Chapter 63: Love You, Papa

After talking to Poornima, Veeresh stood outside Aadhya's room for a few moments before knocking gently.

Knock... Knock...

Aadhya: "Come in."

Veeresh entered and saw Aadhya sitting on her bed, reading a book.

She smiled.

Aadhya: "Papa."

Veeresh sat beside her.

He looked at her for a moment before speaking.

Veeresh: "Beta..."

She looked at him curiously.

Aadhya: "Hmm?"

He took a deep breath.

Veeresh: "I'm sorry."

She frowned.

Aadhya: "For what?"

Veeresh: "For sending you to your mom's house when you weren't comfortable."

He sighed.

Veeresh: "I thought you should spend equal time with both your parents."

He smiled sadly.

Veeresh: "I never knew things were making you uncomfortable there."

Aadhya quietly listened.

Veeresh: "I didn't know your mom was putting you in situations you didn't like."

He gently held her hand.

Veeresh: "You don't have to worry anymore."

His voice was firm yet gentle.

Veeresh: "Papa will take care of it."

Aadhya's eyes became moist.

Veeresh smiled warmly.

Veeresh: "And one more thing..."

She looked at him.

Veeresh: "Whatever it is..."

Veeresh: "Whether you're happy..."

Veeresh: "Scared..."

Veeresh: "Confused..."

Veeresh: "Or just want someone to listen..."

He squeezed her hand gently.

Veeresh: "You can always talk to me."

He smiled.

Veeresh: "Or to Mumma."

Aadhya's eyes filled with tears.

Without saying anything, she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

Veeresh immediately hugged his daughter back.

She whispered,

Aadhya: "Love you, Papa."

For a moment...

Veeresh closed his eyes.

It had been so long since he had heard those words from his daughter.

His heart felt lighter than it had in years.

He kissed the top of her head.

Veeresh: "I love you too, princess."

He smiled through the emotion in his eyes.

Veeresh: "More than you can ever imagine."

Aadhya smiled against his shoulder.

For the first time in a long while...

She didn't feel afraid to tell her father what was in her heart.

And for Veeresh...

It wasn't just a hug.

It was the beginning of getting his little girl back.