The living room was in absolute silence. Shweta and bebe looked at each other. No one dared to break the silence.

The papers are ready Mrs. Khanna.. the lawyer spoke professionally and handed her the papers. She quickly looked through the papers and signed it.

Neil looked at his wife as she passed him the papers. He felt helpless at the moment.

Are you sure with your decision Avni? Neil asked weakly. Avni looked away and nodded. Neil sighed and took the pen. His hands shivered as he signed the 'divorce' papers.

You are free now! Neil spoke hoarsely as he handed over the papers to the lawyer and got up. He watched his wife taking her luggage and leaving the house.

He entered his room and locked the door behind him. He slid down the door and looked at the mangalsutra in his hand.

After sometime the Khanna family heard some noise from his room. They quickly went to him and knocked his door but there was no response.

Neil! Neil!! Please open the door baccha.. Prakash ji ask him to open the door.. Shweta cried. Just then Neil opened the door. The room was a mess. His eyes had turned red and his hand was slightly bleeding.

Shweta hugged him tightly and cried. Neil sighed as he caressed her hair.

Mom! I am fine.. see.. Neil spoke softly. Shweta broke the hug and made him sit on the bed. She quickly brought first aid kit and cleaned his wound.

Bebe caressed his hair. He looked at her and tried to smile.

You don't need to hide your tears from us Neil.. Prakash spoke. Neil looked down as his eyes welled up. He hugged him and cried.

She left me dad.. Neil sobbed. He couldn't imagine his love going away from him. She broke 8 years relationship within seconds. Prakash rubbed his back to calm him down. He was breaking every moment seeing his son in miserable state.

He was about to speak something but he stopped listening some noise. Neil got up as he saw his 6 month old daughter Naina crawling to him. He quickly wiped his tears and took her in his arms to prevent from getting hurt due to the mess.

How did you reach here beta? Neil asked her. She hugged him with her tiny arms and mumbled something. He smiled and made her sit on the bed.

You want to eat something? Neil asked. Naina looked at the toy in her hand and played with it. Shweta looked at Neil with concern.

Naina was habitual to Avni and she couldn't stay without her. But her mother didn't care for her. Shweta didn't knew what she would do if she cries for Avni.

Let's feed you something.. Neil said and picked his baby in his arms. He walked to the kitchen and made her sit on the baby chair.

He walked to the fridge and took the milk can. His eyes travelled to the sticky notes on the door which reminded him of Avni. He removed all the notes and put it in the bin.

***************

It was midnight and Naina did not stop crying. She wanted to go to her mother. Shweta cradled the child in her arms and rubbed her back.

Neil got up from the couch and took Naina from her arms. He wiped her tears and took her to the bed.

Mom dad.. it's late I think you should sleep.. don't worry I am here.. Neil requested. They nodded and went.

He took Naina in his lap and smiled.

Why is my baby crying huh? See dad is here na.. Neil spoke. But she didn't stop crying. He looked away trying to control his tears.

I know baby.. I was always busy in my work and couldn't give you much time.. but dadda promises you that he will always stay with you.. Neil said softly and wiped her tears. Naina stopped crying and looked at him. Her nose turned red due to crying. Just like her..

Neil couldn't ignore the fact that Naina always reminded her of Avni. She was a carbon copy of her mother. He looked at the empty side of the bed and sighed.

Things had changed..

Naina played with the buttons of his shirt. He made her lay besides him and put some pillows around her. He caressed her hair and tried to make her sleep.

***************

6 months later..

Shweta looked at the arrangements in the hall. She instructed the workers and went upstairs. She entered Neil's room only to see him trying to feed Naina. She laughed.

Yaar maa! Dekho na yeh kuch kha hi nahi rahi hai.. Neil whined and tried to feed Naina but she turned her head.

Baby.. see this is your favourite oats.. Neil said.

Nahhhhh.. Naina mumbled while Neil gaped at her. Shweta smiled seeing the scene.

She is just like you Tillu.. Shweta spoke. Neil smiled and looked at his baby.

Maa is everything done? Neil asked as he picked Naina in his arms. Shweta nodded.

Let's get you clean princess.. Neil said and put her in her favourite tub and filled it with bubbles.

Meanwhile Shweta went to check on Prakash and bebe. She entered her room to see Prakash getting ready.

Prakash ji jaldi kariye.. Shweta spoke.

Arey Shweta ji I am ready.. are kids ready? Prakash asked. Shweta shook her head.

Ok I will check on them.. Prakash spoke and left the room.

He entered Neil's room to see the father-daughter duo twinning. He felt his heart swelling with joy as he could see his son genuinely smiling.

