17 ~ The Queen
ADHYAY
With a merry smile, I stopped in front of the orphanage and my day instantly brightened as soon as I saw small kids playing. From the back seat of my car, I took out the cardboard boxes in which chocolates and other things were kept and I went inside.
I saw Mrs. Sharda who is the caretaker and the sole person who has spent her whole life trying to give these kids a better life.
Her story has been an inspiration for me.
She lost her husband a decade back, he was in the Army.
Not letting the pain take over her, she started this orphanage, making the world a better place for these abandoned kids.
Not only this, she has been a good spokesperson and I was shocked to the core when I came to know that she also runs a women NGO here.
"Hello Dr. Adhyay, back again?", I heard her ask. I smiled and nodded.
"Adhiiiii!! You ale bwack", I was startled by the over excited voice of none other than Amayra who hugged my tall feet.
Both Mrs. Sharda and I burst into laughter as Amayra clutched my legs in a death grip, not allowing me to go anywhere.
I kept down the carton and picked her in my arms, finding ultimate solace.
She hid her face in my neck and mumbled, "I mish youu". I awed and kissing her cheeks replied, "I missed you too baby but now I'm here, we'll have lots of fun ha?".
She nodded and Mrs. Sharda smiled, allowing me to go and play with the kids.
From the past few weeks, it has become a habit to visit these kids and spend the rest of the evening with them. Whenever I'm sad or happy, I make sure to come here and give them a feeling of belongingness.
Holding Amayra close to my heart, I went to the playroom where children were playing with each other.
It often hurts me that in this age of playing with new toys, new books, they all have to suffice with second hand things.
My parents never let that feel me or my siblings, but thinking about these kids, they don't have anyone.
As soon as the kids saw me, they all ran towards me and surrounded me by all sides.
I chuckled and let Amayra down who was unwilling to let me go.
She had held my shirt in a tight grip. Sometimes she acts like a glue, sticking to me and I don't mind that but I don't want other children to feel secluded when I am here.
She is possessive, she thinks that I only belong to her.
I wish, Akriti thought the same about me.
"Uncwle, you are here!", Vedant, a small boy of 5 years exclaimed.
"We all mished youu", all the children said together looking at me with those big innocent eyes. I awed at their cute expressions which brought a smile on my face. If it was upon me, I would have never left these children alone, they deserve all the happiness of the world, they deserve a family.
"I missed you all too, but I have some surprises!
", I revealed and the expressions of each one of them was heartwarming.
While, one's face turned into a gleesome look, other's changed into a one showing curiosity.
I chuckled at their excitement and asked one of the maids to bring that carton in which I had bought gifts for my little angels.
As soon as she kept that box on the floor, all of them lunged at it.
"Aree wait children! You'll hurt yourselves.
I'll help you", I said and all of them looked at me sheepishly.
They are adorable! One by one, I gave them chocolates and then storybooks for them to read.
One by one I looked at their faces turning into joy and surprise as they glided their soft hands through the pages of books which had the power to transport them into another world.
As a booklover myself, I understood what types of books these children will enjoy.
From fairy tales to mysteries of treasure hunting, I bought them all.
My mother had a great interest in books as well and all of our nights during childhood went by her narrating us a wonderful story.
As I grew older, I started reading mystery books as well and that made me realise that a good book leaves a great impact on small children.
I smiled as I looked at my little one looking at the book of Thumbelina with great interest. The way her big eyes filled with happiness when she looked at a beautifully coloured picture, made me want to keep her and always cherish her.
But, now was not the time especially when I had disappointed Akriti.
I don't know if she'll ever come along but whatever happens, I'll always have Amayra at least.
"Uncwle, what about you read us thwis book?
", a small girl asked me, handing me a tale of ancient Queens and Kings.
I looked at the other kids who nodded in agreement.
I smiled and nodded. They all hooted as the teacher smiled at me.
We all acquired our places on the carpet and I sat in the middle of the kids.
Amayra, who is totally an attention seeker, stood up to sit in my lap but I shook my head.
She showed me her puppy eyes and I sighed.
I can never say no to her and Akriti.
She sat in my lap and with one hand I settled her comfortably while with the other, I opened the book. I took a deep breath and read what was written on the first page.
"Beware you all! This book is capable of taking you to the glory of ancient India, where mighty Kings and Queens resided.
In the world of Politics where blood kills blood and friends become foes", I read in a spooky voice trying to give effect.
I saw all the kids invested into the story as their mouths turned into an O wanting to know what the story is about.
I turned the next page as Amayra shifted in my lap diagonally, wanting to read the book.
"Once upon a time, in the great kingdom of Avanti lived a mighty king and a Queen.", I read as the children shifted closer to me trying to see the vivid pictures printed on the book.
"There was a prophecy that the first born will change the whole world."
