I was keeping an eye on Ami's puppy, Maple. She was having a great time stroking her and rubbing her belly as Maple bounced forward and barked merrily. Ami grabbed the dog treat and launched it up into the air before diving right in. Before laying down, she stretched, shook herself, and circled several times. She dozed off peacefully as Ami carefully picked her up and placed her on the bed inside the house, which was a special spot for her. Ashi had given Ami a Golden Retriever named Maple for her fifth birthday. Since Maple had been her most precious friend and constant companion since she was a young child, it was more than just a present to her. She loved to snuggle in with her when she was missing her dad. Ashi cherished her relationship with Ami. As Ami yawned, Ashi entered the room as I was considering her. "Amini tum jaakar so jao. Aaj ke practice ke baad aap bahut thake hue lag rahe hain. Kya Anand ne aapaka khyaal rakha?(Amini you go and sleep. You look so tired after today's practice. Did Anand take care of you?)" Amrita looked happy and replied."Of course Mom. Vah sabase Achcha hai. Vah mujhe aur tej daudane ke lie protsaahit karata hai ki kaise aur aaj usakee vajah se main jeet gaya!(Of course Mom! He is the best. He encourages me to run faster somehow and today because of him I won!)" Ashi looked satisfied and takes a glance at me but then turns back to Amrita. "Yah bahut badhiya baat hai! Aur kya tumane aaj snaan kiya?(That is great! And did you take a bath today?)" Ami nodded her head as Ashi looked grateful. "Aur mujhase mere homework ke baare mein poochhane kee bhee jahamat nahin uthaate. Anand uncle ne mujhe kaam khatm karane mein madad kee aur mere school ke kaam mein mera saath diya.(And don't even bother to ask me about my homework. Anand uncle helped me finish the chores and supported me in my schoolwork.)" Ashi looked even more impressed than she expected. I loved to see her happy. "Theek. Tum jao aur so jao. Mujhe uncle se baat karanee hai.(Okay. You go and sleep. I have to talk to your Uncle.)" Ami ran and kissed her mom goodnight as she gave me a hug. Ashi looked surprised and smiled as Ami went inside her room. I tucked her in bed as she slept. "Aaj aapane jo kiya vah bahut achchha tha. Main vaastav mein bahut khush hoon ki main use kisee aise vyakti ke saath chhod sakata hoon jo saksham hai.(What you did today was great. I am actually very glad that I can leave her with someone who is capable.)" I smiled at her but she still looked serious. "Kal usaka janmadin hai. Main kuchh ghanton ke lie office jaane vaala hoon lekin main jald hee vaapas aa jaata hoon. Kya aap usakee dekhabhaal kar sakate hain.(Tomorrow is her birthday. I am going to be gone to the office for a few hours but I return soon. Can you take care of her?)" I smiled reassuringly and nodded as she made her way into her room but before that, she stopped. "Yadi aap ek achchhe pita bane rahenge to main ek baar phir pati-patnee ke roop mein ek hone ke lie divorce ko todane ke baare mein sochoonga. Lekin agar aap is vaade ko todate hain to aapako India laut jaana chaahie aur kabhee vaapas nahin aana chaahie.(If you continue to be a good father then I will think about breaking the divorce to unite as husband and wife once again. But if you break this promise then you must return to India and never come back.)"She went back into her room, and I agreed. Maybe, just maybe, I'll make the perfect husband and father for my family one day. Ami noticed that her mother, me, and a few of the staff were nearby when she woke up the following morning. We wished her a happy birthday and grinned broadly. Ashi gave her a gift while serving her breakfast in bed.

Ami gave her mother a bear hug and a kiss. I can't believe she's already seventeen! I meanwhile stuffed my item into the gift bag. It was a special birthday decor for her room.

