This Phase of My Life

Chapter 1
Don’t go, Shanaya, don’t leave me…….
Ahhhhhhh I woke up all startled and sweating profusely. Why do I have this dream every time? The woman has a lot of pain in her voice. I certainly feel a different kind of connection with her
I have lived my whole life with Ms. Chaterjee, the sweet soul who has been very sweet to me just like my own mother. I am going to miss her but I am really very excited to meet my new family. Eventually, a lot of thinking with emotions such as excitement, nervousness, etc bundled up when I heard a sweet voice from the past corridor, It was Ms. Chatterjee who was calling us for dinner. There I met my best friend Lara who came here 2 years back, she had a whole family story which eventually ended. She really misses them but to cheer her up, I am always there.
At the dining table
I see two brimming faces that make my heart melt, Lara shouting her gills out to call me, there I quickly rushed towards her and sat near her. We started our chat session when I suddenly asked her about a FAMILY. As soon as she heard this name, a lot of memories showered in her mind and her eyes brimmed with tears. I quickly comforted her and she started with a feeble voice “ A family, people who can cheer you up within seconds, whose warmth is enough to get you out of troubles in life. Whose one word can take all the grief far away from you? Ending the lines she was smiling brightly with tears rolling down her cheeks, I hugged her when we heard Ms. Chatterjee’s voice,
Children enough of this, calm down and gather yourselves. Don’t you want to taste this yummy dinner?
Yes, Ms. Chaterjee we surely want to have a meal, Shanaya replied.
We soon had a delicious meal filled with the flavors of love, happiness, and grief. My mind was still in that same dream as I lay on the bed, looking at the ceiling fan when sleep slowly overtook me. When I woke up, the sun was shining through the window and my dear friend Lara was shouting at me
The clock has already struck 7, Shanaya. Wake up!
I slowly got out of bed not before hugging Lara and went to get ready. As soon as I came after getting ready, I saw Ms. Chatterjee who was talking to someone very seriously with a visible frown on her face. As I walked towards her, Lara came running towards me and said a lot of things in a hurry.
Hey Shanayaaaa! A new family will soon be found for Rajesh Srivastav, and he will gradually be able to leave the orphanage in two days.
There I was slowly gasping at what she said and then I got to know who were the people whom Ms.Chaterjee was talking to.
I was brought to reality when Lara asked me, "Don't you want to have a family with whom you can live and share any sorrows you experience?”
As I listened to this, I again began to get those flashes of dreams, the woman in the pink dress calling out my name. I replied, tears rolling down my cheeks, "I want a family and all those things you talk about all the time." I really want to share all my feelings with a person who can hold my hand and tell me that everything is fine.
My name was soon called out by Ms. Chaterjee from the surrounding area.
Chapter 2
“Hey Shanaya, where are you?” It has been a couple of minutes since I called your name. Ms. Chatterjee said looking at me fiercely
“I am here Ms. Chaterjee, why do you worry about me so much?” I replied and I went to hug her.
She smiled and said, "I have some very good news for you.”
After hearing this, I immediately asked her what the good news was.
In response, she remarked that you are going to have a new family very soon; hearing this, I began to run and dance as if my joy couldn't be contained. However, I gradually remembered two faces and the support that I had, Lara and Ms. Chatterjee.
I ran towards them and hugged them saying “I am going to miss you both a lot. Don’t ever forget me and I promise to keep coming to you and asking about your well-being.
Lara quickly wiped all my tears and said” I am really happy for you my dear best friend. I know that you won’t ever forget us and will never let us forget you. So don’t worry.
We were just discussing random topics when I saw a lady coming toward Ms.Chaterjee. I and Lara quickly went from there in order to give them space to talk. A couple of minutes had passed by when Ms.Chaterjee came towards me, took my hand in hers, and took me to the lady by saying,” My dear Shanaya, this is going to be your new mother whom you have always wished for. You’re going to have a family who’ll buy your new clothes and toys. Don’t be sad ever again and don’t forget me.
I quickly ran towards that lady and hugged her saying,” I love you mom, I really hope I’ll never disappoint YOU
The lady replied” I know my dear daughter; you can never disappoint me.
