THE STORY OF LIFE | A 21ST CENTURY RAMAYANA

KSHITIJA

"Just sit here child, Ill just collect your medicines and be back."

Siya sat in the cabin with Lavya in her arms, when suddenly she seemed to hear a sound, a wailing sound of a child in the far corner of the corridor, and a lot of commotion around the source of the noise seemed to follow.

The child sounded so desperate, and its cry ran through Siya. The emotions she felt for Lavya when he came into the world, the same call came rushing to her as she couldnt help but let the emotions get better of her.

Siya got up with Lavya as the crying of the child became louder and louder.

Finally, she stumbled upon the source when she noticed the nurses rushing around a small cot, a baby placed under a pair of glaring heating lights as it cried.

"What happened, is everything alright?" Siya asked a nurse as she walked out.

"Yes, no I mean... we just found this child ... someone left her at our doorstep. We dont know who the parents are, we cant even see anyone in the camera recordings.. poor girl was cold, shes calming down slowly but she doesnt seem to stop crying..."

The door was left open, and for some reason, Siya felt herself getting drawn towards her, her curled fists as if in open invitation, calling Siya by the minute.

"Maam, this is a sensitive area, please be outside." The nurses voice seemed to drain out , as Siya placed her little finger carefully in the girls hand, the touch sending a jolt of emotion through her. With Lavya in her arm and chest, and the girls hand wrapped around her, Siya couldnt help but be drawn back to Rams words.

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"And what if its a girl?"

"Ive imagined a little form of you so many times in my dreams Siya. I know exactly how she would look. A little nose, cute little cheeks and a soft smile on her face, always. Yet her eyes will be deep, she will be so mature. And I know, shell wrap me around her fingers in no time. She will bind us to every thing else that is good. Like the horizon, Kshitija."

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The room quietened as the child fell silent. The nurses all looked around at her.

"Do.. do you know the child or her parents maam? Shes only two days old so, we cant decide yet what to do if no one shows up."

"I...I do." Siya said, tears, at the happy corners of her eyes.

"Ohh ok, then, can you contact her parents?"

"Siya?"

Her Sir came running behind her as he noticed a small smile both on the childs and on Siyas face.

"Siya, what happened?"

Siya looked up at him with honest eyes.

"Sir, the way I felt with Lavya, I feel the same with her. I know shes not from my womb, but.. I cant explain it in my own words but.. she is mine. I feel like I have known her for so long. Her cries called me towards her, and she calmed down right when I touched her. "

"She is alone in this world. Someone left her and the hospital cant find a trace of who it might be."

"Maybe sir.. she is here just for me. Maybe she is meant to be mine."

He looked at her, and then back at Siya. There was a striking similarity between the two, no doubt. And the two looked so serene, so peaceful around each other that..

"Lavya, can we make place for a little sister in our house?" He looked down, petting Lavyas head, as Siya smiled with joy.

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"The formalities will take a week maam, and if no one claims her parenthood and if you pass our background check, we will call you back."

Siya nodded, placing a small kiss on Kshitijas head as she walked away slowly to leave.

In no time, her daughter would be with her. Her two children , her strength, her motivation.

And no matter how far she wished to keep herself away from him, she knew her heart wouldnt allow her to keep such a beautiful news away from him.

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"Bhaiyya!"

Lakshman came running into Rams room, the clock striking almost midnight.

"Is everything alright Laksh?"

Lakshman carried a lost treasure, a smile on his face. He handed his phone to Ram, and as Ram read each word, his heart seemed to leap out of his chest and out and beyond.

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"Its me. Like I said, you will not find this mail tomorrow. Maybe I am too self indulgent, but I couldnt stop myself anymore."

"We have been blessed with the best of both worlds. Lavya and Kshitija are healthy and safe."

"They will meet you soon."

-S