A/N Warning : Mentions of child abuse (no graphics) and trauma.

10th standard boards exams were finished by 26th of March. A month had gone by and Daya knew Abhijeet was gone to his grandma's home for the vacations. He hadn't seen his friend since the preliminary exams. He had tried to ask about it to Abhijeet's mother. She was reluctant at first but on persistence, had given Daya the answer.

She had said, "Abhi ke exams mein uske ache marks nahi aae. Issliye mama ke paas bheja hai. Voh uski boards ki tayari karenge. Koi aur sawal na ho toh jaiye aap."

Initially, Daya had felt sad about his absence but later on he had accepted it. He too wanted Abhijeet to excel in his studies. And so, Daya had started working hard for his exams too.

Though, the board exams were over and still Abhijeet hadn't visited him. By the time Daya's own exams were over, at the end of April, he had lost the hope that his friend would show up. Not before the vacations were over, at least. Amidst, the only good thing that happened was he scored an A in all subjects, except Geometry. Geometry's always a problem.

And not his score or his hard work made him more happy than seeing the proud look in his teachers' and especially Raghuvendra sir's eyes.

"Bahot ache, Daya." Raghuvendra sir had praised him, "Issi tarah se mehnat karte raho bache. Keep making me proud."

Daya's cheeks had reddened. He had managed to smile and utter an heartfelt 'thankyou.'

Days were passing by normally, until it was June and Abhijeet still hadn't come to meet him. After a few days, Daya had again confronted Abhijeet's mother. But she refused to say anything accept, "Mujhe nahi pata."

Today as well when Daya had gone to her she had said the same thing.

"Lekin kaki aise kaise?" Daya asked, half irritated, half concerned. "Kamse kam itna toh bataiye ki voh wapas aaya hai ki nahi?"

She paid no heed to him, instead kept working. Daya pressed his lips into a thin line. "Aapko acha nahi lagta ki voh mere saath rahe?" He asked bluntly.

She looked at him for a brief moment. However, as soon as the word were out of his mouth, Daya had bowed his head down in embarrassment. He didn't wait for her to reply, but apologized and fled away.

By the next month, he heard the news of ssc board results date declaration. And the day the results were announced, his excitement got the best of him and he once again found himself outside the kitchen area. To his surprise, his kaki was nowhere to be found. Though the other two maids were familiar, there was another person, a new face he did not recognise.

"Suniye Kirti didi," he called the maid he knew, "aaj kaki nahi aai?"

"Nahi aai. Pooja ji ne apni jagah inhe bheja hai." Kirti replied, pointing towards the new girl, "Bimar hongi shayad."

Daya looked at the new girl. He felt nervous at first but then mustering some courage he said, "Didi, Pooja kaki ka beta hai na, Abhijeet, uska aaj dasvi ka result laga hai. Aap jaanti hai use kitne mile?"

Unfortunately, she too had the same thing to say as Kaki. "Nahi beta. Mujhe nahi pata."

Confused and worried, Daya decided to ask for Raghuvendra sir's help. He went near his office and knocked on the office door nervously. On permission, he went in and wished his sir a good evening.

Raghuvendra sir smiled, "Good evening my boy. Yahan kaise? Koi pareshani toh nahi hai na Daya?"

Daya smiled awkwardly, but finally said, "Sir, aaj tenth ka result lag gaya hai na? Abhi ka..mera matlab hai ki Abhijeet ka bhi result laga hoga na, isliye voh.. Actually, aaj kaki kaam pe nahi aai. Aur jinhe bheja hai unn didi ko Abhi ke result ke baremein kuch nahi pata toh...mai-"

"Acha, acha, bas, bas." Raghuvendra sir raised his hands to stop him, slightly amused. "Toh tumhe Abhijeet ke ghar phone karna hai. Kyun?"

Daya bowed his head. "Agar aap ijazat de toh." He hurriedly added, "Bas result hi puchunga sir. Phir jhat se kaat dunga."

Raghuvendra sir chuckled at his nervousness. "Daya, tum mujhse itna darte kyun ho? Yahan ke baaki bache bhi toh kabhi kabhi apne ghar phone karte hai na? Phir?"

Daya tried to smile but couldn't, "Sir, unke paas toh family hoti hai na. Unhe permission hoti hai."

Raghuvendra sir nodded. "Haan, theek hai. Lekin aagese mujhse kuch puchna ho toh bejhijhak puchna. Varna phone nahi karunga mai."

"No sir," Daya immediately interfered, "please, use phone kijiye."

Raghuvendra sir nodded. "Karta hun." He said with a smile.

He did call then, but to his surprise the phone was picked up by some stranger because the voice was not recognisable. "Hello?" The stranger asked in a tough tone.

"Hello." Raghuvendra sir said, "Kya mai Abhijeet se baat kar sakta hun?"

"Kaun bol raha hai?" The man asked, instead.

"Mai Helping Hearts foundation ka Director, Raghuvendra Chaturvedi baat kar raha hun." He replied. "Aap kaun hai?"

The man's tone softened a bit, "Ohh. Iss bache ki maa aapke orphanage mein kaam karti hai. Aapne phone kisliye kiya tha sahab?"