Hearing this, I felt very good and calm, as to a storm finished inside my heart. I have a family now and I’ll be able to experience everything that a child wants in life. Everything was going well but I had some weird feeling in my heart as to a lot of things are going to happen. All my thoughts were broken by a very sweet and familiar voice.
Shanaya, what happened where are you lost?
I am fine mom. Should we go?
Yes, sure my dear, we’ll soon leave. As soon as I finish the formalities.
Mom, can I go to see off my friends, I am going to miss them a lot.
Yes sure, you don’t have to ask me. Give your friends these chocolates, I hope they are going to enjoy this thoroughly.
Thank you, Mom, I’ll come soon.
In a flash, I rushed towards Lara, who was crying. As I comforted her, I quickly embraced her. We both were extremely emotional but soon I bid them a last goodbye, promising to come and meet them every month. A few minutes later, I saw myself sitting in a beautiful red car driving off to my new house with my mother. I was closely witnessing all the things like the trees, sky, and all the cars honking and rushing. It wasn’t like I have never been out but this was the first time when I felt good being out. I really felt a pull as soon as I was reaching closer to the destination. Witnessing everything closely and through the details, I finally reached MY HOME. This was the place that I can call mine.
I was just lost in my own thoughts when I heard a voice
“Dear Shanaya, we have reached. Don’t you want to see your new house?”
I replied with full enthusiasm and excitement in my voice” Yes mom, should we go inside?
“Yes, my dear, you can move forward till the time I park the car” replied my new mother.
With this I slowly pushed the door of a huge mansion, putting my small steps on the ground of that house.
Chapter 3
As I entered the mansion, I came across a few pictures hanging on the wall when I slowly got closer to it. Witnessing all of it, I saw a well-furnished living room with a brown leather sofa, and wallpapers spread all across. I was closely looking at everything when I heard a masculine voice which I felt I have heard before and so I quickly turned behind and bumped into a well-organized man wearing an ironed suit, properly dressed.
“Hey, my dear, you’re finally back here,” he said cupping my face into his big hands.
I got shocked because I have not been introduced to him and was cluelessly standing there when my mom entered the house, kept the car keys in their place, and came rushing toward me
Hey Shanaya, it seems like you already met your dad. So let me formally introduce you both to each other. Raj this is Shanaya, OUR daughter, and Shanaya this is your dad. She said this by joining our hands together.
I was extremely happy and jumped onto him because I have never met a man who cares for me. It was always Ms.Chaterjee but now I have my Dad who I know will protect me from the cruelty of the world.
He quickly held me and hugged me very tightly. We both had tears in our eyes.
Everybody, no more emotional talks, let’s enjoy ourselves and Shanaya don’t you want to see your new room which will be all yours? Said the new mom
Yay, my room, can we please go there quickly? I said all set to rush toward the room.
Yes, my dear, let’s go I am very excited to show you everything that I planned for you.
We three moved to the room and I slowly pushed the door and was astonished to see the view in front of me. There was everything pink and white in color, starting from the bed, study table and my wardrobe. I was taking slow steps, taking a full view of things in front of me. No soon did I finish observing everything than I rushed to my parents who had a lot of love in their eyes to give them a big hug. After the hug, they both left the room and I was all alone in MY ROOM.
Wow! Thank you so much god for giving me such a nice family who cares for and loves me to the fullest. I was just thanking God when suddenly I saw an old diary peeping out of my bookshelf. It was very old and shabby. I was about to open the diary when I heard someone shouting my name.
Shanaya please come dear, let’s have dinner!
I quickly left the diary in order to bolt out of the room to have my food as I was starving. I set foot in the living room when I saw the dining table filled with appetizing dishes. I bolted and sat on a chair, grasping a plate by putting in everything. Soon I was eating food and it was very delicious indeed. After having a toothsome dinner, I embraced both my parents and left to my room.
I entered my room and rushed to the diary, quickly opening page 1, there was a symbol K there beautifully decorated. I was oblivious of what did that mean but keeping the things aside, I moved to page 2 where a lot things were written, I started to read it
My dear Shanaya,
I was totally startled at how does the owner of this diary knew her name. But she moved forward…..I hope that you’re the one reading this, I know you love me a lot but this also means that I am not with you anymore. You can be totally unaware of what is this but I’ll tell you everything in this diary. All the secretes of your life will unfold soon.
