Lavanya was excited to venture out on Sunday unlike her grumpy companion Akash. She had asked her father to give her a list of the nearby Children's homes she could visit on weekends. After the disastrous Friday night, a visit would be just the thing she needed to lift her mood before classes begins on Monday.
" Stop Sulking. Remember, you owe me a favor, I attended the party for you, and you have to spend today with me, " Lavanya spoke as she marched into the address her father gave to her.
She turned 18 two months ago and had learned about the inheritance she inherited from her paternal grandfather. At the age of 16, she discovered her adopted mother was her biological mother, and it threw her life into chaos for a brief while as she sorted out her feelings.
On her 18th birthday, her parents told her about the trust fund her paternal grandfather left her. Lavanya didn't want anything to do with his money. The person who hated her mom and caused her mother to live apart from her for six years. But it was her dad who told her about her aunt who used her share to help those who lost their jobs when her grandfather's company went bankrupt, and he also asked Lavanya to think about it and not make a rash decision.
Lavanya had decided to use it for those in need as well, and since she lived six years of her life in an orphanage, she decided her efforts should be directed towards those causes. She was still close with Savitri dida, the proprietor of Sunshine homes for Children in Kolkata. While she wanted a write a big check for her orphanage, she also knew Sunshine homes didn't lack funds due to the generous contribution of her parents and family.
Lavanya wanted to help those who had no such generous patrons. She visited this orphanage four years ago with her family, a shortstop during their vacation to Delhi, and she was concerned about this place ever since then. While she knew her parents contribute to charities, it is never enough in the world of poverty since this Children's home was located within an hour's drive from Akash house. It felt like a perfect place to start.
As she stepped inside the place dragging a reluctant Akash, she became faintly aware that the place looked much worse than before, and she had to wonder how dire their circumstances were when the building looked like it may fall apart any day.
When she stepped inside the proprietor's office, she took in the modest settings, the office was scarcely decorated with furnishings, except for the desk and few chairs.
She briefly worried that he would be upset that she came without calling. But the proprietor introduced himself as Mr. Arvind Pandey was delighted and even took her on a personal tour, Akash who had been reluctant, was stuck with the kids' despair and found himself in rage against their parents who abandoned them.
" Don't blame the parents. Most of the kids are here because their parents died, and no one else was available to take them in. We do our best. But without help, we can do only, what we can " Arvind Pandey spoke up trying to calm Akash.
Lavanya wanted to use her trust fund to help the kids in this Children's home. But she had promised herself to spend everything after talking with her parents. So she decided to call them first before writing the check. She stepped out for a moment to call her parents when she saw him. In the dim light of the club, she didn't see him clearly, but she knew it was him.
Her curiosity got the better of her as she followed him and found him entering the orphanage through the back door. She followed him only to stop as she heard voices.
" He still hasn't left. Because someone came to see the place, he just asked me to bring in juice for them. " an elderly voice of woman spoke up.
" Another fat check to line his pockets. No wonder he hasn't left for the bar yet, " the rich baritone she got familiar with answered back, and Lavanya was surprised by his words that she let out a whimper of a sound which got his attention, and the next second she was facing the brown eyes starring right at her.
He didn't wait for her to explain why she was eavesdropping as he walked away from her. She followed him in an attempt to explain her actions. Then he stopped once they reached near a beat-up delivery truck for some pizza shop. It was as if he knew she would follow her.
" I wasn't eavesdropping, and I won't say anything, " she explained, and he nodded his head in answer when another voice rang in.
" Where did you go Lavanya? " Akash spoke up, and he was accompanied by Mr. Pandey.
" So you have met Vihaan, Vihaan used to be .." the voice of proprietor spoke up then stopped abruptly when his eyes looked at Vihaan.
" What I meant was Vihaan work here for free on weekends" he finished lamely, but Lavanya knew there was more to Vihaan's story. But she accepted the explanation with a smile.
After overhearing Vihaan's words, She couldn't call her parents yet. She wanted to know if her donations would go to the welfare of the kids, so after spending some time with the kids, she left with a promise to visit them soon.
She wanted to see a glimpse of him, but he disappeared into the orphanage after their meeting. She need to ask him for the truth, though she wondered if he would tell her.
******************
Vihaan stood in hiding till her car went out the orphanage gates. He knew it was illogical to avoid her when she doesn't even know how much she mean to him. Yet avoid he did.
He hoped she didn't write a check for the orphanage. Because he didn't want to see her disappointment if she found out how her thoughtful contribution was spent on drinks and gambling.
It has been four years, and he believed and hoped she had outgrown her innocence. But there she stood before him still with the same innocence as if the world trials had never marred her life.
He walked back into the orphanage and heard the curse from the Monster room, that just meant his Angel didn't deem it to write out a check for him. It also meant he would be the one who might face his wrath. And soon enough he heard his name ring out.
" What did you say to her? I was sure she was willing to write a check, and now she left without one and the difference she talked with you, I warned you if you interfered then you will pay the consequence " the monster railed at him as if he were still the ten-year-old who would shake in terror.
" She was lost and asked for the direction back, " he lied calmly, and he knew the monster won't believe him. But that didn't matter to him.
" Remember, just because you have moved out doesn't mean I can't harm you . " with the threat made he left, and Vihaan stood paralyzed in fear for a moment.
He was always cautious never to show any weakness. But the monster does know his one weakness who was stuck in the orphanage.
As his footsteps reached the hall where the children were cramped in, His eyes searched and found her. And then the four-year-old ran towards him in pure happiness that he couldn't help but lift her in his arms.
" I missed you " her childlike voice gripped him with such awareness that he couldn't help but utter back those words.
" I missed you too Anjali, " he answered back. Which brought a smile to her face as she held on to him for a long time.
In the years he lived in the orphanage, he managed to keep himself getting attached to anyone. Because the moment he did, the monster would have a way to control him, but all changed when he turned 15. From the moment he met his Angel.
And his mind again wandered back to her, just when he almost gave up any hope to meet her. She appeared, and he didn't know how much chaos she would wreak in his life this time around.
P.S: " That it for now. Let me know your thoughts and Feedback. Hit the votes if you liked it. "
Love
Juanita