Namaskaram 🙏

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RagLak come out of their thoughts due to Anvi's whisperings. Both of them look at Anvi who opens her eyes slowly.

"Princess!" Laksh calls her with teary eyes.

Anvi opens her eyes completely and looks at Laksh. She turns her eyes to see Ragini.

"Dadda! Mumma!" Her eyes become teary.

She immediately gets up and sprints on Laksh hugging him and crying in his embrace. RagLak's eyes turn teary. Laksh keeps caressing Anvi's hair while she kept sobbing in his embrace.

"Shh... Princess stop crying. Please." Laksh says with choking voice.

Anvi holds him even more tighter. Laksh sighs and lets her cry for some time. Ragini also moves towards Laksh and sits on the bed. She caresses Anvi's hair who is in Laksh's embrace.

"Baby!" She calls once she felt Anvi has calmed down.

Anvi slowly breaks the hug and looks at her. She immediately hugs Ragini.

"Mumma please don't send me with her. Please mumma. I don't like there. It's all dark. I got so much scared." Anvi says in between her sobs.

"Okay baby! We won't send you there. We are sorry for sending you there." Ragini says looking at Laksh with teary eyes still caressing Anvi's hair who is in her embrace.

Anvi breaks the hug and sits on the bed folding her hands looking away wiping of her tears. Both RagLak look confused.

"What happened Princess?" Laksh asks.

Anvi doesn't even look at them. Ragini tries to make Anvi look at her but she looks away.

"Princess!" Laksh calls again.

She doesn't look at them.

"Please say something baby!" Ragini says looking at her.

Anvi looks at both RagLak and then again away.

"You both don't love me anymore. That's why you sent me with that woman." Says Anvi and a sob escapes her mouth again.

She lays and hides her face in her pillow and cries. Laksh tries to make her look at him but she jerks his hands and cries more. Laksh couldn't see her crying and moves out of the room giving a look to Ragini. Ragini takes a deep breathe and moves close to Anvi. She puts her hand on Anvi but she jerks that too still hiding her face in the pillow.

Ragini was about to speak but Laksh enters along with doctor.

"Hey Anvi!" Doctor calls her.

Anvi listening new voice turns and looks at the doctor. Doctor smiles at her while Anvi wipes her tears and sits straight. Doctor moves towards Anvi and sits in front of her.

"How is the little girl feeling?" Asks doctor checking Anvi.

"Good!" Anvi say with small smile.

"You want to go home?" Doctor asks pulling her cheek.

Anvi nods slowly. Doctor smiles and turns to Laksh.

"You can take her home. She is fine but still weak. Don't stress her. She needs rest. Feed her something by then the discharge papers will be ready." Doctor says.

Laksh nods and goes out to get something for Anvi. Anvi sits silently not looking at Ragini. Ragini sits helplessly looking at her. Laksh enters the room holding a soup bowl. He sits beside her and forwards the spoon. She haves it silently.

Her face expressions change as soon as the soup touched the taste buds. Laksh thought she will speak atleast now but she didn't and continued eating. He sighs and thinks of pacifying her later.

"You feed her. I will look after the discharge works." He says looking at Ragini.

She takes the bowl and feeds Anvi. Anvi eats silently. Laksh comes back by the time Anvi is seen drinking water. Ragini wipes her mouth.

"Let's go home Princess!" saying Laksh was about to take her into his arms but she gets down herself and was about to walk but stumbles.

RagLak at a time hold her. They both look at each other.

"Baby let any of us hold you in arms." Ragini says.

"No!" Anvi says and moves away.

She herself walks slowly. RagLak look at her helplessly and walk close to her to make sure she doesn't fall and doesn't get hurt herself. They could see the how much hurt she is. She might be a kid of just 5 years but the hurt she felt when her parents left her and sent her with someone is very painful. She doesn't know what to do and thus showing her anger on her parents.

Near the car she tries to open the door but couldn't. She huffs and looks away. Ragini opens the door for her and let's her in. Once she enters Ragini also enters the car. Laksh looks at Anvi and takes the driving seat. Ragini keeps her hand on Anvi's head who is looking out but Anvi removes it away. Ragini again puts the hand. This time Anvi doesn't remove. Ragini's eyes turn teary. She keeps caressing Anvi's hair. They reach the house. Anvi gets down the car immediately as soon as Laksh opens the door and starts walking.

