chapter 18

                           ***

         Is he not coming again? A anxious Maggie asked me with hopeful eyes

           He is on his way am sure, we just have to wait for sometime, I replied glancing around for the tenth time to see if I have missed him.

      We've been waiting for James for over thirty minutes now and he hasn't arrived yet and his number isn't reachable. I just hope he hasn't ditched us because I don't know what to say to Maggie when that happens and I don't want to see pity in Antra's eyes after all she told me not to agree to this.

            Okay, she said in a small voice as she straightened her skirt. She really put in her best for this meeting, she was Soo excited that I don't want to dampen that spirit.

          Hey, sorry am late, I heard a voice say behind me. Turning around, I discovered it is James.

               What took you Soo long, we've been waiting for you and your number isn't going through, I said relieved he showed up.

             I was caught up with work and I couldn't leave it and about my phone, my secretary stepped on it, few minutes after you called me and I am yet to get a new one, he said apologetically.

            It's fine, she has been excited to see you since I told her about you, I said turning to Maggie who has miraculously become shy and is hiding behind me. Won't you greet your Daddy? I asked which she replied me by hiding further behind me

                  Do you think she doesn't want to see me? I know I really messed up, I shouldn't have kept you waiting like that and to think that it is the first day we are meeting, she probably hates me right now, He lamented looking distressed.

         She's just shy, you don't have to beat yourself to it, I said comfortingly. Why don't we go sit down on that bench then we can do the introductions properly, I suggested

              Sounds like a good plan, he said visibly relaxed.

              After settling down, I turned Maggie who is sitting on my lap to face me.

           Why don't you want to say hi to your Daddy baby? Has he offended you? I cooed

              No, she said in a tiny voice.

            Then what is wrong baby? Do you want me to leave? James asked her gently

          You might think I am naughty because I troubled mommy while we were waiting, she replied in a small voice while furrowing closer to me.

               Now why would I think that? James asked in a playful voice as he brought her to sit on his lap. You are the most sweetest girl in this whole world and I don't think you are naughty, he continued pulling her cheeks softly.

           Will you play with me then? She asked with bright eyes

          Of course I would play with you always, he said smiling

              And you would buy me lots of chocolates and ice cream? She asked again

           Nobody is buying you chocolates and ice cream,I can't let you have a cavity, I countered before he could answer.

           Well she doesn't have to know when we go buy the right, he whispered to her loud enough for me to hear before they burst into a fit of giggles.

            Let's go and play, she said dragging him towards the swings

                Alright baby,He said. Come along Fariya, we would have lots of fun .

            No, you should go ahead, I would rather wait here. I said smiling at the duo.

             Looking at them from my position on the park bench, I can't help but feel a sense of fulfillment for bringing them together. The loud laughter emitting from Maggie as James helped to swing her and the soft smile which spells love on James lips is all I can ask for. Even if I might have to give her up in the end, this memory of their happiness would leave me fulfilled.

                        +++

              Can I have more ice cream daddy? Maggie asked after finishing her first cup of ice cream.

          Of course, I would just go order some more, he said standing up

           Don't feed her with Soo much sugar, I don't want her getting addicted to it, I said trying to stop him

             Let her be Fariya, it's only for today, we can caution her later, he said with pleading eyes

              Okay then, just for today, I said with a huff

             She looks Soo happy, James commented. He had just given Maggie her second helping of ice cream and she is stuffing her mouth with it. I wonder if she doesn't feel her teeth freeze or she just doesn't care.

             Well, she was  very excited when I told her about you and about the fact that we are coming to see you. Can you believe she actually agreed to take a nap without hassle and she wanted to wear her favorite clothes to come see you, I said with a big smile.

              Well I now feel Soo honored I feel like blushing,I just hope I meet her expectations, he said with a small smile, wiping a stray ice cream trailing down the corner of her mouth.

               You should really blush because you made the ever lousy Maggie shy today, I said with a soft chuckle.

             Good night and thanks for today, I said as he dropped us off.

              I should be the one thanking you for letting me spend this evening with my daughter,thank you,he said with a smile

            Well the pleasure is all mine,I said as he leaned closer and pecked a sleeping Maggie on the forehead

               Good night,he whispered as I stepped out of the car.

              I watched as he drove off, his car was moving further away before it blended with the night. I sighed contentedly as I walked into the house and proceeded to put Maggie to bed before retiring for the night myself.

                             ***

              What the heck?? I said in frustration, is it the bright light reflecting on my face that I should be concerned about or the weight on my leg that is giving me cramps. But wait a minute, what is that sound..........oh my God,Maggie!!!!! I gasped as I shot up to sit upright before I looked down to my leg and was faced with a crying Maggie.

              What is it baby? Why are you crying? I cooed as I rocked her gently against me.

               I had a dream, she replied in between sobs.

          And what is it about Maggie ? I asked wondering what she could have seen in her dream that made her so teary.

                Daddy said I shouldn't come to him again and he wouldn't play with me again because I wee on the bed, she said crying

              But you don't wee on the bed so why would daddy say that to you, I asked

              I don't know, she said looking up at me.

          Well do you want me to tell you, I asked in a sing song voice.

               Yes please mummy, she pleaded wiping her tears.

               Well it is because some dreams are stupid and are not meant to be taken seriously so you should not worry about a thing, I said pulling her soft cheeks

            He is going to play with me then? She asked,a ghost smile starting to form on her lips

             Of course,now who wants some pancakes with lots of whipped cream, I asked cheerily as I stood of with her in my arms.

              I do, she screamed with a loud laugh which after the initial shock, I joined in.

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Thanks for reading.