Up until we came to Dubai and I am out working while Pristine stays at home with her dad, little girl had been literally my ‘shadow’ — following me wherever I go, always tailing behind me everywhere. She would not even sleep if I don’t go to bed with her.

Hubby was a little envious of that setup before. He would tell me our daughter maybe doesn’t like him at all because she prefers mommy than daddy. I always assure him that it’s just because I spend more time with darling daughter than he does.

Our roles have turned upside down. I am out working, spending less time with daughter. Hubby stays at home with little girl, playing, singing songs and building a little nursery house. When I come home, little girl hugs me — normal behavior until! we go to the bathroom and she loses sight of her father and SCREAMS ‘papa!’. Then I get to read her books and she demands ‘I want papa to read them for me!’ or ‘Papa will shampoo me, where is he?’.

So where is he? He is at one corner of the room, grinning and overjoyed at the thought Pristine misses him like crazy every minute of the day. All the days of bonding has seen its results now and M is enjoying every moment.

I admit, I am happy Pristine finally sticks close to her father and I get lots of free time to do my own stuff! She even sleeps on his side of the bed unconciously at night giving me a more good night’s sleep!

Last night she was hysterical when I told her we’ll take a bath and demanded her father again. M was cooking in the kitchen and is not free for another 20 minutes or so. No amount of explaining helped. I switched places with M and went to the kitchen and said, “Maybe our daughter is not liking me already…”. He assured me ‘it’s just because you spend less time with her than I do’…my past words, exactly! I thought that would be enough to assure M before…I know that’s true but why is it I am feeling a little strange (maybe lonely?) with this recent episode inside the house.