Robert

Margaret my wife, she was the sweetest person I ever had in my life. I fell in love with her at my first sight but woefully it was the toughest struggle to have her in my life. She was a simple girl, very beautiful, hailing from a decent family and I on the contrary was the wretch of the dark world, the only son of the mob leader John Evans, who was brought up in the midst of knives and countless murders. Nothing was similar between her and me yet I couldn't help myself but to fall for her, a sweet and simple middle class girl who had the best smile in the world.

My family, my friends and every person from our gang cautioned me to stay away from her but my heart wouldn't simply listen. I knew she was like a candle that would bring brightness in a person's life but I am a Badger who needs to stay in the dark to hunt for its prey. Both of us could never be one we are people from two different poles who can never ever stay together. Still knowing everything I swept her out of her feet, took away every inch of her innocence and made her mine forever.

I remember the first time that I saw her. She was sitting in the college cafeteria with some of her friends. A girl beside her spoke to her something in the ear and her pink lips curl into the most enigmatic smile that I ever saw. My heart went crazy. An immediate feeling to haul her and make her mine evoked inside me like a gravitational pull. She looked around with her sparkling icy blues that shined like stars in the dark sky. Her eyes stationed on someone standing on the other side of the hall. Pulling on her long slender legs she walked forward like an alluring femme fatale. "Hey Xavier, it's been so long since we have met each other." She went and hugged the man who was talking to someone.

His eyes caught hers and his hands immediately moved around her back returning her embrace. Jealousy strikes me all of a sudden. She was mine and mine only to touch and have. She took hold of his hand and dragged him between her groups of friends to introduce him. I couldn't turn away my gaze but to look at the walking beauty in front of me. Her long chestnut hair swayed along her sides in wavy curls by the chilled breeze blowing inside the open hall of the cafeteria on the mid November evening.

I hid the truth from her and married her eloping from both our families. She was the light of my life attracting me towards her like a moth. Two years after our successful romantic marriage we had a beautiful baby daughter. She looked just like me but had the eyes and hair of her mother. For a few more months I could continue my charade with my wife but ultimately she came to know the truth.

There were fights initially often times leaving her cold and unloving towards me and ultimately she ended our marriage. I pleaded her for years and made endless phone calls to let me into her life. I told her not to deprive our baby of a fatherly care but she couldn't welcome the request though we didn't divorce each other. She felt the life of our baby was unsafe with me as one of her parent. I couldn't convince her anymore and left her but always prayed God to keep her and our baby sheltered.

The light of my life was gone forever. From that day forward I did meaningless relationships and abused sex. I became a man whore. I was always drunk and did drugs ruining my body and mind. My parents tried to amend me but couldn't reap a good result.

Though everything changed inside me there was one thing that I would never forget. Every year I bought gifts for my daughter on her birthday. Some were flaunting wealth while others were purchased just keeping in mind of her growing necessities. I promised my wife that I would never re-enter their lives until the day she desired of it. The gifts would reach my daughter through some of my wife's employers or some mutual friends. Sometimes I bought gifts just like that leaving them at their doorstep.

I saw to it that my wife and daughter were never deprived of a roof over their heads. I took care of Margaret's growing medical bills. She was a woman of lot of self pride. She would not allow me to spend too much money on them. She wanted to take care of Angelica totally on her own but became unsuccessful in the end. When the water reached above their heads I had to force myself into their lives. I was always there for my family like a shadow watching them from behind so that they do not break and fall apart.

Present

Today my daughter will be reaching our home. I am very enthusiastic about her arrival. It is the place where I and Margaret built beautiful dreams, cherished and nurtured.  The happiness that I presently hold cannot be described in words. It is like a child getting his favourite ice-cream for the first time in his life. I do not know much about my princess's tastes and fashion but from the little I heard from Margaret, I made every necessary preparation for her entrance into our home.

I got her bedroom designed in her favourite princess theme. I know she is a huge fan of Barbie. I loaded her closet with dresses I personally bought according to latest trend and fashion. Of course I will never buy her outfits which are revealing. I had already loaded my TV shelf with princess movies. I informed my chefs of her favoured cuisine and gave them a list of her best loved dishes.

I could not sleep peacefully yesterday night always attentive of any sound from her room. I was anxious about her health. She was perspiring in the flight yesterday. I did not know she had a phobia towards flights. Margaret never informed me about it. Probably she never knew as they never travelled by a flight. I wanted to hold my daughter to my chest and let her sleep in my arms so that she doesn't have any bad dreams. I wanted to make her feel secured in my embrace but our relationship was unfortunately not in the best terms.

