Thank you all for your comments, keep 'em coming 😊
How to post gifs - take the link of the gif by searching on Google images and paste the same way as you post pictures.
Part 2:
Suman was feeling self-conscious about being in front of this many people earlier, but now that CNN started playing the video they recorded as her intro, she was more worried about what Shravan would think.
He did not know any of this, what would he make of it? Would he think she blamed him for her misfortunes? Would he care? Did she even want him to know half this stuff? She was feeling very conflicted. One thing Suman knew for sure was that Preeti had not told him anything over the years, first because Shravan never asked, and second because Suman told her not to do so.
Suman looked around the auditorium for Shravan as she and Sahil reached that stage - he was easily visible thanks to his fiance-to-be's lime green gown. Aditi gave her the pangs of jealousy. Suman swallowed hard as her mouth dried up, this is was bound to happen one day, Shravan would not stay single forever.
The couple had court seats. Shravan was not looking at her, but up at the screen. Suman herself had never sat this close to a stage, much less attend a gala of this scale, but they were giving all the honorees special seating today. Suman took a deep breath and took the award from the presenter with a small smile and then waited for the video to end.
The video zoomed to a small school with a front and backyard on the outskirts of Mumbai. The name Raguvar Tiwari was engraved in a wood plaque in the front entrance. The inside was designed just like Nanaji's bedroom, simple green-tinted walls with antique (probably hand-me-down) furniture for the children and teaching staff.
Shravan's heart filled with longing for Nanu and Sumo at the sight of this little place. It reminded him of the long-gone days when he could just walk into Nanaji's antique room with it's library to play chess. It reminded him of the short time when he and Sumo enjoyed their childhood friendship in adulthood, laughing over coffee and kachoris with Nanaji. It reminded him of a time when he had the chance to act, admit sooner that he loved his Sumo with a devotion like no other. But all those days were gone.
Suman's voice came on as the camera focused on her in front of a black board. She was very matter-of-factly.
Sumo: This is a home for orphans by an orphan (a pang went through Shravan's heart). I want Raguvar Tiwari's name associated with the sanctuary of home and hearth first and then, as a place for study. He would have had it this way. He was a great, learned man, so this place is identified as a school (Shravan's heart tightened). The reason I do not call it a home or orphanage is because I want every child here to feel like they belong. They are wanted here, they are loved. They are not orphans, or the world's unwanted burdens. Here, they have a parent, carers, teachers, and friends. They are here to study and make something of themselves so that they can go and face the world.
The interviewer prompted: And you are that parent?
Sumo: Yes. At least I try to be. They give me a lot more than I can ever give them. I lost my parents when I was rather young. I was lucky not to have been cast out in this world alone because my Nanu took me in under his wing and raised me with the extended family. They have done a lot for me. But I was orphaned again in adulthood when Nanu passed away and I have been alone since (Shravan's heart skipped several beats, what!?).
Interviewer: What of your extended family?
Sumo: My extended family live in the States now. We are in touch. I also have a cousin-sister in Delhi. But Nanu was a guardian, it is different. It is like losing your parents all over again.
Interviewer: What brought you to this work?
Sumo: It is not work, work was my catering service company, this is my purpose. As an adult when I was re-orphaned if-you-will, I felt what I should have felt in my youth - that feeling of utter helplessness. That feeling of having no parents feels like your roots are cut out from under you and you are about to wilt and die any minute (Shravan took a deep breath to hold himself together). If I felt this way as a full-grown adult, imagine what it feels like to be one of these little ones. I used to help orphanages with food donations when in Delhi, but after Nanu, I really very aware of HOW it really feels. That is when I decided to do something more.
Interviewer: There's an interesting back-story here, isn't there? You came to this city from Delhi for marriage, not for this school.
Sumo nodded: Yes, Nanu had wanted to see me settled down when he was ill. I want it known that he was always supportive of my entrepreneurial work, but he wanted to see me belong to a family of my own, so he really wanted to see me married. Someone had shown interest and his family was known to Nanu, so that's how it all came about. But after Nanu passed, I came to know of some deception and decided to end it there.
Shravan dropped to his seat.
Aditi crouched down: You okay, Sweety?
She tried to touch his forehead but he swatted her away.
Shravan: I just need a moment.
Aditi shrugged and went back to watching the video.
Shravan could still hear Sumo: He and I are on good terms now, so there are no hard feelings. (She smiled) I found an enormous family in these children at last and I feel like I belong more than I ever did, so I hope Nanu is happy wherever he is...
Interviewer: You are being honored as a CNN Hero for coming up with the most quickly growing non-profit for children in India in the last five years, what message would you like to give to your viewers?
Sumo: Only this, there is a long way to go yet for our children and this school and others can really use our generous donations. Honors are good, but I do not want any for myself. I would just like to take this limelight to highlight the children of this school who could have a chance at a college education, if you decided to donate. The Raguvar Tiwari School started with nothing. I literally would go to Mumbai's posh tennis courts with my idea and hope someone took notice. Some did and that is why you see what is before you today. But we are short on funds daily as our school grows, so please donate generously.
The video ended and everyone clapped as they sat down to hear Sumo speak.
Shravan was hidden behind all the standing guests, with his hand over his eyes, Sumo noted.
