Hrida's pupils were shaking beneath her eyelids and she heard murmurs behind her but she couldn't focus on what they were saying and she lifted her shaky arm and rose from bed immediately and as a result, her mind went blank for few seconds and she heard a deep voice filled with concern," Dear child, don't pressurize. Your body is weak right now, it needs rest. Lay down, please. Wait! First, drink a glass of water then lay down."
Hrida reacts in a defensive tone," Whomever you are uncle/ bhaiya, I won't listen to a stranger. Where is Tapish? Where did you hide him? Bring me my cat. I may be weak right now but still, I can fight. You stay away from us and let us go without any fight.
Please, we don't have anything precious for you to give. I kindly request you to let us go." Hrida tries to stand up only to fall on the floor. She grips her head and tries to focus her vision but she is unable to do so currently.
Two soft delicate hands held her arms and made her lay on the bed and a female voice so gentle spoke above her face," Dear बेटा ( child), आप अपने शरीर पर थोड़ा सा भी बल लगाने की स्थिति में नहीं हैं। तो, हम पर एक एहसान करें और जब तक आप बेहतर महसूस न करें तब तक बिस्तर से न उठें। (You are not in the condition to put even a little force on your body. So, do us a favor and don't move from bed until you feel better.)
रही बात आपकी बिल्ली की, वह ठीक आपके बगल में है। शायद कमजोरी के कारण आपको उसकी उपस्थिति का एहसास नहीं हुआ, लेकिन वह आपके बगल में ही लेटा हुआ है और जब से हमने आपको बिस्तर पर लिटाया है, तब से उसने आपका साथ नहीं छोड़ा है। आपको एक अच्छा दोस्त मिला है। ( About your cat, he is right beside you. Maybe due to weakness, you didn't realize his presence but he is lying just beside you and he hasn't left your side since the moment we laid you on the bed. You got a good friend.)"
Hrida still refused her request but eventually, she accepted their help because she needed rest to recover and take care of herself and Tapish as well. Hrida drinks a glass full of water and then lies on the bed. She felt someone by her side and that gentle aunty ( woman) placed her palm on her forehead and then declared in a relieved tone," Your temperature is normal. Thank God !"
She softly asks her," Then what happened that you fainted on a lonely silent highway road? Are you lost? Were you looking for your parents? If you feel like answering then only reply, otherwise you don't need to tell me right away."
Hrida answers in a low-energy tone, " It's fine. I do have parents but they are not anymore my parents because they are repaying for their crimes. I don't want to go to an orphanage. My parents have discarded their relationship with their relatives, so I am left with only Tapish and Shashi ( My best friend) and I am happy with them.
I request you that please do not inform the police because if they knew where I am then they would put me in another doll house, I mean an orphanage. We will go once I feel better tomorrow. And the reason I fainted was...due to lack of glucose or should I say food. I have been eating very less amount of food to survive for longer days though I have some food packets saved for both of us but still, we need to think before eating."
Aunty ( elder woman) pats her head affectionately and embraces her and boosts her with her words," You are a courageous girl. And I am relieved that you are still in a better condition despite the turmoil and chaos that happened recently in your life. Beta, what is your name ?"
Hrida replies with a slightly brighter tone," Hrida Chand."
Aunty smiled," You got a beautiful name. Do you know what your name means? "
Hrida answers in a chirpy tone, " Yes, but my parents didn't tell me the meaning. It was my best friend Shashi who is a curious bird and he searched for our names' meanings via the internet. I could have done it myself but I never expected that my name had any meaning.
So, my name signifies a part of my heart or purity itself. And I think, my parents did one right thing in their life, which is giving me a name that identifies my real self. Don't you think, my name suits me? "
Aunty agrees, " I do. And I-", she is interrupted by Hrida's fast train of sentences and glowing eyes, " You know, my best friend's name meaning also suits him. His name is Shashi, as I already told you. So, his name indicates ' Moon'.
