Single mother
Shivangi sat cross-legged looking at her 6 month old daughter laying on bed.
Her eyes fixed on her baby....her entire world now. The little one had her father's eyes, and each time Shivangi looked into them.
Shivangi Joshi
"You love to worry mumma don't you?"
Arohi Joshi
*smiles weakly*
There was a soft knock at the door before it slowly creaked open.
Her parents stepped in. Her mother, had a worried expression, held a steel glass of warm milk, while her father walked with a slow, heavy step, holding a folded shawl in his hand.
They sat on the edge of the bed across from her. For a while, none of them spoke.
Vandana Shiv Joshi (FL mother)
"How's she now?"
Shivangi Joshi
"Better than morning"
Vandana Shiv Joshi (FL mother)
"Thank God, this little bunch of happiness always worry us."
Shivangi Joshi
"Her fever is almost gone maa and doctor already said to be extra careful with her because she's weak."
Vandana Shiv Joshi (FL mother)
"Hmm"
Everyone was looking at Arohi who was busy staring at her mumma.
Shiv Joshi (FL father)
“Shivangi... it’s been more than year now.”
Vandana Shiv Joshi (FL mother)
“You’ve been so strong, beta. We’ve seen it. The way you take care of Arohi day and night… you’ve become both her mother and her world.”
Shivangi Joshi
“She doesn’t need more. Just me.”
Vandana Shiv Joshi (FL mother)
“We know that. But she will grow up one day. She’ll go to school, she'll come home with questions...questions about her father. She’ll look around and wonder why she doesn’t have what others do.”
Shivangi’s face tightened. Arohi let out a squeal. She picked her up and held her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Shivangi Joshi
“I will answer every question. I will be enough. I am enough.”
Her father let out a sigh, folding and unfolding the shawl in his hands.
Vandana Shiv Joshi (FL mother)
Shivangi, you're our daughter, and we love you more than life. We want you to be happy, and we believe that remarrying someone who truly cares for you could bring you that happiness. Arohi needs a father's love and guidance as she grows up. We can't be there for her forever, beta. We want you to have a partner who will support you, love you, and be there for both of you. And you're too young to give up on your life and happiness."
Shiv Joshi (FL father)
"We know how people have hurt you deeply, but don't let that define your view of marriage. There are good people out there who will see your worth and love you for who you are. Arohi deserves a complete family, and we want to see you happy with someone who will cherish you both."
Shivangi Joshi
"I feel like I'm becoming a burden to you both. If you think I'm becoming too much for you, I'll leave your house with Arohi. You won't have to worry about us. "
Shiv Joshi (FL father)
“Shivangi, you’re our daughter. Not a burden. Don’t ever think that. But... you can’t keep burning yourself down to keep others warm. You're not just a mother. You're a woman. A person. You still have a life ahead of you.”
Shivangi Joshi
“But they said I’m a bad omen… that I killed their son. Do you want me to curse someone else's life too? Is that what you want?”
Tears welled in her eyes but didn’t fall.
Shiv Joshi (FL father)
“Those people were blind with pain and superstition. We lost a son-in-law that day, but we nearly lost you too. And I’ll be damned if I see my daughter kill her own happiness because of their cruelty.”
Vandana Shiv Joshi (FL mother)
“And it’s not just about you, beta. Arohi... she needs a father’s hand too. Arohi was born in the eighth month. You said it yourself...she falls ill too often. You're tired, day and night, and still, you won’t even let us hold her for long. If something ever happened to you..."
Shivangi Joshi
“Then I’ll take her with me. I won’t leave her. I don’t trust the world anymore.”
Her mother teared up, moving closer.
Vandana Shiv Joshi (FL mother)
“We don’t want to replace what you lost. We want to help you find something new. Someone gentle. Someone who loves Arohi like his own. Someone who holds your hand without looking back at your past.”
Shivangi Joshi
“And what if no one wants us?”
Shiv Joshi (FL father)
“Then we’ll still stand with you. But what if someone does? Shouldn’t you at least think about it? For you. For her. For the love she deserves to receive, not just from you....but from a family complete in every sense?”
Shivangi looked at Arohi, whose small fingers had now wrapped around her mother’s thumb. Her chest ached.
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Comments
Kev!n
Dad being dad by playing manipulation game XD
2025-06-17
3
Tammy
,🥲
2025-06-17
0