(Ishan's dialogues will be in italics.
Shubman's dialogues will be in bold.)

Shubman's pov

"Shubman?"
"SHUBMAN"
"Huh sorry what?"
"What were you day dreaming about?"
"Just thinking about the past."
Ishan went quiet at that and I asked,
"Why were you calling me?"
"I just wanted to ask if you wanted to eat something?"
"Uh no I'm not hungry, but if you want I can bring something for you?"
"No it's fine I'll go get it myself, stay with Pari."
I just nodded as he left to bring food.

I went back to thinking about the past, all our memories together, as a family.

~flashback~
One year ago
It had been two years since we had adopted Pari, when that dreadful day had appeared. After Pari's adoption my career had boosted even more. I now had contracts with big companies for photography ranging from models to sceneries and just about everything. I had clicked photographs of Ishan and Pari and exhibited them which had led to such a rapid career boost. As I started taking more trips here and there, I had less and less time for my family. Ishan had been very understanding throughout it all taking care of Pari while also managing the house and his career.

Then one day I reached home and I found my husband sitting there alone crying. I ran towards him fearing the worst as he looked at me with anger in his eyes.
"What happened? Where's Pari?"
I asked him panicking.
"She's in her room."
Ishan replied bitterly.
"Why are you crying meri jaan?"
"She was hospitalized, she had stopped breathing Shubman, they had to resuscitate her."
"What? And you didn't tell me?"
I asked angrily.

"How would it have even mattered had I called you?"
"She is my child too Ishan, I had the right to know!!"
"Oh really? because it didn't seem like it the past year, when I was the only one taking care of her! When I was the only one taking her for her regular check ups."
"So what? You think it was ok for you to not inform me? Just because I had been a little busy with work doesn't mean I don't care about her. Do you think I wouldn't have flown in right away if I knew she wasn't well?"

Both of us were yelling now we were both angry and we couldn't understand the other person's perspective.
"SHE HASN'T BEEN WELL SINCE THE DAY WE BROUGHT HER IN SHUBMAN.
AND EVEN IF YOU HAD FLOWN IN RIGHT AWAY, LET'S SAY, HOW QUICK COULD YOU HAVE MADE IT HOME FROM CANADA?"
"That does not mean you couldn't just inform me about our child."
"MY CHILD, SHE'S MINE."
"She is OUR child."
"You lost the right to claim her when you weren't there with us through out the year. When we had to go through all of this alone."

"You can't do this to me Ishan, you told me you didn't mind that I went on those trips, that I focused on my career."
"Well I changed my mind. Get out."
I just looked at him in shock.
"GET OUT."
I left quietly after that, not having the energy in me to fight for us anymore. It was over. We had hurt each other beyond repair.
~flashback ends~

After that day, we had separated from each other. Neither of us blamed Pari for our separation because it wasn't her fault. We had understood that it was due to our own shortcomings that we had failed to understand each other and stay together.
It had been a year since we separated. It's not like I didn't meet Pari after that, I used to spend time with her and go and meet her and she used to even come and stay with me sometimes. But Ishan was the one that had raised her the past year... or honestly the whole three years we had Pari. Pari had been trying to get us together and we stayed connected due to her. If not for Pari we would've lost all contact long back.

Pari hadn't woken up since yesterday and I could tell Ishan had really panicked and was extremely scared but was trying to put on a brave front. I on the other hand was obviously very affected but I had already lost both of them, I was utterly alone and I couldn't lose my daughter. I just couldn't, even if she didn't stay with me anymore and I couldn't see her every single day, I still called and talked to her everyday and I just couldn't lose her. I had lost everything, but not anymore.

Ishan came in with food for both of us despite my earlier refusal and after we both ate the doctor had come to check up on Pari. "Pari needs a heart transplant immediately but..."
I gulped as he continued,
"There's good news, we found a donor and it matched, they will perform the surgery and the heart will be delivered to us in about 6 hours. We will start prepping for her surgery but she's really weak. Let's hope she stays strong and pulls through these 6 hours."

Ishan and I both had tears in our eyes as we prayed and hoped for the best.
As we sat there holding her hand, we hoped that our daughter could just stay strong for a few more hours. She had been so strong all these years, she had to pull through. 5 hours passed and she was taken into surgery.
"We will start preparing for the surgery now, so that we perform the transplant right away when the heart arrives."

We stood there outside the operation theatre when suddenly Ishan held my hand tightly. I had a lot of regrets in my life but meeting both of them had never been one of them. They were the best thing that had happened to me and I knew I had to say it.
"I am so sorry Ishan."
"Why are you apologizing?"
"This past year I did a lot of thinking and I realised just how much of a failed husband and father I was. I'm sorry."
"It's fine Shubman, both of us made mistakes, I'm sorry too."
"No, I really should've been better, I should've been there for both of you. Just because you didn't say anything does not mean I should've just neglected the both of you."

After a while, as he didn't speak, I continued,
"I should've been there when she was in the hospital a year ago. I can't even imagine how you did it all alone."
He broke down crying,
"Will she be okay, just like she was a year ago?"
"She's strong just like you, she'll be okay. You were alone a year ago, but you aren't alone today. And you never will be in the future."
"I'm sorry I didn't inform you back then. The first thing I wanted to do was to call you but I knew you wouldn't be able to make it here in time and instead of worrying you I just wanted to confirm first that she was okay."
"You don't need to apologize. I'm sorry it took me so long to apologize."

We sat there in silence for the rest of the surgery holding hands and praying for the best. The doctor, after what felt like years, came out of the operation theatre,
"The surgery was successful, we will need to keep an eye on her for a few days to see how her body reacts to the heart. Whether her body accepts it or not, but we're positive."

Ishan and I silently thanked God and also prayed for the family who had been kind enough to lend the heart of their loved one. We couldn't even imagine how hard this decision must have been for them to donate the very alive and pumping heart of a loved one. Since heart transplant is only possible in the case of a patient being brain dead, turning off their still breathing loved one's life support must have been tough.

She was moved back into her hospital room and Ishan and I waited together patiently for her to wake up. Ishan and I had been sitting next to each other holding hands. Pari woke up after a day or so and seeing the both of us with our hands intertwined gave a big smile.
She was such a sunshine, my baby. And as she happily called out to me saying "Dada" excitedly, Ishan pouted as he wasn't acknowledged.
"Yeah yeah you're used to Baba now naaa, why would you acknowledge me anymore?"

I just chuckled looking at him. Ah my bigger baby, I thought as I shook my head.
"Will the two of you like to come to Kashmir with me to complete my shoot?"
"She can't travel any time soon Shubman."
"I know, I'm willing to wait meri ja- Ishan."
"YES DADA I want to go to Kashmir.....but only if Baba comes too."
I looked at Ishan raising my eyebrow looking at him with hopeful eyes and a small smile on my face.

"What say?"
"Baba pleaseeee say yessss."
"please...?"
Both Pari and I gave him a puppy dog face and he soon melted.
"Fine."
And I tackled him in a hug.

________________________________________

Would yall like a bonus chapter?

Also I pondered over whether to let Pari live or kill her off for the LONGESSTT time fr. Like I just couldn't come to a conclusion.
If she died, they would seek comfort from each other also uk shared grief always brings people closer. But then Shubman would also feel extremely guilty for not being present w them and not spending enough time w Pari. And since Ishan only had Pari, so he would be completely shattered.

I was in a good mood so I didn't wanna write all that angst so I decided to let her live. Thank me.