As soon as she enters the house she sees Chocolate running while barking towards her from her room. She bends and takes him into her arms and kisses him. He again barks and starts licking her face. Anvi giggles.

"He didn't eat anything since last night Princess." Laksh says which made Anvi to look at him.

He nods. Anvi moves towards the kitchen to see Santha kaki cooking.

"Kaki!" She calls weakly.

Kaki looks at her and smiles happily.

"Anvi beta! You came back!" she immediately moves to her and sits on her knees to Anvi's level.

Anvi nods yes. Kaki caresses her head happily. RagLak look at them from the kitchen door.

"I want Chocolate's food. Will you bring to my room? Please!" Anvi asks cutely.

Kaki nods smiling. Anvi moves out of the kitchen ignoring RagLak at the door and goes to her room. Ragini moves inside the kitchen while Laksh follows Anvi.

"I will take the food kaki!" Ragini says.

Kaki nods. Ragini takes the food and moves to Anvi's room. Laksh is looking at Anvi who is sitting caressing Chocolate's head and Chocolate is looking at her with his tongue out and tail wagging.

"Baby here is Chocolate's food!" Ragini says moving towards Anvi.

Anvi takes the food and puts beside her. She places Chocolate on the floor and he starts having his food still wagging his tail. Anvi caresses his head and smiles. Laksh looks at her smile and his heart feels light.

"How are we going to make her understand that we love her more than our lives?" he whispers.

Ragini who is beside him looks at him.

"I don't know too!" she says helplessly.

Laksh's eyes turn teary. He moves to his room and sits on the bed holding his head. Ragini who followed him puts her hand on his shoulder.

"I am not understanding anything bacha. I am not understanding anything. I just can't bare this all any more. I just want everything to become alright." He says looking at her helplessly with teary eyes.

She sits beside him and hugs him. He hugs her back and cries in her embrace.

"Will she hate us?" he asks looking at her with teary eyes.

Ragini immediately shakes her head as no with teary eyes. Laksh joins his forehead with hers and both of them let their tears to flow.

"Let's go try to talk to her. Let's try in such a way that she can understand." Ragini says looking at him.

"But how?" He asks helplessly.

"Just let's tell her. Tell her how much we tried to get her back." She says.

"We can't say her that she is her mother biologically." He says scared.

"Come with me." She says standing and holding his hand.

He looks at her and then nods. He goes along with her. Ragini moves towards Anvi and takes her in her arms though she restricts.

"Leave me!" Anvi says looking away.

"Don't make me angry Baby! Listen to Dadda and me like a good girl!" Ragini says sitting and making her sit on her lap.

Anvi pouts looking away. Laksh smiles lightly seeing her pout.

"Baby look at me!" Ragini says seriously.

Anvi doesn't turn. Ragini makes her turn towards her with one hand and holds her ear with another hand.

"We are sorry Baby!" Ragini says with teary eyes.

Laksh also sits beside her and holds both of his ears.

"Sorry!" he says with teary eyes.

Anvi's eyes turn teary remembering how scared she was the previous night in that dark room.

"It was all because of that Judge ma'am. She believed all the lies that woman said. You know what that woman said? She said that Dadda and me doesn't keep you happy. She also said that we always make you cry." Ragini says with teary eyes.

"You remember that day you were playing with that broom and fell down and cried because of injury? I don't know how that woman got that as a photo. She showed that to judge ma'am and said that we make you do sweeping and all. Mumma and me tried to tell her that you were playing. We love you so much and keep you happy but Judge ma'am didn't listen to us. She sent you away from us." Laksh says with teary eyes.

"But that woman kept you in dark room and made you cry na. You also had to join in hospital because of that woman na. So Dadda and me went to the Judge ma'am fought with her so much and again brought you back away from that woman. We promise we will never ever send you anywhere away from us." Ragini says pinching her neck.

Laksh also pinches his neck and nods.

"But why did that woman do that?" Anvi asks with teary eyes.

RagLak look at each other. Then Ragini sighs and speaks.

"That woman na doesn't like Dadda. She wants to trouble Dadda. She knows Dadda loves you so much. If she takes you away from Dadda then Dadda will be very sad na. So she did all this." Ragini speaks what all came into her mind.

Laksh sighs as Anvi looked convinced.

"But why doesn't she like Dadda?" Anvi asks another question.

Ragini makes a cry face. Laksh was like 'why did you give so much brain to my daughter god?' He sighs.

