|NAINA|

We had our dinner and laughed a lot with our new friends. It was great to meet such nice people. It felt like we had been friends forever. Anyone who had seen us at that time would have definitely thought that. All in all the dinner was amazing!

It was already 8pm. All of us were asked to meet Sister Brenda the caretaker and the headmistress of the St. Thomas school. The St. Thomas church, school and the home for children were all on the same land. Just different buildings and also a few meters more like kilo meters away from each other.

St.Thomas school was actually one of best schools that was there in Dehradun. It is a coed school. The children in the orphanage actually study in that school. I had done my research when Neena and Isha were sleeping. The chilser who were from the orphanage are  remarkable.

They had that urge to study more and wanted the guidance that the other students did not actually strive for. They had the fire and the determination to achieve something big . But many times they were  taunted by the other students who weren't orphans.

I hate such people, no offence to anyone but why can't their parents teach them the difference between right and wrong? Why is that only children who belong to the  rich and elite families respected and not these children ? They too are as good as them. Is it so wrong that they wanted a good life and education just like the other students?

There so many rifts between the management and the parents that these students were yet again abandoned and were forced to study in another class. A class where only these students were there. How fair is that ? They have been battling with the world all alone from the time they were born. Can't they at least feel a little normal? Yet again humanity had failed the test.We should be ashamed of ourselves for letting the evil win.

This woman sitting in front of me was an inspiration. She and some other nuns who work in this orphanage fought with the management until they agreed to let the children of this home study there, under one condition and that was these students were not allowed to participate in any of the activities that were to be organised by the school and of course another classroom just for them. They weren't allowed for represent the school.

I can't believe people can be so cruel. Such assholes are out there why can't god punish them? Why did he have to take away happiness from these children? But you will surprised to see that they were strong and very much  happy with what they had. I must say this home for children was the best one that I had seen. This orphanage was not like the other ones and will never be.

I was looking at her with admiration. She had a constant smile on her face and I could feel  an aura of calmness that was surrounded her.It was like a soothing breeze that passes through us when we need reassurance for something. She had aged gracefully and must be in her mid fifties now.

She greeted us and gestured us to stand in front of her. All seven of us stood in a straight line shoulder to shoulder. I could see many papers on her desk, a wall clock in her room , a cross at the wall right behind her and a desktop that was open. There were many cupboards stacked with files and documents. It was a well maintained place considering this was built  almost 60 years ago.

What caught my attention was the bookshelf that was right beside her. It was every reader's dream. So many books I felt overwhelmed by just looking at it. I had found my treasure. If I was a cartoon character I'm  sure my eye balls would have gouged out of my sockets and bounced  back. Hey don't blame me I love books.

" Hello children! I'm so happy that you have chosen this programme. We are very happy to have you here. We actually didn't think so many of you would show up. We're blessed!."

I would like to know all of your names. I was still staring at the bookshelf and I'm pretty sure I was drooling. I was standing at the end so I would be the last one to tell my name. I didn't even realize that it was my turn.

Isha shoved me with her shoulder I snapped out of my daydreaming. " Oh yeah I'm so sorry! My name is Naina Rao and I'm 22 years old. Just finished engineering and I would love to teach these kids and make a difference." I felt like I was busted.

Sister Brenda looked at me with admiration and I could make out the gleam in her eyes behind those thin rimmed glasses." My child I only asked your names. May I know why you were so distracted?" she asked me with a chuckle.

"Oh! Umm I'm sorry once again I just got distracted looking at that bookshelf." I told her pointing at the bookshelf that was right beside her all of them including her turned towards the bookshelf. Neena and Isha shook their head and chuckled, while I just made an irritated face at them.

"Oh I see! You're an avid reader I'm assuming?" She asked me a little excited and with amusement in her eyes. " Oh yess I am!!! I love reading books. I just can't ever get enough of them." I told her jumping a little with excitement and this time all of them chuckled including Sister Brenda.  "That's great my child. I could lend you some books when you are here and we could discuss about it if you want to?"

" Oh my god I would love that!!! Thank you ma'am!" I told her with a little too much excitement in my voice. Isha had to pull my hand to stop me from dancing.