I read when a child raised her hand and asked, "Uncle, what does prophecy mean?"
I chuckled at the question and answered, "It means to predict the future". All the kids looked at me with widened eyes and one of them asked, "They predicted that the first baby will change the world? How can a baby change the world?"
I smiled at the innocent question and replied, "Every child is capable of changing the world bacha. All we need to do is, give them education and proper morals. Even you all are potent enough to do something useful to mankind".
"Wow! That means I can change the world too?", another one questioned and I nodded with a smile. Somewhere in my heart I know that these children will rise so high that their names will be written in golden letters in the future. That day, I'll smile and remember about meeting these kids.
"Soon the Queen gave birth to a beautiful Princess and she was named as Jigisha", I continued when Amayra asked, "But Adhi, how can a girl change the world".
I smiled at her pronunciation and the question.
"Baby, girls are more capable than boys, they just need to know about their powers!
All the girls are strong, they can do anything!
", I said and suddenly the peaceful and joyous environment was converted into a debate.
Both boys and girls started fighting about who's stronger while I smiled and was thrown back to my own childhood.
Being the elder brother of two sisters, I was always protective of them.
They were my pride and my responsibility, but as they grew they started demanding privacy and didn't like me following them everywhere.
One day, I told this to mom and yelled how girls are weak, such an idiot I was.
That was the only day when my mother slapped me hard and gave me a lecture about how girls are ten times better than men.
'Women bear a lot of pain during childbirth',she said.
'Women are more attached to the parents and they can take care of them single handedly', she continued.
'Men can't handle work stress or relationship stress, but you will never see a woman getting frustrated because of that.
She'll accept it with a smile', she told me.
'Without a woman, a man is nothing. Without a mother, this earth will dry, without a wife, a man will die, and without a daughter, this world will not be a beautiful place to live in', she concluded.
That day, I learnt the biggest lesson of my life to never underestimate women. They might look fragile but within their hearts, is a fire, a fire to give rise to new beginnings and also to burn everything down.
"Kids! Don't fight! I'll tell you one thing", I finally stepped in and they stopped immediately. I took Amayra in my arms and made her sit with the other kids. She was indeed sad but when I smiled at her, she nodded and sat quietly.
"Both girls and boys are creations of God.
Both of them are special in their own ways, there is no doubt in that.
But, girls are more mature and capable. You all may not know that but in future, you will understand how important girls are for a country.
All I want you all to know is that treat girls as your equals, they are not slaves.
Respect them and don't underestimate their power", I explained and all of them nodded their tiny heads.
I smiled when all the kids shook hands and we continued the story.
The whole story went by them asking interesting questions and I answering them.
"The great Queen Jigisha, defeated all the invaders who had dared to step on her land and thus, lived happily ever after", I concluded and closed the book.
The kids started Clapping and discussing how wonderful the story was.
I glanced at my watch that showed that it was past 6, and I had evening OPD today along with a few surgeries.
With much difficulty, I bid bye to all the kids but my heart broke when Amayra started wailing loudly and clutched my trousers, not letting me go.
I helplessly looked at Mrs. Sharda who herself was extremely sad by the way Amayra was crying.
"No go! Adhi no go!", she cried and clutched my trousers harder. The maid tried to separate her from me and pulled baby Amayra and took her to her room. My heart clenched at the painful cries of the baby as I myself shed a few tears.
"Dr. Adhyay, can I have a word please?", I heard Mrs. Sharda ask.
I nodded and wiping my tears, went behind her to her office.
I sat in front of her as she said, "See, I am no villain but Amayra has started crying almost everyday to meet you.
You know, it's unhealthy for an orphan especially when you are not adopting her".
I nodded understanding her situation. I know this but my heart won't agree. I have grown deeply attached to her and I just can't leave her like that. It feels like she's a part of me and my life.
"Dr. Adhyay, either you decided to adopt her or prevent meeting her. I have a few couple eager to adopt her, I just need your confirmation", she said and I looked at her in complete shock!
She can't do this! Amayra has been mine since the day I saw her getting her teeth fixed. She's my angel, my heart! I can't give her to someone else. Will they even love her?
"No! Ma'am give me a few more weeks. I want to adopt her but the only problem is that I'm not married yet and I don't think she will come along if I present myself with a child.
I'm ready to take Amayra's responsibility,but just a few weeks more.
", I pleaded and she shook her head removing her spectacles.
"If that's what you wish but I can't deny them for long, I hope you understand".
I nodded and shook my hands with her.
Why is my life so complicated? I wish I wouldn't have wasted my time and told Akriti about my feelings.
Maybe, she would have agreed to marry me and by now, I would have adopted Amayra.
Now, first I have to convince Akriti about my love for her and then marriage.
Urgh! It will take years at this pace. The first thing I'm doing tomorrow is confessing my feelings to her.
Hey! I hope you liked the chapter!