IV

♪♫ Aaj agar bhar aayi hai,

Boondein baras jaayengi

Kal kya pata inke liye,

Aankhein taras jayengi

Jaane kab gum hua,

Kaha khoya,

Ek aansu chupake rakha tha...♪♫

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Are you alright, Bhaiya?"

Armaan looked at his brothers sitting in the living room. He nodded his head at them and slumped down on one of the sofas.

"You don't look fine," Veer stated. "You stayed at Rivaah's house, right? Did something happen?"

Armaan's head was bursting with pain at so many questions. "Rivaah has a daughter."

"Come again." It was Viaan this time.

"She has a daughter. A very cute one at that." He smiled at the thought of Sia.

"She is married?"

"You've been crushing on a married woman all this time?" Viaan started laughing but tried to suppress it when he saw Veer glaring at him.

"No. She is not married."

"But she still has a daughter. It changes everything." Veer had always been the one who take everything with logic. Emotions never really mattered to him.

"No, Veer. It doesn't change anything. Rivaah is an amazing person and I like her that's the only thing that matters. Besides, Sia is adorable. I would never have a problem with her." He tried to make his idiotic brother understand.

"What about the father?"

"Well, about that," he drawled. "I might have screwed up."

Then he told them everything that happened. Armaan was petrified at the way Rivaah snapped at him. He apologized immediately but she told him to go to sleep, and this morning she looked alright but he knew that she was still upset. So, he again apologized and left in hopes of giving her some time and space.

The twins had disappointed looks on their faces after listening to him. Before they could say anything he explained.

"Look, I know that was uncalled for but I was curious, perhaps, a little angry too, thinking that a man left Rivaah and Sia alone and didn't realize that I was being nosey until it was too late. I did apologize but I don't think it made any difference."

Veer sighed. "Just try to make it up to her and don't touch any sore topic from now on."

⪡⨳⪢

Armaan had come out of a coffee shop, a few days later, when he saw Sia with a man across the road, alone. He ran his eyes around the whole area and walked to Sia when he couldn't find Rivaah anywhere.

He had a bad feeling about that man.

"Hello, Sia!" He said as a greeting to the young girl. She looked up and he saw something like relief in her eyes. He put his hand out for her to take, which she did almost instantly.

He turned to the man who looked panicked. "Is there any problem?"

"N-No, I was just going on my way." The man said and left without even a second glance at them.

He crouched down in front of Sia. "Where is your mom, Sia?"

His voice was soft but still, she looked down before answering, "I'm sorry. Mom told me to not go anywhere but I just wanted that pink candy. I went out of the store and lost my way."

He took the child in his embrace when he saw tears rolling down her cheeks. "It's alright, little one. We all make mistakes. Come, let's call your mom."

He picked her up in his arms, crossed the road, and toward his car. He took Sia to the shop and bought her whatever candy she wanted, along with some juice and French fries after calling Rivaah and giving her their location.

Sia was a polite kid and never showed any tantrums. She was also cheerful and energetic.

He made her sit on the bonnet after they went back to his car. She ate and occasionally made him eat with her. He liked Sia a lot.

"Sia!" came Rivaah's voice from behind them. She looked like she had run a marathon. Maybe, she had.

"I was worried sick, baby. Where did you go?" her voice was soft—worried but gentle. He was surprised at her reaction—his mom would have yelled at him if he had done something like this as a kid. She might have gone as far as slapping him for making her run around the streets.

"I'm sorry, Mumma. Don't get angry, please." Sia touched her mother's face with both her hands.

Rivaah shook her head and kissed the palm of Sia's hands. "No, baccha. I'm not mad at you. I was just... worried."

"I won't do this again, promise." Rivaah smiled, embracing her daughter.

"I know."

Armaan saw Rivaah's eyes glistening with unshed tears as she turned to him, gratitude shining bright in her eyes.

"I don't know how to thank you for finding and taking care of her."

"It's nothing, really." He smiled and said after a pause. "But if you really want to thank me then please let me drop you both at home."

Rivaah looked puzzled. "I have my car."

"My driver would take care of it. Please. I kind of like to spend time with Sia. She's a cool kid."

She looked from him to Sia then again to him then said after thinking for a minute. "Okay."

A big joyful grin appeared on Armaan's face. He went near Sia and picked her up in his arms and sat her in the back seat while making sure that she was comfortable.

He saw Rivaah already seated in the passenger seat, so, he hurried inside the car.

The whole ride, he talked with Sia about anything and everything she liked. Rivaah seemed zoned out but he let her be, thinking that today's events may have disturbed her a little. He had seen how much she loved her daughter so it was understandable.

Sia asked for him to spend the afternoon with them, he was perplexed at the demand at first but agreed when he saw Rivaah giving him a nod of permission.

Sia was practically jumping with a wide grin, excited to play with him.