Paakhi's POV

I woke up to the bright light shining on my face. I tried to turn my face or cover it with a pillow but it went into vain.

I groggily stretched my arms and took a look at my phone on the side table to see it's just 6 am. I thought about going back to sleep but couldn't so I just decided to start my day.
I exited my room to go to the washroom, I brushed my teeth and tied my hair in a bun.
Then I went into the kitchen to drink my regular Luke warm water.

While sipping my water I went into the balcony to enjoy the fresh climate. When I heard footsteps behind me.
I turned to see Adi coming towards me.
"Good-morning! " I wished her.
"good morning. " she replied back "So what's the plan for today? " she further asked.

I stared at her in confusion and When she noticed that I'm lost she said "P, u know what day today is right? " ...

I shook my head and walked into the living room to check the date on the calendar.
When I saw it's the 21st of June today. I instantly turned towards her and guiltily said "I totally forgot about it. "

"P let's get going before she wakes up. I know she might have taken those sleeping pills like always so she'll sleep till 11 ." Adi said.

"Okay let's go change first," I said going to my room and changing into a tracksuit. After both of us were dressed.
We exited our apartment and headed to the 24*7 supermarket.
Each of us went into different directions so that we could buy the ingredients faster.

We would have done all the shopping yesterday if we wouldn't have been busy sorting out bills for Riya's engagement party.

We bought all the ingredients and other items before returning home.
We decided to take a bath first and then begin our cooking.

It is mostly me cooking and Adi helping me around because she can't cook to save a life.

I checked the time by my watch to see its almost 11 am and we have been cooking for almost 2 and a half hours.
We never talk much on this day it's just a silent day in our lives.

"Adi can you please make coffee for all of us until then I'll pack all the boxes." she silently nodded and started brewing the fresh pot of coffee.

After finishing our work in the kitchen we made our way towards Maanu's room.
Slowly I turned the doorknob to see her curtains were drawn making the room dark.

We gently stepped in, I sauntered towards the window to draw the curtains back making light enter the room.
Adi also entered softly behind me and kept the coffee mugs on the table then we both went towards Maanu's bed to see her tearstained face.

Without saying anything I climbed the bed from one side and Adi from the other side and we both cuddled her while she sobbed uncontrollably.

It always breaks my heart to see her cry like this. Every year, the same day this happens and yet we don't even know what to say to her. So we just hold her and tell her that we are always there.

I just pray to god that this gets bearable with time. though, I know it's not easy for any mother to lose a child......

"Maanu...... " I said gently caressing her hair "Go take a bath then we have to leave...." to which she gently nodded and tried getting up.

Adi had to help her get up because she was drained due to crying.

When she left her room to go to the washroom I immediately stood up and started making her bed.
I was about to leave the room when I saw Maanu's phone ringing on the nightstand.
I turned to grab it when it immediately stopped ringing.

Still, I grabbed it to notice Aarhan's name on the screen with 5 missed calls.

Why is he calling her..??
I was still thinking when the phone in my hand buzzed showing an incoming message.
The notification popped with Aarhan's name and message in which he said 'Maanya please reply ...'

I had a sudden urge to read their conversation but I refrained from doing that and decided to put it back on the table and leave the room.

"Paakhi I have packed all the boxes in those bags and Booked the cab.
It'll be here in 20 minutes. " Adi said when she saw me exiting Maanu's room.
I smiled at her gratefully and went to knock on the washroom door to tell Maanu to hurry up.

None of us had breakfast because we know Maanu won't eat anything so we too didn't.

After Maanu was ready to go, we all exited the apartment with bags in each hand and hailed our waiting cab.

After giving Driver the address we all waited for our 40 minutes drive to end. Each one of us lost in our own thoughts.

After our ride, the cab stopped in front of a modern style concrete house with two floors.
The pillars around the building were colorful and the big board on the building saying 'Hope Orphanage' in big bold colors makes it a happy place.
The house is surrounded by beautiful plants giving it a lively feel.

We exited the cab with bags in our hand and entered the house where our little minions with massive smiles were waiting for us...

When we entered the foyer "WELCOME DiDiiiii's" was heard from all around us.

We laughed at that and said hello's to all our little friends.
I noticed Maanu and saw her giving hugs and kisses to some 3 years old.

Today only this place brings happiness on her face. This is the only place where she forgets all her worries.
These children are so cute and to think that God can be so cruel to take their parents away from them is heartbreaking.

I was still in my thoughts when the voice Of headmistress came from behind "Hi girls! It's good to see you again ". I turned to see her instructing her children "Children back to your playrooms. Now! " within a minute foyer was completely vacant except us four.

so much discipline!

"Mrs.Parul it's good to see you too," I said giving her a broad smile.
She then raises a question about our life while walking towards the lunchroom.

