Rahul's POV
"WHAT IN THE WORLD OF THOR!!! What is she doing over here? What is she doing with the kids over here? For f*ucks sake why is she even here? Is this girl even serious...
Hmmmm.....but she looks so calm and peaceful when she is around the kids...Her smile is so contagious but I have never seen her smile like that before....*sigh*
Wait! What am I even doing? Rahul, stop drooling over her. You look sick. Snap out of it you fool...
Diya's POV
The weekdays flew away in a blink of an eye with me trying to work at that hell hole *trying*. That smug face came up with a variety of ideas to embarrass and insult me. But unfortunately, all his efforts just went down the drain. I was constantly praying to God to end this 4-month hell life as soon as possible.
Why in the world does the time moves like a tortoise when I actually want it to move like a space rocket? I know.....because that's what happens to weirdos. Yeah, how could I forget that?
I thought while giving out a humourless chuckle. It's Saturday today. Yeah I know there is nothing special about it. But, today I am supposed to meet the kids at the orphanage. It's my habit to visit the kids at the orphanage every month. Looking at them laugh and play gives me an indescribable peace and I also have a very special bond with that orphanage.
Thinking about the orphanage brought back a lot of unwanted memories and I closed my eyes tightly not wanting to think about it. Suddenly, my phone started ringing bringing me back to earth. I slide the green icon and placed it over my right ear.
" Diya.....You okay there?" It was my overprotective friend Stev. " Hello Diya? Can you hear me?" his voice was suddenly filled with tension and concern.
I didn't want him to freak out so I finally decided to speak. " Hey, Stev!!" I tried to sound happy and excited. But he knew better. " Diya are you ok? Is something wrong? " this time he asked in a demanding tone.
" Nothing Stev I am fine. When are you coming, buddy? Don't you know that we are already running late....." I said to divert the topic. " Yeah yeah, I am on my way Diya but are you ok? You sound a bit off. Is there anything that is bothering you?". " Nop. I am absolutely fine" I said while wiping off my tear-stained face.
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Stev reached my apartment after 15 minutes and we left the orphanage as soon as he arrived. After 20 minutes of the ride, we reached the orphanage. I got down from Stev's bike and looked at the huge board hanging on the roof of the orphanage. ' Alamanda Orphanage ' The name itself brought shivers down my spine. Anyways I brushed off those thoughts and composed myself. As soon as I entered the orphanage, Arnav ( a 7-year-old boy) ran towards me with open arms. I embraced him in a warm hug and pecked his baby cheeks. He did the same and smile at me. " Di (Sis)....finally you're here. I missed you a lot. Where have you been? Why did you come to meet me last week? Have you forgotten me? I am not gonna talk to you now" he pouted.
Soo cute. How can a kid look this cute even when he is angry? It's not fair. I huffed mentally thinking about his cuteness.
" C' mon Arnav....don't give your Di cold shoulders na..." I said innocently. But he was still mad at me. I know how to cheer you up buddy. " Arnav, look what Di brought for you ". He turned towards me and his expression took a 180-degree turn. He instantly became from angry to happy. " Di....you are the best. I thought you have forgotten about it. Thank you so much for the basketball Di. You are the best!" he said and engulfed me in a tight bear hug. " Anything for my chote bhai ( younger brother)"
Then he happily ran away with his newfound gift and started playing with his friends. Arnav had lost his parents in a car accident which took place 2 years ago. His relatives abandoned him by sending him to this orphanage. The poor kid went through a lot at a very young age. I could see myself in him.
Later, I went to meet the orphanage kids and spend some time playing with them. Most of the kids had a lot of things to share and tell but sadly, there was no soul to her their mini bantering and chit chats. Poor thing....
Maybe that's why I am so closed to him.
Then I engrossed myself playing with the kids and enjoyed looking at them playing carefree.
" Diya!!!!" the sound of someone calling me brought me back from my wandering thoughts. As I turned to look for the source of the voice, there stood Annie in all her glory grinning from ear to ear. " Good morning Annie!" I greeted her with the same excitement. Annie is a great person with a heart of a diamond. She sacrificed her entire life for this orphanage, taking care of the kids over here. She is a gem of a person.
" Morning dear! How are you? Is life treating you good so far?" she asked me playfully. I scoffed." Oh trust me, it's treating me so damn good" I said and chuckled. " Is there any problem darling? Your answer does not seem convincing at all" she said raising her left eyebrow. Well, if you have known me by now you must have known that I am obviously gonna say the truth *note the sarcasm*. " Oh, c'mon Annie. There is nothing that Diya Sharma can't handle. Trust me everything is under control" I said feeling proud of myself.
But sweetheart the last time I checked, you couldn't even control your anger....and your mouth and your bike and your....."Urghh....will you just stop it! You just can't see or let me be happy for one f*cking second now can you?" I said mentally, feeling irritated because of my inner self. Well, it's my duty to make sure that you are not delusional my child. " Oh well that was so.....kind of you. I really appreciate your concern. Now if you are done giving me a reality check, F*CK OFF!" Whatever....people these days are just becoming more and more ungrateful. said my inner-self.
Then I heard nothing from my inner self. " Diya....Diya..." Ms Annie's voice brought me back from my bantering with my inner self. " Earth to Diya. Girl... I have been calling you for the past five minutes. Where are you suddenly lost? Have you already started thinking about your future prince charming who is going to sweep you off your feet? " she asked wiggling her eyebrow. I facepalmed mentally. " Trust me, Annie that will be the last thing that I will think about," I said giving her a knowing look which clearly said you know why.
That made the playfull look plastered on her face to disappear. " So...and you were telling me about?" I trailed off to lighten the suddenly tension-filled atmosphere. " Oh, I was actually telling you about Arnav. You know him right. *sigh* He was actually missing you very much. He sometimes even refuses his meals. Have you met him yet? I think the kid just has some kind of bond with you." she said probably reminiscing arnav's pouty face. " Don't worry Annie. He was the first person that I met after entering the orphanage. He was also angry at me for not visiting him often. I understand. I will make it a point to visit him as often as possible from now onwards. Don't worry" I reassured her.
" Thank you, Diya". " You don't have to thank me, Annie. Arnav is not any stranger for me. He is like a younger brother to me. If there is anyone here who needs to say thank you, then it's me. If it wasn't for you, I can never be where I am today." I said looking at Annie. Annie shook her head clearly disagreeing with whatever I just said. " No child, you are here because of your hard work and all the praises goes to you. I just supported you in your hard times, that is all" she said looking everywhere but my eyes. She knows that what she is telling is an absolute lie. I decided to not say anything but not before shooting a you-know-what-I-meant look.
Suddenly, Annie expression changed from sad to shock.
" Holy grace! Sorry child. I have totally forgotten that I actually left I quest all alone after I got a call from the office. I don't know what is he going to think about our orphanage. His mother is one of the funders who donate funds to this orphanage. Just like you. But look at my pathetic self I just left him hanging. Now I gotta run child. See you later. May God bless you always Diya." she said and disappeared in thin air without giving me a chance to say back goodbye.
Oh well, I have never seen her this tensed. Must be a very important person. No wonder she disappeared hurriedly. * sigh *
Then, i brushed off all my thoughts and busied myself playing with gods most wonderful creation.