Chapter-3
Author's POV
" Sona...I thought you were lost!" she chirped, pulling Parul into a warm hug.
" I was... actually!" Parul replied, pulling back from the hug.
" How are you uncle?" Parul asked, looking at the middle-aged man.
" I'm fine Parul. Aditi get some water for her. I'm sure it was a long journey" he said, smiling.
" Yes, uncle...very long...ugh" Paru gulped the water and then,
" Thanks, Adi...I'm so hungry... Please show me the room!" Parul groaned, making a tired face. She was really tired.
" Mr. Mallikarjun Rao please prepare a yummy dinner for our Parul. And I will show her the room!" Aditi spoke in a formal tone, making them giggle.
Mallikarjun nodded and left for the kitchen to prepare dinner, while Aditi and Parul walked upstairs.
She traced the cream-white paint as she climbed the stairs.
The room was located on the upper floor. As Aditi pushed open the door, she was greeted by soft, neutral-toned ocean-blue walls that created a soothing atmosphere. Natural light streamed in through the large windows, illuminating the cosy space with a warm glow.
The room was adorned with tasteful furniture, including a plush queen-sized bed adorned with crisp linens and fluffy pillows. A headboard against the wall added a touch of elegance. On either side of the bed, two small nightstands were placed along with lamps for ambient lighting.
A spacious wardrobe stood against one wall. Its sleek design seamlessly blended with the room's aesthetic. Adjacent to the wardrobe, a small desk and chair were placed for the workspace or a cosy corner for reading.
A plush rug covered the granite floor, adding a layer of softness and comfort. Near the windows, a cosy armchair was placed.
Silk curtains were drawn across the windows.
Parul sighed in relief looking at the bedroom. It was spacious yet cosy. It gave her homely vibes.
" Thanks, Adi..." Parul said, placing the luggage near the corner of the bed.
" Freshen up Sona, we'll talk after dinner" Aditi patted her shoulders and then exited the room.
Parul looked around the room and then picked up a dress from her luggage and walked inside the bathroom.
She was really tired and a warm bath was necessary.
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Arasu Mansion, Jivapur.
Inside the dark room, he was sitting on the leather swivel, his chin resting on his knuckles. His eyes fixed on the small photo placed on the mahogany table.
His jaws clenched and unclenched as he looked at the photo. The woman in the photo was smiling heartily. Her honey-brown eyes looked almost light brown because of the radiant sunlight. She was wearing a dark green sleeveless kurta, her brown wavy hair set free. The nose ring gave her a mature look. Overall, she was beautiful.
" Cheater!" he mumbled through gritted teeth and grabbed the photo in his fists, squeezing it tightly.
Breathing in sharply, he dumped the photo inside the drawer and locked it.
" Mansoor!" He yelled, looking towards the door.
Mansoor walked in immediately. He was guarding the door.
" Yes bhai...." he answered, bowing his head before him.
Mansoor was waiting for him to say anything or something. But he didn't speak. He was looking at his fisted palm, lost in a world of his own.
" Shivu...." a gentle feminine voice caught their attention which also brought Shiva back from his trance.
A middle-aged woman in her late fifties walked inside the study. Mansoor immediately bowed his head and left the study.
Shiva got up from the swivel and walked towards her, embracing her in his warmth.
" Maa.." he said looking lovingly into her chocolate brown eyes.
" You didn't eat anything..is something bothering you kandha (baby)" she asked sitting on the black couch, squeezing his hands gently.
He shook his head but the flicker of annoyance in his eyes gave him away.
She smiled widely.
" Shivu...are you lying to your mother?" She asked almost sounding hurt. Shiva immediately shook his head. " Maa..no..i am fine mama... just some work.." he lied, looking down.
She patted her lap and Shiva laid his head on her lap. Gently patting his curly hair, she hummed a song that sounded like a lullaby to his ears.
Whatever confusion or annoyance that he was feeling washed away as she ran her hands in his hair, gently patting him. She always did wonders when it came to managing his moods.
" Shivu..." she called, looking down at him. He hummed in response, his eyes were closed.
She thought about it for a brief minute and then decided to give it another shot.
" When will you get married Shivu?" She asked, her voice still soft. He opened his eyes immediately as she said this. There was a tinge of pain in her eyes that he didn't miss to notice.
He got up from her lap and looked at his loving mother.
" I'm still thirty maa...I have so much to do. I don't have time for marriage, right now." he said, his tone blunt.
Her face turned dull as he said this.
He would've snapped their neck if it wasn't his mother.
" Maa..I said I don't have time right now. That doesn't mean I won't have time in the future. I will marry maa..." He said, trying to convince her.
Although this was the same dialogue he said the last time when they had this conversation that was, a year ago, she still smiled.
" Your father married me when he was 28..." she said, her eyes filled with love as she spoke about her husband.
Shiva nodded.
" You still blush while talking about Dad!" he commented looking at her now red face.
She slapped on his hands and smiled again.
"Okay okay...stop teasing me." she got up from the couch and then looked at him.
" You will look for a girl yourself and if you fail to do so, I am going to look for a girl and you will marry her." She said sounding serious. He didn't nod.
