Ahana's POV

I was lying down beside Manvi. She was awake and playing with her toy. I smiled as the fever was down and she was back to normal.

I stood up and lifted her in my arms. I put her to the cradle and moved to the bathroom. I took a quick bath and came out of the bathroom. Manvi saw him and chuckled. She stretched her arms, I smiled and moved nearer to her.

I picked her up in my arms and moved out of the room. The doorbell rings, I opened the door and the caretaker was at the doorstep.

She moved in and I shouted at her "kal tum meri bachchi aise chodke kaise jaa sakti ho haan? Ek phone tak nhi kiya mujhe.."

"Maaf karna madam bahut zaroori tha jaana pada" she replied.

"Listen main tumhe muft mein nahi rakha hai mahine ke deti hun aur tum aise laparwahi kaise kar sakti ho?? Just get out mujhe tum nahi chahiye mere ghar mein" I raged at her.

"Nahi madam.. Agli baar aisa nahi hoga" she requested.

"No means no.. agar ise kuch ho jaata toh haan? Bukhar tha isko kal.. Ro rahi thi yahan neeche.. Mujhe laparwah caretaker nahi chahiye meri beti ke liye just leave" I said in determine tone.

She sighed and left the house. I looked at Manvi, who was making face. I kissed her cheek... "my baby.. Ab ye aunty tumhe pareshan nahi karegi"

I thought, how will I find a new caretaker this quick. "Kya karun.."

I took out my phone and dialed a number. "Hello.. Haan nahi mujhe ek experienced caretaker chahiye aap jald se jald bhejiye ya thank you" and ended the call.

My phone ranged and it was from office "haan Deepti bol.. Main nahi aa sakti hun ek kaam kar tu mujhe email karde I will work from home" I replied.

I ended the call and Manvi held my phone. I glanced at her and smiled.

She pressed randomly and music played. She chuckled hearing it, it seemed she was loving the music.

I kept her down and sat on the couch taking my laptop. I smiled as I was able to work and look after her at the same time.

It was afternoon, a lady entered inside. I glanced at her and asked "Aap kaun??"

"Aapne caretaker ke liye call kiya tha na.. Toh main aayi hun" she said.

I smiled "oh.. Please have a sit"

She sat down opposite me. I explained to her "Dekho mujhe sirf Manvi ke chahiye... 9 se 6 baje tak iske saath rehna hai khilana hai isko ache se khayal rakhna hai jabtak main lauti nhi office se chodke nahi jaana hai.. Samjhi.. "

She nodded "thik hai madam.. Aap fikar na karo"

"Fikar tumhe karni hogi agar zara si bhi gadbad ki toh chodungi nahi tumhe main" I said in warning tone.

She nodded, I said "kalse aa jaana.." and she left the house.

Manvi started to cry, I picked her up in my arms and took her into the room. She seemed to be sleepy, I kept her on my lap and tried to put her to sleep.

"Din mein soyegi aur raat ko jagegi.. Antique piece banake bheja hai bhagwan ne ise" I said with a smile. I kissed her head lightly.

The next morning, new caretaker arrived on time. I wanted to observe her first, she said "madam aap chinta nhi karo.. Main ache se khayal rakhungi"

I nodded and left for office trusting her as I had checked her background. She was indeed a nice person and the worked for agency.

I arrived in office, Deepti glanced at me and said "boss is angry.."

I sighed and asked "ab kya hua??"

"Kal meeting thi and tumhara presentation bhi you were not here" she said dejectly.

I moved to boss cabin. He scolded me "this is not done Ahana.. Pichle 3 mahino mein tum kitni chutti le chuki ho.. And that too for that unknown child"

"Sir that is my personal matter isse aapko farak nahi hona chahiye samjhe aap.." I said irritated

"But tumhara kaam toh nhi ho raha hai na" he said rudely.

"Kisne kahan aapse?? Kal maine home se kaam kiya hai apna and even submitted my report aapko mail kiya tha maine you should have checked and you can't fire me.. As maine koi rules nahi tode hai company ke aur pichle ek saal se main yahan kaam kar rahi hun aur annualy humhe 30 leave allowed hai maine toh bas 7 hi li hai.." I spoke up which made him silent.

I smiled at this and left his cabin.

"Kya sunaya hai tune Ahana.." Deepti praised me.

I smiled and said "main darti nahi hun kisise.. Unhe haq nahi meri personal life mein interfere karne ka.. I just hate him ye boss jitni jaldi ho sake yahan se chala jaye toh better rahega"

It was 7pm and I was still stuck with work, this arrogant boss kept me busy. I wanted to go home as I was missing Manvi.

I quickly finished my pending work and left the office. I arrived home and had a sigh of relief. Manvi was playing while the caretaker was seeing her.

"Madam aaj aap late ho gayi kaafi" she said.

"Haan office mein fasi thi.." I replied.

She smiled and said "kal aati hun main... khana khila diya hai maine"

I nodded and she left. I kept my purse and kneeled down in front of Manvi. She jumped on me and I hugged her tightly. She was meant everything to me. My reason of living, my happiness. After seeing her all my stress disappears.

4 years later.

Time passed, Manvi was now 4 and half years old. I entered inside her room and looked at it. It was all messed up. I sighed and arranged the things "subah aada time iska room arrange karne mein lag jaata hai.."

After setting it, I came and sat on the bed. I removed the blanket from her face and said "mannu utho.. School jaana hai"

But she was not ready to get up. I sighed, I pulled her closer to me and said "utho beta.. Phir mujhe bhi office jaana hai"

She half opened her eyes and rubbed them "mannu ko nahi jaana school" she said in her cute tone.

"Kyun nahi jaana hai?" I questioned.

She wrapped her arms around my waist and said "Aapke saath offish jaana hai"

I smiled at her innocence. I kissed her forehead and said "lekin pehle school jao phir aapko office leke jaungi main"

She stood up and asked excitedly "sachi??"

I nodded in yes, "phir mannu jaldi se ready hogi.. Chalo mannu ko ready karo"

She jumped down the bed, I said "Are sambhalke gir jaogi"

"Mannu is brave girl nahi giregi mumma.." she said and entered inside the bathroom. I followed her in and helped her taking bath. She was playing with water and throwing some splashes on me.

I glanced at her in anger... "Shaitani nahi.. Late ho jayega school ke liye" I said.

She giggled. "Mannu ko new teddy chahiye" she demanded.

"Thik hai sham ko hum mall jayenge aur mannu ke liye leke aayenge" I assured her.

She smiled broadly "yaay."

I took her out of the bathtub and wiped her. I made her wear the school dress but she was not ready to tie up her hairs. She ran into the hall..

I ran behind her "Are.. ruk jaa.. Subah subah masti shuru.."

I finally caught her and held her tight in my arms.. "Ab kahi nahi jaogi tum"

She chuckled and smiled "chodo mumma.. Late hoga school ke liye manvi ko.." she said

I was shocked hearing this, "Acha.. toh abtak kaun shararat kar raha tha?" I asked.

She jumped down from my lap and said naughtily. "Aap.." and she again began to run into the house.

I sighed in disappointment. I heard a loud noise and was left shocked.