Author's POV:-

"Ab aapki tabiyat kaise hai? Pehle jaise pain hota hai kya?" the young man in a white coat asked gently as he made his evening round, checking on his patients.

The elderly patient smiled warmly and shook his head, "Nahi doctor, ab bilkul bhi pain nahi hota... thank you beta..."

He was about to fold his hands in gratitude, but the doctor quickly held them, stopping him.

"Yeh kya kar rahe hain aap? Humari toh duty hai yeh sab karna... aap aise haath mat jodiye mere samne," he said firmly, yet with a kind smile.

"Aapke wajah se hi toh main aaj theek ho gaya..." the old man replied, his eyes glistening with tears of joy.

The doctor shook his head lightly, "Hum toh bas apna farz nibha rahe hain... baaki sab uparwala karta hai."

"Chaliye ab aur baatein nahi... aap rest lijiye. Nurse time pe aapko medicine de degi, aur kal aapka discharge bhi ho jayega," he added, adjusting the blanket around the patient.

The elderly man raised a shaky hand and placed it lovingly on the doctor's head, "Bhagwan aapka bhala kare beta..."

After making sure all his patients were ok, he then went to his cabin. He watched at the clock and sighed.  9.30pm.

After making sure all his patients were okay, he finally headed to his cabin. Glancing at the wall clock, he let out a soft sigh — 9:30 PM.

He had promised his daughter that he would come home early today. But once again, duty got in the way.

Being a doctor was never easy.

Without wasting another moment, he quickly dialed the number of his housemaid.

"Vimla aunty, kya Shona ne dinner kar liya?"

"Nahi bhaiya... woh aapke aane ka intezaar kar rahi hai... bol rahi hai ki 'Papa ayenge tabhi dinner karungi’."

A small smile crept onto his tired face.

"Achha thik hai, main bas nikal hi raha hoon... aap khana garam karke apne ghar chali jaiye."

"Ji bhaiya..." came the warm reply, and he cut the call.

Removing his white coat and stethoscope, he began to pack his belongings when a knock came at the door.

"Yes, come in," he said.

"Dhruv sir?" the nurse peeked in.

"Haan Meeta, main tumhe hi bulane jaa raha tha... bas kehna tha ki yeh file meri locker mein rakh dena aur locker ki key,Dr. Abhay ko de dena, okay?"

She nodded, then added, "Sir, woh Abhay sir ne aapke liye yeh tiffin box diya hai... unki wife ne aapki beti ke liye kuch banayi hai."

Dhruv chuckled softly, shaking his head as he took the box.

He already knew what was inside—his daughter's favorite vanilla muffins.

Nobody could ever ignore his little girl's demands. Not even Dr. Abhay’s sweet, ever-caring wife.

"Abhay kaha hai? Cabin mein toh nahi mila mujhe."

"No sir, he has gone to the cath lab for an emergency OT."

He nodded in understanding and then leave the hospital.

On the other hand, in a room, a cute little girl in a bright red frock sits cross-legged on the sofa, her tiny hands busy decorating every file on the table with her favourite Barbie and cindrella stickers.

Her eyes sparkle with mischief and pride as she carefully places each sticker, completely unaware of the chaos she’s creating in her father’s neatly arranged workspace. With a soft giggle, she admires her “artwork,” convinced she’s done something truly wonderful.

All she’s waiting for now is her father's return—just to see the surprise in his eyes when she proudly shows him the masterpiece she’s made for him.

Dhruv opened the door with the extra keys. He looked around to see one tiny creature is facing her back busy doing some work.

"Shona???" he called out gently, his voice echoing with warmth and longing.

At once, she turned her face toward him, and a radiant smile lit up her little face the moment she saw her papa after so long.

She immediately climbed down from the sofa, clutching her sticker book tightly in one hand.

"Dhire Shona, lag jayegi aapko," he said with concern, seeing her dash towards him like a little bullet train.