In the lunchroom, we opened all the lunch boxes that I prepared this morning for our minions.
We were just filling the last cup of juice when children started walking in and making their way to their chairs.

We then kept all the four types of lunch I prepared on each table with glasses of juice along with it.
The food boxes include Hummus & Club Roll-Up Lunch Box, PBJ Sandwich Lunch Box, Chocolate Black Bean Muffin Lunch Box, and Sweet-Potato Lunch Box.

The best part is to see these Children sharing their food. Because these children never had anyone to teach them the right and the wrong. But still, they have more manners and morals than any pampered kid.

They are happy about anything they have And Coming to this orphanage has given me a different sense of appreciation for everything that I used to take for granted.

I feel blessed when I see them enjoying my food. Because of its colorful appearance, they don't even mind that they are having healthy food.

We enjoyed our afternoon with them playing board games, reading books, and building blocks.
We only left when they went for their nap.

When we reached home Maanu directly went into her room. We decided to give her some time and made something for us to eat.

We were eating while watching a reality show on tv.

We were involved devouring our food when abruptly I heard Maanu's phone buzzing on a nearby table with messages. I checked it to see 56 messages from Aarhan.

I looked towards Adi and said "Aarhan has been messaging Maanu for a while now. " she looked at the phone in my hand and shrugged.

"Adi there are 56 messages from him.. " I said curiously.

"Why would he message her when they don't even know each other..."

"Ya you remember two days back they kissed," she said as if I'm ignorant and should know this.

"what? They kissed!" I said dumbfound.

Why was I not told about it? Maanu kissed someone. Then he might be special. Because he's the only guy Maanu has shown interest in.

"Ya you don't know that? " she said while smirking.
"Ya, I just reacted that way because I'm a drama queen. " I said sarcastically to which she replied "Oh I know that. " and smiled. I directly hit her on the head with the cushion beside me.
"Oww oww P! Do you want to know or not?" she said trying to stop me.
I immediately stopped doing it because I really want to know.

"Okay, so it happened when they were standing in the parking lot after the party. I was in the washroom and you were in the kitchen supervising everything.
I was walking towards them when I saw Aarhan leaning in and Maanu was holding him. I peeked from behind the wall. And then they kissed... Aww, Paakhi they were looking so cute. After that kiss, Maanu was blushing and Aarhan was peeking at her from time to time. " she explained with her wild hand gestures and a dreamy look.

"Ooh therefore she was all flushed and flustered in the car," I said excitedly.
"But why didn't you tell me that before. " I said accusingly to which Adi just shrugged and said "I was damn tired and we all went directly to our rooms. "

We were still talking when I heard Maanu's phone ringing.
I thought I should just pick it up and heard Aarhan's frantic voice on the other said saying "Oh thank god Maanya you finally picked up my call. I was so stressed the whole day when you didn't answer any of my call and message. I'm sorry if I hurt you please talk to me... Hello...? Hello??? "I was about to reply when Maanu's phone turned off.
I tried turning it on but her phone died. So I immediately plugged it in and waited for it to charge so that I can call him back.
"Who was it?" Aditi asked from her seat on the sofa.
"Aarhan! And he was very upset Adi. " I said empathically, "He thinks that Maanu is upset with him."
I thought about checking on Maanu to see if she wants to talk to him but found her sleeping. So I slowly retrieved from her room and took a seat beside Adi.

Still thinking about poor Aarhan.

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Aarhan's POV

I woke up with the biggest smile on my face. Everything looks more beautiful and lively.

I took my phone from my bedside table and typed a message 'Good morning beautiful. ' and sent it to Maanya.
I was about to put my phone down but decided to read my chats with her that started with Riya's engagement party two days ago and yesterday we talked the whole day.
It was like I'm a teenager and talking to my crush for the first time.

I was engrossed in reading our messages when my mom entered my room with my coffee in her hand.
"Hi, love! Good morning. " she said coming towards me and kissing me on my forehead.
"Morning Maa! " I said back while taking my mug from her hand.
"Ty Maa. " I said to which she answered back "Breakfast in 30 minutes " while exiting my room.
On Sundays, my mom goes to each of our rooms in the morning with our respective beverages.

I immediately finished my drink and went to bathe. Otherwise, I'll be late for our family brunch.

After getting ready I exited my room and went towards our backyard for our traditional Sunday family brunch.

Everyone was enjoying this beautiful day together full of laughter and rememberings. Our sister also arrives every Sunday with our cutie Pari.

After brunch, everyone went inside but I stayed back to call Maanya.
I phoned her but she didn't pick up.

Maybe she is busy right now. She'll call back.......

When time passed and there was no reply to my calls or messages I got anxious and my mood literally dampened.
I called her a few more times but she didn't pick up any of my calls.
I started feeling that maybe I did something wrong or maybe I said something..... But I can't point anything because she sounded damn happy while we were talking yesterday.

