Part 16 Old memories...

The children of the home became happy like ever before as they hear that they are going to get many sets of dresses that they never got. At the same time, they became sad as their favorite Ratnama is leaving them.

*Ratnama, won't you come here again?* a little boy asked her sadly.

No need to say, Ratna's eyes tear up.

*Why won't I come? Are you guys planning to send me forever? It will never happen... I will come here often to see you and whenever I come, I will get you many gifts...* she said to the boy.

He rushed towards the other children shouting,

*Ratnama is not leaving us forever... she will come to meet us often with gifts...* he hopped cheerfully.

All the children joined him and hopped. Ratna smiled at them whereas Arvind felt bad for the children. He knew his Ratna. She is a sweet woman anyone can love. The children will feel bad for missing Ratna and no one could replace her.

Arnav was supervising the storekeepers who were arranging the lots. He saw the rooms of the home. The children were asking him many questions and he was answering them with patience. After the work had been done, he came to his parents. He searched for Khushi and she was not there. He asked Arvind about her through his eyes. Arvind also answered him through his eyes, pointing in the direction of the BEACH.

*Chotte... don't you go to the beach? We won't get the chance to get our feet wet by the seawater... after all, we don't have a beach in Delhi...* Arvind said smilingly, gesturing him to go to the beach.

*Mom... I will be there on the beach for a while...*

Ratna nodded ok.

Arnav headed to the beach. He was nearing the sea and he couldn't resist thinking about the Tsunami day. He gulped hard as he felt a kind of nervousness in his heart. How could he forget that... the wave which separated his mother from him...? When he came to Velankanni for the first time, the beach looked just like a lake with ripples like small waves. But now, the waves are rough... the beach was so close to the church... the Tsunami had changed many things in India as well as in their life.

He saw Khushi playing on the beach with Sherlin. She was wet completely and she didn't mind about it. That was the first time, she sees the sea. The people who live in north India have very little chance to see beaches in their life. She looked happy. The views of the people differ accordingly. Not only Khushi but also anyone shouldn't experience such a tragedy in their life. He wished wholeheartedly.

Sherlin saw Arnav looking at the sea with a stern expression. She gestured to Khushi to look at him. Khushi understood what he was undergoing. That's when Arnav felt a touch on his shoulder. He saw Arvind and Ratna standing with the same emotion. He hugged them together closing his eyes. Neither Arvind nor Ratna tried to break the hug. After a while, Ratna caressed his hair.

*Calm down, Chotte...*

Composing himself, Arnav broke the hug. Khushi was amazed, seeing him so emotional.

*Dad... I want to talk to you, about something very important*

Ratna looked at Arvind.

*Let's talk relaxing*

Arnav nodded ok.

*Khushi, Beta... Sherlin...* Arvind called them.

Khushi and Sherlin came to them.

*Let's go...* Arvind pointed at the restaurant near the beach.

Khushi nodded ok. She needed a hot tea as she was drenched in the water. They entered the restaurant and sat at the six-seated table. A waiter came to them asking for the orders.

*Ratna, order something good for us...* Arvind gave the responsibility to Ratna as he didn't have any idea about Tamilnadu food.

*Five, Sambar vada...* she said.

Sherlin leaned to Khushi's ear and said.

*Sambar vada will be super tasty...*

Khushi looked at her and she nodded yes.

The server brought a hot sambar vada in a minute. He served it to them. Khushi tasted it and she raised her brows, looking at Sherlin, and nodded yes affirmatively. Arnav smiled, seeing her gesture. She ate it relishing it. The hot Vada gave her warmth.

*Mom, order one more for everyone...* he said looking at Khushi.

Khushi stopped eating and looked at him. Arnav composed himself.

*It tastes good... isn't it Dad?* he asked as if he wanted it for him.

*Yeah...delicious...* Arvind agreed.

Ratna ordered another five.

*What do you want to talk to me about, Chotte?* Arvind asked.

*We have to do something for the children, Dad... I mean if they got stable in their studies, they will get a good future...*

*Besides, I would like to appoint a few caretakers with Father John's permission because we are snatching their Ratnama...* Arvind said looking at Ratna smilingly.

*Good idea Dad... but how could we appoint them in a short period? We have only one day... tomorrow...* Arnav said.

*Yes... I want to appoint them as quickly as possible* Arvin said.

*Is your area have local channels?* Arnav asked Sherlin.

*Yeah... there are four channels here...*

*Then we will give an ad in those channels for the new workers...*

*Good idea...* Arvind said.

*But... I don't think you can do it in a day...* Sherlin said.

*Why not... if we announce a good salary...?* Arnav said.

*And we will give them a bonus every month if they get good points from the children...* Arvind said.

*Fantastic dad... then they will give their level best in taking care of the children...* Arnav cheered him up.

Khushi was switching her gaze from father to son whereas Ratna felt relieved as she had been thinking about the children.

*Sherlin beta... could you do it fast?* Arvind asked.

*Sure uncle...* she went a little away to make a call to her husband.

*By the way, Dad...*

Arvind looked at Arnav.

*Thank you dad...*

*Thanks...? Why?*

*I'm very lucky to have you as my Dad... I never thought of the life I'm living... how lucky I'm... I just realized it, seeing the poor children...* he was so emotional and the other trio sensed it.

He was not wrong... how lucky we are to get such a life yet we are complaining... we won't do that if we visit an orphanage once... Khushi thought.

Arnav's face changed all of a sudden as he thought something very sensitive. He leaned towards Arvind's ear and whispered something. In no time, Arvind burst out laughing. Ratna frowned at them and couldn't understand why he was laughing.

*Dad... stop it, please...* he pleaded in a feeble tone.

*We will also laugh if you tell us the matter...* Ratna said pointing at herself and Khushi.

Khushi nodded yes seriously.

*Actually...* Arvind started, laughingly.

Arnav closed his mouth nodding NO.

*Relax Chotte... Ratna won't get upset with you...* Arvind said removing his palm.

*What's the matter? I won't get upset... promise... you can tell me* Ratna assured.

Arnav looked at Arvind sadly.

*Chotte asked me to get second marriage once... he asked me not to tell you that...* Arvind said smilingly.

Khushi looked at him shockingly. Arnav hit his forehead and sat keeping his palm on his head, looking down.

To be continued...

The next part is available on INKITT

Mother's stand

Arnav was suffocated to see Ratna. Arnav didn't look at Ratna. Ratna was stuck for a while and smiled.

*Didn't I say you have brought him up well...?* she said.

Arnav and Khushi looked at her surprisingly, with an unbelievable expressions.