Chapter-32

Hrida is silent for a second and answers with a timid voice," I don't know where I  should be or what I should do?.... Ohh..sorry..I was just in a trance. Leave it. I came here for Aaban, ummm..no..sorryagain..we actually came here to visit Aaban." Then Hrida narrates the story of Aaban without revealing her story.

Navya knew she was hiding something, she was aware that Hrida told her only partial truth but she didn't question her about it because she knew it is not easy to tell everyone about your past.

Navya asks her something else with a hint of interest reflecting in her voice," Some people are just based on material, they think humans are some kind of material that needs to be perfect from every angle and should be beneficial, otherwise, they are of no use to those people. Their thought process and mentality are based on only logical loss and profit.

Aaban is a really beautiful name, I am relieved that God sent you to that baby's rescue otherwise they would have only used him and then thrown him again when the usability expires. Sometimes we get parents, who forget the line of view between an object/puppet and a real human, but we can't deny the moments we felt real love, the moments when they treated us as human.

I know it is not easy to forgive but we need to so that we release the venom and let the sweetness remain in our hearts. But forgiveness doesn't mean,  you forget everything, but more like those memories won't haunt you anymore, and at some point, you will remember those short moments where you feel loved for a day, for some minutes, for seconds without feeling hurt." 

Hrida stares at Navya wide-eyed with an open mouth, she gulps nervously," What are you talking about? How do you know this? " Navya immediately knew from the reaction that she reminded her of something/ memory but she assumed that she might have faced a similar situation like abandonment by her parents.

Navya spoke with a puzzled expression," I was talking about people like Aaban's parents and you only narrated to me the whole story of Aaban, so that's how I know it. Do I need to know about something more? "

Hrida nervously objects," Noooo…Nothing else. I was just...I forgot that I told you, yeahhhh….. Ohh!  Yes. I forgot to ask,  how did you become a psychologist? Why did you become a psychologist? Didi told me, I am curious about it. "

Navya giggles and pinches her cheeks playfully," You are cute when you act so adorable. So, I became a psychologist by studying emotions, personalities, thought processes, behaviors, and body language through the help of books, teachers, and online resources and materials, I also took an exam for it and now it's been 2 years since I've been in this profession.

And about your 'why' question, I became a psychologist because, in my teenage years, I read the term ' psychology' in some book, so for some reason, I felt drawn to the term, so I searched up the term in my mother's phone, and when I read about the term meaning, I was mused, so I checked other websites and in one website, it mentioned that you can study in a particular subject called Psychology after 10th grade, which I did, then gradually after studying quite a lot, I qualified the exam and became Psychologist at last. Ta-daaa! "

Hrida stares at her with admiring eyes, then mumbles in an amused tone," Didi, you are really cool and intelligent. Because I know you are trying to read me as well and earlier when you were talking about Aaban's parents, I reacted in such an obvious way that you might have assumed that I acted like you were talking about me, that means, I must be gone through something like that… … … I didn't want to admit but you were right about my situation. But I can't tell you yet. I am sorry, Didi. "

Navya assures with a hint of understanding tone," Hrida, don't feel sorry, I can read that you went through a traumatic experience that has left you in pieces, but you are trying to gather your pieces, that's need courage, which I can see through your eyes and body posture.

And you brought Aaban alone here in the windy chilly night without caring about yourself. Aaban is lucky that he got a sister like you, I mean you did protect his life so, you are his actual sister and not his biological sister. And one more thing, don't feel pressured, tell me when you feel like telling me, I am always available to listen to you. "

  Hrida confirms in a confused tone," When I feel like...…. Ummm… But how ?... I will not stay here forever and I don't think… we can meet again. I mean I don't stay in one place, that's why. So… … … .. How? "

  Navya chuckles, " Yes, we won't meet again because we are not going to separate for today. I have one proposal, a fun one, and you have to agree with me. I want you to visit my home for just one day, only one day. We will have lots of fun, I want to give you a day of happiness and fun so that you remember our time spent with a smile. I know, I am a stranger but trust me, I am –"

Hrida interrupts her," Didi, You don't have to justify your character. You saved me from falling that defines you care, and if you care, why would you harm me? And, Tapish is relaxing there, which means he sensed that you don't have bad intentions, and I trust Tapish more than myself.

Still, I can't accept your proposal, I am really sorry but I don't think it's a good idea. I...… always...….. bring trouble wherever I go and I don't want that for you, Didi. And, I am not joking, the dark shadows follow my trail everywhere even if I hide in any corner of the world.

I can't risk your safety, Didi. You saved me, I can't put you in danger. Please, believe me, I am not joking. I have done my observation and it clearly says that if I stay close to someone for a bit longer time, it just causes dangerous trouble to them. So, please, Didi. "

Navya could understand her fear, she remembered the most important thing about her identity, she recognized her, she knew about the missing girl case, and she connected all the dots but there were still many parts missing to form the full picture of her past. 

