Chapter 2
He had everything. A loving wife, a beautiful daughter. To any outsider, it was a perfect life. And it really was. But perfect was never really enough for him.
His and his wife Priya's tastes and preferences were so different that Daya wondered how he had agreed to get married to her in first place. It had been an arranged marriage - a wish of his dying mother who was worried that after her death, there would be no one to look after her son. Yes, his marriage had happened under totally melodramatic and filmy circumstances.
They had been neighbours since childhood and then they had studied in the same class in high School. Daya could say she was a good friend but he had never been in love with Priya.
After finishing Grad school he had joined CID and then he didn't see her for a very long time.
Then came his mother's illness. Priya looked after his mother when he would be away for work purposes. Daya was grateful to Priya for that. His mother had been sure that Priya was the best for him and she would keep him happy. That was how he and Priya had got married.
It had taken them some time to warm themselves to one another but eventually, they had grown to like and care for one another.
However after their daughter was born, she became Priya's first priority. Daya rarely remembered both of them spending time together after the birth of their daughter. Daya began to drift apart by staying away from home as far as possible and immersing himself in work.
There was only one thing he felt passionate about. It was his CID job. He and Priya would have small tiffs now and then concerning his job. She was proud that her husband was a Senior Inspector but she would always complain that due to his job, he was neglecting family responsibilities.
True that he had not been there most of the times. He had missed watching his daughter Rhea grow up. He had been absent on most of her birthdays but he had always made it up to her. Rhea was a sweet child and she had never minded his absense. Though they indulged in little communication, they understood each other perfectly. His daughter never complained about his absense.
Even though he and Priya quarreled, it had never reached to an extreme level. They would fight, yell at each other, bang a few pots and pans and then that was that. They would eventually laugh and forget about it.
His life was going on fine. Yet he felt that something was amiss. He was bored of the usual humdrum. He felt like going on a quest to find that missing spark in his life but he didn't know where and what exactly was he looking for.
One Sunday morning -
"You never have time for us. Never!" Priya yelled.
"I have to go on an undercover mission. I cannot cancel that" said Daya calmly.
"To hell with your mission! Look Daya criminals are never going to stop committing crimes and your stupid undercover missions are going to continue forever. Don't you care about us? Don't you feel like spending some time with your daughter? By cancelling at the end moment you are going to ruin everything for her." asked Priya.
"I never promised her about this trip! Don't blame me! You should have confirmed with me first before making the bookings." said Daya.
"We wanted to give you a surprise! That's all" said Priya heatedly.
"Look -"
"Why don't you just leave if you are so fucking bored of me! Just leave!" Priya yelled.
"Yeah, maybe I will! I am staying for our daughter!" Daya yelled back.
"Our daughter?! She's is not your daughter! You are never home Daya, never. For you, your duty has always been your priority. You are never there for us!" Priya yelled.
"What's wrong with you? I always have time for my daughter. I have never neglected my duties." Daya shouted.
"Oh yeah? Does throwing a wad of money bills count as performing fatherly duties?" said Priya
"Shut up! Don't you dare -"
"Mom? Dad? Are you fighting again?" called Rhea, their daughter peerig at them from the gap in the door.
"No honey. We weren't" said Daya smiling at her. He could see from the look on her face that she wasn't convinced at all.
"Well could you keep your voices down whatever you are doing? My friends have come over and they are wondering what's going on" she said.
"Sorry sweetie. Don't worry. We are fine" said Priya throwing a dirty look towards Daya.
"Excuse me" said Daya and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Daya was at the beach. The waves lapped against the shoreline creating an intricate pattern along the smooth sand. He looked at the setting sun which was now a fiery orange orb.
The peace and calm of the beach helped him relax. He thought about the argument which he had had with Priya in the morning.
She hadn't been entirely wrong, Daya realised.
Why didn't feel going for a family trip together? He knew he loved his daughter very much and he would do anything for her. But his equation with Priya had certainly changed over the years. She had all right to complain because he was never really around. Honestly, he didn't feel staying around much.
