Sunday 8 September 2013

Whispers of Spring....Chapter 2


Chapter 2



“The S is for Sunaina…that’s my name. But everyone calls me Naina. Now, if we have got that clear, may I know what brings you here…Sir?” She enjoyed a moment of triumph as he frowned at her term of address. She knew what was coming thereafter. She braced herself for the inevitable, certain that his subsequent words would be razor sharp.

He didn’t disappoint. “You deceived me the other night. What you did makes you an imposter, Ma’am. But then why am I not surprised? Women can be so two faced. Is this the sort of guidance you impart the children here? Does my grandmother know the sort of person she has entrusted this school with? Why did you lie about who you were?” He folded his arms across his chest and glowered at her.

Naina almost asked him to get out…The man was impossibly opinionated and cantankerous and a sexist. One need not be a rocket scientist to realize that he had a thing against women. Given another time, another place, she would have directed the venom right back at him. But this was a sacred place…this was her school. So, she took a deep breath, crossed her fingers on the desk, and spoke slowly as if he was having an old-man moment and was slow to follow the conversation, “If you have finished with your accusations Colonel, may I speak? Believe me I had no intentions to misguide you. I had a perfect reason to be in Rawin Mahal that night. You surprised me with your sudden appearance. So, I…”
“Really? You said you were a maid.”
“Oh no, I didn’t.”
“Yes…you did.”
“No Colonel, I didn’t. You just assumed I was.”
“And you never bothered to correct me. Why?”
“I had my reasons.”
“Reasons? What possible reasons can there be for a lady of your position, a school principal, to work as a maid? Not only that, you didn’t have the courtesy next morning to let me know that you were leaving. My daughter was asking for you…and I had nothing to tell her. The staff refused to say anything, except that you were a temporary. If you do not possess basic courtesies yourself, how do you teach the children here? Teachers are supposed to be role models….Right?”

The mention about Tanu got Naina to rein in her cutting response, “Tanu was asking for me? Oh dear! Actually I went up to say goodbye, but she was still sleeping, so I left. I had an important meeting of Education Board to attend.”

She paused. He continued to stare at her penetratingly. Refusing to be intimidated, she met his gaze with a level one of her own and continued, “That night I was helping out a friend who was supposed to be in-charge of Housekeeping of the mahal, but was taken ill at the last moment. As you know the staff was on leave, so I volunteered. No big deal. When you took it for granted that I was the maid, I went along with it because I didn’t want my friend to be put in an awkward position. Also, you and your daughter were tired. Someone had to get you and Tanu settled in till the staff arrived, so I did. If you had known who I was, you might not have let me stay back. Next day when the staff arrived, you were in the gym. I didn’t want to disturb you.”

He gave her a long, enigmatic look after she finished, clearly evaluating the sincerity of her words, and then nodded, “I accept your explanation. I apologize.”

That’s it? He jumps to conclusions and accuses her, that too in her office, and then just calmly says “I apologize”? Good gracious! What a condescending man!

Naina bristled to give him a piece of her mind, but curbed her urge and said politely, “What can I do for you 
Col Rathore?”
He put his arms on the table, “I have come for Tanu’s admission.”
Naina was perplexed, “You want Tanu to attend school on your holiday?”
“Holiday? Who said we are on a holiday? I have shifted base to Palampur.”
“Shifted base? Oh…you mean you are posted here.”
“No. I have shifted here permanently. I took an early release from army. I am no more part of the defense organization.”
“Why? What happened?” The questions were out before she realized, and instantly knew she had hit a raw nerve.
His eyes darkened…in anger at her intrusion, but all Naina saw were flecks of raw pain behind them. This man had suffered…and she was not thinking of his physical injuries. She vaguely remembered Beeji mentioning he was a highly decorated soldier and had a bright future in the army. What happened for him to leave all that? For the first time there was a crack in Naina’s composure, as she stared at him, trying to see behind the bitter, angry man. She had never let a man get through the barriers she had set up all these years. However, she had reacted unnaturally to the man sitting in front on the two occasions she had met him. He had broken right through her congenial veneer and made her react contrary to how she had tutored herself to become.
“My personal life is not up for gossip columns, Ma’am. Now isn’t there any form that I have to fill for the admission?” His curt and now-familiar rude response broke through her reverie.
“I am sorry Colonel. I didn’t mean to pry. I’ll arrange for someone to help you with the formalities. You did say she was three. Has she completed 3 years?”
“Not yet. Her birthday is next month. Why? Is that an issue?”
“Oh no, not at all. We do run a preschool playgroup class for children from 2 to 3 years.”
“Tanu is too shy and too quiet…hardly speaks. I want her to come here for a few hours daily, just so she opens up in the company of other children and feels at ease in a sociable setting. I…I want her to become more interactive, like any other child.” She was startled to see those dark eyes melting to softness as he spoke of his daughter and there was something else...a guilt maybe and probably a certain degree of helplessness. It made her want to reach out and keep a reassuring hand on his. Naina shook her head….God, what a crazy thought!
“I’ll place her in playgroup to start with. After the first term, when she has completed three, she will be upgraded to Nursery. I am sure Tanu will be happy here. I wish you had brought her. Saturdays are off days. I could have shown her around.”
“She is here.”
“What? Where is she?”
“She is sitting out in the corridor.”
“You left her outside all this while? All by herself? In a new place? What were you thinking?” Naina was already getting up and rushing out. She didn’t wait to see his shocked expression at her visible anger.

