Hellooo everyone....

Surpriseeee! Okay so ever since I penned down the intro yesterday the prologues/ as in the initial build up of this plot has been revolving around my head or rather literally dancing around more so - so I thought I might as well just pen down the initial Prologues to just set the back story tone for the story before it actually begins!

So yup - Here I am with the first brief Prologue!

And yes - as I do always read all comments  - I do wama say that don't worry guys -  after I finish penning down HW2.0 epilogues there is a possibility that I write this plot and last leg of Chaotic 2.0 side by side!🤗

Okay - then - alrighty let's straight dip into the Prologue for Invisible Strings - a plot I am super excited about as well❤❤❤

.............

Prologue - I

On a rainy stormy night off the 4th August, 1996 – Mini and Mathew D'Costa - the wardens and owners of the Angel's Orphanage in Lucknow responded to the loud thuds and knocks on their door in a rushed hurry – indeed. How could they not? The thundering knocks and ringbells on the door kind off resembled the notes of the thundering skies up and above of them. They'd rushed through the orphange's courtyard at the speed of light – hoping that the loud thunders did not wake up the other sleeping children. And to their utter surprise once they had opened the door – they'd found a little baby bassinet right in front of the door – thankfully atleast covered with a raincoat – in order to protect the wailing child underneath from getting drenched in the rain and triggering the onset of pneumonia.

Matthew D'Costa had taken a moment to scan the surroundings around in the out and as he spotted no one in proximity except for the screeching wheels of a car in far vision speeding far and away – he gestured the worse to his wife – Mini. " They'v left. Whoever was it that came to drop this child, they just left Mini...which means that our home...is this baby's home...now..."

"How could anyone be so cruel to drop a little baby in a thunderstorm as bad as this one – at the door Matthew?? In the middle of the night?? What if we were sleeping?? What I'd we didnt respond to their knocks and doorbells??? Surely then this little angel wouldn't have survived the night in this treacherous weather....oh there there...lil one..come on..into my arms...," voiced out Mini D'Costa as she hurriedly picked up the wailing baby in her arms securing him with her into shelter in the foyer off the house – her compassionate heart already accepting the role of the baby's guardian in an instant.

Matthew and Mini D'Costa – were educated hardworking members of the society. Mini worked as a Primary school – principal in a reputed English medium school nearby (for years)and Matthew was a literature professor in Lucknow University. They'd been an average upper middle class couple quite content and deeply in love with one another.

Matthew's family had always lived in Lucknow having migrated here from Goa back in the 1970's.Perhaps the only deep wound that marked both their lives was the bit that despite the longing and wish to have children of their own – they were not able too. And so after his parents sudden passing in 1985 – Matthew being the only son - took the decision to turn his quite decently sized and huge ancestral home into an Orphange where in the couple could shelter in children/kids that the society/people left out on the streets to succumb to the worse of fates!

It seemed like a perfect solution for the two. They didn't have children of their own – why not turn their home into a loving place for all those little angelic souls – that needed guardians/wards/a place to call home and someone to look after them. Given that both Matthew and Mini were reputed educationalists and professionals in schools and colleges – it was easier for them to get their legal permits to start the orphanage in the center of the city for their integrity and ethics were seen with no doubt whatsoever.

And soon then – in 1986 – they finally opened their home – calling it the Angel's Orphanage. And over the last decade or so – this loving abode had become a home to plenty off orphaned children of different ages. Given that both the wards of the Angel's Oprphange were educationists in some way – it was easier for Mini to get admissions for the kids of the oprphange in the school she worked in on chairtable/societal grounds – an action that made sure that every child within these walls got a decent education.

Matthew with his connects as a reputed college professor with a passion for the musical arts in his free time – was able to secure respectable amount of charitable funds from any elite business families/companies – looking out to extend a charitable hand - for the orphanage. Within years gone by – the Angel's Orphange had gained a respectable reputation amongst the adjacent areas of Lucknow. Everyone knew – that children looked after by Mini+ Matthew – were going to well-raised, hardworking, educated, respectable, kind and compassionate citizens in their hearts. So one could easily say – that the Angel's Orphanage even though was a home for the homeless kids – ended up being so much more than a home for them. It ended up being their anchor/their source to a respectable runway – into the future ahead.

In the present moment now- Matthew pulls in the empty baby bassinet with him into the foyer too now as he scans it for any sign or contents and when he does spot a crumbled drenched paper in there – he picks it out instantly and reads out the contents to his wife who was in the middle of soothing the little child who had now stopped crying in the comfort of her arms, clinging onto her, clutching onto her clothes hard his little angelic eyes still glistening with tears – " Arnav Singh Raizada. Date of Birth – 4th August, 1995. JUST Please keep his name,"and he pauses to look at the back of the wet paper as he says – " nothing more there. That's all it says...Mini..."

Mini sighs at that sadly as she whispers rubbing the child's hair lovingly– " its his first b'day today..then...Matthew...good lord..which family would ditch a baby on the streets on his first b'day...but then I guess that's not for us to know...what matters is that...he is here now..with us..."