Raghuvendra sir furrowed his eyes in confusion, "Aaj dasvi ka result lag gaya hai, toh Abhijeet bache ka result puchne keliye phone kiya tha. Kya voh vahanpar nahi hai?"

The man sighed. "Dekhiye sahab, mai ek police officer hun. Uss bache Abhijeet ko hospital mein bharti kiya gaya hai. Voh iss samay ghar par nahi hai."

Mr. Raghuvendra's forehead creased with worry. "Kya hua hai use officer? Aur..police kyun?"

The police officer sighed yet again. "Child abuse ka case hai sahab. Bache ko badi beh rehmi se mara gaya hai. Uski maa hai uske saath aspatal mein. Baap farar hai."

It was yet another shock for Raghuvendra sir. After a long pause, he said, "Sir..kya mai jaan sakta hun kaunse hospital mein hai voh?"

The officer quietly replied, "Sir, vahan pe bhi police hogi. Aap jaiye, magar sawal bhi puche jaenge. Jaslok lekar gae hai use."

Raghuvendra sir thanked him in a low tone and cut the call. When he turned towards Daya, he wasn't in the least surprised to see the scare and worry in the child's eyes.

"Sir.." Daya said in a voice which was nothing more than a whisper, "Yeh police.. hospital..kya hua hai Abhijeet ko?"

"Pata nahi." He lied. "Use Jaslok hospital lekar gae hai." The air fell silent. The memory of a scared Abhijeet clinging onto him came running back to him, and Daya had a gut-wrenching feeling down his stomach.

"Sir," Daya gulped, "kya aap vahan jaa rahe hai?"

He nodded, but paused when he saw some hope in those pair of eyes.

"Sir, mujhe bhi apne saath le chaliye na. Mai aapke saath hi rahunga. Please sir. Pata nahi use kya hua hai. Mujhe usse milna hai sir, please."

Raghuvendra sir looked at him doubtfully. Daya rushed forward and held his arm, "Aap maidan par bhi toh hume akele jaane dete hai na sir? Yahan toh aap mere saath honge."

"Lekin Daya, hospital mein po-"

"Abhijeet mera dost hai sir," Daya said desperately, wanting to make him understand. "Use meri zarurat hai."

Raghuvendra sir took a deep breath. "Theek hai. Par meri do sharte hai. Ek toh bilkul mere saath rehna, aur dusri yeh ki jabhi mein kahun tab bina zidd kiye vahanse chale jaenge hum. Okay?"

Daya nodded instantly. "Jee sir, sab manzur. Lekin please ab chaliye sir. Pata nahi voh kis haal mein hoga."

--

As soon as the hospital scent hit him, Daya shuffled a little closer to Raghuvendra sir, who must've noticed his anxiousness because Daya felt a pressure on his shoulder the very next second.

They were told to be in the waiting room. There they saw Abhijeet's mother, Pooja, sitting stoically. Daya glanced at his sir and almost ran towards her. "Kaki."

Hearing that familiar voice, she looked up in surprise, "Tum.. yahan?"

"Kaki. Abhijeet, voh kaise hai?" Daya asked hurriedly, worried for his best friend.

"Daya." A warning call came from Raghuvendra sir, making Daya stop and take a step back. Raghuvendra gave him a long look and turned towards the woman. "Pooja jee, doctor ne kya kaha?"

She shook her head, teary eyed. "Abhitak toh kuch bhi nahi, sir. Lekin aapko kisne bataya ki..Abhijeet.." she trailed off.

"Maine aapke ghar phone kiya tha Abhijeet ke results ke baremein puchne keliye. Tabhi pata chala." He said, gravely. "Yeh sab kabse ho raha hai? Aapne hume bataya kyun nahi? Shayad hum aapki koi madat kar pata. Mamla yahan tak toh na badhta. Abhijeet aaj aapke paas surakshit hota."

She lowered her gaze. "Gusse mein toh sahab ho jata hai kabhi kabhi. Voh uske baba hai. Uska bhala hi chahenge na sahab."

Raghuvendra could only stare at her in disbelief. How could she even say that?!

His trance was broken when it was Daya who spoke in a shakky tone, "Aapka matlab hai..Abhi yahan..uske baba ki wajah se--" His face showed the same disbelief as Raghuvendra sir's but his eyes showed pain.

"Maa baap nahi ho toh bhi chalega. Tum yahin rehna."

So that's what he had meant.

Pooja looked at him sternly but then gave up and sighed, wiping her face with her hand. "Please sir, pehle doctor ko bahar aane dijiye. Pehle hi--"

"Excuse me?"

They turned around to find a lady and a male police officer approaching them. Daya slowly clutched Raghuvendra sir's shirt sleeve, not due to fear but due to nervousness. He wasn't scared of police officers. Many visited their orphanage on regular intervals. They were all so friendly. This time though, he wasn't so sure.

"Aapki tareef?" The lady officer asked Raghuvendra sir.

"Jee mai Raguvendra Chaturvedi." His sir replied. "Helping Hearts foundation ka director."

"Oh." The male officer said. "Toh Pooja jee aapke orphanage mein kaam karti hai. Nice to meet you, sir. Mai sub-inspector Kabir aur yeh hai officer Neha." He shook hands with him. His eyes fell over Daya standing there nervously, and so he smiled at him sweetly. "Aur beta, aapka naam kya hai?"

