Shanthi Orphanage

Shantiorphanage is a government funded NGO to admit the abandened kids.

This becameArnav's new home after the devastating loss of his parents in an accident. Withno relatives willing to care for him, the police had no choice but to bring himto this institution. Madan and Meena, the kind-hearted couple were the inchargeof the orphanage. They were childless. Madan was called "Baba" by allchildren and Meena was adressed as "Aunty"

Arnav's arrivalat Shanti Orphanage marked the beginning of a difficult journey. The trauma oflosing his parents in a tragic accident had left him shattered. He becamewithdrawn, struggling to come to terms with his new reality.

He was not interactingwith others, preferring the comfort of silence. He would sit alone, lost inthought, his eyes fixed on the floor. The other children's attempts to befriendhim were met with indifference, and even Baba and Aunty's efforts to consolehim were failed.

The rain poureddown on the city, casting a gloomy shadow over the streets. A police van pulledup in front of the Shanti Orphanage, its tires splashing in the puddles.Apolice officer stepped out of the van, carefully cradling a tiny bundle in hisarms. The bundle stirred, and a small, helpless cry pierced the air.

The officerapproached the orphanage door, where Madan and Meena, the kind-hearted couplewho ran the orphanage, waited with warm smiles."Another little one,"the officer said, gently handing over the baby. "Found her abandoned in apark. No identification, no signs of family."

Meena's eyesfilled with compassion as she took the baby from the officer. "Don'tworry, little one," she cooed. "You're safe now. You'rehome."Madan placed a reassuring hand on Meena's shoulder. "We'll takegood care of her," he said to the officer. "She'll be part of ourfamily now."

As the officerturned to leave, Meena looked up at Madan. "What will we nameher?"Madan smiled. "How about Khushi? Meena's face lit up."Perfect. Welcome, little Khushi. May you bring joy to our lives."

As the doorclosed behind the officer, Madan and Meena exchanged a warm glance. They knewthat this tiny, helpless creature would bring immense joy to their lives, andthey were eager to provide her with a loving home.

The nextmorning, the sun shone brightly through the windows of the Shanti Orphanage.The sound of children's laughter and chatter filled the air.

In the nursery,Meena was busy feeding the babies. Madan was helping the older kids get readyfor the day.Three-year-old Arnav, with his messy black hair and big brown eyes,wandered into the nursery, looking for attention. He spotted Meena feeding atiny baby and curiosity got the better of him.

"MeenaAunty, who's that?" Arnav asked, pointing to the baby. This was first timehe was asking something which gave a relief to Meena.

Meena smiled."This is Khushi, our new little addition. Say hello, Arnav."

Arnav's eyeswidened as he stared at the baby. Khushi looked up at him and cooed. Arnavgiggled.

"Hi,Khushi," Arnav said, waving at the baby.

Meena handedArnav a toy. "Why don't you play with Khushi for a bit? I'm sure she'dlove some company."

As Meena leftthe baby to Arnav, geturing the caretaker to keep an eye as Arnav was also asmall boy. He carefully peeped into the crib. Khushi looked up at Arnav andsmiled. Arnav's heart melted. "Khushi, you're so cute!" Arnavexclaimed. Khushi cooed making Arnav smile

As the dayswent by, Arnav found himself spending more and more time with baby Khushi. He'dhelp Meena and Madan with feeding, bathing, and putting Khushi to sleep. Arnavloved watching Khushi's face light up with a smile whenever he was around.

One afternoon,while Meena was busy in the kitchen, Arnav decided to give Khushi a "musiclesson". He'd bang away on a toy drum, singing "Twinkle, Twinkle,Little Star" in his own special tune. Khushi would giggle and coo, tryingto join in. Arnav felt like a hero as baby Khushi looked up at him withadoration with all his antics.

Another time,Arnav tried to "read" a book to Khushi. He'd hold up a picture book,pointing to the colorful images and making up his own stories. Khushi wouldlisten intently, her big brown eyes sparkling with wonder. Arnav loved the wayKhushi's eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled.