If it hadn't been for Rhea, maybe he and Priya might have parted their ways by now. It was actually their daughter which had bound them together.
No sooner had such thought crossed his mind, guilt overtook him. How could he even think of divorce? She was his wife and they had a daughter. What the hell was he thinking?
"I can't think like this. I have to make this marriage work" thought Daya.
He knew the trip would be a great opportunity to bond. He decided he would speak with ACP sir. It was just a matter of four days anyway. Having made his decision, Daya got up and went home.
When he arrived at home, it was dark and silent. He wondered where Rhea and Priya were. He was about to ring the bell when he heard something in the garden.
Squinting his eyes through the darkness, he saw a figure which was undoubtedly Priya. She was sitting on the garden chair, hugging herself. As Daya moved closer, he realised that she was crying.
"Priya? Why are you sitting outside like this in the dark? Where is Rhea?" asked Daya.
Priya let the tears fall freely, not bothering to reply.
"Look, I am really sorry about what I said in the morning. I spoke with ACP sir. I am coming to the trip." he said.
His response was once again met by silence.
"Priya please say something! I am not talking to trees you know" ssid Daya irritably.
She glared at him balefully. "Why the sudden change of mind?"
"I thought about what you said. Its true I am never really around" said Daya.
"Are you really going to leave me? Do you want a divorce?" asked Priya.
The question caught him completely offguard.
"What?! Whatever gave you that idea?" asked Daya.
"Well, we rarely talk to each other. Even when you are around, you don't spend time with me. Your silence kills me sometimes. You never make love to me. You never initiate -"
"Mom? What are you doing in the dark? Is Dad here too?" came Rhea's voice through the dark.
Daya was glad that Rhea had come at the right time. He didn't know what was he going to answer her. He couldn't tell her he didn't feel like making love to her anymore. He didn't have any answers. He didn't know why he felt so distant. He just did. It was as simple as that. He really hoped that the upcoming trip would be able to rekindle their relationship like previous times.
"Your mother and I were just chatting" said Daya. "Come on, let's go inside"
"Wow. I am so excited for the trip. I am all packed" said Rhea.
"I am excited too. But your mother and I still have to pack" said Daya.
Dinner that evening was a quiet affair. It was only Rhea who was doing all the talking. Daya could feel Priya's eyes upon him all the time and he carefully avoided looking at her. Fortunately, Rhea was too excited about the trip to notice her parents acting all strange and quiet.
After dinner, complaining that he had a headache, Daya retired early for bed.
He was still awake when Priya came to their room sometime later. He kept his eyes shut not wanting to continue the discussion they had started earlier.
Priya however was not to be fooled. She knew Daya was ignoring her on purpose. It made her angrier.
She couldn't understand what had gone wrong. She loved him too much and his sudden disinterest made her sad. She feared what would happen if he really left her. He hadn't said yes but he hadn't denied either. Did that mean that he was still thinking? Was he going to announce his decision after the trip? The mere thought of it was agonising.
She observed Daya the next two three days before the trip. He seemed his usual self but she could sense that he was not really into the trip. She could clearly read his thoughts through the fake smile he had put on his face.
Finally one day before the trip, she cracked up and said to him, "You don't have to come if you really don't feel like it. Nobody is forcing you. And don't worry about Rhea. She is not a kid. She will understand"
"When did I say that I am not interested in coming?" snapped Daya.
"Why do you have to say it aloud? I can read your face very well" said Priya.
"Shut up Priya! Keep these stupid theories to yourself for heavens sake" said Daya.
Daya had chosen a quiet place in the countryside for their vacation. Rhea watched the lush green grasslands fly past the window.
It was bright and pleasant day. The sun shone brightly in the the sky which was a perfect shade of forget - me - not blue. Not a soulvwas in sight except miles upon miles of heather covered moorlands. It was indeed a lovely scene.
