It took me two weeks to type this whole chapter. So pardon the mistakes. I tried my best to make it short.

Happy Anniversary To Me. It's been two years since I posted my first story (Flawsome) here in WP.

No proof reading

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It's been two months since they were staying in hospital along with Navika. In these two months, she had two surgeries, one to close the cleft palate and other to correct her jaw. For Arshi and their family, it was hard to see Navika lying on the bed with tubes and wires attached to her little body. There were several moments when she used to cry in pain. More than anyone else, Khushi break down into tears hugging Arnav who stood strong for both his wife and daughter. At that moment he realised the depth of love his parents have for him. His parents were in the same shoes like him a thirty four years back. Now he can understand the emotions they have been went through. 

Arvind and Ratna came to the hospital with the lunch. Khushi was taking a nap while he and his father went outside to buy a few things. They were near to the lift when Arvind noticed his distressed son.

"Are you okay chote?" Arvind asked placing his hand on his shoulder. Arnav looked at his father and hugged him tight.

"I'm so sorry papa, I'm so sorry for hurting you with my words all these years." Arnav said to his father.

"What happened chote?" They disentangled from the hug and his father placed his hand on his son's cheek.

"Now I know how you and maa have felt seeing me like that in the hospital. Several times I have said that I was a burden to both of you . I never believed your words when you said that but now I knew the truth. Sorry for not trusting you papa. I can't imagine if Gulab say something like this to me. Both of you loved me so much enough to give me this life. I'm so sorry for not appreciating it till now." He told his father as tears rolled down from his eyes.

"Shh chote, it's okay. You shouldn't cry like this." Arvind wiped his tears before wiping the tears off from his son.

"For parents, children are not a burden. We can understand why you felt like that but you were not a burden. No matter what happens we will be always there for you chote. We are happy that you got a wonderful life with Khushi and Gulab. I can understand that you are worried for Gulab. Years back we were also worried for you like this. It's hard to see your child going through all those pain but it all would be worth it when you see her leading a normal life with a smile on her face. For every pain, God will give you something in return chote. Just like the way you got Khushi and Gulab, our Gulab will also get something from God." Arnav felt relieved after hearing his father's word.

"Keep trust on God chote, he won't let you down." Arvind told his atheist son and he nodded his head. 

"Come now let's go or else your mother will send search parties for us if we are late." Saying this they went out.

Arshi and their family celebrated Navika's first birthday in hospital. Arnav held Navika carefully in his arms while Khushi made her cut the cake. Unfortunately she wasn't able to eat the cake, but they celebrated her birthday grandly by distributing sweets to everyone in that ward.

One month after her birthday, Navika got discharged. Right now, her cleft palate is totally closed and she have a normal jaw. Unlike other one year old baby, Navika is relatively small and there is so many milestones to be accomplished. It took a month for Navika to learn how to suckle prefectly. This enhanced her food ingestion. She learn to crawl and make words which have one or two sounds. Arshi couldn't control their tears when their Gulab called them Maa and Paa for the first time. Arshi and Navika were in the plantation looking at the flowers when Navika patted his cheeks and mouthed 'Paa' much to his happiness. Few days after, Navika crawled towards Khushi and get into her lap. They were playing when she called her 'Maa'. An overwhelmed Khushi did each and everything to show that moment to everyone. With teary eyes, she recorded a video of Navika calling her Maa and send it to her family members and friends. She didn't stop there and posted that video and pics in her social media accounts. From the start of her pregnancy itself, she has been posting pic about her motherhood. The response she got from her friends and followers were quite supporting. 

When Navika is one and a half year old, the doctor gave her permission to breastfeed Navika upon her request. Arnav stood next to Khushi as the nurse helped her to breastfeed Navika. When Navika started sucking the milk, tears started to roll out from Khushi's eyes. She gently stroked her daughter's head and hummed a song while Arnav kept looking at the two important persons in his life. The nurse stood there for a moment and went out to give some privacy to the couple.

"Arnav, this feels so overwhelming." Khushi who is breastfeeding for the first time got overwhelmed.

"I won't ever forget this moment. Seeing you feeding our Gulab." Arnav kissed her little feet as he sat next to Khushi.

"Me too. Arnav she seems to be so hungry. She have learned so well to suck. All those three months in this hospital were worth it." She leaned onto his shoulder looking at Navika falling asleep slowly.

"Arrange your dress while I will burp her." Saying this Arnav took Navika in his arms and burped her. Khushi buttoned her shirt and took Navika from his hand.

"Aww, my laado looks so adorable while sleeping." Khushi placed a kiss on her forehead and lightly swayed her hands.

For the next few months, Khushi breastfed Navika more often. Khushi joined back on work when she was 21 months old. Garima and Ratna took care of Navika while Arshi went for work. Coming back from his farm in the morning, Arnav used to spend most of his time with Navika teaching her to speak and sign. Arnav loved the sloppy kisses given by his Gulab. Being the anxious mother, Khushi used to video call them whenever she got intervals and blessed with the sight of her husband and child which made her happy. She rushed to home once the college get over. Everyone made sure that they are germs free before approaching Navika. Coming from college, the first thing Khushi does is take a bath before pampering her child with numerous kisses. Little Navika reciprocate all those kisses to her mother without any delay. 

In between this, Khushi got the happy news about the approval of her thesis. Everyone was present there during her PhD convocation. Gupta were happy seeing their daughter achieving everything she have dreamt. Arnav was proud seeking his wife on the podium, so were the Raizadas. Khushi get down from the stage and straightly went to her husband and child. Holding her doctorate degree, she hugged Arnav who is holding Navika in his arms. He smiled and wrapped his other arms around her, patting her back lovingly. Little Navika, looked at her mother and tugged on her hair to gain attention. She raised her head and stared at her daughter for a second before taking her from Arnav. 

