PARTH'S POV
"Roop's doing great huh?" Ranbir said while sipping his coffee. We are at a coffee shop.
"I can't deny it. Moon is now cheerful. Even her butler said she rarely yells at them ever since Roop came. And she's doing well in school. I guess my decision to get him is not that bad."
"Really? Well, I'm not talking about Moon." Ranbir smirked. I sometimes hate this guy. I wonder how he became my best friend.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, you're always at home lately. I mean, you're not eating breakfast with me anymore. You're rushing to go home for dinner. Friday night is supposed to be our fun night but you want to go home early. Have you found a replacement for Mahima?" Ranbir's sweet smile is the same as his mischievous smile.
"Fuck up Ranbir. Roop is just my daughter's caretaker. Nothing else." As far as I know.
"Mmmm... probably for now. I mean come on Parth! It's been 5 years. You date a lot but you still talk about Mahima every day. Lately, I haven't heard you mention her name. There must be a reason behind it. You can smash the glass on my head if I'm wrong."
I became silent. I don't know why it's so hard to accept something about myself. It's true, I fell madly in love with Mahima. I really thought that she was the world to me. When she left, everything just came crashing in front of me. I can't give my whole self to my daughter because half of me is still yearning for the loss of her mother. It's not that I haven't experienced heartbreak before, but Mahima filled up, in my opinion, what was missing in my life.
I love my daughter. But sometimes, her presence made it hard for me to move forward. Maybe that's the reason why I don't find time for her and just entrust her to our butlers. She often says that she loves me. I always remind her how much I love her. But the ghost of my past just kept on hunting me. I'm not good at handling pain. Maybe that's the reason why I became so cold, arrogant, and angry.
I'm embarrassed to admit it, but Roop really caught my eye. He is beautiful, polite, and patient. He is just like that divine soul whom my father used to desire as my better half, today if my father would have seen Roop, he would have immediately started doing uproar to get him married to me.
I saw how Roop treated my child. He is always calm and gentle. I saw how he stared at my daughter so fondly like she was his own. Maybe that's why Moon likes him. She found what I am lacking from Roop. And that's time and attention. I really do admire Roop. I really do.
======
ROOP'S POV
It's been two weeks since I moved into Parth sir's house. Moon has been very nice to me and I never really had any issues or problems with her. I actually find my job here as no challenge. The routine is just the same every day. I will wake up at 6 in the morning for worshiping my goddess and then I prepare breakfast. I will wake Moon up at 7 and we will eat breakfast together. We are on our way to school by 8:30 since her class will start at 9 and will end at 12. Once I dropped her to school, I will either stay at the office or went to some nearby temple.
Basically, in the temple to worship and help the people out there, and in the office, just help Niyon to file or help him type the reports.
Then I will pick Moon up from school, we will go home and take some lunch. She has a butler that helps her take a bath and get dressed. Then she will take a short nap, and have snacks then I will help do her homework. Then playtime, dinner, bath time, and sleep. My day goes on like that.
Truth be told I am happy and satisfied too, these are the relaxing days of my life when I don't have to worry much, and now I might be able to manage to send my mother to the great Almighty concert.
I always put Moon to sleep. She's not like the regular kid who loves fairy tales before sleeping. She said she just want to talk.
"Roop-ah?" Moon called. She was ready to sleep.
"Yes, princess?" I answered while tucking her under the blanket.
"Can you be my caring father?"
My heart leaped at her question. My brows curved up, "Princess, you already have your dutiful father."
"Then be my Carer one please."
I gulped. How could a 5-year-old say this kind of thing? I giggled, "Princess, you already have me, your Roop-ah, and also your father. I can see that he loves you so much and he gives you everything you need."
"But my classmates have father and mother or father and daddy. I want mine too." Moon pouts.
"When your father met the right person to marry or to be with him, that person will be your caring mamma or your father. Whoever your father chooses." I smiled. It's so hard to explain to a 5-year-old. She will bombard you with too many questions.
"Then I want you to be my caring papa. I want my father to marry you."
I coughed, "Uhmmm... princess, listen to your Roop-ah okay? Roop-ah is your caretaker. And your father is my boss. I can't be your papa because your father doesn't like me." I really don't know how to explain it. Why did I say that to a 5-year-old?
"How come? I like you Roop-ah. You are very kind and loving. You always take care of me. You always cook delicious food. Father should like you too. I don't want any other papa, I only want you to be my papa."
"Princess, you're still young and you will not understand your Roop-ah. Remember, whoever your father chooses, Roop-ah loves Moon this big." I spread my arms wide.
"I will tell father to like you."
My mouth fell open. This kid, "No princess, don't say that to your father. Okay, just listen. Your father needs time to look for a papa or mamma. You need to wait. Okay? Don't worry, I will stay here with you until your father finally found papa or mamma. Okay?"
Moon pouts at me. Clearly, she doesn't understand. She is so innocent. And it's hard for me to tell her that Fire and Ice are not meant to be with each other, that's what I believe in. More so, I am her father's employee. Her father is a fine handsome young man. And he will never get interested in someone like me. Getting lost in my thoughts, I saw Moon already sleeping. I didn't notice. I stood up and felt the urge to take a shower. It's been a long day and Moon's question really stressed me out.
I carefully shut the door behind me so as not to wake Moon up. As I turned around, my face almost bumped into someone's face. My eyes widened as I met Parth sir's eyes. I stepped backward. My face turned red. Why the hell I did not notice him there that I almost kissed him?
"I'm sorry Sir, I did not notice you there." I know I looked dumb and suddenly, I remembered what Moon and I were talking about not too long ago. Did he hear it?
Parth smiled, "So what was my daughter telling you?" Oh, Almighty! He heard it. It took me a while to gather my thoughts.
"Uh...sir... She's just curious about things. I think it's too early for her to understand." I stuttered.
"Really?" A smirk formed on his face. He stepped forward, I stepped backward. My heart is racing.
"Yes sir. But I tried to explain." I swallowed wishing the wall behind me will suck me in. I knew I only have a step or two to the wall behind me.
"Explain what?" He stepped forward causing me to step backward again. And as what I am dreading to happen, my heels felt the hard wall. I'm dead. No more steps left.
"I...I'm s-sorry sir. It's j-just that I'm not good in words." I said. "I knew that I suck at explaining everything to Moon. I believe she is too young to understand adult things,"
"Why are you stuttering?" He moved forward again. My heart pounded feeling every beat in my throat. He is so near, so near that I can smell his sweet breath. I saw him staring at my lips. I don't know what crossed my head that I want him to come closer.
"No sir, it's just that..." I stopped when he moved his face forward and only our breath separated our lips. I can feel his nose touching mine.
"Well, I guess I'd rather ask Moon, don't you think?" He whispered, his eyes piercing into mine. My breath hitched. He then moved his face away from mine and turned his back. "Sleep well, Roop." Before he walks on the way to his bedroom.
I was left there frozen. I can feel the coldness of the wall pressing on my back. I am still in utter shock. Why did he do that? Is he trying to persuade me? Is he really trying to kiss me?
I walked back into my room. I think I need a very-very cold shower.