Hello Fam :)

I am sorry for the delay. I was writing for my other book and since my love for Sirius Black was overflowing, I was continuously writing for that one. But am I to be blamed for being smitten with Sirius Black? Because who doesn't? :P

Happy Reading...

The classes for the 1st year students were pretty regular with professors lazing around in the name of introductions and discussing the curriculum. Some of the seniors who saw them randomly informed them that their first week will be similar and the actual classes will start in the second week.

After the classes, Raina went to the library while the others left for their respective hostels. As Mahi had to go to the orphanage, he left for the parking to get his bike. When he was starting the bike, he felt someone's presence behind him and was surprised to find Sakshi standing there. "What are you doing here?", he asked.

"I am bored", said Sakshi. "Cheeka bean told me, you go to the orphanage to teach kids. So, I thought of accompanying you."

Mahi rolled his eyes. "There's a thing known as asking before you decide."

Sakshi battled her eyelashes. "Mahi, can I please visit the orphanage along with you, pretty please? And the answer should be yes as I won't take a no."

"Why do you even want to go there?", he asked, because who would be excited to go to an orphanage? Especially someone like her.

The girl tugged his hand. "Please, Mahi. You have completely used your quota of asking questions. Now, just start the bike. We are getting late."

"As if you know when to reach the place?", he muttered.

She didn't say anything but as Mahi started the bike, he saw a smile on her face as she looked at him in the mirror. When she didn't say anything even after fifteen minutes, Mahi glanced into the mirror before concentrating on the road. "I never knew that even you could be silent."

"I am just looking around the city. Mumbai is a beautiful place, right?"

Mahi smiled. "I am in love with this place. This city has a place for anyone and everyone. And it accepts you with open arms." It had accepted him too. He didn't know where he was from, what happened to his parents and why he was left here but as far as he remembered, he loved the city. No one looks at you twice because everyone is busy in their own world. No one gives a damn if you are rich, poor, happy, or sad. Once you are walking on the streets, you are all the same.

"I couldn't agree more", she said. "I am already in love with the city so much that I can settle here out of all places of the world."

Mahi shook his head. "And again, this is so big thing to think and you made the decision so easily." And it took him years to fall in love with the city.

"Live in places where your heart takes you and where it's happy. It's easier that way."

Mahi chuckled. "Would it be an exaggeration if I call you the female SRK?"

"You mean the closest example of SRK's fangirl you have ever met?", she teased.

Mahi shook his head, smiling. This girl was something completely different than anyone he had ever met.

XXX

As Mahi parked his bike, he saw Sakshi looking around and found her grinning. This place brings that out of people. There were huge trees all over the place. If not the greenery, there was a fountain at the front in front of the statue of Mother Teresa, the epitome of selfless love. This has been his home all his life. "Shall we go in?", he asked.

Sakshi nodded and followed him inside when an elderly man appeared in front of them, crossing his arms and with a stern look on his face. Mahi facepalmed himself on seeing him. He knew what was coming.

"So, this was your reason for leaving the orphanage? Girlfriend? Why am I the last person to inform about your girlfriend?"

"And why didn't I try removing this drama and jumping to unreasonable conclusions nature out of you while I could?", he countered. The man smiled sheepishly as Mahi turned to Sakshi. "He is Keshav Banerjee. The caretaker of this orphanage and a fatherly figure to me. We all call him baba. Baba, as you might have already guessed, you are wrong even this time. Hence, this is Sakshi Rawat, my classmate."

"And friend", said Sakshi, forwarding her hand. "Hello, baba. I hope I can call you that?"

Keshav beamed at her and patted her head. "Of course, beta. Such a sweet person you are."

Personally, Mahi thought she would roast anyone if they have pissed her but he didn't mention it. Let people live in their happy bubble. "Why don't you guys talk to each other? Meanwhile, I will go and check out the kids", he said and left them alone.

XXX

Keshav showed her around the place and Sakshi really felt peaceful. "This is so beautiful. The trees and all the plants."

Keshav smiled at her. "Credits to Mahi. He loves nature. This was just another orphanage. There was a chapter about the importance of planting trees in one of his textbooks. He was just 7 and he came running to me. He was stubborn and convinced me to buy him a sapling. When his plant started growing, he flaunted it to other kids and inspired them to plant them too. A plant by a kid. And this place transformed into heaven in just a few years."