I was all engrossed in the diary when my mom entered the room and sat in front of me, I quickly concealed the diary inside my pillow.
Shanaya sleep, it’s quite late and you have to wake up early tomorrow because it’s your first day at the new school. You’re going to make a lot of new friends.
Mom, I am scared. What if they tease me for being an orphan? That’s what others do in my previous school.
Shanaya they can’t tease you because you are no longer an orphan. Don’t ever say this again. Mom replied by embracing me close to her.
I felt very delighted and fortunate. I didn’t even know when my tears welled up. Soon, I drifted off to sleep, all prepped for tomorrow and the new obstacles coming in my path.
Chapter 4
I will not leave you, Shanaya, you are back in my life. Why I know I was the one to bring you here. But all of those were just to make your life a challenge that will take you nowhere.
I woke up with the sun peeping out of the window, waiting for me to rise up. I quickly stirred out of bed and ran to the washroom, getting ready with my new clothes on. I wore a pink jumpsuit with white sneakers which was surely the highlight of my dress. I ran to the temple to thank God for everything. After worshiping God, I came to the dining table, pulling a chair for myself. I saw a glass of milk and a toast ready for me. This all was very new for me but I felt very delighted and grateful for everything. I was lost in my thoughts when I heard
“Shanaya eat your breakfast, we’re getting late for your school”
I quickly started gulping the food on my plate and we left for school.
Bye mom
Bye dear, enjoy your day and don’t be afraid of anyone.
Yes mom, don’t worry meet you soon! I replied
I rushed toward the entrance f the school and everything went very well. Everybody was very good and welcoming. It was afternoon now and time for me to leave from here. I saw a black car coming toward me and told me to sit in the car. I sat and we reached the mansion. I quickly ran inside and saw my father talking over the phone. I ran to him, hugged him, and went to freshen up. I was coming out when I saw a photo frame in my father’s room that involved a woman, a girl, and a man whom I was supposed to be him. I had a weird feeling seeing that woman as if I have already been close to her.
Leaving all the thoughts behind, I left to have food. While coming back from the ding table, something struck my mind, that was the diary. Which had all the secrets of my life. I quickly bolted into my room, opening that diary to page 3 which started by
Daughter, do you know that I really love you a lot and I promise to always protect you?
Reading the word Daughter, I was truly stunned because I thought my whole life that I was an orphan and here this woman is stating her to be my mother. But suddenly I thought that how did this diary even come here? Was this my previous house? If yes, then where is my real mother because the one who lives here is not the same? Leaving all my questions behind, I started reading further……
Shanaya, your story starts when I met your father, we both were married and blessed to have you as our daughter. But maybe the almighty had something else planned for us. We both were sitting in the living room when a woman entered our house, stating to take you away from us. But I denied it and left for the US where nobody knew us. Your dad knew nothing about this woman and I thought to hide it from him and resume my journey of life with you. We saw you growing up, all your little habits brought a smile to our faces. Here are some of the pictures that are very close to my heart
I pause reading and turned the next page to see a lot of pictures there, the first picture had the three of us playing in the snow, and I was giggling. We all seemed very happy. My eyes were all welled up but there was a thought stuck in my mind what happened that I was sent to an orphanage? Who was that woman?
All of the questions remained unanswered because my new mother called me for having dinner. I went outside but was all lost in my thoughts. This was not unnoticed by my dad, he was looking at me very carefully as if seeking answers for the same. But I chose to remain quiet and went to sleep because I knew that my story has a lot of twists and turns coming up.
Chapter 5
Every morning starts a new page in your story. Today was surely one of them. I woke up and did all my usual morning chores and left for breakfast.
“Shanaya, where are you lost? Is there something that you would like to share? I have been perceiving you since yesterday.” Said the father.
No dad, it’s just the first of school and everything piled up together. Don’t worry!!!!
Soon he left for his office and mom called me from the car to drop me off at school. Even though I am working and doing everything according to my chores but my mind and heart are stuck in that Diary only. I want to know who was my biological mother and where is she.
