Volunteer Love

Valeriana

"Mom, I'm getting late! Goodbye!!" Valeriana said, walking hastily past the breakfast table. She then gave a bright smile and leaned to kiss the cheeks of her most precious human, "Goodbye , take care and don't run around in the house!" she said. "Sure my Ana dear, take care, okay?" An old lady in her early eighties said, smiling ear to ear. That old lady is Valeriana's paternal grandmother. Or the most important, precious person in her life!

"Ana! You can't do this every time! You always skip breakfast, if it goes on then you will become sick!" A pretty woman said.

"Mom, sorry but I really have to go, the children must be waiting!" She said while taking a piece of bread. And added, "Don't worry, I'll eat this bread on my way!" And left the house in a running way to escape her scolding.

"Josephine, calm down! She will eat something after she gets there." Grandmother said.

Josephine is Valeriana's mother, but everyone says that she looks like Valeriana's elder sister. She has really good skin, without any wrinkles, which makes her look younger. Nobody would believe that she's in her late forties.

"Outside food doesn't suit her, mom," Josohine said with a stressed face.

Valeriana was walking down the street, sunlight falling on her face. She looked towards the sky, blinked her eyes twice and blocked the sunlight with her one hand, and said, "A sunny day it is!" And smiled brightly.

Valeriana is the name of a flower in Europe. Just like the flower is used for the treatment of insomnia, anxiety and psychological stress, our Valeriana also helps people to get out of depression. Especially the children and old people.

Valeriana works in a NGO. Which helps millions of orphans, old people get their comfort place. Her beauty, her humbleness, her smile helps the people to feel at ease.

Valeriana's common trait is that she always smiles no matter what happens. Life has never been easy on her. Since her childhood she has been suffering. Be it her dad leaving her and her mom, when she was only six years old. Or be it the students in her school bullying her for being poor. She has always faced these problems with a smile on her face. No matter how many times these things tore her up, she didn't let her smile fade away nor did she let anybody else get the hint that she's sad or what's going inside her.

Valeriana reached the NGO and a girl of her age came running towards her. "Valeri! Finally you are here! Sam is not eating anything, he's saying that he would only eat if you feed him" The girl said, slapping her (the girl's) forehead. Everyone calls Valeriana, 'Valeri' in short form except for her mother and grandmother, they call her 'Ana' with love and affection.

Valeriana smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll check on him and feed him" And went towards the orphan's sector. The NGO is quite big and quite spacious.

The NGO wasn't like this before, it wasn't this big. But when the Evanson Enterprise started making donations here every year with a big amount of money, since then the renovations started taking place and it turned into a big well organized NGO. The CEO of the Evanson Enterprise is indeed very generous.

Everyone knows the CEO except for Valeriana, because she just joined here a month ago, when she completed her studies, she was confused about her goal in life. She majored in marketing, but she didn't know if this is what she wanted or something else. Then one day she saw a hiring post for the 'HOME' (name of the NGO). She applied here without having any second thought and guess what she realized this is the Job which gives her peace. The salary isn't that much, but life has taught her well that it's not always about money, rather it's always about peace.

"Hi children" Valeriana greeted the orphans. Everyone was eating in Harmony but as soon as they saw Valeriana they got up from their chair and ran towards her, except for one child and that's Sam. He was sitting far away with his untouched food, making a sad face.

She noticed it. She smiled at the other kids and clapped and said, "Okay, babies, go back and continue your eating or else the food will get cold." The children listened to her and went back to their seats. Valeriana narrowed her eyes, smiled and went towards Sam's seat. "Well, somebody said that he will not eat without me!" Valeriana said, beaming at him. Sam is a boy who's only six years old.

Sam didn't say anything, just kept his head low. Probably because he was feeling low. He is new to this NGO. He came here a few days back. His condition was too vulnerable at that time. It was a rainy day when the staff of the HOME found him on the road, sitting all alone in a corner of the bridge, drenching in rain.

He has a deep mental trauma. There are several bruises on his hand, which means before coming here, he was both physically and mentally tortured. He hasn't said yet what happened to him. Because whenever he tries to tell, he tears up. That's why the people here aren't forcing him. Though there are doctors here who help the kids, old people to get rid of these traumas and he's also getting those therapies. There is a hospital building in this NGO. As said, because of the donations of the Evanson Enterprise the NGO is much better now.

Sam kept looking at the floor and finally got some strength to speak. "Yes, I want you to feed. I like you very much, that's why" he said while scratching his hand.

Valeriana noticed it and guessed that he probably was nervous. So she smiled and said, "Aww, I like you too, and I would love to feed you!" She said and took the plate of food in her hand, and gave a spoonful of food in his mouth.