"Did my laado missed maa? Did my laado see maa getting this?" She asked showing her degree which is a trivial thing to little Navika. She looked at her mother for a moment and buried her face onto her neck.

"Is my laado tired?" She asked patting her back.

"Yeah, she seems to be sleepy." Anjali told Khushi.

"Then let's go Di." Khushi told her.

"Don't you want to attend the party Khushi? You and Arnav should stay back here. Don't worry about Gulab, we all are here to look after gulab."

"No maa, let's go back home." Khushi said wanting to be with her husband and baby. 

"You should go and tell your guide that you are leaving." Arnav told her and they left once she talked to her guide.

On reaching home, Ratna promised to take care of Navika and asked her to rest at it is already dinner time. Arnav took Khushi to their room and hugged her.

"I'm so proud of you Khushi." He inhaled her floral scent and wrapped his arms around her curvy waist.

"It's bound to happen as I have a very supportive husband." They broke the hug and she garlanded her arms around his neck.

"I love you Dr Khushi." He said dropping a kiss on her forehead. She kept staring at him for a few minutes.

"Do you know how much I love you Arnav?" She questioned him.

"Yeah, not only me everyone knows about your love Khushi." He tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear.

"I strongly believe that I'm born only to love you and being loved by you. Sometimes I wonder how if it's humanly possible to love someone like the way I love you. I think my devimaiyya truly blessed me by sending you to my life." She cupped his face and pecked his lips.

"It can be other way too. You devimaiyya blessed me after hearing my prayer." Nowadays Arnav started believing in God. He isn't overly religious, but he knew that God never left his hand totally. 

"I have a gift for you." He took out a small box from his pocket and opened it for Khushi. It is a small and simple ring with a stone.

"For your achievement and also an engagement ring. I never give you a ring till now. May I?" He asked holding her hand while she stood there with teary eyes. She smiled at him and nodded her head, giving him permission. Arnav slide the ring on her finger and kissed the back of her palm.

"This is beautiful. When did you brought it?"

"Few days back, me and Gulab went to the jewellery and we liked it."

"Gulab liked it?" Khushi asked looking at the ring.

"If you say noding her head to all the ring I showed her." Khushi smiled and hugged him.

"Hmm, what about the money Arnav?" She questioned after sometime.

"It's doesn't cost a lot Khushi. Someone paid me back a debt last week, so  it wasn't that difficult to raise money for this." He told her. 

Prior to Navika's surgery, they have raised money in each and every possible way. If anything goes beyond their savings, they had backup plans to raise money by pledging gold and properties. After the cleft palate surgery, half of their savings got exhausted. They were planning to pledge gold and properties when the Gupta's paid the amount for the mandibular surgery. Guptas knew that Arnav was a proud man and he wouldn't like their gesture. It was Akash who told him that they have the right to pay the money as Navika is his niece and her parents' first grandchild. 

"So you got any idea to celebrate our achievement Mr hubby?" Khushi trailed her finger from his temple to his lips.

"I think you have a wonderful idea in your mind Dr Khushi." He flirted back.

"Yeah, I do have an idea. You know Arnav, I still remember that blushing Arnav who tied by dori with closed eyes. Who would have thought that such a shy boy will become an expert in undressing me." She teased making him embarrassed.

"Look at you Arnav, I feel like eating you up. You know, you are one hell of a passionate lover." Saying this she lean closer and kissed him. They kissed eachother and celebrated her achievement in the most pleasurable way.

Days passed and they celebrated Navika's second birthday very grandly with friends and family. They also contributed money for charity for the blessing God have bestowed them. 

End of Flashback

Arshi looked at 2 year old Navika sleeping peacefully on the bed. Arnav is glad that he got a chance to talk to NK and know about his story.

"Arnav if I wouldn't have run away from my marriage with NK, do you think that everything would be like this? Me and you with our Gulab?" Khushi asked him.

"After hearing from NK, I think it would be the same. Instead of eight years, we would be married for six years right now. Sunaina and Ebin were the people on disadvantage if you have married NK."

"Yeah, that true but I'm happy that we are married for eight years than six years. I got two more years to thoroughly love my man." She said leaning onto her husband as he placed a kiss on the top of her head.

A year after, Akash married Payal who was a nurse working in Navika's hospital. Akash and Payal meet in the hospital when Navika was admitted there. Later they came to know about eachother from mutual friends and started dating. Akash proposed Payal a year after dating her and got married to her. Soon after their marriage they were blessed with a baby boy named Piyush whom they fondly call as chote. Payal was a kind and calm girl from a middle class family who is very fond of Navika like everyone else.

NK and Steve visited Arshi after two years and they were happy to see little Navika doing well. Days later, Arnav got a call from NK regards his friend who makes body prosthesis. Khushi always wanted Navika to have a ear prosthesis which would help her to boost self confidence. They were planning to have a rib graft for her ear reconstruction which is preferable at the age of 7 to 9. So till then, they decided to adjust with ear prosthetic. They went to meet his friend and he took measures of both Arnav and Navika's ear. 

Arshi went to the get the prothesis done. Arnav was reluctant to get a prosthetic ear but she made him understand that Navika will be able to accept it easily if he too get that done. Arnav and Navika got the prosthetic ear attached. It can be taken off and put on easily. Four year old Navika got excited getting two ears like her mother. She looked at her father and saw two new ears and touched it.

"Now paa and I same to same like maa." She told Arnav pointed at him and herself, then towards Khushi.