Metaphorically, he is a moon, he is really warm, and calm but energetic and he talks in such a way that can comfort anyone. You can fall asleep with his talking only, not that he is boring but his voice and words are like a lullaby. Similar to the moon, just like we fall asleep at night when the moon hovers in the sky and sings a silent lullaby comforting us, He is exactly like the persona of the moon.
He is a charming and warm-hearted best friend that I am lucky to have. And you already know Tapish, my cat, he is surprisingly talkative in front of him and is fond of him, unlike every other person who faces Tapish's silent nature. Tapish- my cat's name has meaning too.
I kept his name with the help of Shashi. Tapish means….Oh my God! I unintentionally interrupted you in between and that is so rude. I am sorry. You complete your sentence first then I will resume my talk. Please."
Aunty giggles at first and then bursts out laughing because of her antics. She permits her, " I didn't mind at all. But I appreciate that you apologized for your unintentional mistake. Well, since you insisted me to talk then I shall.
I am Namarta Chaal and my husband standing at the corner is Nimit Chaal. We are craft artisans and painters as well. We create traditional arts and crafts with the essence of our ancient culture. And, you can stay here as long as you want. We don't mind.
The house was earlier happy but now it has become happier and bubbly just because of you two. However, I think that Shashi is a special friend of yours. You think so highly of him. Nicee...."
Hrida's cheeks flushed a bit red but she didn't realize it, she resumed the topic," Tapish means 'Warmth'. He is a warm fur ball. He is the reason I am still not bitter and cold-hearted already about all this happening. He is my elder brother and it is understandable how mature and caring he is towards me."
Namrata Aunty agreed with her, and then Nimit uncle came by her side and offered her a full glass of glucose drink because she needed energy in her body right now. Hrida thanked him and drank the whole drink slowly.
At mid-afternoon, the warm sun vanishes behind the large grayish clouds floating in the air and the wind waves are rolling in the air and being playful making whispery sounds. Hrida is already awake and feels better now. Hrida sat on the verandah with her arms raised like wings experiencing the feathery breezy waves crashing at her.
Nevertheless, her memories betrayed her and played recaps of the moments she spent dancing in the rain along with her parents, she spent listening to stories from her mother on drizzling nights, and she spent helping her mother in the kitchen to make some warm bowls of soup on rainy days.
All these memories brought a sad smile to her face and she mumbled under her breath," I don't know whether these memories were just a pretense for my parents or they were at least a bit real. Despite their fake acts, my feelings and experiences were real unlike them. So, I do cherish these memories even now."
A person appeared at their door, so she opened the door and informed Nimit uncle that someone was at their door. Nimit uncle came to see that person and welcomed her in with respect. Hrida silently sat on the chair while they were having a delightful conversation.
Hrida then remembered something and went straight to that old woman, bent her body, and touched her feet taking her blessing although she hesitantly placed her hand on her head to give her blessing.
Nimit uncle praises her," Hrida, you are a well-mannered girl, your parents… taught you well. Come here, I will introduce you, to my elder sister who lives in Pune, where you used to live."
Hrida respectfully says," Namaste! ( Greeting hello). I am Hrida. They are taking care of me until I feel better and then I will leave. And that cute little cat sitting over there is my brother, Tapish."
Nimit's elder sister whispered something in Namrata's ear, which was inaudible to the rest of them. Namrata's eyes darted around and she was twisting her saree's pallu ( Indian traditional dress). Namrata disguised her wary eyes with a bright smile but it didn't go unnoticed.
Hrida felt a lot better when she was fed with a warm meal and after long days, she finally experienced a full stomach. She noticed Nimit uncle weaving some patterns over a bright-colored cloth piece, so she crept closer and watched him in awe as he continued weaving some kind of art upon the cloth.
Hrida asks with a curious tone," Nimit uncle, HOW did you make such a handsome painting ? Can you teach me how to do this on this. ", She forwards him the doll she picked up.
Nimit exclaims," Why not! Here carefully pay attention to how I do at first on the doll's head and then you have to do it on your own. ठीक है ?( Okay ?) "
Hrida nodded in excitement and she forgot everything that happened till now and was engrossed in observing his hand movements. After he was done with his work, he let her finish the work on the doll.
