"An Unconventional Commitment"

Haseena

◍⁠•𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐀'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕•⁠◍

I never imagined Anubhav would bring me here. I'm so happy - Little Hope Orphanage is not just an orphanage to me, but a home filled with memories, peace, everything that matters. I missed the kids and Daimaa, whom I love more than anything in this world. Thanks to Anubhav, I got to meet them again.

In the afternoon, while playing with the kids, I felt such joy and serenity. Out of nowhere, little Nidhi questioned me with a pout, "Didi, ab aap firse wapis to nahi jaoge na?" Hearing that, I hesitated. I'll have to go back with Anubhav until the contract ends, but these kids love me; they'll be heartbroken if I tell them that. So I smiled, "Nidhi, jaana toh padega na didi ko kaam hai waha lekin mai promise karti hoon ki jaldi wapis aaungi sabse milne."

Sadness washed over the kids' faces as they gathered around me. Ved said, "Didi, aap please aaj aur kal humare saath raho, aap parso chali jaana." 

"Kyu kal koi khaas din hai kya?" I asked, pretending not to know.
Their eyes grew wide. "Didi, aapko yaad nahi kal kya hai?" Riya asked dramatically.
I racked my brain, then realized - it's Nidhi's birthday! That's why they wanted me to stay until tomorrow. But I decided to play a prank. "Mujhe to yaad nahi kal kya hai aur haan mujhe na office mein chutti bhi nahi milegi toh mujhe aaj hi jaana hoga wapis."

Nidhi looked crestfallen. Riya slapped her forehead. "Didi, aapka kuch nahi ho sakta"
I took Nidhi's hand and tilted her chin up with my fingers. Smiling, I said, "Mai kaise bhul sakti hoon kal toh Nidhi ka birthday hai!"
Nidhi beamed as Raju said, "Didi, aapko yaad tha na aap bas natak kar rahe the ki aapko Nidhi ka birthday yaad nahi ?"
I nodded, and Nidhi hugged me tightly. We all shared a group hug, and I said, "Toh baccha party tumhari didi kal yaha rahegi bhi aur nidhi ka birthday bhi celebrate karegi!"

They cheered loudly, jumping with joy. But I don't know if Anubhav will allow it. I'll try requesting him, and he should agree since it's just one day - it shouldn't be a big deal. But you never know with Anubhav's mood; sometimes he acts nice, but mostly he's rude and uninterested. Let's pray he accepts my request.

"Chalo, bahar luka chuppi khelte hai!" I told the kids. But before we could move, Daimaa said sternly, "Itne dhoop mein bahar jaane ki jarurat nahi hai aur waise bhi lunch ka time ho gaya hai sabhi jaakar aapne hath dhokar aaye aur plate lekar apni apni jagah par baith jaye!"
The kids chorused, "Yes, Ma'am," forming a line swiftly.

Daimaa isn't usually strict, but she maintains discipline, which is necessary. Still, her tone seemed different today. When the kids left, I asked, "Kya hua daimaa aap toh aaj kuch jyada hi strict lag rahi hai?"

"Mai strict nahi hoon bas baccho ko khana khane ke liye aese bola," she said, though it felt like she was hiding something.
"Daimaa, aapko pata hai na jaise aap mere saare jhoot pakad leti hai waise mai bhi aapki saari jhoot pakad leti hoon, kya baat hai bataiye?" I prodded gently.

Before she could answer, the kids returned with their plates. "Baad mein batati hoon," Daimaa said. "Abhi tu jaakar apne boss se puch kar aa kya khayenge, aur unke bete ke liye bhi kuch khas chahiye ho to, mai dinu se bolke unke liye hotel se mangwa dungi."

I was about to tell her Anubhav and Aarush's dietary preferences but stopped myself, as it could raise Daimaa's suspicions. So I just nodded and left.

Anubhav had been given one of the orphanage's guest rooms. I headed there quickly, but before entering, I heard him and Aarush talking to family members on a video call. It was Chachi ji, so I barged in, greeting her, "Hello, Chachi."