Mishti :

It's around 5.30PM when I reached orphanage. I came out of the car as the driver opened the door. He handed me the cheque which Mom had given him. I kept it inside my purse. "Uncle, will you join me or you have some work? " I asked him.

"I will go to my home, my wife's health is not well, " he replied opening the trunk of car to take out the gifts. I kept some money in his pocket, " Take care of Aunty, " I said , he smiled brightly and put his hand on my head, "God bless you, " he muttered, I smiled at him.

"Give me the gifts, I can carry it, you go, your wife must be waiting for you, " I said taking some gifts from his hand.. Then he put other gifts on it. I could not even see anything due to the gifts.

"Can you manage? " he asked, I nodded.

Looking aside, I took baby steps towards the orphanage. The gifts fell from my hands as I bumped with someone. I looked up and got shocked for a second. Abir! It was him.

I bent down and started picking the gifts, he too picked some of it. "What are you doing here? " he asked getting up, " None of your business, " I shrugged and made my way to the entrance, he followed me with the gifts.

How on this earth everytime I go somewhere I collide with Abir? Like how?

As I kept my bare feet inside the orphanage house, my heart stopped for a moment. I felt something strange, my vision got blurred. I closed my eyes and tightened my grip around the gifts as my head started spinning. Every year I came to this orphanage in this day and every time something like this happens with me..

"Are you okay? "

I opened my eyelids hearing Abir's voice from my back, I just nodded to him. I gathered all my strength and went inside.. I spotted a middle aged woman, she smiled looking at me. I had met her before.

I forwarded the gifts to her , Abir too handed the gifts to her and she gave all these to a girl. "Sir! Thank you for coming! " she spoke politely to Abir, I raised my brows.

"Actually he is the landowner, " she said to me.

"Oh.. "

"No, actually my Dad bought this but in my name, " he muttered, I nodded my head.

"Come inside, everyone is there, " saying the lady started walking and we both followed her to a big hall. All the children were sitting on the floor folding their hands with closed eyes. Some older and some middle citizens were sitting on the front.

I stopped, when my gaze fell on the big photo frame of Late Rajashree Maheswari. I just stared at her for some second, my chest tightened in some unknown pain.

"Mishti! Why are you crying? " Abir muttered, then I realized tears were dropping from my eyes. I wiped it before anyone could notice.. It's her birthday today, every year Mom sent me here . But I just feel so strange in this environment..

"Are you okay? " Abir said holding my shoulder, I took a deep breath and blinked my eyes to assure him. Two small frames were hanging under the big frame. One was of her daughter and another was of her son in law. They both died in a car accident long ago.

"Can I please go to outside? " I asked to the lady and she nodded.

Giving her a smile I came out of the room and sat on an empty chair. Abir too came behind me. I pressed my forehead in frustation.

"What's wrong? " he asked, sitting on his knees.

"I don't know, I am just not feeling well, " I muttered, he stared at me with a blank expression..

It was raining cats and dogs outside. I can't even go home. I sat there helplessly. This place just give me some unknown vibes. I feel happy but strange yet sad. God know why!

I looked towards the room as a old lady was saying something on mic.

As you all know, today is an auspicious day for us. On this day, Late Rajashree Maheswari was born.  She was one of the most powerful lady of India at her time.  She had done a lott for us, so in her special day I want all of you to pray for her soul. Please keep silence for two minutes ..

Saying she put the mic on the table and sat on the ground. I too closed my eyes and prayed for her.

"Mishti beta! "

I opened my eyes hearing a soft voice. The same old lady was standing in front of me. I got up and touched her feet , she took me in her embrace and patted my back..

"Come with me, " she instructed.

"You too come, " she told to Abir.

We both went to the same room again. "Light this diya, " she said pointing at a diya which was in front of the frame.

"Umm.. But why me? I mean -" she didn't let me complete.

" Your mom love her as her own mother and every year on this day she light the diya. This year I want you to light the diya. If she would have a grand daughter, she would have been like you , " she said with a smile.
I nodded and bent down to light the diya.
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" God is so cruel," Abir uttered looking at the kids who were playing in front of us.
There used to be time where they must be feeling alone but they don't have anyone with whom they can share anything.

"You guys will stay here in night na? " the lady asked to us, I nodded. The weather is too bad, my driver's wife health is not good too, so calling him at this hour won't be good.

"No need to do anything special for us, we will eat what the children will have, " Abir said to her and she left..

It's around 9.30PM , Abir and I were sitting with the kids for dinner. They have made Puri and  Chhole curry. The curry was looking spicy. I am used of it, but looking at Abir it was clear that he doesn't like spicy food. I took one bite inside my mouth, umm , it was tasty.

