contd..

Amber

I have been staring at the girl sleeping soundly beside me. Her mouth was slightly open. Meera had her head on the small tray meant for keeping food or belongings (attached to the seat in front). The way we cried in each other's arms made me feel for the umpteenth time that she was born to be mine, a Collins.

A hand on my shoulder broke my trance. It was Robert, my husband, the love of my life.

-"Babe, wake her up. We're to reach soon."

He was busy packing his laptop with absolutely no expression on his face. Robert Collins, my husband, is a very shrewd lawyer. Probably the most famous in the US. Robert is a strict yet loving father to our kids. Our sons are pretty afraid of their dad, but also can lay their lives down for him. Robert Collins knows best when to be strict and when not. But what he did not know was, how to become a girl's dad.

I looked at my wristwatch. The hands pointed at 4.30 PM. It was high time Meera woke up because the train was to stop at our destination in the next 20- 25 minutes. Meera, though, had already started to stir slightly.

-"Meera... Meera.. wake up." I shook her.

She slowly opened her eyes trying to adjust to the light. After rubbing them with the back of her palms for a good minute, she opened her eyes properly and heaved a sigh. She looked out of the glass window and then at me. After a moment of hesitation, she asked,

-"We reached?"

I loved the way she spoke, very slowly and cautiously. We were already informed that she was being taught English for more than two years now. But I understand how difficult was it for Meera to learn.

-"We will soon." I replied to which she nodded.

Meera again turned back at the window.

Two hours later.

After being stuck in traffic for more than thirty minutes, we reached the hotel. It was one of the biggest in the city. Robert was completing all the formalities at the reception while Meera was closely watching the aquarium and its inhabitants. She had a small smile playing on her lips as the small goldfish tried following her moving forefinger on the glass.

-"Amber, let's go." Robert said slightly startling.

I called Meera and signaled her to come which she did. Hand in hand with my daughter, we followed the woman guiding us. She took us to an elevator and pressed the button.

-"There was another lift here nah?" Meera asked, surprising all of us.

Masking up the astonishment evident in her face, the woman replied,

-"There was. This part has been recently renovated." She smiled.

-"Have you been here before?" I asked not being able to hold my curiosity anymore.

Meera nodded giggling.

Could she be any cuter? I thought.

-"When? Why?"

-"I had a recording in Kolkata. I stayed here for a night."

-"Wow!" I exclaimed. My kid is famous.

Soon enough we reached our floor and eventually to our room. The woman opened the door and let us in.

******

The moment the car entered through the big gates Meera knew where she was.

I have been here before. Maybe a year back. She thought.

This hotel was more like a palace. It's huge!

Who knew that the next time I'll be here, I would be with my parents!

When she asked the staff about the elevator that was here before. All the heads whipped at her. No wonder they were surprised. Meera found it very amusing and giggled making all smile.

It was a big room. It had a television followed by a couch set with a tea- table at one side. Opposite to it was a big bed. There was also an attached bathroom. This bathroom was as big as our bedroom (shared by three) back in our orphanage. There were two washbasins, a separate area covered by glass frames which the woman said was the 'shower area', and also a white bathtub.

But the best part of the room was the big window, with a sitting arrangement on it. There were several pillows on it too.

Meera straight away ran onto it. The window gave a beautiful view of the city. She wanted to spend some time here but couldn't. Amber called her asking to change. She obliged though not happy about it.

Mother sounds strange but I don't know what to call her so 'mother' it is.

The next few hours passed with all of them changing, getting freshened up. Amber and Robert were on the couch discussing their plans ahead. They were flying to New Delhi the next day morning. Medical tests were to run for Meera, apart from several other formalities.

-"What's wrong with you, Robert?" Amber asked her husband.

Robert, in return, gave her a "What are you talking about?" look.

-"You know what I'm talking about." She paused for a second but continued, "Why are you staying so away from her?"

Robert took his glasses off swiftly and looked at Meera. She was very busy looking outside the big window.

-"There's nothing like that, Amber. I don't know what to say, what to do. All of this is so new. Having a daughter is so new."

-"Really? How old are you Mr. Robert Collins?" Amber asked trying to hide her smile.

-"Are you done teasing me?" He asked.

Amber turned serious.

-"If you think about all this then what about her?" She asked pointing at Meera. "Everything is new to her. She is leaving everyone she has known so far. She is leaving her hometown. Robert, she is leaving behind her country to move with us to a new country. This eleven-year-old is traveling to the other part of the world with two unknown people; to stay with us, absolute strangers."

-"I know Amber. It's just ..."

But before Robert could speak any further, Amber spoke up,

-"You're just afraid of being a dad. This has always been your thing ever since we have had Mike." Amber smiled.

Robert shook his head.

-"I am just afraid of being a girl's dad. It's difficult to be one."

The family prepared to go downstairs. They were having an early dinner as they had to arrive at the airport quite early in the morning. Meera did not mind having food as early as 8 PM. The dining hall was undoubtedly big. They were many tables. A staff guided them to a small table by the window.

-"What do you want to have?" Amber asked.

Meera did not have any idea about it. The only food she has ever had in all these years was very basic Indian food. But she used this opportunity and said,

-"Ice- cream."

Meera was not allowed to have ice- cream. Especially after October. It was a strict order from Meera's Guru. The reason was obvious.

Amber and Robert laughed out.

-"You clearly cannot have ice cream for dinner." Amber said much to Meera's dismay.

-"Not rice please." Meera voiced. She disliked rice like any other Indian kid of her age.

-"As you wish." Robert smiled.

Meera had mac and cheese for the first time and no wonder she loved it. The bowl was licked clean. To the family's surprise, a bunch of staff brought a small chocolate cake on a white plate. There was a 'Hope to see you soon Meera' written on the plate with chocolate syrup.

-"This is a small gesture on our part, sir." One of them said Robert.

They requested Meera to cut the cake which she did happily. After licking the plate clear, without any help from her parents, Meera hopped back to the room.

Luggage was packed for their upcoming flight the next day. Amber and Robert lay on either side of the bed with Meera in between. Amber was out within minutes. One hand was under her head while the other was on Meera's belly. Meera was nowhere close to being sleepy. She looked at her father. He too had his eyes closed.

Meera finally had the opportunity to look at him properly. He was very good-looking, she realized.

He does not like me. She thought.

Meera tried hard but could barely recall one or two sentences that he had spoken to her so far.

Maybe he doesn't. I don't know how to speak English. I am not fair.

Her chain of thoughts abruptly stopped when she felt the arrival of a warm palm on her eyes.

-"Close your eyes, Meera."

Meera was overwhelmed at her father's words. She was too happy to notice the strictness in his voice. Emotions took control over Meera's mind as she swiftly turned towards him and hugged him, her leg going above Robert's.

Robert's heart exploded with love. He too hugged Meera tight with a smile on his face. Meera felt lips on her forehead as she drifted off to sleep.

••••••

The picture above (media box) is the hotel room.