SS: Second Hand News - Part 3

Read all previous parts of this SS here.

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Part 3


23^rd June 2012


Anjali Manohar Jha (31) and Shyam Manohar Jha (32) welcomed a baby girl into the world last night at Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre. This will be joyous news to the Raizada family still mourning the recent loss of Arnav Singh Raizada in mysterious circumstances last month. Sources close to the family say the baby is healthy and a name has yet to be chosen. Akash Singh Raizada issued this statement outside of the Hospital early this morning:

I would like to thank all our well-wishers on the behalf of my sister and brother-in-law on the birth of their daughter. She was born late last night without any complications and is completely healthy. I thank you all once again for the courtesy you've extended our family in our difficult times and hope you will be just as accommodating in the future.

Rumours abound that the new baby looks exactly like her late Uncle but no photos have yet emerged to prove the theory. As always, we'll keep you informed!

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A niece. He had a niece. Arnav smiled. Then he laughed. He was a Mama. His own Mama had been a source of great comfort after his parents died and now he would have to do the same.

He wondered if she really did look like him. Was it an obvious resemblance? Could Khushi see the resemblance? Did she think of him?

He tried to imagine his features on a baby. What would she look like? Would she smile when he picked her up or cry as most babies had encountered in the past had done? Could babies even smile?

'Of course babies can smile Arnavji,' Khushi said as she came to stand alongside him. 'Come on baby, smile for Mamaji. Okay maybe not for your Laad Governer Mamaji, but you can smile for me can't you? Smile for your Mami!'

Arnav groaned and closed his eyes trying to banish the fantasy that was playing in front of his eyes.

It didn't matter that he wasn't there now, that me might not see her first smile. He would be there when it counted. When Shyam and Kh... When Shyam left his niece fatherless he would be there to support her. She would never feel the lack of a father, just as he had never done.