41.Happy Birthday

Lord Rama and Sita - Hindu God and godess.

Prasad- Holly offering mainly sweet.

It was Sunday morning, Raina was in simple track pants and sweatshirt roaming in the palace silently trying to divert her mind somewhere else.

She was feeling very low today, tears were brimming in her eyes more often.

On the other hand , one week had passed but that policeman didn't contact her .

She stopped in her tracks after seeing chaos in the hall.

Vasudha was instructing servants, "I don't want even a bit of tardiness today. Every thing should be perfect."

She left from there after saying that, Raina spotted Adhvan in one side.

She walked to him seeing many wrapped gift boxes lying there.

"Why so many gifts?", she asked him drawing his attention.

He turned to her and smiled.

"Oh.. This? Actually on this day, Maa sa and Baba sa donate things in poor every year and these are the gifts for orphanage kids. They themselves visit orphanage every year, so every staff is doing their best.", he explained.

"Is it something special today?", she looked around in confusion.

"I don't know, we hadn't stayed in Jodhpur in childhood much, always in England for studies and then away for work so I have no idea.", Adhvan shrugged.

"Oh, okay. Continue your work.", she smiled at him and moved out of that hall to a peaceful place.

She leaned on the pillar and watched those water droplets jumping out of the fountain and birds chirping and flying around the green plants, it was feeling like an oasis.

She was completely soaked in by that scenery, suddenly she felt a hard push on her back, she immediately opened her eyes only to see the decreasing distance between herself and the floor. But again someone held her elbow and pulled her hardly, that person turned her.

Raina's eyes and mouths were wide open, her heart was beating at a fast pace, she could feel the pumping of heart in her ears and air were knocked out from her lungs.

She listened some laughter sounds, she looked up to find Akshit laughing at her.

"Oh god. Your face.", Akshit laughed more pointing at her face.

Raina came out of her shocked state and started hitting him, "You idiot, stupid, monkey. I was going to fall."

He started laughing more but soon Dia pushed him aside and came forward with a large smile hugged her tightly, Raina hugged her back still surprised, she broke the hug and asked with a wide smile present on her lips, "You two here?"

"Happy Birthday.", both said in unison with a grin on their faces but the happiness from Raina's face wiped off, same dull and grave feeling returning in her eyes, again her eyes brimmed with tears.

Akshit and Dia noticed that, Akshit pulled her, tightly securing her in his arms. Dia also hugged her from behind knowing well the condition of Raina.

They pulled apart when they heard, "Today is your birthday?"

Akshit and Dia turned to look at Adya standing there with her younger brother but Raina took her time to inhale some oxygen.

Finally she turned after sometime and nodded her head.

"Wow. Then party is must.", Adya said with her usual excitement.

"Party?? Uhh... That..", Raina was feeling awkward.

"She doesn't celebrate her birthday.", Dia said politely.

"Why?", Adhvan asked.

"Just like that.", Akshit shrugged with a smile.

Adhvan nodded in understanding.

"Well let me introduce you to each other. Guys, he is Adhvan, younger brother of Adya. And Adhvan she is my friend Dia and he is Akshit.", Raina introduced them.

Akshit and Adhvan shook hands with each other, Adhvan said with a smile recognising him, "And also business associate of Rajputana."

"Yeah.", Akshit chuckled.

"I think Adya already know Dia.", Raina said remembering their meeting at Akshit's concert. Girls nodded their head.

Adya glanced at her watch and asked, "Raina, any special plans today?"

Raina shook her head in No and asked,"Not really. Why?"

"We are visiting an orphanage, come with us. Though I have visited twice or thrice only but I am assuring that you will love there.", Adya smiled hopefully.

Adhvan said excitedly, "Yes, loads of munchkins are there."

"Kids?", Dia asked happily.

Adhvan nodded.

Raina and Akshit shared a look knowing her fondness towards children.

"Raina, let's go . Please.", she clung to her one side, pleading her like a child.

"Yeah Raina, don't deny. It's been long since Dia met anybody of her age.", Akshit shook his head on her childish behavior.

"You-", Dia was saying something while going near to hit him but Raina held her dragging back to her initial place, away from Akshit.

Raina said quickly, "Okay okay. Just let me change."

"Hurry up girl, till then you both come and have a seat.", Adya ushered her towards the door and guided both friends to living room for some refreshments.