" Okay that's great. Now back to business. I'm very happy and delighted to have you lot here. This program is to help our children build up their extra circular skills and also help them with the current subjects. I'm excited to work with you and I'm sure you are too. All of you can choose any subject that you are comfortable with and then start teaching the kids."

" You can choose arts, science, maths English or computers. Any subject that you are comfortable with it's up to you. All of you please let me know what you want to teach by tomorrow. You can start teaching from the day after. We have 50 children and 10 toddlers. The toddlers are taken care by the other nuns and also some volunteers. Some nuns teach in the school too. School ends at 2pm so you can start teaching or helping them with the various subjects at 3:30 or 4."

"Each of you will be assigned with 7 kids at a time for that particular subject so we take about 3 to 4 hours a day. Bed time is at 9:30. Weekends will have more teaching time, hope all of you are okay with this arrangement. During the day you can always help us with the toddlers or you're are free to do what you want but if you do decide to leave the premises please do inform us. Your safety is our priority and please follow all the protocols. Do you have any questions?" she asked looking at while leaning forward and folding  her palms together.

" No ma'am" all of us replied together. I felt like I was back in school. I wish she had been my teacher. "Okay then great! All of can go take rest tomorrow I shall introduce you to my children. God bless you my children" with that she waved her hand gesturing that we're now free to go.

I however waited till everyone exited. I told Neena and Isha that I'll come to the room within 10 minutes. " Ma'am" I called her and she looked up from the paper work and smiled at me. She was so kind. " Yes Naina tell me." Oh she remembers my name already I'm honoured. " I just wanted to thank you for organising this programme. I'm very happy to be volunteering here. So thank you so much."

I was genuinely thankful. I had always wanted to volunteer so to be here meant the world to me. " My child you have a beautiful soul and I can see that. I'm thankful that you have made the decision to come here. I hope you have a good time and if anything is bothering you please don't hesitate to tell me. Good night Naina , I'll see you tomorrow and you can tell me about your favourite books then have a good night's sleep I'm sure you're tired."

I was smiling and told her good night and walked out of  the cabin towards the rooms that we were assigned to. I was walking and admiring the garden that I had just passed. It was maintained really well and I looked at the sky stars shining and the sliver moon, it was a beautiful view.

Just when I reached the room I could see that Neena and Isha were talking to our parents on video call and our siblings popped out once in a while. We spoke to them nearly for an hour and a half and promised them that we would call them again tomorrow at the same time and update our whereabouts on that group. Ugh I despise that group. 

Changing into our pyjamas we feel into deep slumber. Today was exhausting. Once again I dreamt about a man in olive greens and beautiful grey eyes. I was too exhausted to get up and a part of me liked it.

I got up early the next morning as in 6:30 and decided to go for a walk after about half an hour of walking I went back to the room and my annoying friends were still sleeping. I took a long shower and by the time I got ready it was 7:30. I shouted at Neena and Isha to get up and get ready for the day. They groaned but got up anyway.

Breakfast was served at 8 so we had to be fast. We reached there at 8:15 and our other friends were already there. We joined them and had breakfast. All the kids were looking at us awkwardly. We were new people and they were curious as to why we were here. Just then Sister Linda came and introduced us to them.

I don't think they noticed us last night. Some of us waved at them and some children waved back awkwardly. They were so cute, most of them must be between the ages 6 to 14. I didn't see any kids who were older than 14.

They were told to get ready by another nun and go to school. All of them scrambled up with at most discipline and went to their rooms to change and get ready. Can you imagine a 6 year old doing this all by themselves.

The day went by in deciding which subject to teach. I chose computer for obvious reasons. Neena chose Science and Isha chose math. Rahul decided to teach music and Akankasha decided to teach arts while Siya chose English and Akash chose physical education.

We spent the whole day walking around the premises. This was a huge place and I'm sure someone must be funding to maintain this place. Whoever is doing this has already earned my immense respect.

We lingered and loitered and found  the rooms where the toddlers were staying. The nuns taking care of them gestured us with their hands to enter the room. All these kids were so adorable. They were so tiny and had such chubby cheeks. Their eyes  reflected the innocence. One boy walked towards me tugged at my shirt and made grabby hands, he wanted me to carry him. I looked at the teacher incharge she nooded her head with a smile. I carried him and he immediately moved his hands around my neck and buried his head near my neck. My heart strings tugged at this. I held him tighter and then he moved his head away and looked at me with awe and admiration.