Matthew nods at that and smiles at his beloved wife and the two walk in back into their home with little baby Arnav clutched securely in their arms. Mini on reaching into the reception area and office of their space – pressed the call bell for Sister Grace to come on in to them almost instantly.(They had adequate amount of staff and helpers from their Church - who had come on in voluntarily as full time helpers in the orphanage, most of whom did not have families or children of their home. Sister Grace was the head that overseed and looked after the welfare off baby's+childrens in the nursery block of their home which comprised off rooms dedicated soley to the younger ones.)

Sister Grace had come on immediately and one look at the little baby in Mini's arms had made her let out a sleepy sigh – " oh dear...in the middle of the night.. in this storm...who would...oh never mind...hand him to me...sister...I will have him changed in a fresh pair of new clothing we always keep handy for emergencies like these...and then...have Ram kaka prep something for him to eat...or maybe some milk for him perhaps??"

Mini nodded – " warm milk would be good for little Arnav surely...Grace..."

Sister Grace smiled cuddling the boy – " little Arnav? is he?? For the first time...a baby this age..is left with a name..usually we name the kids...eventually.."

Mini smiles – " they asked us to keep his name is all we know. Arnav Singh Raizada. So that's what we will call him..."

Matthew nods looking up from his register that he had set out to record the moment and entry in as he says – " indeed...Mini...I will...inform the govt children welfare authorities tomorrow off this...and we shall then proceed with the legalities of taking him on as our ward here...legally...."

Mini nods.

Sister Grace nods.

And just like that – on the cold rainy night – on his first birthday – little Arnav Singh Raizada had finally found himself a Home – again!

........................................................

Years Later

24th Feburary, 2001

For all the children living in Angel's Orphanage it really was some sort of an unspoken code of conduct that the day they all had some new child come in to their home's – every child already residing here no matter the age would make sure to extend a warm, loving and a friendly hand to the new one.

And it was a code of conduct happily followed with great compassion within their hearts for who better than them to know – what the other new child would be feeling like – being dropped here.Especially if the child was a little older in age instead of being a coupleof years toddle or a new born who would then in such case have no memories off what life was prior – to remember – anyway.

The bonds of friendship anyway ran strong within all the children in the atmosphere – the elder kids happily being mentors/guides to the younger ones through not just schooling, but all the other activities within the orphanage as well – and the younger lot would always cheer on the elder ones – when they came back home with a scolary academic/co-curricular achievement...and all of this was all - thanks to the examples set by their compassionate and kind guardians whom everyone no matter the age looked up too. Matthew and Mini D'Costa were their role models.Their Inspiration. Their Heroes – whom everyone collectively and lovingly called Matthew Dad and Mini Maa.

Now on this day – Feb 24, 2001 – Little Arnav who was all of five years and six months old – looked at Sister Grace curiously as all the kids of his age, his dearest friends, and the elder kids had been asked to gather around the dining hall much prior to their dinner time and he askes curious – " Sister Grace...we have someone new come in..isn't it? today? Is that why Mini Maa asked us all to be here..before dinner time??she would never allow the bhaiya and didi's( the elder kids) to ditch their homework time otherwise..."

Sister Grace nods with a brief smile as she sighs ruffling his hair remembering the day she'd held him in her arms for the first time – " well....well...clever one aren't you? you guessed it right..beta...we do have someone come in..a little girl of five..she was just dropped in here...two hours ago...she'd just been weeping non – stop in Mini Maa's office and that's exactly where Mini Maa and Matthew Dad are busy at..they are trying their best to console her...her name is Khushi..."

Now little Arnav even though was just five years six months was an observant, kind, jovial, compassionate child and he asked innocence dripping in his tone – " uh – oh – do you think she will feel better if I offer to sing for her...Sister Grace?? You do know..Matthew Dad has been teaching me off late...I take pride in being able to sing all rhymes quite melodiously....which one should I sing for her??"

Sister Grace smiled at that as she ruffled his hair lovingly – " surely our little rockstar in the making...you must sing for her..when she comes...ok? nothing more than your soothing voice..to soothen somone's tears...Arnav.."

Arnav beamed at that happily. To his little heart just like the majority of kids here – the only set of parents he'd always known ever since he gained sensibility as a child were Matthew Dad + Mini Maa so there was never any other ache in the picture.All of them in the orphanage knew that they were more like foster kids to the two – but yet they all had found their bliss in the same. And in his little heart in that moment he wondered – in the moment off time - that it truly must be harder for this little girl to come on in her in the Orphanage in the age of 5 for surely she would remember some tits and bits of past memories prior to this day – at the least! He ends up voicing the same softly to sister grace – on reflex as well which leads to Sister Grace sighing and hugging him to her side as she answered softly – " indeed..you are right...Arnav...she remembers what happened..which is why she has been almost inconsolable for the last two hours.."

And little Arnav asked – " and what did happen..Sister Grace??,"following her as she walked to the water cooler because she obviously didn't want to weigh his little heart down with the details.

Sister grace sighs as she sips on the water – " Arnav..no...you are just a kid...I am not telling you.."

