SOHAM'S POV

"Sir?  Is everything alright? " my secretary came inside. 

"Next time don't allow him or any of his men inside this building." I ordered. 

"Ok sir. I am sorry" With that said he retreated leaving me alone.

Should I call her? 

Will she talk with me? 

"Please hand me over car keys,  I need to go somewhere alone. " I called up my driver getting up from my seat. I collected them and drove over to the place where my mom's heart resides. 

"Hello, there you are Soham!" Aunty greeted me while I walked through the narrow lane of the pathway surrounded by small lawns equipped with swings and benches.  I smiled at her while looking at small children running around the lawn playing happily with each other. 

"Look at you! You have grown thin and what's with that depressed look on your face?" she commented holding me by my hand. 

She is my mother's friend who helps to run this orphanage which has been my mom's second home all her life. 

"You haven't visited us. It's been so long." she said walking with me. 

"I was occupied with some work. Can we sit here?" I asked her pointing out at one of the benches in the lawn.

"Sure! So tell me how's life going on? Occupied with whose thoughts?  Or is it some work?" she questioned me playfully and I chuckled a bit.

"There's nothing like that." I replied.

"We miss her you know, she is gone so early.  God takes all good people first!" she spoke seriously, changing my mood.

"I know,  we all miss her.  She's a pillar to our lives.  My mom will be forever in our hearts and at this place. I can still feel her playing with kids,  narrating them stories,  running with them playfully. It's like everything is before my eyes but I know it's not real." I said with tears forming in my eyes.

"I am so sorry! I didn't mean to make you suffer. Forget all this, do you want to know what's happening now here?" she asked me cheerfully. I nodded my head wiping tears. 

"Since summer has started, we planned to conduct some fun classes for children! Like basic subjects you know, English, maths, science and this year we are hiring an art teacher to teach these kids some creative work. We planned to engage them and keep them active.  Next month we are planning to take them on a trip,  you know to the beach or some park in the city!  What do you think about it??" she asked me excitedly.

"That's so nice of you Aunty. They all need to enjoy themselves like everyone else.  We should never strip them of their childhood and it's fun. If you are facing any financial problems let me know,  I am always there for you and these kids." I replied smiling at her. 

"Yes! Yes!  Few of the teachers are willing to join back and help us. It's as if your mother is arranging everything for us without any hitch. After her death, we thought we lost you too.  It's heartbreaking to have seen two deaths in the same year that are too close.  Are you fine Soham?" she questioned me holding my hands.

"Yes, I am.  I learned to protect people close to me. I will make sure that incident will never happen again here or anywhere. I will protect people concerned to me with my life. Things that break you will mend you too." I said keeping my head on her shoulder. 

"I really wish you find a girl who's loving, caring, and beautiful just like your mother." she said patting my head. 

Aahana.  She's the only one I want in my life.

"Sit here. I will bring snacks for you." she said.

"No, I have to go back to the office. I miss this place, so I came to see you. I have meeting, can't miss it Aunty" I said holding her hand.

"Offo!Big people and their problems!" she commented jovially.

"Not so big Aunty" I replied smiling a bit.

"You just stay here,  I have to look after some kids, the doctor has arrived. They fell sick due to climate change " With that said she left me alone.

I looked at children who were playing without any problems or worries.  A smile spread across my face. I was one of them a few years back. Playing with them,  thinking life is as happy as it was then. Closing my eyes I leaned back.

"Someone get that child" some lady shouted grabbing my attention.

"Offo! You little devil!" I heard her scolding while I walked out of the office room. 

"Look at you! Scratched yourself and now tears in your eyes? " she scolded him wiping dust from his face and knees. 

I know her... 

"Look at me.  Next time if you run away like this,  I will tie you to that tree and teach you maths continuously for hours " she warned him.  I  chuckled loudly hearing her. 

"Sorry, I hate maths and I hate you too" With that said kid ran away giggling.

I could see the lady puffing her cheeks talking to herself about how notorious kids have become and how she is getting insulted even by them.

"Excuse me?" I intervened with her.

"What?" she turned around.

Aahana!  Oh my! 

"Soham?" she questioned me. 

"Hello. How have you been?" she asked me. 

"I am doing good." I replied smiling a bit. 

"That's good to know that you are doing good and it's a good thing that you can do it" she replied in a breath looking here and there. 

Flustered by my presence or still angry about that kid?!

" Why are you here?" she asked me.

"We own this orphanage" I replied to which she had a shocked expression. 

"Really? Wow.  By the way, I know this before itself.  Was just teasing you" she giggled hitting my arm.  I smiled at her comment,  it was obvious that we knew it.  My mom might have told everyone during the weekly interaction session about why it's been built and how happy she is to have it running successfully.

"I admire your mom.  She's simply kind hearted" she said smiling a bit. 

"Indeed she is" I replied. We were silent for a few minutes I guess as I kept on watching her she grew uncomfortable and I had to look away.

Why didn't I see that she had high cheekbones before?

She's of good height too...

"I will be going Soham." she said walking backwards. 

"Sure. Carry on. Don't be too strict" I said winking at her. 

"Will try!  See you around" she replied. 

Time. 

Time has changed many things. From that day onwards I was a regular visitor to this place.  We never talked much,  all I did was look after this place and greet politely.  Aunty told me how good she is with children and how dedicated she is.  She told me about everyone, every teacher appointed for these children but only she caught my attention all the time. 

Maybe because I only want to know about her? 

My moments were short-lived as my phone kept on ringing dragging my attention back to reality. 

"Hello?" I answered.

"Where are you son?" my dad spoke.

"Sorry Dad, I will be back in half an hour. Came to orphanage" I replied.

"I will attend the meeting. Don't stress about it. Aahana's father called me a few minutes back" he said

They accepted the proposal?? 

"He was worried" he said pausing a bit.

"Why dad??" I asked him.

"Aahana went out early in the morning without informing anyone.  She hasn't come home" he said.

Panic filled me. 

"It's just ten in the morning, Dad.  She's a responsible person.  Did he call her?" I asked him.

"Her phone is switched off.  He wanted to us inform her if she meets any of us that they will be worried and waiting for her" my dad said in a low tone.

" What happened, dad??? " I asked him.

"It's unusual for someone to go out so early Soham. She isn't at her college too" my dad said. 

"Dad ask Uncle not to get worried, she will contact him soon.  Should I call him?" I asked Dad.

"No son.  I will talk with him." he replied.

"But Soham,  I want you to search for her,  whatever possible places you can think of " he said before disconnecting our call. 

Of course, I will search for her.  But where will I go??  I don't know where she go other than college!

Where are you Aahu!!!!!?

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