Ummeed (Raichand Siblings Saga-Book 1)

5- Talks and Chaos

Arjun and Rishi were sitting in Mrs. Ahuja's office. They couldn't help but notice how the chair she used earlier was kept in a corner and she was using another chair.

But well, they had more pressing matters to take care of.

Mrs. Ahuja started,

"Mr. Raichand, as you know that adoption is a long and tedious process." Rishi rolled his eyes and took out his phone.
She continued

"But seeing the circumstances and considering that you are her biological family, we can cut short the processes to a minimum of 2 days. The papers from the orphanage will get ready today itself. However, the legal verification will take atleast next 48 hours."

"Just 2 hours." Rishi stated keeping his phone aside. He really didn't need to hear her ramblings about legal processes. He was well-versed in his field. "I have my own sources." He stated calmly.

Somewhere he didn't like the lady. Firstly the whole trusting blindly fiasco made him apprehensive about her. Then her raising her voice and punishing his sister did not sit well with him. And now she has the audacity to educate him about legal claims. Pathetic.

"Well, let's see." She said. Even though she did not mean to but that came out more as a challenge. She shook her head and said,

"One more thing, Mr. Raichand..."

"Yes?" Arjun prompted . Both Mrs. Ahuja and Rishi said at the same time,

" DNA Test!"

Mrs. Ahuja looked at Rishi shocked. Before she could say something, Rishi chimed in,

"DNA tests are an essential evidence in these sort of claims. While the letter might act as an added benefit, the DNA reports will be taken as the primary evidence."

Mrs. Ahuja nodded. He looked like a law enthusiast. She took out a form from the drawer and directed it towards them. Rishi took the form and started filling it. Paper work was really his cup of tea.

Arjun looked directly at Mrs. Ahuja. "About Meher. How has she been in these past few years? Any particulars we must be made aware of?" he asked straightaway. Years of interrogating criminals has made him really straightforward and no-nonsense.

Mrs. Ahuja nodded. That was not an unexpected question.

"Pehle thodi important baatein. Regarding her health, as far as I know she is a premature baby. So expectedly, she has asthma and a weak immune system. Even though she herself makes sure that she always has her inhaler, but she is just 12 so just be careful with her. Better safe than sorry."

Arjun nodded. Out of all things, he needed to do, researching about asthma will be the first thing.

" Now about her.... Behaviour. Well, she is definitely not like other girls her age. She prefers to remain with herself. Infact she spends the better part of her day in the backyard doing nothing. You see, she's not a sporty girl which is good considering her health conditions but a bit of physical exercises won't harm her. Ofcourse it's up to you but I really suggest you to engage her in some sort of co-curricular activity."

Rishi raised his eyebrow but nodded nonetheless. Somewhere he felt like she was taking a lot of interest in his sister.

"Mai bas itna kahungi ki mai khush hoon ki aap log usse lene aa gaye. Orphanage me jitne bhi bacche hai unme se sabse zyada kisi ko family ki zarurat hai toh who whi hai. Who bohot alag hai, bohot shaant. Kai baar uski silence mujhe darati hai. I hope aap log usse who attention denge jiski use sakht zarurat hai." She said and smiled.

Rishi knew at that very moment that all his apprehensions about the woman were just so wrong. He gave her a genuine smile. Mrs. Ahuja got all the reassurance she needed.

Arjun spoke up, "I have to make an imp call. I'll ne back in a while. Excuse me." He said and left.
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Meanwhile in the backyard:

Vansh and Meher were sitting on the grass looking at the sky. While Meher was enjoying the silence, Vansh was a completely different story. He was never the peace-loving type. Just like his Bhaiyu. There must be some action in life!

"Tu na bilkul Bhaiya jaisi hai! 'Silence is my biggest weapon' types." Vansh exclaimed.

Meher giggled at that. " Kaunse bhaiya?"

"Umm..the one with the black shirt. Who bhaiya hai and the one in the blue shirt, he is Bhaiyu. Tera toh intro hi nahi hua na dono se. Chal Mai batata hu!"

Meher nodded. She was sure that after their session with Mrs. Ahuja, they'll think that she is too much trouble and leave but somewhere deep down she didn't want them to leave. Though she won't admit that.

" ACP Arjun Raichand. Rishte me who saare criminals ke baap lagte hai aur hamare bhaiya. Haii." He said making Meher laugh at his antiques.

"Then comes taarikh pe taarikh lene wale hamare Bhaiyu. Special advise hai ki unke kaanon ki kitabo se Durr rehna warna tujhe pakad ke maarne ke liye unke haath kanoon se bhi lambe hojayenge."

Meher played along and gave him an overdramatic scared look. They both burst out laughing.
_____________________________________

Otherside, Arjun was on a call.

"Hello Abhi."

"Ha Arjun. Bol!"

"Tere hospital ki joh Dehradun wali branch hai waha pe DNA reports at earliest kitni der me mil sakti hai?"

"Uhh..depend karta hai agar abhi test ho jaayega toh at earliest, 3 ghanto me reports mil jaayengi."

"Cool. Samples ke liye ek adress bhej raha hu waha par kisi ko bhej de plz."

"Sure. Kisi case pe gya hai waha?"

"Nahi." He said exasperated. "Mumbai aake batata hu yaar." He said.

"OK. Tu address send kr de." He said and hanged up the call.

Arjun was thankful that The Birla hospital had a branch in Dehradun. Or else the wait for the reports would have just prolonged the process.

He looked around for Vansh. He was nowhere to be found. Nor was Meher. He was sure that they are together but where?

He called him. He picked up the call on 2nd ring.

"Kaha hai Vanu? Meher tere saath hai?"

"Ji bhaiya. Ham backyard me hai."

'Of course' Arjun thought.

"Thik hai. Idhar udhar mat jaana. Ok?"

"Ha bhaiya."

He hanged up and went inside.
_____________________________________

The next few hours passed in what seemed like a matter of minutes. The samples were taken and reports delivered. A slight fuss was created on the arrival of reports by the little troublemaker but nothing the brothers could'nt handle.

They didn't even feel the need to open the DNA reports. They very well knew the results.

"But I want to see the reports." Meher said with crossed arms.

Arjun gave her a tired look. She didn't even know how the DNA works. "For the last time, Meher! You won't even understand it!"

"I will! Show me." She literally ordered stubbornly.

Arjun raised his eyebrows at her. Rishi who was thoroughly enjoying the show decided to step in.

"Dikha do na, Bhaiya. Usse bhi tassali ho jaayegi."

Arjun glared at him but finally gave in. They were running out of time.

"Fine." He said and held it out for her

She tried to harshly snatch it off his hands but looked up when he didn't let it go at her tug. He was glaring at her. She gulped and tried it again. Softly.

The reports said that the DNA match was 58%.

"What does that mean?!"

"Ki tu hamari behen hai. Ab reports Dede, baccha. Late ho raha hai. We'll talk about it later." Rishi said and gave her a smile.

She wanted to say a lot of things but didn't know where to start so she just shut up. Plus his smile was really reassuring.

The process was completed successfully within the next three hours and before they knew it they were on a flight to Mumbai.

Arjun was lost in his thoughts, Rishi was overwhelmed, Vansh was excited while little Meher was startled.

But one question was revolving in all of their heads.

"How the hell did their life change so much in 24 hours?!"
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Finally! Thanks for bearing with me! I know this chapter was a bit rushed. Sorry for that.

Do tell me your thoughts on the scenes. Inline comments please!

Target:
Votes: 50+
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Regards.