Next few days, Sameer tried his best to make Sana say 'mumma'. Whenever Naina wasn't around, he would prompt his little girl to speak the word, slowly rolling it out of his mouth so she could see how to form the syllables. Sana watched carefully, sitting still when he tried that... but never once uttered the word. Her repeated chants of 'Papa' made Sameer feel more bad for Naina when she looked wistfully at Sana every time she called out to him. But his efforts were all in vain as Sana didn't let out the word both he and Naina so badly wanted to hear.

Their trip to a Govt school was successful, though. The Principal was extremely grateful to them for coming with this offer. He informed that there were a few deserving students every year who couldn't pursue studies after school because their parents couldn't afford it. In case of girls, it was an accepted practice to marry them off after basic education. The norm of society that a girl has no requirement for a degree once she gets married, refused to die down in spite of the changing times and developments in recent years.

Naina recalled her taiji and father's words, "Karna kya hai digriyon ka... ek baar shaadi ho jaaye toh yeh sab raddi mein hi jaani hain na. Fir kisliye paise barbaad karne hain? Upar se college mein ladkon ke saath milna julna karengi toh kal ko khandaan ke naam pe kaalikh lag jayegi... tab baithe rehna sar pakad ke."

With a long exhale, she thanked her stars for having chachaji in her life earlier and Sameer now.

He assured the Principal that they would provide the sponsorship every year for one student. Naina was proud of him when he added the offer of paying not only the fees but hostel charges as well if the college happens to be in another city. She was well aware of the reason... Sameer didn't want anyone to go through the same struggle as she did, during initial months of college in Mumbai.

It was highly gratifying to know that they could help someone realise their dreams.

At home, the plans for birthday party were chalked out. Anand was impressed with their decision of a small party at home. Munna Pandit were ecstatic to spend an entire evening together... like olden days. They did meet each other but now that they were all deeply engrossed in their work, these meetings were not as frequent. Also, the expansion of family had added to the responsibilities which led to lesser interaction. Pandit and Preeti were busy with Harsh. Swati was in the seventh month of her pregnancy. Munna's new business was flourishing, and he was happy as Swati had started to help him with it after his Surat trips ended.

"Aap khaane ki chinta mat kijiye. Hum banaa denge." Ramdhari offered when Sameer was telling Naina about some caterers.

Sameer gave him a look from top to bottom, "Tujhe pata bhi hai birthday ke liye kya kya banta hai?"

"Humein yeh pata hai jo log aayenge unhe kya kya pasand hai. Bas wohi sab bana denge. Aur Sana baby ke liye cake toh hoga hi." Ramdhari said matter of factly.

Sameer was shocked, "Tujhe cake banana aata hai?"

Ramdhari nodded, "Naina bhabhi se seekha hai."

Sameer narrowed his eyes, "Teri seekhi hui kuch cheezein pehle bhi khayi hain. Nahi, yeh risk nahi lena. Cake hum order pe banwayenge."

"Hum bana lenge, Sameer." Naina intervened before they both got engrossed in their banter.

He looked at her, "Mujhe pata hai tum bana logi. Aur tumne sikhaya hai toh yeh Ramdhari bhi kuch theek thaak sa bana sakta hai. Lekin main nahi chahta ki tum log saara din kitchen mein lage raho. Isliye hum khana, pina, cake sab bahar se hi mangwayenge."

The decorations were put up a day prior to the party. A big blowout of Happy Birthday was placed on the main wall. Whatever Sameer had bought was used up to give the room a festive look. Except the balloons, which were to be delivered next afternoon, all arrangements were in order.

As if she could sense that it was a special day, Sana was up much before her usual time. She crawled from her bed and climbed over her mom, something she had started doing often. Naina patted her softly as she lay quietly on her tummy.

"Aaj meri doll itni jaldi uth gayi." When she didn't go back to sleep, Naina asked her in a low voice.

Sana lifted her face, and gave an angelic smile to her mother.

Pulling her up, Naina placed a kiss on her cheek, cuddling her, "Happy birthday, meri gudiya. Aaj tum ek saal ki ho gayi."

Sana wrapped her arms around Naina's neck and lay on her shoulder.

The soft voices made Sameer open his eyes. He turned to his side, watching Sana cuddle Naina. He placed one arm on his daughter. She immediately turned her head to look at him.

"Happy birthday, doll." He nuzzled his nose on hers.

Though she didn't know the meaning of a birthday, she beamed at his loving voice. Swiftly, she placed her hands on his shoulder and climbed on his stomach, making him lay on his back. But she didn't put her head down, rather flapped her arms on his chest, sitting comfortably on his abdomen, her legs dangling on both sides. Sameer held her hands, telling her about the plans for the day. When he mentioned car, she squealed in joy, knowing by now that it meant going out.