"Yes, we are same to same now." Arnav said placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Maa, have a small surprise for my Gulab." Saying this she took a star shaped hanging earrings from her bag. She carefully made her wear the earring and made her stand in front of the mirror. She touched the earring and kept staring at herself which brought tears in her parents' eyes.

"Did my Gulab loved it?" She asked kneeling down and holding Navika in her arms.

"Yes, I beautiful like you." She said kissing Khushi.

"My Gulab is so beautiful just like a rose." Khushi kissed her daughter and pulled her closer to her.

"I want to show this to all, nana, nani, dada,dadi, mama, mami, anooj bhai, chote, bua, phupha, jaydeep chachu, Shyam uncle..." Navika started counting with her little fingers.

"Yes, we will tell everyone." Khushi told in a childish manner making Navika happy. She couldn't control her tears seeing her daughter beaming with happiness. 

"Maa, why you cry? You want this?" Navika touched her tears and pointed at her earring thinking that Khushi want it back. Navika is calm and kind like her father. What she got from Khushi is naughtiness and talkativeness. Her speaking skill have developed slowly but she learned sign language even before that. Before her speech therapy, she used to talk to them in sign language, that too a lot.

"No...no... Maa is so happy and that's why I'm crying." Khushi told her wiping her tears.

"No...no cry when happy. Paa tell me smile always." Navika looked at Arnav to second that.

"Yeah, you should smile always." Arnav told making Navika happy.

"Now maa smile." With that Khushi gave Navika a big smile and hugged her.

"We love you a lot Gulab."

"I love maa and paa." She said lying on her shoulder.

Three more years passed by and Navika turned five year old. The doctor scheduled her next surgery which is to correct the downward slant of her eyelid. They had to say in the hospital for two days and got discharged. Now there is only two surgeries left to perform which is scheduled after five or six years, which are ear and cheek reconstruction surgeries which will give her a normal look.

On her sixth birthday, Arshi gifted her a little golden retriever puppy which she named as Scooby.

From then, Navika and scooby were inseparable. He tailed behind Navika like a shadow and they played together. Scooby used to tail behind Arnav and Navika when they go to the farm. One day he made a mess in the garden by knocking up the fertilizers bag and Arnav stopped taking scooby to the farm. 

"You are a bad boy Scooby. Why did you created that mess in paa's farm? My paa had to work a lot because of you." Navika scolded scooby who is lying on the carpet lavishly without any care to what she is saying.

"Now we won't take you to farm. You shouldn't hurt my paa again." She said munching on some apples. Arnav saw this and smiled. His gulab loves everyone and can't see them being sad. She loves her cousins a lot which include Anjali's two boys and Akash's son and a daughter. Except Anooj, Navika is the elder sister of other three of them. Arshi used to take Navika to park and there she mingled with other kids even though each and every person in the park used to stare her. 

Navika is seven year old when she had a surgery where a hearing aid is been attached to her skull.  Now it's her time to join school. Instead of Khushi, it was Arnav who freaked out about it. It was due to his compulsion they didn't send Navika to preschool. He really wanted her to get homeschoolled and Khushi was against that idea. After a big argument, Arnav gave into Khushi's deman and agreed to join Navika in school. 

Few days before her school, Arnav came back from the farm along with Navika. They found Khushi and Ratna in kitchen making jelabies.

"Maa." Navika called Khushi as she stood next to her looking at the jelabies.

"Come here my Gulab." Saying this Khushi took Navika in her arms.

"Don't you want jelabi?" Khushi asked her and she looked at the jelabies which is in different shapes. Arnav too noticed the jelabies shaped in triangle, rectangle, square, circle and normal jelabies. He looked at her and raised his eyebrows at her. All these jelabies are placed in different plates.

"Choose one from this gulab." Khushi told her daughter and she took the normal jelabi from one plate. When she took her first bite, her expression changed and she spit out th jelabi which was sour in taste.

"Maa, it's sour." Navika told her.

"Ohh, then try another one." Khushi told and Navika took a triangle shaped jelabie which was tasteless.

"It's not sweet." Navika told her mother. This kept going and Arnav stood beside her not understanding what she is doing. Arnav looked at his mother and raised his eyebrows. Ratna shook her head not understanding anything. Finally Navika got a irregular shaped jelabi which was sweeter. After that she got sweet jelabies which is in different shapes.

"You don't want these jelabies?" Khushi asked the jelabies which Navika rejected.

"I like this jelabi." She told her.

"But I made all these for my Gulab and I liked it.  Now I'm sad that my Gulab don't like most of this." Khushi pouted and looked at the jelabies.

"Are you sad maa? Don't be sad, but I liked this jelabi."

"And I like this jelabi." Saying this she ate the sour jelabies.

"Khushi, what are you doing?" Arnav asked her not understanding what she is trying to do.

"You will know that soon Arnav." Saying this Khushi took Navika to the hall and asked Arnav to bring the sweet jelabies for her.

"Gulab, why didnt you chose this jelabie at first?" Khushi asked looking at the irregular shaped jelabi in front of her.

"Because you make this always." Navika told her.

"And you told me that they all not good. Now I'm sad." Khushi acted like sad.

"Don't be sad maa, I will eat that with you." Navika told her mother.

"So my laado, I want to say something to you." 

"What is it maa?" She looked at Khushi waiting for her to speak.

"Hmm, why am I sad now?" Khushi asked her.

"Because I didn't eat all the jelabies."

"Why didn't you eat the jelabies?"

"It's not the jelabies you used to make."

"So how does all the jelabies tasted?"

"Sour, salty, sweet, no sweet, spicy." Navika recalled every taste she had.

"You know Gulab, like the jelabies we are also made by devimaiyya. That's why we all look different. I and your paa look different. Your paa and mamaji look different. So everyone in this world is made my devimaiyya and they all look different." Navika nodded her head understanding it.

