CHAPTER 8

After having little food Addi slipped under duvet on another side of Puchki..But Maan there was no sleep for him.. Puchki turned her side from back to stomach same as Maan’s favourite  posture.. Cherished Maan smiled inwardly..Felt proud to be her father. Instead on bed…he sat beside his daughter on a chair..Creasing her head , pecking kisses on her cheek with was upward..Blissfully gazing her..

Addi rubbed his spect free eyes...” Tujhe sona nahi hai kya..Atleast take a short nap for few hours..It was too hectic n gonna be more tomorrow “ yawning long he advised..

” Tu so ja..I need not ur company huh “ Irked Maan replied..

” Yup right..I am not insomniac..But think what ll be people’s reaction seeing  Mr. Maan Singh Khuraana  yawning ..U have to meet lots of professionals..” Addi reminded him  teasingly..

Maan shrunk his brows..Coz as alwayz Addi not gonna spare him..He carefully picked his daughter n brought her to mid ..Making space for him to lay beside ..Addi smiled foolishly n went in deep sleep soon..But sleep was far away from Maan eyes..He sighed deeply … wrapped arm around his baby.She again turned position n now hugged him.His heart skipped beats..Loving , staring her much tired Maan dozed off soon.

Sharp 7 in the morning ..

Maan’s phone snoozed on set alarm.He opened eyes instantly..She was still cuddling against her father’s body in his warmth. Slowly he shifted her on back to free himself  ” Betay its start of new journey , a new life..Just u n me..There is no space for any one else..” he mumbled rolling hand over her cheek. Then looked at Addi “Aur haan yeh gadha bhi hai hamare saath..” chirp of smile came to his lips..

Maan got up from bed. Separated his cloths from fresh ones they ordered from hotel shopping store..After 15 minutes he came out from shower but still in bathrobe..He thought to give shower to Puchki first before changing.

Maan dragged down Addi from bed like any stubborn kid who don want to go to school.” U won’t let me live..I ll kill you “ he enacted like sobbing..

” Just come out of ur dreamland now..Ntake a quick shower..I also have to give her shower…” Maan placed new towel on Addi’s shoulder.He nodded when Maan said he had to give shower to his daughter..

” You know how to give shower to a six years old ? “ amazed Addi asked..

” A father knows how to handle his tiny daughter..I ll..now u go n get ready..” Maan pushed him hard n Addi directly bumped to washroom door.

He dried his hair first. Then selected cloths for little girl.Which was in two sizes..What size ll fit her still to check..

” How will she react now ? Just a word Papa scared her alot. But I ll have to convince her patiently “ he thought then slid under duvet n filled her in his arms..

” Puchki…puchki …” Scared of last night’s incident Maan’s voice shivered..” Beta get up its morning now “ he stroked her hair..After some attempts.She opened her eyes.Rubbing with her one hand..Maan’s faded image appeared first which got cleared then.

She looked around without uttering a single word..Then some haunting thought appeared in her mind. She shrunk her brows..” Nahi Papa nahi..nahi..” she sobbed covering her eyes with one hand. “ Nahi..plz don’t beat me..I didn’t do any mischief.Choti is lying.” her sobs turned to hiccups..Tiny drops from her tears wet Maan’s hand..He estimated Addi was right .Her hatred n fear toward word Papa  was not for him.

He hugged her more tightly close to his heart..” There is no Papa.No one ll beat you.Look at me.Look I love u like ur Daddi “ warmly he tried to convince..Putting trump card named Daddi.Only her name could calm her down..

Maan removed her hand from eyes..Tackling her patiently..Her tears ached her heart n his daughter’s  pain came to his eyes as tears.She dared to look in his eyes..Felt same concern n Maan tears were same as her helpless  Daddi’s had .Love she always found in her Daddi’s   eyes for her..” No one is here..I promise I ll beat all dirty people.”He brought her to sitting posture on his lap..

Little heart felt.this man was nice. Like her Daddi..” Daddi..Laddo ki Daddi..” she felt warmth n protection in Maan’s arms..She stopped her protest..In a jiffy she gave whole her worries n pain to her father…Resting her head against his chest.She hid herself in his embrace..A fatherly love overpowered all evil .

” I told u beta..She is hospital..So asked me to care for u..Hum unse milne jaa-egay Unko theek ho jaane do..” he was a selfish father who could go to any extent for his daughter..To cut all her ties from past.. from those harsh memories..He was gonna make her past an illusion..When ever needed…he would use that also..like false assurance to meet Daddi to sooth her  Which was a lie..He knew her tiny brain would forget everything as she grew with whole love n affection her father would shower on her..

She raised her head up..Tried to read his expressions..Her lips wanted to utter something But couldn’t..Every feature she inherited from him..Except extremely fair color n dark brown hair from her mother..She blinked eyes innocently..

“Okey u r Daddi’s Laado..Per aapka naam kya hai beta..?” Maan asked wrapping duvet around her like new born baby…”Bolo bachay..”he kissed her forehead..Every act of Maan was bringing her close n more closer to him..

