Part 3

Next day morning 


Sameer opened his eyes and looked up at the clock.
It was 11! Looking at the time, he immediately woke up.  Last night both Sameer and Rahul had stayed up till after midnight having a heart-to-heart conversation with each other. 


It was Sameer's birthday today and as usual he had no excitement, but now he was rushing as he has to go visit the orphanage in which he grew up.
 


Sameer (rushing to the washroom):- Rahul!
Wake up you idiot! We have to go to the orphanage. 


Rahul (sleepy voice):- I know, dude.
It is a ritual we follow every year. Give me 10 minutes I will get ready. 


Sameer got ready within 15 minutes and was waiting for Rahul.
Rahul was someone who would take his own sweet time to get ready and this really annoyed Sameer as he didn’t have the patience to wait


After a few minutes Rahul came out.
All set to go out. 


Sameer (smacking his head):- You are anyway going to wear the same four clothes every day.
Why do you take so long to get ready? 


Rahul (smiling):- Who knows.
What if I find my life partner in the orphanage? 


Sameer (face palms):- Please stop reading those cheesy books and eating my brain.
 


Rahul shrugged and went towards the car.
He wasn't going to allow Sameer to ride the car since he would be dwelling on his thoughts and it would be dangerous for him to ride the car. Sameer sat next to the driver’s seat, and they started moving towards the orphanage. 


Sameer's point of view.


I sighed heavily after sitting in the car.
I hate this day even though this is the day when I landed on this planet. I really wish that I wouldn't have been born. My birthday hits me with the reality that I am an orphan and have no one in this world. 


There are some days when you wish you had someone to lean on.
Everyone leaves me after   awhile. I guess I am really annoying or some kind of bad luck. This is one of the main reasons why I don't get too attached with anyone or even share much with people, because I am afraid that after they leave me I won't be able to cope with it.


I still remember my initial days in the orphanage.
 


(Flashback)


It has been two days since I went to that orphanage.
I started missing my parents and my home so I went to the caretaker aunty to ask her when I would go back to my home.


Me (going near her):- Aunty, when will my parents come to take me from here?
 


Caretaker (patting his cheeks):- If you will be a good boy then they will come back early.
You need to study well and make your parents proud. 


Me (smiling):- Yes, aunty.
I will be a good boy and make them happy.


I listened to her and behaved well like a good boy, being helpful, studying well.
I did everything. But they still did not return and now two months had passed and I was starting to miss them even more. I started developing the fear that I won't be able to see them again. Well, the kid in me did not know that in the near future what I feared was going to come true.


Me (to the caretaker):- Aunty, please take me back to my parents.
I miss them a lot. 


Caretaker (sighing):- Baby, listen to me carefully.
Your parents are in heaven now. You will not be able to meet them.


Me (shocked):- Aunty, what are you are talking about?
(crying) Please take me back! I miss mom and dad.


Present


Rahul placed a hand on Sameer's shoulder indicating to him that they had reached the destination.
Sameer came out of his flashback and looked around to see the orphanage. He sighed deeply and got down from the car. 


Third person point of view.


Sameer entered the orphanage and all his memories played back.
He has mixed feelings about those days. He couldn’t hate them. At least he had had a roof over his head and a school to go to. But he always regretted that just because he was an orphan, people were never honest with him. Everyone would just sympathize with him, which he hated the most. With all those memories in his head and a heavy heart he stepped inside the orphanage. Immediately he was greeted by the same caretaker.


Sameer (painful smile):- This place reminds of my childhood which I try hard to forget but I just cannot help it.
I am actually blessed to have a few nice people like you who took care of me, aunty. 


At Naina's place


Naina decided to go shopping with Priya as it had been a long time since they spent some time together.
In the mall, they were pulling each other’s leg and enjoying their time until Naina saw a person, and she stood still. She wasn't able to move an inch. 


Person (smirking):- Wow I did not know that we would meet again.
That too in a place like this.


Priya was holding Naina and calming her down.


Naina (holding Priya's hand):- Listen!
Just stay away! Don't even think of messing with my life! 


Person (chuckling):- Don't worry.
I am sure God has plans to keep us together forever. After all, I was an amazing part of your life. 


Naina (looking at Priya):- I don't care about strangers, Priya.
Come, let’s go. 


Naina grabs Priya’s hand and leaves from there.
The person whom she met was a nightmare in her life whom she never expected to meet again nor did she even want to think about him. She was happy with her life and she didn’t want to think about that unwanted person and ruin her day. She took a deep breath and assured Priya that she was fine. Though they were roaming around as if nothing had happened, in Naina's mind constantly the flashback was playing and she wasn't able to control herself from thinking about those days despite having hated them.


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