Sumo at the microphone: Than-k you (she tested her unused voice and made it a little louder), thank you CNN for this incredible honor and to you all for your incredible support. Tonight, I cannot take credit. I only take pride in the fact that this country and the world knows what a great man my Nanu was tonight. As for me, I get a lot more from the children of the Raguvar Tiwari School than I get and that is the selfish truth. Children do not hold back their love, you see? (Her voice broke and she hid it with a smile. Shravan knew exactly who held back love from her). They give freely and I am a little selfish for hoarding all these babies' love all to myself under the school's roof. So I am the lucky one, I should not take credit for doing something selfless. They are my family and I am theirs. I would not like to take more of your time. Just one last request, Sahil (she looked down at the boy holding her hand) and his friends at the Raguvar Tiwari School have made some beautiful toys and decoration pieces for the auction sells that will be going around your tables tonight, so if you feel like it, you can donate to the school this way. While I humbly thank you for your accolades tonight, your support for the auction will mean much more to us all.
She took the award and Sahil's hand and walked off the stage.
Shravan followed her as the two went back to their table amid thundering claps. To his shock, he spotted Preeti and Pushkar. They each took their turn hugging Sumo and then pinching Sahil's cheek.
Shravan could not believe it. Preeti and Pushkar knew everything? They had never said. It appeared like they were hardly in touch with Sumo. They had even said at home that they are just going for a short weekend holiday to Mumbai. He had assumed that they would see Sumo and Aditya and they were just sparing him by not mentioning it, but never in his wildest dreams did he think this! They knew this whole time and never told him what happened with Sumo!?
Aditi: What's wrong?
Shravan, gruffly: Nothing.
Aditi: You are gritting your teeth, Sweety.
Shravan snapped: Stop. Just stop calling me that!
Aditi: But Sweety...
Shravan: Are you really so slow that you did not process what I just said?
Aditi startled: You are cruel to behave this way with me. What has gotten into you?
Shravan: You, you have gotten on my last nerve! Shut up already.
Aditi huffed: You are not going to talk to me like this! We are about to be married.
Shravan sighed: Leave me me alone, Aditi, please, I beg you (he clasped his hands together in frustration). Baskh do mujhe!
Aditi shrilly: I am leaving! You stay along and enjoy this stupid party! See how you enjoy it alone without a date. And don't forget that my daddy invited us to this in the first place!!!
Shravan let her walk out on him despite the horrified looks from the other guest around him. The relief was so great that he did not care what people around him thought.
Taking a deep breath, he looked back at Sumo's table.
She was not there.
He scanned the room again. No, she was not there, only Preeti and Pushkar were looking through a basket of goodies at the table. Panicked, he stood up.
Another guest: You are blocking people's view, dude.
Shravan looked back and gave this guy a glare before walking off.
He slowly approached his cousins. They saw him first and immediately had the good sense to look wary.
Shravan went right into it: When were you going to tell me, Preeti?
Preeti's face set in: Tell you what?
Shravan looked at her steadily.
Pushkar interrupted: Bhaiyya, Sumo never wanted anyone's help, not even ours.
Shravan glared at Pushkar and put up a hand: We will talk later. Right now, I am talking to Sumo's sister and my sister-in-law. Why did you not tell me about Sumo, Preeti?
Preeti: DID YOU ASK!?
Pushkar in alarm: Preeti!
Shravan had a grace to look embarrassed as the anger abated just as quickly as it came.
Preeti: Don't put it on me when you never asked after her these last four years, Shravan. You never cared.
Shravan's eyes were moist: You could have told me about the wedding...
Preeti: Why would that matter to you? You had severed all relationships with her. Why would you like to know?
Shravan: I could have helped...
Preeti's voice reached pitches higher. Shravan and Pushkar were both surprised to see her lose her cool like this, their tame Preeti was at last showing that she was Sumo's sister after all.
Preeti: You did not DESERVE to know! So you thought your Sumo was going to marry someone else, so you thought she would do such a thing to you, but how could you not care when Dadu passed away like that leaving her all alone? Could you have at least ASKED as a friend how she was doing in Delhi? NO! You never did! What had she done that was so wrong that you could not even keep up a friendship as ask after her at least once! Was the wedding all that ever mattered to you about her? What about the Suman you knew as a friend?
Shravan was about to say something, but Preeti interrupted.
Preeti: I know she broke your heart. She had no choice. Nanu had asked for a pledge and you dad too. She had no choice but to give up what was most dear to her - YOU! But why did YOU GIVE HER UP!?
Reality really set in for him now. Shravan's heart was racing as he realized what his pride had cost him.
Shravan: What does my dad have to do with it?
Preeti: Why don't you ask him!? He put my and Pushkar's relationship on the chopping board, if Di went for you. She had no choice but to leave you. Want to know more!!!?
Pushkar pulled Preeti back: Preeti!!! Don't talk to Bhaiyya like that.
Preeti: I will! He wants to know doesn't he? You won't get in my way today. I have had it today with your family's attitude toward my sister.
Pushkar: We are leaving, come with me now.
Preeti stood up: Happily, only because I WANT TO. I can't sit here and take accusations for what your brother only has on his hands. Oh and Shravan, if you really want to know the full story... Yes, she found out Aditya had lied about having investors for PCT and when she realized he had just bought her the place from you just like you had accused her of, she left him. Walked out. Into the streets. She was homeless, homeless until a friend housed her. Then, she went begging for money for her school to every posh little place your kind goes to for charity. That's how this all came about. Happy!? Goodnight, then.
Preeti walked off.
Pushkar apologized to a head-down, red-eyed Shravan: Sorry, Bhaiyya. Really sorry.
Preeti: Pushkar, come here now! Go and get the car.
Pushkar hurried after her: Coming, coming!
Shravan sat there listlessly long after the whole event ended, turning over a Rubric's cube that was in the basket. The organizers finally came around.
Event manager: Do you want this item from the auction, sir?
Shravan looked up, confused.
Event manager: This item comes from the Tiwari School auction sir, would you like to buy it?
Thoughts folks?
Edited by Marybarton - 9 years ago
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Hindi TV Shows
