Colors: Part 4

                                                              Night 4

Radha was applying lotion on the bruises she had on her cheeks. Little Aadhi was watching it curiously and he was on immense pain. He had tears in his eyes and asked his mother “does it pain a lot?”

She saw the tears and wiped it. She patted his cheek and said, “little kiddo, you don’t have to cry now. See, mom is fine now. Mom is laughing now” she beamed.

“Are you ok?” said Aadhi wiping the tears on his cheek.

“I’m good you little doll. I’m good. See I’m speaking now. It’s the stairs i can’t handle it. I’m often being pushed down by this stairs” said with the mischievous eyes.

Aadhi replied, ”Idiotic stairs, wait! I’ll hit it with a stick so that it would know pain.”

Radha laughed and pulled him back to her arms and lifted him. She asked him, “Aadhi, it’s ok kiddo. I’m fine. Forgive the stairs. Let me ask you something. What you wanna become when you grow up?”

Aadhi replied immediately, “I want to become me mom. I don’t want to be someone else.”

The answer was spot on and even startled his mom. She looked stunned and cried in pride. She stammered and said, “I’m proud of you!”

Aadhi didn’t know the reason for his mother’s tears and he gave a bewildered look on her mother. He asked, “Why are you crying? Is it paining? I told you right. Let me go and hit the stairs. Put me down.”

Radha replied,”I’m fine son. Hitting someone as a revenge doesn’t gonna earn you anything. You just lose, instead, forgive them. They will kneel and ask for your forgiveness someday.”

Aadhi nodded his head and jumped out of his mom’s arms and stood in front of her. “Ma! You know, today, I told about Da to my friends including Madhi. They looked at me in awe and they didn’t speak a word. They said that my dad was really a hero. I’m proud of Da Ma. They just wanna hear more about Da.”

“Oh oh. Dad’s story has created quite a buzz among your friends I presume?” asked Radha questioningly.

“Ya! And everyone knows my name in the class. It’s just the fourth day! Also can you tell something different about Da?” said Aadhi with excitement.

“Well, someone is being importance by Madhi I presume?” She asked playfully.

Aadhi rejoined, “ Nah! Now tell me please.. Please.”

“Ok..Ok.. I’ll tell you.” She cleared her throat and began her story.

“It was new year’s eve. My birthday falls on December 31. It was my first birthday with your Da. My expectations sky-rocketed and I was in suspense and sat on the couch waiting for your Da’s arrival. I was angry with him because he hasn’t arrived till afternoon. He came in but I didn’t speak with him. Not a word Aadhi. I sat in complete silence. A girl’s greatest treasure is getting the first wish from your better half with a surprise. But, I haven’t got anything. Not even a flower.”

Aadhi replied, “So sad!”

““Yup. It was. He came in and sat next to me. I didn’t wanna see him so I turned my gaze towards the window. He touched my hand but I refused it and let go of his hand immediately. He said, “Dear! What is the reason for your anger?”

I said, “Reason?? Are you asking for a reason? Come on don’t act. Leave me alone.”

He said,” Oh dear! I really don’t know why you are mad at me?”

“I am?? Oh yeah! I am mad at you. Leave it. Just don’t talk to me now”

“Ok. Come on! Get ready. We are going out” said your Da with his hands on my shoulder.

“Out?? Where are we going?”

“Don’t ask questions. You have 5 minutes. Get ready. Your time starts now” he said that and left the place

I sat on the bike behind him. It was a pleasant ride. We drove, drove and drove. I asked him, “ Can’t you tell me where are we going?”

He didn’t speak a word. The bike came to a halt near a house and he told me to get down. I got down and followed him. He walked up to the home and turned towards me. I walked near to him. All of a sudden he covered my eyes with his hands. He directed me inside the home and opened my eyes. Some 30 kids shouted “Happy birthday Aunty!”. It was awesome to see all the kids with candles and all the kids kissed me. They sang song and I cut the cake and gave the first bite to my dear. I came to know, it’s the home your dad grew up and it’s an orphanage. We spent the day at the orphanage and ate with the kids. Your dad said, “Life isn’t hard Radha, it’s in our belief. These kids have faith in themselves like me. You know, they are all abandoned by their parents yet these little kids believed themselves and living as a one family. I’m proud to be a part of the family. Till date, a part of my salary is being sent to this home. It’s little I can do.” He kissed me on the cheek in front of the kids and they cheered us in chorus. My face went pink in shy. Your dad was a great man Aadhi. He was an inspiration to all that budding talents at the orphanage and no wonder he chose to be an army man. He was a captain serving the Indian army and I’m proud of him.”

Little Aadhi was blown away and sat looking at his mom, admiring her without uttering a word.

Radha said, “Kiddo, it’s time. Let’s sleep.”

Aadhi lie on the bed and looked at the ceiling. He slept as time went on. After few minutes, his mom woke up and left the door ajar and went towards the main door.