I sent the maid to her room with a yellow sundress which I handpicked a few days back for her casual wear. The dress caught my sight at the first glance itself exhibited in the display box and I knew it was made for my beautiful daughter. I am now eagerly waiting for her at the dining table yearning to ask if she had a good night's sleep and see her in the dress I loved the most.

Will Robert be able to win the heart of his daughter?

Angelica

Setting on an alarm I went to bed early yesterday night and woke up at 6 in the morning. For a change I did not have to stitch my tattered uniform or press my ragged clothes. I need not have to worry about the time and scolding I would receive from our principal for going to school late that I spent in stitching my old rags.

I don’t have to fret about the pending bills my mother has to pay during the month or the late night shifts that she would take up only to fill the dishes on our dining table. I need not be anxious about my late school fees. Thankful for the difference everything felt refreshing and right at place.

Yesterday I saw an image of my mom in my dream. She was smiling at me with so much of happiness and gleam in her eyes. Her lips no longer looked pale and dry and there were no black marks under her eyes. She looked beautiful and at peace. It felt like her soul now rests in peace after years of assiduousness. She was right in front of me watching me with so much happiness.

The dream felt so real that I opened my eyes to look for her but there was no sign of mom. After that I could not sleep anymore. The indescribable feeling felt horrible. I don’t know why but I went to the adjacent room where my dad slept. I looked at his sleeping form relaxing on the comfy mattress and a despicable rage filled my stance. I immediately left his room blaring red.

After a few hours I got down the stairs completely dressed for my first day at school. As soon as I neared the dining table I could smell the delicious aroma of chocolate muffins. Mom always baked them on the first day of my school every year. They are always my favourite. But why do I smell them in this house?

As I neared the kitchen I found Robert moving to each corner of the polished platform making breakfast for both of us in a hurry. He soon saw me and greeted with a smile on his face. “Your mom once told me that you like chocolate muffins and she bakes them every year on your first day of school to wish you good luck. I thought I should continue the tradition your mom started.” He beams giving me a warm look and moves forward with a piece of cake in his hand to put it in my mouth.

The cake tasted very delicious just like the ones my mom prepared. I close my eyes and savour the flavour bringing one more to my lips unknowingly in the process. “Do you like the cake Princess?” Robert asks me with a lot of expectation? I did not want to please him especially after that stupid dream. I simply nod at him masking all my emotions. He looked dejected but immediately masks it with a cheering smile telling me that he would come and pick me up from the school in the evening. I do not respond and simply take the pack he hands me for my school break.

My dad, I did not know what he actually was. In every moment he felt very sweet and caring. He would take special care in getting my room decorated according to my liking. He would brief chefs of my favourite dishes. He was there to console and take care of me when I feared flying but again when I remember what he did to my mother I go back to phase one of a wilding tornado. He has to pay back for his betrayal on me and mom.

My school closes by 4 in the evening and every day as promised my dad would appear near the school gate in the parking lot with his freaking Lamborghini Reventon. I learnt it is one of the latest models among the costliest cars available in the world. Of course he is a damn billionaire but who cares about his money. I am with him for the promise I made to mom on her death bed. Ones I reach my permissible age I am out of his snapping mansion in the next second.

We were travelling back to his home or rather a castle as usual in complete silence. I never intended to talk to him. In the initial days he used to make short talks trying to sound like our relationship was normal but subsequently he understood my specifications. Since then he kept to himself and I was on my own. We spoke only when required. Nevertheless he took every care about me starting from speaking to my teachers about my progress in studies to my every domestic requirement.

Why being so cheesy? He can never fool me and win my heart like he did to mom. I am not her.

A few weeks later....

As usual we were having our dinner in silence when he spoke to me. “Princess your birthday is approaching within two days. What do you wish to have on your birthday?” He cheers in excitement. “Earlier I bought gifts to you of my choice but now I have the opportunity of asking you in person.”

