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Read Chapter 7 Here!

ABHIMANYU

“Are you his girlfriend?” I ask Shreya Didi. Her shocked expression makes me laugh.

I like her. She is very friendly and smiles a lot.

“No, I am not.” She says and pokes gently at my ribs, making me laugh. “Aren’t you too young to be asking such questions? Where did you get this idea from?”

She finally stops poking me and I manage to say breathlessly. “Sometimes we get to watch movies. Some people celebrate their kid’s birthday by taking us to the theatre and showing a movie.” I look at her and grin. “I know all about girlfriend/boyfriend and marriage too!”

“Oh great! I will come to you for boyfriend-advice then!” She says and resumes tickling me while I burst into laughter.

“What is happening here?” Arjun comes, smiling at us in amusement.

He always brings something for the children of the orphanage whenever he comes to meet me. Today he has brought some snacks for all of us. He also helps with the groceries. Last time when he came, he brought rice and pulses that will last for an entire month.

Sometimes it feels like he is more than a human. Maybe a messenger of God… I cannot wait to live with him. I look forward to his visits so eagerly. I am also scared that he will change his decision in the last minute and not adopt me. I will talk to him about this when we are alone. He has told me that I can talk to him about anything I want to.

“I was telling Didi that I know all about boyfriend/girlfriend and marriage too.” I grin.

He raises an eyebrow. “How did that come into the conversation?”

Didi covers my mouth with her hand and says. “Just like that.”

He looks at her in amusement but doesn’t say anything more. He comes and sits by my side, offering me a plate of samosas with chutney.

“Did you have it?” I ask him while taking the plate.

“I and Shreya will have it later. You have it now.” He says with a smile.

The samosa is delicious and warm to taste. Before I know it, I have emptied the paper-plate of all its contents and I grin at Arjun. “Thank you. It was delicious.”

‘Look at you, all smeared with chutney!” He gently wipes around my mouth with a paper-tissue, exchanging a smile with Didi.

“I will just…” I show the paper-plate to him and get down from the bench to throw it in the waste bin.

I join them at the bench. As if by mutual understanding, they both make place for me to sit between them. I snuggle up, feeling all cozy and comforted. I lean more towards Arjun. He is so big and warm, I feel like I am sitting beside a big teddy bear.

“So, what is new, Champ? What did you do today?” Arjun asks, casually flinging his arm around my shoulder. I love it when he does that.

“I drew something today. I am not sure whether you will like it or not.” I tell him as I lean over him to pick my bag that is lying beside him.

“I am sure I will like it.” He says while he patiently waits for me to take out my book.

“I almost forgot!” Didi says. She hands me a paper bag inside which I find an entire set of crayons, pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners and a colouring book. “Arjun says you are a budding artist.”

“Wow! Thank you so much! Now I can draw more!” I exclaim, running my fingers over the set which is easily the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

She ruffles my hair. “You are welcome. But can I request you to kindly keep this in your bag for today? I will send more sets through Arjun tomorrow for the other kids.” She looks at Arjun apologetically. “I did not know how many kids are there.”

Arjun shakes his head at her and smiles. “It’s okay. This is really wonderful of you.”

I keep the set inside my bag, already imagining the drawings I want to attempt. But I have something to show to Arjun first. I open my latest drawing in my book and show it to Arjun. “I hope you like this.”

Arjun looks at the drawing for so long, I am sure he did not like it. Wordlessly he shows the drawing to Didi, the expression on his face looking like he is about to cry anytime.

Didi gasps as she looks at the pencil shading of Arjun I have drawn from my memory. She clears her throat and her voice sounds a bit emotional when she says. “He looks better in your drawing than in reality.” She manages to laugh while Arjun growls from beside me. Before I know it, he pulls me to his side by my shoulders and presses them gently.

“I love this, Abhimanyu. Can I take a picture of this? I want to show it to my parents.” He says, his voice still sounding hoarse. I nod and hand over the book to him. “I think you should keep the entire book. I now have a new one to draw and colour too.” I grin at Didi who sheepishly smiles at me and requests. “But please wait till I bring such sets for all the other kids, okay.” I nod my head at her assuringly.

Soon it is time for them to leave.

Didi hugs me and kisses my head. “It has been lovely meeting you, Abhimanyu. I will see you soon again, okay. If not here, then at your new home.”

“See you, champ!” Arjun says, as usual giving me a one-armed hug. I always hate this part. No matter how much I try, there is always that question in my mind that perhaps Arjun would not return to see me again. Tonight I cannot hold that thought.

“Every time you leave, I wonder whether you will return to see me the next time or whether you will change your mind.” I blurt it out to Arjun.

To my surprise, he hugs me to himself tightly. He is so tall, I reach only to his stomach. “You are my son, Abhimanyu. I will always return to you and I am going to take you to our home soon, okay.” He lets go of me and holds my face in his arms, tilting it to meet his eyes. “Trust me.” He says gently.

I nod and hug him again. He engulfs his arms around me in a warm hug and we stay like that for a while.

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