Love Around Law

Chapter 4

After a few days Sidharth is back from the hospital. Although he is still not fine, but he is recovering. His sister, Preeti and brother-in-law, Keshav had to go to Delhi for a business trip. Since their daughter, Riya is just two years old, Sidharth had told his mother to accompany them. So for a few weeks Sidharth will have to stay alone in his apartment. The SP and the commissioner have strictly ordered him to take rest, he should stay at home for a few days and take care of his health. Reluctantly Sidharth agreed to it. He has been informed that a new ACP is handling Hakim's case, so he does not need to worry. Most of the time, he has been sleeping, reading books, and watching the news to keep himself updated with what is happening around. He is utilizing his time to get better and improve his health.

Sidharth is sitting on the bed of his room changing different channels on the television. Being a workaholic it is really difficult for him to stay at home. He switches off the television, grabs his car keys and decides to drive for some time.
He drives across the streets of Mumbai and reaches an orphanage home called 'Little Hearts' Home'. The orphanage was built years back by his father's friend Shyam Kapoor. After Mr Shyam Kapoor's death, his daughter Sheena manages the orphanage. Sheena and Sidharth are childhood friends. He often visits that place. He likes to play with the kids and loves to see the happy smiles on the kids' faces.
As soon as he enters, a six year old boy screams out of happiness "Sidharth bhai has come. Sidharth bhai is here" and he comes and wraps his arms around Sidharth. Sidharth laughs and says "Arey, mere liye itna pyaar". The boy breaks the hug and says "We missed you so much. It has been two weeks that you did not come to meet us"

Sidharth lifts him in his arms and asks "Kushal tell me now, did you study properly? Or where you busy playing?" The six year boy, Kushal replies "No this time I have studied. You can ask Sheena ma'am. But you tell me now, how many criminals did you beat?"
Sidharth laughs "I'll tell you about that later" he looks around and says "but where are the others?"
"Sana didi has come here. Everyone is sitting with her. She is just like you, she is very good. She comes here, gives us chocolates and sings. Come with me...you can hear her voice". Saying that Kushal takes Sidharth to another room where he sees Shehnaaz sitting on the floor with all the kids surrounding her. She did not notice Sidharth standing there, so she continued singing. 'So Shehnaaz's nickname is Sana'.

A girl stands to say that Sidharth is here, but he signals her to keep quiet. He leans on the door and hears her voice. 'This girl never fails to amaze me. In college I saw the sherni version of Shehnaaz, and now she is sitting like a part of kids group. This is the second time I'm meeting her, but I am sure that she is the most genuine person I've ever met in my life. In this fake world, she is someone real'. Then Sidharth hears Kushal saying "Sidharth bhai why are you smiling alone?" He was taken aback. He shakes his head and manages to reply Kushal. "No beta, it is just that...she sings so well".
"Sana didi is really sweet. Come, meet her."
Suddenly the other kids shouted together "Sidharth bhaiya". Shehnaaz looks around to find him standing there.
"ACP Sir? You here? How are you? Have you recovered from typhoid? How is your health? Did you not go to office today?"
Sidharth says looks at the kids and says "Does she question you all like this? Or is it just me?" Shehnaaz stares at him and he smiles.
"I have been coming here since my teenage years. This place gives me positivity. And Sheena, the owner of this orphanage is the daughter of my father's friend. After her father's death she takes care of this orphanage".

Shehnaaz replies Sidharth, "I am new in Mumbai, but I have found this place. I am so happy to be here. This is the fifth time I am coming here. I met Sheena di, she is so sweet".
Soon a girl says "Speak to us as well. Why are you both talking alone?"
Sidharth smiles, bends to reach her height and says "Yes, tell me. What do you want to know?" Soon another two girls and one boy comes and says "Sidharth bhai, one problem". The seven year old girl points towards a girl sitting in one corner. "She is not talking to us. She is missing her family, she says that we are not her family. Her family is dead. We try to be friends, but she keeps quiet all the time".
Both Sidharth and Shehnaaz look at the girl. Sidharth has never  seen the girl earlier. She is wearing a white coloured frock with two ponytails tied with red rubber bands. She is playing with the drape of her dress. She has an innocent face and a red nose, a few drops of tears are present at the corners of her eyes. Sidharth looks at Shehnaaz and says "Take the help of Sheena and distribute the chocolates which you've brought. I have brought some books for them, give those as well. I am taking her outside. Once you're done please meet me before leaving". Shehnaaz nods to what he said.

