Daughter

“Upasana, I cant deny that you are an adorable person but the real reason behind my marriage is Sakshi. My daughter. I want a wife who will love her as her own. You have been born and brought up in a joint family, and every one says you dote after children, I sincerely hope that you will love my motherless daughter like you loved them.” Prasun looked at her with eyes full of expectation.

“She is not ‘your motherless child’ “ Upasana quipped, “She is our daughter.”

“Do you think you can blindly trust me?” she asked, “Otherwise I will have to regret the decision of marrying you.”

Prasun hugged her tightly. “Thanks sweetheart.”

Prasun loved his first wife very much, she passed away when Sakshi was three years old, he took another ten years to marry Upasana. After realizing that he cant bring up a daughter on his own especially when he has to travel around the country.

He has initially left her with his own brother and sister in law, then one day he came back from a tour all of a sudden and saw him belting her while the rest of his family watched. He came to know later that all the money he spent was used by his family while she was doled out the leftovers.

Then he decided to take the risk of a step mother. To his relief he noted that Upasana and Sakshi became quite fond of each other, pretty quickly.

A couple of years passed by like dream then Upasana became pregnant. They were blessed by a son. Sakshi doted after her baby brother. She loved playing with him for hours, enjoying every thing about him.

It was a beautiful evening, they were playing in the garden, Upasana was working in the kitchen. All of a sudden Sakshi came running, Soham was missing. Sakshi has come inside for a glass of water and he has vanished.

They both searched the whole house, garden and the entire street. There was no sign of him. Prasun was out of station. Upasana called his brother up who instantly reached them.

“This is why we hated that girl so much.” His wife said. “She must have done it on intention, she must have been jealous of the little one.”

“She was like this with our children too. Always watching them like vulture, even at that age.” She added.
“Please don’t say a single word about my daughter. I am already too tired; I don’t have the energy of giving you explanations for my daughter’s behaviour.” Upasana said firmly. There was something in her expression which silenced the other woman.