Episode#4: - The beginning of something good

Swathi and Karan stared at Aastha with shocked expressions as she played with Ath in her arms. Aastha was aware of their gaze but avoided looking at them, having encountered pity from many others in her life after revealing her inability to speak.

Unbeknownst to her, their expressions were not filled with pity but with genuine shock and empathy. The pain they felt was rooted in understanding her struggles, not in sympathy.

Swathi, trying to break the silence and ease the tension, said nervously, "So what if you can't speak? We can talk, so that's enough." Her words were meant to reassure Aastha, as she noticed how long they had been staring in stunned silence. Karan, too, nodded in agreement, his face softening with understanding rather than pity.

Aastha looked at Swathi with an astonished expression, finding her offering a warm smile. Karan, too, snapped out of his surprise and nodded vigorously in agreement.

"Bhabs is right, little birdie," Karan said cheerfully.

Aastha stared at them as if they were from another planet. Priya, the bookshop owner, was the only person who had never pitied her, likely because she had a five-year-old daughter who also couldn't speak. Aastha had always appreciated Priya's understanding and normalcy.

But these two? Aastha was lost in thought when she felt soft, tiny hands gently touching her face. She looked down to find Ath, bouncing excitedly in her lap, trying to cup her face with his little hands. His innocent, joyful gesture brought a smile to Aastha's face, melting away her apprehensions and reminding her of the simple connections that transcended words.

Aastha smiled softly and adjusted Ath in her arms, planting a gentle kiss on his forehead. Ath giggled and buried his face in the crook of her neck, enjoying the affection.

"He just loves to hide his face in the crook of the neck of the person he likes whenever he's in their lap or arms," Swathi said, chuckling. Aastha smiled at the observation and patted Ath's back lovingly.

"Why are we standing like this?" Karan asked after a moment, noticing the confused looks from both Swathi and Aastha.

"I mean, why don't we go and sit somewhere else?" Karan suggested cheerfully, eager to change the scene and make everyone more comfortable.

Aastha tried to say something, but before she could, they heard a voice from behind. The trio turned around to find Priya standing there.

"Aastha, you go and have some free time with them," Priya said warmly, clearly pleased that Aastha had found people who didn't show her pity.

"Let's go," Karan said, grabbing Aastha's hand and leading her toward the food court. Aastha was initially startled but quickly calmed down and followed him silently.

Swathi, accompanied by the guards, followed them. Karan led everyone to a table in the food court. Aastha nervously took a seat with Ath in her lap.

Swathi sat down and tried to start a conversation with Aastha, but since Aastha couldn't speak, it was a bit challenging. Karan, meanwhile, was engrossed in something on his mobile.

Swathi called Karan several times, but he was so engrossed in his mobile that he didn't notice. Frustrated, she gave him a playful slap on the back of his head. Aastha giggled silently at the sight.

"Ouch!" Karan exclaimed, rubbing his head.

"What, bhabs?" he asked, still massaging the spot.

"Idiot, I've been calling you for the last five minutes! Why weren't you paying any attention?" Swathi scolded, giving him a death glare.

"Umm, I'm trying to find an app that can teach me sign language," Karan explained with a sheepish smile.

Aastha, who had been playing with Ath, snapped her head towards Karan, her eyes wide with shock.

Tears began streaming down Aastha's face, and within moments, she was crying bitterly. Her silent tears went unnoticed by Swathi and Karan until Ath's voice drew their attention. When they saw Aastha's distraught state, they were startled and concerned.

"Karan, you idiot, why did you make her cry?" Swathi scolded, her voice filled with worry as she turned her anger towards Karan, thinking he was the cause of Aastha's distress.

Karan looked visibly guilty, his face a mix of concern and regret. He stood there, feeling helpless as Swathi tried to comfort Aastha while continuing to scold him. Aastha attempted to communicate using sign language, but neither Swathi nor Karan could decipher her gestures.

"Aastha, what are you trying to say?" Swathi asked, her frustration evident as she struggled to understand Aastha's signs. Despite her efforts, both she and Karan remained confused and unable to interpret what Aastha was trying to convey.

"She is saying that; don't scold him, as she is not crying due to him, she just got a little emotional after hearing him," a voice said from behind, causing everyone to turn around.

"Rishi," Swathi said in surprise, both because they hadn't expected him to be there and because of how he understood what Aastha was saying.

"Birdie?" Karan asked his tone a mix of relief and happiness. Aastha nodded in response, her expression easing as they finally understood her.

"Rishi, how did you understand what Aastha was saying?" Swathi asked, her curiosity evident as she looked at Rishi, who had now joined them beside the table.

"Swathi, I learned sign language years back for time pass only, but I never thought it would come in handy someday," Rishi said with a shrug.

"By the way, who is this little Barbie?" he asked Swathi, glancing at Aastha, who was now trying to teach Karan some basic signs, as he asked her to show him.

Swathi explained everything to Rishi, who was smiling as he watched Karan interact so carefreely with someone outside their usual circle. It was a new side of Karan that Rishi hadn't seen before.

Suddenly, Aastha made a sign that Rishi understood, and he couldn't help but smile at the interaction unfolding before him.

Karan was asking Aastha how to say "You are like my little sister" in sign language. A smile spread across Rishi's face, reaching his eyes for the first time. The shine in Karan's eyes as he eagerly learned the sign was something Rishi had never seen before.

After five to six tries, Karan managed to learn the sign—not perfectly, but well enough. He showed it to Aastha, saying, "This is for you." Aastha was stunned, staring at him with wide eyes as he pointed towards her.

