Time of about 7:30 pm. The car stopped in front of a small house. Johnny, the servent cum friend of Palak, opened main door of the house and found Palak coming outside from the car. Johnny asked, “So early, Didi!” Palak said smiling, “Yeah!” She turned back to the car & said, “Karan, come out!” Karan came out of the car. Johnny said suspiciously, “Didi, he is...” Palak said, “Let’s go in.” Johnny followed her. Looking around in the hall, she asked, “So much silence! Did the children fall asleep?” Johnny called laughing, “Children...” six children came out from six corners in colourful dresses & said together, “Happy wedding, Palak didi!” palak replied smiling, “Thank you, kids!” Karan was looking at everyone with curiosity. Palak introduced Karan to them, “Karan, meet Deepak (10yrs), Raju (7yrs), Pinky (9yrs), Khushi (5yrs), Om (8yrs) & Soham (10yrs)! And kids, he’s Karan!” Kids looked at Karan & Karan looked at them! Karan asked, “That means, these all are my friends, don’t they?” Kids exclaimed, “Friends?”; then cheered loudly, “Yes, friends!” All of them ran to Karan. Palak looked at Johnny. He was looking silently. She came to him & asked, “Did the children have dinner?” Johnny said, “Not yet, actually they were waiting for you.” Looking at kids, Palak said, “Okay, let’s make some Khir for them.” Kids were busy with Karan.
Khir was being cooked on gas. Palak had told Johnny everything. Johnny said, “You must have made this decision thoughtfully.” Palak said, “Bhaiyya and Bhabhi would have been very sad if there hadn't marriage there!” She looked at Karan a while; then said, “Looking at Karan, it seems that sometimes childhood is better than growing up!” Johnny nodded head smiling. The clock clocked ten. Kids opened a suitcase containing toys in it. Karan peeped into the suitcase & said shockingly, “So much toys!” Khushi said, “Palak didi brought these for us.” Om said, “Karan Bhaiya, we will play together with these toys.” Karan picked a toy car up & said, “Sure!” Soon Palak entered the room & said, “Come on kids, it’s 10 'o' clock. Let’s go to sleep.” Closing the suitcase, kids came to their beds. There were six small beds in that room. Karan asked, “Where’s mine?” Palak said, “You come with me.” Raju asked, “Why didi? Isn’t Bhaiyya sleeping with us?” soon Soham smashed him on his head & said, “Raju, they’re husband & wife! My classmates say that husband & wife sleep in separate bedroom.” Palak said, “You naughy... “ & ran after him. Soham hided behind Pinky. Palak said, “Stop having fun & go to sleep.” Everyone said, “Good night, Palak didi!” Palak switched lights off & said, “Good night kids!” closing the door of the room, Palak & Karan came to Palak’s bedroom. Karan asked, “Are we going to sleep here?” Palak said arranging the bed, “Yes, I suppose.” Both sat on bed. Palak looked at Karan. Karan said, “I am not feeling sleepy!” Palak said, “Well, I am not too!” Karan said instantly, “So let’s play ludo!” Palak asked, “What?” Karan said, “Crossword instead!” Palak's gaze bowed down. Karan asked, “Don’t you want to play? Okay, what should I call you? Palak didi?” Palak said quickly, “No.” Karan asked, “Then?” Palak said, “Palak!” Karan tried, “Palak... ji!” Palak said smiling, “Okay.” Karan asked, “Palak ji, are those friends your children?” Palak said, “No. They’re orphans!” Karan exclaimed, “Orphans?” Palak said, “Yes. I liked them, so I adopted them.” Karan asked, “What is Adopting?” The night progressed and the conversation went on.
The seven ‘o’ clock alarm disturbed the silence of whole house. In the door of kids' bedroom, Palak & Johnny were looking at kids. The hoarse voice of the alarm was also unable to break their sleep. Palak awakened Khushi from sleep & said, “Khushi, wake up! Look, it’s morning.” Khushi asked rubbing her eyes, “Why sun rises so early didi? School life is so boring.” Palak replied smiling, “Khushi, so lucky that you’re a kid. Look at me, I need to work hard to live. You just have to enjoy your every day girl! And for that, you need to welcome everyday with your cute smile, don’t you?” Khushi said, “Yes didi!” Palak awakened rest everyone & made them ready. She dropped all of them to their school bus & came in hall. Karan, who was waiting for her on dinning table, said, “Good morning, Palak ji!” Palak replied, “Good morning, Karan!” & Sat on chair. Johnny served her. Palak said to Karan, “Karan, I’m going to my office. I will return at evening. Till then, don’t bother Johnny.” Karan asked, “Do you work?” Palak said, Working is important to run the house.” Karan asked, “May I come with you?” Palak said, “No Karan, you can’t! You will be safe with Johnny.” Karan looked at Johnny with a skewed look & said, “I’m afraid of him.” Palak asked smiling, “Why so?” Johnny said, “Karan baba, I know my face looks like a bear, but I'm not really a bear.” Palak laughed. Karan asked, “Then... then will you play with me?” Johnny said, “I’ll take you all over the city!” Palak said, “Johny, take care of Karan, okay?” Johnny nodded head. Taking her purse, Palak moved to her office. Johnny said, “Karan baba, let me take your dish.” Karan asked standing up, “When do we leave?” Johnny said, “After completing all the work!” Karan said, “Okay, be quick then!”
( To Be Continued... )