"Mmmm... I chewed a chilli , " Abir screamed. His eyes were red and moistened. I forwarded him the water glass, he gulped it in one go.

"It's too much spicy, I can't eat, " he muttered, I chuckled. "Eat the puri only, " I said to him , he made a pout. But we didn't have any option so he ate the puri only, I took the curry plate from him.

After having our dinner we both went to upstairs as the lady instructed. She guided us to a corner room. I took a glance at the room. The room seems untouched, but cleaned too. Two beds were there and a screen between the beds.

"Call me if you want something! " saying she left. Now I have to share a room with Abir. I sighed. He opened the windows and turned on the fan. There were so many things inside the room, like music instruments, telescope, old tv , a cupboard and so on..

I decreased the fan speed as it was cold, but he increased it. I glared at him, he shrugged. I again decreased it through regulator but he increased it again. We both continued the game till the regulator broke and fell on the ground , leaving the fan at its full speed.

"Rest in peace, " Abir grinned looking at the regulator, I gritted my teeth in anger.

I blinked my eyes as he started unbuttoning his shirts  . It reminded me of the night when he was drunk, but thank to God he was wearing a vest inside it today. The window is opened, the fan is at full speed and he removed his shirt, God know how will he survive in this cold night.

He turned off the light and climbed on the bed. The whole room became dark. I don't sleep wearing saree, but I don't have other choice. It would have been better, if I would have come to orphanage in the morning.

Gritting my teeth in frustation, I turned around to go to my bed. But due to dark, my leg hit something and I ended up falling on Abir's chest.

"Ouch, " he groaned. Good for him. I got up instantly.

"Can't you see, " he muttered under his breath.

"Of course! God has given me some special eyes that I can see everything clearly in this dark, " I mocked glaring at his dark figure. I could sense him gritting his teeth, I chuckled..

I took out my phone from purse and turned on the torch light. Going to my bed, I turned the light off and kept the phone under my pillow.

I pulled the thin blanket till my neck as I started trembling.. "I feel pity for your future wife, who have to sleep in AC even in this types cold winter, " I whispered slowly, but it was loud enough for him to listen. He let out a devilish chuckle, I rolled my eyes..

"Don't worry about that, I will make her feel hot even under snow fall, " he uttered in his husky voice, I could feel my cheek burning up. I covered my whole body with the blanket and slept..

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"Mishti! Wake up... Mishti Mishti! "

I opened my eyelids with a jerk, tears were flowing from my eyes. I was sweating fully. Abir was holding me tightly.. I looked at his concern filled eyes..

"Abir! Abir.... " I could hardly spoke, he tightened his grip around my shoulder. I clutched his vest tightly as I was trembling.

"Ssshhhh! You had a bad dream, " he tried to sooth me, rubbing my back..

"A truck.... It... It hit the car... Abir... That woman was in pain.... Two person were inside the car.... I heard a baby girl crying, abir they need us, abir I, she, " I almost cried, burying my face on the crook of his neck, letting the tears fall from my eyes...

"Mishti! Relax.. It's just a dream, "

"Noo! Abir.... You are not understanding. They need us, we need to admit them in hospital.. Their baby was crying, "

I felt like someone stabbed my heart with a knife, I could not differentiate between dream and reality. I held Abir tightly from his waist and pressed my face on his chest , clenching my teeth in pain..

He rubbed my back , trying to give some comfort. But it was of no use. I could still hear their screaming, crying. It's not for the first time I saw something like this on dream, I had seen bad dreams before too. But today it felt personal.

Abir made me look at him and cupped my face in his large palm, wiping my tears. "You are here with me, we are fine, everyone are safe, it's just a bad dream. " he uttered brushing my hair.

I held his both hands tightly in fear. I started crying badly, nothing was in my control. No one can understand the pain I am going through right now, even I don't know the reason behind it. He wiped my tears and again hugged me.

I broke the hug as a lady came inside with a water bottle in her hand. Giving it to Abir, she left. Abir sat beside me and made me drink some water.

"From evening you are behaving little weird, " he said looking at me. I closed my eyes in frustation. This place made me feel like that, I don't have control over it..

"Okay relax! Go to washroom, it is just after this room. Splash some water on your face, you will feel better, " he said, I nodded and walked out of the room.

Closing the washroom door from inside, I looked at my reflection on the small mirror. My eyes were blood red, whole face was swollen. I splashed water on my face for two to three times, but nothing helped.

Deep inside I was still scared. I took a deep breath and came out of the washroom. I was feeling so weak, walking till the room felt like a burden. I looked here and there but didn't find Abir.