Little Arnav insists tugging on her hand – " but that little girl Khushi..she is six months younger to me..she knows..so I think I should know too...I want to know..so that I can help her feel better.."

Sister Grace pats his head lovingly – " and I will tell you...when the time comes...which is most surely not today...for now...how about you just focus on making her feel better with your singing skills..instead??"

Little Arnav nods at that and the two are distracted in the talk as they all spot – along with all the other kids and staff gathered around – Mini Maa and Matthew Dad walk in holding onto a little girls hand – whose eyes were still quite bloodshot red from all the sniffling and crying but she was wiping her tears now and holding onto Mini Maa's hand quite tight which was a sign to all that she was now starting to feel a little better and they all hear Mini Maa say fondly hugging onto the little girl to her side – " and this...my dear children..is Khushi...she is our new family member...starting today....Meera, Neha, Swati...,"Mini Maa says to the other five year girls of Khushi's age calling them out loud – " come on then..come and meet your new friend..she will be in your dorm...right above your bunk bed Meera.."

And little Meera, Neha, Swati instantly hop on in front and smile at little Khushi friendly in order to make her feel welcome.

And little Khushi who was still in the middle of feeling all lost and shaken looked at the little girls with widened red eyes but in her heart she started to feel comfortable almost instantly. There was something very warm and welcoming about the atmosphere to her little eyes and heart now. Everyone in the room was smiling down at her as if she were welcome here with open arms.

Khushi remembered the horrific bits and pieces indeed – flashes off how she'd lost not just her parents+ her chacha chachi and her littlest cousin Tanvi in the horrific car accident five days ago with only her being the one escaping unscathed – with not a single scratch on her body – miraculously! And as to how she's heard the distant relatives fight over through her sobs and cries in a room that they didn't have means to raise her or take her in given that they were all just managing to sail by in their lower-middle class lives. And now days later – as one of her distant aunts – with a stiff and cold face shoved her in the auto with the little suitcase of her belongings – Little Khushi knew – that she was being sent somewhere for good – so that they wouldn't have to look after her at all.

Little Khushi was still in the middle of wiping on one of her fresh tears looking at the little girls upfront clutching onto Mini Maa's hand tight with the other and it is right then she sees a glass of water pop out in front of her from the side and she spots a little boy slightly taller to her in height looking down at her with a warm smile as he says – " hello...Khushi.....I am Arnav...here is some water for you? why don't you have some??"

Little Khushi could only nod at him politely and she takes the glass from him and begins to sip on it as Matthew and Mini look down on Arnav lovingly and they all hear him ask innocently – " you got a favourite rhyme you like Khushi??"

Little Khushi nods meekly at that.Little Arnav asks – " and would tell me the name of the same..so that I can sing it for you then??"

That makes Little Khushi smile a little on reflex finally as she asks pausing on the sip of her water through her tears – " hello...Arnav...would you really sing my favourite rhyme for me...??"

Little Arnav nods happily quite content with finally being the only one getting her to smile – and he exchanges a happy nod with Matthew Dad+Mini Maa as they gesture him to go on and he does – " I will...for sure..Khushi..not just one...I could sing as many as you like? Would you like that??"

Little Khushi nods finally her smile widening – " yes...I would like that..,"And as she goes onto list him her favourite rhymes and Little Arnav being the stage lover that he already was – takes the stage and gestures all to take their seat around the dining hall which they happily do – he begins to finally sing out Little Khushi's favourites rhymes in front of all – quite melodiously – making Little Khushi's smile widen into a happy grin leading the tears in her eyes come to an instant halt too.

And just like that – Mini + Matthew D'Costa knew it in their hearts along with Sister Grace and the rest off their caregiving staff at the orphanage that – there surely was going to be an instant bond of friendship in between little Arnav and Khushi indeed. He'd made her smile in the lowest of her moments – and they way she was now clapping away happily at hearing him sing out her rhymes in front of all – was enough a testimony to their hearts that no matter how little Khushi's heart was – it did appreciate the hand of friendship and kind gesture from Little Arnav quite abit – indeed.

And so just like that – Little Khushi on the day off Feb 24, 2001 – had once again found herself a Home to call her anchor again. She'd realised then that she wasn't Lost. She had just Found herself another place to call- Home!

...............................................................

Tadaaa!!

How was That guys?? I obviously wanted to throw light on the events that led the two's arrival into the orphanage and the moment they first met❤

The next brief Prologue will have a glimpse of the rest of the developments at their end - in a build up to the present moment today!

I plan to post it tomorrow night given that I do have half of it written already😉

Take care guys!

Thanks for all your Support to my Work over time!

Much love×Gratitude
Always
❤
Prachi

..............

Copyright :

Text Copyright©mysticaltales11111™2022

The Moral Right of the Author has been asserted. All Rights Reserved. This Story is published subject to the condition that it shall not be reproduced or transmitted/distributed in whole or in part, in any manner, whether in electronic or in hard copy, without the written consent of the author, and any infringement of this is a violation of Copyright Law.

All Rights Reserved® mysticaltales11111

........