Dawn of Spring

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

"You shouldn't worry about it, Hana!"

Neal Arya reassured his daughter.

Ahana did not hear him at all. She was so focussed on the oblivious toddler sitting beside her whose life was about to take a massive shift in the coming days. She looked up, confused; to find her father frowning at her.

You are attached. It's understandable." He picked up the paper again and motioned her to sit beside him. "You've got to let her go. That was the plan, wasn't it?"

Ahana nodded mutely.

Her father sighed. "Spill out."

"What if Gia isn't happy there? I don't mean to criticize, but what if she doesn't like it? The Lady, Veeta, isn't aware of her eccentricities." Ahana was at a loss for words as she realized that her attempts to make a point had been unsuccessful. She opened her eyes in despair, having failed to convince anyone of her opinion.

"Calm down, Hana! She will be fine."

"I have a suggestion."

He looked up from his newspaper.

"I was thinking," She hesitated, unsure how to continue without sounding mad, "What if a-I adopt her?"

Neal Arya hummed but otherwise stayed silent.

Ahana waited patiently, nervously twiddling her thumb.

"As noble and humble as your thought might be, and even if we remove all the legal obligations, I don't think that would be a good idea." He shook his head. "Raising a child is a big responsibility. You must attend to her physical and mental health just as much as aid her financially and academically. You need to do a lot before you decide to settle and choose that path."

"Momma!" Little Gia chirped, pushing her toy to her eye level. "Soft b-ear."

"The fact she calls me Momma doesn't make it any easier," Ahana mumbled, smiling fondly at the toddler, who smiled brightly.

"She'll grow out of it, and so will you."

Maybe, Veeta Gorkin would be a suitable guardian for her.

"Now, if you'll excuse me. I have to get ready for work." Her Papa got up and left the room.

"Any progress?" Another voice broke her trailing thoughts as the toddler continued to play under her supervision.

Ahana looked up in confusion. "I told you already."

Her mother was the first to hear about little Gia's possible adoption.

"Not her, you!"

"Why would anyone adopt me?" She asked stupidly.

Her mother appeared mildly amused. "Stop dodging, Hana! I am asking about you and Vivaan."

Her insides churned at his name, and she became immensely aware of her surroundings. Ahana never thought thathe, of all people, could produce such a reaction out of her. "Nothing is going on."

Her mother raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"Then why do you look like a deer caught in a headlight?"

Ahana snorted. She started to look anywhere, her pupils straying in wild search in nervousness, staring at nothing in particular, her fingers twiddling and playing with themselves, "That's stupid."

"No, it isn't." Her mother responded in a calm voice.

Her head snapped in her direction, eyes glued to hers more confidently this time.