C16 Idea

Jai pov

"Where are you, princess?

You are scaring me." I ran my hand in my hair.

"Bhai, come here fast." Imagining the worst, I jogged towards Rashi's voice. She pointed me in the direction of the gifts. I was awed at the view. Someone had gifted her a beautiful baby pink pillow with a Barbie print and she must be sleepy so she kept her head on the pillow and slept. All the other gifts were dispersed all over the place. Here I was going bananas searching for her. Gently I lifted her. She stuck to me like a koala. Carefully I changed her clothes and tucked her into bed. She must have been too tired to sleep like that. It was too difficult to make her sleep. She is hyper-energetic.

The following morning I was heading for the office when Dad called me.

" Jai, meet me in my study in the evening. I need to discuss something."

"If it is urgent then I can come immediately. It is still time for my first meeting. " I stood near Dad.

" Nothing that requires immediate attention. You can drop in the evening. I'm heading to the Royal Orchid site. There is some problem there."

" Do you want me to escort you?" Dad denied it and pinpointed his car. I headed to my office.

Back-to-back meetings left me weary. I was setting the ground for my siblings so that they could give me a hand. Dad and Arjun are busy with the inauguration of The Royal Orchid, our new hotel in partnership with the same. After the accident, I'm prohibited from going there. I thought I could help them from my office by planning. The event manager just left and everything was approved and on the way. The knock on my door jolted me out of my reverie.

. "Sir, do you need me for anything? I'm about to leave." Prerna, my assistant peeked from the door.

. " You may go. I will leave in a while." I waved at her.

"Sir, your father called some time back to remind you that you have to meet him, once you are back home."

. "Thanks for the reminder. Good night Prerna."

. "Good night sir." Taking it as a cue to leave, she left.

After winding my work I left for my house. I knocked at my father's door and entered.

" How was your day son?". Dad stood near his full-length window which faces the garden.

" Quite busy. You wanted to talk to me about something. Is there any problem?." He came near me and patted my shoulder.

" Everything is not about business. There are things more important than work. " Yanking me with my arm, he made me sit on the couch with him.

" Yesterday Aarav called me. He wanted you to go and meet his daughters as they have completed their studies. My wish is to see you settled. Even Kavya needs a complete family. Let me know when you want to visit them, I will let him know." Dad took my palms in between his palms and started stroking the back of my palm with his.

" Dad, I will think about it and let you know. Is there anything else? I had a hectic day and I'm feeling tired. "

" I understand. Take your time." Dad got up and we left for our rooms.

It was past midnight but I couldn't sleep. My mind keeps on drifting to the conversation we had. I agree with what Dad has advised but one wrong decision and Kavya's well-being are at stake. There are chances that the woman I would marry would not treat Kavya as her daughter.

The bright light falling on my eyes forced me to get up. Realizing that I slept through the alarm, I jerked from the bed and moved to the washroom to finish my daily routine. After dropping Kavya off at school, I went to the office.

"Good morning sir. Shall I bring your coffee?"

"Good morning Prerna. Please bring black coffee with two cubes of sugar. I have a very bad headache."

" Sir, shall I bring aspirin for your headache? " I nodded and went inside. My head was throbbing with pain. I massaged my temples with my hands.

" What happened buddy? Are you having a headache?" Arjun sat on the chair opposite.

" No, I'm having a stomach ache and hence massaging my temples." Arjun cringed hearing my irritated tone. Even talking is difficult for me due to the pain.

" What is the matter dude? You never speak like that. " Arjun spoke in a serious tone.

" Dad expects me to meet Aarav uncle's daughters and wishes to get married to one of them."

. "I don't see any problem in it. They don't want you to keep sulking in the past. "

" I understand their concern but what about Kavya? My only concern is if the woman I marry mistreats Kavya then what will happen? The incident with Natasha is still fresh in my memory."

" I understand your concern but every woman is not Natasha. There are some good ones also."

" How can we find such a woman, who will love Kavya as her daughter." A knock on the door disrupted our conversation.

" Come in." Prerna entered with two cups of coffee and aspirin.

" Your coffee and aspirin sir." Prerna kept our respective coffee and gave me the aspirin.

" Thank you, sweetie. You are looking quite pretty this morning." Arjun spoke in a flirtatious tone. He is like that but I know, he is harmless. After acknowledging Arjun's compliment, Prerna ran away.

" Arjun, why do you always scare her like that?1" He chuckled at my statement.

" Don't think too much. We will find some way." Arjun got up to leave.

When I went back, Ma was watching a movie. I was feeling too distracted, hence after changing I went to her and kept my head on her lap.

" What took place, Jai? Is something bothering you?" She ran her hand in my hair.

" No ma I'm just too tired." She started massaging my head which was relaxing my nerves. I started watching the movie and slept on her lap.

I jolted from my dreamland. Why did I have this dream? Is it some type of indication? Let me think about it. My mother had gone and my head was on one of the cushions. The more I thought about the dream the more things became clear. Suddenly a thought struck my mind and I thought I had a solution to my problem. I will discuss this with Arjun.