Raina came out after changing her dress, all four also got up and started to walk outside.

Dia was busily chating with Akshit and Adya on god knows what topic whereas Adhvan was taking a last look at the things they were taking to orphanage.

Raina's cell rang showing an incoming call from an unknown number. She swiftly went other side receiving it, "Hello. Who's this?"

"Ma'am, I am that policeman who met you outside police station that day. You needed that case file.Right?", she heard him saying.

"Yeah, I need it. Have you got it?", she asked moving her eyes here and there , looking if anyone is near her.

"Yes, I have got it already . Meet me tomorrow afternoon, I will send you the address and come with money.", Raina agreed and cut the call.

She kept the phone back in her sling bag and sighed, she was hoping to get some clue next day. She started walking but bumped to a servant who was carrying gift boxes to car. Two boxes fell down.

"Sorry, I should have been more careful.", she picked up the boxes and was going to give him but stopped when she saw something written on the sticker stucked on the boxes.

"Happy Birthday Ria"

Raina kept looking at it, that servant muttered, "Ma'am, what happened?"

Raina nodded in no, but looked at the gifts he was holding. All gifts have those stickers and the same words written on them.

That servant took the boxes from her hand and went away meanwhile Raina was still rooted on her place.

"What was that?", Raina muttered running her hand through her open hair trying to relax herself.

She looked up when heard Dia calling her, she walked to Akshit's car and sat inside it.

Dia noticed her taking deep breaths, she put her hand on her shoulders and raised her eyebrows silently asking her what happened. Raina nodded in no and turned to look outside the window.

Raina came out of her trance when the car stopped. When everyone was outside of car, they started to walk to the building standing at a distance.

Adya and Adhvan was standing with their back turned to them, waiting for them.

Raina entered through the main gate and her gaze fell on the large garden and the building standing there.

The wave of nostalgia hit her strongly, she stumbled back but couldn't balanced herself. Thanks to God that Akshit was just behind her, he held her on the time.

"Raina, what is this? Don't you know how to walk?", Akshit scoffed.

But when he looked at her panicked face, he pulled her up and cupped her face, "Raina, what happened?"

"This orphanage, it is the first orphanage opened by mumma and papa,Akshit. It is their orphanage where they used to come.", she sobbed while a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Hey, why are you crying. C'mon, it's your birthday and you came to this place. Doesn't you feel like you are with your parents. It's your birthday, smile now. ", Akshit wiped her tears and smiled at her.

"Should I smile because it is my birthday or should I cry because on the vary same day I lost my everything.",she looked down,her voice was cracked.

Their attention was drawn by a scream of boy, they looked there to find a boy wailing because he fell from the swing. Soon his friends arrived and consoled him and within five minutes he was laughing again.

Dia pointed at that boy.

"Raina, look at that boy. He doesn't have his parents to take care of him, but his friends are there to make him smile. They are providing warmth to each other and finding solace in each other. They are enjoying what they have in present trying to forget the pain.", she tried to make her understand.

"If they can do it then why can't you?", Akshit placed his hands on he shoulders and pressed softly.

"Come.", Dia held her hand and pulled her.

Raina was also a bit calm. She smiled slightly when she saw numerous kids jumping around Adya.

They went near them, a small girl saw Akshit and screamed, "Oh my god, Are you Akshit who sings on T.V.?"

Akshit kneeled down in front of her and pulled her cheeks, he chuckled, "I guess, I have some fans here."

Some more kids surrounded them.

Adhvan sighed dramatically, "One die hard fan in my home too."

Akshit didn't heard properly, he asked, "What?"

Adya kicked Adhvan's leg and said, "He was saying that come to hall."

Adhvan winced silently rubbing his leg, all moved to hall .

Hall was decorated a little with strings of marigold flowers. A large picture of Lord Rama and Godess Sita was hung on the wall. It was practically covering a big part of wall.

A priest was doing some rituals, number of Diyas were lit in front of God.

Raina entered the place when priest was reciting some mantras and people were standing joining their hands even King and Queen.

That priest chanted a Sanskrit mantra which usually recited when a deceased soul is remembered,

"नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः।

न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः॥"

He translated it to make the people understand it,

"No weapon can cut the soul into pieces,

nor can it be burnt by fire,

nor moistened by water,

nor withered by the wind."

