Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Adrian

"Merry Christmas to you daddy…." My daughter comes from behind and hugs me. I kiss her forehead holding her face and she shines bright the smile for which I can shell millions. "We have a guest in our house daddy." She cheers and points to a man behind sitting in one of the sofas of our visiting room. The smile on my lips instantly vanished. Before she could tell me more I already understood the story.

"Meet my boyfriend Alexander Spark, a final year medical student of our college. Alex has the best grades in our collage and one day aspires to be an oncologist." Her eyes suddenly somber feeling sympathy. "He lost his mother when he was eight due to cancer. Since then he aspired to be a physician and one day wishes to open a Charity hospital for cancer patients."

Though I wasn't much happy to meet the guy I act cheerful for the happiness of my daughter. "That's great." The young man in a simple sky blue full hands shirt and black pants gets up from his seat and comes forward to shake hands with me. "Can we speak for a few minutes in private, Mr Spark." I ask him courteous but with no nonsense and only business tone.

"Of course sir… You can call me Alexander." He was polite and mannerly which earned him a point in my head but I am not allowing him to win on me so easily. From the intonation in my daughter's voice I understood he is best prospective applicant for winning her in marriage but I'm not going to accept it easy. He is supposed to pass all the tests I give him and then he will obtain the eligibility to marry my daughter.

Alexander follows me to the study and I offer him a seat on the opposite side of my study desk. I pour myself a drink and offer him one. "Both of you are still young and immature. I do not wish marrying my daughter to an unsettled juvenile." He immediately pushes forward in his seat getting to explain me the things. "Sir I know very well how Angie was brought up in her home. She is a princess raised in richness. I do not have plans to marry in the next couple of years and bring my innocent bride to problems because I'm yet to go completely independent in my life. My dad supports me by paying my hostel bills while I give home tuitions and pay my university fees."

"That's good. You are a hard working boy." I compliment him patting on his shoulder. Judging Alexander's features I understood he was sincere, percipient towards his life and duties. "I only came here to ask you the permission for our marriage and give me some time to settle down so that I could marry and look after my wife without a hindrance." I ignored his concerns and continued with my opinion.

"I'm a business man and Rianna is my only daughter also the heir of Sunrise group of Industries." I notice Alexander slightly stirring in his chair, an act of pensiveness that I could surely decipher with the experience of age and so many years of reigning as a king in business.

"Being Ria's father I wish my daughter to be settled in marriage with the best man in the world not only in courtesy and behaviour but also in wealth and power." I raise one of my legs to settle on the knee of the other trying to intimidate him with my powerful aura. "Do you think I'm asking for more?" I command him.

To tell the truth I wouldn't like any man who wishes to marry my daughter. It scares me because he is going to take my princess away.

Alexander was in the penury of wealth. He earned his education through his ranks and grades rather than power and money but he wasn't poor in unveiling self confidence and intelligence. "Sir I do not intend to hurt you but if I'm not wrong I believe you are the adopted son of the Martins because of whose generosity you became the owner of a vast kingdom and a multi-national industries today."

The sharp-witted smarty had the guts to question me and dared my ego though he wasn't entirely wrong. I couldn't deny his statement but at the same time I couldn't approve him though there was veracity in his statement. He punched on my ego at the same time used a soft tongue. An acute and a prickle he definitely was.

"The Martins definitely helped me but I built my territory with my own flesh and blood." I look around my spacious opulent steady room and meet Alexander's eyes with pride but to my dismay he wasn't there to sit back and listen.

"You could build and rule your empire only because they helped you. They gave you a chance to prove your self-worth when they knew nothing about you. Isn't it their munificence?" It pricked me in my heart for the sharp words he used yet I had no way but to keep my lips sealed. "You were once in my place but were smart to manoeuvre the bleak situation to an advantage. I'm asking you for the same chance."

Alexander Spark was whip-smart and astute though not privileged and cash-rich. "I do not want any money from you but I want to buy time. Three years from now I will come back to your house to ask your daughter's hand competent enough as a successful doctor and to take care of her. Will you grant me my wish?" I couldn't stop but reluctantly agree with the discerning young man.

Three years later

The attraction continued between Ria and Alexander for a few more years but he suddenly disappeared from my daughter's life. I do not have a proof on the reason why? But I knew he was incisive and canny. He understood invoking my black eye would land him to trouble. Hence he slowly created a distance and vanished from Ria's life completely. I am not a cold hearted person and hungry for money but for a father wishing the best to his daughter going unrighteous?

We think the best for our children but the reality is - they carry their own fate to the earth. Destiny played a cruel game with my daughter.

I kept my word and waited for Alexander till three years but there was no sign of his return. It was finally the day of my daughter's marriage with Richard Wilmart one of the reigning entrepreneurs in hotel industry. The Wilmarts had spread their chain in pubs and casinos too during the recent years in different countries of the world. Richard saw Ria in one of the fund raising events organised by our company and he fell in love with her at first sight. Of course I had no demur to object. My daughter is going married into a gracious family and deferential guy I could ever marry her.

The engagement went on in a grand success. With the paparazzi at every step Ria's ring ceremony was a breaking news far and wide in the world. Our complete family and relations, many guests joined us in the celebration. To my relief I could see a genuine happiness in my daughter's face. Thank heavens she won over the teenage attraction with Alexander Spark.

"A very good morning to you, Princess…. Let this day progress to be the best day of your life. I wish all the happiness and love you feel for each other last till eternity." I bless my daughter with a kiss on her head. My eyes scroll her room with merry thoughts of perpetual jubilation. The room was decorated in wedding theme with balloons, scented candles and different varieties of flowers. My lips couldn't stop spreading as my vision falls on the picture of my daughter adorning her dressing table.

