Days passed usually for Ira, making mistakes all the time and getting punished almost every day. One day while coming back from school, she spotted a red designer gown hanging on display in a store.

"Wow! It's so beautiful" She smiled widely and closed her eyes, imagining herself in that dress.

"I look so pretty" she giggled opening her eyes and walked to the orphanage, dancing all the way as she bought that dress in her imagination.

She kept her bag in a cupboard and took her clothes to change. A girl of her age barged into the room.

"Ira, Mary is calling you" she informed, making her frown.

"I just came back from school. I didn't do anything" she replied, shaking her head.

"You have the power to create problems even staying away" another girl on whom she splashed water that day entered, commenting.

"Aww! Thank you so much for the compliment. I'm so proud of myself" Ira patted herself proudly and that girl rolled her eyes.

"I'll just be back with another punishment. Bye," she waved her hand and left, annoying that girl to no limit.

"Which kind of human is she? Aaahhh! I just hope she goes away asap" that girl spit out in anger.

---

"Did you call me Mary?" Ira knocked on the door of Mary's room. Before Mary could reply, she added, "I just came back from school and didn't did anything yet. Even if I had done anything unintentionally, I want you to give me some new tasks as punishment. I'm tired of..."

"Will you just shut that mouth of yours, Ira? Come in" Mary yelled, annoyed. She went inside and stood in front of Mary, who was looking at the screen of her second-hand laptop.

"You have got the scholarship" Mary informed in a monotonous tone. Ira blankly looked at her until her mind processed what she just heard.

"I cleared the examination?" She asked, her eyes wide and mouth agape.

"Yes, you did it" Mary gave her a tight-lipped smile. For the first time in all those years, Ira could hear a little appreciation in Mary's voice and witnessing her smile, was something unexpected.

"You mean, I'll be going abroad?" Ira just couldn't believe that her dreams were turning into reality. She squealed as Mary nodded in affirmation.

"But there's a little problem. You go, freshen up. We need to meet someone to sort that issue. Go hurry up" she didn't need to tell twice. She ran in a flash and came back after freshening up within a few minutes. Mary was ready to leave, holding her old brown bag.

"Let's go" She dragged Ira somewhere, who was gladly walking with her. A smile not leaving lips.

They walked, walked and walked until they reached a house, newly furnished. That was far away from the area where they lived.

"Why are we here?" Ira questioned holding her hurting knees, tired of walking so long.

"Keep your mouth shut and come" Mary scolded, breathing heavily. She wiped the sweat beads from her forehead with the back of her hand and they went inside.

A lady in her mid-twenties greeted them and asked in a polite tone, "How may I help you?"

"Is this any kind of office?" Ira thought looking at the lady in front of them, wearing professional clothes.

"We are here to meet Mrs. Diwan. We have an appointment" Mary said while Ira was taking in the well-built house.

"Your name, please?"

"Mary, from Little Care orphanage" Mary replied.

"Very little" Ira added, earning a glare from Mary and a chuckle from the lady.

"Please wait here. I'll call her" They sat on a sofa, placed in the left corner of the hall.

After waiting for a few minutes, another lady in her mid-thirties arrived in her all glory. Mary stood up and Ira copied her, thinking, "She must be Mrs. Diwan".

"Hello, Mary. Congratulations.  Seems like she got the scholarship" Mrs Diwan said, taking a seat in front of them and signalled them to sit.

"Yes, Ma'am. She made it" Mary smiled.

"Ooh! She could even smile. A good one to be precise" Ira looked at Mary, surprised.

"Well done" Mrs. Diwan turned to Ira, making her smile and mumble a thank you.

"If the contract is ready..." Mary hesitantly said.

"Yes, the contract is ready as you were so sure about her scholarship. All you need to do is, sign these papers and get the money" Mrs. Diwan replied. Her secretary handed her a file, which she forwarded to Mary.

"Money?" Ira looked at Mary questioning suspiciously.

"Read carefully and sign it" Mrs. Diwan said and excused herself to attend a phone call.

"Mary, what's this?" Ira questioned, pushing the file to Mary.

"Read it. You'll know" She pushed the file back to her and said.

Ira read the papers, taking all her time and gasping at a particular point. It was a contract stating that Mary was taking a huge debt from Mrs Diwan, which she promised to return triple in amount within 10 years. If she fails to do so, legal actions are to be taken against her.

"Why do we need money? I have got the scholarship" Ira turned to question Mary.

