The Destiny Call - VI ( The Reunion)

Recap:

While we were sitting in my friend's office, I was having a conversation with my friend, Radhika was still lost in her thoughts

Our conversation got interrupted when his assistant came and said, "Sir, sorry to disturb you, but I found this baby in this basket outside the door. What needs to be done. It's a baby girl.

Radhika's thoughts got interrupted by the baby's crying, immediately she stood up and asked the assistant "Can I hold her for a second?

As she held the baby in her arms there were tears in her eyes, she looked at me and though she didn't say anything, I nodded "Yes".

And that's how "Meetali" entered our lives and changed them forever. She was our bundle of happiness and with that, I got my old Radhika back.

Swati and Naina both were in tears and they asked Krishnaswamy, What happened next?

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Krishnaswamy then further continued, Meetali was a gift in our life, her presence brought all the happiness that we were seeking.

She was our bundle of joy, and the moment we got introduced to her, I got my Radhika back.

We checked with my friend and told him, we wish to adopt Meetali and did all the adoption formalities completed that moment itself.

We brought her home that day and Radhika named her "Meetali".Radhika was elated to have her in life and life was again beautiful and back on track for us.

She was so beautiful and full of life, that we didn't realise when she started growing up.

We were aware that one day, Meetali would come to know that she is adopted, so we decided to tell her, instead she comes to know this from someone else.

When she turned 10 years old, we told her about her being adopted. We expected that it would be difficult for her to accept that, but the way she handled this news we were just amazed, in fact, it was the day I realised she is more mature than her age.

Being our only child, though we pampered her with anything and everything we could do, yet there was something different about her.

She was always happy with what she had and seeing her content gave me immense happiness.

It so happened one day, while I was practising for my dance show at home, she came to my room and quietly sat there watching me perform. A part of me wanted her to come and join me and try the steps, but I didn't want to force her and instead, I let her enjoy watching me. She sat thoroughly through my performance and watched my performance.

 After the performance ended she applauded me and said the golden words, "Dad, this amazing. Can you teach me how to dance? I want to become a dancer like you when I grow up? Do you think, I can do that?

I was more than elated to hear these words, hugged her and said, "Yes, of course, Meetali. I'll teach you the traditional dance. And you'll become a better dancer than me.

So Meetali's dance journey started from there and the way she danced it looked as if she was made for dance.

Within a short span of time, she picked up the steps so beautifully, she seemed a natural dancer to me.

She started accompanying me to the dance shows and even before I realised she started doing solo shows.

For her dance was not only a profession, but it was also a way of living life

Radhika used to often tease me that I encouraged her to be a dancer, else she would have been a doctor. Radhika was happy seeing Meetali embarking on this beautiful journey and inspite of her hectic schedule, she always ensured to attend her dance shows.

She won so many awards, but more than that she earned the respect and love of the audience. I remember the 1st cheque she got for winning a dance show she came to me and said, "Dad, I was fortunate and blessed that you and Mom adopted me, but not every orphan is blessed. So if you permit me, I would like to contribute my prize money to the orphanage so that I can bring a difference to someone's life.

I know to start with it's a small amount, but going forward would like to contribute more and more I could.

I was surprised to see her thought process, that too at such an early stage. I was touched by her thoughts and asked if she would donate the money to the orphanage, then she'll not have much left to her. She smiled and said, Dad, I have more than enough that I need, and besides it would mean a lot to me if I could do something for others.

"Meetali, I am proud to be your father", it's all I could tell her at that moment.

That was my Meetali, not only a great dancer but a great human being. Not only did she provided financial support to the orphanage, but when she was free, she used to often visit that place and spend time with the kids.

The kids there also got so attached to her, they eagerly waited for her visit.

Not only this on one of my birthdays, but she also gave me the best gift I could ask for.

I remember that morning very vividly. It was 7 o'clock in the morning. The bell rang twice, I got up to open the door. I was almost half asleep while I got up to open the door, but seeing the visitor woke me up properly.

I rubbed my eyes twice to confirm, what I was seeing was right.

The visitor was none other than my "Father". Yes, my estranged father, whom I have not seen in ages or spoken to was standing at my doorstep.

He looked old and tired. He had tears in his eyes, as he said, Happy birthday Son. How are you? 

I was speechless seeing him, not in my wildest dream, I had imagined seeing him at my doorstep. I quickly bend down to touch his feet and get his blessings.

He gave me his blessings and hugged me. It was ages that my father hugged me.

As he settled down, he told me, how Meetali wrote her the letter and invited him to come and meet me. Not only this she told him, how I lost my first kid and how we found Meetali.

She asked my father to come and visit me. I don't know how she convinced him to come and meet me, but yes that was a miracle.

My father said, Son, I am extremely sorry for what I did. You just wanted to fulfil your dream and I punished you for that. I am really a bad father, that didn't see through my son's dreams. I know without fail every single day you called, the more I tried to attend your call, my ego stopped me from doing it.

Son, after your mother sudden death, it left me devasted and I guess I channelled all my anger, frustration through you.

It really took me a lot of time to realise not only I lost my wife, but I lost my son too.

I know what you and Radhika went through, and when I should be there to support you both, I was away from you.

Son, Can you forgive me and let me part of your life? Your daughter Meetali is a god's child, she is no less than an angel. At such an early age, she has so much maturity, so much love and warmth for everyone. Her letters were so heart touching, it really made me realise my mistake and what I was missing in my life.

She is really a smart girl, I don't know how she managed to find my address. Here, these are the letters she posted to me. You can see it by yourself.

I saw the letters Meetali had written to my father, I was speechless, how can my little girl have such a thought process.

With tears in my eyes, I said, "Father, You are here now, that is more than enough for me. Let's not dig in the past, when we can enjoy the present.

Meetali entered the room along with Radhika and straight went to my father and said, "Dadajii, I am so happy you are here on Dad's birthday. She looked at me and said,' Happy Birthday Dad. Did you like the surprise gift?

I hugged her and said, Thank you beta. This is the best birthday gift I could ask for. 

She did the impossible, my father was back in my life, he started living with us, we were one perfect small family.

But little did we know things were about to take a big turn and the events would turn our lives upside down.

Swati got up and said, I am really glad to know about Meetali, no wonder she is a gem of a person, but Uncle what I don't understand is where is she right now. And what's the connection between the dreams I had?

I am still clueless as to how you found me and what do all those dreams mean?

He said, Swati I know I still haven't answered your queries, the answers to your queries revolve around the life of Meetali.

You told me about your dream, where you saw Meetali and myself in a dance competition. That was the last competition Meetali ever participated in.

Swati and Naina were shocked and said, What does it mean, last competition participated in? Where is she now?

Krishnaswamy started crying and said Meetali is no more in this world......

To be continued........