Hi Guys 😊

Before you read the update I would like to thank every reader whom will take a chance to read this journey.....

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed penning it down for you all.....This is for all you lovely readers that requested I write something more...Please ignore the typo errors for truly I am no writer....

If it has been worth your time please do drop by a little comment and let me know what you think or press that little twinkling 🌟🌟🌟 to show that you have enjoyed reading it....

Highly nervous as always......🙈

Lots of love Ekta ☺

From Team: Heart Catchers 💖

Special thanks & Dedication too: GS_Stella for the beautiful cover without whom this special birthday gift couldn't have to been possible.....☺

& -Nynaeve for this beautiful banner, helping make this first post extra special, it's much appreciated 😃

& DivineDarkness1111 Virman_superhit & angelshiva for bearing with me ☺

Dear Satya.... satya099
Happy Birthday 😃 Hope you like your birthday present from us all....keep 😊 always.....

---------------------------------------------------------

" When the Darkness of the night doesn't reflect the possibility of a New Dawn....Is there really the possibility of new beginnings "

Seattle - Washington DC

It had been several years since Sanskaar had moved down to Seattle. Yet he could not shake off this unknown anxiety, a feeling that he was still not home.....He still felt like a foreigner in this land, a new born stranger almost dressed up to impress yet naked to the passers by, whom dared to watch him up close and personal, as if challenging him to reveal whom he real was..... Sanskaar had learnt early on at a tender age in his teens that pain could be hidden, by simply carrying a twinkle in the eye and doning once face with a alluring smile...A look that many of his office associates today would name the smouldering sun.... A weapon he used to gain the attention of potential business partners or simply to seal a deal.....

And with this go getting attitude in his life Sanskaar had managed to carve a name for himself, thus managing to turn rags into riches wherever he went....Yet every night he went home to an empty shell of a home, with nobody to call his own or waiting to claim him as there very own for no amount of wealth acclaimed could buy him someone to call his very own.....

As Sanskaar stood outside on the porch sipping his favorite black coffee just like any other night watching the drippings of rain putering about in the lake he could not shake of the feeling that he was all alone amongst these majority of settlers..... In a city of over 713,000 citizen he still had not managed to find many whom he could call his own.....

Back when he had left his native home and picked the seaport city Sanskaar had hoped for a new beginning...With a bounce in his step he had set a sail to find his new beginnings or as ambitiously as he had put it to his long term friend Nakul his "New Dawn".... He had simple hugged him at the airport, waved goodbye and promised him that they shall meet again...

But know as Sanskaar looked up at the night sky he could not help but wonder...Why he had never been wanted?....What had he done wrong? and like every other night he looked up to his only companion the moon and simply wispered "Why me.....?" shaking his head with a fainting smile knowing full well that the answers he seeked would never come......

He had learnt with time to accept that some questions just remained unjustified no matter how much we wished we knew the truth..... Sanskaar had made his peace with this fact and let his heart except that just like the Seattle weather were it rained 8 months out of the year, he may never get his happy ending......

So he stood outside like any other night and let his soul get cleansed by the tears that he never shed, for they represented the tears that he carried in his heart.... A while later when Sanskaar felt the storm calming down to a gentle mist he walked up to the patio steps, knelt down on the porch and watch his reflecting self in the shimmering of the moonlight reliving the realisation that a new dawn is about to arise once again but yet his quest to find his calling may never happen like any other day.....

Sanskaar sat on the steps pondering away once again "So why was he even here?...What possibility were left for him to explore....Was destiny always going to leave him to wonder when his soul would connect with his other half?"....or as Sanskaar would often joke with his friends when would his heart genuinely smile to the beat of his soul...... With these lingering "What if's" he walked back inside shedding his shirt getting ready to get some much needed sleep, if only it would come as he lay down on his bed shutting his eyes within the reflecting light of the moon. ....

Unaware that the calming of the storm tonight was indeed a warning, a sign from above reflecting the direction of new beginnings that this new morning would possibly bring.......

---------------------------------------------------------

"The moonless midnight awakens the soul...Darkness clouds the mind yet the heart ponders does the cycle of life ever rest?"

After three hours when he had realised that the moonlight hues would not be bringing him his peaceful slumber.... Sanskaar had made up his mind that he had enough of tossing and turning in bed....He sat up straight and turned around looking at the alarm resting besides his night stand, which glistened in the early morning glow indicating that it was only just 4 am in the early morning....

While battling these conflicting thoughts in his mind Sanskaar jumped out of bed, and decided it was appropriate enough for his early morning jog......With this motivation in mind he further picked up his towel and set a foot to the bathroom to get ready....If only he knew that this moonless morning would be anything but out of the ordinary.....

