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“I am aware of that.” I nod. “I don’t intend to take Mili away from her mother. All I want is to be a part of her life. I know it won’t be easy but I won’t be a coward and take a step back.” My voice is low but determined, squeezing his hand.
“I know my princess is brave, and I am proud of you,” Dad mumbles, his voice clogged with emotions. His lower lip quivers as he pulls me into his arms, kissing the top of my head. “You need to tell your mom about it.”
“I plan to,” I nod, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“She is inside, waiting to talk to you. I will go in and send her to you,” he mutters, dropping one last kiss on top of my head before he stands up and heads into the house.
“That was not as bad as I thought,” I murmur to myself, hoping the talk with Mom goes as smoothly as it went with Dad.
When Mom steps out, I get around telling her the truth about Ranveer’s past. Mom doesn’t interrupt me; instead, she sits there, listening to me patiently. I am through the entire story for the second time, without breaking down this time. Once she gives me her approval, I go on to tell her that Ranveer and I are moving forward. And just like Dad, she tells me she is going to stand by me. Always.
Chapter 29
Ranveer
“Where can those two robbers possibly hide?” I say aloud in my best pretend-cop voice to make myself heard. “They can’t hide for long. I am going to catch them for sure.”
The muffled giggles coming from the study room gives away that Mili is hiding over there and that she heard me. I put on a false front that I didn’t hear her and turn my direction towards the guest room. I push the guest room door and scan the room before I enter it while my mind recollects the happenings of the eventful morning.
When I went to pick Alisha up from her parents’ house this morning, her dad was waiting on the porch for me. Once again, I felt like I was transported to the first time I met him, when I could feel those negative vibes from him, when he was doubtful whether I would be able to keep his daughter happy. I thought we came a long way after that but looking at his irate countenance, I knew we were back to square one. As expected, he warned me that his eyes would be on me and that he would pray to God that I have it in me to keep his daughter happy, through thick and thin. He didn’t give me a thumbs up, but that was no shock. It’s a no-brainer that I have to sweat and work to get his approval, all over again. It goes without saying that I agreed to fulfil all his expectations and vowed to give his daughter all the happiness in the world. After Alisha and I bid goodbye to her parents, we proceeded to pick up Mili from Grandpa’s house and drove back home. Our home. Alisha has fallen in love with my little girl, and I have to admit, it has made me fall in love with her more than ever, if that’s even possible.
I walk over to the bed and squat down. “Caught you,” I say with a grin.
“Please let me go, Officer. I am not a thief. I am innocent.” Alisha pouts, batting her eyelashes at me.
I laugh at her pouting face. “Every thief tells the same story. Come on out, time to take you to the prison,” I say, holding out my hands to her.
“I guess I can’t escape now.” With a sullen face, she takes my hand as I gently pull her out of the hiding space, and we rise to our feet. For a moment, our gazes meet and our bodies collide as I pull her to myself. Her mouth is agape as she regards me with doe-like eyes.
“Told ya, I will always find you and never let you go.” My eyes rove over her face, my voice husky, loaded with meaning while I cup her cheeks. I kiss her forehead and embrace her for a long moment. My heart needs this assurance that she is actually here with me, that I am not hallucinating. God, last night was like a nightmare, one which I would never wish to live through again. My mind was riddled with all the possibilities in which the situation would turn ugly. However, I was determined to have Alisha with me, with or without her parents’ blessings. Though if they hadn’t agreed willingly, Alisha would have felt desolate, which in turn, would have dampened my spirits. All in all, everything turned out to be good. Reluctantly, I distance myself from her, take her hand, and lead her towards the study room.
“I have caught one thief. Now it’s turn to catch her partner,” I say aloud and hear Mili chuckle louder as I enter the study room. I search around the room, putting up a show of looking for her. “This thief seems to be a clever one. I don’t think I can find her.” I shake my head with a sigh, jamming my hands on my hips as I continue to move my eyes around the room.
“She indeed is clever,” Alisha says, taking a seat on the couch in the corner of the room. From the corner of my eyes, I can see that Mili gives a half-suppressed laugh, from under the desk, making me beam.
But I don’t go to her; instead, I flop on the couch beside Alisha.
“I am tired. This thief is too smart for me. I give up.” I groan, turning my head to Alisha, who smirks at me.
“Do you agree that you lose?” Alisha asks, wiggling her eyebrows.
“I lose,” I say with a defeated huff.
“And you will take us to McDonalds for a Happy Meal?” Alisha demands, the winning grin illuminating her beautiful face.
“I guess you guys have earned it. So, yes, I will take you both for the burger.”
“Yay, we won!” Mili screams, crawling out of her hiding space. “We are having a Happy Meal.” She jumps up and down.
“Yes, we are,” Alisha confirms to her, tapping her tiny nose and making her laugh.
As I stand up, I take a moment to look closely at the two most important persons in my life. A strange pain pierces through me, making my stomach flutter and my heartbeat elevate. During the months we have been together, I have learnt that Alisha is the kind of woman who can nurture and be caring enough to make a house feel like home. She brings warmth into it, which makes it a welcoming place filled with care and love. My chest puffs with pride for having her in my life. Now I crave for more. I can’t wait to fill our house with kids. There is no doubt that she will be a great mom like she is to Mili.
“Daddy, let’s go,” Mili urges, as she and Alisha start walking.
“Let’s go, Princess. On the way back, we will stop at a gaming zone.” I smile looking at her cute, excited smile.
“Isn’t Daddy the best?” Alisha says looking down at Mili with a grin.
