32 Hours

Everything is Good

Sound of people talking filled the atmosphere, some dancing, some sitting and some like me seeing all this.

"Dad, can I have some ice cream?" My daughter, Lily, tugged at my sleeve, her eyes already searching for the dessert table. I said yes, but she ran off before I could complete.

A waiter came towards me, with some beer in his tray. I took one, as I took the first sip, I felt a pat on my shoulder.

"Planing to meet tomorrow morning ?" He asked as he laughed and took a sip from his drink. It was Jaspreet, though we all just called him Preet. He had that easy-going laugh and a tendency to pat people on the back like he'd known them forever

Savoring the cold bitterness, I could not do anything but laugh. "Mondays are the best." I said as I laughed alongside him.

Everything was fine, the night stretched on, laughter and music filling the air as people shared their old stories and made new ones. I watched Lilly running back and forth, her laughter mingling with other sounds. She would just pause just long enough to lick her ice-cream, then dash off. Running in between with her friends, her hair bouncing with every step. She would turn around and look at me, to make sure I was watching her, and I would simply wave, smiling.

The crowd thinned slowly. People waving goodbyes, their faces flushed with wine and laughter. Lilly nestled against my shoulder, heavy with her sleep, taking deep breaths. I said byes to all the people and went to the parking.

I settled Lily in the backseat, and after a moment, I leaned back in the driver's seat, closing my eyes and letting the evening's moments drift through my mind like snapshots. What could've gone wrong

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Thank you for reading