Invisible Strings * Ongoing*

17. Release

17. Release

The Next Day – Lucknow, India

3:30 PM (Time in Sydney – 8:00 PM)

At the Orphanage

Mini walked into their room, behind Matthew deep in thought. They'd just returned from their respective workplaces for the day. She see's Matthew , her beloved husband, keep his workbag on the desk aside, as he begins to take his coat off.

Mini smiles to herself at that. One thing she hadn't been able to yet digest was that, how Matthew still after all these years as a professor – loved to have his coats/blazers on – to work – every single day. In the chills and the winters, it obviously served the purpose. But even, in the summers?

She walks over to help her beloved get the coat off him now completely from behind as she says the same to him – " I still don't get it, why you have to wear this to work, everyday my love...I mean...the summers will set in sooner now...at least this upcoming summer..quit the coat..."

Matthew chuckles at that as he admits – " well, then , no one at the Lucknow university will recognise this professor..anymore...you know I am quite famous for my sophisticated yet nerdy look – there – every morning.."

Mini rolls her eyes at that as she says – " yes, yes, I know...,"and she hears Matthew ask rubbing a hand over her arm studying her face now – " anyway, leave that Mini, will you please tell me , what's on your mind at the moment?? Clearly, you are lost into a deep thought...while we were on the way up here...even when we got in...you did get all smiling...meeting the kids...downstairs...as they returned...back from the school...but then...after..that...that look off deep thought was back up your face as we made our way up??"

The orphanage was still all full in its capacity including kids across various ages.The familial vibe, loving energy , its buzzing hustle, bustle, was still what kept Mini and Matthew, heart's full.

Before, Mini can even answer Matthew on that, she hears him ask – " wait, is this about the last bit off the renovation work that is about to begin at the dorm wings?for the kids?as we saved that for last? I told you, not to worry about it, Mini.All is set.It will happen in stages,too.On that note, I think it is only fair I drop Arnav and Aman a text to thank them for the same. I mean, if it wasn't for them, our orphanage wouldn't have been refurbished with this complete new look.....I mean, can we ever thank him enough? Mini? Ever since Arnav hit stardom, he's just taken this active role by our side, helping us – plan the future of the kids here not just academically but for their avocational interests too, and then...since the last couple of years...how's he's just been so adamant...to have the whole orphanage undergo this solid revamp...bit by bit..."

Mini nods at that – " I agree Matthew, in fact you know, if it hadn't been for Arnav's persistence on the same, I would have never agreed to it at all. It was too much, work..."

Matthew – " the work, that never became a headache, because, Arnav along with Aman and Meera made sure, they had it executed as seamlessly...for us...imagine...Mini...with all that Arnav's got on his plate, his crazy recording and touring schedule, he still was so actively involved in the process...with the work team executing it all here....and to forget, he's not let us contribute a penny towards the renovations...from our savings...."

Mini nods at that and she admits now smiling – " I know...Matthew... he's given so much back to us already...more than necessary and since the last couple of days, I'v just been thinking...maybe, I should also give more weightage to his emotional perspective on Khushi's account, now that so many days have passed. I mean, uptil, now – I'v been advocating about Khushi's space to him but maybe, it also wont harm to call Khushi up and ask her what her decision was on the same? One more time???"