Salt Lake Union Park - Seattle

An hour later when Sanskaar had arrived at the Lake Union Park, dressed in a simple black on black jogging outfit, he could still feel his heart ponder with anxiety as if wanting him to find out if he would ever be at ease?....He had first visit the park when he had only just been in the city for a month or so, as Sanskaar recalled he had stumbled upon this heavenly site on one of his rare walking expeditions he took when he felt all alone.... He had been fascinated with the site for it was the location of one of the most renowned Museums of History and Industry's in the capital... Set in a picturesque 12 acres of land in downtown Seattle, it's a countryside park blossoming with blooming pine and oak trees which are surrounded by it's natural historical maritime setting aiming to connect both the lake and lands driving by the motivation to enhance its industrial heritage of man versus land.... Sighing in content Sanskaar sat down on his favourite bench located on the east side of the park for it was home to one of the oldest boating yaths built in its time....The timber bridges reminded him of all the memories people before him created and all the bonds that were built....But what no one really knew was that this was also the central point of the park were all five interstates connected with each other, as if blending perfectly to say "we are finally home" which he always wanted to feel and did when here..... But what Sanskaar failed to realise was that like ever other morning he was never really alone for he would have his guardian watch over him in the shadows as always.....

Watching the young man tie his laces while sitting on one of the commemorative park benches on the east side the old man could not stop but admire the young lads spirit....He had been a guard at the park for over 25 years and had seen many visitors come and go.....Yet he couldn't falter the young lads spirit, but what would sadden him each morning was the void look that he carried when he watched him run like the flashing sun.....He shun like the sun and ran like the lightning of time yet it felt like that Sanskaar was only there in body but his mind was spirited away somewhere far, as far away as time could tell ......Thus with time Howard had started to love the boy just like his very own, for every morning Sanskaar would walk up to him smiling, bend down and seek his blessing and so warming the old man's heart in the process....An act of kindness Howard could neither shake away or would be inclined to simply ever forget all his life.....

Howard had met and talked with many strangers over the years,made many friends yet this boy had touched his heart like no other had.... Howard would wait several hours each morning just to catch a glimpse of Sanskaar to make sure he was okay, as Mariah his darling wife of 30 years would say at the end of ever shift "How was Sun today?", short for Sunny they had named him out of love......A son they had gained for all there prayers over the years after craving for a family of there very own... In acknowledgement he would simply nod "Shinning brightly as always love, yet I see his soul is void....why does it happen to the good once love...? Does his family not miss him?" She would as always simply just hug him in reassurance...... as if trying to say if only I knew my love...If only I knew?

While recalling these picturesque memories Howard had failed to notice Sanskaar waking towards him. ..... He had been running for nearly 45 minutes since he had arrived and felt it was appropriate enough to take a break and head for his early morning chat with the old man whom he had spotted leaning against one of the oldest oak trees located towards the south side of the bridge..... Sanskaar would never admit it to the old man but he had started to adore his presence in his life for Howard had become his very own elderly father figure that he never really had.......with these lingering feelings in the air Howard was startled back to the present by Sanskaar voice "Good morning Howard....I see you where day dreaming of Mariah auntie again" he chuckled while speaking.....

"My boy seems like someone is in a mischievous mood today...May I ask did the sun rise from the south side today my boy? for as far as I remember it's Mariah job to tease and for you to come to her rescue...." he fondly patted his shoulders as he spoke.....

"It's not only my right but also my duty after all I am her one and only favorite son...." he winked in return as he stood resting his back against the tree arms folded.....

"Indeed you are my boy....For everyday she sits there watching and waiting a for you to come home? When will you come and visit son?.....Sanskaar at that moment felt truly guilty for he had in his sorrow forgotten that he had promised Mariah that he would come for dinner that very week...... He abruptly moved forward and held Howards hand in acknowledgement of how sorry he truly was......The old man was quick to act and pulled him into an embrace as if to say "it's okay my boy...its okay ...."

A few minutes later when Howard had realised that Sanskaar was himself again he directed the young man attention back towards the tree that he had been so attentively leaning against earlier ...It fascinated Sanskaar to know end to know why Howard loved this old oak tree so much, and in his quest to find out had asked him this very question each time he would visit....The old man would simple shake his head "if to say you will find out my boy when the time it right", to which he would nod and run away.....

Yet today Howard had surprised Sanskaar " Sun you see this oak tree it has been with me for 25 years it's the tree that I planted when I joined as a guard all those years ago....My mentor at the time had told me that the tree symbolised strength....Not just physical but mental strength for it carries the wisdom of passersby...." as he patted the tree so fondly....

Sanskaar turned around looking at the sky above, then turned back at Howard and then at the tree all flustered.... He had a million of questions running in his mind but before he could ask any he was startled back to the present by a buzz on his phone.....