Karan looked extremely happy, and Aastha gazed at him with amazement. Rishi smiled and approached Karan, patting him on the back. He then looked at Aastha, who was now gazing at Rishi with confused expressions, her attention having shifted from Karan to him.

Rishi noticed Aastha's nervousness and confusion, so while gently taking Atharv from her lap, he said, "I'm Atharv's father, Rishab." He gave her a soft smile, trying to ease her anxiety despite his intimidating aura.

Aastha felt a bit nervous, as meeting someone new with such a presence was daunting.

Karan, seeing the interaction, asked Rishi, "Rishi bro, how come you're here?" Rishi explained that he was nearby and had called the guards to check on their location. When he learned where they were, he decided to join them.

Aastha, feeling like an outsider, began fidgeting with her fingers and turned to leave. But as she did, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked around and saw Karan gazing at her with a puzzled expression.

"Where are you going, birdie?" Karan asked, clearly confused. Aastha tried to communicate with signs, but Karan couldn't understand her. Rishi, observing their interaction, translated, "She is saying that she doesn't want to interfere in your family talks, that's why she is leaving."

Hearing this, Karan stiffened, and without another word, he turned and walked away. Aastha's face fell as she watched him go, her lips forming a sad pout. She then turned to Swathi and Rishi, finding Swathi giving her a stern look before stomping off, taking Atharv from Rishi's arms as she went.

Feeling disheartened, Aastha looked down, but Rishi approached her and gently patted her on the head in a comforting gesture.

"Aastha! I don't know you properly yet, but one thing I know for sure is that the sign about being a sister, which Karan learned from you, is completely true. I know he thinks of you as his sister. I've never seen him this happy before."

Aastha, with teary eyes, signed to Rishi that Karan was now angry with her. Rishi chuckled softly and said, "Don't worry; he'll come back within a minute." Aastha looked at him with confusion, but before she could process anything, someone pulled her into a tight bear hug from behind, grabbing her arm.

"You are and you will be my family. From today, you will be my little sister. Store that little fact in your peanut-sized brain, understand?" Karan said in a mock angry tone, then abruptly let go and stomped his foot as if he was declaring a royal decree.

Aastha blinked in surprise, while Rishi tried to suppress his laughter. 

Aastha was trying hard to process what just happened, while Rishi, for the first time, burst into laughter at Karan's antics and Aastha's bewildered expression.

Rishi, still chuckling, managed to say to Aastha, "Told you."

Aastha gave him a sad pout, which made Rishi shake his head and chuckle again. He gently placed his hand on her head and said, "God bless you," before patting her cheek affectionately and walking away.

The entire scene was witnessed by Swathi, who also came back to give Aastha a comforting hug. Seeing the genuine smiles on Rishi's and Karan's faces, Swathi looked at Aastha with a warm smile and thought, "I think I finally understand the reason for their smiles. It's because of you."

With a contented smile, Swathi left, her mind already occupied with plans. Aastha, feeling uplifted, went back to her work with a bright smile on her face.

Priya, noticing Aastha's newfound cheerfulness, felt a deep sense of happiness. She knew very well how much Aastha had been through and how her heart, though pure, had been broken. Seeing her smile like that was a small but significant victory.

1 week later:-

In the past week, many changes have occurred. Karan had been visiting Aastha almost every day, and one time even brought Ath along. Swathi kept in touch with Aastha through messages since she was busy with household duties.

Rishi was pleased to see the positive shift in their home environment. Karan had become noticeably more cheerful, and Rishi was optimistic that this was just the beginning. He knew RV and Shayan still needed to be included.

"Rishi, I'm thinking of inviting Aastha over to our place," Swathi said while reading a file on their bed.

"That's a great idea. I'd love to see that little Barbie again," Rishi responded with a soft smile.

Swathi noticed Rishi's smile and couldn't help but do a little happy dance in her mind. She was confident that Aastha's innocent and pure-hearted nature would bring even more happiness into their home.

"Okay, I'll text her and invite her to our mansion this weekend. I know she must be exhausted from juggling studies and work," Swathi said.

"How many people does she have in her family?" Rishi suddenly asked.

"She doesn't have anyone. Karan mentioned that she lives alone and doesn't have any family around," Swathi replied a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Where does she live?" Rishi inquired.

Swathi provided the details, mentioning that Aastha lived in a chawl in the XYZ area.

"What?" Rishi exclaimed, startling Swathi.

"Rishi, what's wrong?" Swathi asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Swathi, the area where Aastha lives is 45% controlled by drug dealers and local mafia. Why didn't you tell me about this earlier? And what the heck was Karan doing if he knew she lived in such a dangerous area?" Rishi said, his tone filled with anger and frustration.

Swathi was shocked and worried, her face reflecting her concern. "What do we do now?" she asked anxiously.

"First, let's call Karan," Rishi said firmly, grabbing his cell phone. He dialed Karan's number, and it was answered on the second ring.

"Karan, you idiot! Why is Aastha still living in that area? You know how dangerous it is!" Rishi scolded without even letting Karan say a word.

Karan was stunned, his face paling as he realized the gravity of the situation. In his excitement about having a little sister, he had overlooked the danger of Aastha's living conditions. He had only briefly asked about her address once and had since been focused on meeting her quickly, forgetting to ensure her safety.

The screen freezes on Rishi's furious face and Karan's horrified expression.

To be continued...