“HOPE” orphanage was in its usual self. All the kids were enjoying their Sunday. Unaware of the cruel world outside they were happy with what little they had in their life though it was not  everything but it was something and special.

Nitara looked at the clock and her face fell again as the time was running. She walked from one side to another looking at the door.

“Nit” she turned hearing the warden. “Mumbai Traffic you see” she tried cheering but Nitara was still upset. She sat on the little bench adjusting her fairy frock. Placing her little hand under the chin she stared the ground.

The warden looked at her sadly and turned to the other kids who had gathered in the hall. “Get going kids. Breakfast time will pass” she said and moved from there with the kids leaving Nitara in her own world.

He banged the brakes of the car as soon as it reached the orphanage gate. “Sir” the watchman saluted him. Without wasting a moment also he ran inside the gate.

He stopped at the door of the hall holding the door. There she sat crumbled and he  cursed himself for delaying. He tiptoed towards her while she sat unmoved.

“Hey sunshine” he whispered in her ear while she shifted her head to the other side twisting her lip.

“Awww someone looks breathtakingly adorable when they are angry” he said standing in front of her while she just moved her head to the other side.

“Cholly” he walked to face her holding his ears cutely. “Every time lambu. Every time you do this. You will be late on my birthday like for infinite times” she threw her hands in air and turned away.

“You are not even ten years old sunshine so how can I be late infinite times on your birthday” he asked confused. “Don't change the topic now. I'm still angry” she crossed her arms.

“Please Sunshine this is going to be the last time I promise” he said pinching his neck. “And your last time never ends” she nodded her head taking a deep sigh.

“This time surely gonna be the last time” he said bending to her. “Fine. You know I can't be angry on you for long. Otherwise you wouldn't have been given a chance Lambu Ji” she said jumping down and looking up at him.

“That's like my sunshine” he lifted her up and kissed her cheek lovingly. “Sanskar” he heard the warden and turned smiling at the warden. “She annoys you a lot right?” the warden walked to him.

“What aunty how can my sunshine annoy me. She brings the sunshine to my otherwise dark life” he said looking at Nitara. “And moreover I tolerate his mistakes okay Aunty” Nitara gave a serious look to the warden.

“Cake cake cake” the children behind the warden started screaming. “Relax kids. We will cut the cake finally the birthday girl is in a mood to cut the cake” the warden convinced the kids.

“You did not cut the cake yet?” Sanskar asked Nitara. She crossed her little arms. “Have I ever done that without you Lambu?” she asked and he smiled at her.

He took her to the table where the cake was placed on the table. Nitara was ready to blow the candles when Sanskar stopped her. “Make a wish Sunshine” he whispered in her ear.

Nitara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. 'God Ji please keep my Lambu ji happy always'

She opened her eyes with a wide smile and blew the candles. She cut the cake and held the first piece in front of Sanskar. “First byte always should be fed to family Sunshine” he said and she smiled at him. “You are my family” she placed the piece in his mouth while he was still baffled and looked at her with zero expression.

“By the time I know world and by the time I understood family I know that you are my family” she dangled her little hands across his neck while his hand moved up to hold her back.
The warden distributed the cake and Nitara sat leaning her head to Sanskar's shoulder who was in his deep thoughts. “Lambu” she said and Sanskar looked at her little form.

“You said you are going to London next week na?”  she asked looking up at him. He lifted her and placed her in his lap.

“So you want me to get something for you?” asked he drooling. “Whenever I want something I ask God because his network is stronger than you and he has always fulfilled my wishes” she shrugged her shoulders. Sanskar chuckled hearing her.

“Then?” asked he. “You will be back only after a month and I will miss you” she said pouting sadly. His moistened eyes smiled looking at her.

“I will miss you too sunshine” he pressed her cheek with his cheek. “But business you see. You know I'm gonna meet someone special there guess who?” asked he.

