Aunt, Grandma try to make life normal for Ilyasi’s daughter

After her mother’s death, Aaliya often stayed over at her father’s home at Kasturba Gandhi Marg. “But now, after all that has happened and the bitterness between the families, keeping her safe is our first priority,” says Rashmi.

“I love Aaliya. That smart, intelligent little kid is like a daughter to me. But I am not taking her with me to Canada. She will stay with my mother at Unesco apartments in east Delhi when I leave for Ottawa,” Rashmi told The Indian Express.

But will it be safe for Aaliya to stay under the same roof with Prashant and Prof K P Singh (who have been siding with Suhaib), as only four days ago both Rashmi and Rukma had to flee from their east Delhi apartment after Prashant turned violent? Rashmi Singh brushes those fears aside.

“Aaliya will be safe,” she says. “My brother Prashant might have differences with me. But he loves his little niece. There is absolutely no danger to her. Moreover, my mother will ensure that she is safe.” Also, police security will be provided to her.

As of now, Rashmi Singh has not decided when to leave for Ottawa, where she lives alone and runs a kindergarten school. Rashmi has been staying in Canada since the late 1970s and has even fought a legal suit in that country. “Rashmi has been through a lot in her life and knows how to tackle legal problems,” said a source close to Rashmi. “She is strong and independent and can take good care of Aaliya.”

For now, both Rukma and Rashmi have divided their responsibilities in the ensuing battle: While Rashmi looks into the legal intricacies of the case, gathering more evidence and meeting mediapersons and lawyers, Rukma concentrates on taking care of Aaliya, making sure that the crisis does not leave a permanent mark on her.

There are little things that are being taken care: Not showing Aaliya her mother’s pictures, so that she does not miss her; not mentioning the legal entanglements in front of her; keeping her busy with toys, chocolates, television and bedtime stories.

According to her family members, Aaliya does miss her Abbujaan at times, especially when she goes to bed. “But she does not miss Suhaib much because she has spent very little time with him,” says Rashmi Singh. “She was abroad for one year and even after she came back, Suhaib kept very hectic shooting schedules, working for almost 18 hours every day and returning home very late at night. Aaliya spent most of her time with her mother and grandmother and that is now helping us to make her feel as comfortable as possible.”

Brushing aside allegations that she gave statements against Ilyasi as she wanted immediate custody of Aaliya, Rashmi said, “I have always looked after Aaliya. Adoption rights or not, I would have definitely given a right picture of things to the police and the sub-divisional magistrate.”