The cap of the pen was pressed between Khusi's teeth, as her eyes rove over the answer sheets of her students. She had conducted a small surprise test that day, and the disfigured letters of some of her students still made her chuckle sometimes.

"A ant?" she mumbled, scrunching her eyebrows. She checked the question again, and sighed.

Who is the slowest?

Options : Rabit, Turtle, Cat, Caterpillar.

Of-course one of the overconfident students from her class decided to go overboard, again, and wrote a different answer to impress her. She shook her head, and marked it.

Children.

"Mrs. Khusi?" A voice called out and Khusi's head snapped up. The school clerk was standing near the entry of the staffroom door.

"Yes?"

"Principal ma'am has called you in her office."

Khusi's eyebrows drew in but she nodded nevertheless. Piling up the answer sheets, she kept them in her drawer and went out.

A message popped up on her phone. She quickly checked it and a smile graced her face. It was from the Sunshine Heaven Orphanage's  manager. After researching properly for 2 months, visiting all the other three orphanages, she decided to adopt from Sunshine Heaven.

Yes, I will come today.

Khusi replied back swiftly and threw her phone back inside her bag, knocking on the Principal's door.

As soon as Ms. Geetika Arora, the Principal ma'am, saw who it was, she quickly ushered Khusi in.

"Have a seat Khusi." Ms. Geetika beamed at Khusi's presence.

Khusi was an excellent teacher, who knew perfectly how to handle each and every kid. The school had gained immense popularity in the last 2 years after Khusi joined them  which made her special in the eyes of the Principal ma'am.

"The reason why I called you here today is very important. I had a meeting with the authorities last week, and they had asked for a suggestion, Khusi. A teacher for middle school. And guess who I suggested?"

Khusi's eyebrows shot up at Ms. Geetika's words as she gave her a nervous smile, not sure where that was going.

"Who?" she whispered.

"Of-course you Khusi! We're promoting you."

A wide grin broke on Khusi lip as she exclaimed, "Oh my God! Really!? I can't believe this."

Khusi was overjoyed with the news. Finally a promotion after being in the job for the last 3 years. But her happiness didn't last more than a minute. As soon as she heard Ms. Geetika's next words, her smile disappeared

"You are needed to report at the Shimla branch next month."

"Wait what? Shimla?" The adrenaline rush in Khusi veins dropped and her eyebrows drew in.

"Yes. That's where you're going to be transferred." Miss Geetika started taking out a few documents, smiling at Khusi. She was one of the best teachers at the school and Miss Geetika admired Khusi from day 1.

Khusi's head went blank as she slumped down on her chair, her heart dropping to her stomach.

Shimla? Just why?

That was impossible. How could she leave Bhaskar here all alone and take up the promotion transfer to Shimla? And out of all the places in India, it had to be Shimla? One of the coldest city of India. She loathed cold places.

Moreover, she was planning to adopt a child soon. And moving to a different town with a child, far away from his/her foster father was out of question.

With a strong resolve, Khusi exhaled and smile wryly at her fate. The right thing decided to come at the wrong time.

Miss Geetika was preparing the papers Khusi needed to sign, when Khusi spoke out, "I am sorry ma'am but I have to reject this promotion."

"What? But why!?" Miss Geetika's gaze shot up and she shrieked, flabbergasted at Khusi's statement.

"I can't ma'am. Personal reasons," Khusi stated, pushing the chair back to stand up.

"Khusi ... wait! Don't take any decision hastily. Go home and take your time. Think about it and then let me know by next week, okay?" Miss Geetika pleaded. She didn't want an excellent teacher like Khusi to loose such a golden opportunity.

"There's nothing ... "

Khusi was about to refuse again when Miss Geetika grabbed her hand. "Please Khusi. Don't rush. This could be once in a life time opportunity."

Reluctantly Khusi nodded and decided to give her the same answer next week.

*******

I'll grab dinner on my way home.

Khusi's lip curled up in a smile at Bhaskar's message. They weren't back to how they used to be in the beginning. But atleast he wasn't ignoring her for the last 1 month. He was trying, to fit into the reality of their situation.

See you. Have a good news too.

Khusi quickly replied Bhaskar back, walking out of the Sunshine Heaven Orphanage, after meeting Dhruv, the cute little 3 year old boy, whom she was planning to adopt.

The manager had asked her why she wasn't going for a baby but a toddler. The answer was simple. Babies had more options. Most couples were willing to adopt new born babies or atleast someone who was still in their prime. As old the children grew, the chances of getting them adopted become less.

Standing across the orphanage she snapped a shot of it and posted it on her IG page.

Every soul deserves a chance.

Her phone instantly started pinging with countless notifications, as her over 10K followers started liking and commenting on the image.

*******

Bhaskar was walking towards the elevator of his apartment, a takeaway bag in his hand. He was trying to be good to Khusi, after how he behaved the last few months. Specially after what he did a few weeks ago.

Initiating tiny conversations and trying to accept the situation they were in. Khusi loved him and these days it was hard to find true love. His obsession with having a child of his own was fading away. Slowly, but surely.

May be adoption wasn't the worst thing that could happen.

He was just about to step into the elevator when his phone rang. As soon as he saw the caller id, one of his eyebrows shot up and he swiped it left.

"Sanjana?"

*******

Khusi hummed softly walking out of the bedroom, tying her hair up in a messy bun. It was almost 9 pm and she was wondering where Bhaskar was, when the door bell rang.

She quickly ran upto the door and opened it, only to meet a beaming Bhaskar waiting for her on the other side of the door.

The moment he stepped in, his arms went around her frame and he lifted her up in the air, spinning her.

"Khusi! Khusi! KHUSI!" Bhaskar exclaimed, laughing out in pure joy as Khusi shrieked, shocked at the sudden change in Bhaskar's behaviour.

"Oh my God! Bhaskar! Put me down!" she chuckled, looking down at Bhaskar as he grinned up at her.

"What is it?" Khusi asked, as soon as her feet touched the ground, cupping Bhaskar's cheeks. Seeing him smiling and laughing so freely, after sulking for so many months was truly refreshing.

"I am so so happy that I don't know how to express it!"

"Yeah, I can see that. Tell me about it," Khusi chuckled at Bhaskar's silly reply.

"Yeah I will, but before that, I need to ask you one thing." Bhaskar grasped Khusi's palm from his cheek and kissed it lightly.

"Uh, huh ... ask away." Khusi stared back at Bhaskar twinkling chestnut eyes. They looked so beautiful when he was truly happy. Khusi was mesmerized.

"How much do you love me?" At Bhaskar's enquiry, Khusi freely chuckled. How was that still a question for him, after being married for almost 3 years?

"Way too much that you can comprehend Bhaskar. I won't even hesitate to give up on my life for you," Khusi disclosed, passing Bhaskar a loving gaze.

Bhaskar peered down at Khusi, his gaze tender and affectionate.

"I don't need you to give your life Khusi. I just need your signature."

"On what?" Khusi enquired, her eyes curious but blissful.

"On our divorce papers."

*******

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