The atmosphere inside the Singhaniya mansion was festive. The halls were beautifully decorated with flowers and lanterns. The air smelled like sandalwood and turmeric mixed with the fragrance of flowers and the aroma of the delicacies. People rushed around checking if everything was fine. Guests were welcomed. Relatives gathered together and shared old stories. The sounds of their occasional laughter filled the air, creating a lively environment. Wedding songs were played in the background, the uplifting beats dragging everyone to the dancefloor. Afterall it was the wedding ceremony of one of Asia's most reputed and successful businessman, Tahir Singhaniya. Celebration was definitely a must.

However, this was not the first time Tahir's wedding was being celebrated with such joy and enthusiasm. This was Tahir's second marriage. His first wife, Aaradhya Singhaniya tragically passed away in a car accident, leaving behind Tahir and their little daughter Tanishka who was now nine months old. Tahir who was once a family man and was devoted to his family, laughed with them and was a jolly person, now became a former shell of the person he was before. Aaradhya's death left him completely shattered, specially with the responsibility of the small innocent life she left behind. Tanishka was now everything to Tahir. She was the symbol of Tahir's love that Aaradhya left for Tahir to cherish forever. Tanishka was unaware of the harsh reality. Sometimes she seeks the motherly warmth in her grandmother's arms but when she doesn't get it, she cries and it becomes difficult to soothe her. Tahir remains busy in his work and is not always available for his daughter and that makes his heart ache even more. Tahir was never ready to marry again. The void that Aaradhya left in his heart was too hard to fill. He rejected many proposals that his friends and relatives offered for him. He could not even think of giving Aaradhya's place to any other woman in his life.

"Aaradhya ki yaadein hi mere liye kaafi hai..main un yaadon ke sahaare zindagi guzaar lunga"(Aaradhya's memories are enough for me.. I'll spend rest of my life cherishing those memories.)

That was what Tahir Singhaniya would always say when someone used to pick up the topic of him marrying again. His mother, Rajeshwari Singhaniya was breaking inside looking at her son's state deteriorate with each passing day. Tahir's emotional distress was slowly affecting his physical health too. He used to skip meals, work till late at night and avoid social gatherings. He would just stay alone in his room cradling Tanishka in his arms as if she was the last piece of treasure that was left with him.

"Tanishka ko ek ma ki zaroorat hai Tahir. Baat ko samajh."(Tanishka needs a mother Tahir. Try to understand what I'm saying.)

"Tanishka ke liye main sautali maa kabhi nahi launga. Bhale hi kaam ke wajah se main use thora wakt na de pau par main use kisi aur aurat ke haathon kabhi nahi saup sakta. Main apni beti ka dhyan rakh sakta hoon. Uske liye kisi dusri aurat ki koi zaroorat nahi. Aur baki aap, papa aur ghar ke baki log toh hai hi."

(I will never bring a stepmother for Tanishka. Even if, because of work, I’m not able to give her much time, I can never hand her over to another woman. I can take care of my daughter myself. She doesn’t need any other woman. And besides, you, papa, and the rest of the family are there anyway.)

His parents would look at each other being disappointed by the failed attempts to make their son agree for remarriage. Tahir was determined to raise Tanishka all by himself, honouring Aaradhya's memory. He would calmly reject the marriage proposals and if someone forced him or tried to coax him into marrying, he would lash out.

Until one day, Tanishka was suffering from a high fever. The poor baby was whimpering and crying in distress. Tahir was out of the town for a business meeting. Rajeshwari tried her best to soothe her granddaughter. Anupam also did whatever he could. They called the doctor and stayed up all night to look after Tanishka. They were getting old as well and slowly it was becoming difficult to take care of Tanishka. Tanishka needed a mother and everyone knew it, including Tahir but he was not ready to accept the fact. The day he came back from the business trip, his family brought up the topic of marriage again.

"Maine kaha toh hai ki main shaadi nahi kar raha. Phir bhi kyu aaplog baar baar shaadi ki baatein karke mujhe hurt karte hai?" (I’ve already said that I’m not getting married. Then why do you all keep bringing up marriage again and again and hurting me?)

Anupam spoke with a firm tone as this time he was determined to make his son understand the gravity of the situation, "Dekh Tahir.. Aaradhya ke jaane ke baad tujhpar kya beet rahi hai ye hume pataa hai. Par tu apne gham ki sazaa us masoom bacchi ko kyu de raha hai?"

(Look, Tahir… we know what you’ve been going through since Aaradhya passed away. But why are you punishing that innocent little girl for your grief?)

Tahir looked at his father with an astonished expression.