"Oho Princess you ask so many questions. Did you forgive Dadda and mumma or not?" He asks as if he is fed up.

Anvi immediately hugs both RagLak at a time. RagLak's eyes turn teary again and hug her back tight. They both kiss her on either side of her head and look at each other. Ragini smiles with teary eyes but he looks away. Anvi breaks the hug and sits on Laksh's lap now. She hugs him.

"Dadda she will not come again na?" She asks scared.

Laksh hugs her protectively.

"No Princess she will not come. I promise will never let anybody take you away from us. I promise!" He says caressing her hair.

Anvi nods and kisses his cheek.

"I Love You Dadda!" she says.

He smiles and kisses her forehead lovingly.

"I Love You too Princess!" He says pulling her cheeks.

She grins making Laksh heart flutter in joy. Her smile is what which makes him happy all the time. He again hugs her to his heart. Ragini keeps staring both of them lovingly. Anvi looks at her.

"Mumma!" She calls.

Ragini looks at her. Anvi signs her to come closer. Ragini looks at Laksh and then at Anvi then moves closer. Anvi kisses her cheek and hugs both RagLak at a time. Ragini hugs her back smiling but her eyes are on Laksh who is not looking at her. Anvi breaks the hug.

"Mumma hungry!" Anvi says pouting.

Ragini smiles caressing Anvi's cheek.

"Come let's have food." Ragini says.

"But before that let's change. Okay Princess?" Laksh asks.

Anvi nods. Ragini takes Anvi in her arms and helps her to change.

"I will see Chocolate first and then eat!" Saying Anvi goes out of the room leaving RagLak alone after she got changed.

Ragini knows he won't speak to her so she was about to follow Anvi but he holds her hand stopping her. She stops and looks at him.

"Thank You!" He says looking straight in to her eyes.

"From when you started thanking me Laksh?" She asks looking at him painfully.

"From then when you left me!" he states and just goes away from there without giving her atleast a look.

Ragini stands there looking at his retreating figure and tears roll from her eyes.

"Will you ever forgive me for that Laksh?" She whispers to herself painfully.

"Mumma!" she heard Anvi's voice.

She wipes her tears and goes out of the room making a smiley face. She moves and sees both Laksh and Anvi sitting at the dining.

She sits beside Laksh and serves them. Laksh silently starts feeding Anvi. Anvi also haves silently as she is still weak. Ragini is just playing with food thinking about Laksh's words.

Laksh has observed it but doesn't speak anything. He is just feeding Anvi and having his food or say acting to have his food. Seeing Ragini like that it's obvious he won't be able to have food properly.

"Dadda feed mumma too. See she isn't eating properly." Anvi who observed her mother playing with food says to Laksh.

Laksh looks at Anvi and then at Ragini. He was about to feed Ragini but Ragini speaks thinking he would say no.

"No baby mumma is not hungry. You have food and come. Till then I will change." Saying she goes away from there.

Laksh looks at her retreating figure until she disappears from his sight. He gets back to feeding Anvi and stops eating himself.

"Dadda did you scold mumma?" She asks frowning.

Laksh looks at her blankly.

"You ask her sorry. She will become fine. Okay?" She says strictly not getting any answer from her answer.

Laksh caresses her hair and nods yes.

"You go to your room Princess. I will come and give your medicines." Laksh says as he completed feeding her.

"Medicines? Yuck!" She says making a yuck face.

Laksh smiles. He kisses her forehead lovingly.

"How will you get well if you don't take medicines Princess?" Laksh asks pulling her nose.

She pouts and nods. He chuckles and signs her to go. She kisses his cheek and goes from there. Laksh looks at his room and then at the plate. He sighs and serves in the plate and moves towards his room. He opens the door to see Ragini standing in the balcony staring at the stars and moon. He goes towards her and holds her hand. She jerks but sighs in relief. He pulls her along with him inside the room and makes her sit on the couch. Ragini keeps looking at him confused. He turns and takes the plate from the table and forwards a morsel to her. Her eyes turn teary but she gulps off her tears.

"I am not hungry Laksh." She says looking away.

"Shut up and have it." He whisper yells angrily at her.

She looks at him with teary eyes. He is glaring her. She opens her mouth and he feeds her. She eats looking at him with innocent face. He feeds her another morsel looking at her strictly. She eats that also. This time he was about to feed again but she holds his hand and turns it towards his mouth. He looks at her for a moment and then haves it.

"When you love me so much why don't you give me a chance to explain?" She asks looking at him painfully.

