Mum wore her beautiful red sari after a long time. Gentle breeze tingling between her hair strands. She looked younger than ever before. Dad in his crisp shirt looked as fresh as ever. We no doubt looked like one perfect family.
It all came down to knowing my dad now. His likes and dislikes, interpreting his actions, his gestures....I wanted to know anything and everything about him.
We finished our lunch and dad kept the napkin aside and asked, “So, where do you want to go now?” looking at me.
“I want to go home,” I said.
“Go home! Are you sure?” he asked. I thought you would like to do some shopping. He smiled.
“Haha... no, not now. Don’t be in a hurry to empty your bank balance dad.” I giggled.
I want to speak with you. I know nothing about you. I am immensely excited. Let’s go home and have a long chat.
“Okay, if that is what you want to do then we will go home,” he said.
Dad paid the bill and we left.
I sat besides dad watching him drive. Mum sat on the rear seat. I felt a wave of satisfaction in my heart.
“What are you looking at?” dad asked.
“I am proudly looking at my dad. I’m really lucky!”
“I thought I was the lucky one to have a daughter like you.” He said smiling. I love you dear.
“I love you too dad!” Are all dads so pampering? I like it though...I nodded.
“haha...you are smart, aren’t you? Just like your mum.”
Isn’t it Shruti?
Yeaaah, I know...She is one smart girl. It was pretty easy growing her up. The best possible daughter I could have ever had.
“Oh mum! Thank you... It was only because you were such a fabulous mum. I reciprocated.
“OMG I think this is getting too emotional,” I said. No more dramas...I said raising my eyebrows.
Hmm...Dad murmured.
We sat on the couch relaxing. Mum opened the window and a gust of wind blowed through the window.
“It is a beautiful house,” said dad feeling the breeze.
“Mum has got a very good choice, hasn’t she?” I said immediately.
“It was my luck that I came to see this house at the right time. The owner wanted to sell the house urgently and got lucky on the go,” Mum responded.
You were always lucky Shruti...remember those days when you always got the simple questions in quiz during college days?
“I wasn’t lucky; it was only that I knew all the answers.” Mum grinned.
“Yeah those were incredible days. Some were truly magical” Mum looked at dad immersed in memories.
“Indeed!” Dad smiled looking at mum.
As the cold wind kept blowing the clouds gathered above and the lights dimmed to create a beautiful ambience.
I spotted a connection between them immediately. I felt a strong sensation of positivity and love, twirling and churning the early evening into a meadow of zest and youthfulness.
“Uhmuhm...I will go get some water,” I pretended being thirsty and went to the kitchen.
I thought they needed their space. But I stood behind the wall and was trying to spot any interesting outcome....am I spying my own mum and dad? I thought... but then it is necessary...I convinced myself to commit the crime.
Dad looked at mum and she smiled.
“Thank you so much for looking after my daughter so well,” Said dad.
"You have changed a lot from the college days...'" said dad.
"What do you mean by changed?"
"Back then you were so reserved but now you are a confident, outspoken woman but I still can feel the same charm in you."
"Yes Akhil, I tried my best to forget my parents demise in an accident but I hardly could come out of the deep trauma and I always remained silent in class. Fortunately I had a group of amazing friends and teachers in my animation institute and my passion for art changed me completely as a person," said mum with a smile on her face.
"Oh! I am sorry. I had no idea about your situation."
"You should have... maybe you would have felt better...You know what I mean?"
"Yeah I totally understand, may be...but that was not how things were then," Mum gave a gentle smile and looked down.
"I at all times had deep respect for you. Your discipline, your intelligence awed me many a times...only that you were aloof from others, that's what prevented me from talking to you."
"Not your fault Akhil. I was just caught up in my little cucoon."
"Well, I wanted to ask you this from a long time...how did you adopt Netra?"
"Yeah! A beautiful story...I had decided to leave for Mumbai from Bangalore considering my career prospects and I wanted to lead an independent and happy life.
