@ hopehot - Thank you so much, sweetie! What a nice graphic! :)
@ PerfectYaRav - Wow, thank you very much! Your words really touched me, and I appreciate them a lot. Will certainly add you!
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Hi all! Internet is back, and here is the next chapter. Huuuge thanks to all of you who left comments/pressed "like" -- I left personalized messages for you in
this post.
Previous Chapters -- Part One: prologue + ch 1 / ch 2 + 3 / ch 4 + 5 / ch 6 + 7 / ch 8 + 9 / ch 10 + 11 / ch 12 + 13 / ch 14 + 15 / Part Two: ch 16
Chapter Seventeen"Tell Mama to stay with us, Daddy," Riya repeated. She clasped her palms together as if in prayer. "Pretty please?"
Maan bent down to his daughter and covered her folded hands with his own. "It's late, sweetheart," he said hoarsely. "Time to go back to bed."
"But I want Mama to be with us," Riya urged, her voice starting to crack. "Please tell her, Daddy."
"It's late," Maan murmured. "You need to sleep, my love."
Geet rested one shaky hand on Riya's shoulder. "Your Daddy is right," she said softly. "Ladybugs need their sleep, right?"
"But ladybugs need their mamas, too," said Riya, her eyes brimming with tears. She wrapped her arms around Geet's waist. "I want to sleep in your bed."
Geet bit the inside of her cheek, then hugged her daughter. "I'll make sure she gets to sleep, Professor," she said quietly.
Maan ran his hand over his jaw, astounded that just that morning, he had been lecturing a classroom full of students and leading his normal life. Slammed once again with astonishment and confusion, he silently staggered out of the room.
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The next morning, Maan rubbed his eyes as he approached the guest bedroom. He had dozed fitfully the night before, and had overslept. He reminded himself to call Dr. Mehta later that day.
As Maan entered the bedroom, an empty bed was revealed. Where were Geet and Riya? Overcome with terror, he ran to the nearest landline to call the police. On the way to the telephone stand, he passed the open doorway to Riya's room.
Sleeping in Riya's bed were mother and daughter, with Riya's arms snuggled around Geet's waist. Geet, who wore a serene expression even in her sleep state, had rested one hand on the top of Riya's head, and the other on Riya's back.
"What are you doing here?" Maan cried. As the two awoke with a start, Maan almost regretted disturbing the peaceful scene -- almost.
"I thought you both were sleeping in the guest bedroom," Maan fumed. He reached for Riya, who was wiping sleep sand from her eyes, and brought her possessively to his chest. "You almost gave me a heart attack."
"I'm sorry, Professor," said Geet, pulling her knees up to her chin. "Riya wanted me to sleep in her bedroom last night, so we came here."
"And you just went along with a child's suggestion?" Maan snapped.
Geet opened her mouth, then closed it. "Yes, I suppose I did," she finally said.
"We had fun, Daddy!" exclaimed Riya. "Mama told me a story about a prince and princess, and the princess's name was Riya! Guess what, that's my name, too!" Riya clapped her hands in delight.
His fury beginning to subside, Maan touched Riya's cheek. "That's great, sweetheart."
"Daddy, I want to show Mama around my school," said Riya. "'Cause she hasn't ever seen it."
"We're running late, baby," said Maan impatiently. "We don't have time to show her around."
Riya kissed her father on the cheek, then blinked her large eyes up at him. "Please please please?"
Maan sighed, then glanced at Geet. "Fine," he said. "But we're getting very late. In two minutes, I want everyone in the car. We'll get breakfast on the way."
"Thank you, Professor," said Geet. Although her voice was soft, her eyes were as lively and joyful as Riya's.
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"These are paintings of old people," said Riya, as she tugged Maan and Geet by the hand into her school. The entrance hall was adorned with large oil canvases of past principals. "They are important. I think because they are old."
Geet giggled. "That's very nice."
Maan squeezed his daughter's hand gently. "All right, sweetheart. We've seen your school. Now, time for class before you get late."
"But we just got here, Daddy!" Riya protested. "I -- Oh, not him!" Riya dropped her parents' hands as a slightly pudgy boy wearing glasses approached them.
"Good morning, Professor Khurana." The boy held out his hand for Maan to shake. "I am Mr. Thomas D'Souza."
Riya lunged forward and shoved Thomas in the chest. "You go away!"
Thomas stumbled backward. Unfazed, he re-extended his hand. "Professor Khurana, I would like to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage."
Maan raised his eyebrows, then shook Thomas's hand. "Are you sure about that, Mr. D'Souza? Riya seems to have a history of, well, attacking you. Aren't you worried about your safety?"
"I have a helmet," Thomas replied promptly.
Geet laughed. Maan swiveled his head toward her, and she immediately converted her chuckle into a cough.
"I am in love with your daughter," said Thomas, adjusting his glasses. "I will take care of her and give her anything she wants, even stupid girlie things like dolls and dresses."
"No!" Riya cried, stepping toward Thomas as if she were about to hit him again. Gently, Geet pulled Riya back. "I'm not leaving my Daddy!"
"But your Daddy doesn't need you anymore. He has this lady," said Thomas, pointing at Geet. "You are Professor Khurana's wife, right?"
Maan tugged at his tie as Geet tucked a strand of hair behind her ear uneasily. "All right, now, you two run off to class," said Maan, gesturing down the hall.
"Good morning, Professor Khurana," a voice boomed from behind.
Maan turned to face the principal, Dr. Fernandes. "Good morning, Dr. Fernandes," Maan greeted, hoping to hide his annoyance. Was the whole school going to stream by them this morning?
Dr. Fernandes eyed Geet. "Why, hello! Are you related to the Khurana family?"
"This is my mama," Riya announced proudly.
Dr. Fernandes's eyes grew wide. "It is? But I thought that --"
"We have to get going, Dr. Fernandes," Maan interrupted. He pulled at his tie again. "We're running late."
"Yes, yes, of course," replied the principal, still looking in wonderment at Geet. "By the way, Family Week is coming up soon, and the school will be planning a few special activities. Possibly even a school-wide field trip. I hope you both will be able to join Riya?"
"We really do have to get going," said Maan hurriedly. "Good day." As Dr. Fernandes walked away, Maan kissed Riya's cheek. "See you after school, my love."
Riya reached for Geet. Eyes twinkling, Geet pressed her lips against her daughter's forehead. "Have a good day, Miss Ladybug."
"Daddy, you and Mama will come get me after school, right?" Riya looked up hopefully at her father.
Maan cleared his throat. "I will definitely come get you, sweetheart."
"But not Mama, too?" Riya's lips curled into a pout.
Groaning inwardly, Maan nodded his head. "Fine, yes, we will both come."
Thomas held out his elbow and motioned for Riya to grab it. Riya stuck out her tongue, then dashed away. "Isn't she wonderful?" Thomas sighed.
"Yes, she is," Geet said wistfully. "The most wonderful girl in the universe." She suddenly glanced at Maan, like she had forgotten his presence.
Maan stared at the woman who had breezed into his world so unexpectedly. What had become of his life in less than twenty-four hours? And more importantly, what was ahead?
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Many thanks for reading. :)
Edited by kumari3 - 13 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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