Naina was indeed a blessing!

***************

Everyone wished the little princess as she turned one year old. Shweta came to Neil to take Naina but she didn't leave his dad's arms. Neil caressed her hair lovingly.

Neil met his friends and was busy talking to them. Naina was busy playing with his best friend Aryan. Just then someone called him. He excused himself and turned to the person.

How are you beta? The lady asked smiling. Neil smiled a bit.

I am fine aunty.. Neil replied. They spoke for sometime. Suddenly Naina started crying for Neil. He took her in his arms. She stopped crying and put her head on his shoulder. Aryan looked with awe.

Your daughter is very cute Neil beta.. the lady said. Neil smiled at her.

So how's everything going on? I heard about you and Avni.. I mean it isn't easy to take care of a child alone.. the lady spoke while Neil looked on.

Don't mind Neil.. but I think you should think about marriage.. I mean your daughter is small right now.. but when she grows up she will need a mother by her side.. a child cannot stay without her mother.. the lady spoke. Aryan clenched his fist but stayed quiet.

Is it necessary that a child only needs his mother? Neil asked. The lady looked on.

I didn't mean like that Neil beta.. I was just concerned about your child.. because a mother knows a child better.. the lady replied. Neil could see some people looking at them and whispering but he didn't cared.

Can a father not do the same thing a mother does for her child? Mother and father are equally important for a child.. just the way a mother understands her child's wishes.. a father always tries to fulfill them.. if a mother provides him shadow.. a father always stands by him like a shield.. I agree I don't know much about parenting.. but a person learns by his mistake only.. Neil spoke politely and smiled at her. The lady couldn't say anything. She excused herself and walked away.

Aryan looked at his friend proudly. Neil handed over Naina to him as he had got few guests to attend. He stopped in his tracks as he heard something.

Paa.. Naina mumbled. Aryan and Neil looked at each other.

Baby say again.. Neil spoke as he took her in his arms.

Paaapaaa.. Naina giggled. Neil felt his heart blooming with joy. He kissed her cheek and smiled at her.

Say my name.. Aryan requested like a child. Neil shook his head while laughing.

She mumbled something incoherent and looked away. Neil laughed at his friend who put on a sad face.

***************

After few years

In Khanna mansion

Naina was pacing to and fro in the kitchen waiting for her dad. She was waiting for him from past 1 hour. Just then Neil entered with a bag in his hand.

Icecream is here!! Neil exclaimed as Naina squealed. He served the icecream in the bowls.

Naina took the first bite of her favourite choco chips icecream and closed her eyes in delight. Neil smiled at her.

Dad.. you are the best!! She exclaimed. Neil shook his head and ate his icecream.

Just then bebe entered the kitchen to fill her water jug. She saw her kids eating icecream. She looked at the time and shook her head. She tiptoed to them and pulled their ears. Both shrieked in pain.

So both father and daughter are eating icecream at 2 a.m? Huh!? Bebe scolded. She didn't want them to catch cold.

Sorry bebe.. both apologized. Bebe left their ears and sat besides them.

Bebe I was craving for icecream so dadda brought it for me!! Naina spoke smiling.

Kuch nahi ho sakta tum dono ka! Bebe replied as they both giggled.

Naina served some icecream to bebe. Bebe looked behind to see if anyone is coming. Neil laughed at the scene.

Soon everyone retired to their rooms. Neil was passing by Naina's room when he saw her working on her project. He sat besides her.

How's project going? Everything done? Neil asked. Naina looked at him.

Everything is almost done dadda! I was just checking the circuits.. Naina replied and looked at her project.

Why are you awake? You have meeting tomorrow.. chalo go and sleep.. Naina said while working on her project.

Ha meri maa! Neil said smiling and went. Naina smiled. She just hoped her project would go well.

*************

Next day Neil came early from office to see Shweta in the living room. He sat besides her tiredly. Shweta ruffled his hair.

Maa! He whined as Shweta smiled at him. His eyes wandered around for his daughter.

Maa where--

She is not back yet.. Shweta spoke while reading her book. Neil looked at her. She knew him so well!

Just then Naina entered the house. Neil called her but she didn't listen to him and ran upstairs. Shweta and Neil went behind her.

Neil entered the room to see Naina throwing her files away while crying. He tried to stop her.

What happened baccha? Neil asked calmly.

Everything is ruined dadda! My project crashed the last minute and I couldn't submit it on time.. I am given one day time! How would do it in one freaking day!? Naina cried.

Calm down Naina! Don't worry--

How can I not worry dad! I would fail the semester if I don't do the project.. Naina yelled. Shweta flinched at her tone.

