ARJUN

8 YEARS LATER

"Siara, do I tell you enough that you are an angel? " I say to my 13 years old daughter, soon to be 14.

"Everyday papa." She gives me her angelic smiles and my heart swells with love. I would do anything she wants and says just to keep that smile on her face. Her smile lights up our whole world.

"Is Viks troubling you again?" She asks turning from her study table.

"When is that boy not trouble? You were born to keep me at peace and he was born to create havoc." I say humorously.

"Papa, he is just like bade papa so he is not stopping anytime soon." She smiles showing the dimples she inherited from me.

Saira is growing and so is her brain. She has a long row of books which was to be read by people about 6- 7 years older than her. In short, my daughter is a wunderkind with a real love for criminal law.

One more thing that worries me with her growth is the presence of boys around her which is a lot. It does not settle well with me. My daughter is the most beautiful girl in the world and unless someone loves her more than I do which is impossible but someone who loves her with all her heart, commits to her and worships the ground she walks on until then she is staying with me because Kiara made me understand that I can't stop her for marrying and leave the house. No matter how much the truth hurts it is going to happen.

"So, anything new? " Saira gives me a knowing look and then laughs.

" Papa, I am not dating because you have seriously raised my standards so high, and I am way too young."They grow up so fast. Sara leaves her chair as she hugs my waist.

" So I don't have to worry about our padosi who seems to jump over the boundary wall every day." And her cheeks turn crimson red.

" Oh Boy! " I say defeatedly.

" Please let him be. " She scrunches her nose and my heart melts.

" I love your mother more than myself but you Siara is my light. I have no worries about saying that I love you more than Kiara. I don't know what will I do if I don't wake up and don't find you on the dining table or reading in the garden or snuggled to my side in the living room." I kiss her head and embrace her in my chest.

" Papa, you are my king. You and bade papa are always going to be the number one men in my life. "

Having a daughter is a blessing.

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" Bade papa catch. " Viks shouts as soon as Karn and Shreya appear from the staircase.

In the past 8 years, there have been many developments. Karn found his match in Shreya who is an amazing woman and the perfect addition to the family. I have retired from cricket and now I hold a quintessential position in the Cricket board along with various academies.

" Beta tu mujhe ek din heart attack dilwaega ( Son, you would give me a heart attack someday ). " Karn says recovering from the shock and the hit on his calf.

" Badi maa, catch. " Viks throws another ball towards them as Shreya catches it.

" You are so strong... " She walks up to him with an expression of awe.

Viks is 10 and already enrolled in my cricket academy. I am not saying this as a father but as a cricketer who was the top batsman of his time and whose records stay unbreakable, Viks is going to be a lethal batsman. He would make the bowlers sweat. He plays amazingly for a 10-year-old, I pay special attention to his diet. Ye mera bhi baap hoga ( He would be my father in the sport).

Life is amazing. The dining table is full of family and laughter. I look at Kiara, who made all of this possible. My wife, my partner, mother of my children.

16 years ago a woman gave my case's verdict and freed me but she captured my heart with her, without any bail for life.

THE CRICKETER'S VERDICT.

That is what the headline said the very next day. The verdict of my life took some time and the result is what I see today.

Saira and Karn are laughing as they eat from the same plate. Shreya is talking to Kiara as they continuously glance at Virat who is still juggling with the ball.

THE VERDICT WAS IN MY FAVOUR.

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