Walking step by step, leaving her soul, her peace behind, she left for her love….. Abhimanyu.. She knows she has written her fate with him. She knows she loves him and so does he. Or maybe a little more than her he does. But why still she feels empty from within? Why does she feel something is yet amiss? A bliss yet to feel, a laugh yet to come, a happiness yet to experience, a soul yet to explore.

       Muskaaaaaan…… a yell broke her trance and before she could understand anything, she bumps into a small human torso. The suddenness of the incident left her startled and not being able to absorb the impact, she tilted towards her back, when suddenly, a hand held her, preventing her from the fall. It takes her a few second to register what just happened.
     
   Muskan…. Why were you running? Naina hears a voice and looks to find a lady in the late thirties scolding the figure that hit her.

Look, you bumped into aunty and she was about to fall. How many a times will I say you not to run around like this, especially when you are not at home? You are growing adamant and stubborn day by day. I need to send you to hostel, if you continue like this… now why the hell are you looking at me.. say sorry to aunty… yells the lady.

       Muskan….. Naina whispers the name and a smile automatically spreads on her face.. Muskan.. what pretty name.. she says..

      Sorry Aunty….. the girl begs in a low tone as turns around, her head hung out of guilt..

  Loud Muskan…. Your whispers won’t work here. You are grown enough to understand what is wrong and what is right. Says the lady in a strict tone..

      Please….. Utters naina.. Don’t scold her any more.. Says naina as she walks towards the girl.. She already is in guilt. Besides maam, I was not hurt. You saved me. She smiles towards the lady.

      Her gentle voice made muskan look towards her.. woah. What a pretty innocent face.. the black curls and the red spectacle frame perfectly complemented her butter skin. Her eyes black and deep. The red head band managing her curls matched best with the dark blue jeans and the red sweater she wore. Her face says her age around 8, but her tall and healthy physique made her look grown.. Naina fell for the girl at the first sight.. Somewhere, the girl made her remember her own childhood.

I’m sorry aunty. I didn’t mean to push you or hurt you. Please forgive me.. The girl pleaded in a soft voice.

     Its okay dear. You don’t need to be sorry any more. But be careful.  You may hurt yourself in this way. Naina says, as she holds her pretty face in her hands.

Don’t run to and fro okay. That’s for your own safety.. Understand?. She says softly.. Listen to what your…………… naina looks at the lady, not knowing how was she related to her…

     Oh Hi…. Im Shalini Singhal Sekhawat.. Muskans mother… the lady came forward smiling, but not exposing her teeth..

     Listen to what your mom says. Okay Muskan. Be a good girl.. naina leaves muskan as she now moves towards her mother.

     Hi, im Naina Singh Chauhan. Muskans  “new aunty”, she emphasizes on the words as she smiles heartily.

       Her words made the lady smile full. A lady in her late thirties.. Healthy and fair. Her hairs reflects curls, those are straightened artificially. Her smile exposed her overlapped front tooth set. Anyway, her entire aura seemed attractive but a bit possessive and dominating.

      So….. Tourist? Mrs Shekhawat? Asks naina, as they return from the place.
   
  Yes.. actually.. arrived just today. And you? The lady questions back.

   Same here…. Naina smiles. But arrived yesterday at the Himalayan retreat resort.

Hey… even we are there… the lady says cheerfully.. so ur family? At resort? Resting and all huh? Asks the lady as she looks a little annoyed.

   Yes.. I’ve been here with my husband Abhimanyu and he right now is romancing with the bed… chuckles Nains..

     Goshh!!! These men… Same with My husband… says Shalini as she makes faces.. and they both broke into fits of laughter..

Mrs Shekhawat……..    Call me Shalini Di. Mrs Shekhawat term seems monotonous as mostly im known and called by this at office.. Breaking her sentence shalini says, her voice a bit helpless now.. If you don’t mind, she adds.

    Not at all SahliNI Di.. says naina sweetly. So where do you work?

Income Tax…. Shalini audibly exhales hard. And my husband being in the same dept, though senior, im mostly called as Mrs Shekhawat you know!!

   Hey di. Im in the same department too.. says naina out of surprise.. Where are you posted at? She asks again..

    Is it? Its shalinis turn to be surprised now.. well im posted at Cuttack odhissa and My husband at Bhubaneshwar..

      Well I’m posted at Ranchi… Abhimanyu runs a business out there. Naina states..

Well its really nice meeting you… the world indeed seems small… departmental acquaintances wherever you go… shalini smiles..

   Yes indeed….. nainas says.. as they step past the entrance gate……. Himalayan Retreat Resort.

    Hopefully I’ll meet you tomorrow aunty….. Muskan says as she was silent all through the way, listening to her moms and aunts chatter.

    Awwww…. Hopefully yes baby… Smiles naina genuinely as she kisses her head..

Good night aunty……

Good night Muskan.. good night di..

Good night Naina.

………..and they went to their respective suites...

     Its said people meets for a reason no one knows, until it clarifies itself..