New Life

Mr. Parthiban

I could see Kushi squealing in happiness while driving to Avanti's house. I feel bad for her, because of me, she couldn't enjoy her life as much as other kids do.

We reached Avanti's house, and i could see the kids are already playing around the garden area of her house. Avanti's son Vihaan and Kushi are school mates and she already know some of the kids playing around there. She jumped from my vehicle and rushed into the house to meet her friends to play with them.

I made sure she is safe over there along with the other kids, i entered inside the house only to meet Avanti breaking my bones by hugging me tightly.

"Wow, I'm so so happy. Finally, you came" she squealed like a kid hugging me.

She dragged me inside the house without even allowing me to say anything in response and make me meet her husband Mr. Vinay.

"Hey Subi, How are you? I'm so happy that you decided to attend the birthday party" he said with a smile.

I'm already got into the nervous mode and couldn't response him with the same happiness but still i smiled at him hesitatingly.

"And yeah, by the way he is Mr. " before he says something i excused myself away from them and taking Avanti along with me.

"Why did you do that, Subi?" Avanti doesn't like the way i moved away from there in the middle of the conversation and dragged her also.

"I...I don't Know, Avanti. I'm not feeling good. After so many years i came to a party like this and i am getting nervous seeing people around me. It takes me to the past" my eyes are brimming with tears almost.

"Hey, Shhhh ok. Alright, You don't get nervous. I'm here with you right" she hugged me and try to console.

I observed the way she looked at her husband and give him a cue of why i behaved so and he nodded with a smile as if he understands my pain. 

****

"I want to check Kushi" i said to Avanti and she stopped me saying, "Let her play with Vihaan. The kids will be safe here, don't worry about her".

"I have got you some new clients for you Subi" she whispered in my ear when we are in the kitchen alone.

"The ones which I'm working now also came through you only. You are doing a lot of favour for me Avanti. I don't know how I'm going to repay you for all these support you are giving to me" i said genuinely.

"I want you to repay my support in another way" she said looking straight into my eyes.

"I don't get it" i seriously couldn't understand what she is trying to say.

"Same way how you used to do it all these years. I have a client for you and you have to work for them" she winked at me

"I will" i promised her.

"So, who is that client?" i asked her.

"He was here only" she started searching at someone behind me and when i supposed to turn back and find the person, we both heard the people are shouting outside and it came from the lawn.

I get tensed realized Kushi was there and we both rushed outside to check what happened.

"What happened?" i tried to move forward by shoving away the people on the path and find the kids are there at one corner looking at the person who is showing his back to us.

Vihaan rushed to Avanti and he is crying inconsolably. "What happened Vihaan?" Avanti asked him to know the reason behind this chaos.

"Kushi...Kushi" he keeps crying making my heart beats faster than ever.

"What happened to Kushi?" i looked at him and moved my gaze to the person who is leaning down on the floor and is wet already.

"Kushi" i screamed her name and rushed to her, who is already lying on the grass, her eyes are closed and not breathing at all.

I tried to wake her up by patting her cheeks and rubbing her hands knowing that she is wet and her body gets cold already.

"Relax. She is alright and she will open her eyes now" someone beside me said those words to me.

My concentration was fully on Kushi and waiting for her to open her eyes, when she opened and saw me, she cried hugging me "Mamma"

"It's ok. You are alright. Nothing happened to you. Mamma is with you right, don't cry baby" i tried to console her.

I lifted her in my arms and she put her head on my shoulder while wrapping her hands around my neck tightly.

Avanti pats her back softly and looked Vihaan asking him, "How did she fall in the pool Vihaan?"

"Mom, we all were playing and chasing each other. Kushi was the one to catch us and her eyes were covered. We all were hiding and suddenly she fell into the pool." he said it and continued crying seeing Avanti's angry look.

"Leave it Avanti. We cannot blame the kids, it's our fault. We have to be more careful when kids are playing around water" i said placing a kiss on Vihaan's cheeks and wish him, "Happy Birthday Vihaan".

He quickly changed his reaction and smiled at me and said, "Thank you aunty. This uncle only jumped on the pool and took her out from the water"

He pointed at the person who is standing beside us all this time and was listening all our conversations.

I couldn't look at his eyes because of the way he is staring at me. His gaze is making me uncomfortable already.

"Thank you for your timely help" i whispered to him and is about to move, but Avanti stopped me and said, "He is the one i was talking about"

Her husband Vinay also joined us and said, "He is the one i was about to introduce you and you missed it."

Avanti interrupted him, "He is the client i was talking about, Mr."

Before she said, he turned towards me completely without breaking the gaze with mine and said, "Parthiban"

"Nice to meet you Subi" he said amusingly.

"It's Ms. Surabi for you Mr.Parthiban" i said confidently...tried to.

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Second chapter of New life is here. Hope you all like it.

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Views about Parthiban and Surabi are welcome :)