Outside the office, Naina looked at the length of the empty corridor to find a little pink form huddled over a chair, not moving. She hurried to the child and knelt in front of her, “Tanu!”

She was gripping a small sketch book in her hand and staring at its colorful cover. She looked fearful as she looked up…and then Naina was rewarded with a tremulous smile. Before she could say anything, two little hands crept around her neck as Tanu slid into her arms, her lips quivering into silent sobs as she buried her face into Naina’s neck.

Naina rubbed her hands up and down her small back, calming her in a soothing voice, “Hush darling! It’s OK. There’s nothing to be scared of. See, I am here. Papa is also here.” She glanced around at the insensitive parent with a disapproving glare. At the reproach in her look, he managed to look sheepish. Shifting his stick from one hand to another, he tried to justify, “Students are not supposed to enter the principal’s office till they are summoned, so I….”

Naina didn’t raise her voice at all, but her tone changed, “Summoned? This is a kindergarten Col Rathore, not a military academy that I’ll summon the students when I deem fit. In this place, they are free to come and go as they please. They follow the rules because they understand why they have to and not because they are ordered to. There’s a thin line between disciplining and insensitivity, which you obviously are not aware of.”
“You don’t have to be personal.”
“Does everything have to be weighed on a personal-impersonal balance with you? This is not about you, but about Tanu.”

Hearing her name Tanu sniffled and raised her head from the comfort of the warmth and fragrance of the nice aunty. Tanu liked this pretty aunty. She liked how when she smiled her eyes twinkled and a small dimple appeared in her chin. One day she will put her finger and feel that dimple. She liked how she made her laugh that night. She was fun. She was warm. When she had woken up, she had gone looking for her, but she was gone. Papa was very upset with aunty when he saw her crying. She didn’t want him to be angry so she didn’t ask about aunty again. But she is here now. And all will be well.

Naina wiped Tanu’s tears and said gently, “Come, I’ll show you your school. Want to play with rabbits?”
Tanu’s eyes grew wide as she forgot how scared she was minutes earlier and spoke, “Rabbits? Real rabbits?”
“Yes sweetheart, real rabbits. Will you wait a moment? I have to speak to another aunty. Oh, there she is.” She stood up and faced a woman about her age, “There you are Nancy. Where were you? I thought you were in your office. Here, meet Col Rathore and his daughter Tanushri. Please help him fill the admission form for playgroup. Colonel, this is Nancy Peters, the vice principal.”

Nancy, who was looking a little harried as she was walking down, beamed a smile, “Good afternoon Sir! Hello Tanushri. Welcome to Happy Hours.” She then turned to Naina, “I am sorry Ma’am. Those toys were delivered and I had to take the men to the playroom for installation. Please come with me, Sir.”