At night, whenit was time for bed, Arnav would insist on saying goodnight to Khushi. He'dlean over her crib, whispering "Goodnight, Khushi" in her ear. Khushiwould smile, her tiny hands grasping for Arnav's fingers.

One sunnymorning, Khushi was playing with her toys in the living room. Arnav was sittingnext to her, building a tower with blocks. Suddenly, Khushi looked up at Arnavand said "Arr...Arr!"

Arnav's eyeswidened in surprise. "Khushi! You said 'Arnav'? Oh, Khushi, you'retalking!" Arnav exclaimed, dropping his blocks. Though it wasnt even hisname.

Khushi giggled,her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Arr...Arr!" she said again,hugging Arnav back.

Meena and Madanrushed into the room, beaming with pride. "Finally after 3 years Arnavmade a little friend" Meena exclaimed, tears of joy in her eyes.

Arnav couldn'tstop smiling. He kept repeating Khushi's words, encouraging her to say more."Say 'Arnav' again, Khushi! Say 'Ar na v'!"

Khushi babbledaway, trying to imitate Arnav's words. Arnav laughed, his heart overflowingwith joy.

Khushi babbledaway, trying to communicate with Arnav. "Ga ga goo goo!" she said,waving her hands excitedly.

Arnav laughed,responding in his own made-up language. "Ba ba boo boo! Ga ga gaa!"he said, making silly faces at Khushi.

Khushi squealedwith delight, trying to imitate Arnav's sounds. "Ga ga gaa! Boo booba!" she said, clapping her hands.

Arnav grinned,feeling like he was having the most important conversation of his life."Ba ba boo! Goo goo ga!" he said, making Khushi giggle.

Meena and Madanwatched from the sidelines, smiling at the special bond between Arnav andKhushi. "Those two are cute together" Meena said, shaking her head inwonder.

As Khushiturned one year old, Arnav was getting ready to start school. He was excited towear his new uniform and carry his shiny backpack.

Meena and Madantook Arnav to school on his first day, while Khushi stayed behind with thecaregiver. Arnav was a bit nervous, but he was also eager to make new friendsand learn new things.

As they walkedto school, Arnav kept looking back at Meena and Madan, making sure they werestill there. When they reached the school gate, Arnav took a deep breath andwalked into his classroom.

Meena and Madanwaited outside the classroom, listening to Arnav's excited chatter as he methis teacher and classmates. After a while, they said goodbye to Arnav andheaded back home to Khushi.

Khushi waswaiting for them, playing with her toys in the living room. When she saw Meenaand Madan, she smiled and said "Arr...Arr" - her way of asking whereArnav was.

Meena smiledand hugged Khushi. "Arnav is in school, beta. He'll be back soon."

Khushi looked abit uncertain, but she continued playing with her toys. She missed Arnav, butshe was also learning to be independent.

When Arnav cameback from school, Khushi's face lit up with excitement. "Arr...Arr!"she exclaimed, crawling to Arnav.

Arnav laughed"I'm back, Khushi! I missed you so much!"

Arnav wasthrilled to start school and learn new things. He made friends with hisclassmates and enjoyed playing with them during recess.

Every day, whenArnav came back from school, he'd excitedly tell Khushi all about hisadventures. Khushi would listen intently, her big brown eyes sparkling withcuriosity.

Arnav wouldshow Khushi his artwork, telling her stories about the pictures he'd drawn.Khushi would giggle and try to imitate Arnav's drawings, making squiggles on apiece of paper making a hole on it finally not able to draw anything.

Arnav's eyeswidened with excitement as he watched Khushi take her first wobbly steps. Shewas holding onto the couch for support, her little legs trembling with effort.

Meena and Madanwere cheering her on, but Arnav's enthusiasm was unmatched. He clapped hishands loudly, beaming with pride.

"Khushi,Khushi! You're walking! You're walking!" Arnav exclaimed, bouncing up anddown.

Khushi lookedup at Arnav, her face lighting up with a smile. She took another step, andanother, her confidence growing with each movement.

Arnav couldn'tcontain his joy. He rushed over to Khushi, shaking her little hand.

"I'm soproud of you, Khushi! " Arnav exclaimed, like a big man. Khushi giggled,her eyes shining with happiness.