THE STORY OF LIFE | A 21ST CENTURY RAMAYANA

A NEW LIFE IN LONDON

"Welcome to London."

The customs lady smiled at the two of them as Siya soaked in the atmosphere. Here, she'd come to know the most beautiful news of her life. And now, it all seemed so different, as if she had never set foot on this soil.

"Can I have your names please?"

"Siya .. Suryavanshi." That was a part of her she never wanted to let go, atleast not so soon.

"And yours sir?"

"Oh, its VN Pandit. But, I go by Valmiki Pandit."

She completed the formalities, and in no time the two were on their away to the distant quiet countrysides of London, in the hopes that no one would ever disturb them, or question their presence.

"Please lets reach as quick as we can, I'm sure she needs to change first, then we can get her something nice to eat," Valmiki spoke to the driver.

"Yes sir, surely. Welcome ma'am," he added in a British accent. "Hope you have a pleasant stay here."

Siya gulped at the irony in his words. She had come with hope, but how much of it was pleasant, she had no clue.

Only time would tell, she repeated to herself, running her fingers over her stomach.

——

"Careful, its alright. Easy."

Valmiki held Siyas hand as he walked with her upto the door of the house. It was the same house Siya had been in, just a few months ago. Where she had recieved that beautiful piece of news that had changed her life forever.

And here she was, having left all that was hers to claim and off to a new start she had chosen for herself.

It was the house shed liked, and chosen to bring up her child in. She knew, if Ram sold it, he would never come back for it again. She wanted a place that was quiet, far from everything and everyone that knew her being or name. And somewhere he would never come back again.

It was a plot that she executed successfully with her trusted Sir, and once she knew it would be used for the welfare of other orphaned or helpless children, life came full circle, as if to tell her that even if she had given away a part of herself to keep her child safe, she could give so much more to make other childrens' lives better.

The interiors had been renovated, a cozy family home now looking like a more jolly and childish playhouse. Yet in each corner, she felt them, their smiles, laughter, breath and presence. It was like being home, away from it.

"Hope you will make yourself comfortable my child? "

"Of course Sir, dont worry," she said, sitting down on a sofa. "Haven't the children and the other teachers arrived yet?"

"They will start moving in from tomorrow. Everything is ready, I just thought that it's better if I give you a days time before they come in because from tomorrow, this house will be no less than a ruckus."

Siya let out a little laugh. Being around other children and single mothers would take her mind off the people she left back home and the pain she had caused, and give her a new outlook on life.