"Tanishka ko main kya sazaa de raha hoon? Din raat toh usi ke future ke liye mehnat karta hoon. Usi ke liye sab kuch karta hoon. Aaradhya ke chita ke aag ke saath meri khushiyan bhi jalkar raakh ho gayi..phir bhi ji raha hoon. Kiske liye? Bas apni beti ke liye. Aur aap kehte hai ki main use sazaa de raha hoon."

(What punishment am I giving Tanishka? Day and night, I work hard for her future. Everything I do is for her. Along with the flames of Aaradhya’s pyre, my happiness also burned to ashes… yet I’m still living. For whom? Only for my daughter. And you say that I’m punishing her.)

Rajeshwari spoke softly,

"Beta..tu Tanishka ke future ke liye dhan zaroor kamaa raha hai..par use jitna wakt ek parent se chahiye woh tu nahi de pa raha hai. Woh abhi bohot choti hai aur use bohot care aur attention ki zaroorat hai. Kal ko jab woh bari ho jaayegi phir use in sabki kami mehsoos hogi. Abhi wakt rehte hi sab thik karle."

(Son… you may be earning money for Tanishka’s future, but you’re not able to give her the amount of time a parent should. She’s still very young and needs a lot of care and attention. Tomorrow, when she grows up, she will feel the absence of all this. Make things right while there’s still time.)

"Aap ho na..aap use sambhal lena aur main thore hi har samay busy rehta hoon. Main dekh loonga." (You’re there, right… you can take care of her. And it’s not like I’m busy all the time. I’ll handle it.)

Tahir was about to go upstairs when his father placed a hand on his shoulder and turned him around.

"Sun..tu samajh nahi raha hai. Teri maa aur meri umar ab dhal rahi hai. Hum aaj hai toh kal nahi. Akele ek bacchi ke saath zindagi guzaarna itna aasaan nahi hai. Tu most of the time busy rehta hai. Tanishka ko hardly samay de pataa hai. Kal ko woh bari hogi. School jayegi. Woh tujhe itni busy dekhkar ek maa ki kami mehsoos kar hi legi. Phir baad me jab uske friends ke maa ko unke saath dekhegi toh woh tujhse bhi ye sawaal karegi ki uski maa kaha hai? Uski maa uske saath kyu nahi hai? Tab tu kya bolega?"

(Listen… you’re not understanding. Your mother and I are getting old. We’re here today, but may not be tomorrow. Living life alone with a child is not that easy. You’re busy most of the time and can hardly give Tanishka any time. One day she’ll grow up, start going to school. Seeing you so busy, she will definitely feel the absence of a mother. And later, when she sees her friends’ mothers with them, she’ll ask you this question too—where is my mother? Why isn’t my mother with me? What will you say then?)

Tahir felt silent, a lump forming in his throat. He was aware of the fact that his daughter needs a mother, someone who could hold her in his absence. But the thought of handing Tanishka, his life over to some other woman who was not her mother terrified him to the core. He was afraid whether another woman would accept his daughter whole heartedly and love her truly or not. He could not bear the thought of Tanishka shedding tears because of his one wrong decision.

Rajeshwari spoke with a soft tone,"Tu jab bahar tha.. Tanishka ko bukhaar tha..hum puri raat uske saath rahe par kab tak? Ek din toh hum bhi nahi rahenge. Tab Tanishka ka khayal kaun rakhega Tahir? Tu kaam sambhalega ya phir pura din uske saath bitaayega? Ek bacche ko ma baap dono ki zaroorat hoti hai. Koi ek parent dusre ki jagah nahi le sakta. Sabke apne apne zimmedariyan hai. Shaadi ke liye ha karde..apne liye biwi na sahi par apne bacche ke khatir ek maa la Tahir "

(When you were away… Tanishka had a fever. We stayed with her the whole night, but for how long can we do this? One day, we won’t be here either. Then who will take care of Tanishka, Tahir? Will you manage your work, or will you spend the whole day with her? A child needs both parents. One parent can never fully take the place of the other. Everyone has their own responsibilities. Say yes to marriage… not for yourself, but for your child’s sake—bring a mother into Tanishka’s life, Tahir.?)

A tear left Tahir's eyes as he took a deep breath. The old wounds were being cut open again.

"Tanishka bimaar thi aur aap logon ne bataaya nahi mujhe."

( Tanishka was sick and you didn't tell me)

Anupam spoke with a sigh, "Tuh already bohot stressed hai hum tujhe aur pareshan nahi karna chahte the. Aur batata bhi toh tuh aa thore hi pata."

(You’re already very stressed, and we didn’t want to trouble you any further. And even if we had told you, it’s not like you would have been able to come.)

