FUEL FOR LIVING - PART 4‏

They reached home in some time. Anand had bought some eatables for Sindhuja which she happily nibbled while roaming around the house. After playing hide and seek with her for a while, Anand put on some cartoon videos for Sindhuja and went into his study for a puff.
As he was half way through it, Sindhuja appeared on the door and said in a stern voice “Mate, that thing is supposed to be bad for health!” She walked towards him.
“Do you do it often?” she asked pointing at the cigarette he held between his fingers.

“Hey no Sindhu, I do it just once in a while….to keep my mind calm….and worriless” said Anand putting off the cigarette.

“How can that keep your mind worriless?” She asked puzzled.

“Aheemmm...Well…I don’t think of anything else when am smoking.” replied Anand hesitantly.

“Hah! You are just another man trying to justify a wrong do!” said Sindhuja folding her hands across her chest. When Anand came near and lifted her up into his arms, she continued “I don’t think you should do something that is harmful to your health. It will hurt the people who love you, and I think that I love you. So try not doing it buddy!” said Sindhuja to him with a smile.

Nothing else could have made more sense to Anand and he replied “I…..I love you too baby! I am not going to do it from now on.”

“Thanks mate. Now coming to the cartoon part, I have seen Tin Tin so many times that I am bored of it! Can we watch something else?!” asked Sindhuja.

Carrying her to the hall, Anand replied “Sure, let me think of a nice movie for us to watch. In the mean while, tell me when your birthday is?”

“It’s on May 7th. And yours?” queried Sindhuja.

“I was born on 18th June. I just remembered a movie Game Plan. It will be nice for us to watch” said Anand as he sat on the couch with Sindhuja on his lap and reached for his laptop. The movie was about a 5yrs old daughter showing up at her father’s door who has no idea that he has a daughter. In the course of time, they both develop a very strong bond with each other.

Anand and Sindhuja watched the movie munching popcorn and drinking orange juice.

After the movie was over, “It was a nice movie. I miss daddy after seeing it.” said Sindhuja in a low voice.

It was then that Anand realized his mistake of selecting the wrong movie. “Oh baby, He hasn’t left you. He is always around you to take care of you and to make sure you are happy. He will be hurt if you are sad!” said Anand trying to cheer her up.

“I know. Mom tells the same thing.”

Hoping to divert Sindhu’s attention, Anand said “Now for the fun part we will play a game that I used to play during my school days.” and he made Sindhuja sit on the couch facing him.

“Wow! Ok! I am ready.” said Sindhuja excited.

“Ok, I am going to say two things at a time and you tell me which you like better, ok? And if you are not able to make a choice, you loose!” asked Anand.

“This seems very simple! Start!” said Sindhu and clasped her hands together.

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“Superman or Spiderman?”
“Superman!”

“Mickey Mouse or Donald duck?”
“Donald Duck”

“Tweety or Garfield?”
“Mmm…Tweety!”

“Chocolate or Ice cream?”
“Emm….Ice cream!”

“Video games or outdoor games?”
“Both!”
“No no, you got to choose one!”
“Alright then, outdoor games.”

“India or UK?”
“Hah! Where ever mom is”
“That was smart!”
“Hehe I know! Can I now ask you the same sort of questions?”
“Sure!”

----

“Day or Night?”
“Mmmm Day!”

“Office or home?”
“Now, home!”

“Watching movie on laptop or in theatre?”
“Emmm theatre”

“Snow or rain?”
“Rain!”

“Cricket or football?”
“Football!”

“Mom or me?!”
“Hah! Both!”
“Only one, Please!”
“Ah.. Come on! Both of you are my friends!”
“You loose, then!”
“Yes, I do!”

“What do I get now?” asked Sindhuja energized.
“The one who lost, makes the one who won, laugh!” replied Anand.
“Oh yeah? Make me laugh then!”

Anand started tickling Sindhuja; she wriggled on the sofa noisily laughing and fought to catch her breath. Anand kept his hands soft on her and careful enough not to make her laugh too much. Sindhuja got down from the couch and started running away; Anand ran behind her. In just one long stride he caught her and lifted her up in the air which made her shake her head and sway her arms. She reached for his neck and started tickling him. Anand sat on the floor with Sindhu running her tiny hands over his neck and tickling him. Anand lay on the floor with Sindhuja sitting on his tummy and tickling him on his hips. He enjoyed the softness of her hands and her enthusiastic laughter which filled the house. Anand lifted his hands and said “Alright, you win this time too! Truce Truce!”

Sindhu laughed louder and rested her body over his. Anand started running his hands through her silky hair. It was almost an hour after when Anand’s cell phone vibrated under him. He slowly shifted his body trying not to wake up Sindhuja and answered the call.

“Hello Anand! My work will be done in another ten minutes. Are you sure you want to come and pick me up? I can manage!”

“I’ll be waiting at the parking area. See you” whispered Anand and disconnected the call.

He looked at Sindhuja sleeping on his chest. Her hair was clumsy, lips were slightly curved and eyes half closed. Her hands hung by the side of his body touching the floor, while her feet were firmly positioned on his thighs. He could have lain like that for hours together, he thought to himself. He slowly lifted Sindhuja and managed to get up from the floor, and placed her head on his shoulders. It was the most peaceful sleep he had had in years.

He put on his coat and with difficulty managed to make Sindhuja wear her coat, strapped her to the car’s seat and started to Vidya’s office.

To be Continued.................