A white paper was on my bed. I picked it up in my trembling hand..

Come straight, then take a left. You will find a stairs. Just climb up the stairs, I am waiting for you on the roof.

This was written on the paper. I let out a breath and made my way to the roof. I didn't have any energy left after the nightmare. I just want to run away from this environment.

I reached on the roof. Abir was doing something with the telescope. I got excited, I always wanted to see the stars in telescope. Seeing me, a smile crept on his lips. I took baby steps towards him, he lowered the position of the telescope.

"Now look, " he instructed. I nodded my head and kept my one eyes on the power glass. I was dumbfounded seeing my name. I could see MISHTI, my name in a silver dazzling colour. I rubbed my eyes and again looked at it, and It was same.

"How did you do this? " I asked him, getting all excited.

"It's not possible right? I mean how could you do anything in just 10 minutes? " I again asked, he gave me a tight lipped smile. Something is definitely fisshy. He was trying very hard to suppress his laugh.

"Tell me what you have done? " I said crossing my hands over my chest, he burst out laughing. First I frowned but after some time a smile formed on my face after seeing him laughing whole heartily. He looks extra handsome while laughing, my heart fluttered seeing him.

He went to the telescope and removed one black paper from it's end and forwarded it to me. My name was written on it in silver colour. Seriously!

"This telescope is not working, so I did this to make you feel better, " he said, biting his lips.

He is cute!

"Feeling better now? " he said, my face dropped as all those things came in front of my eyes again. I sighed.

"I have some other solution too! " he said and started a song on his phone and kept it inside his pocket..

"Abir! I really don't have any energy left to dance, " I stared at him helplessly. My eyes went wide when he lifted me holding my waist and made me stand on his feet. I wrapped my both hands around his shoulder to balance myself.

Dilon ki mohabbat ko baandhe kyun haaye re
Dilon ki mohabbat ko baandhe kyun haaye re
Daayre daayre
Daayre daayre

Hain kyun faasley darmiyaan leke aaye re
Hain kyun faasley darmiyaan leke aaye re
Daayre daayre
Daayre daayre

He placed his one hand on my waist and another on my back and started moving our body in a rhythm. My heart started beating fast as his hazel brown eyes was on my swollen eyes. I could feel his heart beat against mine.

Kaanch ke wo khwab naazuk the humare saare
Chhoone se hi tootne lage
Mannaton mein umr bhar ka sath jinka manga
Humsafar wo chhootne lage

Na marna munasib jiya bhi naa jaaye re
Na marna munasib jiya bhi naa jaaye re
Haye re daayre
Daayre daayre
Daayre daayre

It was hard for me to breathe under his soft touch through the thin saree. I stared at him, he raised his brows at me with a smile, I shook my head, smiling internally. Cold breeze was blowing, making me feel cold.

As we both were moving, my feet over his, I closed my eyes to feel the moment. After sometime I started feeling relaxed.

The song ended and he lifted me in his arms . His eyes locked with mine as he made his way to downstairs. Getting inside the room, he placed me gently on the bed . All of a sudden, awkwardness raised between us.

I pulled my blanket but what caught my eyes was there were two blanket, I looked up, the fan was off too. Only one window was opened.

"You were trembling very badly, so I just, " he muttered, I stared at him blankly for a second then nodded. He turned off the light and slept on his bed.

As the room filled with darkness, my mind again went to the dream. Unknowingly a tear rolled from my eyes to ear as I was looking at the ceiling. I hadn't seen anyone's face but i don't know why it felt so personal.

I could feel the little girl's pain, her crying sound just echoed in my mind, I opened my eyelids with a jerk. I saw Abir getting up from his bed, he turned on the light and looked at me helplessly.

I got up and sat on my bed. "I can't forget the dream, you sleep, I will just sit here for some time, " I uttered playing with my fingers. He let out a deep breath and stood near my bed.

"Move aside, " he instructed, I raised my brows at him in confusion.

"Offo! Move na! "

I moved a little , removing the pillow he sat on my bed. "Sleep here, " he placed the pillow on his lap ..

"It's okay! No need to ruin your sleep for me, " I said to him.

"I can't argue with you all night. It's already 2.00 am. We have to wake up before 6.00 am. You have college and I have a important meeting at 10.00 am, so just do as I am saying, " he mumbled in his sleepy eyes.

I bit my inner cheek, he showed me his eyes. Having no other option, I slept keeping my head on the pillow which was on his lap. He started caressing my hairs, I closed my eyes as I started feeling better. And soon sleep took over me..

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"Abir, wake up! " I called his name for the nth time, but he didn't wake up..

When I woke up, I found him on his bed. Don't know till when he was awake. I shook his hand again, he groaned and buried his face on the pillow.