"They are funding only your education. What about the expenses of your accommodation, food and travelling?" Mary asked a matter of fact.

"How cruel! Aren't they providing me with everything?" She groaned, pouting.

"No"

"Oh God! I never thought of such things. But this contract... This is too much. You're not going to sign this. Triple amount? No way" Ira refused, standing up to leave.

Mary pulled her to sit back and whispered, gritting her teeth, "Are you planning on spending your whole life in the orphanage and growing old there?"

Ira looked at her shocked and asked, "What do you mean whole life? Will I not be out of there once I turn 18?"

"No, you will not. You will be assigned to take care of children"

Ira kept both her hands at her heart and gasped, "Will I get married?" She asked.

"No. You will never get married and move out of the orphanage. You'll be spending all your life there. There is no way out if you miss this chance" Mary warned her, making her pout.

Ira helplessly looked at her black shoes and said, "No, I don't want to spend all my life there. But..."

"But what? Do you have a better option? Tell me?" She shook her head and handed Mary the file. Mary signed that and handed the papers to Mrs Diwan's secretary, along with another file which Mary pulled out from her tote bag.

"Where's the money?" Ira whispered in Mary's ear.

"In your bank account, sweetie. You can check your phone" Mrs. Diwan answered from the stairs, smiling at her. Ira scanned her from head to toe, her designer saree, diamond jewellery and classy heels.

"You greedy women. When you have everything, why do you want triple the amount in return from a poor soul like me? Don't you have a heart?" Ira wanted to ask but she stood quiet, glaring at her.

"Mary" she elbowed Mary, asking her to check her mobile. She took out her old basic keypad mobile and handed Ira. She checked the message which stated that the money had been transactioned in her account.

"Thank you, Ma'am" Mary forced a smile and they both walked out.

"Do not tell this to anyone; neither about the scholarship nor the debt" Mary advised, standing out of the orphanage. She didn't want others to create problems in their way.

"Why? I'm so excited to share this news" Ira asked, literally screaming in excitement.

"Because I say so" Mary replied, taking long strides.

"Mary, how come you are so energetic at this age? Tell me the secret, I'll try to be like you when I grow old" Ira ran behind Mary, asking the question she wanted to know for a very long.

---

The next day, Mary picked up Ira directly from her school. She took her to some places to get some documents rectified. After that, she took her to a clothing shop and bought some new clothes for her.

"Mary, I don't need this many clothes. I can adjust with few" Ira said before Mary could swipe the card. She ignored her and paid for everything.

"You need to look presentable among other kids. It is needed" Mary replied afterwards.

"I already have many"

"You don't need to wear those used clothes now" Her tone was curt but Ira found it too sweet.

"Pinky was right. You care for me" Ira blurted, smiling at Mary.

"Stop talking nonsense and carry these bags" Mary commanded, handing her half of the bags. They bought a few more required things before heading back to the orphanage.

In a few days, Ira got her passport and Mary permitted her to break the news. She squealed in excitement and told almost everyone. Some were surprised whilst some were shocked. Some were jealous whilst some were happy. Ira was too happy to care about anything but dreaming of her independent future.

---

"Did you pack everything?" Pinky asked as Ira tried to zip her bag, which was stuffed with all of her necessities. It was the day she would be leaving for the UK.

"I think so" she responded, finally zipping it close.

"Ira, make it fast you lazy girl. Be quick today at least" Mary barged in, scolding Ira.

"I'm done, Mary" Ira replied, flashing all her teeth.

"Let's leave then. What are we waiting for?" Mary walked out, coughing.

Ira hugged Pinky, who seemed sad. "Don't worry, you too will find your escape soon"

"Hope so" she mumbled, almost breaking down.

"Make it fast, I said" They both jumped in their place when Mary yelled.

Ira quickly bid farewell to Pinky and made her way out, pulling her bag behind her. She smiled at everyone present in the hall, some smiled back and some ignored. She bid bye to everyone and made her way to the airport with Mary and the head lady.

"Would you miss me?" Ira asked Mary, as they waited for her flight to be announced.

"No. You are not the only one I have to take care of. I have other works" Mary replied looking around, not meeting her eyes.

"You were nothing but a trouble, Ira. Why would anyone miss you?" The head lady questioned, chuckling at Ira.

"I don't know about others, Ma'am. But I'm sure, you are gonna miss me... Terribly" Ira replied elongating her last word much more than necessary and smiled widely at her.