Rhea was enjoying herself. It had been a long time since the family had taken a trip together. She was glad that they could take out time for it. She was sure that she would be able to convince her father about staying together.
They had rented a four bedroom cottage from a lady who owned it along with her farm. It also meant that the would be getting fresh food from the farm like eggs, cottage cheese and ham sandwiches! Rhea smiled to herself as she inhaled the fresh air. This weekend was already turning out to be better.
Soon they got acquainted with the other tourists who had rented similar cottages and with some local people as well. The days were mostly spent in berry picking or strolling lazily around the area. While the nights were filled with music, campfires and lots of wine.
Rhea saw her parents as she had never seen them before. They looked young, carefree and relaxed. She had been worried about the constant tiffs between them but watching them now, she forgot all about her worries.
The next day evening, Daya drove them to a nearby market for shopping. Much to Priya's surprise and happiness, they spotted an antique jewellery store. Without wasting another minute, she ushered them into the jewellery store to make purchases.
The shop owner was a cheerful looking man who looked pretty excited to have finally got some customers in his shop. He showed Priya some finest jewellery collection. He looked very enthusiastic.
Daya told Priya and Rhea to hurry as it was getting late.
"Yes, I am almost done. How do you like this green -" began Priya but she never got to complete her sentence as they heard a sound of firing of a bullet. The jewellery shop glass door shattered showering them with shards of glass.
Daya saw two heavily built men walk in. They had masks on their faces and they were carrying guns.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" the shopkeeper roared.
Before they were able to realise what was going on, one of the men grabbed Rhea and put gun to her head. Daya didn't know who screamed the loudest, Priya, Rhea or the shopkeeper.
"Hey, don't you dare touch my daughter -" Daya yelled and began to move towards him but the theif warned him.
"Stay where you are or I will shoot her!"
"No! Don't touch my daughter! Get your filthy hands off her!" Daya screamed.
"Dad, help me!" Rhea whimpered.
"Daya, please our daughter..." Priya wailed.
"What the hell do you want?" Daya asked sounding helpless.
"Shut up!" the masked man silenced him.
The other man drew a hammer from his bag and began smashing the glass cases.
"Whoa! Take it easy!" the shopkeeper yelled.
The masked man paid him no attention and they watched him put all the antique jewellery and cash into his bag.
Daya stood there feeling helpless and angry. He could only watch without doing anything. He certainly couldn't risk his daughter's life.
When they were done, they pushed Rhea roughly on the floor and fled When a yelp of pain , she landed face down on the shards of glass.
"Rhea!" Daya and Priya cried in unison.
The shopkeeper ran outside to stop the burglars but even before he reached the door, they had sped away on their motorbike.
Pieces of glass had peirced Rhea's body and she was bleeding profusely.
Priya looked very terrified and she was on verge of tears.
"Call the ambulance and the police - quick!" Daya told the shopkeeper.
The police enquiry and Rhea's wound dressing took a lot of time. It was well past midnight when the retuned to their cottage.
Daya told Priya to sleep while he sat next to Rhea holding her hand tightly. He felt guilty and ashamed of himself. Someone had held his daughter at gunpoint and he hadn't been able to do anything about it.
Rhea stirred in her sleep. She saw Daya at her side and said, "Dad, I am fine. Please go and get some sleep. Don't worry"
"No, I am okay here" said Daya stubbornly.
"Dad, please!" said Rhea.
"Okay fine. I will go and get some sleep but I want to tell you that I am really sorry. I could do nothing to protect you. But I was scared you know. One wrong move by me could have cost your life and I really couldn't afford that" said Daya.
"Dad, don't apologize please! I trust you. I know you won't let anything happen to me. Nothing can harm me whenever you are around." said Rhea.
"I love you" said Daya kissing the back of her hand.
"I love you too dad!" said Rhea.
That night Daya lay awake in bed for a long time. The incident had really shaken him. He realised he could not think about separating from his family. He would have to stay... for his daughter.
Sneak peek into next chapter - Daya and Shreya meet for the first time.