Chapter 9: The Watchful Eyes
They looked at that thing, and their heart rates dropped.
Suddenly the electricity came back. Their eyes hurt from the sudden light. Some of them covered their eyes. After a few moments, they uncovered them.
They all saw a man around 28 years old.
His hair was thick and wavy, styled in soft layers that swept naturally to one side, giving him the look of someone calm and stylish. His forehead was broad and smooth, adding balance to his face and giving him a composed appearance. His eyes were slightly narrow and deep, with a calm and confident gaze often seen in a mature person. His eyebrows were straight and well-defined, enhancing the sharp and serious expression of his face. His nose was straight and refined, fitting naturally with the symmetry of his facial structure. His jawline was strong and angular.
A light stubble beard along his jaw and chin added a mature, rugged charm.
His lips were well-shaped with a subtle, relaxed smile.
He was wearing a black turtleneck, black trousers, and black polished leather shoes. His body looked athletic, like he played some kind of sport or worked out regularly.
His expression turned into surprise and his eyebrows tensed.
He said in a deep, heavy, and attractive tone,
"who are you all ?? Why you entered in this orphan??"
Ayush and Sakshi stood up from the floor.
Everyone looked at that man, and they all seemed panicked.
Vansh stepped forward and tried to stay calm.
"hamm..well ..we..all run from a house on there they Force us all to do construction work they forces us they use us as child labor so we all run away from that house and we came here."
Vansh covered his face with his hands and pretended to cry.
Vaibhavi, Yash, Ritika, Aarav, Saavi, Ayush, and Sakshi all had their expressions change into a mix of emotions—confusion and surprise. But after a few moments, they all understood Vansh's plan.
They also started acting.
Vaibhavi said in a sad tone,
"yeah...please adopt us here."
Yash lowered his head so that he looked sad and traumatized.
Ritika rested her head on Vaibhavi's shoulder.
Aarav said in a sad and dramatic tone,
"yeah...please...we...we didn't want to go there again."
Saavi was good at acting, so she managed to bring real tears to her eyes.
Ayush thought, (damm...how they can act like this...I didn't know how to act damm..what to do??)
Ayush tried to say in a sad tone,
"yes sir please...we didn't want to face that again."
But Ayush couldn't act properly, so Sakshi grabbed his head and pulled it toward her shoulder.
Sakshi said in a sad and exhausted tone,
"don't cry..."
Then Sakshi whispered into Ayush's ear in an irritated tone,
"hey if can't act so don't do."
The man looked at the group, and his face turned irritated because he sensed that they were lying.
He slowly walked toward them.
The man spoke in his deep and heavy voice,
"you all can't make..."
Suddenly someone interrupted in the middle of his sentence.
An old man's voice said,
"stop.... Kartik."
The man stopped in the middle of walking. He looked surprised and turned back.
There was an old man around 57 years old. He had sharp eyes beneath styled, streaked hair, with some strands turning white, and a neatly trimmed white beard. He was dressed in a dark suit with a striped tie and black trousers. He was holding a polished stick.
His aura felt powerful and commanding.
The man's name was Kartik. He stepped aside and gave the old man space.
Kartik's expression became blank.
The old man looked at Kartik, and then his eyes shifted to the teenagers.
The old man said calmly,
"so...as you say..you all run from that kind of place...can you tell us where this is happening??"
Vansh's eyes widened with surprise because he didn't expect this question, and he also didn't know much about this world.
But he quickly composed himself and spoke in a calm but sad tone.
"well....I didn't want to talk about that place yet...can we talk about this later."
Vansh made his expression look sad and innocent.
The old man didn't show any expression, but he spoke in a calm tone,
"fine we will talk about this later..but remind it that..you have to tell us...well for now you all can stay here ...Kartik show them there rooms...and after this come in my office."
Kartik nodded.
The old man turned and walked upstairs.
Kartik's jaw tightened as he glanced at them.
Kartik said in a cold tone,
"follow me."
Kartik walked toward a different direction of the hall.
Behind him, they all followed.
Vansh's expression relaxed.
Vaibhavi thought with relief, (thank God)
Ritika held Vaibhavi's hand.
Her thoughts were, (damm..it's good that Vansh made that fake scenario)
Yash looked at the walls and the hall.
Yash thought, (this orphan looks old..maybe it was built in the 90s)
Aarav looked around carefully, staying alert. Meanwhile, Saavi was holding his hand.
Ayush thought, (thanks god that old man interrupted in the middle otherwise this man named Kartik would have figured out that we are lying...but does it matter..I am feeling good the way she is holding my hand)
Sakshi was holding his hand and clinging to him.
Kartik showed them their room.
Kartik said in a cold and deep tone,
"well here is your room...I know you all are acting...I didn't know who all you are and why you are doing this...but if Chief is saying then there must be reason."
Kartik walked away, went upstairs, and headed toward the office.
He entered.
On a chair, the old man was sitting.
On the table near the old man there was a name label.
Raj singh yadav
Kartik said in a calm and respectful tone,
"sir you call me here."
Raj Singh Yadav said in a calm tone,
"yeah...I want to tell you that...for few months I will be not here in this state so you have to handle this orphan..I am going out of state for my personal work."
Raj Singh Yadav slowly stood up and walked toward Kartik.
Raj Singh Yadav said in a serious tone,
"and make sure...keep an eye on those teenagers who recently came here...they look suspicious...especially that boy..who was telling you his story."
Raj Singh Yadav walked out of the office, went downstairs, and then walked out of the orphan building.
After a few steps, there was a light blue Rolls-Royce standing there.
Thunder echoed in the sky and slow rain started.
Raj Singh Yadav looked back at the orphan building.
Raj Singh Yadav thought,
(well I didn't know why but that kid looks familiar to me like I saw him 30 years back...but I am not confirm...well I am getting old now so maybe I am imagining)
He entered the back seat of the Rolls-Royce.
The driver slowly drove it out of the orphan ground and onto the highway.
Raj Singh Yadav thought,
(well that kid is reminding me of that J.W. high school...that incident...why I can't remember his face.)
Raj Singh Yadav leaned back on his seat and closed his eyes.
Chapter End.