NISHCHAY
✨

I kept looking at the clock. It was almost afternoon. My baby has been in the ICU the entire night.

'24 hours are critical Nishchay!!! We are doing our best!!! Her lungs have soaked in a lot of water. We are trying our best! Just keep praying to God!!!' doctor's words were still ringing in my ears. My heart was beating real hard.

'Nishchay... come on drink some coffee...you haven't eaten anything since last night!!!' Mehek offered me a cup of coffee but I didnt want to consume anything. I could feel Mumma's piercing gaze at me throughout the night. Riya Pacchi kept consoling her throughout. Although Riya Pacchi offered her to take some rest in her cabin at night she denied. Ever since we found Kyra unconscious Mumma didn't even utter a word.

I had disappointed her as a son. After Sudeshna's demise Mumma had been my biggest support. She even respected my decision of not marrying Saanchi although she tried to explain me enough. Mumma had understood and accepted it but Kyra. Stubborn daughter of mine. Although she kept herself locked up in the room and didn't even go to meet Riya Pacchi, she started distancing herself from me too.

I don't understand how this tiny tot understood that I didn't want her to be with Saanchi. She began giving silent treatment to me. She avoided me. Stopped joining me for breakfast and dinner. For god's sake on a saturday she chose to spend all her time at Sufi's place and slept in Mehek's house. I had enough of her attitude. She was 4 and she had to learn to behave her age.

But I didn't want to go hard on her. Mumma had been to Gurudwara for offering Seva (voluntary service). Kyra was in Mehek's place. I picked her up from Mehek's home. The adamant kid denied initially but I am her father. I was much more stubborn than her. I brought her home but I noticed how she ignored me and began walking into her room. I had got her favourite sugar glazed donuts, the only kind she liked. But she didn't even spare it a glance.

I tried talking to her but she simply covered the quilt till her head and slept and that's when I lost it.

I woke her up and asked her what happened but when her silent treatment continued I lost my calm and yelled at her. That's when she burst out crying and yelling at me saying
'I asked her Mumma to leave and her Mumma left her alone!!!'.

I lost my calm and shouted at her at once saying 'Saanchi is not her mother' but my little one was so angry that she ran out of the house saying 'I hate you Pa'.

It pricked and killed me. I was fuming and pissed with her. I didn't even realise and locked myself up in my room and swallowed my favorite...my whisky.

I didn't even realise when I fell unconscious. It was only when Mumma was banging the door non stop is when I realised where I was.

When Mumma asked me where Kyra was it shook the hell out of me.

What kind of a father am I? Where is my child? How could I???
I began running around the apartment but she wasn't found anywhere until Mr Sodhi told us that he saw Kyra taking the lift alone to the terrace.

Although I hated Sodhi Uncle all my life but today thanks to his presence of mind I found my Kyra.

But I was the worst father ever because my little baby was drenched in rain, lying unconsciously on the floor calling out only one name non stop.

'Mumma!!!'

That's the moment I realised how wrong I was in separating Saanchi from Kyra.

So the first thing I did was...dial Saanchi.

✨

'She is still under observation Nishchay. She is not responding well... Please understand, she is a kid. It's a case of Pneumonia, Hyperthermia and Pulmonary Edema...You have to be brave!!!' said the doctor and tears didn't stop rolling down my cheeks.

That's when Mumma asked something insane 'Will she survive doctor?'

'Mumma please!!!' I flinched at that question

The doctor herself looked shocked. But Mumma continued asking
'Will she live Beta (child)? Will she survive?'

It's like Mumma had gone into some sort of a trans. Riya Pacchi was holding onto her and saying

'Preet ji!!! Please calm down...Kyra will be fine... Nishchay-' she asked me to console Mumma but the minute I took a step closer to her she said

'Away!!! Stay away from me! You are not worthy of any relationships Nishchay. I had told you when Sudeshna was hospitalized let's take your parents help... your mother is a doctor but your stupid ego didn't let you accept my suggestion. Now you don't want to call Saanchi ..how big is your ego Nishchay? Can't you see that little kid has faded like a yesterday's flower ever since Saanchi left and Saanchi you think she will be happy??? Why on this earth are you only thinking about your happiness? For once think from other people's perspective...your daughter loves Saanchi...Saanchi loves your daughter. You are the obstacle here!!!

And when she left... respecting your decision you couldn't take care of your daughter. You drowned yourself in alcohol Nishchay? Seriously? I don't trust you with my daughter anymore. The minute she recovers I am taking her with me to Chandigarh!!!'

I was shocked at what she said but that's when I heard a voice from behind me...

'Aunty!!!

I looked around to find a panting Saanchi standing there along with Jassi.

'Saanchi...Oh my god Puttarji (child) look what happened to my baby...you wanted to leave her na...now see where she has gone...I swear Saanchi if something happens to my child...I'm not going to spare you too...You knew how much she loves you and you left??? How could you !!!' she said and I could see guilt, pain and saturation in Saanchi's eyes.

'Can I see her?' she said asking the doctor.

'She is in ICU Saanchi. Pretty serious if I could say!!! I think we must plan a surgery her lungs are in a pretty bad condition...her breathing is also getting impacted' the doctor said and I saw her jaws quivering.

Surgery??? She's 4! No!!!

She went along with the doctor to look at Kyra. Not once did she spare me a look. She was fuming and I deserved it.

✨

Clock was ticking and there was no news of improvement from the ICU but soon I saw the most unexpected set of people rushing into the hospital. My anger was ticking like a time bomb.

'Who called you here? You know you don't ha-'.