Watching through my steps, across the streets. I was back at my huge mansion. The silence was everywhere but the storm inside my heart was no less than a tornado. I quickly rushed toward the diary, sat on the bed totally centralized on the 4th page.
This morning was truly mesmerizing for Shanaya. You took your first step and said your first word this morning. Can you guess what it was? That's right, Mom. My heart is full of joy and I promise to keep you happy. I paused reading it because I didn't notice while reading but I was crying. After calming myself down, I start to read it further.
The giggling, cheerful voice of yours still surrounds the areas where we spent those days together. It was interesting to note that while writing in the diary, she always mentioned the date, but on page 5, the date was moved two years forward. On the fourth page, it was 10 July 2018, and on the fifth page, it was 11 July 2020.
It truly confused me that she hadn't written anything for two years. Is this to say that the twists in my story will now be enclosed? I continued to read it further
But as we know that our life is an open book that has a lot of twists to it. Happiness can’t be there with you forever. Hence, I was left sad. She took you away from me. She came on 3rd January 2019 in midnight leaving a note behind Bye see you soon”. I knew one thing for sure this note had many more secrets to it. I was depressed for a year but now thought to resume writing the diary to tell you that she will come again and can harm you. I can’t let that happen. You are my everything.
I was alerted by this, totally shocked that who is that woman who stole my family. Do I know that person? Is she near me?
I was again left unanswered but this time I’ll find the answers to my questions. I took out a paper and made a list of all the things that I had as evidence or a hint to the next stage of my life. The list involves the photo frame that I spotted in my father’s room. The diary and the pictures that were attached to it. I was making the list when suddenly a line popped into my mind “Hey, my dear, you’re finally back here,”. Did dad know about all this? Another mystery had entered my story.
Now the main motive was to find that woman who destroyed my life. By now I knew one thing for sure she is around me and is keeping an eye on my actions. To get all my answers I went to a person who was involved and is involved in the story of my life. I rushed toward the room to only find the person sitting on a couch.
Chapter 6
“Dad, I guess we need to talk now” I entered his room, totally startling him.
Ye…yes, my dear, what happened? What do you want to talk about? Replied my dad.
Dad who is my real mother and where is she? I questioned my dad making him get up from the couch.
He took some time to understand what is happening and was truly lost in his thoughts after I put this question in front of him. I quickly went closer to him and asked it again.
Dad where is she??? I know you are my biological father but the new mother is not. My real mom is somewhere, I have no idea about.
After a few moments of complete silence, he started saying something.
Shanaya…... how do you know about all this?
Dad, do you remember when I first met you coming from the orphanage, you said that I am finally back here, then I found a diary of mom?
Oh but what diary? Shanaya your mom is dead! She was in depression after that one day when I was out for the office, somebody took you making Kiara faint and after a few days, Kiara left me too. Soon, I met Shivangi and married her. She only told me that you were dropped off at an orphanage. Replied my dad.
Listening to this I started sobbing because the person who had loved me with all her heart, left me. I couldn’t even see her once. Dad rushed towards me and comforted me.
But da…ad how did she die? I asked between my sobs.
I don’t know dear; I tried a lot to find out about this but couldn’t. The police investigated this, but soon this case was suppressed and the statement passed was that She died because of extreme depression case. She really loved you, never forget this.
I know dad, don’t worry. I’ll find everything I could about her. I replied
After having an emotional conversation with him, I knew one thing we had a very happy family and dad doesn’t know anything about that woman. Now it’s me who’ll have to search in the depth of this matter. No matter what I promise to find the reason for your death and all about that woman, mom.
Finishing my dinner rapidly, I rushed to my room to see if I have any clue to find about it. Hence, I opened the diary once again. Swiping through the pages for good fifteen minutes, suddenly I saw a few attachments on one page that contained a picture of a woman in which only her hair was visible, she was wearing a lavender-coloured top. She had brown hair which was tied in a high ponytail. Referring to the image, I got an image in my mind that was of the new mom, she always has her hair tied up in a high ponytail. There was something written above it, something which was dusted off, I quickly wiped the dust off and saw a few words.