Daya glanced at both Raghuvendra sir and Pooja before slowly saying, "Daya."

Kabir's smile widened. "Daya. Bahot pyara naam hai beta."

The little tension Daya carried eased to an extent. He loosened his grip over his sir's shirt sleeve and steped forward towards Kabir. "Thank you, sir."

Kabir patted his head but when he looked back at Raghuvendra sir, his face was stoic. "Yeh..?"

"Daya humari hi orphanage mein hai, sir. Abhijeet ata jata rehta tha toh doneke bichmein dosti hogai. Dono bahot ache dost hai, sir"

Kabir nodded and gave a meaningful look to Neha. She nodded back and moved towards Pooja. "Aap zara chaliye mere saath."

"Lekin kaha?"

"Aap chaliye, mai batati hun."

When the ladies were out of sight, Kabir gestured the other two to have a seat and himself sat beside Daya, turning to face him. "Kya aap sachmein Abhijeet ke bahot ache dost ho?"

Daya merely nodded.

"Theek hai. Aap aakhri baar Abhijeet se kab mile the, Daya?"

A sad shade passed Daya's face. "Teen-chaar mahinon se bhi zyada hogar, sir. Voh prelims ke baad orphanage aaya hi nahi. Mujhe uski bahot chinta ho rahi thi."

"Voh kisliye?" Kabir asked in fake confusion. "Aapki akhri mulakat ke dauran kuch hua tha kya?"

Daya's eyes filled with tears as he answered, "Voh bahot ghabraya sa tha, sir. Bolte bolte achanak hi panic hogaya aur kaanp bhi raha tha. Badmein thoda shant hogaya tha lekin phir bhi bahot sehma-sehma sa tha."

Kabir nodded, thoughtfully. "Daya, kya Abhijeet ne pehle bhi kabhi kuch ajeeb sa bartav kiya hai?"

Daya shook his head but then suddenly stiffened. With wide eyes he looked at Kabir, "Sir voh..Abhijeet, voh humesha hi kahi na kahi se chot khake aajata tha. Bahot pehle se hi. Mujhe lagta tha ki voh maar peet karta hai isliye..magar voh toh.." he choked on a sob, "Mujhe sach ab pata chal raha hai, sir. Voh kuch bata bhi toh nahi tha. Mere laakh baar puchne ke baad bhi nahi."

The softness in Kabir's eyes disappeared. "Iska matlab uski maa ne humse jhoot bola."

"Kya matlab sir?" Raghuvendra sir asked in confusion.

Kabir stood up, followed by the other two. "Uski maa ne hume bataya ki yeh pehli baar hi hua hai. Lekin Daya ne joh bataya usse saaf pata chalta hai ki yeh koi pehli baar nahi hua hai. Abhijeet ke saath yeh sab bahot pehle se hi hota aaraha hai. Pooja jee ne humse jhooth bola."

A tear slipped down Daya's face. He rubbed it away instantly but a few more slid down his cheeks and he covered his face with his arm, hiccuping. Raghuvendra sir quietly patted his back.

Kabir opened his mouth, realising his mistake, but couldn't say anything either. He took a deep breath and kept his hand over Daya's head. "Don't worry, Daya. Mai uske baba ko jald se jald pakad lunga. Phir voh aadmi Abhijeet ko chot pohochana toh dur, uski taraf aankh utha kar dekhne ki bhi koshish nahi karega. Sachi."

Daya rubbed his face with his arm and with quivering lips whispered 'thank you, sir' to Kabir.

Another few minutes passed by before a nurse came to inform them that Abhijeet was gaining consciousness.

"Sir, mai milu usse?" Daya hopefully asked.

Kabir smiled, "Chalo."

...

Outside the ward, Kabir signalled them to stop. On seeing him there, Neha nodded and took Pooja inside. They followed the ladies inside maintaining distance so that Pooja would be the first Abhijeet sees.

Daya peeked from behind Raghuvendra sir and felt another urge to cry. Abhijeet's left hand was bandaged and in a sling, probably fractured, his face was a mess of black and blue bruises. Daya could faintly see the finger marks over his neck as he walked closer and that made him cringe. But the worst of all, Daya knew, had to be the head injury, because Abhijeet had a very thick bandage over his forehead and the red was still visible over white.

He stopped when Kabir did. They were standing at a distance from where Abhijeet wouldn't see them.

Pooja went ahead and crouched over her son, touching his cheek lightly but Abhijeet jerked awake, flinching from the touch. Daya again saw the same scare in his eyes and he pressed his lips tightly.

"Abhijeet, aaramse." She said, retracting her hand when she realised Abhijeet was now in his senses and staring at it blankly. "Tum..tum ab theek ho?"

Abhijeet glanced at her and felt extremely angry. He closed his eyes, relaxing his posture but saying nothing.

"Abhijeet!" She called him earnestly.

Nothing.

"Kya abhi bhi kahi dard ho raha hai?"

No reaction.

"Abhijeet!" Her voice broke. "Beta, kuch toh bolo."

Beta. He opened his eyes. Beta. Hurt replaced his anger.

