Unedited..

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Sidharth had left in search of an alternative shelter about half an hour ago. Sana had slipped into slumber while feeding the baby. Her young nipple was on display as she lay in the bed beside the baby, completely losing the sense of her surroundings.

On the other hand, John crawled like a snake inch by inch, slowly towards the kitchen area. Once near the platform, he stoodup on his feet with great difficulty as they were tied together. With persistent efforts, he was finally able to grab the knife kept in the case over the platform.

The blood droplets dripped along the path from kitchen a particular room. The room in which Sana was fast asleep. The door creaked open and a trail of blood stains flowed on the door beginning from its handle towards the floor. Sana stirred a little to sleep on her back as her young and firm pink bosom now pointed towards the ceilings. The lusty male's eyes stared at it, while he wetted his lips running his tongue over them. His Adams apple moved up and down when he swolled the spit.

Sana's eyes flinched open when she heard a shrill cry of baby. When she saw John's bloodshot eyes staring at her chest, she immediately covered her bosom with her hands and quickly pulled her cloth but what she saw next sent shiver down her spine. The baby cry were heard not from beside the bed but from her his hand which were holding the piece of her heart in a brutal way.

"Aaaahhhhhh.. my baby", she screamed while trembling in terror when she saw her baby's white clothes were now all red filled with blood all over it while his hand held the sharp knife.

"Ohhh!! Stop screaming you bitch. That's my blood. But if you don't want to see her blood then strip naked.", he yelled. Her whole body shuddered at the order he barked. She pleaded to him folding her hands to spare her and her baby's life but he had turned deaf to all her cries.

"Strip!!", he barked pointing the knife closer at the baby.

"Nooooo.. noooooo.. please...", she cried she pleaded again.

His anger grew more as the sharp point touched the baby clothes.

"Noooo, I.. I.. I'm doing it..", she screamed. Her shivering hands start unbuttoning her blouse. The stream of tears kept flowing from her while her eyes were glued on her baby. His eyes grew dark with the more and more of her skin being set on display. Once she dropped her dress on the floor, he flung the baby like a lifeless doll towards the corner to pounce on her like a hungry beast.

"Babbbbyyyy..", Sana sat up straight screaming her lungs. Her eyes went towards the corner of the room where John had thrown the baby, just to find it empty but she could hear the baby cry. When she looked around, the baby was still on the bed beside and that monsterous person was nowhere in the room. She picked up the crying baby and hugged her close to her heart. She was palpitating and was sobbing mess.

"Pfffttt.. it's okay. We are fine. It was only a bad dream.", she spoke to the crying angel but those words were more for her scared and thumping heart.

"Sshhh.. sshhh.. I promise you, I won't sleep until Sidharth is here, okay? I won't let anything to happen to you. I won't let that monster touch you. I won't.", She mumbled sweet nothings into the baby's ears to calm her.

After a few minutes of calming down, she was finally back to doing her favourite thing. That was speaking to the baby. Who else would she speak to other than her? Even though Sidharth was her only best friend, she was an extrovert and extremely talkative. She could literally talk to even a stone in a garden. But that was before she committed the grave mistake of her life. Now she was a completely changed person. A total opposite! She didn't speak unless it was really needed. It was as if the Sana she was months back was lost or never existed. But with the baby in her hand, she found old self returning. Perhaps it was due to her knowing that the baby was too innocent or won't judge her or it could be because she was a part of her.

"You know what? I was thinking that we haven't yet decided on what we would call each other. I know you can't speak for now but you would eventually, right? So, what do you want to call me?", She asked as if the baby would answer her. The baby just stared at her face as that was the only thing moving.

"Tell me, tell me.. don't be shy..", Sana chuckled and spoke in a teasing tone even though none of it made sense to the baby. But you know how she was. As said earlier, she could even speak to a stone in a garden and this was not even a stone. It was her baby.

"Hmm.. you seem to be so indecisive.. let me suggest and if you like it just give me some sort signal. Okay?", Sana said.

"Hmmm.. Do you think you can call me Mommy? Because you know I gave birth to you and stuff. Huh?", Sana asked and the baby just stared at her silently which she considered as a disappoval.

"No? Hmm.. Amma?", she asked with a chuckle and the baby still didn't move.

"I know.. it sounds a bit old and traditional right? How about Mummy? No? Mom? No? Maa?", the last word made her heart ache a little as she was reminded of her mother.

"Y..you know I c..called her M..maa..", her voice crackled and a lone tear drop ran down her cheek.

"I.. (clears her chocking voice).. miss her.. I.. I still love her.." she sniffled as she spoke those words.

"Eeeekkk.. aaaaa..", the baby squeaked softly kicking her legs. A small smile instantly made it's way on Sana's lips.

"What? I am not crying. Okay? But you can't take forever to decide. Would you like yo call me Sana?", she asked.

"Aaa uuuu..", the baby squeaked yet again.