"So what did I told you now?"

"Devimaiyya made everyone and all are different."

"Just like the jelabie taste, all those people behave differently too. For example, your paa smiles when he is happy and I cried when I'm happy or sad." Navika giggled knowing her maa.

"And paa call you cry baby."

"That your paa does. So I'm saying that they behave differently. Doesn't your nanaji get angry easily?" Khushi asked her.

"No nanaji don't get angry. He buy me chocolate, ice creams and play with me." 

"Your nanaji used to get angry at me."

"Because nanaji don't like crying. He says that bad girls cry. Maa, you cry a lot. That's why nanaji is angry, isn't it paa?" Navika turned towards her father for answer.

"May be." Arnav told sitting beside them.

"So Gulab, within a few days, you will be going to school. In school there will be a lot of children like you. Just like these jalabies made by me, devimaiyya also made those children. They will be different in nature and behaviour like the taste of these jelabies. Are you getting what I'm saying?" She asked her daughter.

"Hmm, they all are different."

"Yeah, some of them want to be your friend and some won't. You should be good to everyone. You will do that, won't you Gulab?" Khushi asked and she nodded her head.

"Among them, there will be children who might behave bad. If say something bad to you, don't get upset over that. Do you know why they will behave like that?" Navika shook her head not knowing the answer.

"That's because their paa and maa don't tell them to be good. They won't be telling this jelabi story to them. So my Gulab should ignore if someone say anything bad or hurtful to you. Just pray to devimaiyya to give them good habits like my Gulab have."

"I'm a good girl maa, paa tell me that."

"Yeah,my Gulab is the best." Khushi said placing a kiss on her cheek making her smile.

"Always remember that people are like jelabies who have different shapes and tastes. So Gulab, tell me what will you do if someone say something bad?"

"I will pray to devimaiyya to give them good habit like me." Khushi fed her a jelabi hearing her answer.

"Are you excited to go school?" Navika shook her head in denial.

"I wanted to be with you, paa, nana, nani, dada, dadi, scooby and everyone."

"It's just a matter of few hours Gulab."

"Can I take Scooby to school?" She looked at the one year old dog lying on the floor next to Khushi's feet.

"No, they won't allow Scooby there. Don't worry, you will get friends there. I and paa will be there to make sure that my Gulab is okay. Now go and play with scooby." She put her down and Navika called Scooby who tailed behind her.

Arnav held her hand and lightly squeezed.

"You okay?" Khushi asked.

"I'm afraid."

"Don't worry, we will stay strong for her. I have been preparing myself to face this from the time she was in my womb."

"You are a good mother." He told her.

"And you are an awesome father and husband. You and Gulab are my world." She leaned onto his shoulder wrapped her arms around his arms.

Arshi took Navika to the school. They knew that all the parents were staring at them. Khushi have already talked with the teacher about Navika in advance. She made sure that Navika is comfortable in the class. Arshi waited outside her class with their heart in hand. They hoped that everything goes smoothly. For the first seven years of her life, Navika has been surrounded with her family. Now she is been admitted to first standard directly. As it is the first day, the class ended within a few hours. They saw their Navika run towards them with a happy face.

"Maa, paa I got two friends." She said excited and Arshi kneel down to her level.

"We are proud of you Gulab." Khushi said fleeting kisses all over her face.

"We are so happy for you." Arnav told stroking her head.

"Come, I will show you my friend." Navika took them to meet her friends named Faiza and Janvi. Arshi meet both of them and their parents. Janvi is mute and they bonded over with sign language. Faiza found their communication fascinating and joined both of them. For Arshi and Janvi's parents, they were happy for their child. Thats the moment where  a friendship for a lifetime started.

Navika settled well in school. Everyday she was enthusiastic to go to school and spend time with her friends. It's been six months since Navika started schooling. One day, Arnav got a call from her school asking him to come there. When he reached the classroom, Navika jumped into his arms and started crying.

"What happened Gulab?" He asked wanting to know why she is crying like that.

"They called me ghost." Navika said and started crying again. Arnav looked at the teacher who briefed him what happened. One boy pulled Navika's ear and he screamed holding her prosthetic ear in his hand. They started calling her ghost and run away from there throwing away the prosthetic ear. When she went to class, they all started calling her ghost and moved away from the car shouting. She started crying seeing this and the teacher reached there hearing the commotion. The teacher promised Arnav, that she will look into this matter and make them understand what happened. She advised him to take Navika home.

Throughout the journey to home, she hold onto Arnav and laid down her head on his shoulder. He felt like crying see his daughter like that. When they reached home, she was sleeping and he made her lie on the bed. He told Ratna and Arvind about what happened in the school which left them in agony. Arnav sat next to sleeping Navika and stroked her hair. He lift her little hand and kissed it. He knew that it's just the start and he have to be strong for her. 

Khushi came back from work and sensed something odd. Usually when she come from college, Navika will be playing with scooby in the hall but today it was different. She saw the gloomy face of her in laws and went to her room. She saw Arnav sitting beside Navika with a sad face.

"Arnav, is everything okay?" She asked sitting beside him.

"It started Khushi. My worst fear just started. " Arnav said looking at sleeping Navika and then turned to her. He told her what happened in the school.

"Khushi, let's home school her. I can't see her like that again." He suggested.

"Arnav we can talk about this later. Right now, let's focus on Gulab." She said as tears filled her eyes. Saying this she changed her dress and went to the kitchen to prepare Navika's favourite dish. Few minutes later Navika wake up and Arnav helped her get fresh. 

