Entwined

Chapter 11

Sanvika stood in front of her family house that evening, looking up at it. The place she grew up in. She was not sure what she was doing there. That too immediately after the encounter with her mother. But her ma had asked her to drop by. Also, Sanvika was feeling pretty low after what happened with Vivaan. Somehow she ended up here...

She was about to declare this as a terrible idea and was about to return when a luxurious car came to stop in front of her. The window was rolled down, and her father beamed at her from inside. "Sonu..." He called.

Unlike his wife, Mukesh Singhania was a very affectionate person. He always addressed his daughters with pet names. Prathyuksha was 'Paddu' and Sanvika was 'Sonu'. Whereas Nirmala always called them with their full names even when they were kids. The mother was the strict one in the house. Their father liked to spoil his princess daughters. His excess love and affection always helped them escape their mother's rage. And he always showered them with gifts. Whatever they want, he will buy it for them - even before they even ask for it.

"Papa," Sanvika stopped seeing her father.

Mukesh got out of the car. He suddenly had tears in his eyes. He could never digest the fact that his daughter left him. He missed her a lot. He had tried to contact her, but she had changed her phone number. "You are here." He said in happiness. "You are back..."

Sanvika shifted from one leg to another. "I am not back. I just... was in town. Ma said you want to see me. So..."

Mukesh was unsettled by this. "You did not want to see me?"

Sanvika honestly could not look at her father and say she did not want to see him. She wanted to see him. She wanted to see her mother as well. Prathyuksha too, even when they were not that close as sisters.

"I missed you," Sanvika said, in a soft voice, unable to meet eyes with her father.

"I missed you to death, Sonu... Why are you doing this to your poor father?" He hugged Sanvika. She put her hands around her father and could not stop a tear that rolled down her cheek.

"Come on in... Come in..." Mukesh told, leaving the hug.

" Papa...." Sanvika hesitated, looking troubled. "I need to leave."

"Oh, you are not going to go anywhere. I will not let you go anywhere anymore. You belong in this house."

"No, I don't. And this is why I did not want to keep in contact or come visit you. I don't want to be here. And I have a life in Goa, a business that I am responsible for."

"Yes... Yes. I saw photos of the place. I have to say I am very proud of my daughter. To be able to run a place all by herself." Sanvika blushed. It did mean a lot to her that her father was proud of her. "After all, you are Mukesh Singhania's daughter," Mukesh continued. "Bussiness is in your blood." Sanvika smiled.

"Come on in any way." Her father insisted. "You can't come to the gate of your house and leave. Come in... Stay a night. You can stay a few days." Sanvika shook her head. Mukesh saw the look in her eyes and his hope fell. "Hm... at least come have dinner, beta." He requested. Seeing her father's pleading eyes, Sanvika could not refuse. She nodded.

They walked in chatting.

Inside there was everyone in the family. Ma, Prathyuksha and even Prathyuksha's husband Tarun. There was a baby in Tarun's hand. And a toddler ran around the living room. Sanvika had no idea that she had become an aunt in the time she was away. She looked at Prathyuksha in surprise.

"What did you expect?" Prathyuksha asked her, "You have been gone for almost four years." She introduced Tarun to Sanvika. Also, Sanvika met her niece and baby nephew for the first time. Advika and Avyan.