At first, she did make hazy and wobbly patterns of swirls and designs but eventually, she did get a hold of it. She was fully concentrated while doing this work and didn't even stop for a second until she finished her doll work.
After one hour, she finally upgraded her doll's condition, her doll now appeared as a cute little traditional version of her. Then, Namrata took her to a warm water bath as her clothes were dirty and slightly stinky and her hair and skin were covered with dirt and slight injuries on her knee, palm, and fingers.
Hrida washed her clothes with the help of Namrata Aunty and left them to dry in the air. Hrida felt at peace after so long. She was sky-watching along with Tapish on the terrace, they watched grey clouds hovering over each other.
Hrida picked up Tapish in her arms and pointed her hand at the front view," Tapish, the view is breathtaking and looks livelier and pretty. I never went to the terrace because Dad never permitted me to visit there. It was a strange thing though. Let's not get there and spoil our moment."
But she was late wishing for this moment to last longer as her ears caught different loud voices clashing with each other coming from the ground floor. She glanced below from the terrace and saw Namrata Aunty extending her hand towards that old woman, who held her unzipped backpack. Hrida gasps and eavesdrop on their conversation.
Namrata Aunty politely requests," Give back Hrida's backpack. It is her and we can't look in her absence. She doesn't deserve this. You are older than me, so I request you kindly to give it back. That child had already suffered many things and I don't intend to add more pain to her."
Nimit's elder sister rebukes," Namrata! Don't be foolish. You can't trust her. See, she has a few amount of money to buy herself food so then why does she starve because she needed to put an act before you and take advantage of your kindness?
Don't let her pretty face fool you. We will take this money as payment for her stay and meal and let her go this instant. AM I CLEAR? "
Namrata rebels against her order," I won't. I won't let you or anyone take a single rupee out of her money. She isn't like what you imagine her to be. And yes she has a beautiful innocent face but it isn't an act. I believe in her. "
Nimit too intervenes and supports Hrida but they keep on arguing and so on. Hrida felt bad for this and pondered again," Because of me, they are arguing and fighting. I can't let this continue. Nevertheless, I was going to leave after some time, so now is the best time to leave. But before I go, I want to leave them a gift behind. "
Hrida noticed Nimit's uncle recovering her money and backpack from his sister and went back inside. After a few seconds, he returned to his wife's side in that endless argument.
Hrida taking benefit of the moment plunged into the room without letting them be aware of her presence. She found her backpack and stuffed her dried clothes neatly inside and she also got a glimpse of her money back inside her bag.
She then searched for a pen and wrote something on a small piece of cloth, then took out her doll and left her alongside the small note and she ran along with Tapish whose wound had healed slightly better. She ran as fast as she could and also as far away as she could from them.
Gradually, her legs were tired and she stopped to let herself and Tapish breathe for a moment. Hrida explains to Tapish," Tapish, I saw the same creepy gaze from the shadow of that old woman and I felt being stared back although they didn't know that I was watching them from the terrace.
I don't want that creepy shadow to destroy just like he did to that madman we met yesterday. I feel there is some kind of connection to all those people. I don't know fully but I think we will find an answer to this as well. Let's not waste our minds on the past. We will start moving again after a few minute's break."
Tapish meows and swings his tail a little which makes Hrida happy. Hrida cheers up," Tapish, you are recovering and that's a good sign. Thank you, God. And-"
She paused while facing upwards to the sky and closed her eyes when she felt raindrops on her hair. Out of the blue, it started raining heavily making both of them wet in a few seconds but neither of them are sad and pissed off instead Hrida started playing in the rain and humming some of her favorite songs.
Hrida exclaims," Tapish. You know how much I love rain. And do you remember you, me and Shashi once danced in the rain like crazy? Wow, it was hilarious. We were making goofy moves and you were being talkative.
I wish Shashi could join us in this fun but no worries, maybe someday or...…..never. Let's just enjoy and not think at all.....Hmmm.. la la. LAlalallaaaaaaa....LA...La."