“In London who else is there your low IQ wala monkey bro” said she rolling her eyes. “You still hate him don't you?” asked Sanskar.

“In your family he is the most annoying person. Don't you remember how he broke my doll that day when he came here?” asked she and Sanskar chuckled.

“I have a new name for him. Do tell him that” said she pointing her little finger. “And what's that?” he asked shifting her to one lap and looking at her resting his hand under his chin on the other side.

“Toy Breaker” she said and Sanskar burst out laughing. “You know what Sunshine. You are the best in naming someone” he said in between his laugh.

“That I am” she said proudly. As the time passed they spent time with each other and Sanskar was all smiles when he reached home in the night.

“Sanky” he closed his eyes hearing a voice. “I'm sorry Paro. I'm full” he turned to his grandmother and squeezed her cheeks. She hit his hands. “You know na Sunshine's birthday today and she won't let me go unless she sleeps so I have to eat all the meals there only” he placed his hands on his Dadi's shoulder.

“I had told you when you are attached to that baby so much adopt her” she said walking away. Sanskar placed his head on her shoulder and pouted cutely.

“And you know I'm not married so legally I can't adopt  her” he kissed her cheek. “Then get married Bro” he turned hearing his brother.

“Your life is in mess due to the same marriage Bhai. Don't tell me to fall for the same trap” Sanskar lifted his hands in surrender. Abhi's face fell.

“Sanky you really behave stinky at times” he looked beyond Abhi. “Look who is talking. Who was so stinky that his wife could not tolerate him” Sanskar rolled his eyes.

“Sanskar” his Dadi spoke strictly. “I will be out of this mess for a month at least” Sanskar walked from there towards his room.

He held the knob of the room door. “Raman Bhai once you would have given a chance to Ishita Bhabi. And see your younger brother did the same with his wife. And you are preaching me about marriage. Your egos burned our happy family and I don't want to add on to misery. Given the history of my half genes I may end up doing the same and moreover I don't want to do it anyway” he walked inside the room leaving his elder half brothers in their own thoughts.

He lied on the bed facing the ceiling when his phone beeped with a message. He brought his phone in front of him to read the message.

“Bhai your tickets are confirmed. I will be waiting” he smiled reading his brother's message.
“At least for a month I will be spared of this” he spoke sighing.

***.***

She stretched her arms with still closed eyes but with a wide smile. The sun from the east was pleasant this morning. “Happy Birthday” she opened her eyes hearing the voices.

She closed her mouth surprised looking at the people who were standing in front of her with a cake.

“Happy Birthday Ragu” she was hugged by the girl on her left. Literally squeezed with that deadly hug. “OMG guys you remembered my birthday?” asked she.

“Even if we have amnesia you think Mr. Perfect will let us forget? He woke us all up early on Sunday morning. I hate him so much” the other girl collapsed on her right.

“Oye Kumbkaran Sheen. Get up” Ragini shook her. “I'm starving” the girl who was standing on the front spoke. “Haa Bhukkad Riya we will give you also the food don't worry” Ragini spoke looking at Riya who sat pouting.

“Jiya get the knife” Ragini looked at her left. “Here it is” Jiya forwarded the knife and Ragini took it and looked at the cake. “Quick” said Riya. “Hold on Bhukkad” said Jiya stopping both Ragini and Riya with her two hands.

“What now?” Riya asked annoyed. “Make a wish Ragu. Make a wish” said Jiya and Ragini smiled at her.

“Pakka she is gonna wish for Mr. Perfect's happiness see” said Sheena spoke in sleepy mode still.

“Sheen” Jiya whined. “Okay okay truce. Ragu make a wish quick I want to attack the cake” Riya's mouth watered looking at the cake.

Ragini closed her eyes. After the wish she opened her eyes with a wide smile. Cutting the piece out of the cake she held it in front of Jiya.

Riya grabbed her hand and placed the piece in her mouth. “Finally” she said closing her eyes satisfied. “Ri” Ragini and Jiya hit her and she tried saving herself from them.

