Drive, Lights, and an Imprinted Cap
Her impatient eyes could no longer wait for the decorative round wall clock in the living room to struck 4:00 PM. Her meetings and weekly submissions at the pre-school wrapped up earlier than she had expected so she had taken a cab back to the penthouse and decided to change into something more dressy…she had no pressing reasons to do so yet she still did and stepped out of the huge walk in closet with a Michael Kros faux-wrap dress in emerald green accessorized with James Avery's semi precious studs and locket.
Her phone buzzed by the ottoman… The text read "Leaving home with Dari…will be there in twenty…"
She acknowledged the msg with a simple "Okay…" and left the penthouse after bundling up in her over coat, boots, and scarf. She had tried again to get a hold of Armaan once she was inside the cab but once again got his voicemail. She had told him about her plans last night when he had been working and asked her to fetch him his drink. He had given her the most casual reply, didn't bother with her reasoning and simply wished her a good time before he switched topics.
……………………..
It was Darya's day to be the most excited little girl and her daddy did everything to encourage her excitement. Her favorite outfit, matching hair accessories, down to her shoes and back pack filled with her favorite snacks. She had been singing along her favorite tunes with Shaantanu on their drive over to pick up Ms. K.
Shaantanu couldn't remember the last time he had tapped his fingers on the steering wheel to the sound of music or some pop rock rhymes his Munchkin had insisted to put on. Raina had been in haste this morning but had left everything aside for good thirty minutes to tend to Darya during breakfast. Shaantanu felt a bit satisfied with her behavior and even teamed up with her when she tried to explain her professional reasons for not being able to come along for the Light Show.
"Daddy...shzz huere…sheez here…!"
"You see her…?"
"In the cab Daddy…" Darya pointed through the closed window as Shaantanu had been looking the other way towards the preschool gates. He thinks back to her text about being in school.
"Mishh. K!" Darya is first to greet her teacher as she had insisted on getting off with Shaantanu.
"Hey there Princess in pink…!" Khanak bends herself down to Darya's level and high-fives her tiny little mitten covered hands.
"Dari luuvzz PINK…!"
"Hmm…jaanti hoon…" She says glancing up at Shaantanu Sachdev's figure by the front passenger side door to the black Lexus. It's the first time she is seeing him in casual apparel, but even then he is sharply groomed.
"Hey…"
"Hi…sorry, voh main…actually, things wrapped up earlier than I had expected at school today, so I went home…app ko wait toh…"
"Nahi…we just got here too..." He assured her and felt assured himself at her clarification as well. They exchange polite smiles as he held the door open for her and then made sure Dari is tucked properly in her booster seat at the back.
Their drive to Hamburg, NY for the annual Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is estimated by the GPS system as a 40 minute drive and they make it out to the Brooklyn Bridge in the first five which is when Dari's pop rock CD starts to give trouble by being stuck.
"Daddy songs…??"
"Hold on a minute Munchkin…traffic se nikal jaaye phir…"
"Mish K can you fixsh it…?"
"Dari...i'll…"
"It's okay, app mujhe bata de…" She insisted turning her neck to face him while he kept his eyes ahead on the road.
His hands move to pull his iPhone out of the compartment on the driver's side door and he hands it to her over a momentarily glance.
"Search out the song on Pandora App and plug it in on the dock please…"
She follows through on his instructions, confirming the song choice with the little one in the back before pulling herself forward to place his iPhone on the dock. Her hands fumble to adjust it and his right reaches out to help…a reflexive gesture, but more…her fingers slip through his…
"Thaankk Youuu!" Darya's gratitude in exclamation brings her back and she turns with an acknowledging smile to mouth "you're welcome" to her.
The rest of the drive goes smoothly with Khanak and Dari indulging in "I SPY" game and Shaantanu deliberately busting the mystery behind the things that were being "spied" on. The forty something minutes to Hamburg, NY were well spent and the adults could hardly contain themselves from laughing along with Darya on her silly little jokes or cute jingles that the four year old made up on anything and everything that inspired her mind.
The spectacular view of the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is an annual attraction for families, couples, wanderers, admirers, and anyone else looking to find the spirit of Christmas. The place is glimmering all over in literal terms…the elves…the carolers…the sleighs…and the reindeers...if North Pole really did exists and the scenes from the movie "Polar Express" could be brought out from the screen, then this place would be the canvas for that same magic and delight.
"Waaaooo! It's sooo BIGGG!"
"I told you so…" Shaantanu says pulling up an awestruck, wide-eyed Darya.
"Dari LOVES Daddy!" A smacking kiss on his left cheek is paired with that declaration. Khanak is just a happy bystander, admiring the father-daughter bond like she has many times before.
"Love you more Munchkin…" He says hugging her to him.
Darya is let down on the ground to explore on her own while Shaantanu and Khanak closely follow behind her. Stopping by displays whenever she does, answering questions if they can, and snapping pictures at some special ones. The light Christmas music is adding to the serenity of the atmosphere and the wind chill is just right for bundling up in outerwear like they have.
"Coffee…?" He offers, spotting an espresso cart near them.
"Okay…" She nods accepting his offer politely. They are by the grand Christmas tree which is over 69 feet in height and fully decked with ornaments and lights. Dari is completely awed by the sight in front of her and Khanak picks her up, knowing she'd enjoy the view just a bit more with the boost in her height.
He has no qualms in stepping away momentarily to get the hot beverages. There is a sort of trust he has on Khanak with Dari, something he feels he can count on.
"Here you go…?"
"Thanks…" She says while managing her grip on Dari and getting the Styrofoam cup from his hold.
"I think I better hold till this little spoiled princess gets down…"
"She is just awed, not spoiled…"
"Hmm…how about you…? Bored…?"
"Exactly the opposite…amused…"
They walk and talk, letting Darya interrupt with her point and show every few seconds. She is ecstatic to see Santa Claus taking wishes in the centered set up, not too far from the Christmas tree. Khanak has to let go on foot as she couldn't be contain her excitement and wanted to be the cue of kids waiting for Santa herself.
He puts forth her coffee cup and she takes it out of his hand. Her first sip would've been completed fully if it wasn't for Darya turning and exclaiming "Mish.K..!" out to her. She has to hand it back to him, this time with a light imprint of her peachish-pink lipstick on the cap. He surely won't have any trouble mistaking it as his now.
...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Book Talk
