chapter 5

After reaching home, Aashi gave a call to Uncle Roy. Aashi: hello uncle Uncle Roy: hello Aashi...did you drop Aditya at his home? Aashi: yes uncle I did...Uncle Roy: so....what did you felt looking at him? Aashi: he is now alright uncle....the thoughts of committing suicide have gone out from his mind...but am still worried. Uncle Roy: worried? but why? (Uncle Roy asked with curosity) Aashi: he is financially not that good uncle...he lives in a small rented house all alone....loneliness is the biggest invitation for making a person to go into sadness and depression. in loneliness, what if his past wounds get fresh and he gets lost in sadness once again? Uncle Roy: hmmm that's actually a situation to concern about....so what have you thought to do? Aashi: I'll pay him a visit tomorrow in the morning. Finally the night passed and the next day had arrived. Aditya was still sleeping on his bed, suddenly the knock on the door broke his sleep. As Aditya opened the door, he was greeted by Aashi's radiant smile. Aashi Good morning, dude. (Aashi replied cheerfully) Aditya: hey...Good...Good Morning Aashi. (Aditya, still half-asleep, managed to mumble a response) Aashi noticed his sleepy face and realized that he had just woken up. Aashi: Aditya, Were you still sleeping?" (she asked curiously) Aditya: well actually...ya Aashi: oh, but the sunrise have happened hours ago. Aditya: i know that, but for me, the sunrise has happened just now. (Aditya replied holding a sweet smile on his face)Aashi blushed at his words, understanding that he had compared her to the beauty of a sunrise. She couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart.Aashi: What do you mean by that ha? (Aashi asked in a voice filled with curiosity) Aditya, feeling a bit nervous, stumbled over his words. Aditya: Ah, nothing nothing... Why don't you come in?" (he suggested, hoping to change the subject) Aashi smiled and entered inside the house. since Aditya had woken up just now, the bed was all in a mess, Aashi noticed it. Aditya: hey am sorry...my bed is all in a mess. Aashi: it's ok dude...I don't mind. Aashi didn't mind the disorder; instead, she made herself comfortable on the bed. Aditya smiled back at her, grateful for her understanding. But Aashi couldn't help but worry about him. Aashi: so tell me Aditya...what made you to sleep today till late in the morning? if am not wrong then you had gone to sleep very late last night right? Aditya: hmmm yes....your right (Aditya replied in a low tone, the expressions of sadness appeared on his face) Aashi: I hope you remember what I had told you yesturday? am always there in your side....you can tell me (Aashi asked holding concern evident in her voice) Aditya: Don't worry Aashi, I won't bring the thought of committing suicide ever again. The way you explained everything to me, the thoughts of suicide have gone away from my mind completely. But....but...Aashi: but what Aditya? Aditya: the pain from my past, especially the betrayal of Sakshi, still lingers. It hurts whenever those memories resurface. last night I was thinking all about that...hence, I ended up sleeping late. Aashi, I am just not able to forget the betrayal. I think...I think I will never be able to forget the pain I went through...I think, I will never be able to move on. (Adityas eyes were filled with tears) Aashi fell silent for a moment, contemplating his words. Finally, she spoke up. Aashi: Alright, get ready. I'm taking you somewhere with me. Aditya: but where are you taking me? (Aditya was curious about their destination) Aashi: You'll find out when we get there, and perhaps, that place will also answer the question of yours that I tried to avoid yesterday. Aditya's curiosity piqued, and he quickly got ready. He couldn't wait to discover where Aashi was taking him and what answers awaited him there. Aashi takes Aditya to The Happy Home Institute, it was a renowned non-profit organization in the country, located in the beautiful land of Chawanpur. The institute was dedicated to helping those in need, with a particular focus on children, women, and individuals struggling with depression. within just 3 years of its build up, the Institute had made a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals and families, and managed to gain recognisation all over the country. The moment they entered the institute's premises, Aditya was all confused...Aditya: Aashi...this place...this place....Aashi: This is The Happy Home Institute, Aditya. It's the biggest and most renowned non-profit organization in our town and our country, dedicated to helping people in need. Aditya nodded, acknowledging his familiarity with the institute. Aditya: Yes, of course, I know about it Aashi. this institute is like a pride of Chawanpur. It's owned by the daughter of our town's biggest businessman, Mr. Amitabh Triparty. Aashi: Hmmm quite knowlegable ha. but do you know the name of Amitabh Triparty's daughter? Aditya: yes ofcourse, her name is Aashi Triparty. (A sudden realization struck Aditya) Wait...wait a minute...Amitabh Triparty's daughter's name is Aashi, and even your name is Aashi. so does