Chapter 2

Next morning,

‘Businessman Sameer Ahuja’s house in Mumbai caught fire last night in which Sameer Ahuja and his wife got killed. Police are trying to find the cause of the fire. Their speculation is that it’s a case of arson. The interesting fact in all this is that Mr. and Mrs. Ahuja's one- year old daughter is missing. Police are trying to find……’

Anita stood up from her seat and came towards Amar who just entered the house.

“Finally you are here. What happened there? What are they saying about arson on television? Why didn't you come back last night? Sameer and…..”

“Calm down Anita let him speak first” Radhika says interrupting Anita.

“After killing our Sameer and Shalini those monsters burn down the whole house. Nothing is left there now and our Sameer and Shalini…..”

Amar burst into tears remembering the scene of Sameer and Shalini's dead bodies. Radhika rubbed her son’s back to sooth him and Anita brought water for him. After gulping the water he continued.

"Police found 2 bodies from there. They will hand over the bodies of Sameer and Shalini after postmortem" said Amar, controlling his tears. Only he knew how he controlled himself before police from breakdown after seeing the half burnt bodies of his friend-cum-brother and his wife.

“Those monsters wanted to kill the whole family but they didn’t know Meera is here so to protect Meera I told the police to not mention Meera to the media. Her safety is our first priority.”

Radhika and Anita nodded with a sad smile. The innocent didn’t have an idea what’s happening around her. Suddenly they hear a laughing sound of a baby coming from upstairs. Amar looked at Anita with a raised brow. Anita just motioned him to go upstairs. Amar went upstairs with Anita and Radhika. There he saw his 4 years old making funny faces towards Meera who was laughing her heart out. The beautiful scene brought a smile on everyone's faces. 

“When this happened? Our Adarsh is playing with Meera, he doesn’t like to play with babies, right?'' Amar asked.

Last night,

A 4 years old boy came downstairs rubbing his eyes. He frowned seeing a sleeping baby in his mother's arms. He doesn't like the idea of his mother keeping a baby in her arms instead of him. His possessive mind decided that he doesn't like the baby.  

“Why she is in my Mom's arms. She is only my Mom. I will not let her be with my Mom” Adarsh thought.

Adarsh starts crying to get his mother’s attention.

“Adi what happened? Did you see a nightmare?” Radhika asked, caressing his head.

“Mom what is this baby doing in your arms? You are my Mom then why are you carrying her?”Adarsh screamed.

“Adi she is a baby, she needs me now. You go and sleep with grandma today?” Anita said in a dismissive voice.

Not getting the desired attention Adarsh started screaming loudly. Due to his loud voice Meera woke up and started crying. Hearing the cry Adarsh stopped and came near her. He got mesmerized seeing the little bundle. He hated the tears in those little doe eyes. He unconsciously raised his hand to wipe her tears. He gasped when Meeera held her finger in her small fist. Adarsh looked at the baby in awe.

"Aww my Angel stop crying...don't cry...see your Adi is here. I will be with you always. Okay Angel" Adi whispered softly to her.

Meera stopped crying and was listening to Adarsh with so much interest as if she is understanding everything. Adarsh while making funny faces started playing with her hands and Meera started giggling.

Seeing Meera finally laughing, Radhika and Anita had happy tears in their eyes.

“Mom I’ll sleep with my Angel today. Let's take her in our room, '' Adarsh said and again got busy with his Angel.

Present, 

“I can’t believe our Adi who hates babies saying they just cry everytime he tries to play with them is making our Meera so happy right now” Amar said amused.

“Let the kids play. We need to think about Sameer and Shalini’s funeral” Radhika said.

Amar and Anita nodded and left with radhika. 

“Mom said your name is Meera but for me you are an Angel so I’ll call you Angel from now on. My Angel, you liked it?” Adi asked, poking Meera’s chubby cheeks softly.

Meera giggled and Adi cooed at her cuteness.

“Aww my Angel likes her new name. My Angel is so cute” Adi cooed and continued to play with her.

After sometime Aditi, Adarsh’s elder sister, who was at her friend’s house for sleepover came running in the room. 

“ADI!”

Adi stood up and motioned her to keep quiet and gestured towards Meera who was sleeping peacefully.

Aditi nodded and quietly went outside. Adarsh put a pillow either side of Meera and after making sure she was secure he followed his sister.

“Mom told me Sameer uncle and Shalini aunty’s daughter will live with us from now on. Is she Meera? How come you already befriend her? You didn’t like babies, right?” Aditi asked.

“I still don’t like babies,” Adi said firmly.

“Then Meera?”

“She is different. She is my Angel” Adi replied without missing a beat.

Aditi looked at her brother amused.

“Then we both will play together with Angel….”

“She is only my Angel!”

“What?”

“Only I can call her Angel. She is Meera for you” Adi said stubbornly.

Anita and Amar who were watching this interaction raised their brows.

“So finally there’s someone other than his mother for whom our stubborn son is possessive” Amar said shaking his head.

“I’m so happy for them. I was scared about Adi not accepting Meera but see we didn’t have to do anything. Our Adi who never sleeps without me yesterday asked me to let him sleep with his Angel” Anita said.

Both smiled at their children and prayed for their future.

Evening,

Radhika along with kids went to nearby Park. She was sitting with Meera in her lap on the bench. Adi and Aditi were playing with her when Riya, Aditi’s friend, came running to them.

“Aditi, why didn’t you come to play with us today?” Riya asked, gesturing towards her other friends playing near the swing.

“Riya I….”

“Aww she is so cute.” Riya cooed, interrupting Aditi. Riya started poking Meera’s hand and chubby cheeks. Meera started crying due to a stranger coming near her.

Adarsh pushed Riya roughly aside.

“How dare you make my Angel cry? Can’t you see she doesn’t like your ugly hand on her” Adarsh said angrily.

Then turned towards his Angel and started whispering sweet nothings to her. He raised his hand near her face and Meera held his fingers with her both hands and started playing with them.

“Adarsh that’s not a way to behave with others. She is elder to you, say sorry now” Radhika said sternly.

“But grandma she…”

“Now Adi” 

“I’m sorry but you were also wrong so you also say sorry to my Angel” Adi said folding his arms on his chest.

“Sorry baby for making you cry” Riya said to Meera and went from there hurriedly with Aditi.

“Grandma she was also wrong then why you scolded only me?” Adi asked pouting.

“She didn’t do it intentionally Adi. She just wanted to play with Meera but you pushed her so roughly. She could have gotten hurt” Radhika said calmly.

“She made my Angel cry. She deserved it” Adi said and turned his attention to his Angel.

Radhika shakes her head at her grandson’s stubbornness. She didn’t know it’s just the start of Adi and his Angel's story.