His Chaste Bird

1. New Journey 🧡

31st May , 1995

"Enough Rabya , how much will you cry now ?" Shekhar said holding a crying Rabya by shoulders. Yashika chuckled but quickly composed herself when Rabya glared her. Anand cleared her throat and said , "Rabya , she is not going to her in-laws. She is going to for her studies."

"Exactly." Shekhar agreed with him. Rabya wiped her tears and said , "Bhai Sahab , when our Maithili was born na..since then she never went far from me and now you are sending her too far and that too alone."

"Maahira is also going na Chachi. She is not alone and if next year our yashu will clear the entrance then she will also join her." As these words slipped out of Akshay's mouth , Yashika's eyes widened in shock. Maithili giggled seeing her reaction. She wiped Rabya's tears and said lovingly , "Choti Maa , I will take care of myself. I will study well , I will not skip my meals and I will call you daily. I promise." Rabya hugged her happily.

One by one everyone hugged her and finally Anand and Shekhar drove towards the airport. At airport she met her bestfriend Maahira. Both took blessings of her grandmother and before leaving Maahira hugged her grandmother. "Beta..I am sending you with so much trust , never break my trust. Boys of metropolitan cities , of rich families are spoiled. They only know how to use girls. But not everyone are same. So be careful." She whispered in Maahira's ear. She nodded and broke the hug.

Both girls departed from their families. Unaware of the fact that their life was going to turn 360°. They went there for their dreams but Delhi had some another plan for them.

Maithili's POV :

I glanced out of the window and took a deep breath. Suddenly all the moments I spent with my family splashed in front of my eyes. I closed my eyes savouring every memory. I never experienced my mother's touch , I never saw her but my choti ma , she loved me more than Yashika. In rainy nights , I used to cry because I have phonophobia but she never left me alone. She used to place my head on her lap and caressed my hairs. It was the most soothing touch ever. She is more than a mother to me. Every relative taunted me some called me bad omen but she embraced me in her motherly love. I am the only in my family who likes ash gourd, she always used to make it for me separately. Once Yashika was having fever and my boards were going , she was awake all night with me when I was studying. During my exams she stayed awake in night still she was the first one to woke up in morning and prepare breakfast. Daily she used to make my braids and scolding me for skipping breakfasts. She loves me , she scolds me , she teaches me , she aided me , she did everything for me. Shekhar Chacha ji , was more than a father to me. Papa always stayed away because of his duty but in Chacha ji' presence I never felt his absence. He always attended my PTM in school. He attended every function of school , some teachers thought that he is my father. He played with me like a child. He is like a friend to me with whom I used to share my every problem and how my entire day went. He used to narrate me bedtime stories. He always brought a smile to my face. He used to take me for movies. He even brought a radio for me. We used to listen every new released song together. My papa , I know he is not expressing , he has always been a rock for me. He is strict , disciplined but not heartless. He is my biggest support. I love him more than anyone. At last but not the least My Brother and Sister. Akshat Bhaiya had always wiped my tears. He always protected me and my little sister , my baby yashu. In childhood , we used to fight a lot for sweets. We both have a sweet tooth. She is opposite of me. She was never interested in studies and always got less marks than me but she never hated me for this. She never felt jealous of me like I snatched her mother , father. Never. She never did something like this. I just wish that next year she also clear the entrance and join me. Now , I only want to fulfill their dreams for me. I will do every possible thing to make them proud. I glanced my soul sister , my bestfriend , my Maahi and felt an ease. This journey is not easy but I am not alone. I have my friend , I have the blessings and wishes of my family. Hey Lord Ram , please give me strength.