He turned his head in the other direction, refusing to acknowledge her. She tried again, and again, and again but Abhijeet acted as if she wasn't even present in the room. Finally, Neha stopped her on Kabir's signal. Kabir turned towards Daya and patted his back, motioning him to go towards his friend. Daya nodded, worry evident in his eyes and hesitantly approached Abhijeet. He stood beside his bed and was going to place a hand over his shoulder, but stopped himself in time, remembering the way Abhijeet reacted when his mother touched him. Instead, he slowly called his name in a very soft voice, so as to not startle him. "Abhi?"

Abhijeet looked at him with a jerk, eyes widening in shock. He hadn't seen him there. He was so focused on his mother that he didn't know someone else was present in the room too.

He kept staring at his friend's face in a daze. "D-Daya?" He uttered after what seemed like hours. Daya tried to smile but looking at Abhijeet's battered form, he just couldn't. "Abhi, yeh sab...tumne mujhe bataya kyun nahi?" He asked him, face showing both concern and sadness.

Abhijeet looked at him in guilt, conveying through his eyes that he was sorry. Daya's eyes glazed over again. He forwarded his hand and Abhijeet gripped it with his right hand. Slowly, Daya sat on the bed facing Abhijeet, who lowered his head. Daya brought Abhijeet's hand close to his chest, holding it tightly in both his palms. "Dard ho raha hai?"

Abhijeet shook his head.

"Sachi?"

Abhijeet hesitated before giving him a small nod. "Thoda sa." He said in a low tone.

Daya smiled sadly. "Batana chahiye tha na?"

It took Abhijeet a moment to understand what he meant but when he did, he looked up at his friend and for the first time since they met, Daya saw tears in his eyes. Tears of pain and helplessness. Daya gripped his hand tighter, supporting him in silence.

"Abhijeet, beta tumhare papa--"

She won't leave him. Why won't she leave? Someone make her go. Abhijeet glanced at her hatefully.

"tumhare papa tumhe chot pohochana nahi chahte the. Tum..tum batao na inhe." She pointed at the two police officers.

Neha looked at her in anger whereas Kabir gritted his teeth.

Abhijeet on the other hand felt disgusted in her. He tried to use Daya as a wall between him and his mother, hiding his face from her. His eyes glistened with angry tears.

"Abhijeet--"

"Aap jaiye yahanse!" Abhijeet snapped.

"Dekho baita mai jaanti hun tum mujhse naraz--"

"Aapne unhe roka nahi, maa." Tears of anger and pain slid down his cheeks. "Aapne unhe kabhi rokne ki koshish hi nahi ki."

She shook her head. "Nahi beta. Mujhe laga ki voh--"

"Ki voh jo kar rahe hai, sahi kar rahe hai." He whispered. "Issliye aapne bhi.." He trailed off, turning his face away. His hand was shivering in Daya's grip. "Ab yahan aakar yeh dikhawa mat kariye. Mujhe akela chhod dijiye aap. Jaiye yahanse!" He didn't realise when he started shouting. It must've been for the good though, because seeing him lose his cool, Neha dragged Pooja out of the room.

However, his head was now hurting because of the shouting. Unknowingly, he brought his hand to touch it but Daya didn't allow him to do so. He gave Daya a questioning look who calmly said, "Chot lagi hai na. Haath mat lagao."

Abhijeet slumped forward then, tired due to his weakness, his adrenaline fading. Seeing that, Daya gave a worried glance to Raghuvendra sir, who nodded and looked at Kabir. Kabir sighed, noticing the boy's weariness too. He came forward and said, "Abhijeet. Aap thake hue lag rahe ho beta. Aap let kyun nahi jaate?"

Abhijeet looked at him through half-lidded eyes. "Aap police uncle hai na?"

Kabir smiled and softly spoke, "Jee."

"Aap-aap please jana nahi, haan?" His voice was breaking but Kabir could easily sense his distress. "Aur unhe bhi yahan wapas mat bhejna." He pointed at the door, clearly talking about Pooja. "Aap please jaana nahi. Nahi toh voh mujhe wapas apne saath le jaenge. Mujhe unke saath aur nahi rehna." He suddenly turned towards Daya, clutching his hands desperately. "Daya tu bhi yahi rukna. Nahi toh voh log..mai phirse nahi-- nahi yaar please. Mujhe chhodke mat jana. Tu-tu yahi rehna."

"Haan, haan Abhijeet, mai yahin hun." He held Abhijeet by his shoulders, trying to calm him down. "Aur sir bhi yahin par hai. Koi kahi nahi jaa raha. Mai kisiko bhi tumhe kahi bhi le jaane nahi dunga."

"P..pakka na?" Abhijeet asked, tears falling down his cheeks.

Daya felt his heart break yet again, but he kept a calm exterior, smiling at his friend. He gently made Abhijeet lie down and caressed his hair. "I promise." Abhijeet kept looking at him in pain, before closing his eyes feeling completely drained. Daya kept stroking his hair till his breathing evened out, then a small tear fell down his own cheek too. He was vaguely aware of someone holding him while he quietly cried.

--

As promised, Daya stayed beside him. He refused to move even when both Raghuvendra sir and Kabir insisted him to rest.

"Lagi use hai. Mai aaram karke kya karu sir?" He had told them, pouting childishly.

