LIFE AS WE KNEW IT

Shot 1

Sathvik Acharya walked briskly into his office with the baby bassinet in his right hand and his laptop bag in his left.

As soon as he reached his cabin, he set the bassinet on the coffee table and looked down to see his peacefully sleeping baby niece.

Baby Muskaan, eighteen months old is his step sister, Priyanka's daughter.

Priyanka came to his life when he was twelve years old and she was ten. Three years after his mother Priya's death, Charan Acharya married Nilima, a widow with a ten year old daughter.

When his father remarried, he was all set to deal with the atrocities of an evil step mom, having believed that all stepmothers are like Cindrella's step mom.

What a misconception it was!

Nilima loved and took care of Sathvik like her own. With his father's second marriage, Sathvik got another mother and a lovely sister. His home was nothing short of a heaven.

Life was happy until Priyanka met Rajveer Malik. Charan and Sathvik were against Priyanka's relationship with Rajveer, as the guy was a good for nothing fellow or so they thought.

Sathvik tried his best to discourage Priyanka from the relationship, but it only made her more and more stubborn. And in the end, she chose her love for Rajveer over her family and eloped with him.

Priyanka's biological father was a well known businessman and Priyanka was the sole heir of all his properties. Naturally she became a target for gold digging manipulator, Rajveer Malik.

And by the time Priyanka realised the truth, it was too late by then.

Baby Muskaan was already born and half of Priyanka's hefty bank balance drained.

But Priyanka was too proud to come to her brother directly for help.

She made a will stating, all her properties to go to baby Muskaan if anything happens to her and the baby be left under the guardianship of her brother Sathvik Acharya.

Sathvik still wondered why Priyanka made a will so early in her life. Did she know her life was under threat? Is that why she made such a will?

Priyanka and Rajveer died in an accident three weeks ago, and that's when Sathvik met his niece for the first time. And he fell in love with the baby girl at first sight.

He was too angry with Priyanka for choosing someone she met a mere year ago, over him and their family.

But he swore to never repeat the mistake.

Priyanka had left Muskaan in his care and he will do everything in his power to care for Muskaan.

He will move heaven and earth for Muskaan's better life.

But taking care of a baby is no cake walk. He realised that within a day. It was yesterday, the child welfare community handed over the baby to Sathvik, on a temporary basis.

"Sathvik, Mr Harsh Bhosale is here to meet you," his assistant informed him, bringing him out of his thoughts,

He looked at his sleeping niece and decided against having a meeting in his cabin, not wanting to disturb her.

"Ask him to wait for me in the mini conference room. And Saumya, sit here and do your work till I come back. Keep an eye on her. If she wakes up, give her the bottle and if she refuses to take it, call me," he said and his assistant nodded to his every instruction.

Saumya came back after five minutes to let him know she did whatever he asked her to.

"Keep an eye on her, Saumya." With that said Sathvik walked out of his cabin to the mini conference room, to meet his legal advisor.

"Good morning, Harsh uncle." Sathvik greeted his legal team head.

"Good morning, Sathvik." Harsh greeted back grimly, making Sathvik frown in confusion.

"Everything alright? You look troubled, Harsh?" Sathvik asked curiously.

"Sathvik. Your brother-in-law's family has filed a petition for the custody of the child." Harsh said and Sathvik cursed under his breath.

What the freaking hell!

"Their argument is that Baby Muskaan has been a part of their life and she is far more familiar with them than you, who never once visited her before." Harsh said and Sathvik's lips thinned in annoyance.

"Damn it!" He cursed under his breath.

"And Rajveer's brother is a married man with two children of his own. And they state that Muskaan will have a better life with a family rather than a bachelor." Harsh added.

"They just want the money that belongs to Muskaan. I will not let them have that." Sathvik said coldly.

There is no way he is going to let the bloody money minded people snatch Muskaan from him.

"Priyanka's will is strong. So there is nothing to worry about their argument about you never visiting the baby before. But their argument on Muskaan being better with a family rather than a bachelor could create issues for us." Harsh added.

"What are the scopes for paying them off??" Sathvik asked.

"It could work temporarily. They can come back again later on with the same arguments." Harsh said with a shrug.

"What other option do we have??" Sathvik asked tiredly.

"The best option will be for you to get married, Sathvik." Harsh said coolly and Sathvik stared at him in horror.

"What the!!"

"It could be advantageous legally and emotionally. Muskaan needs a mother."

"I lost my sister three weeks ago. How do you expect me to get married now?" Sathvik asked in disbelief.

"We don't have another option, Sathvik." Harsh said.

Sathvik huffed in annoyance. Where is he going to find a bride now?? Not just a bride. A bride ready to be an instant mother??

"You can leave now, Harsh uncle. I will get back to you soon." Sathvik said with an exasperated sigh.

He is not ready for marriage yet. His father had handed over the CEO position only six months ago and he was only settling down in the new position. How was he to get married now?? 

A/N

Hey lovelies,

This is a short story. It is an already completed one, which is available in paid platforms in a western version. I am posting the Indian version of it here. Since, it is completed, I will post the chapters quickly. It just needs some editing. And this is a short story with just 25 chapters or so. 

Please do vote and comment..

Love,

SF❤️