and ran towards her mother. Suddenly she stopped and tuned to see a heart broken Dev just sitting there.

She came running to him and just simply hugged him.

"Mein... kya... aapko Papa keh sakti hoon?"

Again, this one is a mixed part. First half by me and second half by Divya. Hope you LIKED it. Do let us know. We'll be waiting!!