THE PERSON WHO TOOK YOU AWAY FROM ME.
I was truly devasted at this though. How can a person who acts sweetly be the only one after your happiness? Who stole everything from you? But to be sure I thought to look into this matter in the morning as tomorrow was her holiday and she could spend the whole day investigating the same.
Chapter 7
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning but we can start today and make a new ending we truly deserve.”
I woke up with the voices in the living room, my new mom was busy talking to someone over the phone and my dad was nowhere to be spotted. I thought to quickly freshen up and start my new day with some enclosed secrets. Having said that, I quickly got dressed up and went for breakfast as my new mom was constantly shouting out my name for the past 10 mins.
Hey mom, I am here! Don’t shout, please.
Yes, my dear, what took you so long
Listening to her sweet talks, Shanaya was in deep thought that could she be the one who destroyed her life. But how? She’s so sweet. But soon her thoughts were disturbed by the rattling sound of the windows, it was quite windy outside today. I rushed back to my bedroom to start searching for shreds of evidence.
As thought yesterday, Shanaya thought to follow her new mom, and search in her wardrobes and the room. I was walking slowly so that nobody spots my plan or enclosed it. There were a lot of servants present. Hence, I had to be a bit more careful.
I finally reached her walk-in closet and started to find something which can take me a step further in this investigation, I searched the drawers and everywhere that was visible but to my dismay I got nothing. Soon, I was leaving when I saw a rusted basket kept over the drawers as if hiding from someone. I quickly searched for a stool and stood over it to reach there because it was quite far from my reach. But after stretching myself for a couple of minutes, I reached there and got the basket. Without wasting any more time, I started unboxing it.
First, I saw the same photo frame that was kept in my father’s room, then there was a lavender-coloured scarf. The last thing that shook me to the core, was my mother’s picture and there was something written on its back,
I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU AND MAKE YOU SUFFER.
I was totally startled and was sure that it was the new mom, who was after all this. But why did she take me from my mom, and if yes then why did she drop me at an orphanage? I thought to finally confront her now. Waiting for the whole day, at 30 past 5 she entered the house, smiling. I was extremely angry and wanted to know the reason for all her deeds. Waiting for fifteen minutes, I went close to her
I need to talk to you about something
Yes sure, tell me what happened.
Can we go to my room, please? I questioned.
Yes let’s go, but what happened? You’re scaring me now. The new mom replied.
I started, do you know anybody whose name was Kiara?
Istarted by saying my mom’s name because I knew that she would surely show some expressions but I guess she was sreally good at hiding stuff.
She took a second and answered. Maybe yes…. Somebody from my college. We never had a close bond an dkept on fighting. But how do you know her?
After listening to this, I started to recall something from my mom’s diary. It was written that she went to a college, where she had many friends and everybody used to like her but there was one woman who kept on fighting with her. So now, I was sure that she is the woman who stoloe my happiness years ago.
But a thought was disturbing me, that if she hated my family this much, then why did she bring me back here?
I thought to finally confront her now.
Do you remember what you did with her? Or had any relation after college also?
No, we didn’t meet after college, we both were busy in our own lives.
Okay, let’s come straight to the point. What is this (I showed her the photo frame)
The new mom was closely looking at the frame, it felt like her feet and hands were getting cold.
What happened? You remember this girl in the center. She was of 2 years and that’s me. If you’ve forgotten.
No…..no how did you find this?
Ohhh, MOM, you don’t need to worry about this. Just tell me why did you do this to my family? And after doing this how could you bring me back here?
Chapter 8
She continued staring at me.
Okay! So now as you know everything, your mom was a really bad woman, she kept on fighting me. She also demeaned me in front of the whole college. That day I decided to ruin her life, I tried every possible way to destroy her but she always had some luck factor which saved her. After failing for a couple of years, rage filled me. I got to know that she has a daughter whom she loves a lot.
So, I started to think of plans about snatching you away from her. After researching for a couple of months, I found an orphanage that used to take kids and beat them. The owner also handed over to me a large sum of money and by this, my plan was completed. Kiara went into depression and soon died. I rushed toward your father, started behaving sweetly and soon we got married. My life was going great when suddenly I got a call from the owner of the orphanage, she said to take you away as she has no sufficient money. So I got you here but to my dismay, you got to know everything. But no worries, now either live in peace or go from here. Because nobody is going to trust you.
