Ek Anokha Rishta ( On Hold)

chapter 1

In the Singhania mansion, Karan, a young man in his late 20s, lay asleep while the door quietly swung open. Suvarna Singhania, a graceful woman in her 70s (Dadi), entered and sat gently beside Karan, caressing his hair.

Dadi: "Karan, uth ja bachha."

Karan stirred and greeted her with a soft smile, "Good morning, beautiful."

Dadi: "Chal hatt pagal. Uth jaa ab."

Karan got up, kissed Dadi on her forehead, and headed to freshen up. Dadi noticed Karan's wet pillow, a telltale sign that today, like every year on this date, he had cried himself to sleep.

Dadi (in her thoughts): "Kaash isse iske jeene ki vajah miljaye. Koi aisa jo isse sach me khush hona sikhade."

After getting ready, Karan joined Dadi for breakfast. He shared his plan to visit Angel Orphanage for his annual donation in memory of his parents, where he served as a trustee.

Karan: "Dadi, main Angel Orphanage ja raha hu donation ke liye."

Dadi nodded approvingly, "Thik hai. Maine waha ke baccho ke liye gifts liye woh bhi lete hue Jana."

At Angel Orphanage, after completing his donation, Karan strolled around, conversing with the staff. He was about to leave when a faint cry caught his attention from a neglected room.

Karan: "Ye awaaz kahan se aari hai?"

Intrigued, he rushed to find a small baby lying on a dirty bed, crying incessantly.

Karan (gently picking her up): "Kya hogya aapko? Shhh, shhh, kyu rore ho bachaa."

He carried her outside to the garden, shielding her from the chilly wind under his coat. Walking around, he gently swayed her until she fell asleep, holding his finger tightly.

Karan: "Soyi... kitna rori thi. Itni pyaari bachii hai, pata nahi kon chodh ke gaya isse yahan."

Back home, Karan couldn't shake off the image of the baby girl who had already stolen his heart.

Karan: "Kese mujhe kas ke pakad ke soyi thi. Aise lagta hai nahi ki aaj pehli baar mila hu isse, itni choti si pyaari si hai vo."

Later during dinner with Dadi:

Dadi: "Kahan khoye hue ho aap sirji? Kiske khayalon me Koi special one."

Karan: "Haan, meri miss beautiful hai koi."

Dadi chuckled, "Kon hai hume bhi batao."

Karan eagerly shared, "Aapko pata hai, aaj main ek choti si pyaari si gudiya se mila. Bilkul pyaari si pari ki tarah. Rorahi thi bechari jab godh me liya na usse. Dadi ase laga jaise meri apni ho. Mujhe pakad ke rone lagi jab main nikalne wala tha. Usse chodh ke aane me acha nahi laga, dadi. I hope vo ache se ho."

Dadi nodded understandingly, "Thik hogi bachee, finally tujhe smile karte dekha aaj. I am so happy for you."

They shared a heartfelt hug, their bond strengthened by empathy and love.

Meanwhile, back at the orphanage, the baby girl missed Karan's warmth, crying inconsolably.

Caretaker: "Phir shuru hogayi tu? Sar dard kardiya, aaj tere vajah se itna sunna pada sir se, padi reh yahin pe. Koi ni laad karega tujhe aake."

She closed the door with a loud bang, making the baby cry even louder. By 2 am, exhausted from crying, both the caretaker and the baby fell asleep.

The next morning, Karan received a distressing call from the orphanage.

Karan (on call): "Haan, bolo kya hua?"

He heard the baby crying loudly.

Karan: "Kya hua? Kyu ro rahi hai vo? Vo thik to hai."