She thought for a while.But nothing came to her mind.Five minutes.Ten minutes..Her lips flutter to say ” Laado “

Maan felt odd..His daughter had no name except Laado..This was the common word used for daughters by dear ones to express affection..His heart bled.No one even gave his child a name.He couldn’t be weak now.Every weak moment could drag him back again.

” U know beta..Like Daddi say u Laado with love..I also love u much much..If I say u Puchki..” he giggled slightly..Examining her expressions..” U know to whom I love most I say Puchki ..” he softly pulled her cheek..“ U r the only one..I love most my child..But its too hard to make u understand at this moment..” he thought..After some time she nodded stamping herself as Puchki..

” Okey u r my Puchki..Then what u ll call me ? “ he couldn’t control himself..His over flooded eyes were marking streaks  on his cheeks Every attempt to wipe up was a fail..With shivering hand Puchki wiped his one eye..” Baba “ the time stopped with this word.. Everything  turned still..Maan’s mind was numb..A 26 years old young man..who was most eligible bachelor.most desired man…But for him, his child was everything..She accepted him as Baba ..It was enough.Name matters nothing but trust n love came first…

” Why she said him Baba there is a reason which u ll get to know with the progress of story..She had some good memories/ experience with this word )

With awe Addi was witnessing whole father daughter moments standing like silent spectator at washroom door ” Arre arre you got ur Baba..Puchki .What about me then  ?” Addi teased to lighten the emotional moment..

She looked back..A man with heavy spects..n wet hair was standing there smiling foolishly Her grip on Maan’s bathrobe collar tightened..She was scared of another man now.” He is Addi Uncle..Ur Baba’s best friend..He is also good boy..So don be scared okey..Say hello to him..” he brought her hand out of cover n spread toward Addi…

Addi shook it softly n marked kiss over her palm..” Good girl..Say me uncle..Addi Uncle..” She replied nothing but snugged against his father body comfortably..Addi grinned foolishly again.

” Okey then my baby ..We ll take bath first..” He declared..Filling in his arms he got up from bed..Like any other child she was not willing to take bath. So shrunk her forehead in anger..It was going to be tough job for Maan now..To read her expressions n to find what was going on in her mind..Instead of words from her…

Room was warm so without coat she was not feeling chill. Maan took her near to sofa.. Showed her new dresses ” All these dresses..shoes..coats r for my baby..First she will take bath n then we ll try dresses..What u say ? “ mischievously Maan smirked to make her mind..He didn’t want to force her.She wrapped her hands around his neck” Chale fir ”

He took her to washroom.Like a mother patiently n gently he gave her bath..Washed her hair too with warm water..Like nobody back cared for her hygiene too..

She didn’t cried once..Maan took her to sofa..Dried her hair with towel.There was no hair dryer..So he put towel under her damp hair. Addi was thinking of  breakfast.But for little girl Breakfast to Dinner only dish was Roti Sabzi..What to ask her for choice..

” Puchki Beta kya khogay aap ? “ Addi asked lovingly taking intercome in hand..Before ordering..

” Ha bolo kya khana hai aapko ? “ trying her shoe size Maan asked.

” Roti ! “ Maan who was on knees trying her shoes..He looked at her..A person who didn’t know how many times in a week he ate roti..His daughter only knew one thing roti at the name of food.

After thinking for sometime Maan asked Addi to order Aaloo Parantha..Every child couldn’t deny it..But Aaloo Parantha in five star ? There were numerous cuisines in their menu..But Aalo Parantha ? Even chefs didn’t remember last time they made..For two  Paranthas  Addi paid ten timesalmost than any dish..After little trial for perfect dress n shoes she was ready with Blue Jeans n Baby Pink top with Donald Duck on it..Maan choose trackers for her in such cold weather n knee length heavy over coat..

Twice he towel dried her hair..She was hungry like from ages..Little tummy filled with one n half parantha…He didn’t care for his breakfast once fed his daughter bit per bit .Waiting patiently…

” So we r done..Ur hair dry now..Chalo aab comb kar le..” Maan checked..Addi made fun fo him ” Mr. Maan Singh Khuraana  jo badi badi buildings bana sakte hai…Dekhna hai k wo Choti banna sakte hai k nahi ? “ he teased..

Maan hit him with comb hard ” Shut up Addi..I know how to make braid..She was not with me..But I spent 6 years making braid of her dolls…” really he did that ..He tied Puchki’s hair nicely one braid at back ” I am not just a father but her mother too “ his words were going up from girlz head..She knew just one thing both men in front of her are as good as her Daddi..She was much comfortable with them now..But words ? It was tough job to listen anything from her..

After this Maan also changed to casuals..Covered his n Puchki’s head with nice warm woollen caps..Its around 9 when they were ready to go toward Chandigarh..

His phono buzzed again n again

Maan sighed deeply ..He was avoiding first thought to switch off but he couldn’t due to his personal developments.

” Kiska hai ? “ Addi said wearing his shoes..

” Kiska ho sakta hai ? “ he glowered but looking at her girl he controlled himself.He didn’t want her to scare again.

