Abhedya ordered a cup a strong coffee for himself when his stomach growled so he ordered some sandwiches too. He grabbed the parcel and sat in his car to eat. He was analysing the situation. All incidents that gave him hints that Swarnima was his 'Sona'. His heart and mind were debating.
The name..the nickname.. but for any girl with the name 'Swarnima' 'Nim' is an obvious choice for nickname.
The looks.. 'oh pleaseeee! My Sona was world's most beautiful girl. Her eyes lit up the sky.' Argued his brain. 'But Swarnima is beautiful too.. you have stared her on several occasions especially the night she sang , you - Abhey! were under her spell, don't deny. And she wears lenses your father just told you.' reasoned his heart.
The sparks that erupted when you touched Sona were also felt when he touched Swarnima..this is not even debatable.
Abhedya was debating when his phone rang and he answered "WHAT? You won't let me eat also, peacefully."

"Sorry. I was done with the pooja and didn't see the car so I called you. Take your time I will wait." Swarnima answered calmly.

"As if you have a choice. Wait there I will take time."Abhedya answered and cut the phone without waiting for her reply.

'Uhhhhh!!! Nim!! I never thought you would come back to me!! The only thing I ever asked for, was YOU. But now that you are here.. I don't know what I should do. But one thing, whatever may be the reason I SHALL NEVER EVER FORGIVE YOU.' Abhedya said allowed to himself and drove to the temple.

He saw Swarnima playing hopscotch with a few kids there. Abhedya went to her and said
"so you have learned how to play hopscotch finally...oh! I forgot you have learned many other games too.. like hide and seek etc.. etc..hopscotch is just a child's play.
Now if your are done come fast."

Swarnima didn't say anything but took in all the hatred filled comments from Abhedya.
A small girl came and pulled Swarnima's dupatta and told her "didi my chocolate? I taught you. Your friend is also saying that you finally learned to play hopscotch. I am a good teacher. Where is my reward?"

Swarnima took out an energy bar from her bag and gave to the girl and said "yes you are a very good teacher. Thank you!! But I don't have a chocolate right now just this energy bar.. sorry"

The little girl smiled brightly seeing the bar so she kissed Swarnima on her cheek and said "I was only joking. But thank you."

Abhedya was witnessing the cute show in front of him when his mind reminded him to control so he said "are you coming or shall I go?"

Swarnima followed him and sat in the car. Abhedya drove in speed and soon they reached the NGO.. 'GHARONDA'.

Swarnima told Abhedya "you may sit in Masi's office since men are not allowed to roam around the NGO's premises."

"Yes madam! I will do as you say. Don't worry" Abhedya said sarcastically.

The NGO 'GHARONDA' was a huge house built on the outskirts of the state. It had all modern amenities and facilities that one requires. The NGO was a home for the ladies who have been raped, faced domestic violence, acid attack victims or homeless for any reasons. The ladies were taught various skills as per their abilities, self defence skills and they also had psychiatric sessions to overcome the trauma they faced. Nandini had put her heart and soul for the betterment of the ladies. She loved and cared for the ladies unconditionally and the respect the ladies gave her was limitless as well. They could do anything for her.

As Swarnima entered the gates she found the whole was house was decorated with streamers and fairy lights. A group of ladies came and sang  birthday song for her. She touched feet of all the elder ladies and thanked them. Abhedya was amazed to see the love Swarnima received when he saw his mother standing waiting with open arms for Swarnima and she ran and hugged her.
Abhedya knew the love his mother had for her 'Nim' but she still loved her this much? 'Fool! Can anyone hate Swarnima?' Questioned his heart.  'I do' replied his brain. 'Liar'!!

"Abhey" Nandini called.
Abhedya went to his mother and she hugged him and said " I am so happy that you know about Nim. I know it might be hard for you to process the information but beta, just try and sink in and give everyone and everything a chance. Whatever happened, happened for a reason. You still don't know many things but soon all your questions will be answered. But I am just happy that now you know and we will get to see your's and Nim's friendship again."

Abhedya didn't want to break his mother's hope so he just nodded and saw Nim talking to all the ladies sweetly.. some were wishing her, some were blessing her.
"Nim is apple of their eyes" Nandini told Abhedya who was just watching Swarnima being pulled for hugs.

Swarnima came to where Nandini and Abhedya were standing and asked Nandini "where are they?"

"Nim are you sure? 'She' is still angry and you think you will be able to see 'Baby Rinku'?" asked Nandini with concern.

"You know I will." Swarnima answered with determination.

"Okay come." Nandini and Swarnima left to a section of the house which was quiet.

"You cannot come further Abhey. You may not be able to see" Nandini asked Abhedya to stop following them.

"I am strong enough" Abhedya stated.

"I don't think so Abhey. You should refrain from coming inside" Nandini warned him.

"Don't doubt me mom!" Abhedya didn't like his mother questioning his abilities to handle.
"Fine! I will stay outside the room" Abhedya gave up.

Swarnima and Nandini entered the large  room where two ladies sat in a depressed state.. a girl in her early teens was reading and a small girl of around eight was playing with a doll.
This room was for new entrants who were yet to adjust and overcome with their tragedies.

" hellooooooo!!" Swarnima in a very excited voice greeted them.
Abhedya was shocked to hear that excitement in her tone so he came and stood at the door and witnessed.
All the women in the room came and greeted her but only the little girl hugged her with the same excitement.

"Didi, you were right 'bhaiya' didn't come. He did not ask me to open my clothes and dance for him or touch his private part. I so hated it when he forced me to do that. You are magician didi.. your magic trick worked. I boxed him so hard in my dream that now he cries for forgiveness.. I think he is in pain because of my punches. Now, will mumma papa come to take me?"  The little girl asked innocently.

