A Father’s Worry

🖤 His Sahiba

Chapter Two – A Father’s Worry

– The Silent Burden

The night was still. The only sound in the Shah household was the faint hum of the ceiling fan and the soft laughter drifting from Vishwa’s room as she hummed along with her favorite old Bollywood song.

Rajesh sat in the living room, a half-empty glass of whiskey in his hand. His eyes, once full of easy warmth, were clouded with something heavier tonight.

Avinash entered quietly, loosening his tie after a long day at the office. “You’re drinking alone? That’s unusual.”

Rajesh gave a faint smile. “Unusual days call for unusual habits.”

Avinash sank into the chair opposite him, his sharp gaze noticing the slight tremor in Rajesh’s fingers. He didn’t comment, not yet. “Vishwa asleep?”

“Still awake,” Rajesh replied, his voice softening. “She thinks I don’t know she stays up late these days, scrolling her phone, reading nonsense stories. But…” his lips curved into a small smile, “…I let her. She’s nineteen. Let her dream a little longer.”

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then Rajesh exhaled heavily, setting down his glass. “Avi… do you ever think about the future?”

Avinash leaned back, brow furrowing. “What about it?”

“My daughter,” Rajesh said quietly, his voice laced with a father’s worry. “She’s still so… innocent. She doesn’t know how cruel this world can be. Sometimes I lie awake at night thinking—what if I’m not here tomorrow? Who will protect her? Who will guide her?”

Avinash’s eyes hardened. “Rajesh…” He leaned forward, his tone steady and certain. “I’ve told you before. I’m not going anywhere. As long as I breathe, Vishwa will never be alone.”

Rajesh looked at him then, really looked, and something inside him eased. A bitter laugh escaped him. “I knew you’d say that. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. To… lighten the weight in my chest.”

But the truth he carried tonight was heavier than anything Avinash could imagine.

Earlier that day, the doctor’s words had struck like a knife.

Stage four. Terminal. Months, maybe a year.

He hadn’t told Vishwa. He couldn’t. How could he look into his little girl’s eyes and tell her that her only anchor was slipping away?

Instead, he chose to share it, in his own way, with the one man he trusted above all else.

“I went for some tests this week,” Rajesh said casually, too casually. He poured himself another drink. “Doctor says I should… take it easy. My health’s not what it used to be.”

Avinash’s gaze sharpened instantly. “What kind of tests?”

Rajesh waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t start interrogating me, Inspector Saab. Just routine. Nothing alarming.”

But Avinash wasn’t convinced. His instincts told him there was more, but he didn’t press further. He respected Rajesh enough to know he’d speak when ready.

Rajesh leaned back, his expression turning serious again. “Avi… if tomorrow, I’m not around—”

“Don’t.” Avinash’s voice was firm, almost harsh. “Don’t talk like that.”

Rajesh smiled faintly, the corners of his tired eyes crinkling. “Listen to me. You’re the only person I trust. The only man I know will never abandon her. Promise me… promise me you’ll always stay by her side. That you’ll protect her when I can’t.”

Avinash’s jaw tightened, emotion flashing in his usually composed eyes. “You don’t need to ask me that. Vishwa is… she’s family to me. I’ll guard her with my life.”

Rajesh’s chest loosened at the conviction in his voice. He reached across the table, placing his hand firmly over Avinash’s.

“That’s all I needed to hear.”

For the rest of the night, they sat together in silence, two men bound not just by friendship, but by something deeper.

Rajesh hid his pain behind laughter and whiskey.

Avinash hid his suspicion behind calm silence.

And upstairs, in her room, Vishwa fell asleep, blissfully unaware that her world was about to change forever.

✨

A Daughter’s World

Vishwa sat cross-legged on the bed, her textbooks spread around her like a battlefield. She was chewing the end of her pen, her brows furrowed.

Rajesh leaned against the doorway, watching her with that familiar half-smile. “If you chew that pen any harder, beti, it’ll cry for mercy.”

She looked up, pouting. “Papa! I’m serious. These economics formulas are trying to kill me.”

He walked in, sat beside her, and ruffled her hair. “Arre, who told you to study economics? I told you—just become a Bollywood heroine, you’ll earn more money than your Papa ever did.”

She giggled, swatting his hand away. “Please, Papa. I can’t even walk straight without tripping. Heroine banungi toh set pe hi gir jaungi.”

Rajesh chuckled, clutching his chest dramatically. “And break a thousand hearts in the process! Poor boys.”

“Papa!” she squealed, throwing a pillow at him.

He caught it easily, laughing, but then his expression softened as he looked at her. “Nineteen already,” he murmured. “Where did the time go, Vishwa? Just yesterday you were a little girl asking me to braid your doll’s hair.”

Her smile faltered. “And you made such a mess of it.”

“Excuse me!” He raised his brows. “That was modern art. Even your dolls looked unique.”

She burst out laughing, leaning against him. “You’re impossible.”

They sat like that for a while, father and daughter in their little bubble of warmth.

Then Rajesh spoke again, his tone quieter. “Promise me something, beti.”

She tilted her head. “What?”

“Promise me that no matter what happens, you’ll stay strong. You’ll live bravely. You’ll never let anyone dim your light.”

Vishwa frowned, sensing the weight in his voice. “Papa… why are you talking like this? You’re scaring me.”

Rajesh forced a smile, hiding the pain tightening in his chest. “Scaring you? I’m just giving fatherly advice. What else are fathers for?”

She didn’t look convinced, but she wrapped her arms around him tightly. “You’re not allowed to go anywhere without me. Not now, not ever.”

His throat burned as he hugged her back, closing his eyes against the tears threatening to spill. “Haan, meri sahiba. Not now, not ever.”

For her, it was just another warm night with Papa.