Threads of Resilience

Chapter Five: Seeds of Ambition

A steady voice echoed down the hall, calling the children to gather in the study room. The orphanage rarely held structured lessons, and Rudrakansh raised a curious brow as the group made its way to a room filled with old books and simple wooden benches.

Rudrakansh felt a light nudge and turned to see Meera walking beside him. “It’s Wednesday,” she whispered with a small smile. “They always make us study on Wednesdays.”

They entered the room, finding their seats among the other children. The teacher, a slightly disheveled man in his forties, stood at the front, trying to quiet the chattering kids. But as soon as he turned to scribble something on the chalkboard, the class burst into hushed laughter and whispers, some even tossing small pieces of crumpled paper across the room. Most of the children paid little attention, their minds drifting anywhere but to the lesson in front of them.

Rudrakansh frowned, feeling confused that the books were all for his grade—second grade. He leaned over to Meera, whispering, “Why are all the books for second grade? The children here are all different ages, so shouldn’t the books be different too?” She shrugged, her tone indifferent. “No one here focuses on education, Rudra. Even Seema Ma’am doesn’t encourage us much. Kapil Sir tries his best, and often ask Seema Mam for books of different grades, but most of the time, no one really listens to him.”

He mumbled, “Do you all even take exams?” She frowned.“Exams...? For what?” she replied, her tone laced with skepticism. Which made Rudrakansh sighed, feeling a pang of disappointment. He had worried he might not be able to study and make his dream come true when he arrived at the orphanage, but now, this lesson felt like a rare opportunity and maybe...maybe he will be able to study now and soon will go out of this hell.

As the lesson dragged on, Rudrakansh did his best to follow along, his eyes glued to the chalkboard. He wasn’t going to let this chance slip away. Between the lessons he glanced over at Meera, who seemed to be lost in her thoughts, doodling absentmindedly in her notebook.

When the lesson ended, Rudrakansh approached Kapil Sir, gently pulling Meera along with him.The teacher noticed who had noticed Rudrakansh’s focus during lessons, smiled kindly at him.“You seem eager to learn, young man,” the teacher remarked.

Rudrakansh nodded eagerly, his eyes bright with hope.the teacher's word and said with hope. “Sir...I want to give exams...I want to fulfill my dream... please help me.”

Kapil Sir chuckled softly, patting his head. “What’s your name? And how old are you?” Rudrakansh smiled. “I’m Rudrakansh Singhania… and I’m seven years old.” The teacher’s brow furrowed slightly as he recalled the new child at the orphanage—the only son of the Singhanias.

After a moment, Kapil Sir spoke seriously, “If you are eager..then I'll help you..” which made him smile, and he said,voice held a note of relief and excitement.“ Thank you so much sir...thank you.”

The teacher smiled and said, his voice gentle yet firm. “Remember Rudrakansh, knowledge can open doors you might not even see right now. Keep at it.” Those words ignited something in Rudrakansh, a sense of purpose and hope.

Kapil Sir glanced briefly at Meera, who still seemed disinterested he knew she had lot of potential and wanted to help her but she never focused on studies and never listen to him.He sighed before leaving the room.

As the teacher walked away, he turned to Meera, noticing her distracted gaze to the floor. “Meera di,” he began, “why don’t you pay attention during lessons?” She shrugged.“What’s the point? It’s not like studying will change anything for me.”

Rudrakansh’s gaze softened, but his voice remained firm. “Meera di, don’t say that. Education is important. It can give us a chance to become something more, to make choices we might not have otherwise.”

She looked at him, surprised by the passion in his voice.“But...what could we even be, Rudra? We’re just… here, in this orphanage.”

“We don’t have to stay here forever,” he said gently. “If we study, if we work hard, maybe one day we can choose our own paths, we can get out of this hell...Meera di, my parents always told me that if a person focuses on their studies, they can change their whole life. Please, di, for me… try to focus on studies. Kapil Sir will help you too.”

Listening to him, Meera’s expression softened, a spark of belief lighting up in her eyes. “Alright, Rudra,” she said quietly, after a moment. “I’ll try. For you.” Her words made him smile.

Later that afternoon, Rudrakansh went to the garden, hoping Meera could join him, but she had been given work by Seema and couldn’t come. He sat in the garden alone, eagerly waiting for Avantika and Aryan, but they never came. The sky grew darker, and still, he waited, clinging to hope that they’d arrive.

As the evening wore on, he returned indoors, feeling a familiar ache of loneliness. As he prepared for bed, he couldn't help but wonder why they hadn’t visited. Gathering his courage, he approached Seema, who was roaming up near the hallway.

“Ma’am,” he said hesitantly, “why didn’t Avantika and Aryan bhaiya come today?”

Seema turned with a cold, dismissive gaze.“They have their own lives, Rudra. They’re not always free to come here whenever you want them to. Don’t expect too much.”

Her words stung, cutting through the hope he’d been holding onto. He nodded quietly and returned to his bed, pulling the thin blanket over himself, the loneliness settling deeper.

A short while later, Meera came in from her work, looking tired but alert. She noticed Rudrakansh lying awake, his gaze distant.“Rudra,” she asked softly, “did they come?”

He shook his head, his expression sad which made her face fell slightly, a hint of sorrow in her eyes. “Maybe… maybe they’ll come soon,” she said gently, trying to keep his spirits up.

Rudrakansh glanced at her hands and noticed faint bruises on her wrists. His brows furrowed, and he reached out. “Meera di, what happened? Are you hurt?”

She quickly pulled her hands away, forcing a smile. “Oh, it’s nothing, Rudra. Just a small accident while working. Nothing to worry about.”

But as she spoke, he could see the exhaustion in her eyes, and it only made him more sad but also curious, he thought to himself that maybe what she said is true and slept beside her, holding his teddy bear closed to ease his loneliness.

Despite everything today happened, he was determined. He’d keep studying, for himself—and one day, he wil prove them all wrong, and will leave this place, and to make a life beyond the orphanage’s walls.