"My gulab got freshen up, maa made your favourite dish. Come let's have it." Saying this Khushi placed a kiss on her forehead and started feeding her. Once she done that, she made her sit on her lap and pulled her closer. She asked her what happened in the school and Navika told her everything. Khushi consoled her and told her that her friends don't know about her prosthetic ear. She told her that she would visit the school and talk this to her friends. Navika trusted her mother and agreed to go to school on the next day.

When she recahed the school with her parents, Faiza and Jhanvi rushed near to Navika and apologized to her. Navika got happy and forgave her friends. When she entered the class, the boys too came to her and apologized. Everything was going smoothly and she passed into second standard.

One day, it was Arvind who brought Navika back from school. When Arshi came back from work, they found a gloomy Navika sitting on her bed with Scooby. They sat next to her and asked her what happened. Navika stared at her parents and asked a question which split their heart apart.

"Am I ugly? Riya told me that I'm ugly and laughed at me. You both tell me that I'm beautiful, then why she is calling me ugly?" Navika asked them both. It was Khushi who recovered from the initial shock first.

"Gulab, do you think that I and your paa lie to you?" Khushi asked her daughter.

"No, it's bad to lie." Navika shook her head looking at her mother.

"Then trust us Gulab, you are so beautiful. You are my beautiful and good girl. That Riya is jealous of my Gulab, that's why she is trying to make you sad. You shouldn't take it to your heart." Khushi encourage her daughter. Arnav held her hand and kissed her hand.

"You are our Princess Gulab." He said making her smile. Navika got cheered up and started playing with Scooby later. As usual Khushi went to Navika's room to teach her and help her with homeworks. Once that was done, she pulled Navika to her lap and stroked her hair.

"Gulab, tell me which is the biggest animal in the world?" Navika looked at her mother for a moment and answer.

"Elephant."

"Which is the tallest animal in the world?"

"Giraffe."

"Which is the biggest bird in the world?"

"Ostrich."

"Aww, my laado is so intelligent." Saying this she plantef kisses on her daughter's face.

"Now tell me which is the fastest animal in the world?"

"Cheetah."

"Arre wah, my Gulab know that too. Should maa tell you a story?" Khushi asked her and Navika nodded her head enthusiastically.

"So what are my girls doing here?" Arnav asked entering the room.

"Maa is going to tell me a story. Paa, do you want to hear the story?" 

"Why not? I too want to hear the story with my Gulab." He said sitting next to them, placing a kiss on Navika.

"Arnav, can you take tm that miniature toy animals from the shelf?" Arnav took the toy and asked her why she need it.

"Wait and watch hubby." She giggled at him and took the toys. She gave a deer and zebra to Arnav. Then she gave giraffe and horse to Navika. She took cheetah and elephant.

"Okay Gulab, let's start the story." Khushi started to narrate a story with the help of the toys. 

"Once in a forest, there lived a deer, zebra, giraffe, horse, elephant and cheetah. One day horse said that he is the fastest among them. Then zebra got offended and claimed to be the fastest animal. Like wise everyone except cheetah claimed to be the fastest. They decided to conduct a competition to find out who is the fastest one." Saying this she made all the toy animals to stand in a row. 

"They started the race and cheetah continued to stand on the position without moving. This is been watched by the king of the jungle. Now my gulab tell me whose the king of the jungle?"

"The lion." Khushi took the lion and placed it on the table.

"Yes, the lion saw this and looked at the other with pity. The elephant asked the lion to announce the winner. He went to the cheetah and congratulated him for not participating in that stupid competition. Do you know why the lion congratulated the cheetah?" Navika shook her head not knowing the answer.

"Who is the fastest animal in the world?" Khushi asked.

"Cheetah."

"Yes, the cheetah knew that he is the fastest animal and he don't need to prove that to anyone. He knew his worth and he didn't paid attention to those who tried to hurt him. So my Navika should be like that cheetah. People will say thinks to hurt my Gulab and you should learn to ignore that. You should know that you are so beautiful and so dear to me and paa. Do you get what I'm saying?" Navika nodded her head.

"So tell me what you understood?"

"Hmm, I'm beautiful and you loves me."

"Yeah, my Gulab is beautiful and don't get sad when people like Riya say bad things to you."

"Why is she saying bad things maa? Paa, you, dada dadi, nana nani told me that I shouldn't say bad things." All these time Arnav sat there feeling proud to have Khushi in his life.

"Yeah, we know that my Gulab won't say or do any bad things. Hmm tell me, do you want to see me and paa being happy or sad?" Khushi questioned.

"Happy."

"What about nana - nani and dada - dadi, do you what to see them sad or happy?"

"I want them to be happy."

"What about Anjali bua and Aman phupha, Anooj bhai? Do you want to see them happy or sad?

"Happy."

"Is there anyone you want to see being sad? Khushi asked and Navika started to think.

"No, you and paa told me that making sad is bad. I like being happy."

"Yeah, my Gulab like seeing everyone happy. But for some people they like to see others being sad. For that they will try to hurt others. In your life, you will see a lot of people who will try to hurt you by saying that you are ugly and you are not good. They do that because they wanted to see my Gulab sad and gloomy. They like to see you crying, but they don't know that my gulab is so strong."

"I'm strong, I drink milk everyday to get strong. Isn't it paa?" Arnav nodded his head and took her in his lap.

"Yeah, my gulab is so strong like her maa. You shouldnt get sad like this princess. When they  say things like this, just say thank you and ignore them. Slowly they will stop trying to hurt you." Arnav told her and she nodded her head.

"Will my Gulab follow what me and your maa told you?" Arnav questioned and she nodded her head.

"That's my princess." Saying this Arnav started to tickle her making her laugh. Khushi too joined in and Navika giggled filled her parents heart with joy. They made her sleep and went to their room.

