Bounded

Daddy Dear

''I am going out with Sophia.We'll be back soon.Make sure that you don't end up burning the entire house'',I said sarcastically peeking inside the kitchen.
Veronica shot a deathly glare at me.
Apparently she was frying some cheeseballs.
''Stop poking your nose here'',she replied.
I smirked and went out of there.
''Take care of Sophia else am gonna break each of your bones'',she shouted from the kitchen.
''Jesus woman.Stop shouting! I am not so irresponsible okay'',I replied.

I walked down the footpath pushing the perambulator.
Sophia seemed engrossed in sucking her thumb.
She must be hungry.
I had to feed her.
I made my way to the park where I sat down on a bench,cradling her in my arms and fed her.
She happily sucked on the lukewarm milk and withim fifteen minutes the bottle was empty.
She burped and I wiped her mouth.Then I rocked her to sleep.
Placing my sleeping beauty back in the perambulator,I leaned back on the bench and sighed.
Being a daddy was indeed hard work.Especially being a single dad.But so fulfilling it was!Every second spent with my baby was pure bliss.She wasn't a fussy eater or a crybaby at that and I was really thankful for that.
I looked at her peaceful sleeping face.
She resembled me.She had chocolate brown hair and ocean blue eyes like mine.
There was no trace of May in her as such and boy was I not glad for that!
She had become the reason for my existence,my entire world.
I patted her small head softly.
Her pink lips quivered a bit in her sleep.
A genuine smile crossed my face.
For her,I could do anything.
And I mean it.
I leant back on the bench looking up at the sky.It was beginning to turn dark.

I had taken up a part-time job as a car mechanic.
Alongside I balanced my studies and baseball.
I didn't have to find a job so soon,nevertheless I did so.
Because of Sophia.
Because I wanted to be the one to provide everything she needed.
I was grateful enough that my dear parents were there to support me and Sophia in every way possible.
But I felt it was my responsibility that I should lend a helping hand to them.Atleast I could take care of her basic necessities and it gave me enough satisfaction of being her dad.
My parents wanted me to focus on my studies and practice solely but I insisted on working and thankfully they understood why I wanted to do so.
The study pressure was huge indeed.Especially as I was in my senior year but nothing's impossible if you make up your mind to do it.Tough,yes but not something out of the world.
Despite all this,I managed to attend all the baseball practice sessions.Baseball was my oxygen,to put it simply.
It was my passion,my addiction.
A day without half an hour of playing baseball was non-existent in my life.
Credit goes to dad for introducing me with my first love.
Dad's a baseball coach and I learnt most of my playing tactics from him.
I dreamt of playing baseball at the international level one day but for that I needed to pass high school first with good grades.
That was mom's one condition when I told her that I wanted to carve out my career in that game.
I want to become the best baseball player ever.My dream's huge,I know but I had promised not to rest until I make it a reality.I was a bit apprehensive initially about it but now with my darling Sophia by my side am positive I can do it.
I used to dream for myself till now but my perspective had taken a dramatic turn after Sophia came into my life.
Now I dream for her.I dream to make her life better by giving her the best of everything.
I will be strict when necessary but also spoil her utmost.Afterall am her mom and dad both.
I don't know if I will be a good parent or not,only time will tell so.But one thing am sure about-I will love her the most.
She's my first priority now and I can trade my life to see a smile on her face.
A dog's sudden bark snapped me out of my thoughts.
I felt a vibration in my pant's pocket.
Fishing the cell out,I saw Veronica calling.
I took the call and before I could say anything,she started blabbering,''Where are you,bro?Why aren't you back yet?It's already six past nine in the evening.What the hell are you doing outside?Come back ASAP.Sophia might catch cold.For heaven's sake she's a five-month old baby.And it's already time for her cerelac feeding.Just come home quickly.''
I sighed and shook my head smilingly.
She acted like her mother sometimes.No wonder Sophia liked her presence the most.
''Yeah yeah I heard it mom.I am on my way with Sophia'',I teased her.
''Who are you calling mom,grandpa?'',she replied angrily.
''Joking.Am coming'',I said and she cut the call.
I chuckled to myself.
She had a peculiar way of caring for me.Her anger on me reflected her love for me.
I got up and started pushing the perambulator.
Sophia was fast asleep till then.
I stopped on my way to buy two kitkats for my sis.
She's a sucker for chocolates and hopefully her bouts of anger will die down seeing them.
I laughed to myself as I made my way towards our house.
Indeed I was blessed with the best family ever.