Her Smile!

"Please, Sir! Please! It's for someone special who is going to come into my life. She loves this a lot. Tomorrow is her birthday and I want to gift this. Two days

ago, I couldn't take this as I ran short of money. Now, I am ready to pay double the price if you let go of this. I am sorry to ask the one which you had purchased and already billed it but your sacrifice will give a reason to my loved one to smile happily" requested Abhi with glistening eyes.

"I can feel your emotion and bond with your loved one. Take this and you need not pay me a single penny. It's my pleasure to let go of this for your loved one" the stranger said handing the billed object to him.

The shopkeeper smiled happily seeing the stranger's good behaviour. The stranger tapped on his shoulder and said "Wish your loved one A Very Happy Birthday on my behalf. May God bless with long life and bundle of joy!" 

Abhi gave a closed-lip smile and nodded affirmatively. The shopkeeper too thanked the stranger for doing a favour to Abhi.

"Please accept my apologies, Sir! It was my grave mistake. I didn't know that you were serious about this thing. I thought you were doing window shopping. When you said you will come back and buy this, I thought you told casually to please the one who came with you" said the shopkeeper's assistant feeling bad for the mistake he committed.

"Next time don't repeat this mistake. When a customer tells to keep such a thing aside, please do so. We must know not only to run a business but also to get connected to customers' emotions" said the shopkeeper and reprimanded his assistant for his negligence. 

"It's okay, sir. Not his mistake too. I will make sure to carry my credit card next time. Be ready to pack more gifts for us as my loved one will start living with us" Abhi tried to ease the tension between the shopkeeper and his assistant.

"Sure, Sir. It's our pleasure" assistant smiled.

"Thank you," said Abhi holding the gift-wrapped object and he rushed home. That night he decorated the room with balloons, decorative papers and colourful ribbons. 

The next morning...

"She is here! Abhi! She came" shouted Sania in excitement. Sania was overwhelmed to see the five years old girl Anika getting down from the auto along with a middle-aged woman. Her pink frill frock gave her a cute appearance. Her hair was tied in two braided ponytails. Holding Anika's little soft and gentle hand into hers, caretaker Jaya also held her bag in another hand and walked.

Abhi came out of the entrance gate and readily offered a helping hand to hold her bag. Jaya smiled and gave him the bag. Anika sneakily looked at him and bent her head low.

"Welcome to your home, Anika! Please come inside dear!" Sania smiled, yearning to see her smiling face and listen to her voice.

Anika simply nodded and stepped into the living room after getting a green signal to enter inside from her caretaker. Jaya handed over a copy of the adoption documents and after briefly explaining Anika's background, she was about to leave waving a hand at Anika. Tears started rolling down Anika's cheeks. She stood up and hugged Jaya from behind. Jaya somehow convinced her to stay for two days and if still, she didn't like it, she promised to take her back. Even Abhi and Sania too promised her the same.

"Dear! If you don't like to stay here even after spending ample time with us, then I will personally drop you back at Shardhaniketan home" Sania assured by patting her back.

Anika nodded and sat in the chair. She kept sobbing and felt depressed. Sania and Abhi tried very hard to change her mindset but failed miserably. 

Since they knew her likes and dislikes, they tried to feed her ice cream, chocolate, etc but she shook her head in disagreement. Time passed and the couple felt low. They felt like she doesn't like them while the little one felt insecure. 

Lastly, Abhi tried implementing an idea. He brought the balloons. He started blowing the air in the balloons and started decorating the living room. The girl was curious to know what they were up to. She started observing them keenly.

After seeing the colour papers, ribbons and decorative items, she couldn't stop her eagerness. Pulling Abhi's hand gently, she asked "Sir! Why are you decorating?"

Tears ran down Sania's cheeks as she empathised with Anika's plight.

"Dear! I want to make you feel special as you gave us a reason to smile. I can't see you feeling low or crying. Can you smile for us once?" Abhi asked, kneeling on his feet.

She averted her gaze and slowly started exploring the house. She entered her room and was surprised to see a cake and gift on the table.

"Is it for me?" she asked as the couple were trailing behind her.

"Yes, dear! We were not there in your life earlier to celebrate your birthdays. So we wanted to celebrate your birthday today as you took birth by entering our life and promoted us to become your parents. You can call us mother and father. I mean! If you don't have any problem now or else we can wait" Abhi said in a submissive way.

"Okay, father! Can I cut the cake?" she asked eagerly, eyeing the new designer cake. Abhi was over the moon listening to her child's call.

Sania felt like caressing her hair, hugging her tightly and showering kisses on her but resisted her strong urges not to flinch the little girl. Anika somehow understood her hesitation. She walked close to Sania. Holding her hand, "Mother! Will you help me to cut the cake? I saw on the tv that both parents will hold their kid's hand and help him/her cut the cake" said Anika, blinking her eyes innocently.

Sania broke down into tears, hugging her tightly and uttering "Yes, dear" Abhi gently pressed Sania's shoulder signalling her not to get emotional and make it hard for Anika. Wiping her tears, Sania smiled and walked along with her daughter Anika close to the table. All three held hands together and had cut the cake. Abhi and Sania sang the "Happy Birthday" song with a high level of enthusiasm. Abhi and Sania asked her to unwrap her birthday gift. Anika unwrapped it and saw the huge pink teddy bear with a bow tie emerging out from it. She smiled with twinkling eyes. Her parents' heart skipped a beat. Her smile made their day and made them forget all the pain and sufferings they went through till that very moment. That moment they thought, "Her smile was worth kick starting the life journey again with pleasure and joy"

It was a year ago when Sania was diagnosed with major pregnancy complications. The doctor said she can never become pregnant. She went into depression for six months. That is when Abhi decided to adopt a child especially a girl child to give his wife and the adopted child a new happy life. They have been to the Shardhaniketan orphanage in this process. As soon as Sania and Abhi saw Anika, they felt a strong connection. Abhi and Sania took her for a walk and that is when they saw her inclination towards the teddy bear in the shop. Abhi spent all the money to adopt her and ran out of cash that day. So he asked the assistant to keep it aside and promised him that he will return for sure. He wanted to surprise Anika and also to prove to her that her adopted parents shall take care of her like her biological parents. Now she is there with them, he wanted to show her that they love her unconditionally and accept her for what she is and what she will be without judging her.

Finally, the baby steps which they took towards Anika turned fruitful. She slowly got along with them and wholeheartedly accepted them as her parents. After a few years, she didn't feel like she was adopted under their umbrella of affection, love and care.

************

The End.