“You did?” I ask him in disbelief. He simply nods his head. “All the gifts you received on your previous birthdays from your mom’s employers and friends were actually the presents I purchased for you.” He states to me in an unbootable expression. But his emotions change swiftly the next moment. “Now that I have you I can buy you anything of your choice my sunshine. You only have to name it.” He puts off in glee. “I want to make up for our lost time about which I sincerely regret.” He accentuates nurturing all the affection and care. I raise my head from the plate filled with food and look at him solid, right into his eye. “Is it so? Then I wish some solitude Robert.” I saw him flinch the moment I addressed him with his name with no trace of endearment. “I wish I never have to speak or look at you and listen to your dramatic talks.” I answer him with a cold emotionless expression.

The brightness on his face was gone within seconds. He did not ask me about anything further. His vision was directed back to his plate. He finished his dinner fast and the next minute he was out of home.

Am I missing on something? Does my dad really love and care for me? If so why did he leave me and mom so heartlessly abandoning us to fetch for our own needs?

Angelica

I finished my dinner in silence. There was no one to speak or disturb me with questions about my school and studies. It was an austerity that I wished since my first advent to this mansion. Yet the solicitude doesn’t feel welcoming anymore. Suddenly the house felt empty and deserted. The cooks and the serving staff would leave the house ones the dinner was laid on the table. As a result I was the only one left in this huge mansion completely alone and abandoned.

I waited for Robert to come home but there was no trace of him even after past mid night. My optics felt drowsy and with the passage of time my eyelids close automatically. Resting on the sofa of the drawing hall, I woke up next morning with the chirping of birds outside the window just beside the comforter I was sleeping.

I rubbed my eyes to get rid of the remaining sleep and got ready to go to school. But immediately my brain started questioning. Who will drop me at the school? As I was finishing my last quarter of the breakfast in utter seclusion the door bell rang and a driver stepped in. He was instructed to be my personal bodyguard and also my driver for the school by Robert.

My eyes started to well tears ones I discern my dad’s concern towards me and my outburst over him yesterday night but I brushed away the crazy feeling swiftly. He was just acting well and I am not foolish like my mom to fall for his ways. I begin to chant the same mantra to put my kernel at ease and placed my lunch in the back pack to get into the car with no emotions at bay.

********

Two more days pass by after dad’s absence from home. Today is my birthday and as per my wish there was not even a trace of him in the house. I wait for him the whole day and ask my driver to take me to him but he whisks my words away saying my dad was out of station.

Days turn to weeks with no trace of ‘him’. It has been a mere drill to get up in the morning, get ready, have breakfast and go to school. In the evenings I would finish my homework, have dinner, take bath, brush my teeth and go to bed. The maids and cooks spoke to me only when I ask them for something exactly how I wanted it to be but strangely I am not feeling happy with it. I miss my dad so much.

Now the only thing that I want is to confront him. Why did he leave me and mom to die in our own hell hole when he loves us so much?

It was Friday night and also the weekend night. I finished my homework early so that I could have time to watch my favourite movie ‘Cinderella’. I was half way done viewing the movie when I could hear the entrance door screech open and in walked my dad wobbling over to the sofa on the porch. I came out of my bedroom and immediately climbed down the stairs to reach him. His eyes catch me immediately and tries to stabilise himself on his walk.

Why is he not able to walk properly? Is he injured somewhere?

I walk swiftly to him so that he doesn’t fall. He tries to walk normal but fails miserably. I go near to hold him and I could stench the stinking smell of alcohol. He struggles to speak natural, trying hard not to give me his drunken view. “Princess, go to your room and rest. You are not supposed to see me like this.” He states but I did not miss the glint of contrition on his face. “I will be fine by tomorrow morning.” He tries to assure me by dismissing off at the easiest possible way.

I look at him into the eye with welled tears peering at his disabled state. He gives me a sorry look. Raising his hand he tries to wipe away my tears when I hear the opening of the front door again. Both of us look to our sides and what I saw gave me a full blown shock.

I could see a scantily dressed woman entering inside the house. She was a blonde and had a short red dress hardly covering her body. Her make-up was overdone and she had cherry red lipstick on her lips. “Lily...” My dad looks at her in disbelief. She waddles in her steps towards dad but he pushes her away immediately. “I told you a thousand times not to get inside the house. My daughter is now residing here.” He speaks to her firmly trying to get rid of his drunkenness. “But Robert...” She reaches him tracing his upper arm with her long fingers but he pushes it away clearly showing his annoyance. Before she speaks further he admonishes. “Get out and remember always. This house is now out of bounds for you forever.”

She gives me her dirtiest glare and speaks to him in a pique. “You slept with me all this while and now you are ignoring me because of this little mutt. I will see to it that this bijou hound gets out of this house very soon.” She screams with her big boobs plunging out of her neckline. I stare at my dad in dubiety. Was this all he was doing staying away from the house.