“That's bad. You know I always feed Jiya first” Ragini sat with her crossed arms. “Why? Even though I will be starving in front of you to death?” Riya asked her.

“Don't be so sassy Ri” Sheena threw the cushion in Riya's direction which landed on her face. Ragini and Jia could not control their laugh looking at Riya.

“Sheen ki bachi” Riya gritted her teeth and attacked Sheena who was sleeping. The girls played along and enjoyed their time together.

Ragini looked at her watch standing outside the pub. She was waiting for someone.

She sighed when the person did not arrive yet. “He has a bad time sense you know right” Sheena placed her hand on Ragini's shoulder.

Ragini nodded her head in yes.

They walked inside the pub and enjoyed their time and Ragini's birthday party.

Ragini was moving herself with the music when she felt a hand on her waist. Initially she jerked but relaxed when he recognized him.

He placed his chin over her shoulder and a wide smile crept on her lips. “Missed me?” he whispered in her ear. “More than anything” she turned and hugged him dangling her hands across his neck.

He leaned to touch her forehead with his and they moved with the music.

“Finally Mr. Perfect is here” Riya screeched looking at the center of the pub where Ragini was enjoying the dance with her Mr Perfect.

Riya, Jiya and Sheena smiled looking at the love birds. 

Maine Pucha yeh dil se mai kyu hu jahan me
Ek Dhadkan boli Tere liye.

Tere liye... tere liye....

Jo mai kahta hu jo sun ta hu sehta hu tere liye

Mai girta hu smbhalta hu phir chalta hu tere liye

He twirled and dragged her near to him and they both moved with the music.

His phone rang disturbing them. “You brought your phone here? I had told you na that whenever you are there with me it should not be with you” Ragini crossed her arms glaring him.

“Sorry Sorry Jaan. It just went out of my mind” he placed his phone back in his pocket after silencing it. “Yeah everytime it  goes out of your mind. Why don't you stitch that big hole in your brain from where it slips out of your brain” she smiled at him mockingly.

“Girls ladayi alert” Sheena said with wide eyes as she witnessed Ragini standing with crossed arms and serious look. “I told you he can never keep our Ragu happy. Remember how he like a heart less threw all the chips in Ragu's hand that day?” said Riya.

“Shut up Ri. She was suffering with typhoid and doctor had advised to avoid fried food. He was concerned” Jiya said annoyed. “He could have given it to me but no he had to throw it” Riya said and got glares from both the girls.

“Now I'm sure she sold her brain for a packet of chips” Sheena said with a serious look. “Don't you dare to talk to me” they heard Ragini and turned to the direction and found Ragini walking out of the pub.

Sheena was about to go but was held by Jiya. “Let them solve it on their own Sheen” Sheena smiled nodding her head.

“I'm sorry na baby. See have I done it ever? This is my first time and forgive me like this is going to be the last time also” said he pleading and walking behind Ragini.

“It won't take ages for a first time to become a habit Dev” Ragini turned sharply at him. Dev who was pleading her looked behind her. They were walking on the road and there was a car which was approaching them.

He swiftly acted and dragged Ragini towards him and safely stood away from the road. “Have you ever followed rules girls and this is London not India. Do you realize that you must walk on the safe footpaths than road?” he asked her while she was still panting for breath.

“And who is responsible for this Mr. Perfect? You brought the cell phone and made me angry” she said crossing her arms.

He  sighed and held her by her shoulder.

“I'm sorry” he squeezed his eyes holding his ears. She rolled her eyes trying to avoid his cute antics.

“Please” he said again. “Fine the last time” she said waving her hands in air. He dragged her to a hug and she rested her head on his chest and a smile finally covered her face as she closed her eyes feeling his protective care.

****.****
Surprise.

I got the draft of it. And guess what I'm also writing the new part also

Enjoy reading. 😘