So when Abhijeet woke up after two hours, Daya was the first to know. He informed both the elders of Abhijeet's wakefulness who came in right after. Kabir took a seat on a chair placed beside the bed and smiled warmly at the broken kid.

"Abhijeet, ab aap theek hai beta?"

Abhijeet quietly nodded, unable to return his smile. Kabir mentally sighed.

"Aapko-" statement recording, toughest when kids were the victims, "-kya aapke papa ne..?"

Something flashed in Abhijeet's eyes before it was gone as soon as it came. He gave a quick nod again.

"Kya yeh pehli baar hi--?"

Listening to those painful questions, Daya placed his hand over Abhijeet's pressing it lightly. He heard Abhijeet sigh in return.

"No sir. Voh bahot pehle se hi--Agar kabhi pee lete hai toh aur bhi zyada--" he inhaled sharply and Kabir patted his back whispering, "Its okay, koi baat nahi."

He waited for a moment then asked, "Abhijeet, kya Pooja jee ne bhi aapko aise kabhi mara tha?"

He hesitated for sometimes, then nodded in defeat. "Kabhi kabhi. Voh nahi chahti thi ki mai kisi se help lu. Ya kisiko batau iss..iss sab ke baremein. Unhe lagta tha ke voh jo kuch bhi kar rahe hai, sahi kar rahe hai. Aur kisi ko maine bataya toh ghar ki izzat, police vagera, issliye unhone mana kar rakha tha. Voh aadmi bhi," his voice was wet but hateful, "voh dhamkiya dete the, jaan se maarne ki agar maine kisiko bahar bataya toh. Maine darkar.." he closed his eyes in pain.

Hearing that though, Daya looked at him with a jerk. Isliye Abhijeet ne mujhse jhoot bola, he thought.

"Hume phone aaphi ne kiya tha na?" Kabir quietly asked.

"Jee." His voice was barely above a whisper. "Unhone voh..voh bat hath mein li thi, jaan se maarne ki dhamkiya de rahe the. Mai--mai ghabra gaya tha toh..magar unhe aur bhi gussa..issliye.." he was shivering again. Daya immediately took him into a hug, aware of his injuries, and Abhijeet broke down into sobs, clutching Daya's shirt tightly in his fists. Daya just kept patting his head and rubbing his back to comfort him.

Kabir on the other hand felt as if he could explode at any given moment. He stood up with a strange determination. "Mai wada karta hun aapse. Voh aadmi tumhari taraf wapas aankh uthakar dekh bhi nahi sakega."

Abhijeet only cried harder.

Kabir told Mr. Raghuvendra to stay there till he tells them otherwise and left the room to catch that man.

That man abused a kid. A kid! Kabir was going to make him pay for it.

--

It was when he started murmuring incoherently, that Daya realised Abhijeet was in a trance. He nudged him but got no response. It was just like the time in the orphanage when Abhijeet nearly had a panic attack. Except this time he was trembling as sobs wracked his body.

Getting tensed, Daya said, "Abhijeet, shhh, mai hun yahanpe. Dekho sir bhi hai. Koi tumhe chot nahi pahochaega."

Abhijeet was scared. Daya could practically feel fear radiating off him. He started rocking him gently.

"Abhi, tum mere saath ho. Mere paas ho. Tum vahan par nahi ho. Hum hospital mein hai, ghar nahi. Socho, agar tum ghar par hote toh kya mai vahan pe hota?" Living in the orphanage, they were taught how to handle such situations. It wasn't the first time Daya felt blessed for knowing how to help a person having a panic attack.

"Please mujhe chhodke mat jana, please Daya...", he was desperately pulling at Daya's shirt, trying to get closer.

"Mai yahin hun Abhi, mai kahi nahi jaa raha. Shant ho jao." Daya whispered, rubbing his back.

Seeing Abhijeet's condition, Raghuvendra sir had stepped forward but Abhijeet jerked violently when he saw him stand at the bedside, burying his head more in Daya's shoulder. Raghuvendra sir immediately retracted his steps and went out to call the doctor.

"Voh chalegae hai, Abhi. Hey, hey," he tried to make him look up but Abhijeet wouldn't move. So he continued to rub his back. "Okay, okay. Shant ho jao. Mai hun yahinpe. Mai tumhe chhodkar kahi nahi jaa raha. I promise. Sab theek hai, hmm? Tumhe koi chot nahi pojochaega." He kept whispering those words over and over again, making his presence very obvious, trying to give Abhijeet a sense of safety and security.

Eventually, Abhijeet's sobs died down untill he was only occasionally hiccuping. Unknown to both of them, Raghuvendra sir had returned with the doctor. The doctor took advantage of their ignorance and injected Abhijeet, who within seconds started feeling drowsy. Daya separated him from the hug and placed his head on the pillow, cupping his cheek.

"S-sorry." Abhijeet slurred.

Daya furrowed his brows in confusion. "Sorry kisliye?"

"Ma-maine tumse jhoot bola tha na..iss..issliye.." his voice died down as he fell asleep. A small smile appeared on Daya's lips. He rubbed his teary eyes and turned around to find Raghuvendra sir looking at both of them in concern. So, he gave a reassuring smile to his sir too, who returned it. They quietly sat down on the chairs present their, waiting for further instructions from the police.