Angelica

The moment Lily cursed me dad’s countenance became red with rage. Without saying a word he took the phone out of his pocket with his staggering hands and called the security while she was blabbering her way out. In a matter of few seconds the security took over the charge and she was dragged out of the house. After her whole drama calmed down dad shambled himself to the stairs and reached his bedroom to drop on the bed.

I looked at the resting form of my dad standing at the entrance of his bedroom. This time I did not bate looking at him. I understood that he loved me and he is my dad, the only person in this world upon whom I can have my back. I didn’t like to see him helpless and immobile. I always saw him to be very strong, energetic and a powerful person. He is the superman of my life, just like the superman in the movie ‘Superman returns’ who can freeze the hell and make the impossible happen. I missed him so much during the time he wasn’t there with me.

A few minutes later, I went back to my room. I changed into a comfortable night wear and rested on the bed to have a good night’s sleep. I rolled inside the covers for a few more minutes but every time my eyes felt drowsy, I dreamt the defenceless picture of my dad struggle a midst of dangerous people. Never am I going to let my dad lose the battle. I will stand by his side to protect and save him. I am not always going to be small. My hands and legs will one day grow big and strong and I am going to save my dad from whichever threat that befalls on him.

I move out of the covers and go to my dad’s bedroom to doze. I sleep beside him and lay my head on his chest but couldn’t drowse because of the stench of alcohol oozing from his body. I try to get rid of the irritable feeling and snuggle deeper to him. He moves his hand to my back and kisses my head to mumble “my little princess.”

I raise my head from his chest and look at his profile to find out he was awake. Meeting his eyes I pout clutching my nose with my fingers “dad, you smell alcohol.” He freezes ones I call him endearingly and immediately takes care of my requirement. Dragging himself out of the bed the shower starts to work in the bathroom instantaneously. After a while I see him neatly dressed in a sweat shirt and pant. He lies down beside me to pull me closer and mutters “now sleep my little princess.”

I inhale deeply to smell his refreshing sandalwood scent and close my eyes with a satisfied smile on my face.

********

Rubbing my eyes I get rid of the sleep and squat on the bed to look at my dad fully dressed and all set to go to work. He was standing in front of the dressing table making his tie. “Good morning Princess.” He beams looking at me the moment I am awake. My dad had the best smile in the world. His eyes were forest green always covered with spectacles. His perfect black hair was invariably gelled and combed to perfection with a few strands of grey here and there. I could see the platinum wedding ring adorning his ring finger while he picked up his Rolex watch from the table nearby. Mom had a similar ring. In spite of living away both of them still held their wedding bands which was a symbol of their undying love for each other.

I greet my dad back and ask him the one question which kept bothering me all night. “Dad! who was the woman in our house behaving like a wife to you? Are you married to her after you and mom got separated? She looked bad and evil just like witch in the Cinderella movie.” I give him my distasteful face clearly showing him my repugnance. He turned back to look at me with guilt embracing his features. He sits beside me and cups my cheeks with his big warm hands. With an assurance in his voice he speaks to me “Princess that was the last time you saw her in our house. Daddy says sorry to you for everything that happened yesterday night.”

I hug him tight with my arms wrapped around him. “Daddy, why did you leave me and go all of a sudden? I am sorry. I behaved like a bad girl and hurt you so much. But mom says if I say sorry I will be forgiven.” I slowly raise my head to look at him with expectancy. He smiles looking at me. His large fingers gently wipe away my tears. “Daddy forgives you princess but on that day daddy felt very sad. I love both of you so much princess. I did not betray you and your mom like you thought. But your mom wanted to stay away from me and I desired to fulfil every wish of hers. That is why I stayed away from both of you which broke my heart into pieces every time I thought of you.”

I look into his eyes welling tears and my lips slowly turn downwards. “I don’t want to see you drunk anymore daddy. It scares me so much to see you talk and move in the house like a disabled.” I shake my head in affliction and burst into tears which couldn’t be controlled anymore. He quickly lifts me off the bed and places me on his lap. Hugging me tight he whispers “daddy will never drink and will behave well. It’s his promise to you.” I lift my head out of his chest. Looking into his eyes I lift my little finger “Pinky promise?” He smiles gazing lovingly at me and attaches his little finger to mine “Yes pinky promise.”