I adopted Netra in an orphanage in Mumbai. It was an important visit to the orphanage as I wanted to donate a part of my earnings to the children. I wished to start my new life with a good deed. But as I was talking with the officer, an old couple came there with an absolutely gorgeous little girl. They said the girl had no one to look after her and that they were too old to take care of the baby. As they spoke the girl looked at me with wide eyes and smiled. My heart melted. I knew I had a deep connection with the baby but hardly did I think I would end up adopting her.
The officer looked at me. And I was almost in tears for the first time in many years. I felt like I had got back the lost love of my parents.
"I want to adopt this baby," I said to the officer.
"But, you are not married, are you?" she wondered.
"Yes, I am not but I promise to take very good care of her. I have no plans to get married. I am in love with this baby." I said smiling.
She looked at me, smiled and said, "You have got a heart of gold. At this age you have donated such a huge amount to our orphanage. I definitely trust you dear."
I immediately called up aunt and informed her about my decision. She tried a lot to change my mind but the little angel in my hand overpowered all the other hurdles on the way and I convinced aunt that I needed to be with this angel and I am ready for this responsibility.
"Truly amazing to hear Sruti...may be Netra was meant to live with you," dad smiled.
"...umm ...I want to apologise to you,” mum said.
“For what?”
“I knew that Netra was your daughter when she was five.”
"But...how?" dad wasted no time.
"I often went to the orphanage to donate money or just to share some chocolates with the kids and I met Nisha there. We became good friends. And she wished to meet Netra.
And so I took her to the orphanage and as soon as she saw Netra she said "She looks just like Akhil's wife, Netra."
"I stood shocked. There were a series of emotions running in my mind...fear..of loosing my daughter, angry of introducing my daughter to Nisha and surprise about how quickly she recognised Netra.
I immediately thought of you. But still I asked ..."Who Akhil?"
"The boy in our college who topped our class, do you remember him?" asked Nisha.
I definitely did not forget you for you had created a place in my heart with your charisma, your sense of humour and intelligence.
"Akhil, really?" I asked surprisingly.
"I knew his family when I stayed in Ahmadabad," She said.
My fear started blowing up like a balloon.
"So, are you still in touch with them?" I asked hesitantly.
"No," she replied to my relief.
"But Akhil has been searching for his daughter since his parents sent her away," She said.
She explained me in bits about what had happened.
Looking at my pale face she assured," Do not worry Sruti, I will not tell Akhil about your daughter. You are a very good mum."
I smiled at her, thanked her for understanding me and left immediately. I was worried about being separated from my daughter. It would have been the worst thing to have happened to me after my parent's demise.
I prayed each day for our well being.
As time passed I was totally convinced that Netra was born to be my daughter. I and Nisha ocassionally met over a cup of coffee or at birthday parties and remained good friends."
Dad smiled, "It is all about destiny Sruti. My life would have been much better if my daughter was there with me but all that pain vanished when I saw her grow up this matured, beautiful and independent. All the credit goes to you."
"You are such a nice man," said mum looking into dad's eyes.
Standing in the corner I was enjoying the burst of love in the air. They looked enchanted by each other.
I entered the living room with three glasses of juice.
"Where did you vanish?" asked mum.
"We were waiting for you," said dad.
"Nothing much...just clearing up a few things," I said with a smile.
Then we spoke for a long while and time travelled at jet speed.
It was evening and mum decided to go and prepare dinner while dad and I continued to chat.
"So, do you like anyone?" asked dad out of the blue.
"Like someone? What do you mean by that dad?" I baffled as if my secret was unveiled.
I mean "do you love anyone my dear?" he smiled.
"mmmm aaahhh I hesitated a bit... well there is a guy whom I like a lot," I blushed
Oh really? Then when can I see him?
No dad we have not yet discussed about this ....it's just a recent sentiment. We are just good friends dad. There is nothing serious. I tried to convince him, but it vain.
“Everything starts with a good friendship. If you really like him then do not hesitate to tell me.
"Can I see his pictures, if you don’t mind dear?” He spoke with a brilliant spark in his eyes.
Okay dad. Please wait a moment, I will be back.
I went into my room and brought some photos...few with frame and and a few without.
