An Angel In Disguise

Loud noises of cheering and howling were coming from one corner of the campus. A brave girl had climbed onto the windows of the second floor with the help of a tree next to it.  She was there to save a tiny little cat. No one knew how the cat had reached there or how the girl had climbed there. A peon shouted,” Khushi! Here is a letter for you.” Khushi was famous among all people who had ever been in this college of Chennai for her Colgate smile and humbleness enchanted everyone. This letter was from Rekha Singh which was also the only name printed on her identity card under the title of ‘Parent’.

Khushi was very excited as it was an unexpected letter. All her excitement vanished into thin air. Reading it, she was apprised of the fact that her mother was ill and wanted to meet her. She loved everyone and everything but for her hometown and fire. She preferred an Erebus dark room to room with the tiny Candle in it. Khushi loathed her hometown although she had spent her entire childhood there. She always told Rekha, "When I get a job, we will shift to Chennai."

Rekha owned an orphanage. She worked day and night for the kids providing them with all motherly care and affection. Khushi had also been brought up with these kids and so she shared a deep-rooted bond with them. The very next day Khushi set out for her home town by bus. On the way, she dared not look outside the window as if a ghost would appear and she would die.

A bewildered horror had seated itself in Khushi's eyes and she stared with a gaping mouth when she reached the orphanage. All the kids were praying to God. She was lead to her mother and there she found out that Rekha was critically ill. Rekha's body had become all lose, plugged with various drip bottles.

Rekha started, "Hello sweetie! Come and sit next to me. Let me look at you for I may be breathing my last. I also want to tell you something." Khushi wailed, "What has happened to you?" With a calm accord, Rekha replied, "Both my Kidneys have failed." Khushi asked her how both Kidneys have failed together. One should have been fine if other malfunctioned. Pointing at Khushi stomach Rekha smiled, "One is with you, sweetie!" Rekha continued," You wanted to know why you are so afraid of fire? It is because you were caught in a house which was aflame. You almost fainted there and a big cupboard fell on you, hurting your fragile body including both your Kidneys. That is why I had to donate my kidney to you. That fire is still in your subconscious mind and hence the sight of it gives you jitters.

Rekha paused for a second. She seemed to be mustering up some courage and then she continued," Your hatred for hometown is for a similar reason. It was there in your house, which was afire, your both parents died. I found you in the hospital when I had gone for my checkup. On knowing that you are alone, I took you and since then, you have been my life. Sorry I could not tell you about all this earlier but I have always loved you like my own daughter or should I say more than one. When Khushi turned to look at Rekha, her soul had quit her body. It seemed as if it took all of Rekha's life, soul and energy to tell Khushi the truth.

Khushi was petrified as she had so much to handle at the same time. She broke down and hugging her 'mother's' body she started caterwauling. Her agony and grief were immense. Parents who had given birth to her had died long ago and her godmother who had given her a new life had just passed away in front of her own eyes.

After the cremation, Khushi changed her mind from working in Chennai to carrying on the noble and selfless work which her 'Angel in disguise' used to do here in her hometown. Khushi Singh was the new owner of the orphanage who translated all the dreams of her mother into reality