Avni was done with her college for the day. She left to home and changed her dress from her cotton salwar to full sleeved black top and red full skirt. She opened her tight braided hair and brushed it neatly and left open with the curls formed by the braid causing a wavy effect to her hair. She applied minimal makeup completed the look with Kajal and lipgloss. She slid on a chunky silver bangle on her hands , wore a hanging silver long earring and a long silver chain.

She took some books , pen, pencils and some toys and put it neatly into her bag.

" Mom are the packets ready? " Avni asked Neela from her room.

" Yeah. Come and take . I have kept it on the dining table." Neela told her from kitchen.

Avni came down from her room and went to the kitchen. She slide on to the kitchen slab while Neela was busy preparing tea for her.

" Mom , What did you keep for my naughty little ones ? " Avni asked her mom while munching on the pakoras her mom had prepared.

" Besan ladoo, chakli and jalebi." Neela answered while carefully taking the hot pakoras from the oil and plating them onto tissue paper for draining the extra oil.

" Mom where is my share ?" Avni asked her.

" I know my little devil will surely ask for her share. I have kept everything in that snack box safely. You have pakoras now. You can have them later."
Neela flicked her nose playfully.

Avni dusted her hands and headed to the washbasin in midway between dining and kitchen.
She allowed the cold water to run through her hands . Pumping the lotus and rose water flavored handsaop she washed her hands properly and instead of drying her hands using the small towel that has been neatly hung on the holder she went to kitchen and took her mom's saree pallu and wiped her hands earning a slap on her hands from her dearest mom.

" You will never change , Avni."
Neela told .

" If I change I'll never be myself mom." Avni shouted while running to the front door grabbing the packets she intended to take to the orphanage.

" Bye mom love you." Avni shut the door behind her and drove her moped to the orphanage.

_________________________________

Khanna family was all ready to their way to the orphanage as part of Prakash's birthday celebration. Despite being an elite business family they always believed in helping each other and alms giving to the poor rather than showing off their wealth and hosting a grand party.

Bebe and Swetha had already purchased new clothes for the kids, books for their studies and few edible goods.
A big pot of biriyani was ordered from the top class chef and few starters and a giant sized cake.

They headed to the office room and spoke with the warden.

" Avni didi came. Avni didi came." The kids shouted in happiness.

" My little minions." Avni spread her hands with the bag.

" Yaaayyyyy. Special from Neela aunty."  Kids happily took the packets and divided equally among themselves.

Avni  saw few people in the office room and got curious.

" Jeethu who are they? " Avni asked the little minion who was with her enjoying the jalebi handed over by  her.

" Oh they... Actually I don't know who they are but they are really good people like you didi. Heard that they are going to provide us with dinner tonight. "

" Ahaaa.. enjoy enjoy. Now who will value My sweet and snacks. " Avni pouted

" Didi these feast will only be there for a day. But it's yours and Neela Aunty's love that's there for us always. We love your snacks more than these big dinners." Samrath a boy in his early teens told her while taking his share of snacks from the box.

" Haayeee I'm touched. " She wiped an imaginary tear with her left pointer finger.

She continued her chitter chatter with the kids and didn't notice the person coming opposite to her who was on his phone searching for an important mail paying no attention to the battalion and their colonel.

Neil's POV:

Wrapping up the discussion with commissioner regarding an important case I drove myself to the orphanage which Bebe has texted me the address of.
Entering the main entrance of the orphanage I got an energetic and positive vibes. While admiring the surroundings I moved to the office where my family told they would be.

Cling.

My phone pinged indicating that a new mail have been received in its inbox.

I was searching through the app while I collided with someone.

" Ouch " I heard a cute voice to be precise a girl's voice.

I saw her rubbing her forehead. I admired her . She had medium long hair. Not too much makeup and not very modern . She resembled heroines in the movie with a gang of kids ready to fight which proved to me right.

" Can't you see and walk? Where is your concentration? Haven't you got eyes? I see you have got 2 big eyes and you can't see us walking?" She angrily talked flaring her long nose which turned red along with her cheeks. Her already big eyes enlarged to double its size. I found her cute with the angry expression on her face.

" Oh madam I could ask the same question to you. Didn't you see me walking?" I shot back.

" Oh hello.. we were talking and walking. It was your mistake that you intruded our place and ignoring us barged on us. " She was in no mood to leave the argument.

" Teekhee Mirchee " I blurted out unknowningly. The name suited her according to the situation. With the red color in her face  ,the tall figure and the fierce nature she resembled me to red chilli.

" Huh.. What did you tell? " She asked angrily.

" Nothing madam. "  I told her and tried to move . I was blocked by her stretched arms.

I raised my eyebrows seeking explanation of her act.
" Ask sorry and go " she explained to me.

" Why should I ask sorry? " I was confused.

" Because you collided with me without paying attention." She answered

" But you also did the same mistake. "

" Ask sorry else you will face the consequences."

" Oh m scared. " I kept my hands on my left chest dramatically.

"You..."  she was about to tell something when someone called her

" Avni puttar." She turned to find the source of the sound.

" Malini Ma... " she sweetly called. Wow is she bipolar. The teekhe mirchi has turned into Gulab gamun in a fraction of second.

" Meet Mr. Neil Khanna ; New ACP in town." The lady whom she addressed as Malini Ma told making her shocked. She bit her tongue and winked her eyes in embarrassment . I smiled at her victoriously.

" He belonged to the business emperor Khanna family. It's his Dad Prakash Khanna's birthday. They decided to celebrate his birthday with the inmates here. It's good to see that people like you are doing such a noble thing which will motivate many ."  I smiled at Malini Ma genuinely .

For a moment I found teekhee Mirchi 's eyes filled with admiration and respect.

"Your family is waiting for you in the office room. It's the one straight down and then left " Malini Ma'm informed me.

She left me with the kids and expression queen.

" What happened teekhi mirchi? Got scared of Indian police? " I thought to tease her.

" I won't get scared off police . On behalf of your generous family I forgive you. But don't repeat it. Every time your family's generosity won't save you." She threw her wavy hair behind her shoulder which was pulled to a side and left me .

It smelled of a mixture of coconut oil and lavender  that brushed my face.

" Tiger , Who is this lady?" I asked a boy who was standing in a corner munching on some snack.

" That's Avni Didi . " He answered and then continued munching. I kept on looking at him .

" Want some?" He handed me over some of the snack he was having.

I found the ladoo really tasty somewhat similar to what Bebe makes. Reading the expression on my face he asked.

" You really liked it,  didn't you? Neela Aunty made it." He answered.

" Who is that?" I asked

" Offooo that's Avni Didi's mom." He answered.

" Tiger , Avni didi comes here often? "

" Haan .. whenever she comes she brings all these snacks and books and toys for us."

I looked at the gang of kids and her who were busy playing in the ground with a ball. She looked so happy and care free with the kids . I smiled to myself and left to the office to meet my family.

To be continued..