Naina! Lower your voice.. he is your dad! Shweta spoke sternly. Naina looked down. She rushed to washroom and locked it.

Maa.. that was fine! Neil spoke as he ran fingers through his hair.

No it isn't Neil! You pamper her alot.. but she needs to understand that she cannot use this tone with elders.. and it's now or never.. Shweta replied. Neil sighed.

And she has anger like you only! Shweta spoke while pointing to the mess on the floor. Neil looked at her.

Naina turned on the shower and sobbed. She never spoke to Neil like that. She felt guilty.

After sometime she came out of the shower and looked for Neil. Her face turned dull as she couldn't find him. Her eyes travelled to Avni's picture with her on the wall. Her eyes welled up.

Neil always took care of her and never made her feel Avni's absence. She sat on the table and tried to fix her project.

At night Shweta came to call her for dinner. She quietly went downstairs and joined others. Neil came downstairs and sat besides her.

She looked at him but he didn't say anything. She looked down at her food sadly.

Is he angry at me? Naina thought.

Neil looked at her and then at Shweta who nodded at him. He stayed quiet and munched on his food.

*************

Neil sat in the garden with his laptop checking the mails. He looked at Naina's room to see the lights on. He decided to check on her.

He entered the room to see her slumped on the bed clutching her stomach. Her face twisted in pain and discomfort.

He sat besides her and caressed her hair. She quietly put her head on his lap.

What happened Naina? Neil asked.

Cramps! She muttered. Neil understood the situation and went downstairs and brought her medicine and a hot water bag.

Naina gulped the medicine and looked at him. He brought her a towel and handed her the hot water bag. He looked at the mess in the corner of the room.

He caressed her hair and made her sleep. He covered her with the duvet and kissed her forehead.

***************
In the morning Naina woke up and looked at the clock. She didn't knew what she would do. She tried to retrieve her project but nothing worked.

She took the shower and walked to the table to see a note. She picked it up and read it.

Good morning princess,
I hope you are feeling better now. Have your breakfast properly. I left early as I had a meeting. And ya.. all the best for the project.

Love you,
Dad.

Her face turned into confusion as she read the last line. He knew her project was not ready then why did he wish her. Suddenly realisation dawned upon her.

She took her project laying on the couch and examined it. It looked very different from what she had made.

It's working! She squealed in joy. She didn't knew how it started working but she felt happy that she could submit her project.

She looked at the note laying on the table and smiled.

Thank you dadda.. she mumbled and went downstairs and quickly had her breakfast. She took her bag and was about to leave but suddenly she remembered something. She called Shweta.

Dadi can you do something for me? Naina asked making a puppy face. Shweta nodded.

***************

In the evening Neil came home tiredly and saw the house drowned in darkness. He called out everyone but there was no response.

Suddenly the lights were switched on. He gasped looking at the decorations in the house. Everyone came out screaming "Happy Birthday!!"

He smiled looking at them. His eyes searched for Naina but he couldn't find her. His friends came ahead to wish him. Soon he got busy with his friends and guests. Just then the lights turned off.

Neil decided to go and check on the lights. Just then a voice stopped him. He immediately recognised the voice and turned towards it.

The spotlight fell on Naina as she stood on the stage holding the Mike. Everyone looked at her.

Good evening everyone.. today I want to tell you about a person who holds a very special place in my life.. he is the one who never left my hand even when my own mother left me.. thank you would be a very small word for you dadda.. you gave me unconditional love and always treated me like your princess.. her eyes welled up as she continued to speak. She remembered all the moments she spent with him.

You proved that a man can fill in a woman's shoe.. you never let me feel my mother's absence.. I am very lucky to have you in my life dadda.. Happy Birthday my superdad.. she spoke. Neil looked away as he wiped his tears.

Naina walked down the stage and took mini steps towards him. Neil opened his arms at her. She ran and engulfed him in a tight hug. She sobbed hugging him.

I am so sorry for my behavior last night.. I-- Naina cried. Neil caressed her hair.

Sshh stop crying.. dadda is not angry.. Neil spoke softly. She broke the hug and looked at him.

Really?

Neil nodded and smiled at her. Everyone adored their bond. Shweta wiped her tears.

Chalo it's time to celebrate.. Shweta spoke joyfully. Naina nodded.

*********************************

2790 words!!

To all the single parents.. we are proud of you ❤️

I hope you guys enjoyed reading it. Give me your feedbacks in the comment section below ❤️

Other books will be updated soon. I am trying to complete it as soon as possible but studies doesn't let me 😪

Much love ❤️❤️