As Raj completed the formalities, Naina took Tanu all around the school, pointing out the playgrounds, the flowerbeds, the classrooms, and then in the end to the mini-zoo that had rabbits, a few varieties of birds, and tortoises. That’s where Raj found them.
***************************************

They were both sitting cross-legged, facing each other, on the lawn. Naina had a rabbit on her lap whom Tanu was petting. He was about to step forward when he saw an old man in dhoti/kurta bring over a small rabbit and hand it to Naina.
“Madamji, this one was born this morning.”
“Thank you Gopalji. Give him to me and take this one.”
“Err, madamji…it’s a girl.”
“Really! Did you hear that Tanu? She came to us on the same day that you did. That makes this little baby yours. Here, hold it.”
Tanu trembled as she held the tiny bundle in her arms, and whispered, “Is she mine? All mine?”
“Yes, she is. Would you like to name her?”
“Name?’ she looked nonplussed and then suddenly noticed her father, “Papa…name?”

Naina looked up and a lump formed in her throat when she gazed at those dark eyes, finding them piercing into her very soul. She shivered…Something desolate washed over his face for a fleeting moment, although he hid it almost the instant she noted. The lump in her throat wouldn’t go away…it stayed. His voice was hoarse as he spoke, “She is like a little ball of fur. How about Furry?

Naina blinked back the moisture as Tanu stared ecstatically at her father and whispered, “Furry.” Naina couldn’t decide whether Tanu’s sunny smile was because she had a name for the rabbit or because it was her father who suggested it. That was the moment inspiration struck. She turned to Tanu, “Sweetie, you play with Furry for awhile. I have something important to talk to your papa.” Tanu nodded without looking up.

Naina got ready to get up and found a large hand extended in front of her. She looked at him…he wore a deadpan expression. She shook her head and declined, getting up herself to walk a few paces away. Turning toward him, she ignored the puzzled look in his eyes and said, “Colonel, Tanu needs to be with other kids as well as with you.”
“With me? Whatever do you mean? She is always with me.”
“No, no…I didn’t meant that. Of course, you are always present physically…now.”
“What do you mean by now?” He scowled.

Naina leveled her gaze at him, “Exactly what I am saying. I am guessing you haven’t been in her life for long…at least not 24x7 as a parent should be. No please…hear me out….” She raised her hand as he started to protest. “I don’t want to know the details. All I want is for you to be an active participant in her life to draw her out of her shell.”
He gritted out his frustration, “Be specific Ma’am. I assume you have a long list of my parental shortcomings.”
“No Colonel. On the contrary, whatever little I have seen, I must say you are a wonderful father. I don’t have to go farther than Tanu’s trustful eyes when she looks at you to know that. It’s just that I sense a communication gap here. You two share a very strong silent vibe. However, one has to converse with children and play with them and answer their never-ending queries. OK…let me put it another way. As a commanding officer of your unit, did you just issue orders and sit back in your room or tent or did you make it a point to interact with your men?”
“The latter.”
“How?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.” Naina crossed her arms and waited.

He thrust his free hand into his trouser pocket and glanced at an absorbed Tanu, who was now softly crooning to Furry, and said, “When we are in posts, it’s a lonely life. It’s the moral duty of a CO to ensure that his jawans will man the posts knowing that his officers stand with them every which way. To do that one has to spend time with them, drink with them, share meals with them, and listen to them speak about their families. Keeping their morale high is most imperative.”
“In other words, be a father-figure to them.” He nodded without realizing and then stood mesmerized as a slow smile spread across her face and she angled her face to one side. He couldn’t take his eyes off the little dimple that formed in her chin.
“Papa, can we take Furry home?” He jerked his head out of the trance and stared at his daughter. His chest tightened at seeing the little face agog with excitement and joy. He hadn’t heard her string together so many words as today. In face he couldn’t remember her speaking in sentences at all…only monosyllables.

He ran the back of her hand down her cheek in a caress and said, “You will have to take permission from your teacher Tanu.”
Tanu looked at Naina, “May I take her home?”
Bending at the knees, she said, “Of course Tanu. I told you she is yours. I know you will take good care of her. Tell you what, I’ll ask Gopal dadu to go and make a little home for Furry in the evening.”
“Will you also come?”
“I….” Naina stopped. She didn’t want to raise Tanu’s hopes. How could she invite herself? She had no idea what the Colonel felt about her talk just now. Given his views regarding women, he might have thought her to be patronizing. He didn’t particularly like her…of that she was sure.

