Saari Ki Saari Meri Hain Tu...

A father and a husband (II)

Shanaya hugged Karan so tight that he was afraid she might hurt herself.

"I'm so happy that you are here," she mumbled against his chest.

Karan laughed. "I can tell… every time I return home you treat me like I'm a giant Panda bear."

She laughed loudly before she unlocked her arms from around him.

Saanchi was next in line and hugged him in that maternal way of hers. "It was about time to have you home Karan bhaiya."

He smirked because she insisted on calling him by his given name like a mother would.

It was funny how these things happened, she was the only girlfriend that Rishabh ever had, they were high school sweethearts and when she married him everyone placed her in that role that was vacant since Mamta had lost her life giving birth to Shanaya.

In a way, Saanchi was the only mother Shivam and Shanaya knew but the same applied to the others as well.

Shivam arrived with Ananya who was as happy as everyone else to see him.

"Welcome back Tin man." she playfully told him.

It made him laugh like all the other times that she called him that. "Hello, Ananya."

She gave him a quick hug. "I swear that you get bigger every time that you return from a long tour."

"Maybe I should join the army as well," Shivam commented on the affection ensuing in front of him.

"I see that nothing really changed around here," Karan whispered amused.

"He's jealous of his own shadow, I have no idea why I'm still with him." Ananya rolled her eyes.

"Because you love me?" he asked appalled.

She raised her eyebrow. "I often tend to forget."

"You cause a scene every time that a girl gazes in my direction." he snapped.

She scorned him. "Not even close Shivam."

Karan looked away used to their spats and noticed Tejasswi coming down the staircase with their little girl in her arms, he waited with bated breath for the moment she reached him.

Kiara was sleeping and Tejasswi moved so that he could take the baby into his arms, he licked his lips nervously and it made Tejasswi smile because he looked terrified of hurting the fragile body between them.

She nested the baby's head on his arm and fixed Kiara's beautiful white dress, she looked at Karan whose eyes sparkled in wonder and sheer fascination for the little beauty he was cradling.

Kiara made a little sniffling noise and slowly stretched her tiny arms, she waved her legs a little and opened her eyes lazily.

Karan smiled like a blind man watching the sun for the first time. "Hello little laddoo… do you remember me?" he whispered.

Kiara parted her perfect rosy lips and her tiny pink tongue peeked followed by a smile for the man holding her.

He moved his fingers along her soft face, touching her gently and Kiara reacted by smiling wider and waving her tiny hands in little fists energetically.

Someone was happy to have her father back.

Karan brought her closer to him closing his eyes and inhaling her sweet baby scent, he kissed her forehead lovingly and the baby made a loud squeal, she also pulled his hair which made him laugh.

Kiara then smiled at the dangling shiny thing in front of her and eagerly grabbed his army tags happy that she found a new toy.

Karan was in heaven holding his baby girl and in awe that she was so wonderful.