Oh my dear new mom, don’t really worry about me
Okay as you wish. Leave.
I was walking toward my room thinking about the owner, that was Ms.Chaterjee, and why the people close to you the ones who hurt you. All the words were ringing in my mind. But the only thing that came in my mind was Lara and the other kids is Ms. Chaterjee beating them? I went to my dad’s room. There he was sitting on the couch, doing some work on his laptop.
Dad, can I please ask for something?
Yes, sure dear, what do you want? I’ll bring that on my way back home from the office.
Dad, nothing like that, I want to meet my friends at the orphanage. I had promised to meet them every month. Could we please go there?
Oh, I’ll check, if I have no meeting scheduled then sure.
After waiting for a couple of minutes, my dad arrived and we went to the orphanage with some chocolates and treats for them.
We were finally there; I started to recall everything and slightly pushed the door of the orphanage. There I ran toward Lara’s bed and knew she would be there and I was correct there she was lying on the bed, in deep thinking. I rushed toward her and hugged her
Shanaya…. Are you here or am I hallucinating
No, my dear Lara, I am here.
How are you? Is your family well and are you happy?
Yes, I am fine and I have a lot to tell to you. Do you know the woman that came that day to pick me up?
Yes, I do remember her, she was really sweet.
I chuckled and started to say further, this was my orevious family who I used to live before coming to this orphanage, but the woman that came that day is not my real mother. My biological mother died because of depression.
I uplifted my face and saw Lara all stunned.
What? Lara said.
You know tat she was the one to drop me to this orphanage.
I saw Lara, she was really shocked but for some reason, I also saw a frown on her face today. She wasn;t happy.
Lara this was my story, now would you like to tell your?.Yeah… but you know everything.
No maybe I don’t. is there anything with Ms.Chaterjee?
She started sweating profusely after hearing her name, I hugged her and asked this again. She started with pauses in between.
Ms….Chatterjee takes some children into a secret room and beat them every week. I got to know the day after you left me. I was walking randomly when I saw a secret room and there was a crying voice all over.
Listening to all this, I recalled my new mom’s words. She said that the owner beats the children. But the question that was still in my mind that why didn’t she ever behave rudely with me. I went to my dad and told him everything.
I thought he could help me.
Shanaya if you’re sure about all these, do you have any proof?
No dad, not yet but don’t worry I’ll find it by today.
Okay, my dear, you can stay here for a couple of hours, I talked to the manager and give me a call if you have any problems. Be safe.
Okay dad, bye!
Chapter 9
Seeing off dad, I went back to Lara and thought to make up a plan to catch Ms. Chatterjee red-handed. So having a very secretive discussion, we thought that we’ll sneak into that room and see about the happenings there. I got my phone ready and started to execute our plan which we named Mission Orphanage.
We slowly started to move further in the room when in the middle I met a few of my friends
Hey Shanaya! How are you? Did you bring anything for us?
Yes, my dear friends. How can I forget you all? Saying this, I rushed toward Lara’s room where I had kept all the gifts and chocolates for them. Soon I distributed it and started to move forward in the room.
I slowly pushed the door and suddenly it locked from behind, it was all dark. I was searching for kids to slowly escape from the room. But suddenly the lights switched on and I saw a black figure, the only thing I could make out that she was a girl. Soon that figure was visible and I saw a face that I have seen before. It was my old mom, she’s not DEAD. She was standing in front of me, I slowly rushed toward her, touched her face and hugged her. I thought that she is now going to solve all my problems but Life had other plans for me. She PUSHED me.
I was totally dumbstruck by this act of hers. It felt like I have made a mistake and so after composing myself a bit I asked her,
Mom, why did you push me? Didn’t you miss me? I am Shanaya.
Oh my dear, how can I forget you? It was me who wrote your life’s biography. Everything that has happened to you to date was because of me.
I was extremely confused by her words. Hence, I asked her
Mom, what do you mean? I know that it was Shivangi, your college mate who did all of this.
I was just blabbering stuff when a person from the back came into the frame of my life MY DAD.