Sakshi liked the picture of little Mahi running around the orphanage. "Were you there with him since his childhood?"

Keshav nodded. "He was a few days old when I found him at the door of my office in this orphanage with nothing but his birth certificate that contained just his name and date of birth. I never understood, why they wanted to get rid of this boy. Of course, every kid here knows how they ended up here. Even Mahi does. While every other kid was an orphan by accident or picked up by someone from the streets but Mahi was different. He was just dropped anonymously and the circumstances indicate their parents or family did that knowingly. Irrespective to all this, I never saw him complaining even once in his life. He accepted his destiny with a smile."

"Now that he is staying in a hostel, don't you miss him?"

Keshav sighed. "I do. Every single person here does miss him. But I can't be selfish and stop him from growing. I am sure, he will make me proud someday."

"I am already so proud of him, she joked to lighten up the conversation. Deep down in her heart, she knew the words were true. She was really proud of the boy whom she had only for a couple of days ago.

Keshav chuckled. "Just tell me, are you not his girlfriend? I never saw him bringing any of his friends here, except Virat and Raina. But him bringing a girl is a surprise."

Sakshi winked. "No, I am not his girlfriend. Lekin aage ka kisne dekha hai."

Keshav bursts out laughing. "You are one hell of a crazy girl. Keep visiting."

"Of course, I will. Even if I have to force Mahi to bring me here. By the way, where's his class going on? Can I go, and see?"

Keshav pointed towards a corridor. "The classroom at the end of this floor."

"I will be right back", she said and went in the direction. Upon reaching there, she found Mahi talking to the kids, a childish grin adorning his face. Sakshi smiled at the picture before knocking on the door. "May I come in?"

The whole class turned towards her and then Mahi but one of the little girls, who was standing beside him with her book, tugged at his pants and whispered who was she. The whisper which wasn't quite the whisper.

"My-", started Mahi.

"I am his friend", she interrupted. People don't say they were just classmates after knowing the extent of love she had for SRK. "What's the name of this beautiful girl?", she asked, kneeling in front of the girl.

"Sakshi, this is Mahira."

"And I am Mahi's best friend", said Mahira.

"Hey, Mahira."

"Call me, Mahi. Just Mahi."

"But we already have a Mahi here right?", asked Sakshi.

Mahi sighed before kneeling beside her. "Mahira loves both of us being called Mahi, right?"

Mahira crossed her arms. "Yes. We share the same name. Hence, I have the maximum rights on Mahi."

Mahi flicked a finger on her forehead, lightly. "You are six and a half. Who taught you these rights and all, Mahi?"

The girl rolled her eyes. "I read books, Mahi."

Mahi rubbed his forehead. "Of course. Now say hello to Sakshi. Sweetly", he said, with a slight warning in his tone.

"She is so sweet, Mahi", squealed Sakshi. "Mahira, it was nice meeting you."

Mahira cracked the first smile ever since she came. "Same to you. Mahi, are you leaving already?"

They checked the time and realized they were already late to reach the hostel. "Yes, Mahi. I am already late. I need to leave. But I will come tomorrow and meanwhile, you can complete your homework. Okay?"

In response, Mahira hugged his legs, preventing him from moving. Mahi sighed and picked her up and the little girl threw her hands around Mahi's neck. "I really miss you. Why can't I come with you?"

Mahi rubbed circles on her back. "When you will complete your school and you will grow big, you too can come to my college."

"But then, you will leave the college and go somewhere else."

For a six-year-old, Sakshi thought, her logic was on point.

Mahi broke the hug and wiped her tears. "Let's do one thing. Whenever you are coming to college, I will join the college again as a professor. Then, we can study together."

The girl sniffed, rubbing her nose. "Will you share your books with me then?"

"Yes. I will share all my books with you also, my games. We will play together. But for that to happen, you need to do today's homework. Remember, one day at a time?"

Mahira nodded before jumping down and waving her hand saying 'bye'. Mahi pecked her head and wished goodnight to all the kids before walking out.

As Sakshi followed him, she understood, why Mahi was 'Mahi Bhai to his friends. He was just good at taking care of the people. She shrugged. Nothing new here. Just one of the admiring things about Mahendra Singh Dhoni in his list of too many admiring qualities.

Hopefully, see you soon. :)