"Abir it's already 6.15 , we have to go! "

He woke up and sat with a frown on his face. "Nobody let me sleep peacefully, " he mumbled in sleepy voice. Rubbing his eyes he got up and went to washroom.

I didn't have brush with myself, so I just cleaned my mouth using my finger and toothpaste. I will brush my teeth properly after reaching home. I cleaned the two messy bed and came out of the room with my purse.

I went to downstair and bid bye everyone. Children were sleeping, there were only some middle aged woman . I know more than half of them, as I come here every year.

Abir came to me holding a small mirror on his hand and handed it to me.

"What? " I arched my brows at him, "Hold it for some time, I need to comb my hair " he uttered, I rolled my eyes at him and held it for him..

He combed his hair and took the mirror from me and kept it on the near table..

"Stay here for some more time. We will make breakfast for you, "

I turned around hearing the same voice of the old lady ,who was giving speech yesterday . She came to me.

"Actually Aai, we both have some work, so we have to go! " I said, she made a sad face.

"Okay! Take care, keep visiting this orphanage, " she hugged me. I touched her feet and bid bye everyone. We both came out of the orphanage, the wind started blowing in my opposite direction, like it doesn't want me to go.

I looked back at the orphanage, so many emotions ran down my body. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and made my way to outside..

We both got inside his car, he was struggling with the key things.

I looked at him, as he didn't start the car. "What? Any problem? " I asked, he got out of the car and checked the inside of hood. Closing it, he frowned..

I too got out of the car, " There's some issue, I need to repair it, " he muttered and locked the car.

"The NH is just one kilometre away, let's go, " I muttered, he nodded silently. Abir was looking sleepy.. His phone started ringing , picking the call he kept it on speaker..

Yes mom.

Why are you not picking up calls? From last night, I am calling you!

She was sounding a little tensed.

Mom take a chill.. I stayed in orphanage last night. Due to the network issue I could not call you..

Come home first, I won't spare you today. Half of the time you are not coming at night.

Mom yarr! Do you think I am dying to sleep outside rather than in my comfy room?

I don't know about anything. Come home fast.. Bye

She cut the call and Abir sighed. I was laughing internally seeing his frowned face.

Finally we found a cab after fifteen minutes. We both sat on back seat. He told the driver my adress.

It's been thirty minutes in the car, he's sleeping keeping his head on my shoulder. Last night he made me sleep , so could not sleep properly. My phone started vibrating in my purse. Now it's my mom, I picked it.

Good morning bachha! Did you visit orphanage yesterday?

Yes mom! Even I stayed there at night due to the bad weather.

Ohh! Everything was good na? I mean everything went well?

Of course not! I mean I saw a bad dream last night. Something like , umm a truck hit a car and a baby crying, I couldn't see anything properly but it was scary.

Hearing my words, she didn't say anything for some second. Complete silence..

Mom are you listening?

Han han.. Just some network issue. Forget the dream. It happens sometimes when we are tired and stay in some other place.

Umm Hmm...

"Umm.. Don't make noise, I am sleeping, "  Abir mumbled in his sleepy tone, wrapping his one hand around my belly.

Are you with someone? Umm I heard a male voice..

Actually I am going in a bus. So the passenger sitting on my back is making some noise..

Oh okay! Bye, take care..

Hm Tata..

I cut the call and let out a sigh. Abir tightened his grip around me , nuzzling his face on my shoulder, I started feeling ticklish. "Abir stop, "

He looked up in his sleepy eyes and frowned again. He crawled across the seat and put his head on my lap and slept again. I rolled my eyes at him and started scrolling through my phone.

It took us two hours to reach my house. I called him , this time he glared at me. "We reached , " I mumbled. Pulling his hair in frustation, he got out of the car. After paying the driver, I went inside.

As soon as I opened the door, Abir threw his phone and went inside. I ran behind him. He directly slept on my bed, cuddling with my favorite pillow.

"Abir! Your mom must be waiting for you. I know you haven't slept properly, but you need to go home, " I said to him but he gave no response. I pulled the pillow, he groaned in frustation.

"Abir wake up! " I voiced.

"Let me sleep, " he yelled pulling the pillow , but I didn't give him. We both were pulling the pillow until I heard Sam's voice. I left the pillow and turned around, she had already entered inside my room.

Seeing Abir on my bed, her eyes widen. "What is he doing here? " she asked in shock.

"GET THE HELL OUT OF THIS ROOM, I NEED SLEEP, " Abir screamed, we both ran out of the room closing the door.

"Listen I will explain everything, but now I have to get ready for college, " saying I ran to bathroom..

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