She was saved from answering as he turned toward her and spoke in his most formal manner, “Thank you for Furry. Please come and have dinner with us tonight.” He saw her hesitate and rushed on, “It will make Tanu happy and allow me to make amends for thinking you a maid. And Ma’am, I got your point. For Tanu to come out of her shell, I’ll do anything. I’ll see you in the evening then. Please bring your family also. I’ll look forward to meeting Mr Bhatia.”
“Well, he too wanted to meet you. He has some questions on soldiering and he hopes to get them answered by you.”
“Of course. I’ll be happy to oblige.”
“I have to warn you though. He can get quite persistent and go overboard with his enthusiasm. For instance, he might ask you to give a demo on crawling with a rifle.”
“I beg your pardon!!” He looked positively flabbergasted.
Naina grinned, “Relax Colonel. You don’t have to do that. I am talking of my six-year-old son. He is fascinated with soldiers.”
The corner of his mouth twitched, “Well then. Bring him. If I can face a barrage of bullets, I suppose I can handle a few questions from a child.”
“Famous last words Colonel. Wait till you meet Adi first.” Naina turned as she heard Nancy call out from the window, “Ma’am, there’s a phone call.”
“I’ll be right there Nancy. Please keep it on hold.” She bent and kissed Tanu’s forehead and turned to Raj, “Thank you for the invitation. May I bring my aunt? I would like to tell you who she is, but let’s keep it a surprise.” She smiled and was half way across the lawn when she heard him call her, “What about senior Mr Bhatia?”
She stiffened and turned. He saw the cheerfulness replaced by a dark shadow, “There isn’t one.”
***************************************

Naina stopped the jeep in the portico and turned to her aunt, “You and Adi go ahead, Beeji. I’ll park the jeep and come in a few minutes. I have a call to make.” She turned to her son, “Adi….”
“Uffo mumma…I know. I’ll wish uncle and say hello to princess. I am a big boy. I know my manners. Right beeji?” He jumped down with a small gift packet. There was no way he was going to meet a princess without a gift.
“Absolutely right, Adi. Naina, come soon.”
“I will Beeji. Here, take the kheer.” She passed on the casserole.
“Oops! I nearly forgot. Raj loves my kheer.” She paused, “You really didn’t tell him. He doesn’t know that I am coming.”
“No Beeji. I didn’t. Now go and give your surprise.”
Naina parked the jeep and pressed the buttons on her cell phone.
“Guptaji, are the school uniforms for the orphanage children ready? I hope you remember that their classes begin next week.”
“They are almost ready madamji. I am expecting the final batch of shirts tonight. I’ll get them delivered tomorrow.”
“Right. Thank you. I shall be speaking to you about the uniforms of the staff of both the Homes sometime next week. How is your grandmother now?”
“She has come back home from the hospital and is much better. I can never thank you enough for having her evacuated to Shimla so fast.”
“I didn’t do anything Guptaji. Ranima’s kindness saved the day. She was the one who arranged for her chopper. OK then Guptaji…I’ll drop in tomorrow at the orphanage and take a stock of the uniforms. Goodnight!”

Naina switched off the phone, adjusted her dupatta over the black and red anarkali suit, and reached out for the keys from the ignition. Still preoccupied, she stepped down, and her foot landed on a loose stone. Her sandal heels twisted and she began to topple back. She braced herself for an embarrassing fall when her back encountered a hard chest and an arm crept around her waist, holding her firmly, “Easy Naina. I got you.”
*******************************

To be continued…………..

35 comments:

  1. Another fantastic update Indu. I like that Naina's presence is softening the Colonel just a little bit and he is not seeing as he would normally view women in general. She is intriguing him yet making him realise that Tanu needs a father figure in her life if he expects her to be like any normal child. I'm also glad that he apologised after hearing Naina's explanation as to why she was at the house the day he came with Tanu. Fantastic job as always and can't wait to see what is in store next.

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    1. Hey Saf...Thanks my dear. Naina and the Colonel are both prisoners of their past experiences at the moment. Naina does seem to have found an antidote to whatever happened to her. She remains cheerful and doesn't cling on to negativity. Some of that is rubbing on to Raj, cause his softer side slips through in odd moments, especially when Naina makes him face some truths.

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  2. Aww such a wonderful update Pal :)...I love the convo between Raj and Naina in the latter's office and when the former found Naina and Tanu playing with the rabbit :D

    Hmm the girl rabbit being born the same day that Tanu came to the school was a sure sign that the wee one will get out of her shell with the help of Naina, the rabbit and the school <3...the way that Little one has taken to Naina was just beautiful, she was scared by the moment she heard Naina's voice all she could do was hold her like she was her lifeline.