--

Kabir returned with two constables at late evening. Seeing both the kids were fast asleep, he took Raghuvendra sir to a side to talk so the kids won't be disturbed.

"Sir, Abhijeet ke pita aapko mile kya?" Raghuvendra sir posed the question.

Kabir smiled lightly, "Jee. Use humne apni giraft mein le liya hai. Child abuse ke gunha par use paanch/che saal ki saza toh hogi hi."

Raghuvendra sir slowly nodded. "Aur..Pooja jee..?"

Kabir sighed, "Sir, kisi gunah ko chupane ki bhi saza milti hai. Aur yahan toh Pooja jee ne na toh sirf sach ko chupaya hai, balki Abhijeet ko chup rehne keliye majbur bhi kiya hai." He said grimly. "Unhe ek saal ki saza hogi hi."

Raghuvendra sir took a deep breath. "Tab tak..Abhijeet?"

"Hum use foster care mein rakhenge. Maine ek family se baat ki hai. Voh log kal aajaenge isse milne."

"Lekin uske toh rishtedar hai na?"

"Maine uske saare rishtedaron ki jaaj-partal ki hai lekin voh sab toh bahot rehte hai. Aur Abhijeet toh sheher mein rehne vala bacha hai. Vaise bhi, mujhe nahi lagta ki voh log iski dekh baal karne keliye raazi ho jaenge." He jerked his head, remembering the conversations he had before coming here.

"Magar sir, kya Abhijeet manega?" Raghuvendra sir asked doubting the possibility.

Kabir sighed. "Aur koi chara bhi toh nahi hai. Voh log ache bhi hai aur isi ilakeke rehne vale hai. Abhijeet ko koi pareshani nahi hogi. Voh log uska achese khayal rakhenge. Vaise toh hostel mein bhi admission le sakte hai. Lekin jaisi uski mansik sthiti hai, use care ki zarurat padegi. Padhai, counselling, vagera, voh log sabka khayal rakhenge."

Raghuvendra sir hummed. "Hmm. Sahi keh rahe hai aap."

Kabir glanced at Abhijeet, "Maine doctor se baat ki hai. Teen-char dinon mein bache ko discharge mil jaega." He paused. "Raghuvendra jee, ab aap bhi ghar jana chahe toh jaa sakte hai. Daya ko bhi lekar jae."

Raghuvendra sir hesitated. "Magar sir agar Abhijeet bich raat mein jaag gaya toh? Daya nahi hoga toh voh firse panic hojaega."

Kabir smiled and shook his head. "Nahi, aisa nahi hoga. Voh nahi jagega. Doctor ne kaha ki voh ab sidha subah hi uthega. Aap befikar rahiye." He paused. "Uske sar par kaafi gehri chot lagi hai. Issliye doctor ne kaha ki voh aur zyada tired aur sleepy feel karega. Aur jitna zyada soe, utna acha hai. Subah mai khud usse baat kar lunga. Kal shant hoga toh meri baat achese sunn lega. Lekin haan," he continued in a serious tone, "hosake toh subah Daya ko lekar yahan aajaiye. Aath-nau baje tak. Daya ke saath voh surakshit mehsus karta hai. Mai chahta hun ki jab kal uske foster parents usse milne aae tab Daya bhi vahan par maujud ho."

Raghuvendra sir nodded. "Theek hai. Mai use kal lekar aaunga. Lekin ab hume nikalna hoga. Raat ho chuki hai."

Kabir nodded. "Jee theek hai. Aap nikaliye."

--

Daya's sleep broke when Raghuvendra sir shook his shoulder. "Sir?" He mumbled, rubbing his eye.

"Daya chalo. Hume nikalna hai."

Hearing that, Daya stood up immediately, ready to protest. Sleep completely forgotten. "Sir, magar aise Abhijeet ko akela chhodke--"

"Voh subah tak nahi uthne vala, Daya."

"Magar sir--"

"Daya." He fell silent at that stern voice. Seeing his down head, Raghuvendra sir's gaze softened. "Hum kal subah aaenge na, beta? Abhi chalo. Raat ho gai hai. Aur der nahi karte, hmm?"

Daya slowly nodded. Raghuvendra sir walked towards Abhijeet, patted his cheek softly and started leaving after saying 'chalo' to Daya.

Daya glanced at Abhijeet in worry. "Darna mat, Abhi. Mai kal subah aaunga, hmm? Tum achese sona. Good night." He ran a hand through the sleeping boy's hair and quietly left the room too.

--

It wasn't even 7:30 am and Kabir was their waiting for Abhijeet to wake up. He had caught Abhijeet's father Dilip yesterday. When the man had refused to confess and instead had started bad-mouthing both Abhijeet and the police, Kabir wasn't able to stop himself. He had given Dilip a small dose of what Abhijeet had felt all those years living with him under the same roof. And if Kabir had felt secretly satisfied making Dilip cry, it was no one's business.

By 8am, Abhijeet had woken up and, to Kabir's relief, was approachable. He even greeted Kabir a good morning when he saw him. Kabir took a seat beside him and smiled warmly. "Kaise ho beta?"