Akshit asked, "What is going on?"

An old lady who was the incharge of orphanage replied, "Today is the death anniversary of the founders of this orphanage. Every year Rana sa and Rani sa arrange for the prayers and along with that we celebrate birthday of every children today itself."

Akshit nodded his head maintaining his grip on Raina wrist.

Dia was amazed by the painting of god, she praised, "The painting is awesome. Rama and Sita are looking so beautiful, their love can be seen through this art."

That lady nodded nodded,"Our founders were a married couple and Mr. Chauhan's name meant same as Lord Rama so this painting is perfect for this place. One of our children created it."

After few minutes the little ceremony wrapped up and Prasad was distributed.

Raina was still standing there, keenly watching the painting.

She closed her eyes and prayed, "Rest in peace mumma and papa. I know you are watching me, you know this already but let me tell you again, I love you both with all of my heart. You are always in my heart . You both are in heaven with many angels protecting you but I am here bearing all this, give me strength. I want to defeat all this hurdles, you gave birth to a headstrong and stubborn girl and I want to prove this to world."

She opened her eyes feeling a new determination within herself, true to Akshit's word, she was feeling her parent's presence there.

She reached at garden to find big cake placed on their, they came in front of that table which was surrounded by many little kids.

Raina kneeled as a cute boy approached her, she tried to talk to him and after couple of minutes both were talking like long lost friends, some more kids came and Raina was all occupied.

"Who is Ria?", Dia asked Adya.

Raina head snapped to Dia, she turned her head to see where Dia was watching.

On the top of that cake 'Happy Birthday Ria' was written, things were turning very awkward for Raina.

That thing suddenly striked to Dia who looked at Raina with jaw dropped down, Raina ignored her and maintain her gaze on the children.

Adya shrugged not knowing the answer but someone else replied, "Someone we are waiting for. She is not with us but if god wills then she will be."

Vasudha said smiling a little.

Dia rubbed her forehead in anticipation, Adya was also confused, it was first time her mother was saying something about this annual ceremony.

Adhiraj who was standing with his father craned his neck when he heard his mother's voice. He spotted Raina instantly, who was talking to kids making cute faces.

He smiled a little at her but soon composed himself when he saw Akshit there.

Akshit smiled at him and forwarded his hand for a casual handshake, Adhiraj introduced him to his family.

Incharge of that orphanage gathered children, "Kids, come. Hurry up. Its time to cut the cake."

Small munchkins surrounded the table smiling and laughing excitedly, Raina smiled seeing that. She remembered her own days in child shelter home.

Adhvan exclaimed, "One minute!!"

Adhiraj looked at him raising his eyebrows.

He turned to Raina, "Raina, why don't you join them in cake cutting. Today is your birthday too."

Raina looked at him bewildered, Adya patted her brother's back, "Wow Adhvan. I didn't know that you have a functioning brain too. Great idea."

Adhvan made a bored face at her remark, Raina looked at Akshit and Dia who was looking at her too.

Raina stood up.

"No need Adhvan. Moreover I told you, I don't celebrate my birthday.",she said politely declining.

Uday Singh said seeing the bond between Raina and those kids, "I think you should cut the cake along with kids, they would like to have a new company."

Raina bit her lips and looked down, her eyes were stinging with upcoming tears, she muttered, "I don't have good memories with my birthday, it's just like any normal day for me."

Dia slided near her to provide her the comfort she needed.

Uday Singh felt his heart softened at that moment, his life had given him enough experience to notice that vulnerability in her voice.

Adhiraj frowned on that, it was her birthday and he didn't knew, he then scolded himself how was he supposed to knew even. It was not like he had done detailed study of her background.

Vasudha said softly, "It's okay if you don't have good memories. Life is giving you chances to create some wonderful ones, that's what life is about, to let go of things and live in present."

She smiled in last, Akshit nodded his head, "You are right Rani sa."

Raina looked up at him, he nodded his head at her, "Every day is a new beginning, take a deep breath, smile and start again."

He pulled her cheeks forming a smile.

Raina winced in pain, she freed her cheeks and groaned, "Idiot."

Akshit laughed at her riling up her more.

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I was going to make this update a bit long but update was getting delayed so thought to publish it , also we will reach 100k reads on the auspicious day of Navratri.

May Maa Durga bless you all and your family with every happiness of world.