Austerity

. s i x t e e n .

Chapter 16. 

Roohi's POV

"Avinaash Bhaiya"

(Elder brother)

Roohi's eyes widened in surprise as she watched the unexpected scene unfold before her. Everything was happening in complete contrast to what she had been expecting. The joyous laughter of the children and their warm welcome stood in stark contrast.

All the children from the orphanage came running, their laughter filling the air as they surrounded Roohi and Avinaash. The kids were eager to greet Avinaash, their faces lit up with huge smiles as they welcomed him with enthusiasm. Roohi's gaze fell on a familiar face among the crowd—the same boy she had met at the grocery mart that day.

But there was a difference now. The boy, who had seemed so tense and wary before, looked completely relaxed and happy. His face was now adorned with a smile so genuine and warm that it could melt away anyone's heart. Seeing him like this, Roohi felt a wave of emotion, realizing that there was more to the story than she had understood before.

As Roohi observed the joy radiating from the children, especially the boy she had met before, a mix of emotions swirled within her. She felt her earlier suspicions beginning to crumble as the warmth and happiness of the children contrasted sharply with the image she had painted of Avinaash in her mind.

Avinaash, noticing Roohi's softening expression, knelt down to the children's level, ruffling their hair and exchanging warm greetings with each of them. The children giggled and chatted with him, clearly comfortable and fond of his presence. It was a side of Avinaash that Roohi hadn't seen before—a side that cared for these kids, that perhaps explained the confusion and fear she had felt earlier.

Roohi played with the children for a while, her earlier worries gradually fading as their infectious laughter and joyful energy surrounded her. The boy from the grocery mart, who had been watching her closely, finally approached her with a grin on his face.

She paused, catching her breath from the games, and knelt down to his level. "So, what happened after we met at the grocery store? You look so much happier now."

The boy giggled, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "You're our lucky charm, did you know that?" he said, his voice filled with a mix of awe and delight.

Roohi raised an eyebrow, curious but amused. "Lucky charm? How so?"

He nodded eagerly, his grin widening. "After you met me, everything changed! The very next day, Avinaash Sir came to the orphanage. He bought it from the old owner—who was no less than Hitler, by the way," the boy explained, his expression serious for a moment as he remembered the tough times. "That man was so mean to us, always yelling and making us do all the chores."

Roohi's eyes widened in surprise, and she listened intently as the boy continued.

"But then, Avinaash Sir showed up and took over. He didn't care what the old man said, just bought the place. Now we're safe, and he treats us really well. We have good food, clean clothes, and even toys to play with! And he visits us a lot, makes sure we're all happy."

Roohi glanced over at Avinaash, who was standing a short distance away, observing them with a subtle, unreadable expression. The boy's words echoed in her mind, slowly dissolving the last remnants of doubt she had held onto. There was more to Avinaash than she had understood—more than the cold exterior he often showed to the world.

The boy's voice brought her back to the moment. "So yeah, you're definitely our lucky charm. Everything got better after you came into our lives."

Roohi felt a strange warmth in her chest, a mixture of relief and newfound respect for Avinaash. She smiled softly at the boy, ruffling his hair. "I'm glad things have changed for the better. You all deserve to be happy."