"Theek hun uncle." Abhijeet gave him a small smile too, increasing Kabir's hopes.

"Daya aur Raghuvendra jee kuch der mein aa jaenge, acha?"

"Aapne bulaya hai use?" Abhijeet asked, looking hopeful but nervous.

"Haan."

Abhijeet slowly nodded.

There was a moment of awkward silence, before Kabir finally said, "Humne aapke maa-baap ko pakad liya hai." Abhijeet snapped his head up. Kabir calmly continued, "Aur unhe jald hi saza bhi ho jaegi. Dilip toh panch saal tak jail mein hi saza katega, lekin aapki maa, voh shayad ek saal yah kam mein chhut jaengi."

He heard a sharp intake of breath and looked at the kid, who sat there motionless.

"Thank you, sir." Abhijeet said breaking the long, unnerving silence. Kabir just smiled at him.

The nurse brought Abhijeet his breakfast. He had it without a single sound. Then the nurse gave him his medicines and left the room.

A few minutes passed by, in which Kabir was continuously checking the time, and there was a knock at the door. Kabir looked up, expecting to see Raghuvendra sir and Daya, but it was the couple he had called yesterday. A tensed smile appeared on his lips. He jerked his head away and greeted them, asking them to take a seat . He realised that Abhijeet was observing the two very carefully.

"Mai aapki mulakat karwata hun. Mr. and Mrs. Gill, yeh hai Abhijeet. Maine aapse isike baremien kal baat ki thi. Aur Abhijeet," he glanced at Abhijeet whose gaze was fixed on the couple, "yeh hai Mr. Manan Gill aur unki patni Namrita Gill. Umm.. hospital se discharge milne par tumhe inke saath rehna hoga. Agle saal tak." He said, cautiously.

Abhijeet looked at Kabir and silently downed his head. Manan and Namrita exchanged a glance before Namrita smiled, "Abhijeet. Aapka naam toh bahot pyara hai. Bilkul aapki tarah."

Abhijeet looked at her in shock, widening her smile. She cupped his cheek and noticed how Abhijeet's eyes followed her hand movement warily. "Kya aap humare saath rehna pasand karoge?"

His gaze shifted from her hand to her face and he gulped, slowly leaning away. He scooted over to the other side of the bed, putting distance between them. She awkwardly withdrew her hand, glancing at her husband in concern. He looked at her assuringly, patting her hand resting on his elbow.

"Abhijeet beta." Manan said, smiling. "Hum aapke liye kuch lekar aae hai."

Abhijeet peered through his long eyelashes at him. He took out two big chocolates from his pocket and forwarded them towards Abhijeet. He didn't expect Abhijeet to take them immediately, but neither did he expect to see the surprised eyes of the kid, glistening with tears.

"Yeh aap..mere liye..?"

Manan nodded and saw as a wide smile spreas across Abhijeet's face. He took the chocolates from him saying, "Thank you, uncle." Then he shyly lowered his head and muttered, "Mai, uh, mai aapke saath rahu toh aapko pareshani toh nahi hogi?"

"Bilkul nahi, beta." Namrita instantly replied. "Ulta aap jaisa pyara bacha humare saath rahe, humare ghar mein, toh hume toh bahot khushi hogi."

His face reddened again. "O..okay." He managed to utter, making the other two chuckle lightly.

Kabir was watching, or rather, studying Abhijeet's behaviour and he could say he understood. He understood what was going on in Abhijeet's mind. Abhijeet knew he had no place to go. That is why the kid was so observant of the huband and wife. If Abhijeet was trying to seek help from a long time ago, he must've considered where it would lead him. The kid was perceptive. That, Kabir was sure about.

--

Daya peeked inside the room, curious at the unfamiliar voices. Raghuvendra sir had explained him about Abhijeet's foster parents and he had wished he wouldn't be late, but apparently he was. However, when he saw Abhijeet sitting on the bed with his head down, not in fear or nervousness but shyness, he smiled brightly. He followed Raghuvendra sir who had walked past him and into the room and greeted Kabir. Then looked at Abhijeet who was already smiling at him in surprise and relief and shuffled towards him.

"Kaise ho, boss?" He asked.

"Ek dum badhiya." Abhijeet said. "Good morning Raghuvendra sir."

Raghuvendra sir smiled and patted his head. "Good morning bacha." He then shook hands with Manan Gill and went to stand beside Kabir.

Daya silently nudged Abhijeet to introduce him to the couple. Abhijeet nodded and turned towards the Gills, "Uncle, aunty, yeh hai Daya. Mera dost."

Daya joined his hands and slightly bowed his head. "Namaste uncle, namaste aunty."

The two greeted him in a similar manner and the woman said, "Bahot ache sanskar hai aapke beta." Daya smiled shyly. "Thank you, aunty."

"Umm, Daya," Abhijeet cleared his throat, "mai abse inke saath hi rehne vala hun."

Daya nodded. "Haan mujhe sir ne bataya." He said in a sad tone. "Maine unse ko pucha ki tumhe orphanage mein rakh le. Lekin unhone mana kar diya."

Raghuvendra sir shook his head disappointedly, hearing that while Kabir smiled.

Abhijeet slapped Daya's forehead. "Yeh mun mat bigado. Mai aaunga na tujhse milne."