Arnav hugged Khushi as soon as they locked the room.

"Me and Gulab are lucky to have you in our life Khushi."

"And I'm lucky to have such an awesome hubby and give birth to our symbol of love." She replied making her overwhelmed. He cupped her face and dropped kisses on her face.

"I'm sorry that I'm not helping much in this situation. I..." Khushi placed her hand over his mouth stopping him from talking further.

"You don't need to worry about it. I knew how you feel. You have been through all these and it's trigger your memories. All I want you to do is continue to love us like the way you are doing now."

"Always." She smiled and kissed him passionately.

Navika is in third standard when they admitted her for ear reconstruction. She is nine year years old and it's time for her ear reconstruction surgery.

They will be harvesting a part of her lower rib cartilage to build a new ear framework which will work same as a normal ear with sensory reception. The surgery is done in two phase where first phase is operating out a part of her rib cartilage and other one will be attaching the ear frame. Navika took two month leave from school for the entire surgery. Arshi made sure that her new ear got attached to her skin perfectly before sending her school. When she was in hospital, her best friends Jhanvi and Faiza used to pay visit to her. 

One day, Arnav found Navika crying holding a paper in her hand sitting in front of her study table. He rushed near to her and she started crying hugging him.

"Gulab, what happened? Why are you crying?"

"Maa will hate me paa." She said in between her sob.

"What happened beta?" To his questions, she showed him her answersheet. She have scored only 38 in maths out of 50. 

"Gulab, maa won't hate you for anything. Stop crying." He tried to console her.

"No paa, I brought shame to her. She is going to hate for making her feel low in front of Niya's mother and Arhaan's mother." Arnav understood the real problem now. Khushi used to tell everyone about Navika academic performance. She used to boast it in front of everyone who looked down at her daughter. Now Navika's is worried of letting down her mother.

When Khushi reached home, Arnav took her to their room before checking on Navika.

"Arnav, what happened? Why are you being tensed?" She questioned.

"I wanted to show you this." Saying this he gave her answer sheet. Khushi looked at the mark and then at Arnav.

"Arnav?" 

"Gulab is stressed about this."

"Why is she worried? She can score well next time."

"She is worried because of you." He told tried not to be angry. It hurts him to see his daughter being sad.

"Because of me?" 

"Yes, she thinks that you will hate her for scoring this mark. She thinks that she let you down in front Niya and Arhaan's mothers." He paused for a moment and continued.

"Khushi, you don't need to tell the world each and everything about our Gulab. I know why you are doing all that, but it's hurting our Gulab." Arnav hugged Khushi seeing tears in her eyes. She started sobbing in his arms.

"I never wanted to pressure her but I did thag unintentionally. I wanted to show them that my Gulab is capable of doing everything like others. I never wanted to hurt her Arnav." She said in between her tears.

"Shh Khushi, I know you. Stop crying now. You have to cheer up our Gulab. Go and tell her that you are proud of her." He encouraged her and wiped her tears.

"My laado won't hate me, will she?" Khushi asked Arnav which made him smile.

"You tell me that Gulab is like me, but she is just like her mother. Before you, she was asking me this same question about you hating her. Now go and cheer up your laado." He told her and she went to console her daughter. Khushi apologized Navika and told her how proud she is to have her in their life. She promised Navika that she won't boast around the other woman like that again. 

After a few days,

Navika was watching the tv when Arshi came and sat next to her. 

"Gulab, I and maa and have something to say." Arnav started.

"What is it paa?"

"What do you think about learning karate?" He questioned.

"You mean that dishum dishum thing. I would love to learn that." She said getting excited and then frowned.

"Will I get hurt paa?" 

"How can my strong Gulab get hurt? You won't get hurt beta. I and paa will kick that master if he hurt my Gulab." Khushi replied squeezing her hand.

"Then, I will go and learn karate." Next day, Arshi joined her for karate classes.

Days turned into years and their gulab blossomed into a teenage girl. In past, she have learn how to handle her bullies and the comments she gets on her looks. Khushi and Arnav worked hard whenever Navika felt low because of bullying. Khushi being over possesive and over protective of Arnav and Gulab, never tolerated anything against them. Instead of talking to teacher, Khushi went to see the parents of those child who bullied Navika. Without any mercy, she used to slam that children in front of their own parents. Arnav had the tough job of controlling her from cursing ill about the those children who bullied Navika. She used to be all tough in front of Navika teaching her how to handle the bullies, but once she enter their room she used to broke down in his arms. For him it was hard to see his wife and daughter suffering but he stood strong for both of them. 

Navika was thirteen when Arshi told her about Treacher Collins Syndrome. Arnav patiently answered her questions and made sure that she don't feel low because of this revelation. Everything was going smoothly when Arnav found out Navika having crush on a boy from her school. He told this to Khushi and she had a long talk with Navika about it. She told her that it was common in these age. She asked her not to get disappointed if she get rejected by her crush. Khushi don't know if Navika's crush accept her or not, all she did was to give strength to her daughter to face anything. After a few days, she saw her crush with a girl from her class who happens to be his girlfriend. That's was her first heartbreak and her parents were there to support her. Within a few days, she was able to get over her infatuation. 

Arnav was working in his farm when he saw Navika walking towards him.

"Gulab, did you come here alone?" He asked his fourteen year old daughter.

"No paa, Akash mama dropped me here." Navika said standing beside her father.

"Paa, I want to talk to you." Arnav stopped his work and cupped his daughter's under developed cheek.

"What happened Gulab? Is everything okay at school?" He asked getting panicked.

"Yes, everything is okay. I just want to know about you and maa."

"About what?" Arnav asked.

"How did you and maa got married?" Navika asked.

