Hope

Life always does not offer conducive moments. Life sometimes too encircles us with gloominess and compels us to face the danger. One such danger which appears to be the most shocking is, losing ones' parents or leading a life devoid of all the care and love that parents provide. A gentleman named David and his spouse Meli, together with their pure hearts and selfless love commenced an orphanage in a remote place in Kolkata and christened it as "Aashiyana" which means nesting. Initially, there were three girls and two boys but with time, the number of orphans increased.

The couple found tranquility and happiness among the sinless kids but slowly, it was becoming strenuous for the childless couple to accommodate so many children without a helping hand. Moreover, the capital for their food, clothes was also growing unaffordable for David and Meli but, they were endeavoring their best.

Ten kilometers away from the orphanage, in the heart of the city of joy, resided a girl of twenty-six joyously.

When some find the essence of life in distributing bookish knowledge among people, when some find happiness in treating people, the girl whose name was Ayushree had discovered elation in dance.

She had herself set up a dance school at her home which had a beautiful name "Rythmscape"where she not only indoctrinated but also induced the love and dedication towards dance in each and every student.

Ayushree was a loquacious person with high hopes of upskilling her career bit by bit and apart from this art form, she wanted to stretch out her hand for the betterment of the society.

Every evening, except Sunday, wearing a tight pair of leggings made out of lycra, and a full sleeve knee length Kurti, she used to commence her class.

She was a slightly strict teacher in order to make her students serious about the art form but also poured immense love on her students, treating them as he owns. She was especially skilled in Bharatanatyam, the Rabindra Nitrya and Santhal dances. Ayushree used to train her students for an entire year and display her students' talent in the Annual Programme of Rythmscape at Rabindranath Sadan each year in the cold November.

Somehow, the old hearted girl got the news of Aashiyana. Being very curious, she took an autorickshaw, she covered three-kilometer and ended up near the clock tower. From there, after constant enquiring about the orphanage's whereabouts, she hired a rickshaw which eventually brought her to the desired location.

After remunerating the rickshaw puller, she found a wooden board bearing the words in blue "Aashiyana- a home for the homeless". She could hear the babble of the children.

The area was quite deserted except for a few dwellers, a weed-filled pond and a heap of trash dominating the environment with its awful stench.

She thought in her mind, 'Should I knock or give a call in the number that I have?'

It took nearly a minute to reach the decision and finally gave a knock on the wicket. After a few seconds, came out a woman with an unkempt appearance attired in a purple shaded dress.

Before Ayushree could speak, Meli asked, 'who are you?, Do you need any help?' Ayushree retorted, 'My name is Ayushree and I am a classical dancer. I have come here to help the kids. This is the orphanage, Aashiyana right?'

The woman gave a pensive look pondering about this fact that how could a young dance teacher like her help them.

  Being a little perplexed at the inhospitality of the host, Ayushree asked 'Can I go inside?'

  Meli said, 'Oh!yes, of couse'. Meli introduced herself, her better half and the entire group of seventy eight orphans to Ayushree.

   On seeing g Ayushree, two lite kids shouted, 'Hello didi!Hello didi!' Ayushree could not prevent tears in her eyes and gave a big hug.From then, her association began with Aashyana.

  Every Sunday when some would have a restful nap on their tender bed when some would visit restaurants in the evenings, Ayushree would go to the remote place and in a jiffy, she became a mother to the seventy eight of them.She used to teach them dance in that weeny room, gave them toothsome yet healthy foods 

   She became a mother to the motherless, a sister to the sisterless, a friend to the friendless and a daughter to David and Meli. Along with Rythmscape's students, she too presented the Aashyanians on stage in the Annual Programme and made the lives of the orphans a radiant one.

   This gives hope that there are people like David and Meli who think for the helpless. There are people like Ayushree who repelled the negativities and induced positive vibes in the orphans through dance. Hope still exists.