Finally Home | ✓

Chapter 27 | being parents

I don't think I am good enough.

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"Advika, wake up," the voice sounded in Heer's ears and she opened her eyes. "Advi, wake up it's very late," She heard Kabir's voice more clearly this time. Her eyes opened and she saw Advika get out of bed while Kabir stood at the edge of the bed.

"What's the time?" She asked in a sleepy voice sighing as she turned over hugging the pillow that Advika had been using. 

"Eight!" He answered before walking away in a hurry.

"Hmm," she responded and then the fact settled in. Shit, that was late! She sat up immediately tying her hair into a bun. She quickly walked into the washroom. Minutes later she was in the kitchen to find a panicking Kabir moving about the kitchen. 

She saw the cucumber he had left on the chopping slab to wash the potatoes. She quickly picked up the peeler and started skinning the cucumber. She silently proceeded to slice it while Kabir stood beside her peeling the skin of the hot potatoes. 

"Shall I butter the slices?" Heer asked and he nodded in a positive.

"Did you check on her?" He asked opening a cooker filled with cooked rice.

"Yep, she was bathing." Heer replied applying the butter on the bread slices. "How come you woke up late?" She asked with a smile.

Kabir glanced at her and then put his gaze on the contents of the pressure cooker. "I don't know. Maybe the change of the bed."

"Seems to be that for the two of you," Heer replied with a chuckle. "I will go help her get ready, so that she can eat!" She announced picking up the sandwich that Kabir put together. 

He noticed her walking out. The truth was he couldn't sleep last night. At first, he was only thinking about Heer and then he was overthinking. He didn't know what she wanted and what she didn't. He was confused about what's he felt for him. He was also irritated by it all. He just couldn't put the pieces of the puzzle together. He took a deep breath and focused on packing the lunchbox for his daughter.

Advika sat chewing on her bite of sandwich while Heer braided her hair. "Advi, do you have P.T today?" Heer asked after she had braided Advika's hair. 

"Yes mom, it's Friday!" Advika answered. Heer quickly picked Advika's white canvas shoes from the shoe rack. They seemed washed. Kabir. She smiled. 

Kabir definitely was a better parent than she was. She just didn't do well with school stuff. She neither did well when she herself was a kid. She sort of had a laid back attitude when it came to the small things such as making sure her shoes were cleaned or remembering to put in the books for the day's classes. She was impressed how Kabir always had everything in place before time for Advika. She had a lot to learn from Kabir. 

Kabir walked out of the kitchen with Advika's lunch bag in his hand. His gaze paused on Heer who sat on the floor slipping the shoes into Advika's feet and then tying her laces while Advika ate her sandwich. A smile, radiating of gratefulness, appeared on his face. He just couldn't hold it against Heer. She always gave him reasons to give up being pissed at her. He shoved his thoughts aside and quickly gathered Advika's school bag. "Advi, are you ready?" He asked looking at the time. 

He quickly called the school bus driver to make sure he didn't leave without Advika while walking out of their flat to call the elevator. 

"Take care, and have a good day!" Heer wished kissing Advika's cheek before she stepped into the elevator. Kabir was all heart eyes at the scene. Heer waved before the elevator doors closed. The contentment of seeing his daughter have a mother filled his heart with joy.