Navya made up her mind to help Hrida find her real self, her place, her present, she needs her right now. She has to bring her to her home so that she can help her face her trauma slowly. 

Navya requests with a soft tone, " Hrida, I am really touched that you care about me, you are thinking of my well instead of yours, it is good quality but it is also necessary to think for your well-being as well.

At least think about Tapish, whose tail looks injured, and he also looks tensed and scared, he also needs a break, Hrida. Hrida, it is great to be courageous but it is wonderful to relax and have fun for a while. You call me Didi, right, then can't you accept this one request? "

Hrida gave a thought to Navya Didi's words, she glanced at Tapish and everything that they had gone through recalled fresh in her mind, she realized that they had been struggling, suffering, hurt because of her decision and especially Tapish, who suffered a lot more than her, she made up her decision. 

Hrida declares with a smile, " Didi, I…we accept your kind request. We will come with you but only for a day. You are right, Didi, we also deserve to have fun and peaceful moments despite the trouble, pain, and chaos whirling in our lives.

Thank you, for taking us with you. I am excited and curious now, how would your home look like? I am sure it would be amazing like you.

Tapishhhh… we are going to finally be able to have some fun and most importantly, your wound be properly treated and will heal rapidly, and we will be inside the home with a cozy and warm environment rather than shivering in the chilly nights. Yippee! Yessssss! "

Hrida sweeps Tapish in her arms and twirls in happiness, Tapish purrs happily feeling her happiness. Navya flashes a warm smile and admires both of them. Suddenly out of nowhere, Divit twirled her and joined in her happy dance, they were looking so happy and Navya noticed that Divit boy who used to be always anxious and angry, looked relaxed and happy instead.

And, the way he radiates happiness in the presence of Hrida, signals that Divit's change in his state is because of Hrida. Navya is really impressed by Hrida, what she couldn't do in a few months, she did it in one day, that's a special potential she has within her. 

After 5 mins, Navya, Tapish, and Hrida went away, on the way, Hrida sat behind Navya who was riding the scooter at medium speed. Hrida felt the wind passing by her, but this time she didn't feel cold instead she felt freedom and free, like her wings were being filled with wind asking her to fly, whereas Tapish was on the front with Navya, enjoying the wind as well.

Both of them tasted freedom in the air. Hrida starts singing a random lyric of her own in a low pitch tone, 

" Never felt so free, Never felt so high

  Never thought I had the wings to fly

  Never knew that it feels good to fly

  Now that I know that, I never want to run

  Because I never knew, it feels good to fly

  The freedom in the air feels like a beautiful flair

  The taste that I smell, makes my heart hungry

  Never knew the taste of freedom, 

  Never knew it existed, now that I know, 

  I never want to run, because it feels so good to fly. "

Navya could hear some humming, but she couldn't hear her clearly because of the noise of the scooter and she knew that Hrida must be happy to be humming right now.

Within a short span of 30 minutes, they arrived in front of a building complex, Hrida was amazed by the infrastructure of the building, The building complex consisted of 7 floors, and the walls were embellished in a futuristic theme pattern.

Hrida had lived in a luxurious themed house but it was not her style, so her room was the only thing that was not filled with luxurious things but she did buy expensive items that she wanted for herself or her room, Or Tapish Or Shashi.

So, Hrida was surprised by this modern-futuristic-minimalistic fusion-themed building, she started jumping on her feet, her feet were urging her to plunge into Navya Didi's apartment already but she kept her horses calm. 

Hrida couldn't keep her body calm when they stepped into Navya's apartment, Hrida was jittery, she was looking at her apartment as, if it were an art gallery, Navya laughed heartily seeing her cute antics.

Tapish jumped on the window's ill, he 'meows' happily looking outside the window. Navya also gets infected with their energy and exclaims with an enthusiastic tone," Gentleman and lady, the beauty doesn't end here, the bedroom is the real charm, my paradise. Have a look. "

  Hrida and Tapish were going to jump on the bed as soon she saw her comfy queen-sized bed but controlled their excitement because they needed to freshen up first and treat Tapish's wound and then have fun. 

  Hrida was singing in the shower as it had been a long since she had a shower bath and she used aromatic body wash after asking Navya's consent, she felt so good, it felt like many years passed while she and Tapish were on the street. 

After taking her bath, she bathed Tapish with only water, since she didn't have the particular soap for cats. Navya gave her a small medicinal oil bottle and a cat food packet that she ordered online an hour ago. 

While Tapish is busy eating cat food after such a long time, he just jumps in for the food, Hrida applies oil on his tail delicately. Hrida playfully rubs her head on his back and mumbles in an adorable tone," My brother is so.. sso.. so… happy. Then, I am also happy… happy."