She's only three years old, but she's so full of energy. I love how she giggles whenever I bathe her or when I sing her favorite song under my breath to calm her down when she's throwing a fit. Honestly, she's one of the best things that's happened to me. I don't know how I got so blessed with someone like her as a daughter, but here we are. I don't even deserve her, you know. Nor do I deserve Mason.

    He's been nothing more than a great father figure to Ashmita, and a great friend overall in this whole process. I'm way too lucky in life, considering everything that's happened in the past few years. The one thing that I love when it comes to their relationship is how he gently tickles her when she just wants to laugh, but can't do it.

Also, bless Mason, he's the only one that can get her to eat her vegetables without her fussing and creating a huge mess. I know that if he ever decides to have kids, especially with Sarah, then I know he's going to be an amazing father. I mean, he handles Ashmita perfectly fine, probably better than I ever will.

If he ever has kids, then he's going to have no problem at all. I like to think Ashmita is like prep for having his own kids in the future. But it's good prep. Even though I love her to death, she can tire me out sometimes. But I couldn't ask for a better daughter.

    Also, I finally did it. I'm not the kind of person who makes people promise me things. Hell, I'm not the kind of person who makes promises to myself as a whole. So, pushing myself to do this is kind of a huge deal. So, I went up to Mason, and told him about the promise that I had in mind for a while.

Thank goodness Ashmita was napping at the time, otherwise she would've guessed something was wrong. She may be small, but she's a smart girl. She's not old enough to decipher what we're talking about thankfully.

I put Ashmita down for her nap, and then I sit on the couch to tell Mason everything. "Mason, I need to talk to you about something."

Mason walks out of the kitchen, sipping a glass of water. "Yeah, what's up, Jyoti?" he asks.

"Sit down," I command, which causes him to get a little bit worried. To be fair, when I command him to do something without a 'please,' then he knows what we're going to talk about is gonna get really serious.

He sits down, this time, asking, "You're scaring me, Jyoti. I haven't been this scared since my mom found out I hid my failed physics test from her, and she was waiting for me at the bottom of the steps with the death glare on her face."

I chuckle, as he just crosses his legs. "No, it's not that bad. I do need to talk to you about some other things. It's about Ashmita."

Mason's eyes widen. "Did the medical bills come through? Jyoti, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have fed her seafood! I'll pay for it!"

I widen my eyes. "Uh, no? Damn, you're jumpy today. No, I just want to talk about her future."

He relaxes a little bit. "Wait, why am I relaxing? That's equally as stressful."

I snicker. "No, this isn't really stressful. I just wanted to discuss something. So, there's going to be a time in the future where I'm not going to be around." Mason's eyes widen a little bit more, like he just got told he just got cheated on.

He shakes his head, as I just watch his shock come from the whole situation. "No. No, Jyoti, don't say that. Please, don't. You're going to be an amazing mother. You're going to watch Ashmita grow up, go to college, get married, have kids. Don't be so negative about the near future!"

I shake my head. I know for a fact that I'm not going to be there in the future. There's just so many factors and many more potential factors that could play out in the future in which I can't see my baby grow up. It hurts to admit it, because not being there for Ashmita is my worst fear.

As her mother, the thought of her growing up without her biological mother by her side is really terrifying. All I want is for her to be successful in life, and most importantly, to be happy. So a mother stripped of the ability to see her kids blossom is something nobody should endure. "Mason, don't deny it. The odds don't look to be in my favor in the next couple of years. I know there's going to be a point where I won't be able to see Ashmita mature into an amazing woman. I don't know when, but it's going to happen. If it happens, then I need you to promise me something."

Mason leans in, clearly intrigued. "Anything. What is it?"

I sigh, and say, "I need you to promise me that you'll be there to take care of Ashmita and be a parental figure to her. When I'm gone, you need to fill my shoes of being both a mother and father. I know it's not going to be easy, but knowing you, it's not going to be hard. You're already succeeding in being the fatherly figure to Ashmita, so filling my shoes will be no problem."

Mason still looks kind of baffled at the fact that I'm planning ahead in my future so dearly. "Jyoti, I can't believe you're so negative about your future. Just wait in 10 years, when Ashmita has grown up, and you're thinking to yourself about why you made that promise. I don't know why you're considering the fact that you won't see her grow up."

I give him a slightly annoyed look. "That doesn't matter, Mason. All that matters right now is the promise. Now, tell me, are you going to be the best parent to Ashmita when I'm gone? Do you swear on your life that you will try to be an amazing parent to her?"

I hold out my left hand to do the Friendship Oath that we made up a while back. He takes his, and grabs mine, while raising his right hand. I raise mine, and then we cross our hearts with our free hands. He then takes my hand, and says, "I promise."

We then smile, and chuckle a little bit, because even though we're both 28, we both know how to goof around and have a little bit of fun here and there. Despite that, I still feel a little bit sad from today. Considering the fact that even I know that I won't get to see Ashmita grow up into an amazing young woman kills me inside. I just hope that the future doesn't live up to what I expect.

Love,

Jyoti.

***********

I close the diary, and then flop back on my bed. Wow. I can't even describe what I'm feeling right now. One emotion I can pick out is gratefulness. I'm so grateful that I have the chance to have a father like Mason, who has taken care of me for so long.

I can't believe that he's been able to keep his promise for so long. I'm kind of shocked, because of the fact that he's kept his promise for the last 16 years, without a single crack. That's what amazes me.

****

"I'm home!" Mason calls, as he sets his things down on the table. I come out of the kitchen, setting my cup of hot milk down on the counter. I walk towards Mason and give him a big hug when he gets inside. He is kind of surprised, and wraps his arms around me.

"Dang, you're in a good mood today. I've almost never seen you run into my arms like that. What did I do to deserve this?"

I shrug. "Hey, I'm just feeling huggy today. I thought you liked hugs!" I exclaim.

He chuckles, and hugs me back, while planting a kiss on my cheek. "I don't disagree. Also, is the heater on? It's freezing," he asks, as he lets me go.

I nod. "Turned it on a while back. Where's Sarah?"

"Stuck in traffic. Don't worry, I'll get started on dinner. Does kadhi sound good?"

I nod. "Yeah, just make sure to salt it this time!"

Nathan comes down the steps, and says, "Not too much salt! It'll cause more acne!"

I roll my eyes. "Dude, I think the Pinterest tips are getting out of hand. I'm dead serious."

Mason snickers. "Don't worry, I'll salt it the right amount this time. And no, Nathan, your pimples won't get worse."

I can confirm, Nathan. And the only thing that can get worse at this moment is my mom's diary. Because even though the first entry was touching, we're only scratching the surface.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And the first diary entry is here! I'm excited for you guys to read them, because to me, they're one of the most interesting parts of the book. Do you think there's more to the diary that Ashmita has yet to read? Let me know.

Hey everyone! How's it going? Are you all safe? Jyoti's diary, in my opinion, is one of the parts that I was the most excited to write. And if you don't think this is juicy, oh trust me, we are just getting warmed up.

Well that's all I got. Hope you guys liked this chapter!

Please vote/comment/ share/ follow/ message if you like my work! See you all next Sunday with a new chapter of TSOC! Have a great week!

Love you guys,

Shree