    Raj and Naina are sure discovering some things about each other at each encounter, Naina came to know that Raj has suffered just by the reflection of pain in his eyes....Raj saw the pain in Naina's eyes when she replied that there isn't any Mr Bhatia but IMO he was very pleased to hear that ;)

    I can't wait for Raj to find out that Beeji is Naina's aunt LOL...I take it that Raj was the one that saved Naina from falling :D

    Excellent job my Dear friend please continue *Hugs*

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    1. Thanks pal...At this point Raj and Naina are dealing with their personal demons in their own way. Naina seeks her salvation in her son, aunt, the school, and her voluntary work, and tries to project a cheerfulness always. On the contrary, Raj is not dealing very well with his own issues. Those have made him angry and bitter.Probably because he may not have had a support system like Naina had.

      So when these two come face to face, they somehow are touching on each other's raw nerves...because of the way they react to each other. For the first time, they have met a person who is sensing the pain that they hide from the rest of the world through their projected personas.

      Loads of hugs back to you pal. Love you hamesha. :)

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    2. Exactly it seems as if Raj completely shut himself down after the painful experience he had, he loves his daughter but he isn't emotionally connecting with her IMO he is just going through the motion.

      I hear they both handled their bad phases differently when they come to know about each other passes they will realize that they aren't that different when it comes to the pain they have suffered at the hands of their partners.

      I just can't wait for that dinner ;)

      Aww blush, blush...Love you too xo

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  3. OMG! What an update Di! I love the way you portrayed Raj's relationship with his daughter! You see past experience and emotional scars lead people to act and react differently to certain situations and you brought out Raj's actions and reactions to both Naina and Tanu, Tanu mostly of course, perfectly! I can picture a man with such physical features reacting that way! *clap* (Miss IF's emoticons :( )

    Update soon and thanks for the PM! :)

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    1. Thanks Mohini.

      You put that beautifully. The experiences make a person, don't they? The people around you mould the way you think after a bad experience. Naina has been able to deal with her problems or trauma because of the positive influence she was cocooned with in the aftermath. However, Raj doesn't seem to have been so fortunate. That's why Naina's demeanor intrigues him. He wants to typecast her in the general mould of the way he perceives a woman, but she is not allowing him that.

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  4. both raj and naina are fantastic humans. love the silent bonding b/n raj and tanu, and also active interaction b/n naina and adi.so raj is going to stay forever and nice improvement in tanu's conversations. please continue soon. - scorpiodreams

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    1. Hye pal...Thanks.

      They are indeed beautiful people. It's just that both carry very heavy past baggages. That has influenced their individual relationships with their kids.

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  5. Wow! Indu you are just brilliant.*claps* I love Raj-Naina's convo at the school. She was right he assumed she was a maid and she went withe it just to be of help.:D

    I know Naina will help tanu come off her shell and begin interacting with others. The wide smile she had wen she found out it was Naina was lovely.

    Hmm Raj must have been betrayed by a woman or so because he does seem to have hatred regarding them.

    Hehe, not just Tanu but Naina seems to know how to handle colonel himself lol..! Waiting to see his reaction after seeing Beeji.

    Loads of *hugs* your way Indu. Am again getting hooked at this story.

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    1. Hey Abie....Thanks for the love and the claps. I can proceed with an idea only because I have friends as you who go out of their way to be supportive.

      Naina has got Raj thinking...that's for sure. She is blowing to smithereens all his sexist views. As for Tanu, it's evident she lacked a mother's attention. That's why she has taken to Naina so much.

      Thaks for the hgs...and big ones back to you. :)

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  6. I have always loved your writing style which makes us reader feel so much for the characters.... love these two characters who seem to have gone through a difficult past especially with their spouses.....the loss of trust is painful and this seems to be what has happened to them!!!
    Am loving the connection Naina has with Tanu and hope to see more of these two interacting!!,

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    1. Aww Bharathi, that's a precious compliment. Thank you so much.

      Yes, a difficult past it was for both of them. Naina is dealing with it by not overtly projecting.She clings to positivity. But Raj is essentially a simple man...he can't disguise his feelings and so shows what he feels.

      Naina deals with children, so she understands Tanu's insecurities, even though she has no idea how Tanu was reared thus far. Being a mother herself, Naina instinctively reacts to Tnu.

