Chapter 64: Chapter 64

Author's pov

" Ma, Papa told me that you used to be a dance teacher," Orni asked Srilekha.

It was nighttime and Orni was laying on the bed resting her head in her mother's lap. Srilekha was messaging Orni's head gently. After getting her mother back, Orni developed a habit of sleeping on her mother's lap. She was behaving like a lovesick child. Why won't she? After all, she was deprived of her mother's love all the years.

A smile formed at the corner of Srilekha's lips. Taking a deep breath she looked outside.

" Yes. I won a lot of prizes for my talent. I started dancing when I was only 10. My dad and mom were classical dan........" Srilekha started narrating her childhood while Orni was lost in his mother's words.

Orni was mesmerised by her mother. The way she talks, her melodious voice, innocent eyes and good heart melt her. Specifically, the love she has seen between her father & mother is something that fascinates her. Only by looking at Srilekha's eyes, Orni can feel how much she loves her father. But, she was still wondering why her mother left her father. Why did she leave her when she was just a toddler?

" Ma, why you used to come to meet me covering your face? Why you didn't show me your face earlier?" Orni asked.

Srilekha's face lost colour and a nervous expression appeared on her face. She tried to divert this topic but Orni was stubborn. She continued questioning Srilekha.

" Because of your safety. I didn't want you to know about me and then start searching for me," Srilekha answered looking down.

Orni asked surprisingly," To save me? From whom?"

Srilekha remained silent when Orni asked," Why are you silent, ma?"

" I don't want to say anything," Srilekha whispered feeling her cheeks getting wet.

Suddenly, Orni grabbed Srilekha's wrists and inquired suspiciously," How did you get all those scars, Ma? I have seen scars on your back too. And, your feet? I have seen them. They are burnt. What are you hiding?"

All those questions boomed on Srilekha opening the previous wounds in her chest. Except for shedding tears, she couldn't utter a single word.

" Ma, say something," Orni asked shaking her mother slightly.

Fisting her palms, Srilekha replied loudly," Indrajit Randhawa."

The surname Randhawa caught Orni's attention and it took a few minutes to remember whose name Srilekha has just taken. Blinking her eyes, Orni left Srilekha's shoulder.

" Randhawa?" Orni muttered quivering lips.

After that, Srilekha only narrated that demo of the sufferings she went through. The more Orni was hearing, the more she was feeling disgusted. She was disgusted that she loved Indrajit's son who was one degree above him.

Orni hated VR but after hearing her mother's words and seeing her mother's tears she started loathing him. Srilekha revealed why VR tortured Orni to the extent that she lost her sanity.

" I thought Vijendra will be different from his father but he proved me wrong," Srilekha said with regret.

She regrets that she loved VR like her own son unknown to the fact how he broke Orni.

Orni couldn't hear anymore. She pulled her crying mother into a tight hug. Automatically tears started flowing down her cheeks.

" He is in Jail, now. He got what he deserved," Orni told her mother having an emotionless expression.

The next day morning

" Orni, Roman & Rion......get up.......it's 10 a.m. You lazy arses," Srilekha yelled pulling the comforter away from Orni.

Roman & Rion snuggled into Orni more while Orni whined," Ma, let me sleep another hour."

" We are supposed to be in the temple. But, here we are. We are already late. Get up," Srilekha reminded.

Whining for some time and crawling on the bed finally Orni decided to wake up. After a quick shower, she got ready to go to the temple. She wore a simple Anarkali dress where she put kurta pyjama on Roman & Rion. She fell in love seeing them in Kurta pyjamas. They were looking adorable.

" No mischief in the temple. Otherwise, God will be angry," Orni told her sons while brushing their hair.

Roman replied," You said God does not get angry with children."

Orni sighed hearing his argumentative statement and started brushing Rion's hair.

" Mumma, does God hear everyone's prayers?" Rion asked curiously.

Orni answered," Of course, He hears all of our prayers."

" Then, why doesn't he hear my prayers?" He asked and Orni looked at him amusingly.

She asked holding his tiny hands," What did you ask from God, hmm?"

" I asked for a Daddy but He didn't give me any," Rion replied making Orni nervous.

Roman whined," Neela had Papa and Daddy both. But, we have none. Why, Mumma?"

" We will talk about it later. Ok? We are getting late," Orni tried to divert the topic.

Rion asked pulling Orni's dupatta(stole)," Mumma, can we buy a Daddy from the store? Just like Neela's Daddy. Tall and kind."

" Is there any Daddy store?" Roman asked innocently.

Their continuous questioning was getting on Orni's nerves. She wasn't understanding what she should answer. She might have grown physically but her mind is still naive. She isn't that mature too.

While Orni was struggling to answer them, Sanjay heard everything from outside. He peeped inside Orni's room and found her gloomy and nervous face. Without wasting another second he entered the room silently and went behind Roman.

" But, Neela doesn't have a charming grandpa like me," Sanjay said suddenly.

Pulling Roman and Rion into his lap, he started tickling their belly. Both of their giggles echoed through the whole room making Orni relaxed.

" So, you were asking about a Daddy. What if grandpa buys one for you?" Sanjay asked the kids and both of their faces beamed with happiness but Orni didn't look happy.

They asked in unison," When are we going to have a Daddy?"

" Soon. Once your Mumma finishes college," Sanjay answered smiling.

Before the kids could ask any questions further, Srilekha called them from the dining room," Roman and Rion. Come here. Breakfast is ready."

" Coming, grandma," Saying that they left running.

No sooner had they left than Orni asked her father," What you were saying, Papa? You were talking about my marriage?"

" Why are you so shocked? Just like every father I am tensed about your future too. Your mother and I won't live forever. You need someone to protect you. Once you finish college, I will marry you off to a good person," Sanjay replied curtly.

Orni tried to say something when Sanjay shut her mouth," No more argument here. You chose a criminal for your life partner and it cost your life almost. Now, you will only hear me. That's final."

Saying that he forwarded his legs to leave. Orni sat down on the bed having a disturbed expression. Marriage!! This word was feeling like a big burden to her. She doesn't want anyone in her life after what she went through.

Orni and her family reached the temple where Shivansh and Satya were already present. Srilekha and Sanjay wanted to do a pooja for Orni's safety. So, they invited Satya, Shivansh, Niyati and Neela too. Srilekha and Sanjay wanted to thank God for returning Orni to them.

When the pooja was done Satya held Orni's hands and kissed her forehead affectionately. Looking at Orni, he only smiled. She doesn't look like him at all. She looks similar to Srilekha.

" You remind me of my daughter Lily," Satya said having a longing expression.

Then, he told her," You are my daughter. After all, you call Shivansh your brother. I just want to see you safe and sound. I am glad that finally, you are in good hands."

" Dad," Orni called hugging him that brought tears in his eyes but he controlled his emotions.

Then, Shivansh pulled her into a tight hug. Patting her back he kissed her head gently. He was treating her like his child.

" I want you to see him getting punishment. His trial will be held very soon," Shivansh whispered in Orni's ear.

Orni answered sounding scared," I don't even want to see his face."

" You have to," Shivansh told her.

Breaking the hug he said caressing her cheeks," I just want you to smile always."

" I wish the same for you. I wish someone starts understanding your emotional situation," Orni replied looking at Niyati who stormed outside the temple angrily.

Everything was seeming fine in Orni's life but the problems in her life haven't been solved permanently. She doesn't know that she has to face difficulties for the one last time.