Four years later...
Within a spacious house nestled on one of Jaipur's bustling streets, a lively group of children darted and zigzagged through an indoor garden, surrounded by vibrant plants and fragrant spices.
While the air was filled with the sound of their high-pitched, gleeful laughter, a four-year-old boy sat quietly, pencil in his left hand, diligently sketching on a blank sheet of paper, completely absorbed in his own world amidst the joyful chaos.
This was the usual scene when the matron of the orphanage made an unexpected entrance, shattering the tranquility.
"Alright, children! Dinner is served! Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before you eat," called out Sarla, the matron, a woman in her sixties, from the edge of the room. Her voice cut through the game of tag like a bell.
A chorus of excited shouts filled the air, prompting Sarla to cover her ears with her fingers. Some children cheered at the thought of food, others begged for just a few more moments of play, while a few gasped for breath before voicing their opinions.
Yet, Sarla was well-acquainted with this familiar scene and had navigated it many times before.
"Hurry up now! Anyone who dawdles will find themselves cleaning the house with me for a whole week," she declared, her tone firm.
This announcement spurred the children into action, rushing to wash their hands. However, the boy who had been drawing remained seated, a look of deep concentration etched on his face.
Sensing his distraction, Sarla chose to approach him rather than simply call out. The boy was so engrossed in his work that he didn't notice her footsteps drawing near.
Standing behind him, she leaned in to catch a glimpse of his creation. To her surprise, she found a beautifully detailed sketch of Lord Shiva, the deity depicted on the wall opposite him.
"Veer, when did you start drawing this picture of Lord Shiva?" she asked, her voice gentle yet curious.
Startled by the sudden sound, the boy paused, his hand freezing mid-stroke. Upon realizing the matron was behind him, he quickly attempted to conceal his artwork.
Sarla caught sight of his actions and couldn't help but smile. "What's going on? Are you hiding your drawing from me?" she teased.
When he noticed her grin, he hesitated before replying, "I'll show it to you, but only if you promise not to rip it." Sarla was taken aback by his words.
"Did someone actually tear your drawing?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
He nodded solemnly.
"Who did it?" she pressed, her expression shifting to one of concern. The question left him momentarily speechless.
Seeing him go quiet, Sarla sensed the weight of the situation. With a sigh, she reassured him, "I won't get them in trouble, I promise. Now, please tell me."
After a moment of hesitation, Veer finally admitted, "It was Lakmi didi."
"Oh, Lakshmi," Sarla murmured softly. Just then, Veer's gentle voice broke through her thoughts. "You promised."
"I know," she replied, a mix of exasperation and affection in her tone.
He presented his painting to her, a sense of accomplishment washing over him as he believed the issue was settled.
"It's not finished," he added quickly.
Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of his unfinished artwork. It was far from the scribbles of an average four-year-old who had just begun to wield a pencil.
She asked again, "Is this really your sketch?"
He nodded in affirmation. "It's based on the picture of Lord Shiva over there," he explained, gesturing toward the painting on the wall across from them.
As she processed his words, a realization struck her. "Wait a minute, can you see that painting from here?" she asked, her voice tinged with some doubt.
He shook his head, indicating he could not.
"Then how did you manage to draw that picture while sitting here?" she pressed, her arms crossed defiantly.
He regarded her with a look that suggested she was missing something obvious. Rising, he approached the photo, studied it for a few moments, then returned to his spot, mimicking the act of drawing.
With a childlike sincerity, he looked up at Sarla and said, "This is how I was drawing."
Sarla's mind momentarily short-circuited at his words, leaving her momentarily blank. The question she had intended to ask slipped away like sand through her fingers.
"Shouldn't you go back and check it out? You can't possibly remember every little detail just from a glance," she teased lightly.
He simply shook his head, a confident smile on his face. "Nope, one look is all I need."
Sarla locked her gaze with his, searching for any hint of deception, but found nothing. With a sigh of confusion, she closed her eyes, unaware of the deeper meaning behind the four-year-old's straightforward remark.
"Alright then. Whatever you say. Even if the lines are a bit wobbly, you've made an amazing drawing. You should feel proud. Do you like doing this?"
"Yes, a lot!" Veer replied, his laughter bubbling up.
"But don't you want to play with your siblings?" Sarla asked, playfully tousling his hair.
"I do," he said, his face scrunching up in a cute pout, "but they always make me be 'it' in tag. And even in hide-and-seek, they insist I find everyone first."
Sarla couldn't help but chuckle at his playful behavior. "Hey, your Rani didi has prepared lunch for everyone. Aren't you feeling hungry?" she asked, still grinning from her earlier amusement.
The mention of lunch sparked a sudden urgency in him, and he sprang into action, grumbling, "Why didn't you mention it earlier? The others will gobble up my share!"
As he hurried to wash his hands, Sarla trailed behind him, a smile lighting up her face. The once chaotic indoor lawn was now filled with a sense of calm once more.
Note: Didi is Hindi language translation of Sister