I came back to my seat and saw that Uditi had left already. 'You scared her off, Ahaan. It's your fault.' Sighing, I sat down where I was sitting before and stared at the stage where the event was still going on. 'So many guests. Bet the bride is tired by now.' I checked my phone to see if Ajay needed me for anything and I heard a familiar voice. 'No, It's not Uditi.' I turned my head towards the direction where the voice came from and saw Ajay holding Gem while she was crying.
"Have you seen Uditi? Someone wearing a yellow Lehenga and has Long wavy hair." I Heard him say. 'Yellow Lehenga? Oh. The one I ruined.' I cleared my throat and shook my head. My gaze falling on Gem again.
"No. Why?"
"Gem is crying. She's the only one who can stop her crying. Where does she go on time like this." Ajay looked around and I did the same before standing up and walking towards him. I gently took Gem in my arms and rubbed her back to calm her down.
"Shh... Don't worry, okay? No need to cry when I'm here." Ajay watched me as I managed to calm her with just a few words and back pats. I smiled, seeing Gem's big eyes staring into mine while her mouth opened from the crying she paused. She was sort of reminding me of Uditi, I don't even know why. "Now, how about we go for a walk outside? It'll help you calm down."
"You know how to take care of kids?!" Ajay's voice almost startled me.
"Shut up. If you talk that loud, she will cry again." I replied with a frown before looking back at Gem in my arms and smiling at her as I began to walk to the staircase to head to the garden area outside. With each step I took, I noticed how calmer she has gotten compared to when she was with Ajay. 'Maybe I'll be a good dad someday.' 'AHAAN! What the hell are you thinking. you aren't even settled in life yet. Focus on that first.'
I exhaled my breathe as I stepped outside the Main gate and started walking towards the garden area. The atmosphere was actually quite better here than the Banquet Hall. Even I felt much better here so Gem definitely will too. I sat on one of the benches that was in the center of the park and placed Gem on my lap. Her small yet big eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Gem, tell me. What does your parents look like? You seem to look more like your father than your mother, though, I haven't seen them yet." For some reasons, I was mad at her parents for leaving their daughter alone in such an event but then, something about her kept reminding me of Uditi, which helped me calm down right away. 'Why does she look like Uditi though? Maybe she's the daughter of Uditi's sister? Could be it.'
I could see how Gem didn't even understand my question. She was still staring at me. Her small slowly reached out and I felt the tip of her tiny finger touch the tear mole near my eye. A small chuckle left my lips which made her smile too, reminding me of how hectic my life is but spending time with kids makes me forget all about that. 'Cute.'
"Gem?" I heard a familiar voice call her name. 'It is Uditi this time.' I turned my head to the Main gate where I heard the voice come from and I saw Uditi standing there in the Pink saree I bought right on the moment for her and lied to her that I borrowed it from my sister and my sister isn't even here. 'Guess I'm just good at lying.'
Before I could wave my hand at her to indicate that Gem was here with me, she walked up to me and lifted Gem off my lap to carry her in her arms. "God, I got so worried when I didn't find you in the room. I'm so glad you're okay, Gem." I took a notice of Uditi's voice softening when she held Gem in her arms to talk to her which made me smile like an idiot, but I compressed it to make it look like a genuine one. I cleared my throat and stood up to speak.
"She was crying when I saw her so I brought her here because she might have been feeling overwhelmed in the crowded hall and she did calm down after coming here."
