Rudransh's Pov ~
Today, my friends and I visited the orphanage, a routine activity as our mothers run an NGO supporting orphanages and old age homes. This particular orphanage, founded by Sunita aunty, holds a special place in our hearts, perhaps because the children here are the youngest among all the others. For the past two years, we've been regular visitors.
Normally, we notify Sunita aunty before our arrival, but today we decided to surprise the children by showing up unannounced.
As the guys played with the kids in the front yard, I engaged in conversation, listening to their chatter.
Amidst the sounds of laughter, there was one that stood out-soft, melodious, and sweet. It tugged at my heartstrings, and my curiosity peaked.
I turned to locate the source and was stunned by what I saw.
There she was, Aarvi, the girl who had become a permanent fixture in my thoughts and dreams.
Dressed in a simple white kurti with a yellow dupatta draped over her shoulders. Her hair danced in the breeze, adorned with delicate jhumka earrings that swayed with her every movement. Her laughter was infectious, her pink lips curved like a freshly bloomed flower.
She was a vision of peace and beauty, akin to the first light of dawn glistening on morning dew. I found myself captivated by her presence.
She conversed with the little boy in her arms, whom I recognized as Krish.
He saluted her as though he understood her instructions. I watched as she kissed him and gently set him down.
Sensing eyes on her, she turned towards us, her gaze widening slightly upon spotting me.
Several kids dashed towards her, pulling her along with them. She broke our intense eye contact and smiled at the children tugging her.
They led her to see the toys we had brought for them. She happily knelt down and engaged with the children.
Sunita aunty arrived with a worker carrying lemonade for all of us. She smiled upon noticing Aarvi attentively listening to the boys' stories about their toys.
"Are the kids familiar with her, aunty?" Hardik inquired.
"Yes, indeed. She visits regularly, every week. The children adore her," Sunita aunty replied.
"Aarvi!" she called out. Aarvi glanced over her shoulder and, upon receiving aunty's signal, excused herself from the kids.
Approaching us, she accepted the lemonade offered by aunty. Our eyes met, and she gave me a slight smile, which I returned.
Sunita aunty introduced her to us.
"Aarvi, meet them. They're the favorite 'bhaiyas' of the kids here. And guys, this is Aarvi, the kids' favorite 'didi.'"
"Hi! I'm Akshat," Akshat greeted, extending his hand.
"Hello," she responded in her soft, melodious voice, with a smile.
"Hi! I'm Hardik," he introduced himself.
She reciprocated the greeting.
"Hi! Well, you must already know me, I'm sure," Ryan declared dramatically.
Hardik and I exchanged amused glances as Akshat groaned. Ryan was undeniably good-looking, and he reveled in the attention he received from admirers.
"Um... Sorry, but I don't," Aarvi replied, chuckling.
I couldn't help but chuckle too, joined by Hardik's snicker and Akshat's laughter.
Ryan's face flushed with embarrassment as he finally introduced himself.
"I'm Ryan."
"Nice to meet you, Ryan," she replied politely.
When I didn't introduce myself next, Ryan nudged me and said, "Introduce yourself, dude!"
Teasingly, I looked at Aarvi and asked, "Do I need to, Miss Rathore?"
"No need, Mr. Singhania," she responded in kind.
"Wait!!!" Ryan exclaimed. "You already know him?"
"Yeah, I do," she confirmed.
"But you don't know me? How's that possible?" Ryan questioned dramatically.
Her chuckle only heightened his embarrassment.
"I've had a few encounters with him; that's how I know him. And as for you, I've seen you around, but I didn't know your name," she explained.
"Ohhh! I see," Ryan nodded in understanding.
"Let's play cricket, bhaiya," a few kids called out to Hardik and Akshat, who joined them.
Ryan and I accompanied the kids to play a blindfolded seeking game.
Glancing back, I caught Aarvi looking at me. After a moment, she turned and headed towards the kitchen area of the orphanage. I couldn't help but notice the faint red hue on her cheeks, which brought a smile to my face.
Aarvi's Pov~
Oh, my heart raced uncontrollably.
I closed my eyes, attempting to slow my pulse, but his image persisted, vivid in my mind.
In all our previous encounters, he had worn a mask, concealing his face. But today, he stood before me, unmasked.
Gazing out the kitchen window towards the backyard, I strained to catch a glimpse of him. Among the playful children, he emerged, a figure of effortless magnetism. His tall frame commanded attention, exuding confidence and strength. Neatly styled dark hair framed his sharply defined features, with a few stray strands teasing his face. His eyes, a stormy hue, held depths of mystery beneath their composed surface. A subtle stubble added rugged charm to his polished appearance, while his impeccably tailored attire spoke of refinement. Each movement flowed with graceful ease, drawing others towards him, curious to uncover the secrets behind those captivating eyes.
Even behind the mask, I had sensed his attractiveness, but now, unmasked, he appeared painfully beautiful, surpassing all expectations.
"Aarvi?" Sunita Aunty's voice broke through my reverie, pulling me back to reality. I turned to her.
"What special treat are you preparing for the kids today?" she inquired.
"I visited the temple earlier, so I thought of making halwa for the children. I'll incorporate half of the Prasad from the temple into the halwa, ensuring they receive God's blessings," I explained.
"You have the most beautiful soul," she remarked, her eyes glistening with tears.
I dismissed her praise with a shake of my head, focusing on preparing the halwa.
Little did she know, these gestures for the children mirrored the kindness and joy I longed for in my own childhood-a way to soothe the inner child that yearned for such love and care, yet never received it.
The memories of the past flashed before my eyes like a broken record which never failed to bleed my heart and soul even after so many years .
I let the tears flow when I was sure I was alone in the kitchen.
People always say to let go of the past but what do you do when the past doesn't let you go no matter how much you try to forget it .
Its vice grip remains on your heart all throughout the upcoming years.
How do you move on when it's always there to rear its head and remind you of its presence?
YOU ARE READING
SUKOON
Romance"Behind every "it's okay" is a little pain." "Smile and no one will know how broken and lonely you are inside. " - Life wasn't easy for Aarvi , especially with her dark demons of the past and fake smiles . If any stranger would see her , they would...