Amrita gave me a firm embrace, and I returned the favor. "I gave you this because you reflect my daughter, which is why I did. Even when my presence is over, you can still remember me." Ami instantly became depressed. "You mean you're leaving, right?" She looked awful, so I nodded. "I can't be there all the time, you know. We are not an actual family." Even Ashi appeared to be in tears, but I immediately changed the topic. "You need to get ready because you have to go to work, Ashi." She hurriedly left while Amrita was still in bed.  "Main vaastav mein soch raha tha ki kya aap mere saath amusement  park jaana chaahate hain. Main aapake doston ko janmadin kee party ke lie aamantrit kar sakata hoon. (I was actually thinking if you want to go to the amusement park with me. I can invite your friends over for the birthday party.)" Ami looked excited but then felt worried. "Lekin kya hua agar maan ko pata chal gaya. Vah tumhen nikaal degee aur mujhe ground kar ange.(But what if Mom finds out? She will have you fired and get me grounded.)" I laughed but she still did not change. "Aaraam karo!Ham chupake se ja sakate hain. Isake alaava aap mujhe hai na.(Relax! We can go in secret. Besides you have me na.)" Ami quickly got changed as I smiled. 

She looked like a gorgeous girl, Dad's little princess. We went to the amusement park and she rode on many rides with her friends. She urged me to join as we had a blast together. But for some reason, I felt as if someone was following us. I saw a group of goons trying to attack Ami as I fought secretly.  My hands reach down and grab them by their collars. I feel like I'm outside myself. I watch myself drag the goons into the bush and beat them down to the grass, the dirt, and the fallen tree branches. I punch a hole in their stomachs and slam my fists into their faces. The men plead and cry. Their cries are jerky. "Please don't kill me, I beg you." Even though they are hurt, I continue. By the time I'm done with them, I need to make sure they are motionless. As soon as I turned around, Amrita sprinted over to give me a hug. "Dad, this was the best day ever. Thank you." Since I never got to experience that kind of love from my daughter, I flushed when she called me dad. It was a sensation that one prayed would never end. When we returned, I spotted Ashi waiting for us at the door. "Aap logon ko itanee der kya lagee?(What took you guys so long)" We both answered at the same time. "Hamaaree car ka taayar toot gaya(Our car tire broke)" Ashi tried to ask smartly. "Aur kaun sa?(And which one?)" We answered but we looked at each other nervously. She said front while I said back. Ashi approved luckily as we went to the dining table to cut the cake.

Happy Sweet 17h birthday, Amrita, it read. It was prepared by the talented chef Ashi herself. As we handed it to her, we all sliced it. The bell has abruptly rung. "Happy birthday, Princess!" As I recognized who it was, two voices spoke. My in-laws were giving their granddaughter a present while they were outside. "Siddharth! Tu yahaan kya kar raha hai?(What are you doing here)" Fortunately, Ashi spoke out before I could respond. "He is here to serve as Amini's bodyguard." Abhi uncle comforted his wife despite Pragya auntie's apparent horror at the situation. "Can we join the celebration?" As we discussed the issue of the second chance, I called them in. They spoke to me after Ashi had gone to serve dinner to Amrita and the other guests. " Yah ek achchha mauka hai khud ko saabit karane ka beta. Main poore 15 saal se isaka intajaar kar raha hoon aur aakhirakaar yah jeevan mein aa gaya. Aapako saabit karana hoga ki aap hamaaree betee ke lie ek yogy pati hain.(This is a good chance to prove yourself son. I have been waiting this for 15 whole years and it finally come to life. You must prove that you are a fit husband for our daughter.)" I smiled as Abhi uncle put an arm around me. Pragya auntie spoke next. "Main ab kyonki hamaaree betee ateet ke tareekon se jiddee ho sakatee hai kyonki main use bahut achchhee tarah se jaanata hoon. Lekin mujhe pata hai ki aap aminee ke bahut hee adbhut pita hain. Please hamen phir se parivaar banaen.(I know that our daughter can be stubborn from the past since I know her very well. But I know that you are a very amazing dad to Amini. Please make us family again.)" I hugged them tightly as we returned to the main room. Amrita talked with her grandparents lovingly as I remembered my parents. Papa was alone right now with the rest of the staff ever since Mom passed away. It was lonely without her and from Pragya auntie I can get the love which I had from my mom. Amrita loved both of her grandparents but she was closer to Abhi uncle. It is maybe because she can get the love from him which she could not receive from her father. Maybe someday I will...be able to make her....feel....the love from a....father