Dad eagerly looked at the pictures and pointed towards Suhaas and asked me,"Is this the guy you were talking about?"
"Yes dad," I replied shyly.
"Does your mum know him?" he asked.
"Yes she does. She has met him often. She likes him too."
"That is great news. I would like to meet him. Can I?"
"Definitely dad, I will call him over tomorrow. "
"Why tomorrow. Why not today."
"Today! I exclaimed in shock."
"Yes. Today is Sunday and I am sure he must be free. What do you think dear?"
I became nervous within seconds as if I were to compete in the Olympics finals. All of a sudden I felt my bladder getting full.
"Oh yes! I think he must be free. I will give him a call and confirm." I pretended to be cool.
I called up Suhaas and as soon as I heard his vivacious voice, I relaxed.
"Hi! Netra...what are you up to...I am getting bored here." He said to my relief.
What better situation could I have wished for? I thought for myself.
"Then in that case why don't you drop in at my place tonite for dinner?" I said.
"Okay, then I will see you in 30 mins. Bye," He hung up.
I took a deep breath and kept the phone.
Dad was looking at me awaiting my reply.
"He will be here in around 30 mins dad," I said.
Dad smiled."That's good." He muttered.
"Then why don't you tell me about Suhaas," said dad.
I was above to start and dad interrupted ...before that let me inform your mum about our new guest.
"Shruti! We have a special guest this evening. Suhaas is joining us for dinner. Just wanted to inform you," He spoke out loud enough for mum to hear.
Mum walked out of the kitchen and she said "Suhaas?" and mum turned towards me with this exclamatory look on her face.
"Yes mum, Dad wanted to meet him...like he is my good friend." I said, hoping that mum was convinced.
But....mum is smart..."I know...a very good friend," she smiled and went into the kitchen.
I slowly looked at dad and dad gave this cute wide smile and I unknowingly started blushing.
Within sometime, the bell rang typical of the way Suhaas rings the bell and the most awaited person in the room arrived.
"Hi Suhaas, how are you?" I asked
"Good. Was getting bored at home...how is mum?" he scanned through the living room for mum and his look stuck on dad.
Suhaas looked at me and raised his eyebrows.
"He is my dad," I said.
"Dad? ...wow!" He was still in shock and confusion.
All these years we had never discussed about my dad much. Knowing that it might hurt me Suhaas kept the conversation at bay.
"Hello Sir, how are you?" Suhaas greeted dad in a low voice.
"I am good young man! How are you?" Dad smiled.
"I am good, Thank you Sir"', Suhaas smiled.
Mum came into the living room and greeted Suhaas, "Hi! Suhaas, how are you dear?"
"Fine Aunty", he looked a bit relaxed after seeing mum.
Then after a short chat we sat on the dinning table and started our dinner.
Even though I was a bit nervous about what dad might speak with Suhaas regarding our relationship, I felt happy and complete from within. I had a feeling that this is my perfect family.
And just as I feared, dad put up a bold and straight question, "Do you love Netra?"
Suhaas stopped gulping the food in his mouth and looked absolutely spell bound just as we were.
I was looking at mum to see her reaction. She looked amused rather than shocked to my surprise. And Suhaas was looking at me when I turned towards him.
And Suhaas said "Yes, I do and I would like to marry her one day."
We looked at each other’s blank faces and strangely burst into a big laughter.
The topic no more looked serious. Everyone became relaxed as if we all knew this was about to happen one day.
As days passed life looked prettier than ever and our family grew bigger and happier. I met my grandmother and grandfather, though it required a bit of convincing dad. All that required was a bit of courage, politeness and forgiving heart. Mum had instilled these values in me, so it was all about finding the lost footprints and following the right path to the destination.
Time travels at such a great pace when you are busy discovering the intricacies of life. Soon it was our wedding day. Finally I am getting married to Suhaas.
I am glad that I am married to my best friend and we can spend the rest of our lives with each other. No doubt I am having loads of fun.
I am going to stay with my mum...well actually my parents. They are definitely made for each other.....God bless them both!
If this is life then I can live it a thousand times!
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