"Fine.. alright!! You can call me Sana.", She did a tiny clap appreciating the effort the baby took in decision making.

"Hmmm.. So what do I call you? Ohh!! Unlike me you don't have a name. So we need to name you first. But what should we name you? Hmmm..", Sana pondered with a finger on her chin.

"Geez.. that's such a difficult task.. are you gonna just lie there and let me do all the job? It's your name, so you should be the one deciding it. I don't want you to yell at me in future asking why I chose to name you this and not that.", Sana complained with a pout. The baby just kicked her feet in air as if she was cycling.

"Arggghh.. ", Sana was lost in her thoughts remembering all the names she had ever heard in her life and how would it sound on her little angel.

"Yes!!! I've found a name - ", she exclaimed in joy but her words died when she saw that her daughter was already

Sana startled as she heard a knock on her room door. The nightmare she had seen few hours ago flashed infront of her eyes. She immediately hugged her baby who was now fast asleep.

"Wh..who is it?", she asked.

"Sidharth..", he answered.

Sana sighed in relief hearing his voice. He was back. She opened the door and he immediately lowered his head to look at her feet than her face.

"Did you find a house?", she asked

"Hmm.. I did.. but..", he hesitated

"What?", she probed.

"We need identity documents..", he said.

"Hmm.. so?", she asked.

"C..could you provide yours tomorrow?", he asked.

"Hmm.. fine..", she mumbled.

"O..okay..", he stuttered and turned to leave.

"Wait!", she called making him stop

"I have to register for baby's birth. They're asking for mine and your details on the form.", She said.

"Umm.. I.. umm.. please don't fill my details on it..", Sidharth uttered before he left her perplexed and annoyed.

I thought he genuinely wanted to take the responsibility for his actions but guess I was wrong. He is doing this because I compelled him to take the responsibility. Not because he wants to. Of course, I understand. She is my baby. He has nothing to do with her or me.

She reasoned herself because she felt little hurt for his behaviour.

Sidharth sat in his room and stared at the wall blankly infront while he was lost in his thoughts.

I know they are my responsibility but I can't put my name on her birth certificate because I am an illegal immigrant. I can't put my name on any legal documents. Sorry Sana. Sorry my little angel.

Sana stared at the form she was given at the hospital and read the instructions over and over.
...
..

"Sidharth", she yelled barging into the room. Both Sidharth and John flinched at her sudden yell. She glared at John who was all tied up and had a gag securing his mouth.

"Y..yes Sana..", Sidharth stood up instantly.

"Come out! I need to talk to you.", She barked before leaving the room. She didn't even want to see John's face, forget about discussing matters in front of him alone. Sidharth nodded and followed her.

"I need explanation!", Sana said sitting on the couch.

Sidharth had a puzzled look on his face. What explanation was she talking about all of a sudden?

"I didn't get you? What explanation?", he spoke.

"I know you aren't related to me in any way BUT it says it is mandatory to mention the child's fa.. arggghhh.. FATHER'S NAME on the registration form. So, explain as to why shouldn't I fill your details on the baby's birth certificate.", Sana uttered in frustration.

"I.. I don't have the s..supporting documents.", Sidharth stuttered.

"You know you can apply for a re-issue, right?", Sana rolled her eyes in disbelief.

"I.. I can't.."

"Why?"

"Because.. I am an i..ill..illegal immigrant in this country. I came here in an illegal way.. If the police learn about this, they will d..deport me b..back to India.", Sidharth confessed.

"What?", Sana was left with her mouth wide open.

"Does your parents know that you are here?", She asked.

Reply came with a nod of head in denial. Sana was finding it difficult to believe.

"You ran away from the home?", she asked.

He nods in positive and Sana sighs.

"Why?", Sana asked.

"B..because I..I wanted to take responsibility f..for the mistake I committed..", Sidharth stated. Sana was reminded of the mistake he was talking about and the memories irked her. The mistake that ruined not only her life but also his. Tear rolled down her cheeks as she sniveled. His head hung lower in shame than it already was.

She grabbed his collar and shook him rigorously asking him the same question she had asked him when she saw him first in this country..

"WHY DID YOU DO IT?", She cried

"WHY?", she yelled again.

"I lost everything because of it. You lost everything you had. You knew I had my career dreams. I wanted to become an air hostess and fly around the world. Damn it!! I can't do any of it now. Just because of that one mistake. I hate you.", Sana weeped her eyes out.

Her cries crushed him completely. How he wished if he could go back to the past and tell himself to not commit such a grave mistake and to make him understand the consequences. How he instead accepted her apology and kept friends with her than follow his evil brother's footsteps. How he wished he stopped himself from stealing the cigarette from his brother's room which led him to witness his brother having sex with Jiya. But the reality was harsh and no matter what he did, he cannot undo the past.

The baby's cries were now heard and Sana went to look after.

I will not let your dreams die.

Sidharth promised himself.

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To be continued..