Oh Shanaya, don’t act so innocent. This is Shivangi and the person whom you called your new mother was Kiara. It was all our plan to get you here. So, we can take you far away from here and our luck was with us that you’re finally here.
I was truly appalled and tears left my brown orbs.
Shanaya dear, don’t cry! Don’t you want to listen to our mastermind plan which transformed your whole life?
What do you want from me? Why did you do this? I replied in a very feeble voice.
They started with a chuckle
It all started when you were just 2 months old, your mother and I always had a rift in college. We couldn’t ever become friends. One day she demeaned me in front of the whole college,
I don’t believe so. What was the reason? Please throw some light on this. I stopped her in the middle.
We both were walking when mistakenly I dropped her project, her anger rushed and she demanded me in front of the whole college. That was the day when I decided to destroy her life. Then the rest you know, Kiara might have told you.
A manly voice continued further, your mother was a single mother and it was our plan to take you away from her and drop you at an orphanage. To keep an eye on her, I started to live with her once you left. But to our dismay, she was very intelligent and got your custody papers under her name again.
I was startled to see you again but I composed myself because if I wouldn’t, our plan could have been destroyed.
But then how did your picture come in my mother’s diary? I questioned them.
My dear, the world has developed a lot in terms of technology. We edited the pictures. Shivangi replied.
Okay! But what do you want from me? Let me go.
Dear, we have spent these many years to just destroy your mom’s life and now you’re asking me to give her all the happiness she ever wanted. OH not so easily. We’ll go far away from here. You don’t know what I have done to get here. We got the papers of this orphanage under us illegally so that we can get this closed and nobody gets to know about this.
Do you even know how many children who live there will lose their homes?
We don’t really care Shanaya. Let’s go. The same manly voice continued.
We were about to move when the door was pushed again and it was MS. CHATTERJEE with the police. I started laughing followed by Lara.
Chapter 10
They were totally dumbfounded.
Why are you laughing and who are these people? Shivangi questioned me.
Oh my dear mother’s friend, it was all a plan to get out all the secrets. Can you look at that camera?
They were looking on that side where few cameras were installed with some recording pen
How did you know about all of this?
DAD, do you remember, we stayed in the same house. I had a doubt about you since day one when I saw a photo frame in your room with Shivangi’s picture. I thought that it was my mom, but no I started to investigate further. I followed you and saw you meeting with some woman. Then he reached this orphanage, you bid bye to me but I followed you and saw you entering a black room. At that time, I was sure that there was something wrong. I went back to Lara and asked her about the condition of the orphanage and she said that there’s a room that is always locked and people say that the owner beats children.
I connected all the dots and knew that there was something more to the story. Hence I contacted Ms.Chaterjee and asked her and she told me that there was someone who has taken over the orphanage through some fake documents. There we made this plan and told her to bring the cops.
We also installed a few cameras, so that if you confess anything we get to know. So, this is it, it’s your time to go now. But before, that tell me that what is thisrumorr about beating kids?
We knew that once you talk to Lara about this, you will come to this room and so we will be able to take you and the rest you know.
Yes anyways, bye my dear parents. I bid them a last bye.
Once they left, I walked to Ms.Chaterjee and thanked her for all the things she has done till date. The last thing I did was to go back to my house, I asked Ms.Chaterjee to drop me there.
I quickly stepped out of the van and pushed the main door. I was really startled to see my mom was crying her heart out.
I went close to her and hugged her.
Mom, don’t cry. Look I am here.
She slowly took a look at me and touched my face to confirm that it was me and hugged me tight.
Soon, after having an emotional moment, we went close to the dining table to have food. We also had a discussion of all this. I asked her why she spoke all those things that day.
Shanaya, you know Shivangi was very clever, she was the one who told me to say all of this so that you can reach the orphanage, start hating me and they can take you with them forever. My mom replied with tears in her eyes.
"Yes, dear, I started to write it once they took you, and I went into depression. Years passed when I finally got to where they dropped you and I got your custody papers under me."
Mom replied.
Soon this chapter of my life was over and I and my mom lived happily ever after just like in a fairy tale, my story had action, suspense, and love.