B for Bliss !!

Karan was all excited. It was his birthday tomorrow and his parents were planning to host a party to all his school friends. 

As his parents went over the details of the party, he went into their room and asked his mother, "Amma, it is my birthday tomorrow. What present are you giving me ? Will I also get a cycle like the one Rishi has?"

Rishi was his friend next door. Rishi's parents had bought him a cycle for his birthday which he and his sister took turns to ride. Karan watched them share their bicycle ride and always wished he had one for himself too. 

"Let's see Karan", came back his mother's reply. "Me and appa are planning a party for your friends. Now make sure you go to bed early and wake up early tomorrow, it is your birthday."

Karan hip hopped his way out of the room. His parents glanced at each other and smiled. They had a surprise planned for Karan and they hoped he would accept it. 

"Happy Birthday Karan", amma wished him as soon as he woke up. He hugged and kissed her on the cheek. His appa wished him and handed over his new birthday dress. Karan quickly showered, put on his new dress and was ready for school. He was excited about the attention he would get at school, a new dress when everybody else was in uniform, the entire class singing the birthday song and  then he distributing chocolates to his friends.

As he reached the hall, he was surprised to see amma and appa also dressed and ready to go out. He was wondering if they would drop him at school today as it was his birthday. 

As if he was reading his thoughts, appa spoke, "Karan, you are not going to school now. I have spoken to your class teacher and asked her permission for half a day."

"But appa, what about the chocolates you bought, which i have to distribute in school", Karan mumbled as he struggled to hide his disappointment. 

"Dont worry Karan. You, me and appa are going out now and we will drop you at school from there", his amma shouted from kitchen.

As they sat in the car, Karan still had no idea where they were going. His parents had asked him to wait till they get there and he did not bother them with any more questions. 

His dad parked the car in the parking of what looked like an old building. He tiptoed behind his mother still unsure of what or where they were going. As he and his mother waited, his dad went into the building. After some time, he saw appa coming out with another man, both of them deep into a conversation. As they joined his dad, all three of them followed the other man into a room. 

Just as they were about to enter the hall, amma bent down towards him, sat on her knees, held him in her arms and said, "Karan, i and appa wanted this to be a surprise for you on your birthday. I hope you like what you are about to see. I love you." and kissed him. 

A confused Karan followed his mother into the hall, unsure of what was going on. One thing was very sure, this was definitely not the place where they sell bicycles. 

In the room, he saw the other man congratulating appa and walk out. As Karan slowly made his way to where his parents were standing, he caught a glimpse of a small chair. He squeezed himself into the sapce between amma and appa and looked down. 

From the small chair he saw a pair of beautiful eyes staring back at him. She looked beautiful and the smile made her look even better. Sitting on the chair was a little girl, laughing at all the three faces staring down at her. She seemed to be loving all the attention she was getting. Dressed in a pink gown, and matching bangles she looked adorable and cute. 

"Karan", amma's voice broke the silence in the room. "This is Akshara, your little sister. Today is not only your birthday but her birthday as well. From today, she is our family."

Karan looked very surprised. He was not sure what to say. When he finally opened his mouth, he looked at his parents and asked, "Can I call her Akshu". 

His parents watched him as he was playing with her and making her laugh. 

"I am happy he liked her. Look at his face, I am not sure if you can give names to such feelings". His mother spoke to his dad as they were walking back. 

"Bliss !!"  his father answered. "That was the word you used when you saw him for the first time after your delivery."

As appa drove them through the building gate, he glanced back and saw the board "Specialized Adoption agency" slowly disappear into the background.  

Linking to the post to the  A to Z Challenge

Read the next part here C for Calm