He had beautiful black eyes, cute little button nose and his cute pink lips. He couldn't have been older than 2. Neena and Isha were staring at us  with tears in their eyes and their hands on their heart. Who could abandon such a beautiful and innocent soul.

He didn't let me go the whole time we were there. When it was time to go he held on to me tighter. I promised him I would be back he made me pinky promise. I kissed him on his chubby cheeks and went off to get ready for dinner.

It was almost 7 we decided to go to Sister Brenda's office and tell her our chosen subjects. We ran into our other friends a.k.a the other volunteers on the way.

We informed her and moved out. I was talking to Isha and arguing with her about something. I wasn't looking while I was walking and then I crashed into someone. I thought I would fall down but no strong arms engulfed me and held me.

I looked up and was shocked to see a pair of similar grey eyes. This was the same soilder who I had helped the last time, which was just 24 hours ago. Oh god my heart was racing and my eyes were wide and staring at his grey ones. I could hear a faint hooting from my friends. Stupid people, I'll teach them a lesson later.

It was like we were lost in our own world. I could smell his cologne it had a musky smell. I was mesmerized, oh and let's not forget about the electric shocks. God I'm going to die young  if he doesn't let me go.

I was staring to enjoy this his arms around me and mine around his shoulders. Just then someone called him "Bhai we need to go" and cleared his throat.

He pulled me up on my feet and let go of his arms that we around me I was still holding on to him when Isha screamed " Naina we are getting late for dinner!!! What happened to miss punctuality??" and Neena laughed her ass off.

I immediately snapped out and let go of his arms and moved back. He was still staring at me with amusement in his eyes. Suddenly he  forwarded his hands.

" Hi I'm Viraj and I think you know that I'm in the army. Major Viraj Gupta ma'am!" he was still waiting for my introduction. Oh my god his voice is so manly no no husky and he looks even more handsome than I remember. Oh my god he called me ma'am and that too so gracefully.

I was still gaping at him open mouthed. Just when Neena shoved me and said " He's waiting Naina."

" Oh right right I'm so sorry. Hi I'm Naina and a volunteer at this orphanage for the next month or so and T-thank y-you for not lettimg me fall." I shuttered and finally gave him he handshake. I felt another electric shock. He shook my hand with his calloused one and smiled at me. That's when I knew I was a goner.

I guess you will know when you meet your soul mate because you will feel the connection between his soul and yours.

" You are welcome consider it as a favour returned for the last time you helped me. I hope to see you again Naina and this time not by falling down or helping each other." with that he let go of my hand smiled at me, turned around and walked away with another man that he had come and entered the headmistress's office.

I still stood there with my right palm out and trying to comprehend what exactly happened in the last 5 minutes. Shocked would be an understatement.

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Surprise surprise....another update. A little more of Viraj and Naina. Okay okay don't curse me I promise they'll be talking more in the coming chapters now that Naina finally knows what his name is. Poor Naina and her heart. I wouldn't blame her though Viraj is every girl's dream even mine😉.

Okay now I would like to clarify a few things. So I have  researched about orphanages and how they work. Usually they don't have a separate school for children who live in the orphanages but instead are thought by the people who are taking care of them. So what I have written again is a fragment of my imagination and completely fiction.

I do wish there were more people who would contribute for this. I would love to teach these kids and help them with their things if I get the opportunity. In fact I have volunteered in a government school. It was just for a day but teaching them was a great experience.

We are so lucky to be surrounded by our loved ones. Never I mean ever forget to be thankful for what you have. We  know how it feels to be part of a family but all these kids who have been abandoned and left alone to fend for themselves are struggling the most they don't know that emotion.

I urge all of you to try and volunteer if you ever get the opportunity. It can be life changing not only for you but also for those kids. You might just become someone's inspiration. It's not a obligation but just think about it.

Also I have some bad news, I don't think I can update for the whole of next week because I have college internals coming up so you guys have to wait till next Saturday for an update. But hey don't be disheartened meanwhile enjoy the previous chapters.

Okay that's enough of my long rant. I hope all of you enjoyed this chapter. If you did please do vote and comment. Rest assured have a great day!!!!