Kindle to Rekindle

6. The Showdown

Each day, I wish to be the happy cloud of my parents sky.

All eyes were on Amber for the statement he made. Nimrit fisted her palm to control her anger. She loved her father and respected his choices, but he could be a little polite was all she wished.

"Amber, Nivedya is a very good boy, and I personally guarantee his conduct. The administration sees this performance as a highlight and hence they want to renovate and beautify the skating rink. It will take time and the kids need to prepare so we decided to use the option at Nivedya's house. It's only a matter of two weeks, max." Shakti tried to persuade Amber.

Amber laid a condition, "My wife will accompany my daughter to this boy's house. I cannot allow her to go alone."

"Uh... One second Amber, you know my bank hours are till five in the evening. I can't go with Nimrit every day. If Shakti, is guaranteeing the boy we should trust her." Nimrit's mother, Reet gave her opinion.

"I- I... will go with her then. I can't let her go alone." Amber was adamant.

Nivedya whisper questioned Nimrit, "What's the problem with your father? Have you done something so bad that he doesn't trust you?"

Nimrit sided with her father subsiding her anger and replied, "He is just concerned like any father of a girl would be. What do mean by saying "you have done something" ?"

"Nevermind," Nivedya answered with gritted teeth.

Nandini empathised with Amber and tried to show him a broader picture, "Mr Khanna, I understand why you are so worried. I run an NGO for women who are oppressed and exploited by society. I see several cases every day that no parent would ever want their daughter to face. I understand that you are just being cautious. I may not have a daughter of my own but all those in the NGO are like my family and I fight against all those things that as a father might scare you. I assure you, your daughter will be safer in our house than in her own home. You are most welcome to accompany her, but I guess kids should be given a little freedom and space. How else will they learn if we spoon-feed them every time?"

Nivedya could curtail no longer and spoke out of his turn, "Ask Nimrit what she wants. This debate is a waste if she doesn't want to come to our place."
Nimrit looked like a scared goat. She has never gone against her father's decision and if he didn't want her to go, she wouldn't.

Amber glared at Nivedya and remarked, "Don't feed my daughter with your rebellious ideas. We are a family and respect each other's choices. Mrs Singh, we are new in Swarnbhoomi and don't know many people here. Shakti, is my best friend and therefore Nimrit is in this school. I trust her with my daughter. I am putting a hell of a lot of trust in you, in sending her to your house. Please, please take care of her. She is my life." Amber looked directly into Nandini's eyes making her feel the emotion of his words.

"You have my word, Mr Khanna. Besides, I am sure Nivi will learn a lot from the skating champ." Nandini's comment made Nivedya furrow his brows. He did not want his mother to persuade and please such arrogant people. If they wanted to cage their daughter let them. Why was his mother so good, he failed to understand.

"Huh! It's settled then. One hour practice post-school hours at Nivi's house. Snacks and conveyance will be arranged by the school. Nandini, is it fine with you if they start today?" Shakti asked her good friend Nandini who nodded a 'yes'.

The high-voltage meeting finally had a positive outcome. But Nivedya was somewhere angry with the drama, Amber put up. Nimrit felt overwhelmed because the meeting was an eye-opener for her. The fun plans she made with Barkha about having a dozen boyfriends before getting a high school sweetheart for herself were just a fantasy. She will never delve into the enigma called love.
Her father's words "she is my life" reverberated in her ear. She knew it but when he admitted it publically it made her feel pressured. Telling someone you trust them puts an added responsibility to never break that trust, especially if that someone is important to you.