Chris

The door of the meeting room opened, a man of twenty six years old entered the room, keeping his hands in his pocket. Everyone stood up the moment he entered the meeting room.

He has a pair of hazel eyes, and his body is well built. Shortly cutted side swept hair. Skin tone tanned, his face and body makes him stand out the most. And then his way of talking, anybody will melt after hearing his voice. All husky and manly.

"Start the meeting" He said in his hot husky voice.

"Mr Chris, so what do you think about this project?" The manager asked. Chris nodded. Then Chris said, "I think we should go with the second project." "But it has more risk, sir." The manager said. *

"Well, Mr. Adams, business is all about risk. And we shouldn't be scared to take risks." Chris said. Manager Adams nodded. And said, "Alright, sir." He said. But manager Adams wasn't quite happy. He frowned. But it doesn't matter to Chris. Only business matters to him. He has to make his adoptive father proud. And he's doing his best to do that.

Christian Evanson Chris, twenty six years old billionaire, who is giving his all in the Evanson Enterprise to achieve every new success coming in his way. It only took him two years to achieve all his goals. He took over the company at the age of twenty four and worked day and night to achieve his adoptive father's goals. He is a bright guy. He doesn't put pressure on his employees, rather he tooks all the pressure himself. He doesn't make his employees work in vain, rather if anybody overworks he pays them immediately. He is an absolute sweetheart. But because of his tendency of taking risks, the senior manager doesn't like him. But it's not Chris's problem. He knows how to run a business. It's Mr Admas fault that he is a little greedy.

Valeriana

Sam was done eating. His stomach was full now. Valeriana was done, she smiled and was about to get up but Sam held her hands and said, "I'm sleepy, can you please sing me a lullaby so that I can sleep peacefully?" His eyes sparkled in hope, hope of getting Valeriana's affection. Valeriana smiled and said, "Sure, come let's go, I'll sing you a lullaby" she got up and held Sam's small hands to take him to his room. Valeriana is really good with the kids.

She took Sam to the Children's bedroom. There are ten children's bedrooms in total. Earlier before the renovation there were only 3 bedrooms. And ten rooms for the old age home here. She made Sam lay down on the bed, pulled the bedsheets on him. And started singing a lullaby while caressing his forehead. He kept looking at her with his sparkly eyes, these eyes have many sadness hidden in them, many tortures, which makes Valeriana remember about her childhood days, the tortures that her father did to her. Her screams every night, seeing her mother get beaten up. It wasn't easy for her at all. But she and her mother are all well now. And that's what all matters. She's glad that her grandma didn't leave their side when they hopelessly went to her for help.

Valeriana recalled that when she was only five years old her mom had told her that her (Valeriana) granny wasn't that fond of her father. In Fact she used to dislike him very much. Grandma was against their marriage but Valeriana's mother used to love Valeriana's father very much so she ran away with him and married him. After that Valeriana's grandma was really mad at her (Josephine) because of this. She even told her that she doesn't even want to see Josephine's face.

Josephine was wrong about her husband. After marriage she realized that her husband wasn't the man she loved. Rather he's a cheap and characterless person after six years of their marriage.

When Valeriana was only five years old she found out that her husband was cheating on her with some other woman, not only that he was also involved in gambling. Day by day his addiction towards gambling was getting worse. He used to steal Josephine's jewellery after losing in gamble to pay the money. She confronted him one day and he was drunk and showed her his true colours. He beat her to death.

Josephine couldn't take it anymore and decided to leave him. But it wasn't easy as he wasn't ready to let her go. He used to beat her up everyday and then he used to beat his angelic daughter, who didn't have any fault at all. One day Valeriana's dad was out of town and Josephine didn't let go of that opportunity. She escaped from that hell with her five years old child Valeriana, she had very little money, which she spent to go to Valeriana's grandma's place, as that was the only place she thought would be safe.

When Josephine's mother saw her little grandchild and her daughter in that helpless condition, she just couldn't turn her face away from them, so she forgave Josephine and let them stay with her. She even helped her daughter to get a divorce from that monster. It wasn't that easy, but Valeriana's grandma protected them by being their shield. And that's why Valeriana loves her so much, for her, her grandma is a superwoman. Her grandmother is her role model. And she's a fighter just like her grandmother and her mom. Nothing can ever break her!

"Valeri!" Valeriana came out of her own thoughts when a colleague called out her name. She lazily said "Huh?" As she was still thinking about those hardships in her life. "Sam is asleep, you should stop singing now" The colleague said with a smile and left. Valeriana stopped singing and looked at the child. She smiled and then left the room, many works in the NGO are pending, she just can't sit around here without any reason!

