“Are you sure about this?”
“Very sure.”
“A child is difficult without a wife.”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“Drop it. Are you coming with me or not?”
“Are you a fool? What kind of an idiot asks that?”
“You are coming.”
“Of course I am.”
This was the conversation between Khushbu and Jay. Jay, an author of about 30 years of age and Khushbu who was a doctor was four years younger.
They had met 18 years back in school. First three years, entire school used to tell their tales. Nearly every mouth mentioned their names together daily. Even the teachers were fed up of this duo. And the reason behind their constant popularity wasn’t their friendship.
Their fights were gruesome.
Both of them, Jay and Khushbu used to fight daily. Any normal matter, any small talk would lead to fights. And the fights were genuinely gruesome. Once a month, Jay was seen dragging Khushbu on the rough ground holding her hair in a fist. And Khushbu was no different. She would return the favor every time he did that. Jay had equally long hair then.
But that was for three years.
Nobody knew what changed it, but they became inseparable. Every year Khushbu, who had no brothers of her own, used to tie a rakhi on Jay’s wrist. Jay loved her more than her own sister.
Even after school was over and both of them had chosen different fields to work upon, there was not a single day when they won’t meet.
And this was not it.
At the age of 25, Jay was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. And within a month of the diagnosis he was abandoned by his own family. The only one standing behind his back was Khushbu. She had been there for him, fought alongside.
Yes, they had fought the cancer together. And Jay had healed.
The conversation was because Jay had told Khushbu about his decision.
Jay wanted to adopt a child. A girl child. He was unmarried, but was sure that he would raise the child. And Khushbu knew that he would.
The next day Khushbu and Jay were supposed to be in the orphanage for an entire day. The warden had told him to observe the girls for a day and then make a decision.
They were there early in the morning and the whole day they did what they were instructed to.
All the girls were wonderful. Kind and humble. But a girl of around four years caught their attention. Almost entire day she was found playing alone. She would answer anyone who would approach her very politely but it seemed she was avoiding company.
But this was not what they were attracted to. When the food was being served to the girls Jay saw that she had deliberately left the last piece of sweet so that the girl behind her could have it. Surely, the next girl took the sweet.
“It is my favorite!” she had exclaimed when she saw it.
And that girl simply smiled and walked away with her plate in her hands.
Inside the warden’s office later in the evening, Jay confirmed which girl he wanted to adopt. Khushbu holding his hand all the time. She was tearful. She knew this was Jay’s entire life.
“What is her name?” Khushbu asked the warden after all the formalities were finished.
“Well, I was waiting for this question to come.”
“Why?” Jay asked.
“She has no name. We had named her but she refused to take it. She said her dad will name her.”
Jay and Khushbu had nothing to say to this. They were mesmerized.
“Tell her she has a date with her father tomorrow.” Khushbu smiled and told the warden.
“I will.” The warden replied and the two left the office.
“You are really lucky Jay.” Khushbu said once they were outside.
“Wait. I forgot something inside.” Jay said and went in once again.
Alone with the warden now, Jay was talking in hushed voice.
“Inform her that her dad will come tomorrow. And tell her I have a name for her.” He said scribbling something on a piece of paper which he handed to the warden.
“Tell her that this is her name and tomorrow onwards she will be addressed by this name. The first person to call her by this name will be me.”
“Sure sir. I will tell her.” The warden said with a broad smile.
“What was it?”
“Nothing, just the keys.”
The next day Jay dressed up in his best suit. He wanted to look good on his first date with her daughter. Khushbu helped him with everything, again.
They reached and the anxiety on Jay’s face was clearly visible. They stepped off the car and went straight to the warden’s office.
Jay had a bouquet of red roses in his hands along with a box of chocolates while Khushbu stood holding his hands.
The warden showed them to the lawns where a table was setup and the girl standing facing the other side.
“Does she Know?” Khushbu asked the warden.
“That her father is coming? Yes she does. Call her by her name and she will turn.”
“But you told she had no name.”
Jay was not listening to this conversation any longer. He was heading straight towards the girl. Ten feet from her he stopped. Within a few seconds Khushbu caught up.
“She has no name, has she?” Khushbu whispered.
“Khushbu.” Jay spoke loudly and the girl turned.
Both his sister and his daughter were looking straight towards Jay, tears brimming from both of their eyes.
“She had to be named Khushbu.” Jay said in a small voice as if assuring himself.for years Khushbu had been his younger sister, his elder sister and his mother even. Now Khushbu was his daughter as well.
Both, his sister and his daughter came closer to him, hugged him and cried.