Where Love Leads

9. Back Home



By sunset, They made it to Indore, and Aarya woke up from her sleep, possibly having slept to numb her pain, which might have been her way of coping with the fear and concern for the children.

She guided Aarav to the orphanage, and as soon as they arrived, she leapt out of the car and rushed into the orphanage compound.

Upon entering the compound, Aarya noticed the kids were patiently waiting their turn to play on the swing and slide.

As soon as the kids spotted her, they ran to give her a hug, tears streaming down their faces.

Pramitra, who was seated on a chair outside the entrance of the house, knitting what looked like a shirt, was taken aback by Aarya's unexpected arrival, causing her to stand up before approaching her.

Aarya hugged Pramitra tightly, assuring her that she was safe and then asked about Bhola and Anuj. "Miti, you're safe with me. Where is Bhola? Anuj?"

"We are clueless about Bhola's whereabouts since he left, and Anuj wants to involve the police,"

"Everything that happened was my fault, and I apologize,"

The moment Aarav entered the compound, the children hurried towards Aarya, who they clung to; holding her tightly with fear in their eyes. Aarya released Pramitra from her hold and turned to see what had scared them, only to find Aarav standing there.

"It's okay, children. Ariv is my friend and won't harm you. Show him some love with hugs and kisses,"

Aarav smiled as the children ran towards him, giggling and giving him a hug that almost caused him to stumble. He laughed and found their behaviour delightful and thought it was endearing how they treated him and asked, "Hey children, how are you?"

"We're fine, I hope you're taking care of my Ma, since we're okay. She doesn't deserve to be sad. Please take care of her. She deserves to be happy too," Nareen said.

Aarav gazed at the child and concluded that he must be the five-year-old Aarya frequently talks about, "You must be Nareen?"

"How do you know my name?" Nareen questioned.

I've heard a lot about you from your Mama; "You're so sweet, a good kid, and she loves you a bunch," he said, causing Nareen to giggle.

"And all of you," Aarav added, looking at the children.

Aarav kept the children entertained with his delightful conversation while Aarya was still talking to Pramitra.

Aarav decided to take the children out and said to them, "Let's go, kids,"

Shortly after Aarav and the children departed, Anuj entered the compound and was astonished to find Aarya there; Pramitra shifted her focus from Aarya to him.

"I didn't go to the police," Anuj clarified, stepping closer to them, defending himself against the disapproving look his wife gave him.

Aarya looked between Anuj and Pramitra and reassured them that they had done the right thing and that she was there for them. "You made the right choice, but don't stress - I'm here for you!"

Anuj's voice was filled with worry as he said, "The kids were so scared, you should have seen it,"

"They are okay now," Aarya told him.

"The man who took them out, who is he?" He asked.

Aarya smiled, "He is someone I consider a very good friend,"

Aarav returned later in the evening with the kids, each clutching a candy, walking into the living room with smiles on their faces.

In the living room, Aarya was folding the children's clothes that were left on the sofa.

With the candy stick in her mouth; savouring her candy, Pooja praised Aarya for having the best friend ever.

"Yes, Auntie, he took us and bought us some candy and told us to not worry about Bhola that you are here, and that you need our support so we shouldn't be worried but be happy or else you will be worried" Bhoomi said.

"I want him to be my father," Nareen declared to Aarya.

"He's Auntie's friend, not her boyfriend," Pooja scolded as the children laughed.

"He's still my father," Nareen rebuked.

Aarya instructed everyone to take a bath and get some rest. While saying goodbye to the children as they leave, Aarav asked Aarya, "How are you?"

"I'm good," Aarya said, "and please don't mind Nareen, he's still a child, so ignore him; don't take him seriously,"

"It doesn't bother me, I have no problem being his father,"

Anuj walked over and extended his hand to Aarav, introducing himself as Pramitra's husband and Aarya's friend. "I was told you're Aaru's friend. I'm Anuj, Pramitra's husband,"

Aarav shook Anuj's hand with a smile, feeling welcomed. "Aarav,"

With a smile on his face, he placed his hand back into his pocket and addressed Aarya, "Aaru..." he said, slowly, drawing out the name.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope Aaru is being taken care of because she deserves the best,"

"I'm glad to have met you as well, Anuj, and don't worry about Aarya. She's being taken care of; she is in good hands, so thereno need to worry,"

"I will get going now," Anuj stated before leaving them alone.

"Well, well, Aaru, what a nice name you have," teased Aarav.

Aarya didn't let him distract her as she continued with her work, ignoring him. Although she wasn't offended, something was weighing on her mind.

"Dealing with Bhola, what's the strategy?" he asked.

She finally shared what had been on her mind for a while: "You don't have any obligations here. You should go back home to Suman Ma, because you're not doing anything here,".

Is Aarav intending to depart, leaving Aarya alone and exposed to potential danger? If there's no feedback on this chapter, I won't proceed with updates.