Little Miracles

'Hi, Honey,' Sanjeet said over the phone as he scanned a client's document. 'I'm still at the office.

I have one more meeting; I should be home before eight.'

'Okay,' his wife sighed.

'How’s Tara? Are you okay? You sound upset?'

‘She’s…’ 

'What is it?' 

'I don't know what to say. Zara is lost!'

'What!?! How could she have gotten lost? My poor little girl must be shattered. Let me speak to her.'

'She can’t talk. She's sobbing, and we’re running out of tissues.’

‘What could have happened to Zara?’

‘We’ve looked everywhere. I can’t imagine what Tara could have done with her. Now, our little girl won’t eat, and I won’t be able to settle her for sleep. What are we going to do!?!’ 

There was a long silence over the phone. 'Well … why don't we just buy Tara another one? I'm sure there must be a ton available online.'

'What is Daddy saying?' Tara sobbed. 

'He's asking if you want to buy a new dolly.' 

'What!?! No! How can he even say that?’ Tara wailed and ran from her parent's bedroom. 

'I don't know what to do, Sanjeet. She's a mess. I can't…'

'Shikha. Hang on.'

‘Are you even listening!?!' 

'Listen! I have to go. My brain is not working fast enough today. And there’s Mrs. Bhatia waiting with her upside-down smile and her divorce papers.’

'Carry on, Mr. Lawyer,’ Shikha rolled her eyes and hung up. She stroked her miserable five-year-old’s head. 'Let's go to the park and play,' her mother suggested. 'Or we can do some painting together—whatever you want.'

'Nooooo! You just want me to forget about Zara. Do you think you would ever forget about me?'  she moaned.   

'Oh, sweetheart. I love you so much. How could you say that? And remember, Zara is only a doll.'

Tara hiccupped, 'Zara is not just a doll! She's my everything! I can't live without her!’

Shikha pulled her daughter into a tight hug, trying to soothe her. 'We’re going to do all we can to find her. I promise.'

Tara whimpered, clinging to her mother. 'You have to, Mumma. I need her back! Please!'

Shikha nodded, her heart breaking at her daughter's distress. She gently wiped away the little girl’s tears. 'Let’s be calm. Let's think this through. When was the last time you had Zara with you?'

Tara took a shuddering breath. 'The last time I had her with me was this morning, and then we went to the mall.'

'Did you take Zara along with you in your bag? Have you checked your bag?'

'She's not in my bag,’ Tara wailed. ‘I don’t remember. I just want my Zara baaaack!’

Later, Shikha sat down at her tired, overworked desk. She had many emails that needed attention. The clock mocked her with its slow, deliberate ticks. 

Just then, Sanjeet walked through the door. 

'Tara,' he called out as he slipped off his work shoes. 'I have something to show you.'

Shikha's jaw dropped when she saw her husband swinging Zara in the air. 'Where? And how?’

'You know I can't see my only daughter in tears. My heart sank when you told me. I just had to do something. Then I got your message about all the places you visited earlier today. So I made a few phone calls, joined the dots, and miracle of all miracles, Zara was found.’

'But she said she hadn’t taken Zara with her.'

'Let's just say we got lucky,' Sanjeet grinned. 'Where is she?'

'In front of the idiot box - my only escape.'

But Tara had heard her father and was standing by the bedroom door. She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw Zara dangling from his big hand. She let out a happy shout of laughter.

Running to her daddy, she grabbed Zara and snuggled her little dolly as tightly as possible. Joyful tears streamed down her face. 'I thought I'd never see you again!' She looked deeply into the doll’s eyes. Admiring its black curly woolen hair, she ran her hand down its pretty pink dress. ‘Zara is home,’ she whispered. 

'Daddy will do anything to see you smile, Tara,' he said lovingly, wrapping his arms around his girl. 'But why do you love Zara so much?'

'Because she's a mini version of me, like a little sister. I get so lonely. All my friends have a brother or a sister. You two are always working.’

The parents exchanged distressed looks. 'This has never crossed our minds. We’ve been so caught up in our professional lives and so content with one child,’ Sanjeet whispered to Shikha. ‘I think it’s time. Code Sibling!’

‘If only there were an easier way out,’ Shikha shuddered.

‘I know it won’t be easy for you,’ Sanjeet said, gently squeezing her hand. ‘But maybe it won’t be like last time.’ 

Shikha knelt down in front of her daughter, 'Do you think you would be less lonely if you had a little brother or sister?' 

Tara blinked a few times. Question marks danced in her eyes. 

'Think about it…' her father added.

A huge smile spread across Tara’s sweet face. Her curls bobbed in agreement. 

The little family of three beamed at each other and embraced.

'But Mumma, how are babies born? How do they come inside your tummy?'

Her mother giggled. 'Your Mumma and Daddy have to do some magic. Now, let's get you something to eat, and then you and Zara will go straight into bed. We've had such a long, emotional day.’ 

‘Because you and Daddy have to get busy with the magic?’ 

The next morning, the sun glared angrily down upon the city. When Tara opened her eyes, she ran to her mother and asked, 'Did you do the magic with Daddy? Did it work?'

Shikha paused. 'It isn't going to happen that quickly, you know.'

'Well, hurry up, or Zara and I will make you a magic potion that will work for sure.’