"Every second of my life is a blessing when I'm with you."
...
After I french braid Tara's light chestnut hair, she runs to Sasha and Rudy who are leaning against the sofa in the living room.
She twirls, showing her light blue off shoulder dress which is covered with ice crystals. She's also wearing a long transparent cape of sheer chiffon decorated with snowflakes to the back of her bodice.
Her face is the definition of beauty, with her cherry lips and rosy cheeks that can brighten anyone's day. Her freckles, light and delicate, are sprinkled softly on her nose.
She passes them a gentle smile as she asks, "How do I look?"
Sasha looks up from her phone before a small smile works its way across her face and into her eyes.
Rudy observes Tara for a moment before muttering, "You look like an icy blue cupcake with silver sprinkles.
"That reminds me, I'm hungry." He grins as Tara's hazel eyes glare at him. She screws her face up and stomps her feet.
"I'm Elsa."
"She's Elsa, you moron."
Tara and Sasha mumble at the same time.
When Tara continues glaring at Rudy, he sighs and surrenders, "You look very beautiful. Even more beautiful than Boobear."
Tara giggles as Sasha ignores him.
"Naira," she tugs on my hand as she gives me a pleading look. "I want gloves and a tiara too."
"But you already have a tiara. Emily bought it for you."
"I want another," she smiles sheepishly, "Pwease?"
"Sure, why not?" I shrug.
She lets her face flood with a smile as she claps her little hands and jumps excitedly.
"Why don't you go with them as well?" Rudy glances at Sasha.
"Can't," she says without looking at him. "Have a date."
"What?" Rudy yells.
"A date...," Sasha raises an eyebrow at him as she rolls her eyes, "When two people get together to get to know each other and see if they're compatible with each other, often with hopes of getting into a romantic or sexu-"
I cover Tara's ears and drag her away as she whines, "I was listening, Naira!
"Now I'll never know the end of that sentence." She frowns.
"You don't need to," I say, narrowing my eyes at her.
...
As soon as Tara and I enter the shopping mall, we're greeted by a blast of cool air and the blare of music from a music shop nearby.
The mall is spacious with an impressive layout. We roam the aisles as we pass a supermarket that occupies a lot of space. Then there are electronic shops selling televisions and music systems. Next to it is a large shop of footwear. I buy Tara a pair of blue shoes that go with her princess dress.
Other customers smile when they see her dressed as Elsa. She grins at each one of them and waves at them.
After buying a lot of candies for her, we enter a store that sells accessories for children. Tara looks at the store in awe.
"Hello," I smile warmly at the shopkeeper. "Can you show us tiaras for her?"
"You like Elsa?" the shopkeeper looks at Tara as she nods her head.
"Rides," Tara points outside the store we're in, towards the play area for children.
Before I can tell her to wait, she leaves my hand and runs, exiting the store. I smile sheepishly at the shopkeeper and tell her that I'll be back before following in the direction she ran off to.
"Tara..." I say, looking around for her. When I don't spot her, I sigh, "We can play hide and seek at home.
"Come out." When I don't get an answer, I sigh and look around the play area for her. When I don't find her there, I wander through the mall, head tilted downwards to scan for her face. Every few steps, I stop and scream for Tara. I ask shopkeepers and other people by showing her pic to them but none of them recognise her.
I panic as tears flow in a constant stream. Tara is lost. I'll have to tell others but what will I say? I pull out my phone to dial.
"Pick up, pick up, pick up," I mutter frantically as the bell rings.
"Ayan?" I croak, "I...
"I... I..."
A sob constricts my throat, cutting off the words I can't bring myself to say anyway.
I shut my eyes tightly before whispering, "I lost Tara."
...
"You couldn't take care of a child?" Sasha asks bitterly.
When I don't answer her, she accuses, "It's your fault-"
"Enough," Ayan defends.
"Police is looking for her. We'll find her," Zubair touches her shoulder but she scoffs, "Oh yeah? We've been waiting for hours now. Where is she?"
Emily smiles at me softly before whispering, "Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault."
"It is," I mumble as my eyes drip with tears. "I should have-"
"Naira."
My eyes open wide when Tara runs up to me and climbs in my lap. She hugs me tightly.
"Where did you go?" I question her after rubbing her back.
"Sholly," she whispers shakily, "masked uncle locked me in the washroom."
Sasha snatches her from me and I look away in guilt. "Are you okay?" She checks her for any injuries. "Did he harm you?"
She shakes her head.
"How long was she locked up?" Ayan asks the police officer.
"For around an hour before a woman noticed her. She left her with the management and they wasted time in informing us," the officer says, giving us a polite smile.
"Jesus," Sasha mutters as she glares at me. I look away, unable to face her as the guilt consumes me.
"I'll leave now, take care," the police officer says and Ayan thanks him.
"Ayan," Tara whispers and passes him a note, "he told me to give it to you."
"What does it say?" I manage to ask in a thin voice.
"Missed me?" he says as the colour drains from his face for a second before he looks at me with his calm and composed face.
"Do you know who might have sent you that?" Cole and Rudy ask at the same time.
"Someone who shouldn't be messed with."
After a moment of silence and shock, he grins, "Just kidding, I have no idea."
Sadly, the grin doesn't reach his eyes. He folds the piece of paper and stuffs it in his back pocket, keeping it safe.