Tahir didn't wait for another response and rushed upstairs. He immediately freshed up and wore his pajamas before rushing towards the baby crib. He saw his daughter sleeping peacefully, gently sucking her thumb. Tears welled up in his eyes and he picked her up. He cradled her close to his chest and broke down crying.

"Kyu Aaradhya kyu tum hume chor ke chali gayi? Kyu? Ab mein iss choti si Jaan ko lekar akela kya karu? Humari bacchi ko tumhari zarurat hai..ek maa ki zaroorat hai..par tumhari jagah main kisi aur ko kaise de doon? Kaise kar loon dusri shaadi jab mein abhi bhi tumse pyaar karta hoon aur hamesha karta rahunga?"

(Why, Aaradhya… why did you leave us and go? Why? Now what am I supposed to do alone with this little one? Our daughter needs you… she needs a mother… but how can I let someone else take your place? How can I marry someone else when I still love you and will always love you?)

That night he held Tanishka close to his heart but couldn't sleep. This mind was occupied with numerous thoughts about the past, present and future. Finally as the first light of dawn came into view, he had made up his mind that he would marry again. Not for a wife but to get a mother for Tanishka. He vowed not to love again. This marriage will just be a duty for him for the sake of his daughter.

Tahir was sitting on the mandap wearing a cream coloured sherwani. His expression was unreadable and held no warmth. He was doing the var puja. His thoughts drifted back to the day he was doing this var puja for the first time. The time when his bride was Aaradhya with whom he had planned his forever before the cruel twist of fate in their lives. That day his face was glowing with happiness and today he looked gloomy. That day he was doing everything whole heartedly but today he was forcing himself to do everything just for the sake of his daughter. He just wanted to run away from his marriage. This marriage felt like a betrayal to his first wife whom he had vowed to love till his last breath. The flames of the sacred fire burned with such intensity that it would devour anything that is thrown into it which reminded Tahir of the day he had burnt his wife's body on the funeral pyre.

"Vadhu ko mandap par bulaiye"

( Call the bride)

After a few moments he heard the sound of anklets jinkling and soft clinking of bangles. He knew his bride was approaching but he didn't look up. He didn't want to. The atmosphere filled with soft tunes and cheers as she approached and took a seat beside him. He kept doing whatever the priest asked him to do without sparing a single glance at her.

Yn looked at Tahir. She was happy that she was getting married to the person she loved. She knows about his past and she whole heartedly came forward to take the responsibility of being his wife and Tanishka's mother. She knew that winning Tahir's heart won't be easy since his heart initially belonged to someone else. But she believed that with time things will settle back and he would let go of his past to accept the present and build a new future. Her family was hesitant about the proposal which came from Rajeshwari. Since Rajeshwari and Vasundhara were childhood friends, Rajeshwari knew about Yn's nature and was sure that no one could take care of Tahir and Tanishka better than Yn. Yn's parents asked Yn multiple times if she was truly ready for the marriage, giving Tahir's back story. But Yn was determined. She stepped in to tie her fate with Tahir's because she loved him and his past didn't matter.

The wedding ceremony progressed. Varmalas were exchanged and saat pheras were taken around the sacred fire. But all this time neither Tahir uttered a single word nor he looked at her. She felt a little hurt but knew that he needs some time to accept her and this marriage.

The wedding ceremony reached it's end and it was time for Tahir to tie the nupital chain mangalsutra around Yn's neck and fill her hair partition with red vermilion which would tie their fates till the next seven births as the people say. His hands shook a little as he did so, his mind recalling the smiling face of Aaradhya who was beaming with joy when she officially became his wife on their wedding day. Today everything was same, the wedding mandap, the rituals but his bride was not Aaradhya..it was Yn, someone who he thinks could never replace Aaradhya in his heart. Someone he thinks is not his wife but just a mother for Tanishka. He avoided Yn's gaze as he tied the mangalsutra around her neck and filled her hair partition with vermilion.

As the wedding ceremony was over, he avoided greeting the people and took Tanishka in his arms. He went to a corner, far away from the crowd and started playing with her with a soft smile. Yn noticed everything. Everyone did. But nobody said anything because they knew Tahir. He doesn't care about anything anymore except his daughter. After the leftover rituals were completed, Tahir left for his room with Tanishka and Yn was left behind. Rajeshwari and Tahir's cousins escorted her inside not to make her feel left out.

Yn knew that the road ahead was not going to be easy. She silently made a promise to herself and Tahir that she would never leave his side, she would never let Tanishka feel the absence of a mother and that she would bring back the faded colours into his life again.

That's it readers..this was the first chapter..vote and comment for the next chapter and do tell me what do you think. Will Tahir let go of the past or he would stay with it?