'Dr Akshar...Dr Akshaya...you don't need to listen to anyone here. I am Dr Saanchi. I am the managing director as well of this hospital. Thank you so much for flying to Dhaulpur at such a short notice!!!' she was thanking them and here my blood was boiling

'Its family Dr Saanchi..I don't care if Nishchay considers us family or not. For us he always was ..and always will be!!! he said without even meeting my eyes.

Akshar was my elder brother and Akshaya was his wife. They both were children's specialists. Let's say!!! The best in India.

After some time Akshar came out along with Akshaya and I saw him discuss something with the doctor who finally had a smile on their lips. My heart was beating hard when finally Saanchi looked relieved.

I saw Akshar coming towards us as he said
'Kyra doesn't need surgery anymore. She is out of danger now however she would be kept under observation till tomorrow in ICU post which if her breathing and pulse is stable we can think of shifting her to the room!!!'

My eyes filled with tears. Saanchi smiled with tears in her eyes saying
'Dr Akshar and Dr Akshaya came here just upon a single phone call and if it was not for them I don't know how would we handle this!!! Thank you Doctors!!!' she said and I saw my brother looking at me saying 'Anything for my brother and my neice!!!'

That very minute I pulled my brother into a tight hug. I was feeling guilty was simply keeping him away from him for what he was never at fault. Yes he was the topic that caused issues between me and my parents but he didn't do anything that he deserved my ignorance. For god's sake I didn't even attend his wedding.

'I am sorry Bhai!!!' I said hugging him tightly and he caressed my head.

✨

'Kyra....how do you feel baby?' Akshar asked her as she whined saying

'Head is aching!!!'

Oh my poor child. She was finally shifted to the room today after 72 hours of being in ICU. Finally she was talking properly today. I went towards her but she quickly turned her face to the other side and my eyes filled with tears. I hurt her that bad han?

But the minute she saw Saanchi on the other side although her eyes filled with tears she boystrously attempted to pull the sheets onto her in the verge of which the wires attached to her hands got pulled making her cry in pain with a 'Ahhh Mumma!!!' and even before I could go to her I saw Saanchi run towards her and pull her into her chest.

Leaving me speechless!!!

Kyra wasn't ready to look at Saanchi but Saanchi cajoled her and pulled her into her chest

'You wanna go na Mumma ..go...go away from Kyra. Even Pa doesn't want Kyra to be with Mumma. I don't want both of you. Kyra will stay with her minion and teddies. Kyra will go to Gammy's house!!!' she said leaving us shocked.

How can she even think of all this. I must not let her watch those stupid tv serials.

'Kayu!!! Mumma isn't going anywhere'

'But that day you went leaving me Mumma!!!' she said with her

'Kayu... Mumma is a doctor na! You know na Mumma brings babies to this world. Mumma had to gone to take the delivery from God's house!!!'

'Ohhh like the Tomato uncle delivers food to our house?' she asked and Saanchi was amused but she nodded.

'So Mumma will never leave Kayu and go again?' she asked hopefully

'Never!!! Never ever!!!' she said and then she looked at me saying

'Which means I simply fought with Pa...I hurt you Pa...Kyra is sorry!!!' she said holding her little ears in her tiny little fingers and the next second I rushed and hugged her warm.

My baby. My poor baby.

'I'm sorry darling!!! Pa is sorry!!!' I kept mumbling nonstop. I really was.

✨

My brother Akshar and Akshaya had to leave for Coonoor due to a medical emergency in the hospital but this time I knew I had found my brother back along with a sister in law.

Today we finally brought Kyra home. Saanchi was carrying her in her arms and she had slept hugging her on the way. It had been 5 days and Saanchi hadn't even uttered a word to me. I had mighty pissed her this time. She was very very angry.

Saanchi closed the door of Kyra's room and walked outside. I tried talking to her but she surpassed me like I did not even exist there. I knew I had gone wrong in so many ways this time but I really wanted to correct my mistakes. I wanted to apologise to her too.

I tried to stop her but suddenly I heard Mumma say
'Nishchay can you please pack Kyra's bags please!!! I am taking her to Chandigarh tomorrow morning!!!' and I was shocked

'Mumma???'

'Our tickets are for tomorrow afternoon!!!' she said and there was horror dancing on mine and Saanchi's face.

'Aunty she has just come from the hospital!!! How can you?' Saanchi tried asking to which Mumma said

'Exactly Puttarji...I can't leave my only granddaughter with a father who falls unconscious after consuming alcohol and doesn't even know where his daughter is for hours together!!! I don't want an irresponsible parent for my Kyra!!!' she said leaving me shocked. I was embarrassed. She was right. What kind of a father I am who can't even take care of a 4 year old. I didn't have anything to say when suddenly I heard

'No aunty!!! I agree Nishchay was wrong that day but I have seen what a hands on father Nishchay is...he is what every father should be... hands on... lovable..kind... educative and fun to be with... he's the best!!! I agree what he did was wrong and I promise you on Nishchay's behalf after this incident he will never touch alcohol!!!'

And I looked at Saanchi. Although she didn't look at me she asked
'Do you agree Nishchay?' and in response I simply nodded saying 'I promise Mumma!!! I have learnt my lesson!!!'

But then silence prevailed and suddenly Mumma said
'I am sorry Saanchi...I have seen Nishchay at his worst...the fear will always engulf me if he goes back to alcohol and if my granddaughter is safe with him...I will leave my only grandchild with him only on one condition...
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'Someone must stay with Nishchay forever and take equal responsibilities of my grandchild as his wife!!! As my granddaughter's mother!!!

And that someone is only you!!!

I want Nishchay to marry you Saanchi!!!
Give my granddaughter a complete family. Give my granddaughter a secure future!!!

Marry each other!!!'

and we both were shocked.