"So you are human."
"Hmm."
"Is this your ward too?"
"Yes"
"If you are here since birth, why don't you have friends?"
"I had one but she was adopted. The last time I saw her was when she left the orphanage. I wonder if she is happy."
There was a deep sorrow in her voice. She was missing her alot. Radha was able to understand grief Dhara was expressing. The pain of being parted from your family and beloved is so hard to take. She was also worried about her friend.
"She is surely doing well.", Radha was trying to comfort Dhara.
...
" Do you want to take a look around orphanage?"
"Sure."
Radha was accompanied by Dhara on the orphanage tour.
....
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJfzepEmJb
The orphanage had a large courtyard with the border of various flowers. Those flowers were representing the children in the orphanage. They were in search of sunlight which was often trapped by clouds. The green bedsheet was spread all over the courtyard. It was cut in by the path of blocks. The orphanage was two storey building. It's architecture was depicting the beauty of houses of Pune locally known as 'wada'. It had big hall in surrounded by various rooms. That hall used to serve as dinning as well as auditorium. There was the main office on the right of the entrance of the building. It seemed to had old interior. The bulb had old connections. The whole building seemed to be built in post independence era but was very well maintained. Having a tour in the orphanage was like having view of Indian architecture of British era. There was Tulsi vrundavan in the middle of the hall which encounter sunrays from the transparent roof. The kitchen behind the office. It was clean enough. The rooms for girls and boys were different but had same design.
The rooms had four set of double bed and cupboard beside each. The rooms were big to accomodate them all. In the backyard there were slides and swings for the children to play.
....
Dhara gave the best view of orphanage. She also shared some of her memories. Then she took her to the balcony. Children were not allowed to enter that balcony. It was risky. But Dhara had that only place of her own. She used to secretly visit the balcony. The view was so beautiful. It had covered all the village, mountain and river passing by. This orphanage being on hill the balcony was able to have such mesmerizing view.
"This is my favourite place. From here I can say goodbye to sun. Here I wait for the moon. He is my best friend. He tells me about his journey of various places. He listens to me and he never cries nor laugh. He never gives suggestions. He just listens to me silently and thats what I need."
"Here is the place from where I saw the rituals of death on the river bank. How people were groaning in pain and some were moaning in lust of fortune. Here is the place I witness the birth ceremony. And this is the place when I have seen the children coming to orphanage. I have seen the deep grief in their eyes and has sensed the pain of their heart. And from this place I wished better future to my friend and said goodbye "
.....
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