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  7. Fantastic update di
    Naina and Raj conversation awesome
    Glad that he apologised naina's talk
    Liked the way naina make him realize that tanu needs him as a father
    Tanu-Naina and rabbit scene cute
    Eagerly waiting for next part
    Continue soon
    thanks for pm :)

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    1. Thanks Radha.

      Naina and Raj began on a wrong foot, yet they sre reacting to each other like they haven't with anyone else....a fact that they themselves do not realize.

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  8. me rosey di
    indu di absolutely fantastic di..............

    this raj was completely a military man who loves discipline and so strict.....but somewhere he is not heartless............

    naina......she is an angel although.......

    the way she made raj realise that tanu needs him was awesome....

    i felt happy for tanu as she got naina as her guide now....

    very very very nice di...........
    and i wonder who was the person prevented naina from falling down...

    waiting for raj-adi interaction di..........

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    1. Hey Rosie.....Thanks luv.

      Raj has been a dedicated soldier. Rules and discipline are elements that are ingrained in him. It's no fault of his that he is trying to bring up Tanu in the only way he knows.

      Naina, on the other hand, has not let her past trauma affect her present relationships. This is what Raj has to learn from her.

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  9. awsome indu..... she is so composed.. she can guess the characters so well... i loved this naina.... just like a lady wants to be... compassionate, caring and loving.... i loved the reaction Tanu gave her by clinging to her when she saw her and the lovely thought of touching her dimple.. so much a telepathy that the pop also thought the same at one point of time.. his admiration when his dolly spoke with no fear and hesitation to him... ohh i would have loved to see a verbal duel one some issue and finally colonel has to bow down.. bring up a situation like that Indu... it would be awsome....

    jana (Janaki) PV forum

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    1. Thanks Janaki.

      Naina has learnt on the battlefield of life and she has not let her bad experiences influence her way of life. Her persona reflects warmth and compassion. Her biggest plus is that she doesn't hold onto her anger for long...unlike Raj. There are bound to be arguments between Raj and Naina to start with, mainly because of the way they perceive individuals.

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  10. Fantastic update Indu
    Naina n Raj convo at school was Awesome
    Naina n Tanu meeting was so cute n Furry ,,wow
    Tanu spoke a sentence and on that Raj ka reaction was great
    waiting for Adi n Raj meeting eagerly ,,m sure its going to b very interesting
    Loving this story too Indu ,,thanx for the pm,,,Rachna

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    1. Thanks Rachna.

      Yes, Naina's very presence makes Tanu more interactive and be the child she is. Though she adores her father, she tries to mould herself in her ways just so he is happy.

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  11. AWESOME part.. loved reading every bit of it.. the inner turmoil in both raj and naina.. and even tanu.. she is so precious.. i loved how naina didnt put up with raj leaving tanu outside and ran to her rescue.. and loved how tanu just leapt in and hugged naina..

    the rabbit scene was very touchy.. and also the last conversation in the office.. between naina and raj.. about tanu nd then getting invited to the palace for dinner.. with naina revealing that ther eis no sr. mr bhatia..

    hmmm i am sure it was raj that saved naina.. or at least i hope.. but im not 100% sure because he said naina.. and not something formal as he usually does with her.. so lets see...

    i am really loving the story.. and i hope you update again soon.. thanks for the pms..

    Ruchi - princess4120

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    1. Thanks Ruchi.

      Naina is inadvertently teaching Raj the softer side of parenting. For a girl so small, presence of a mother is a necessity. A single father like Raj would try to bring upp a child the only way he knows...as he was brought up. Therefore, even though Raj is very gentle with Tanu and understands what she needs, he can't help being who he is.

      At this point there is just a hint of an awakening of curiosity for each other in Naina and Raj....and that too because they rubbed each other the wrong way. And also because in the course of their verbal altercations, they sensed some hidden shadows in each other.

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  12. Beautiful update. Reading your updates take me to a totally different world.

    Love the way Tanu is coming out of her shell with Naina. Though Raj is a great parent, the problem with him is expressing himself. But with Naina he is bound to change. Because the effect of some people is such that they carry you along with their enthusiasm and you don't have a chance against it.
    Very well written. Loved it

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    1. Thanks pal. That's such a nice thing to say.