But.. when she asked me about my day and I said that I have an important meeting on Monday 22nd she was surprised when she remembered that today is 20th and then she sounded off and said that she needs to sleep...... I thought maybe she's tired so I didn't ask further.
But it's so confusing.
I again tried calling her or message her but she didn't pick up.

So I decided to call her for the last time before I think of anything else and thankfully this time she picked up, before she could say anything I started rambling "Oh thank god Maanya you finally picked up my call. I was so stressed the whole day when you didn't answer any of my call or message. I'm sorry if I hurt you please talk to me... Hello...? Hello??? " I didn't get a reply from the other side and then immediately call hang up. I tried calling her back but her phone was switched off.

I got really worried and decided to go talk to her face to face.
I called my PI and asked him to find her address ASAP.
He said he'll inform me in 10 minutes.
So I immediately walked towards our garage and backed up my car and drove towards the city.
I was still driving when I got a message from my PI.

I reached the given address and knocked on the door.
When it opened I saw Paakhi standing there with a surprised expression on her face. She was still gaping at me when I cleared my throat to gain her attention.

"Umm... Mr. Singh? " she said still confused.
"Um sorry to disturb you guys but I really need to talk to Maanya" her expression immediately changed from surprise to uncertainty when she heard me.
"Please Paakhi! I really need to talk to her. You don't understand, I have called her so many times and she didn't even reply to my messages. "
I Don't know what was it? The Desperation in my voice? Or on my face but she asked me to enter inside their apartment.
When Aditi saw me she too stood up with surprise and uncertainty.
She looked towards me and then towards Paakhi.
They were talking with actions and stares but no words.

What is it? Dumb charades?

After I don't know how much time they both looked at me and together said "Maanya is sleeping " "Maanu is ill. "

I looked at them with a raised brow. To which they both looked at each other and Paakhi said "Look Aarhan you are a very nice guy so I won't lie to you. " she said dejectedly while rubbing her forehead "Maanya is not upset or angry with you. You don't have to worry about that."

"So why would she ignore my calls and messages? " I asked them.
They again looked at each other and then Aditi said "Bro she is not well. Today something happened in her past, so she just cries and dwells in her room. She doesn't even talk to us. So why'd she pick up your call? "

"Aditi! " Paakhi said scoldingly to which Adi just shrugged and went back to her previous position on the couch.
I looked at Paakhi and said "Can I please see her?! I promise I won't pester her ....just let me be with her. I'll leave if she asks me to. "

Paakhi contemplated for few seconds and then nodded.
"This way please! " she said pointing to a door behind her.
I nodded my thanks to her and Knocked twice before entering.

I was not prepared to see what I saw when I entered. Maanya was sitting on her bed with strained, red, puffy face and tears running down her swollen eyes.

She didn't notice me entering and said "Paakhi I don't need anything. " in a hoarse voice.

"Hi," I said to which she immediately looked at me and said "What are you doing here? "
"Umm... I came to see you. " I said softly as if afraid that if I say loudly she will break.
"Please Aarhan go! You don't want to see me like this.. " she said trying to wipe her tears but they didn't stop.

I rushed to her side and hugged her. I was afraid that maybe she'll push me away but she didn't.
On the contrary, she hugged me back and said "I'm broken Aarhan. I'm broken. You don't want to see me like this... "

"Sshh... Don't talk .let's just be like this" I said while still hugging her. I can feel her pain. And it breaks my heart seeing her like this.
I won't ask her the reason yet but wait till she tells me herself.
We were still in the same position when there was a knock on the door and in entered Paakhi with a tray in her hand. She nodded towards Maanya and then the food I understood and nodded back.
She slowly exited while giving me a small smile.

"Maanya, beautiful! Please eat something," I said while turning to take that tray from the table and keep it on the bed.
I noticed Paakhi bought food for both of us and was thankful because I didn't eat anything in the rush to reach here.
She didn't say anything but sat straight and flashed a small smile at me.

It was the best moment of my day today.
I smiled at her and both of us started nibbling at our food.
After eating she laid down and asked me too lay with her.
I held her till she was sound asleep and then exited her room not before hearing her mumble "I like you Aarhan."

Hearing the door shutting, Paakhi and Aditi stood up and walked towards me.
Paakhi was happy to see the empty tray and said"Thank you so much Aarhan"

"Please Paakhi you don't have to thank me for this.." I said nonchalantly.

"Not just for it, but because you make her happy." she smiled at me.

"Really you think so? " I asked excitedly.
It was an honor for me to know that Paakhi approves of me because last night Maanya told me that how much Paakhi's opinion matters to her.

I bid them goodnight and went home all the while smiling about what Maanya mumbled in her sleep.

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Ty for reading!!!

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