"Did you ask this to Khushi?" He asked making her sit on the bench under the tree shade.

"Hmm, maa told me that she will tell me everything later."

"Gulab, right now you should concentrate on your studies. When the right time comes, I and Khushi will tell you our story." He paused for a moment and continued.

"Is this because of Mithun?" Arnav mentioned about her crush.

"No, it's not about him."

"Then what is it about?"

"Hmm, it's just...in school everyone is talking about love and relationships. So I was wondering if I would find someone like the way you found maa? I mean will that be hard when we have this condition?" Navika asked her father reluctantly.

"Gulab, it's not about you finding someone. It's about someone finding your worth and accepting you for who you are. If someone find that, he will be a lucky man. Whatever happens I and your maa will be with you." He said dropping a kiss on her forehead. They sat their talking about her school and later Khushi came there to pick them back home.

Khushi is driving the car with Arnav sitting next to her and Navika on the back seat.

"Arnav, Gulab, do you know why that Arhaan got shifted to his uncle's place?" Khushi asked them as if it is a big thing.

"Hmm, they found a good school there for him." Navika told.

"No, he got suspended from his school because they found out that he was into drugs. Can you imagine that...he is just your age Gulab. Yeah, it was bound to happen as his dadi Vimala aunty is a vile lady."

"Khushi, stop talking like that in front of Gulab."

"Why?? Gulab you shouldn't talk to that Vimala aunty. She is such a bully." Khushi taunted that lady who accused her of cheating Arnav.

"Maa, are you sure about Arhaan? He isn't like that."

"Yeah, you and your father always a team. I'm the odd one out. You have grown up Gulab and you don't want your maa now. And you Arnav, I'm just a nagging wife now." Khushi said parking the car in their home. Arnav and Navika looked at eachother knowing Khushi.

"Sometimes you are such a child maa." Navika stepped out of the car and pulled her mother's cheek before running into the house with scooby following her.

"So I'm a child now?" Khushi asked looking at Arnav.

"You are always my first child Khushi."

"You have lost interest in me Raizada." Khushi taunts and stepped out of the car with Arnav following her. He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Today I will show you my interest in our room." He winked at her.

"Have some shame Arnav. We have a teenage daughter."

"I lost my shame when I married you twenty years back." He said making her smile.

"You are getting good at this Raizada. Let's see how you are going to prove your interest." She raised her eyebrows at her husband and entered into their home.

After two years, Navika passed 10th exam with a good percentage and got admission in science stream along with her two besties. Everything was going well until her 11 year old companion Scooby passed away due to prolonged illness. Navika couldn't stop crying seeing scooby lying lifeless. That was the first time when Navika loss someone close to her heart. A month after Scooby's death, she found a little puppy lying on the road with some injuries. She couldn't leave that little creature there and took him to the nearby veterinarian to treat his wound. She called Arnav and he reached there within a few minutes. Once the vet treated his wounds, Navika took the little puppy in her hand

"Paa, I want to keep him." She told her father.

"Sure, he is cute." Arnav said knowing his daughter.

"Found any name for him?" He enquired.

"Hmm, how about Coco?" 

"That nice Gulab. Welcome to the family Coco." Arnav said to the little puppy sleeping on Navika's arms. She took care of Coco and soon he became a member of their family.

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into years. Shashi passed away when Navika was in third year in agricultural science. She used to spend a lot of time in his farm and thus she decided to follow her that. After her graduation, Navika decided to join for post graduation in Delhi making a commotion in their home. Khushi wasn't ready to send Navika alone to Delhi for studies. Navika looked at Arnav for help and he nodded her head at her. Even though it was a tough task, Arnav finally made Khushi agree to send Navika for higher studies in Delhi. That's was the day when Arshi told Navika their love story.

In the airport,

"Gulab it someone tries to bully you, just show your karate skills on them. You don't need to worry about anything." Khushi told her daughter who had the constant fear of her getting bullied.

"Geez maa, you shouldn't encourage me to do these violent act."

"Yeah, be like your father and forgive everyone." She taunt her husband and daughter nature of forgiveness. Arnav and Navika smiled at eachother knowing Khushi.

"I know how to handle the bullies maa. After all I'm your strong and brave Gulab." She said pulling Khushi's cheeks lovingly. Arshi and her grandparents gave her lot of instructions and poured out their love on her before sending her away. Khushi cried hugging Arnav.

"I wish she would have remained like a child. I didn't wanted her to grow up." Khushi mumbled though her sob.

"I too wish the same." He replied to her patting her back.

After four years,

Arshi and Navika is in front of laptop waiting for the result. Two years back Navika finished her studies and started concentrated on her civil service examination. Last year she couldn't pass the main exam and this time she is waiting for the final ranklist.

She entered click and looked at the ranklist. She searched her name in the 'find' option and found her name on 148th position among the ranklist. Navika brust into tears along with her parents. It was Khushi who recovered from the initial shock.

"My Gulab made it." She shouted and went to the kitchen to bring the sweets she have brought earlier.

"Paa is very proud of my gulab." Arnav said hugging his daughter and kissed her forehead. Khushi came back and fed her sweets. Soon her relatives came to congratulate her. That's when they heard the sound of drums and trumpets outside their home. They all rushed outside and stood there not understanding anything. It was done by Khushi with the assistance of Akash's elder son.

"Paa, when did maa arranged this?" Navika asked her father seeing the neighbours coming out of their house hearing the noise.

"I don't know. Your mother is unpredictable." Arnav said as he saw Khushi distributing sweets to her neighbours.

"My Gulab is going to be an IAS officer." She told each and everyone.

[IAS - Indian Administrative Service]

"Paa, Maa is going to let the whole country know about it."

