March 1960. Vaikunth Niwas, Ranikhet Estate, Shimla, India.

The next day dawned bright and clear.

I got up early as I was feeling all excited and nervous at the same time.

Life was taking a new course and I was home . But how things would go forth from here was still a  mystery. Grandma detested Mother and loved Dad and her feelings for their progeny were not clear . She had tried to find, that was some consolation.

And she hated my face that was the replica of the woman she hated. But she seemed to be kind at heart and fair–minded. Maybe if my parents had been alive, they would have resolved their differences and mended their relationship. I bore her no malice .I understood her rigid stance .It was just a cover-up for her pain.

She was simply an old mother who felt hurt on being slighted by her son for he had chosen to desert her and seek his love.

May be I can heal her wounds and make her accept my mother and me.

And there were other forces to contend with.

I had to know the whole family and sift friends from foes. I already had two arch enemies, Gayatri and Inderavadhan. A shiver ran down my spine as his image floated in my mind. What is there between us that my nerves start tingling at the mere thought of him.

And Shanta's another statement rang warning bells in my mind.

"Ma Saheb is a stickler for customs and traditions. She does not allow any transgressions as far customs are concerned. "And I was a novice in all these matters.

I ran to the window to clear my head and have some fresh air.

Morning rays of sunlight seem to penetrate through the dense foliage.

The Cedar trees were rustling in the wind .I seemed to get lost in their gentle whisperings as they swayed in the wind. They seemed to be talking to me trying to welcome me and embracing me in their arms. They were telling me something. I closed my eyes and tried to fathom their message.

"Don't be afraid. You are not alone. We are your friends."

I opened my eyes and a strange peace descended on me.

I was ready to enter the arena.

I walked out of the room into the passage and looked around for Shanta who had left earlier to cater to Gayatri. I was not sure of where to go and I did not want to commit any more gaffes.

I stood there deliberating when Yashoda came there and directed me to the Temple for morning prayers .It was a custom that everyone had to be present for morning prayers.

I made my way to the Temple which beautiful idols and Grandma was busy offering prayers.

I went in and stood silently in a corner behind.

I could see the silhouettes of the handsome hunk and the dumb Gayatri in all her glory.

And there were three other figures whom I had not seen before. The Temple was a beautiful area carved with pristine white marble sculptures and its peaceful ambience made me fall in love with the place. It was going to be my refuge here in times of turmoil.

And I had already made two friends-Shanta and the invincible Cedar Trees.

Things were beginning on a bright note.

As the prayers got over and Ma Sahib sighted me, she gave me an angry glare and the obnoxious Gayatri was smirking secretly and the ogre winked at me.

I was trembling now.

I had again done something wrong and I did not know what it was.

I looked at Shanta but she eyed me blankly and Yashoda just shook her head in censure.

The other three observed me quite discerningly.

The staff was all enjoying my discomfiture.

"Meet me in the study.'' Ma Sahib ordered me angrily as she walked out.

'Go, face the music!" Gayatri bellowed with laughter.

I looked at Shanta for help but she could not come to my aid with everybody looking.

I held my head high, squared my shoulders and walked out.

The ogre eyed me nonchalantly as I walked out.

I knocked at the teak door and entered the hallowed chamber.

Grandma was seated on her arm-chair by the window and staring into space.

'G-good M-morning Ma Sahib!'' I stuttered nervously.

The tip of my nose had turned beetroot red.

Ma Sahib kept on looking at me silently.

I wriggled my toes in my shoes and clamped my hands tight.

'M-ma S-sahib!' My stutters seem to worsen.

It had always been my Achilles heel. When I was nervous or lying, my stutter, red nose and twitches always gave me away.

"I am not going to eat you up. So stop shuffling around. Do you always behave like time this when you are afraid?You remind me of someone I knew long to time back. And I used to tell him to overcome his fear by thinking of someone you love the most. And it always used to work. Only I could see through him."

She stared distantly into space and suddenly warmth enveloped my heart.

I forgot my fears and touched Grandma's feet.

"I know I again annoyed you in the morning. But believe me, I have no idea what I have done. I got up today and promised to myself that there will be no more stupidities on my part. I want to me prove the trust which all of you have put in me. You have entrusted me with a lot of responsibility and I want to deliver to the best of my ability.I am young in age but all my life I have fought all my battles alone and I treasure the trust and affection of those who bestow it on me. I shall not let you down."

She nodded her head and said,"Get up. I was angry with you but I just realized that you are not aware of our ways. Don't blame yourself .Try to learn and make Shanta your mentor. She is a smart girl and don't tell her that I praised her or she will go about with a cocky look on her face and we will have to see another buffoon. The dumb Gayatri and The Little Miss Know It All!"

And a radiant smile lit up her face for a second and gave her austere features an ethereal beauty.

And the mask slipped back.

"You are supposed to cover your head while praying, you don't even know that! And I don't want you traipsing around the estate in trousers. Dress traditionally and I understand that you don't have those. Yashoda will take care of it. You go with her to choose your colours and material. And it's time for breakfast now."

'Thank You, Ma Sahib." I smiled through my tears.

This was my first present from my Grandma.

Suddenly, the Cedar trees started rustling loudly and as if they were happy.

I walked out and clutched the pendant I was wearing.

"Bless me Mom and Dad. One day you will too come home."

As I walked out, Yashoda entered the study.