After bath, Sameer and Naina stood in front of nanu's frame, with Sana. They made her fold her hands and take blessings by touching her forehead to the picture.

Ramdhari surprised them by getting a gift for Sana.

"Ab tu kis baat ka gift leke aaya hai?" Sameer reprimanded him when he fished out the colorfully wrapped package.

"Aapke liye nahi hai. Apni Sana baby ke liye laaye hain. Aakhir hum bade hain uske, hamara farz banta hai." He handed the packet to the excited little girl, not paying any heed to fake anger of her father.

Naina helped her open the wrapper. Her delightful shriek on seeing the soft rabbit with long ears made Ramdhari smile with contentment.

After breakfast, they went to the school to make the announcement for scholarship. Their decision was met with roaring applause. Naina could see the real gleam of happiness in some eyes... and she knew, there were some names which would become famous in future.

When the students sang a birthday song for her, Sana happily clapped along with them.

The balloons arrived at the same time when they reached home. Both of them got busy putting them up amidst the decorations of streamers and strings. The whole room was covered in the shades of pink and white, with sparkling silver banner of Happy Birthday, along with Sana's name.

Birthday girl seemed to be delighted with the euphoric activities around her, chasing two balloons that had been tied to the long ears of her new rabbit toy. She crawled upto the end of the room, trying to hold the balloons. But with every step, the toy in hand also moved ahead, and so did the balloons. Sitting next to the couch, she looked around. There were bunches of balloons on the walls. Her thoughtful expression changed into a beaming smile. She jerked herself up, throwing her hands in air, but they didn't reach the balloons.

Placing her hands on the edge of the couch, she lifted herself. Next moment, her legs straightened, and she was standing, holding the couch for support.

She looked at her parents, who had their back towards her, fixing a cluster of balloons near her name on the wall.

"Papa." Her voice was crisp and demanding.

"Haan, ba..." Sameer turned, and words were lost in his mouth.

Naina waved her hand, asking for tape, holding the string between her teeth. He was rooted to the spot, unaware of everything except the fact that his daughter was standing up for the first time.

"Offo Sameer, tape do na." Naina called out in frustration, keeping the bunch in place on the wall with one hand.

"Na... Naina... Sana..." He managed to utter.

The balloons slipped from her hand as Naina turned immediately, her heart in her mouth at the way Sameer stuttered.

The scene took her breath away. Seeing the startled look on her parents' faces, Sana turned quiet, thinking that probably she had done something wrong. Since she didn't know how to sit again, she put down her head on the couch, watching them with innocent eyes.

They dropped whatever they were holding, dashing to their little angel, who looked even more adorable, standing and staring at them keenly.

"Meri doll ne aaj apne aap khade hona bhi seekh liya. Baby, aap bohot smart ho." Sameer fell on his knees in front of her, leaning some more to come to her level.

Naina crouched next to him, placing one hand behind Sana to keep her safe if she lost her balance. Her throat was too constricted to speak anything.

Seeing their happy faces, Sana was smiling brightly again. She placed her hands on the couch and straightened, looking down at herself. When she realised she had done something different, she was ecstatic. And in the excitement, she raised both her hands to flap. Naina caught her before she could hit the floor, dragging to squeeze her in her arms. Sameer wrapped his arms around both of them, equally animated.

After showering her with kisses, they made her sit again, and asked her to get up holding the seat. Sana was more than ready to show off her new skill. Every time Naina made her sit, she was on her feet again, without wasting a second.

"Bas beta, thak jaogi. Shaam ko tumhari party hai na... sab Sana se milne aayenge aur tum so gayi toh kya hoga?" Naina pouted, explaining to her.

Sana nodded furiously, in complete understanding.

They were still in a daze after putting Sana to sleep after lunch.

"Naina, itne chote chote pairon ke saath kaise khadi ho gayi na... aur ek baar nahi, lagatar khade hoke dikhati rahi. Isse bhi bohot mazaa aa raha tha." Sameer watched as she slept in her bed peacefully now.

"Ab dekhna, kuch hi dinon mein chalne lagegi... aur fir aise daudegi ki hum sab iske peeche bhagenge, ki kahin gir na jaaye." Naina laughed, recalling how Golu toppled over when he had started running.

He slipped one arm around her waist, drawing her closer as they sat on the bed, "Kitna achha lagta hai apne bachhe ko aise ek ek nayi harkat karte hue dekh ke."

Naina leaned on his shoulder, "Iss ek saal mein Sana ne humein itne naye ahsaas diye hain jo shayad usse pehli ki poori zindagi mein bhi nahi mile the."

He rested his head on hers, "Thank you, Naina... mujhe itni pyari beti dene ke liye."

Wanted to add more but not feeling too well today. Didn't want to miss out on the update though.

Next update tomorrow evening