” Just talk to her once..Nahi to baar baar preshan karegi..” Addi  advised..

” Ya r rite..and with this  I ll get latest reactions of Rathods “ he laughed mockingly.

Silently signing toward Puchki to keep eye on her.Who was busy with cartoons on TV..He walked out to take call irritated..

He looked around there were no body in corridor but he found an isolated  corner..” Tell Mrs. Khuraana why r u this much impatient ? “ he taunted..

” Just shut up Maan.. Even u have forgotten manners.. Daddi Maa turned out to be Mrs. Khuraana.” on other side Savitri Devi blasted who was already worried due to pervious day’s drama.

” Oh really ? But I have forgotten everything 6 years back.. So don’t tell me about meaning of relations.. I am not in mood to hear ur useless talks..” irked Maan replied back.. He wanted to smash phone but couldn’t.. This lady didn’t exist in his life now.

” Tomorrow is Lohri n like every year we don’t know ur wheres about. But this year Rathods had already announced big function months back. At least for formality u should be here. He is already much annoyed with ur doings..” so she came to real point now.. Not about him but she was worried about her reputation in aristocratic circle.. According to which Maan was still engaged to Sam..

” I was thinking why didn’t u give me live details of their latest moves..Aab mil gayi.. But I don’t bother.. My engagement with Sam was just a part of my plan..That brainless girl who is 51% shares holder of Rathod’s Empire n they gifted co-ownership on engagement..But she transfered it to me” he laughed sarcastically

” What ? “ she was speechless..Her mind boggled ” U stooped such low ? ” 

” Learnt from u.. Inherited in blood..” Maan replied calmly..

” Maan! ” she couldn’t her disrespect from own blood..

” Don shout..One thing more ask ur so called family friendss don’t dare to mess with MSK.. My one call to media people is enough.. Then whole clan will celebrate next Lohri in jail.. I just belong to her.. I just used Sam.. Collected all evidences against their illegal empire in retail.Without any reason I wasn’t delaying so called marriage..” He was giving jolt over jolt.. Which raised Savitir Devi’s heart beat..She had panic attack almost.. She was imposing Sam still when Maan had already broken that engagement or just a business agreement ..

” Try as much as u can Maan.. U r just running behind illusions..” she screamed..

”  She is not illusion..Wo na sahi uski parchai hai mere saath..” thinking about his daughter determined Maan answered..” So don’t call me n don’t dare to mess with me.. I am not that helpless scared teenager.. I made myself.. giving 6 years of my life “ saying this he cut call.

He had stopped believing on relations. Even on those he trusted blindly n they deceived him..He took a deep breath.. As his step again took direction of the room.Where his life was waiting for him..“ Where r u ? I got my half life half world.. Plz come back to me Make my life complete.. “

Addi had done packing . Maan picked up his daughter who rolled one arm around Maan’s neck n without fear rested head over his shoulder.They left for Chandigarh around 10

11 :15 AM

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

Mumbai

He was waiting impatiently from past one hour. Flight from LA through Heathrow was already late by two hours due to bad weather..

A chirp of smile appeared to Rohit’s face when he saw Somya followed by Riya who was looking downward.. Rohit signed toward Somya raising his brow to look back.” Riya whats wrong Baby ? You were to excited but now..” Somya encircled arm around her shoulder..

” Maa wo aise he..?” she stuttered looking for words..But her inner turmoil made her impatient ..

Rohit ran to them.. Where driver took luggage.. ” Welcome back sweet heart.. I told you never to bent face down..Just look forward..” talking both Somya n Riya in his embrace Rohit asked..

” I m confuse  “ she looked at him with wet eyes..Rohit wiped n hugged her tightly..

” Confuse ?  Riya Bajaj is confuse ? Its funny.. Cheer up now. U r home.. ” He petted her cheek ” When ever u both remain together ? Confuse main hota hu ..How could u be confused ? ” he wrapped one arm around Somya’s waist..

” Rohit !! ” Somya showed him eyes..

” Sachi.. Even today  I was confused that why flight was delayed at Hethrow ? Riya I thought.. Tumhari Maa kahi Heathrow per koi morcha ( march ) lekar to nahi bethi Human right waalon ka..” at this Riya couldn’t stop herself to giggle. Rohit’s attempt didn’t go vein..Three of them laughed..

” To chale ? “ he grabbed hands of two most beautiful ladies of his life n dragged them toward car. Where driver was already waiting..

” Pa u know tomorrow ..?” Sitting beside him she said..

He didn’t let her complete ” Lohri hai..” their eyes met..He consoled her wrapping arm around her shoulder..

This was reason. Rohit didn’t want her to be here on this time..But how could he stop her.. As a father its only aim was her daughter’s happiness. Somya held his well built husband’s bicep.. They left for their home..

Sonia

 

                                             Maan & Pihu 

                                                  or 

                                          Rohit & Riya

Commitment of two fathers toward their daughters..Lets c who wins love or revenge …Per Dusri Taraf Kya Maan Jeet Paye ga Uska Pyar