The Ruined Rainbow

CHAPTER 82

Ayesha

The children were divided into groups based on the contests they wished to participate in; storytelling, rhymes recital, drawing, shloka recital, dance and singing. The volunteers of this mega event had already discussed this with each of the representatives present for each orphanage, and the participants for each were already decided. The competitions would be commencing shortly.

Along with Avanti, I proceeded to inform about the same to everyone. We had to hand over the train tickets to them as most of them would be departing to their respective homes tonight or tomorrow morning.

When we reached the Mumbai section, my eyes explored for the closest one, and of course, there it was; the Kurla Orphanage. Out of all the cheery children, I could only recognise one face-the girl for whom I had brought a fairy tale book when she had sold me flowers. I smiled at her unconsciously. She was playing with her friends.

A young woman, probably in her early thirties, rushed to us, "Yes, ma'am?" she asked Avanti.

I realised Avanti had called for the representative of this particular Kurla Orphanage. My eyes searched for Sister Maria.

"You are the representative for Kurla Orphanages?" I heard Avanti ask, and she nodded.

"Your name?" Avanti asked, checking the register and running her finger down. "Nivedita," she responded.

"Right." Avanti smiled. She nodded at me. I then reached out to the folders that I was carrying. We carefully divided each orphanage into states, further subdivided them into regions, and carefully placed the tickets under each folder, making it more organised and honed. It had taken me barely a minute to extract the tickets.

As I handed over the tickets, I asked her, "Where is Sister Maria?"

"Oh!" Nivedita answered, "She is in Kurla taking care of the other children. You see, we have only twenty out of twenty-seven here. The others could not come."

"Why not?" I frowned.

"They are ill," Nivedita revealed. "They have a fever; we had to cancel at the last moment. They feel terrible that they could not make it." She added dolefully.

"Oh, No." Avanti sympathised, "Please collect the goodies for them before you leave. They should not feel bad when others return with stuff they do not have. They are children, after all. I will intimate Shalini; she is responsible for the distribution of the goodies. " she divulged. "I do hope you know who Shalini is?" Avanti added as an afterthought. "We introduced ourselves on the first day."

"Of course, I know Shalini," Nivedita said gently. "And thank you, this is very kind."

"No problem." Avanti smiled. "And the competitions begin shortly; please assemble with the children in the respective venues allotted. You do have another helper, I believe?"

"Yes, yes, Varsha is with the kids. We have ten children under each. No worries, I will instantly inform Varsha; we both will be there with the kids in ten minutes. Thank you."

Suddenly, someone tugged my hand. I look below, and to my delight, I find the same girl. And she recognised me instantly.

"Di." she chirped happily, breaking into a happy grin.

"You know Rosy?" Nivedita asked in surprise.

"Rosy is her name?" I asked as I ruffled her hair.

"Yes, but she does not like it, though. " Nivedita chuckled.

"Why not? It is such a pretty name." I told Rosy in Marathi.

She meekly put her head down.

I laughed, "Tumhi konatya spardheta Bhaga gheta ahata?" I asked in Marathi, meaning which competition she was participating in.