Chris

It was evening and Chris was home, there wasn't much work in the office today. So he came back early. Nobody can tell that he's a billionaire looking at his house. It's not that luxurious. Actually Chris doesn't like to boast about his wealth. He's too down to earth, kind and generous. But it wouldn't be right if we say that his house is too simple and too poor looking. It's an apartment, which is really classy looking. The architecture design is really good. Anybody would fall in love with this house, it's not that much big, or luxurious but it has got that warm feeling.

He went to the living room. The living room is cozy and simple. He went straight and stopped before a big photo frame, hanging on the wall. "Mom, Dad, it's been a while" He said with tears in his eyes.

Valeriana

It was night Valeriana was sleeping peacefully after having dinner and chit chatting with her mom and grandma, but soon sweat started dripping off from her forehead.

Warning ️: The following content contains violence and child abuse. Ignore it if you feel uncomfortable!!!

"You dare to question me? Huh? You dare to question your own husband?" And started beating Josephine.

"Dad, don't beat mom!" She whispered, scared. The little girl was scared, scared that her mom may die. He slapped Josephine so hard that his fingers were imprinted on her face. He pulled her hair so roughly, which made her scream her lungs out. Josephine's body was all marked by the beatings of her husband. He saw his little daughter hiding behind the wall. He always wanted a son who will inherit his business and will support him and instead Valeriana was born. He was unhappy about her birth since the day they got to know the gender of their baby. He used to live with Josephine but he changed since that day. He dragged her out and started beating her too. "Dad! Don't!" And starts sobbing. He slapped Valeriana's face two times and pushed her on the floor, her forehead hit the floor and was bleeding, she still has the mark on there. She clasped his leg with her small hands and looked towards him with teary eyes and injured face but he did nothing but flinched instead leaving bruised Josephine and young Valeri alone.

Valeriana got up from her sleep while sobbing and was all drenched in sweat. She was breathing abnormally. " That felt so real!" Valeriana said to herself, while wiping her sweat with her hand. From her childhood to now, Valeriana has been suffering from these nightmares. She vividly remembers those terrible days. But from then to now, no one knows about this problem of hers. She cares about other's mental health but she just ignores her trauma as if it's nothing. She never told anyone about this because she doesn't want to make her mom or her grandma worry about her.

"It's okay Valeriana, it's just a dream! You would be okay. It's nothing, just a dream." She said to herself while patting on her chest, her voice was trembling. The only person she's scared of is her own dad and she never wishes to see him ever again. "He's scary" She said to herself after again laying down on the bed. Tears were falling from her eyes, she forcefully closed her eyes and tried to sleep. After struggling for sometime she finally slept. It's nothing new.

The next morning..

Valeriana got up, dressed in something casual and went to the dining room. Valeriana lives in her Grandma's house. It's really small, with two bedrooms, with a kitchen and breakfast/dining room adjusted together. And a small living room. It's said that her grandfather gifted this house to her grandma after saving some money. The house is old and small but many beautiful and wonderful memories have been made here. It has the warmth that makes her feel peaceful.

Valeriana went directly to the kitchen and started helping her mother. "Good morning, you are early today. " Josephine said with a smile. "Yes mom, let me help you," She said. Josephine's eyes went to her puffy eyes. "Ana, dear, why are your eyes so puffy??" She asked with a worried face. Valeriana's face went pale after listening to that question. She somehow managed herself and gave a fake smile to her mother saying, " Oh, I mistakenly scratched my eyes in sleep." Valeriana said, with a laugh. And said, "From then my eyes are irritating every now and then and have become puffy, it will get alright, no worries' ' She said, giving an assuring smile.

"Oh, dear, you should go and see some doctor," Josephine said. "No, mom. It's perfectly alright, nothing serious" Valeriana said. And started looking around the house. "Where's grandma, mom?" She asked. Oh, she has a cold, so she's sleeping in the room" Josephine replied. "Oh, is everything alright?" Then she added, "I think she should visit a doctor, she has been looking quite sick for a few days." She said being tense.

"Yes, I'm thinking of taking her to a doctor." Josephine replied. "We should go today then" Valeriana requested. "Oh, you know right, how's mom, she doesn't like going to the hospital, it will be hard to make her agree to this" Josephine said, frowning.

Meanwhile, breakfast was ready. After having breakfast Valeriana went to the NGO. Today is Sunday but Valeriana doesn't like to take off from the NGO. It's her second home. That's why she works even during the weekend. There are other people also. Moreover today, the CEO will come so some female employees have come here only to see him. This is also Valeriana's first time meeting him.