"Yeh tumne pehle bhi--" he stopped abruptly realising neither of what happened was Abhijeet's fault. "Acha theek hai." He said in irritation. "Lekin agar tum nai aae toh?"

Abhijeet bit his lips and looked at Namrita pleadingly. "Kya hum hafte mein ek baar, bas ek baar, Helping Hearts Foundation ja sakte hai? Daya se milne? Bas ek-do ghante keliye. Phir mai aapke saath ghar wapas aajaunga." Namrita wouldn't have denied him but he sounded so hopeful, that she felt obliged to say yes.

"Zarur beta. Ek baar kyun, hafte mein do baar chalenge. Mai bhi aapke saath aya karungi."

A big smile appeared on Abhijeet's face and he smirked at Daya. "Dekha?"

Daya grinned back at him.

After a while, The Gills excused themselves telling Kabir that they need to leave. "Mai shaam ko wapas aajaungi." She told both Abhijeet and Kabir. "Hum tab milenge. Okay, Abhijeet? Apna khayal rakhna, acha beta?"

Abhijeet nodded at her. Manan waved him goodbye and both left the place. Seeing them gone, Daya jumped to sit on the chair that was previously occupied. He immediately went on to tell Abhijeet everything that he had missed out in the last few months of not visiting Helping Hearts. Abhijeet laid down in a relaxed manner listening to him as he rambled.

Kabir watched that and turned towards Raghuvendra sir, "Chaliye Raghuvendra jee. Sab theekse hogaya."

"Hmm. Vaise Abhijeet ne jagne par kuch kiya toh nahi?"

"Nahi sir. Mai uske jaagne ke baad hi andar aya hun. Uthne ke baad se toh shaant hi hai."

Raghuvendra sir nodded. "Phir kal shayad apne pita ke bare mein baat karne ki wajah se voh panic hogaya. Use voh incident yaad aagaya hoga."

"Mai toh bas thoda hairan tha ki Abhijeet ne Daya kr baremein khudse nahi pucha." Kabir laughed. "Maine toh puri speech bhi prepare karli thi ki kya bolna hai."

Raghuvendra sir smiled. "Acha hai. Abhijeet ko jiss madat ki zarurat hai, use voh mil rahi hai."

Kabir sighed, nodding with a smile. "Jee. Khair, mai ab chalta hun. Duty par bhi jana hai. Kya aap yahin par ruk rahe hai?"

"Daya toh ab yahanse hilne keliye manega nahi. Toh rukna padega." He chuckled. "Shaam ko jab Namrita jee aajaengi toh hum chale jaenge."

"Theek hai sir. Phir mai nikalta hun. Have a nice day."

"You too, sir."

Kabir left the room bidding goodbye to both the kids. Raghuvendra sir sat down on a chair kept near the window and started reading the newspaper that was on the table.

Here on the other hand, as Daya continued to ramble, Abhijeet felt his eyes growing tired. He unintentionally closed them and shifted to be in a more comfortable position. Seeing that though, Daya stopped talking and stared at his friend's tired face.

Abhijeet opened his eyes in confusion realising Daya had stopped talking. He threw a questioning glance at him and received a concerned look in return.

"Abhi, tum so jao."

"Kya? Arey yaar Daya mai abhi toh jaga tha na."

"Tumhari aankhein laal ho gai hai boss, tum so jao. Aakhon ko aaram do." Abhijeet looked at him in irritation.

"Mujhe neend nahi aarahi, acha?" Which was a big fat lie and Daya knew it because Abhijeet's eyelids were dropping. He could clearly see how tired his friend was.

"Acha theek hai. Sona mat. Par aankh band karke toh baith sakte ho na shaanti se? Mai bhi ab chup rahunga."

Abhijeet opened his mouth to protest so Daya sternly said, "Abhijeet! Kaha na maine?"

Abhijeet clicked his tongue completely irritated, but did as Daya had said. He was going to close his eyes but instead, grasped Daya's hand suddenly, "Mai soo gaya toh tu chala toh nahi jaega?"

Daya looked at Raghuvendra sir from the corner of his eyes and smiled secretly. "Nahi. Nahi jaunga."

"Tune kal bhi yahi kaha tha."

"Kal raat bhi toh bahot hui thi na. Aur doctor ne kaha tha tum subah jagoge."

"Doctor ko kuch nahi pata." He said stubbornly, jerking his head.

"Acha?" Daya smiled sweetly.

"Aur kya? Tum unki baat mat sunna."

"Aur kuch?"

"Tum jana nahi haan Daya?" Abhijeet said in a low voice, feeling drowsy.

"Nahi jaunga. Tum sojao chalo."

"Pakka na?"

Abhijeet had asked the same thing yesterday before falling asleep. Though the situations were different, the fear was still there. Daya could feel it. And so, he kissed his forehead and gripped his hand tighter, then smiling reassuringly at him, he said. "Promise. Ab aankhe band karo, chalo."

Abhijeet gave him a tired smile and closed his eyes. Within minutes he was fast asleep and Daya heaved a sigh. Abhijeet was trying hard to be alright but his defences always failed before Daya. Abhijeet had a long way to go to heal completely and Daya's promise meant he won't let Abhijeet go through it alone.

THE END