SWEET FAMILY

Netra:
I went to the place where my children are studying.
"Mom!" Kalki hugged me.
"Mom, where is dad?" Abhaya asked me being a daddy's baby.
I hugged both and kissed on their cheeks.
"Your dad has some important meetings. So, he couldn't show up this time. But, next week he will be here for sure," I said.
"Mom, are those meetings that important than us?" Kalki asked me.
"Kalki, you are a smart boy, right? You should understand your dad. You shouldn't trouble him," I said.
"No, we will call dad," Abhaya said and called him.
"Hello, Akshay here!" Akshay said in his rude tone.
"Dad, why didn't you come here?" Abhaya asked.
"Abhi, my baby! Sorry sweety, dad has a meeting. I am really sorry. I sent sorry gifts with mumma," Akshay said.
"No, dad! We don't want anything. Every day we see our friends with their parents, but you both are never with us. Do you know, how sad we feel remembering you both? At least on the weekend, we expected you both. I think we are less important to you both than your works," Kalki said.
I felt bad listening to their words. Akshay is not their father, and I don't like them disturbing him. They are my responsibility and not his responsibility. I took the mobile from them and switched off the speaker mode.
"Akshay, I am sorry. Carry on with your work. They are just too naughty these days. I will convince them," I said.
"Switch on the speaker, Netra," Akshay said.
I did as he said.
"My dear Kalki and Abhi, nothing is important to your dad than your mom and you both. I am coming there within one hour," Akshay said, surprising me.
"But Akshay, what about your meetings?" I asked him.
"They are not that important than the happiness of my children," Akshay said, and I wiped my tears which appeared without my consent listening to his words.
Akshay came as he promised them.
"Daddy!" Both went and hugged him. Akshay kissed them and came to me with them.
He gave chocolate boxes to them. The trio started their chit-chatting, and I went to prepare the food. While making the food, I enquired the caretaker about my children. After lunch, in the evening, Akshay started playing hide and seek with children in the garden.
I sat on the stairs looking at them. They were enjoying the game together.
"Mom, you too join us," Abhaya said.
"I am not interested, Abhaya," I said, but Akshay pulled me into the game holding my wrist. They blindfolded me, and I tried to catch them. I couldn't find any of them.
"Dad, mom can't catch us," Kalki teased me.
"Mom lost the game," Abhaya said.
I smiled at their words and tried to catch them. However, I couldn't catch any of them. I pouted and thought to remove the blindfold. But, finally, I caught someone. I passed my hand on the shirt and removed my blindfold.
"I caught your dad. I didn't lose," I said happily.
"Dad, this is not fair. You went to mom and stood infront of her. Otherwise, she would have lost," Kalki said.
"Until I am alive, I won't allow your mom to lose," Akshay said, looking into my eyes. I felt Akshay's immense love for me which is unconditional and pure in his eyes. I diverted my looks to the ground. Akshay lifted my chin, making me look at him.
"You should never look down. Sky should be your limit for success. Netra, the one who is daring, dashing and smart," Akshay said. I smiled at his comment.
My true self comes out when I am with Akshay. Whenever we meet on the weekend, we both will forget the time and all tensions enjoying with children. Our chitchats, jokes, games and sweet fights make our time filled with fun.
After the dinner, Akshay slept on the mat playing with Kalki by making him sleep on his chest. Abhaya started playing by pulling Akshay's hairs. I remembered Akshay, the minister who sleeps on the Master bed and orders everyone authoritatively. I sat beside them, staring at their strange bonding.
"Netra, don't look at me like that. You may fall for me," Akshay said, winking at me.
I smiled, and we slept around 2 am listening to their continuous ranting and laughing. Akshay put them to sleep with a bedtime story. The next morning, I woke up and completed my morning business.
"Coffee," Akshay gave coffee to me and milk to children.
"Thank you. I am sorry, Akshay. I slept for a long time and made you do the work," I said, feeling bad for making him do such works.
Akshay looked at me for some time.
"Netra, this is my family. They are my children. Boiling milk or preparing breakfast for them gives me happiness," Akshay paused and continued.
"And I know how tired you are with many things running in your mind. Sunday is the only day where you will sleep peacefully, forgetting everything. You need it to refresh yourself, princess," Akshay said, caressing my hairs.
Akshay served breakfast to us. I prepared the lunch, and after having food, Abhaya and Kalki started fighting, and Abhi threw water at Kalki.
"Abhi, what are you doing? You are becoming too stupid," I said seriously.
"Yes, because I am similar to mumma," Akshay mocked Abhi teasing me.
"Akshay, because of your pampering they became like this," I said to Akshay.
"Say sorry to brother," I said, and Abhi shook her head in no. This is Akshay's training. He taught them not to apologize to anyone. I don't understand what he teaches to them.
"Say sorry," I said.
"No! My children will never apologize to anyone," Akshay said.
"Kalki, if someone gives something to us, what should we do?" Akshay asked, and Kalki threw water at Abhi.
"We should give it back to them," Kalki said.
"Exactly!" Akshay said and kissed both of them.
"Akshay, this is not the way to raise the children," I yelled at Akshay.
"Who decided the way to raise the children to say I am wrong? This is my way to raise my children, and I don't want any interference in it," Akshay said.
"But, they are my children and not your children," I said in anger.
"Netra!" Akshay shouted, raising his hand at me for the first time in life. His face turned cold and fierce. I was shocked to see Akshay like that. He dropped his hand.
"I am sorry, Netra. Please, don't cry. I didn't mean to do that," Akshay said, seeing me in tears. He wiped away my tears and kissed my forehead.
"Never say that they are not my children. They are forever Akshay's children whether you agree to it or not," Akshay said, and I nodded holding his hands as I didn't understand what to say.
"Abhi, what should we do if it's our mistake?" Akshay said.
"We should accept their wrath and stay calm," Abhi said.
Great! I can never understand this Akshay.
Akshay gave a new life to me and his name as a father to my children. A true friend who sacrificed his entire life for my children and me though he knows he would get nothing from me in return. Without Akshay, Netra is nothing but an ordinary girl who was fed up with life and decided to give up on it. This courage, intelligence, and what I am today is because of Akshay. I can never thank him enough in my life. I thanked God several times for giving a friend like Akshay to me.