The Foster child

Chapter 1.

Kasturi was serving breakfast for her husband while Dharani was making coffee. Dharani completed her graduation and got placement in a multinational company in Bangalore. She was waiting for her joining letter which was expected to come within three months. 

Vikram was in search of
 a prospective groom for Dharani so that she can get married and stay safe with her new family in Bangalore. Kasturi on the other hand was opposing this idea as she had some other plans. 

Dharani wants to spend quality time with her beloved grandparents till the time of joining the company. They are her only family along with Prithvi. She lost her parents when she was an infant. She was brought up by her grandparents who love her unconditionally. 

Yes, her grandfather may not show it but she knew that she has a special place in his heart. 

When everyone was engrossed in their own work, they heard the ringing of the door bell.

Kasturi washed her hands and attended the door. She felt very happy seeing her son come home after a long time but soon that happiness turned into worry when she saw him injured.

Feeling anxious, she started her inquiry.

Kasturi:

  “Rey Prithvi. What is this? How did you get into trouble? What are all these wounds? Didn't you say that you were transferred to the base office when your dad called you a few days before .? Then how did you get these wounds? 

Don't tell me that you were sent to some kind of mission in the meantime”.

Prithvi:

“Amma, Relax. See I am fine. But yes, I was injured and this time it was serious, ma. I got my right leg and arm fractured. So, I asked my men to drop me home. If you are done with your interrogation, can I come inside?

My leg is painful and I can't stand for a long time.”

Kasturi:

 “Ayyo . See how ignorant I was. Sorry ra. I was so worried about seeing something like this that I got carried away. Come inside. Let me help you.”

Meanwhile, Vikram reached out to his son and helped him get inside. When everyone got seated, Dharani handed Prithvi a glass of water who gulped it in one go. When he saw his family looking worried and anxious about his condition, he started explaining himself.

Prithvi:

“ Amma, when dad called me the other day, I was at the base office only. But we had an emergency and it was a small operation. Everything went very smoothly but something unexpected happened. When we were coming back from the mission, our vehicle caught in an explosion. I was fortunate enough that a couple could save me in time. But we lost a few soldiers in that explosion . While saving me, the couple pushed me out but were caught in the fire. They lost their lives saving me. “

Kasturi:

  “Thank God that you are fine. I am really grateful to that couple who saved my son but I feel  sorry  for the couple  who  lost their lives saying you. 

See I told you not to join those services. But you never listened to me. Your grandfather served our nation. Your father also followed his footsteps. Then my daughter. I begged her not to join the service. She never listened to me. Now I lost my child leaving her child to me. Now you too joined the same. If anything happens to you then…”

Vikram:
 “Stop it Kasturi. Serving the nation is not a simple  thing . It's a great opportunity to serve our nation. We should be blessed that you got the chance to serve our nation. It's our pride and honor. I feel proud that my father and I are able to get that opportunity. 

Lalitha was fortunate that she was one of the very few women who could join in the Indian Navy. But, we are unfortunate that we lost her. Don't blame anyone for our misfortune. Please Don't bring up that tragic incident once again  and hurt yourself and others.We have our son. Let's support him. I want  to see him like his grandfather. I could not achieve that level. Let him try. “

Prithvi:

 “Don't worry ma. I’ll be careful from now on. I know you are worried about me and spoke like that but look at me I am fine.

Now coming to the main point Amma and dad., I made a decision in my life without informing you people. Hope you understand my situation and approve my decision. “

Vikram:

 “What are you talking about Prithvi? We will also support your decision. We know that our son is a sensible person and will make a wise decision. We are always with you.”

Prithvi:

  “Thank you dad for the trust you have in me. I was carrying  a huge responsibility when I came here. I need your support in fulfilling it. But, I can't trouble you people. So, I was in a dilemma in executing it. But, your words made my day dad. Thank you so much dad. 

Let me introduce you to someone”.

Dharani, who is seeing all this silently, has a feeling that something  is going to happen in their  lives. She had a huge crush on  Prithvi when was 16 years and that crush turned to  admiration when she was 19. Prithvi is a nation's hero and she knew she is unreachable to him.  She felt wrong to have feelings for him considering their relationship.So, she buried  those feelings in her heart. Though the age gap between them is less, she calls him mama though she knew that Prithvi is an adopted son to her grandparents.

Dharani felt that she would always stay a secret admirer and  well wisher of her mama and pray to God for his safety and health.

When Prithvi got selected in the UPSC NDA recruitment, everyone was happy except Kasturi and Dharani. They were not against Prithvi ‘s decision in joining NDA but were worried about his life. 

Every individual who joins the service prioritizes the country's safety first to their lives or family and Prithvi is no exception. 

That is what their duty towards the country meant to them. In our words it is called patriotism or safeguarding our nation. 

Everyone in Prithvi 's family is into services.
Now, back to the story when everyone in the family are waiting for someone, there enter a girl who looked to be around the age of 13.
Seeing a teenager entering their house, Kasturi couldn't  control her curiosity and blunt out what was in her mind

Kasturi:
" Rey Prithvi, don't you think  that  she is too small. She seems to be underage to be  married to you. She could be  around 12 or 13 years of age and you are around 27 or 28.
Even your grandparents don't have such a huge age gap. How could you marry a child?.
Is it not  against law?.Just think ones. If you are eager to get married let's find a suitable match for you.
Ohh my God!. Don't tell me that you already married her".

Prithvi:
" Abba Amma. Stop it. You are blabbering all nonsense without a break. Thank God she can't understand our language. Her name is Maya Goswami. She is from Assam. Her parents are the one who saved me from the explosion. She lost her parents because of me. She had a paternal uncle and aunty who live in the states. But now they are not in a position to take care of her. She was sent to the foster care centre but as you all know that I am a volunteer in foster care, I thought of taking care of her till she attends certain age. Amma I am indebted to her family. I need to have this sense of gratitude towards them. I promised them that I will take her responsibility. So I brought her here. I want to give her a new family.
She is already depressed with the loss of parents. Let's not make her more uncomfortable here. "

Kasturi:

" Didn't you marry her".?.

Prithvi:

" What?. She is a kid ma. How can I marry her"?.

Kasturi:
" Then why did you bring her from the foster care. What are you planning to do now."

Prithvi :
" Amma, I  fostered her. She is my foster child.  I want her to grow up in a healthy environment. I want to give her a lovely  family, quality education  till she can get settled.Hope you support my decision ".

Thank you for reading my story.
Stay safe and stay healthy.
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Bye take care.