She is called a little doll, an angel, a cutie pie! She is all those and so much more. Since her birth, almost a year ago, she has demonstrated, at every step, how truly special she is.
Her cry was louder, her movements more assured, she started sitting earlier, she started crawling faster. She ate all that was offered (despite having no teeth), she followed all that was in front. Her infectious laughter filled the rooms; her electric smile changed the mood.
She is curious, she is adventurous, she is soft, she is unstoppable.
Today’s Daily Beats is not about my son, Miki, but my daughter, Riki (Anika Rao Revinipati). Often, I am engulfed with guilt that I have not given her enough time, as I did to Miki. I have not bathed her as many times, nor massaged her, nor fed her. In truth, there is no comparison, because I was, and still am, very hands-on with Miki. Riki, the darling, adjusted to everything, until now… Now, she demands her share and I am so glad.
From her bubbling laughter the moment she sees me, to her tapping my dress, to waddling as fast as her tiny feet can manage towards me, it is all a pure delight. She insists on being held in my arms. Cuddling close, she nuzzles her nose into my neck, and I feel at peace. I feel loved. I feel rejuvenated.
“Dada… Dada!” she prattles, toddling towards her favourite person, Miki. The first word she spoke – Not Mumma, not Papa… but Dada! The older sibling hugs her, kisses, sometimes hits her, but loves her deeply all the same.
When she cries at night, in the other room, and he wakes up, the first thing he says, “Mumma, I will check on Riki!”
When Papa travels, and Mumma explains to Miki, that they both have to look after Riki at night, he says, “No crying Mumma, Miki, no crying. Riki nini (Miki won’t cry as Riki is sleeping)”
When he wakes up and sees a light under her door, he wants to go in to greet her (which at times turns into a battle for Mumma’s lap!)
When he admonishes her loudly for playing with his toys, but we insist that he share, he always offers her some toys.
When we ask him, if Riki can do this, or that… he says, waving a tiny index finger, “No… Riki, small baby!”
But the best part is, when we ask Miki, “Who is teaching Riki to walk?” He taps his chest, says, “Me!”
Riki is the centre of our universe. She is the epicenter of the chaos that pervades our home. She is the calm that resides within the pandemonium.
As I sit on the floor, watching the wobbly legs crossing our hall with an indomitable spirit… I pray that while the legs get more assured, the spirit remains as adventurous… Just like her name, which denotes strength and power… For she is born to fly… high, and higher… She is born to live out a dream… She is born to express her soul…
Riki, my heart, my angel, my Gudiya… Go, spread your wings… Your Dada, Papa and Mumma will always be the wind beneath them! Soar high… Till the sky!
Footprints on the Mind 
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