Sidharth walks up to the little girl. He sits beside her "Hello. I am Sidharth. And you?"
The girl looks at him with dough shaped eyes. He repeats himself "What is your name dear?"
She looks again and says softly "Misha"
He forwards his hands, and the little girl slowly shakes her tiny hands with his. "Misha can we go outside? Can we please see the birds flying in the sky?" He knows that kids are usually fascinated by seeing birds fly in the sky. His two year old neice Riya loves to watch the sky. He extends his hands and asks her to come in his arms. She looks at him then wraps her arms around him.

Sidharth takes him to the garden and points towards the sky "See Misha, the blue sky and that bird. The bird looks so small. Look". Misha looks up and after seeing the pigeons flying in the sky a tiny smile appears on her face. Then Sidharth looks at her and says "Do you want to hear a story?" There is a little spark in her eyes "Story? Matlab kahani? Aap kahani bolte ho?"
He smiles at her innocence. "Nhi, par aapke liye bol sakta hoon". Misha makes a face "No, don't tell me stories. Tell me about the sky, birds and the trees. How..how can the birds fly? Don't they feel tired?"
Sidharth scratches the back of his neck. 'Yaar how can the birds fly? What will I say?'

"Okay..first tell me what do you like to do?"
"Draw"
"The way you like to draw, these birds like to fly".
After a few questions, Sidharth sits on the ground and Misha sits on his lap. By that time she has become friendly with him. He asks him "How did you come here?"
"Mumma-Baba died in accident. They have become stars now.  Then one day I came here with one uncle and Sheena ma'am took me here." She looks at him with teary eyes and whispers "Mumma-Baba have become stars now."
Sidharth hugs her softly after hearing her. He keeps thinking about the time when he heard the news of his own father's death. He seems to be lost in a pool of thoughts when Misha asks him to tell about himself. "You tell me about yourself".
He jerks his thoughts and says "I live with my mother" he painfully smiles "even my Baba has become a star".
"You miss your Baba?"
"Hmm...yes. I m..iss him a lot".
"At night if you look at the stars, you will be able to see your father".
Sidharth smiles and says "you are very smart. Okay, today at night I'll see the stars and the next time I will tell you about that. I promise. But will you keep one promise?"
"Yes. You are very good. I will keep your promise".
"Then you will be friends with everyone..alright? You will speak to them, they are your friends."
"Okay..Sidharth bhaiya. Promise".

Sidharth stands up and takes her in his arms. "Do you see the stars shining at night?"
"Yes"
"Those are your parents watching you..don't feel sad dear", he says and Misha wraps her arms around his broad shoulders.
"What is your age, Misha?"
She shows her palm and says "F-i-v-e. Five. Your?"
He laughs "twenty eight"
She starts counting her fingers, she counts till twenty and says "then? What comes after twenty?"
Sidharth smiles and says "Alright, keep this twenty in one hand and then again count from one to eight". Obediently she counts till eight.
"So earlier you had twenty, now eight...so?"
"Twenty....and...eight...Twenty eight!! Your age! Twenty eight".
She says excitedly and hugs him tightly.

Shehnaaz was standing. She sees all this and thinks 'ACP Sir looks so serious all the time, but with kids he looks so carefree. He looks like a rough guy from outside, but at heart he is just a child. I don't know why some people call him arrogant. He doesn't seem arrogant to me. When he laughs he looks a five year old boy!'
Misha goes inside the orphanage. Sidharth and Shehnaaz meets Sheena, bids goodbye to all the kids and leaves. Before going in his car Sidharth asks "Where do you stay? Do you have a car?"
"No Sir. I'll go by an auto rickshaw."
"No, no, I have no problem. I can drop you home".
"Actually Sir, I will go to a Gurudwara now. Then I will go home".
"Alright. Let's go"
"But..Sir..."
Sidharth signals her to get the car and says "You speak too much". Shehnaaz giggles "You are right. Speaking is my favourite hobby. But how do you keep so quiet?"
He glares at her, she nervously says "Arey I was just kidding. You should keep quiet". He smiles internally at her cute antics.

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Finally got some time to update!
According to Shehnaaz, Sidharth is just a kid at his heart. What do you think? Tell me in the comments.
In the next chapter Sidharth and Shehnaaz will be going to the Gurudwara. Comment and tell if you are excited.
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Lots of love🤍