"Politics isn't merely about power; it's about wielding influence with finesse, orchestrating the dance of nations on the world stage."
•••
Welcome to a tale that echoes through the luxurious enclaves of the capital to its very downtrodden streets.
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As Ananya approached the gates of the orphanage, a chorus of excited voices echoed through the air.
"Didi!"
Ananya lifted her gaze, her eyes meeting the sight of the children peering out from the second-story balcony. Their faces were lit up with smiles, their hands waving enthusiastically as they spotted her.
A smile slowly spread across Ananya's face, her eyes sparkling with warmth and affection that was starkly different from what she had displayed in the Khatri estate.
Hema rushed out of the house, stopping abruptly at the doorway. Her hand flew to her mouth, covering a gasp.
She opened her arms wide, and Ananya ran into them, the two of them sharing a heartfelt embrace.
"Hema ma!"
"My Anu! It's feels like you've been gone for years and not just two days."
The children had by now gathered around Ananya, their small hands clutching at her dress, their arms wrapping around her legs in a show of affection.
After sharing a tight hug with Hema, Ananya crouched down to the children's level, embracing them, her hands gently brushing their heads, her lips placing tender kisses on their foreheads.
Tears welled up in her eyes, not of sadness, but of overwhelming happiness.
She was home, truly home.
Hema, seeing this, ushered the children inside, "C'mon kids, let's get your Didi inside."
Inside the orphanage, Ananya started making her way to a familiar room. "Jaya kaisi hai Hema ma?"
(How is Jaya, Hema ma?)
"Bas itna hi sun ke ki tu aane wali hai, usne fata fat se dawai kha li aur abhi so rahi hai." Hema along with the chattering children followed her.
(Just hearing that you were coming, she quickly took her medicine and is now sleeping.)
Ananya smiled in response.
The room in which they walked in, took half the ground floor of the orphanage.
All the kids slept in this room.
The rest of the ground floor included; Hema's room as she was the caretaker, the orphanage's owner Jatin Pandey's office, a bathroom and a toilet.
Jatin didn't live here. His house was situated two blocks away.