It was her first birthday. She was dressed in a cute baby pink frock a matching hair band that arrested her silky brown little hairs from falling on her face. With pink socks and matching shoes, she looked indeed a princess but a naughty one. Her eyes were twinkling so enthusiastic in brightness of the glowing candles as she bends frontwards from her mother's hands to blow the candles with a cute 'o' forming on her lips.

Chris enters Ria's room with the wedding dress and pulls her cheeks. "It’s like yesterday I gave birth to you and I can't believe today you are getting married." Her eyes form to pools as she pulls our Sunshine to a hug. "I wish all the happiness and prosperity in the world embrace you with this marriage, my cute Angel. Have a great life ahead." Chris kisses Ria's cheeks shimmering in joy.

"Am I disturbing an emotional drama going on here?" Ria bursts to a cry and jumps into the arms of her brother. "Hey Sunshine....don't cry." Liam's voice comes out choked and kisses her head. "May lord bless you with happiness ever after." He sniffs and hugs Ria after wiping away her tears. "I wish you are always happy with your husband but if he mistreats you, do not forget your older brother is the first person to be informed to rip the flesh out of his bones." Ria comes out of Liam's embrace and hits his arm playfully. "Richard is chivalrous good and caring towards me Liam."

I look at the wall clock ahead. Thank God it is just five in the morning and I'm left with a little more time to spend with my daughter. All of us share a group hug with her and my princess was an emotional wreck sharing her last few hours with us before marriage.

Moving to the window I slid open the curtains and was greeted with the pleasant chirping of the birds. Long green trees were swaying with the gentleness of early morning breeze as if they wanted to share my anxiety. I close my eyes for a moment and breathe in to create serenity in my heart. The fragrance of beautiful roses hits my nose. The sky was still dark with the sun about to rise from its horizon bringing to me a very important day of my life, my daughter's marriage.... a day filled with many delightful aspirations and hopes in my heart, a new beginning for us as parents and may be tomorrow if God wills as future grandparents.

With the anxious thought of my daughter parting away from me in a few hours my heart beats heavy but at the same time in merriness and I hand her my handwritten letter. The letter in which I share the words of my heart and the letter I wouldn't have the courage to give her after her marriage.

Dear Princess

Today you are getting married. After you leave this house, it would not have the same charm but your pictures and memories would keep me sane. The doors of this house will always be open to you for any problem in your life because you will always be the life of us, my pretty Sunshine.

The moment I first held you in my arms, I was too proud of you. I held you close to my chest because like I said earlier you are my most valuable possession. I counted all your tiny fingers and kissed all your pretty toes. You were my Angel sent just for me, all that I hoped for and everything I dreamt.

I was sick when you were born and couldn't remember anything about my past including your mother but your birth is a merriment I would share with anyone as clearly like it happened yesterday. You are my biggest luck in my life.

When I came home, you would run to the door to give me a big hug holding my legs and every wrong that happened that day just melts away.

I recall the trips from the shopping marts to the beauty parlours with you. Our little parties filled with chocolates and ice-cream at night, without your mom's knowledge. To the drives I took to drop you at your friend's place and to the secret sky diving adventure we did with no clue given to your mother. I would always miss you Sunshine for you are my most precious gift given by God. Always.

I am wiping my tears today writing to you these words but don't go disheartened that I have gone weak. With the passing years you have made me much stronger (Like the superman in your fairy tale movies) and I told your man, guns may not kill at times missing the targets but dads with pretty daughters like mine don't.

Living together can be quite the change and co existence is not always easy. Trust, respect and communication are key aspects to ensure success in a relationship. Infidelity is unpardonable. I missed your mom for fifteen long years because of this mistake.

Always be free to express your feelings to your husband and never bring egoism in between yourselves for, it could be the biggest threat for the success of a marriage.

I wish for your health and true happiness today and forever after Sunshine. Don't miss me because I am always a part of you holding you together in the difficult days of your life and sharing your joy in your happiest days.

I always felt the importance of three things to give you, confidence to always know your self-worth, the strength to chase your dreams and the ability to know how truly and deeply you are cared by your dad and mom.

If you need me, call me. I don't care if I am asleep. It doesn't matter I am having my own problems because I will always be there for you how big or small your problems are.

Even the most powerful man in the world is one day going to be a father and innovates his weakness in the form of a daughter but you're not my weakness. You are my strength.

With lots of love and kisses,

Your ever loving dad

Ria runs to my arms landing to whimpers and hugs me tight. I run my hands softly in her hairs as my eyes peak down to my blossoming garden with flowers in different colours. May my daughter's life too blossom like these colourful roses. "Dad what are you thinking? Everything will go on good dad. I will take care of everything." My son who is always responsible assures me and pulls Ria into his arms.

Marriage of my daughter with the most eligible bachelor in the world - I repeat the same sentence innumerable times to get rid of the anxiousness in my heart.

The calling bell rings, no sooner that I open the door my mother brings me to an endearing hug. My dad walks behind her. Within moments our house was filled with the laughter and charms of our relatives congratulating us. My mother pulls Ria into her arms and kisses the both sides of her cheeks. "I wish this day changes your life for the best, kiddo." She smiles with wetness in her eyes. Soon my dad follows inside the house and blesses Ria. He was carrying a huge bag which was over flowing with miscellaneous items like jewellery, clothes. The driver follows in with a few more articles.

The front hall was cram-full with gift cartons and wedding articles with no place to sit even on a sofa. Children were running everywhere in a lot of hustle.

Finally the moment came when I had to part away from my daughter. I hold my daughter's hand firm with nervousness and walk her through the aisle to her groom. My eyes well tears as I tell Richard with a waver in my voice. "Take care of my daughter."

"I will." He said firm and strong but little did I know it was a promise that destiny couldn’t approve.