that...does that mean that...that you are...you are...Aashi interrupted his sentence with a smile. Aashi: Yes, Aditya. I am the same Aashi Triparty, the daughter of Amitabh Triparty and the owner of this institute. Aditya was left in shock, unable to believe that the person who had saved his life was none other than such a respected and influential personality. Aditya: Oh my God...I am still not able to believe that the Aashi whom I know from the last two days is the same Aashi Triparty, who is known to be one of our country's most respected young women. Aashi: uff that's enough dude. I haven't brought you here to hear praises for myself. Aditya: but you deserve it Aashi...the reason why I didn't recognise you is because I had never seen a pic of yours...but I was always aware of the fact that there is a girl out there named Aashi Triparty, who is doing so much good for the society through her institution. Aashi: am not doing anything extra ordinary Aditya. anyways, I have brought you here for a reason. Aditya: what reason? (Aditya asked with curosity) Aashi: come with me (saying this, Aashi holded Adityas hand and took him to the library room of the institute. As they entered, Aditya noticed a girl, around 18 years old, engrossed in a book at one of the tables.Aashi: Nivedita? (Aashi called out her name)The girl turned towards Aashi, a bright smile lighting up her face. Nivedita: Aashi ma'am, you?" (Nivedita exclaimed with excitement) She quickly got up from the table and walked towards Aashi. Nivedita: How are you, Aashi ma'am? You didn't visit the institute for the past 2-3 days. Are you okay? Aashi: uff, don't worry Nivedita, I'm okay, But someone else out there wasn't okay, so for the past 2-3 days, my focus was all over him. (Aashi replied looking towards Aditya, giving him a hint that she was talking about him) Nivedita: Is he okay now? Aashi: wellll kind of. He's almost 99 percent fine. And as for the remaining 1 percent, well, I'm doing my best to make him fully alright. Aditya smiled hearing Aashis reply. Nivedita: Don't worry ma'am. It's impossible for someone not to get better when they are under your guidance. You're the best ma'am. I'm sure he will be 100 percent alright soon. Aashi: Let's see. Okay, now you carry on with your work. I'll see you later. Nivedita nodded and returned to her table, leaving Aashi and Aditya alone. Aditya: wow, she is such a happy girl...she holded a smile throughout as she spoke. Aashi: true.....but what if I tell you that a year back she was the most un-happiest person that I had ever seen Aditya: what do you mean by that Aashi? (Aditya questioned with curosity) Aashi: Nivedita originally belonged to a village named Kittur, she was born in a family where girls were considered as a burden. her family was also very poor, struggling to make ends meet. At the tender age of fifteen, Nivedita's father forcefully married her off to a 35 years old wealthy man from the same village. This so-called marriage was nothing more than a transaction, a deal struck in exchange for a large sum of money. In other words, her selfish father had sold her to this man for his own financial gain. Nivedita's life quickly turned into a nightmare. The man, along with his four friends, subjected her to unspeakable acts of sexual assault every single day. As a mere child, she was helpless, trapped in a cycle of abuse with no one to turn to for help. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. For over 2 years, Nivedita endured this unimaginable horror. one day, a member of our organization happened to be passing through Kittur. he came to know about Nivedita, he wasted no time in informing us about the young girl's suffering. our team immediately sprang into action, determined to bring justice to Nivedita and put an end to her torment. With unwavering determination, the team rescued Nivedita from her abusers. They ensured that the man and his friends faced the full force of the law for their heinous crimes. we even made sure that Nivedita's father, who had betrayed his own flesh and blood for money, was not spared either. The law caught up with him, and he too faced the consequences of his actions. now Nivedita stays in our institute...she is a brave and intelligent girl, very good in studies. she has a dream of becoming a doctor...our organisation is making sure that her dream comes true. Aditya was all shocked hearing Niveditas sad story...his eyes were filled with tears. Aashi: now you tell me Aditya...the pain which you went through in your life ...is it bigger then the pain which Nivedita went through? but look at Nivedita now...even after going through so much in her life...she is moving ahead in life with a smile. and Nivedita is not the only person who has gone through such pain...we have so many people in our organization whom we are taking care of, they too have gone through various pain in their life...but have they stopped living? no, not at all. they have forgotten their past and moved forward in their life. if people like Nivedita can forget their past and move forward, then why can't you Aditya? to be continued in next chapter