"Go change and come. Anvi is waiting." He says getting up from the couch.

She looks at him teary eyes while he leaves.

@flashback

Next day Ragini as usual went to jogging park. She gets tired and sits on the bench there not bothering to look who is on the bench. The person who is sitting closing his eyes listening music opens his eyes feeling someone beside him. He looks and smiles looking at the cutie pie who is panting closing her eyes with the ear phones in her ears.

He pats her shoulder. She opens her eyes and her eyes widened and lips broke into smile looking at him.

"Hello My saviour!" She says excitedly taking of her ear phones.

He chuckles seeing her.

"Today you didn't find any dog it seems." He says smiling.

"No I think it got scared of My saviour." She says grinning.

He smiles seeing her. He gets up to go but stops hearing her.

"What's your name?" She asks standing.

"Why?" He asks with raised eyebrow.

"You are my saviour. It's my duty to know the name of my saviour." She says sincerely looking at him.

He chuckles.

"You are always same like this cute and childish?" He asks shaking his head.

"You know we should never let the child in us go!" she says grinning.

"Hmm... I think you are right. Anyways I am Laksh!" He says forwarding his hand.

"Ragini!" She says shaking hand with smile.

"Bye!" He says and about to go again but stops as she called again.

"Friends?" she asks peeping front to him.

He looks at her and he couldn't control his chuckle again. He smiles and nods. Ragini grins again.

"Now can I go?" He asks.

"You are busy?" she asks with a pout.

Laksh looks away muffling his chuckle.

"Actually a bit. Have an exam as well as meeting in the office." He says looking at her again.

"Oh... All the best for both of them. We will meet tomorrow then. Take care." She says smiling.

"Thank you for the wishes. Take care too." He says smiling.

"No Thank You and No sorry between friends. I think you don't know the rule." She says frowning.

"Is it in constitution?" He asks smirking.

"Hein? Why will it be in constitution?" She asks confused scratching her head.

He laughs.

"Bye!" He waves and goes.

Ragini waves back and goes home.

Next day again they meet on the same bench. This time she pats his shoulder. He opens his eyes and smiles.

"How was your exam and meeting?" She asks.

"Both are good." He says smiling happily at her.

"Waise what do you do?" He asks.

"B.A. English second year." She says.

"Nice!" He says looking straight.

"Why do you always stand or sit with your phone? Don't you jog or walk or run?" she asks putting her chin on her hand balancing her elbow on her leg.

He smiles.

"I come by 5.00 am. I complete my jog and sit here to have some fresh morning air. It's so pleasant when you hear some beautiful songs in this fresh morning air." He says inhaling the fresh air and a smile comes on his face.

Ragini keeps thinking looking at him. He snaps his fingers in front of her making her come out of her thoughts.

"Where are you lost madam?" He asks raising his eyebrow.

"I was thinking to do same. But I am just imagining me waking up at five to come to jog and then dogs in our street start chasing me." Saying she pouts.

He laughs seeing her pout face. Ragini frowns.

"Don't laugh na." she whines.

"Okay sorry!" he says muffling his laugh.

"Again. You forget so easily. There is no sorry and no thank you in friendship." She says lightly hitting his head.

He looks at her surprised but then smiles.

"So bye for today." He says and about to get up.

"Why are you always in so much hurry?" she asks pouting.

He smiles looking at her.

"It's that I need to go home, fresh up and then go to college." He says.

"I also should do these all but I don't get hurry." She shrugs.

"I don't know!" he shrugs too.

Ragini makes faces making him chuckle.

"You are the only person who make me laugh or chuckle so much." He says shaking his head.

Ragini grins.

"I am Glad!" she smiles warmly at him.

He smiles back.

"Now may I go?" he asks.

"Yes but phone number?" she asks with puppy face.

He smiles and gives her his number. She smiles happily and gives him her number.

"I will come in the evenings too. If you want you can come." He says smiling.

"Really?" she asks with shine in her eyes.

He nods and she grins nodding.

"Text me when you are coming. So that I don't leave before you come." He says.

She nods.

"Bye!" he says and leaves waving at her.

"Bye!" she replies and leaves from there smiling.

This was just start of their friendship. As the days passed they started meeting everyday and their friendship grew. They kept spending more time together whenever it is possible. They became very good friends.

@flash back continues...

*****

Thank you for reading. Hope you liked it.

With Love

Dharani (Dhaరणि)