" That is final" she declared seriously and departed from the study.
He watched her disappearing back and then heaved an annoyed sigh.
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Luminary Academy, Jivapur.
Parul looked at the tall school building and sighed. She looked around the surroundings, kids were rushing inside the school in a hurry burry. Some were crying, some were lazily walking in.
One particular kid caught her attention. She smiled looking at the cute boy who was running. He was playing some kind of game and she stood there admiring the cute little boy.
The kid's chirpy laughter made her smile widely.
Her admiration-filled eyes went round when she saw a fast-driving car approaching the little boy. Having no idea about the car sprinting towards him, he made his way towards the main road.
Parul ran towards the boy and grabbed his little hands and pulled him towards her, the car swiftly passed by them.
The kid started crying as he realised his mistake.
Parul was crouching in front of the boy. Pulling him into her embrace, she whispered sweet nothings into his ear.
" What's your name cutie?" she asked, wiping the tears. His chubby cheeks looked red because of the tears.
" Manav.." the boy replied in his sweet baby voice.
Parul smiled.
" Manav...you should be careful while playing okay?" She cupped his cheeks speaking gently. Manav batted his doe black eyes at her and then nodded.
" Okay..." Manav replied licking his lips.
" Good boy..," she kissed his cheeks and then, "Go...get inside now or you will be late" she said.
Manav nodded, smiling at her widely and then ran inside the school gate.
A pair of black eyes were watching her intently.
She was still looking at the gate when a strong pair of hands pulled her and because of the force, she fell face first on something hard. A sharp yelp escaped her lips as she rubbed her nose. She looked at the chiselled chest and realised that it was not something, but rather someone.
She raised her eyes and was met with a beautiful pair of black eyes, looking at her intently.
" Thanks..." she said, standing on her feet, looking towards the car that speedily passed by them and then at the stranger who saved her life.
" Be careful" he said, his voice deep. Even before she could nod, he walked away from there.
Parul looked at his disappearing back and then sighed heavily.
The loud ringing sound of the bell brought her out of the trance. Sighing again, she walked inside the school gate to meet someone important.
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Principal's office
She scanned the surroundings quickly and knocked on the door before entering the huge cabin.
" Good Morning Sir" she wished politely bowing before the old man sitting on the cream leather swivel.
Her eyes fell on the golden name plate - Pankaj Patel ~ MA, PhD, D-ed was written on the nameplate in bold letters.
" Morning Ms Parul... please have a seat" Pankaj offered and Parul took the seat, placing the blue file on the table in front of him.
" We are glad you agreed to work with us Ms. Parul" He said, going through the contract.
She smiled.
" Thanks, sir..it's my job to help the kids. I'd be more than happy to work here" she said, her eyes twinkling with happiness.
Pankaj nodded at her and then called his secretary Saroja, who walked inside immediately.
" Ms. Parul, this is Sarojamma, my secretary and she will show your cabin and help you with the schedule" he said in a formal tone.
" Okay Sir" Parul bowed slightly and made her way out of his office.
Sarojamma looked at Parul and then smiled. The principal's office was on the first floor and the teacher's cabin was located on the second floor.
Since she was a child psychologist, she was provided with a separate cabin on the ground floor.
Parul was looking around the cabin as Sarojamma excused herself to get her schedule ready.
The office was cosy and gave a comfortable and inviting space for young kids. Her cabin was located in a quiet area, that is in the right corner of the ground floor, away from the hustle and bustle of classrooms and hallways.
The dark brown door had a navy blue colour nameplate attached to it. Upon the nameplate-- Ms.Parul Yadav - Child Psychologist was written in bold letters.
The cabin was well furnished which included soft, cosy furniture like bean bags or plush chairs, a small table and a small wardrobe.
The walls were painted in ocean blue colour. Engaging artworks adorned the walls.
Inside the wardrobe, shelves were filled with age-appropriate books, toys, and games that would help with self-expression and therapeutic play.
She sat on the black swivel and placed her laptop on the desk, next to the computer.
" Ma'am..here is the schedule." Sarojamma walked inside announcing in a chirpy voice.
" Thanks..." Parul took the sheet and looked at the details.
She was supposed to handle the kids from kindergarten to 5th grade.
Counselling included the kids from 1st grade to 10th grade.
She was named as the Mentor to the Kindergarten A section.
" Can you please tell me where the classroom is?" she asked taking a notepad and other necessary items.
Sarojamma led her the way to the kindergarten classroom. It was located on the ground floor but in the left wing.
The sound of laughter and loud squeals mixed with some cries filled the air. Parul stepped inside the classroom and the kids stood up, wishing her good morning.
" Good Morning kids... please sit. All of you.." she said looking at everyone in the classroom.
There were about 20 kids and it was a hard task to manage them all at once.
Her wandering eyes stopped seeing a familiar cute little boy. He was pouting looking at the new teacher. She smiled at Manav and then,
" Okay, kids...I am Parul and I will be your class teacher for the year." she announced with a smile.
The kids nodded and then continued with their work.
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