Hidden Love 2

Chapter 2

New hopes

 Kaushik's point of view

I panicked at the sight. The sound of horns faded as I saw a bus approaching them at high speed... My heart raced with the time, when a girl rushed, waving her dupatta in front of the bus. The bus stopped suddenly and the traffic police took the charge.

I struggled hard, to look at her face but all I could see was her long, straight hair swaying with the breeze... while she was speaking to the officer...

She turned to face the kids... as I saw her enthralling face. She looked beautiful, a fair complexion that was all I could see from far and her red chudidar complimented her appearance.

But one thing caught my eyes... which she was holding in her hand.

She's handicapped!... I gasped when I saw her using a stick for support. I kept looking at her as she waved to the kids smiling. "haa..." that smile showed a sense of purity, it can make any guy fall for her.

"Kaushik... Kaushik!" I heard my dad scream with broke my trance. "What are you staring at? Let's go it's gonna get dark soon."

I gave him a confused look not knowing what to say and headed back home in silence, purchasing a few medicines for mom.

Sailu's point of view

I went to the shop the house nearby to see the vegetables and other items freshly packed placed aside. Suresh uncle, a very kind soul, owns the shop it's like his second home.

His face brightened up as he saw me coming towards the shop.

"Come, my dear child... how have you been doing?" He asked with a heartwarming smile.

I went towards Satyamurthy uncle's house to hand them the things bought after having short chitchat with him.

I have been doing this since last year. I get groceries for my aunt once a week. It's not that she can not get by herself, but I just want to clear the clouds of misunderstandings she has built in her heart.

I just want her to treat me like a normal person and not like someone who has a disability.

I saw Siddharth, our neighbour's kid, sitting on the porch his back rested on the pillar. Books scarred around him as the evening breeze turned the pages.

It reminded me of my childhood... golden days they were... how we used to do everything outside the house in fresh air studying, eating- mostly fed by mom and sleeping- listening to the tales of mythology and morals told by grandmother.

"Hey, buddy..." I smiled and caressed Siddharth lovingly as he sat lowering his head down. "What's wrong?" I asked when he didn't raise his head.

I sat beside him and held his chin with my hand. "what happened..." I asked him softly. I could see a shine in his eyes as they become moist.

"Mom scolded..." he said slowly as his breath hitched while he spoke. "the lessons are so hard" he sobbed. "I failed my test again! I'm not fit for anything!"

"Shh.. don't cry..." I said trying to console him. "Who said that you're r not fit for anything? Don't ever say that. You're not understanding means you have to ask for help, not lose hope. If no one's willing to help then ask me I will teach you."

"You will really teach me?" He asked surprised. "of course why not. In fact, call your friends as well, I will teach you all the tough topics..." I assured him.

"Thank you akka! (Sister) You're so good!..." He jumped, hugging me tightly. "Ok ok... stop buttering me and start doing your homework before anyone comes and scolds."

I got up saying and went inside, a bit alert. I didn't want Sumati aunt to see me entering and spoil her mood. I placed the bag of groceries on the table and turned to go back home without being noticed.

"Sailu... where are you going? Come sit " I heard Babai's voice... I turned and gave a smile to him. "No Babai... I will go, it's already late and I have to cook"

"But, you just came dear... sit down and speak for a while." He said giving his hand for me to hold. "Who is she Satya?" I heard a strong voice... when I was about to refuse his offer.

"Krishna... you came at the right time! meet Sailu, my daughter." He said as he gave a wide smile and Sailu meet Krishna and his family.

I looked towards them to find a man in his mid-fifties, coming towards us pushing a wheelchair. I saw a woman maybe a year or 2 less than his age sitting in it. She looked beautiful inside and out. I could say just by looking at her.

"Hello dear! myself Krishna, a retired Software, now running small a business with my wife Sulochana."

"Hello, uncle..." I greeted him by joining hands in nervousness. To which he laughed out loud... "don't worry child I know you very well..." he said as I got confused...

"Ha..how..." I asked worried about what they knew. "Brother used to tell a lot about you" Said Sulochana. "He used to tell how you came to their lives making them forget that they are childless. He sometimes breaks down being overwhelmed by the love you show to them" She said as my eyes welled up.

I sat on the floor near her and said looking towards Babai. "I never called him uncle it's not only him, I never treat anyone like an outsider once I get to know them. It just takes time to call others with the right name or address them in relation. But I can say it didn't take a lot of time In case of Babai because I guarantee that no one can care for me like Babai, after my mom and dad"

"My parents sent me away from them, even after knowing my condition only because of the faith they had in him and don't worry from now on you all are my family as well, my extended family" I said wiping my tears as all of them chuckled at my words.

"Even me?" A girl asked from behind as I looked at her to continue. "Hi... I'm Akanksha!" she said as she gave a tight hug which made me chuckle.

"Where is Kaushik?" Sulochana aunty asked as she looked for him. He locked the door and is not letting me inside Akanksha complained.

"I have to go now" I got up as I saw Madhu's name in the caller I'd... "okay go carefully" Babai said with concern. I smiled at him nodding and rushed out.

I don't know... I felt a kind of happiness today. Maybe because I met these people whom I felt like I knew for ages or might be because I missed a nagging session from my aunt. Oh, I'm so silly I thought as I went home.

...

It was 10:30 in the night. I sat in front of my laptop completing and checking my work. When my phone buzzed with an email.

Congratulations,

Miss Sailaja, we are happy to inform you that you are been selected for the state-level competition in the music festival of the year 2021.

The competition is to be held in due of 6 months.

Awaiting for your presence.

Yours Sincerely

Kala Pradarshan academy of arts.

I felt like the happiest person in the world at the moment. I'm taking another step towards my dream I just wanted to call everyone and scream my happiness.

It was already late... I made a note in my mind to tell my dad as soon as I wake up in the morning. Oh God, thank you so much! I stood up smiling like an idiot. I surely won't sleep today.

Kaushik's point of view

"ahh... what's wrong with me? why I'm I not able to sleep? Why is that girl coming in front of me whenever I close my eyes? Who is she? Damn it."

I stood up and went to a photo of Mr Raj Gopal... my role model. He is not a great businessman... a celebrity or something like that. He's just a middle-class man who has a family just like us. But why is he a role model? because of his thoughts, his open-mindedness.

He's a software engineer who was very successful in his career and his accomplishments were witnessed by the world. Which is not gained within a night.

I sighed as my thoughts drifted to the girl once again. I wish I could meet her. 

To be continued...