"You are the magician Rinku. I didn't do any magic I just suggested you. You should just punch all your pains before they can affect you. And you are very smart you know... you even did what I didn't tell you." Swarnima encouraged the little girl and hugged her.

Nandini was in tears seeing the plight of the little girl.. so was Abhedya.. so he came and back hugged his mother who was shocked by the sudden hug and jerked his hands.. and before anyone could register, one of the lady took a knife and ran to attack Abhedya. Swarnima was quick to react and before the knife could touch Abhedya she put her hand to stop the lady which caused a cut on her palm. The lady threw the knife immediately and came to inspect Swarnima whose hand was bleeding.

"NIM"!! All the ladies shouted collectively and came to inspect her.

"I am all right ladies.Relax!" Swarnima said as convincingly as possible.

"Call Medha.. quickly" Nandini told her assistant and within few minutes a girl Medha came and treated Nim.
"She will have to get a tetanus injection." Medha told.

"She hates injections.. it pains her" Abhedya who was silent till now spoke.

Nandini and Swarnima saw him and for once he didn't cover up and went to Medha and said "give her some medicine instead if available. She cries after being injected ."

"Umm.. sorry sir tetanus has to be injected.. it won't hurt.. I promise." Medha said.

" go ahead Medha." Nandini said.

"But mom?!" Abhedya objected.

Nandini showed her hand to him and said " if she can take a knife without crying an injection won't affect her. Our Nim has grown up to become a super strong woman. You are yet to know her talents Abhey."

Abhedya stood there silently. He surely did not know who this girl was. Since the time he got to know about her reality he had been a jerk to her and she took a knife for him without giving a second thought that it could have hurt her severely. But why? Does she still feel the same way? Or is it just an act to cover up? But how can she? They have just met and he has been at his worst behaviour. It's not love, care or friendship for sure, just a nameless feeling. And it's better that way coz nothing can happen between them ,now.
Swarnima came back from the room when the lady who attacked came and apologised to her.

"It's okay didi. I am not hurt that much and Medha didi says the wound will heal in a couple of days. Now, smile. I will introduce you to someone." Swarnima took the lady with her and came to where Abhedya was standing.

"Didi, this is Abhedya sir. He is Nandini Masi's elder son and he was not bothering masi. You know what a son means to his mother, right didi." Swarnima lovingly explained the lady.

The lady tearfully said " sorry sir. I am not in my senses. After my husband repeatedly raped me and forced me to sleep with his different friends for money and then killed my new born saying he was illegitimate, I.. I.. I lost my faith in men. So when I saw you hugging Nandini didi I thought you had bad intentions too. How can I let anyone harm our Nandini didi and Nim. They have given us life again and reason to live." She said the last past looking at the eight year old Rinku.

"It's okay didi. I understand you were only watching out for mom. I was always proud of my mother but her stature has increased manifold now." answered Abhedya who had pride in his eyes for his mother and somewhere for Swarnima too.
The work her mother and Swarnima were doing was very difficult and required immense patience. They did it selflessly and they didn't expect anything in return, he was sure for his mother.

Swarnima then gave all the necessary items to the women..all the girls in the NGO who were still studying were given laptops and other necessary things they required. Abhedya felt as if he has wasted his life coz he never did or felt the need to do charity. He helped the needy but never went out of his comfort zone to do it.

"Nim, now how will we hear your song without music?" Said one of the ladies.

"Umm.., as soon as this heals I will come again and we all will sing" Swarnima promised the ladies.

"But we wait for the entire month..okay don't play the guitar just sing.. please Nim.." ladies pleaded her..

"I will play the guitar..you sing" Abhedya intervened.
Swarnima was happily shocked. It was like her one dream was fulfilled today..where she sings and he plays.. perfect birthday present.

She gave her phone with the chord notes to Abhedya who grabbed the guitar put the phone on the stand and strummed.

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Song:- meethi boliyan from the movie Kai po che.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

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Abhedya joined Swarnima in the song and they both sung with their heart forgetting about the audience. When they finished the song, the house roared with claps and all the ladies were happy.
However, the person who was the happiest was Nandini. She came and hugged Abhedya and Swarnima together which caused their shoulders brush against each other causing a sweet sensation in them.

The ladies thanked Abhedya and appreciated him for bringing light to their day and coming days with his music. Abhedya could not understand how just a song can make them so happy.

" Happiness lies in small things but we tend to find it in bigger things." Swarnima came near Abhedya and told him. She knew what he thought. #soulmates

The sense of satisfaction Abhedya felt seeing the happy faces was something he never felt.

"I am so happy for you two. I knew you would become friends. The song was magical kids. Abhey am so proud of you that you are taking care of Nim just like you used to and Nim the act you pulled out there we need to talk about  it. Don't think you'll get a pass.. am I clear? now, see you at midnight. I know Abhey you will be with Nim till then and you both can come together. Abhey, be ready for your surprise." Nandini had a  smile of satisfaction and happiness on her lips.

"What more is left mom? I have had enough please." Said an irritated Abhedya. He was not liking this forced friendship his parents wanted to implement.

"A lot!" Nandini said and winked "now go".

Abhedya left grumpily and Swarnima bid adieu to everyone.

They sat in the car when Abhedya said " WE ARE NOT FRIENDS! Get that clear!" He drove in speed to Swarnima's house.

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Dear Readers
Happiness is finding pleasure in tiny things in life.
Abhedya found his happiness in the smiles of the ladies who he didn't know.
Next update shall introduce the other main characters who will play and have played an important role in this love story.
Birthday continues..
Stay hooked
Lots of love!