"You'll never change" Irritated, the head lady left the place, telling Mary that she'd be waiting outside.

Ira giggled at her annoyed face and turned to Mary, who was blankly looking at her. Ira's smile disappeared and she stood looking at the floor. When she lifted her eyes, she found Mary still staring at her, "Stop staring. You are making me feel like a heroine" Ira stated, hiding her face in both her hands.

Mary huffed and pulled her hands away from her face, "Grow up, Ira. You are going to start living independently. Learn some manners and discipline", Mary scolded.

"Ok" Ira nodded folding her hands, and looking at her new shoes.

"By discipline, I didn't mean this, look at me" Mary made her face her and said, "You might think that the life you have lived so far was bad. But trust me, the world outside is worse. Be careful with whom to trust and whom to befriend".

"For a girl, her dignity is much more important than her life. I will not be there to tell you what's right and what's wrong. Take care of yourself and keep yourself away from the evil. Don't involve yourself in anything... You know, wrong things" Ira blankly looked at Mary, without blinking her eyes.

"Are you getting what I'm trying to say?" Ira instantly shook her head as no.

"I mean... No boyfriend. Concentrate on studies and only studies" Mary explained in a stern tone.

Ira chuckled and said, "Come on, Mary. Girls don't like me here, in India. Why do you think any guy in London would be interested in me?"

Mary rolled her eyes and said, "You know nothing. So do as I say. And here, your mobile" She gave her a second-hand mobile which doesn't look like one.

"Thank you" she whispered, taking the mobile and observing its features.

Flight announcement was made and Ira looked at Mary, who sighed heavily.

"I'll miss you, Mary. I don't know why you helped me so much in getting this scholarship, though I have always made you angry. But I'll be thankful to you throughout my life. Thank you" Mary nodded, without showing any kind of emotion.

"You should be get going. Call me once you reach there" she said, pushing Ira forward, who smiled at her and walked ahead. Mary stood looking at her retreating figure until she disappeared.

---

Ehan transferred the French omelet he made, into his plate and poured some sauce over it. He was ready to leave for school after breakfast. He grabbed a fork and started eating.

Lily, a lady in her late forties who was Ehan's caretaker(whom he barely lets take care of him), entered in a hurry. "I'm so sorry, dear. I'm late again" she apologized, smiling sheepishly. Besides being Ehan's caretaker, she runs a cafe at his school.

"It's OK, Lily. I made my breakfast" he replied, not lifting his eyes from his plate. He ate quietly, while Lily cleaned the kitchen. When he was done eating he kept his plate at the sink and left to school, nodding at Lily's bye.

His school was just a minute's walk away. He reached there in no time and took his reserved seat at the front. He attended all the classes, and submitted assignments and projects on time, earning the teacher's praise. He visited the library and went to Lily's cafe after the school was over.

"What would you like to have, dear?" Lily asked with a smile.

"A burger would be fine" he replied, occupying the seat at the corner, where he usually sits.

Lily served him a burger. He munched on that and made his way back home. He freshened up and started doing his homework.

While writing an essay, he felt a burning sensation on his neck. He rubbed the site with his fingers and resumed his work. Little by little, he felt his body heat up, "Not again" he groaned as he noticed the lightly appearing rashes on his hands.

He walked to the mirror in his room and found rashes all over his face and neck. It often happens with him but he doesn't know the reason behind it. Every time he gets those rashes all of a sudden, he thinks of visiting a doctor but ends up doing otherwise.

He lazily walked back to his study table and completed his work. He felt his throat sour and lips swollen. He ignored everything and went to his gaming room. He started playing a video game to divert his mind. He played for hours until his eyes started burning and his head hurt like hell.

When the pain turned too much to bear, he went back to his room and gulped down some medicines with water. He lay on the bed and covered himself with a duvet, shivering with fever.

He was too lonely and tired of himself. Now and then he falls sick but no one is there to take care of him. He was allergic to something, but he didn't know what it was. Sometimes he thought, whom was he even living for? His parents don't need him. They have no expectations from him. He has no friends, who would tell him that everything will be alright or they'll stay by his side in good and bad times. No one needed him.

A lone tear escaped from the corner of his eye, dropping on the pillow. He wiped that and took a long shaky breath, trying hard not to cry. He curled into a ball and buried his face in the pillow, waiting for the medicines to work their magic and make him numb and sleepy, so that he couldn't feel any kind of pain.

***

Assalamualaikum everyone,

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