      A little child needs someone who actively communicates with her. It's obvious that Tanu never had such a person in her life till now. Raj loves her, but clearly he doesn't know his way around children. As you rightly said, some people carry you along with the cheerfulness that thry ooze. Naina and her lil family might be the cause for Raj and Tanu to shed their shells.

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  13. Great update dear! You keep us hanging again, haha! :)

    Am glad that you didn't stretched the story for Raj to find out Naina's identity. The confusion was lessen but there's still more to find out.
    Obviously both are carrying baggage from the past. They just have different ways on handling it.

    I love the conversation of both and the rabbit scene.

    Naina was good in reading one's mind, she can easily define what's lacking to a person.
    Good thing Raj agree to her request for Tanu's improvement and he even apologize for what happened on the other night.

    Raj reactions about the senior Bhatia, looks like there's a curiosity in it. Am sure he sense that there's something hidden behind that beautiful smile. And he was going to find it out.

    Looking forward for the dinner scene.
    Wonder how will Raj react when he saw Beeji with Naina.

    Aww, who's that someone who save her from falling, is it Raj or another character in the making?

    Continue soon Indu dear, am loving it, muaahhs! <3

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    1. Hey Barbie...Sorry for being late in responding to your comment.*Indu holds ears*

      I am so glad you are with me till now and enjoying the journey. That's the idea. You feel what I feel...you enjoy reading what I enjoy writing. You are bang-on character analysis of Raj and Naina. They are intrigued about each other and that raises the curiosity level. :)

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  14. wonderful part...
    actually while reading story I started imaging the scene nd I needed a face of thee character and all I could think of is GC nd KS...dunno y but it happened

    naina is a wonderful person...just her presence makes tanu happy nd interactive ...
    colonel has sad past definitely but it's nice to see that he is so loving with his daughter...

    *again running to read third part*
    btw I doubt if u can read my update when I comment it shows it will visible after approval :s
    I m bit confused as I m totally unaware of this blog world ..

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    1. Thank you Miti.

      The blog commenting is a little different. When you write a comment, it firt appears privately in my comment box. It is displayed publicly after I click on the Publish button. So between your writing and my clicking, a time period might elapse...and so your comment may stay hidden till then.

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    2. thanks for clarification di :)

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  15. Again they started but sort our a bit n yet creating a clash on naina asking why he left early but then thats human nature n so is our curious mind works
    N then the common thing right now which sooths them is tanu how understanding naina is when it comes to children n raj has lot more deep inside as you said naina was able to come out as she did the best is to be with kids around n her supports her mother n son suo but colonel had none n this made tanu more a quiet child
    Then how naina mould her question n let colonel realise what tanu is missing from her father the protection discipline is all their but the warmth is missing in his deadly strict demeanours he created
    Furrry is just a beginning the rest will soon come up
    The pain in his eyes to her words gets stiffen on mr Bhatia n beeji a surprise or will adi question i wonder
    Hayee what a fall n strong arms who hold mesmerizing
    Ps i still cant belie vi am so engross in reading naina n raj tale like aarya

    regards.. riya

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  16. Indu di
    Read from chapter 2 to 7, sorry 
    But I read chapter 2 & 3 since, my apologies it took me this long to comment :’(
    Superb updates indu di <3
    Beautifully written updates
    I love detail comment so will give on each part 
    Chapter 2
    Awesome piece, love every bit.
    Naina’s name is Sunaina oh... That for the S
    Love tanu and naina’s conversation nd the way she slid unto naina’s arms when she saw her,
    Awww!.. tanu POV about this pretty aunty is cute, one day she will feel those dimples lol!
    Oh and the rabbit scene so cute dear
    Furry is the baby rabbit name so sweet, at least Raj participated.
    Love naina’s advice to him regarding tanu and her upbringing. She really needs to be comfortable with him.
    There is no big Bhatia,  but a naughty junior Bhatia Adi.
    Really nice chapter di nd I enjoyed it
    Great job,

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    1. Thanks for the reviews Ria. You are a gem. Love you. :)

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  17. ah to die a thousand deaths carrying old deeds
    loved the update- sorry i'm keeping the comments short because i want to read the next update
    -Rutu

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  18. Thanks a ton. Don't fret...this is enough for me to know your opinion. :)

    I left a detailed response in Prologue for you. Once again, it's great to have you participate in this blog.

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