MY ANGEL IN SAVING GRACE

As a child I was never a one to be shown affection. I became what I am all on my own. People may think I am snobbish and stone-hearted or even Hitler reincarnated but it does not bother me. After almost a decade of studying and practising Law, I became one of India’s top most lawyers, but at the age of 31 you tend to be alone. I would miss my mother’s home cooked food even if she hated me.

I was returning home one night when I happened to pass an orphanage. Just then it started to drizzle and within few seconds it was a heavy downpour. I saw a young woman around 19 or 20 years of age, sobbing bitterly after she left a small bundle on the topmost stair of the entrance to the orphanage. Later she ran as if fire was hot on her trails.  Curiosity got the better of me and I stopped the car and went towards the small bundle. The scene that came across my eyes at that moment was one that I knew would change my life.

A few seconds later a nun came out and saw me soaked to the bone carrying a small bundle in my arms. She told me to come in and gave me some clothes to change as I was fully drenched. She started talking and asked me what happened. I told her the story of the lady and she sighed. What she said ignited a small spark in me. ”Ah! another child”. There is no place for a new child. I will have to ask Father Astor what to do with the child”.  I made a spur of the moment decision and asked if I could adopt that little bundle.  She said to come in the morning and fill in all the paperwork.  I made my way to the car and made a pit stop to the nearest baby store.  I bought all things necessary for my little bundle with the help of the store manager.  I went home and set up the spare room for my little bundle. 

I went to bed wondering whether I had made a right decision and how this would affect my life.  In the morning, I called up my office and pitched in a sick leave.  Next morning I reached the orphanage around 9 AM.  Nearby, I could hear a baby screaming its lungs out.  I entered the orphanage and saw some nuns surrounded around a baby.  I saw a nun holding my little bundle.  I ran towards her and swept the little bundle in my arms.  The little bundle stopped crying and stared at me with her little brown eyes and twinkling little button nose.  I cooed at her.  The nun from yesterday came and told me she had completed the paper work but needed my details and my little bundle’s new name.  I gave her all my details, which she promptly wrote down and asked for the name.  She gasped and had a tear in her eyes after hearing her name.  “She is my angel in saving Grace”, so her name is “Grace Angela Pereira”.  From that very moment I knew that my life would change forever. 

My 31 years of life would have never prepared me for the sleepless nights and restless days at work.  People at work were surprised, to say the least, that I was smiling. My attitude towards life had changed and I started seeing life from a different perspective. My angel had become the talk of the town.

Her first day of school was very heart wrenching to say the least.  To pick her up from school was something I eagerly awaited.  My bachelor colleagues were laughing at my demeanour.  Around 5 PM, I ran like I had coyote hot on my trail.  Upon reaching my angel’s school, I parked my car and searched for her until I heard a loud ‘Daddy’ followed by a pair of running legs.  I swept her in my arms and showered her with kisses and heard her cute blabbering about her day.  I laughed, for in my 34 years I had not heard such a beautiful thing.  But then again it’s just me being biased.  Then I heard a sweet honey like voice saying that I have a beautiful girl.  I turned and saw the second most beautiful lady in the world.  She introduced herself as Olivia Smith.  From that instant I knew she was to be my soul-mate.  From school recitals to first dates and marrying Via made me a complete man. 

Time flew by and like this it came the day that Joel; my angel’s boyfriend asked her hand in marriage from me and Via.  Via was ecstatic, she cried and with open arms welcomed him in our family.  I left the room and sat on my chair.  Joel was a nice lad and would without a doubt keep my angel safe and happy.  He was an upcoming and a good lawyer but so was my angel.  She took after her father.  I went out and told Joel “just don’t hurt her” and welcomed him to the family.

So at the end of everything it comes down to this day.  Doesn't it?

Walking her down the aisle I saw her transformed from a cute chubby girl to young ambitious beautiful woman.  Each step I took with her reminded me of every moment that we had spent together. Her walk from becoming Miss Periera to Mrs. Walker, her no more being my little angel was heart breaking.  During the father-daughter dance, what she whispered was something very touching but heart breaking and she was whisked away by her husband.  I went to Via and hugged her, unable to control the tears that rolled down my cheeks.  She asked me what my angel had said, I whispered in her ears and she smiled silently.

“I may no more be with you, but in your heart I am still your little angel you brought from that orphanage. You, Adrian Joshua Pereira are my angel in saving Grace and you are my daddy.  I will always love you forever”.

- A short story by Ayesha Salim Khan