He chuckled as she wrapped her tiny arms around both his legs, hugging him with all the love her small heart could hold. Bending down, he scooped her up into his arms, holding her close.

"Kya kar rahe ho aap, Shona? Aise chup chap hoke?" he asked with a teasing smile.

She giggled mischievously and tugged his hand, pulling him toward the sofa.

As they reached, his eyes widened in disbelief at the sight before him. The files he had kept neatly on the coffee table now looked like they belonged in a Barbie world—covered with stickers, glitter, and pink doodles.

"Pasand aaye aapko, papa? Hain na beautiful??" she asked, her eyes shining with anticipation and pride.

"Aapne yeh kya kiya, Shona? Yeh toh mere hospital ke files hain…" he said, trying to sound serious but failing to hide his amusement.

"Haan! Woh black black bilkul eww lag rahe the. Isliye pura Barbie kar diya—pinky pinky!" she said, clapping her hands with pure joy.

He couldn’t help but laugh at her excitement. Pink wasn’t just her favourite colour—it was her world. From her clothes to toys, everything had to be pink. That’s why he had even painted his room in soft shades of pink, just the way his little princess liked it.

"Acha, tum ab yaha baitho. Main jaldi se fresh hokar aata hoon. Phir milkar dinner karenge, okay?" he said, gently placing her down.

She nodded happily and plopped back onto the sofa, watching him with sparkling eyes.

After freshening up, he returned to feed her first, carefully making sure she finished her meal. Then he sat beside her, eating his own dinner while watching Chhota Bheem, her favourite cartoon, playing on the TV.

'Chalo sone chalte hain , it's already late beta..' he said switching off the tv making her whine..

'Papa !!' she cries dramatically.

She pouts as he took her into the bedroom. He started changing into her night clothes. She stared at him and her eyes then falls on one white hair in his head. She with little hands pluck it in one force making him slightly yelp.

He glares at her when she giggles showing him that single hair..

He then lay down on the bed beside her, gently patting her tiny belly as he hummed a soft lullaby. Within moments, she drifted off to sleep, her tiny thumb clutching the fabric of his shirt like it was her whole world.

Carefully, he freed her delicate hand from his, placing a tender kiss on her tiny palm, followed by another on her forehead—a kiss that lingered just a second longer, as if sealing a silent promise.

His eyes remained fixed on her innocent face. So calm. So peaceful. But he knew all too well—once she woke up, she would turn into his little jungli billi, full of life and endless blabbering. His days began and ended with her voice, her laughter, her mischief.

He let out a shaky breath, his gaze hardening as he whispered to the one person whose very memory he despised with every beat of his heart.

"Apni iss masoom si beti ko chhod kar jaane mein... zara sa bhi dil nahi kaapa tumhari, huh?"

His voice cracked under the weight of the pain he'd kept buried for too long.

"Meri baat toh chor hi doh... par apne bache ke baare mein ek baar bhi nahi socha?

Kabhi socha tumhari beti kaise jiyegi... apni mumma ke bina? Dil hain yah pathar ??"

Tears welled in his eyes, blurring his vision until they spilled over, silently sliding down his cheeks.

"Nafrat hoti hai... tumhare baare mein sochne mein bhi..."

He looked down at his daughter again, pulling her gently into his arms. As if sensing his unrest, she nuzzled closer, burying her face into the crook of his neck. A soft, content sigh escaped her lips—and in that one sound, he found his whole world.

"Koi nahi..." he whispered, pressing his lips to her curly hair, "Meri beti tumhare bina jeena seekh legi... main hoon na."

His voice trembled, but his arms held steady—strong, protective, and full of unwavering love.

"Main hi uska papa hoon... aur main hi uski mumma. Usse kisi aur ki zarurat nahi hai."

He closed his eyes, letting the thick, warm tears trace silent paths down his cheeks as he held his entire world close to his chest.

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