"Let her be Gulab. All your Maa wanted to see us happy. She just loves us a lot more than anyone else." He said wrapping his arms around Navika.

"I'm lucky to be born as you and Maa's daughter." She said leaning onto her father.

Navika went to her IAS training in Mussoorie. This time Arshi send her with lots of happiness. Once her training got ended she came back to her home. One day Khushi asked Arnav and Navika to get ready as she wanted to take them to somewhere. They asked her where she is taking them but Khushi didn't gave them any hint.

Arshi and Navika stood in front of a house.

"Maa, whose house is this?"

"Khushi, tell us why you brought us here?"

"This is one of my collegemate's house." She let them know and the door got opened.

Kanika Arora nee Tomar didn't expect to see Khushi after all these years. She dont know why Khushi is here now. She invited them and introduced her husband and family. Her son and his family were present there. They saw her five year old grandchild Kiara who is a mute. Navika talked to that little child with sign language and she too replied in sign language. Khushi introduce Arnav and Navika who is going to join as the assistant collector from next week.

"Khushi, why are you here all of a sudden?" Kanika aske placing the juice in front of them.

"I'm here to thank you."

"Thank me?" Kanika asked with confusion.

"Yes, for this." Saying this she took her phone and gave it to Kanika. Kanika looked at the photo and got startled while Arnav and Navika sat there totally clueless. Khushi took the phone from her hand and gave it to Kanika's husband who got shocked seeing the content.

"Your wife posted this when I posted the pic of my child for the first time. Everytime when someone looked down at my child, this gave me strength to fight against it. I wanted to show people like your wife that my child will have a happy normal life like anyone else." Arnav took the phone and saw the photo along with Navika. It was a post saying 'No matter what life throws at me. Atleast I don't have ugly children'.

"I don't know if you felt content by posting this, but for me it was a jab in my heart. Today I am standing here, with my child whom you called ugly. I just want to say that it's not my child, but it's you who are really ugly. I know I shouldn't say this but karma gets everyone. You can see that in your family for hurting my family." Khushi said looking at her grandchild. She kneel down and called the five years old girl.

"Hai, I'm your grandmother's friend. Be a good girl and study well. Don't let this muteness your weakness. That Didi sitting there was just like you but she studies well and become successful. You too be like that. You have our blessings." Khushi signed at the girl. She asked Kanika's daughter in law to take her daughter inside.

"Arnav, Gulab we should leave now." Khushi told them and turned towards Kanika. She slapped her hard on the cheek making everyone gasp.

"I have been waiting to give you this." Saying this she throw the juice in her face and turned to Kanika's husband and son.

"Sorry for doing this but I won't be able to live if I didn't do at least this." Khushi told them and walked towards the door while the other two followed her. On entering the car, she hugged Arnav and started crying. Their driver Jaydeep looked at Navika who is sitting on the passanger seat. Navika asked that man to start the car while her mother sobbed onto her father's chest. Navika looked at her father who signed her that he will handle it. On reaching their home, Navika and Jaydeep exited car while Arshi remaining inside.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Arnav asked her.

"You were handling a lot of things Arnav. I knew that you stood strong for us and I don't want to make you feel worst."

"You shouldn't have kept it away from me all these years."

"It didn't hurt me except the first time I saw that. Each time I saw that picture, it boost my energy to fight back. I'm happy that I showed her place. She can rot in hell now. Damn witch, calling my gulab ugly." Khushi said getting agitated.

"Shh, leave that. It's in the past. We are happy in our life. Leave all those things." Arnav adviced and planted a kiss in her forehead.

"Thanks for making me the luckiest woman in this world." Khushi said hugging him.

"Because I got the best woman for myself." He replied making her smile.

Three years after,

Arshi stood their watching their daughter getting married to Rohan who was her batchmate in civil service training centre. Theh started dating when Rohan got transferred to Pune and started working alone with Navika. Slowly he fell in love with her and proposed her. Arshi was in cloud nine when they heard about Rohan and literally lost breathe when they came to know about his proposal. Another twist in their story was that, Rohan was the same little boy who played with Navika in the park when she was three month old. It was Rohan's mother who told them about this incident seeing Navika's childhood picture.

Later that night, Arshi went to his little farm house. They sat on the bed reminiscing everything happens in their life. They are content in their life. Except Shashi, everyone was there on Navika's wedding. Even though Arvind is bed ridden, he blessed his grandchild with lot of happiness. They couldn't control their tears on bidai(send off). That was the first time Navika saw her both parents in tears.

Khushi leaned onto his arms and smiled.

"I'm happy Arnav, so happy in my life."

"It's all because of you Khushi. Thanks for loving me and giving a chnace to our Gulab."

"Don't thank me, I was just greedy. Greedy about my happiness which lies in you and our Gulab."

"You are an incredible woman Khushi."

"I knew that, tell me something else." She said giggling at him.

"I love you a lot Khushi."

"Aww, that's my favourite line. I love you to infinity Arnav." He smiled at his crazy wife and placed a kiss on her forehead.

Arnav sat there with the precious rose in his life who filled his life with happiness and joy.

************

Thank You Note

Thanks for your support. Sorry for not giving you reply or any response. I enjoyed reading your comments. It was the one that motivated me to write this story.

To write this story, there is one instagram account I followed named pjs_playhouse. Navika is a fighter like that little guy named PJ. I got lot of information from that account to write this story.

Yesterday I came to know about a couple who is like this couple. The man and his daughter have TCS. They are a cute family. If you are interested you can check out their instagram account named the.baha.mama.

The last part of Kanika is taken from pjs_playhouse account where they faced such an incident in real.

Once again thanks for your support.

I found this video recently. Story about a father and daughter who have TCS.