AarYa SS : Destined To Be Yours...Part 9-Pg 49

"I have no time for this now Mr. Dubey! I need to rush home immediately. We shall talk about the new business proposal tomorrow. I am already late ."

Yash almost ran out of the hotel, and got into his car. It was almost 11. He had been at an official party when a chance remark from a colleague had reminded him that it was the 12^th of June- Payal's birthday! With a silent curse, he had immediately excused himself from the gathering. He glanced at his watch again. 5 past 11! Just 55 minutes more and his daughter's birthday would be over! How could he do this? How did he forget HER birthday? How?

Once again he had let her down, and this time on her most special day! He struck the steering hard with his fist to vent out his frustration,and accelerated the car. There was still quiet a distance to be covered before he could reach home, reach Payal,and wrap her up in his arms, and kiss her "Happy Birthday".

She never celebrated the day, no matter how much he insisted her. She hardly had friends in school who could come over if there was a party. Payal was unusually quiet and secluded for a child of 5. After complaints from the teacher, he had tried to talk to her about it. He had tried to explain to her the need of friends'..but had failed. And what was new in that? Hadn't he always failed her? And Palak? And his family? '.and Arpita?

The crackling of the thunder brought him back to the present with a jolt. Not now, he told himself. This was not the time to relive the past. Hadn't he been doing the same since the last 4 years, and in the process, hurt all who were associated with him? And wasn't that one of the reasons why he had forgotten this day?

Last night he had met an old college friend, a common friend of his and Arpita's. They had talked about the golden days'..and though he had been filled with an immense joy as they reminisced memories, the aftermath had been the reverse...like it always was! He had begun to miss her more than ever. All efforts to sleep proved futile as he repeatedly woke up with that horrible nightmare...the nightmare which had now become a part of his life...but which still managed to shake up his entire being .He had literally run out of the house in the morning to seek the only refuge that could give him some peace...work! Mr Dubey informed him about the party which he was supposed to attend that evening while he was deeply immersed in his files, all the while fighting his inner demons. If only he had seen the invitation card Mr Dubey had in his hands, he would have known it was the 12^th!

The distance seemed never ending. London seemed to have suddenly expanded. The usual light drizzle had turned into a heavy downpour. Probably the Gods had conspired to keep him away from his daughter, thereby tormenting his very essence. Well, he couldn't complain, could he? Wasn't that just the punishment he deserved? But he couldn't let her suffer on her birthday. She doted on him, craved for his attention. One loving pat, one smile, just a simple "whats up Payal" from him was enough to light up her lovely face. The only gift she would want on her birthday would be her Papa. And he would reach her before the day was over. He had to, or else he could never look at her in the face. Sure, he had done worse to her than forgetting her birthday, but right now, nothing appeared more sinful than this, and wishing her before 12 seemed to be a way to atone for all his sins...every single one of them. Deep down, he did know that no atonement was possible , but he tried hard to fight down the familiar feeling of helpless disappointement which threatened to engulf him once again. "Not now", he repeated, and accelerated again.