He gestured to her to wait for a moment while he instructed someone, who seemed like an employee, about some work. Priya crossed her arms in front of her and tapped her foot impatiently.

Atharva kept his phone down and looked at her.

“How may I help you?”

He asked and Priya smiled too sweetly.

“You may help me by accompanying me today.”

He blinked and processed what she said.

“Excuse me?”

“Excused Mr. Sehgal. Aap aaj mere saath chal rhe hai and think of this as a part of your sessions.”

(You are coming with me and think of this as a part of your sessions.)

“I have to work, Priya. No time for all this. We had our morning yoga session.”

He said and went back to doing his work until Priya tapped his desk to gain his attention.

“Mai puchh nhi rhi thi. I was informing you that you’re coming with me. Come on! Get up Mr. Sehgal.”

(I was not asking.)

She urged him to get up and he gave her an annoyed look.

“Don’t bother me.”

“You can always fire me.”

She shot back and he got mum. She knew he wouldn’t fire her. Releasing a defeated sigh, he got up while mumbling to himself.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

Priya grinned victoriously and walked haughtily towards the exit. She gave the driver the address and Atharva looked ahead.

“Mujhe kabhi kabhi samajh nhi aata ki tum kaise har baar mujhe ye sab krne mai convince kr leti ho.”

(I don’t understand how you convince me to do this every time.)

“I can be persuasive when I want to be.”

She shrugged and grinned, not even mildly humble about it. Atharva rolled his eyes and looked around when he saw the car come to a stop.

“Orphanage? Why are we here?”

He questioned but Priya was already out of the car. Atharva had no option but to follow. He saw how all the kids there ran towards her.

“DIDI!”

Priya too squealed in happiness and wrapped her arms around the huge crowd of kids. Atharva was surprised. 

“Tum jaanti ho sabko achhe se?”

(You know everyone well?)

“Haan. Aati rehti hu. Koshish rehti hai ki har mahine aa jaau. Jin bacho ka birthday nikla hai. Hum saath celebrate krte hai. Wo bhi khush ho jaate hai. Aur mera bhi din achhe se beet jaata hai.”

(Yes. I come here often. I try to come here every month. Every child whose birthday has passed. We celebrate together. They get happy. I also get to spend my day well.)

“We’re here to celebrate birthdays?”

He asked incredulously and Priya glared at him. Atharva got quiet and followed her like a lost child.

“Mausi! Kaise ho aap?”

(Aunty! How are you?)

Priya hugged a middle-aged lady who looked like the caretaker of the orphanage. The woman too greeted Priya warmly.

“Ye mere patient hai. Mr. Sehgal.”

(He is my patient, Mr. Sehgal.)

Priya said while introducing Atharva who grimaced at the introduction.

“Patient nhi hu. She’s my nutritionist.”

(I am not a patient.)

He clarified and the lady chuckled, hitting Priya’s head softly.

“Jaanti hu. Bhut maza aata hai iss ladki ko sabko patient banane mai.”

(I know. She enjoys making people her patient.)

Priya giggled but didn’t refute the statement.

“Sab samaan aa gaya?”

(Is everything here?)

“Haan sab aa gaya. Rasoi mai hai.”

(Yes everything is here. It’s in the kitchen.)

“Thik hai. Aap sab bacho ko hall mai bulao. Mai aati hu.”

(Ok. You call the kids in the hall. I will come.)

Priya said and dragged Atharva towards the kitchen. She picked up a cake box and held it out towards Atharva. He raised his eyebrow in question and she raised hers back.

“Kya? Pakadiye na!”

(What? Hold it!)

“Ohh!”

He held the box, utterly confused and saw her carry another one. 

“Chaliye.”

(Come.)

Atharva blinked at the command and looked at the cake box in his hand. Was he supposed to carry it? Priya had already moved out of the kitchen and Atharva realised that he had no option than to follow her and…carry the box.

They reached the hall and saw all the children gathered. The buzz of excitement was clear on their faces. Priya kept her box down on the table and motioned Atharva to do the same. 

The celebration started and for the first time in a long time, Atharva felt his lips curl into a genuine smile. Seeing the pure joy on the kids’ faces reminded him of his own childhood.

How he celebrated each of his birthdays alone. Waiting, wanting someone to just wish him once. Ask him if he wanted a gift or just…be there with him on that one day.

His smile diminished and he realised that he was clenching his fists when Priya nudged his side. Atharva stepped out of there without a word. Priya frowned but stayed back until the cake was cut and distributed.

Priya found Atharva in the backyard, staring into oblivion. 

“Aap waha se aise kyu aaye?”

(Why did you come out like this?)

Atharva didn’t reply and neither did Priya force him. She turned to look at the kids who were now playing among themselves.

“Achha lagta hai inko dekh kar. Achha lagta ye dekh kr ki duniya mai aaj bhi masoomiyat aur pyaar bacha hai.”

(It feels nice to see them. It feels that the world still has some innocence and love left.)

Atharva chuckled humourlessly, gaining Priya’s attention.

“Pyaar? Tumhe lagta hai ye pyaar hai? You think if either of these kids get adopted tomorrow, wo peeche mudke dobara yaha dekhenge bhi?”

(Love? You think this is love? You think if either of these kids get adopted tomorrow, they’d ever look back here?)

He said harshly. Priya got tonguetied for a moment but then smiled.

“Shayad nhi. But I’m sure ki jab bhi wo inn dino ko yaad krenge, toh inke chehre pr smile zaroor aa jaayegi. Because that’s what love does. Gives you moments of happiness to remember for life.”

(Maybe not. But I’m sure that whenever they think about these days, they will get a smile on their faces.)

She said looking at him with a smile but Atharva wasn’t going to be swayed easily.

“No! That’s not what love does. Love is just an overrated emotion which leaves you with hope. A hope that shatters every time and leaves with nothing but pain.”

Priya’s smile fell and she tried to understand why he would say so.

“You’re right. Love gives hope. Aur agar hope nhi hoga na, Mr. Sehgal, duniya mai aadhe log jeena chhod denge. Love is one of the most essential aspects of our lives.”

(And if there is no hope, Mr. Sehgal, half people in the world will stop living.)

He released another humourless chuckle as if not believing the nonsense she was spewing.

“Tum kuch bhi kehlo, sach yahi hai that love is nothing but a waste of time. Aur kya faayda aise emotion jo tab tak hai jab tak aap saamne wale ke hisaab se jee rhe hai.”

(Say whatever you want to, the truth is that love is nothing but a waste of time. And what is the use of the emotion is there until you live according to the person.)

Priya frowned at his statement. Atharva explained and said.

“You think your parents love you? Kab tak? Sirf tab tak jab tak tum unki kahi baatein maano, unka kaha karo. And the day you start rebelling or going against their words, the love vanishes. They ‘loved’ you because you were their daughter and not because you’re you.”

(Till when? Only until you listen to them, do what they say.)

Priya smiled and shook her head.