He rummaged his track pocket, checked his mobile which highlighted it was a message from Aman, without any further protest or delay...Sanskaar simply hugged Howard and bid him audiou while waving at the same time promising him that he would be coming around to see Mariah tonight....

Howard smiled as he saw Sanskaar runing away from him and looked back at the tree that was blooming in all its glory....He offered a simple prayer by asking for the cycle of life to finally lift the darkening clouds of the young lads shoulders....

As if in acknowledgement the heavens brightened and shone it's light on the disappearing figure, letting Howard know that all would be well soon for miracles do happen when we least expect them to strike.....

---------------------------------------------------------
""I am waiting and watching letting the little shadows darken the night....If only the heart could see that not all shadows have to be excepted"

That very evening as Sanskaar pulled up his car into the driveway of Howards residency he couldn't help but smile at what lay ahead..... He shook his head ever so lightly to remove the small freckles of dew drops that were evident of his earlier battle with the rain as he had left the office....Sanskaar knew the elderly couple would get worried for his health as he fondly recalled one of his earlier visits were Mariah had made it clear in no certain terms that he was not to leave until she was sure he was well enough to do so.... she had gone through all the trouble of brewing him various concoctions of tea till Howard had held her hand " love all Sun needs is one of your special coffees with a hug"  she had frowned at him but walked away not before glancing back at him to ensure he was okay...Sanskaar had just simply smiled and gestured all was well after all he finally felt that certain shadows were being lifted and all it took was one of Mariah special hugs ....

Mariah smiled at Sanskaar as she pulled open the door for the lad to enter... She had noticed that he was all lost again but what satisfied her today was that unlike his previous visits he was standing there with a smile rather than a frown.... A fear she often wanted to know about or explore and see why it was there to begin with..... However she knew this was nore the right time or place to address these....Looking back at him standing at the patio step Mariah directed him to the dining hall as he walked in....Sanskaar kissed her gently on the cheek before taking a seat, however before he could take a seat he was startled  by Mariah words " Sun it's good to see you smile today,  for I see you have finally managed to find out what you wanted...." she patted his cheek ever so fondly..... "of course Mariah for I cannot wait to simply  have one of your delicious coffee...."as he shrugged his shoulders in response....

She simply rolled her eyes in annoyance " and there I though my boy had become wise...you never fail to surprise me my boy...." as she walked away to get the dinner layed....before he could even speak Howard joined them in the dining area mid conversation "Of course love we aim to please....is it not Sun....? indeed we do for you would not have it any other way either, am I right?...." he chuckled and sat down with Howard to catch up on the latest happenings of the day.....

A few hours later after he had arrived Sanskaar had  been startled by Mariah request to come and join him in the gardens.....  Just like the park the cottage was situated in a picturesque setting of one acre of land....But what Sanskaar loved the most about this cottage was the ally lake garden which was situated at the back end of the house.....Not many people knew but Mariah was a activate gardener a skill she had picked up from her various travels during her active duty as soon navel officer.... Hence it was home to the most rarest collections of flowers one could find....Each time Sanskaar visited he would walk by the stream and sit on the bench that was situated at the end of the river stream.... He did this for he could see the array of colours splurging about in the twinkling of the sun.....Sanskaar loved the streaming flowing of colours which started from whites to blue and would end with the lightest shade of pinks  for it reminded him of the endless  possibilities that were yet to come.......

Sanskaar had been watching Mariah pruning away at the little buds as if they where here very own secret.... She tended to them as one would care for there own child...He felt the love blossom from the woman and often wondered what it would be like if he could feel such a love....But before Sanskaar could even go back and ponder over the endless what ifs? again like any other night he was startled back to the present by Mariah  stretched hands which were holding a delicate looking  bouquet of blue iris flowers in front of his face.....She watched him look up at her and back at the flowers as if asking why these?.... Knowing full well that the young lad would not leave her alone without an explanation Mariah asked him to scoot over and took a seat right beside him to explain....She watched him wonder for possibly reasons of why she was giving these to him for it was neither his birthday or nore one of there special occasions they had created over the years to celebrate....So Mariah thus delicately placed her hand on his shoulder taking a sigh and started getting ready to explain, as she looked above at the midnight heavens.... She had selected these blooming buds for they represented the faith she had in Sanskaar, just like the changing seasons they would bloom into most gorgeous of butterflies for what lay on the outside didn't matter but what was within was worth fighting for, just like he had been doing all along and all someone needed to do was give him that hope which she knew she could....As she knew Sanskaar just needed to sign to set him afoot on the long journey ahead....

As she gently handed him the bouquet of Blue Irises Mariah whispered while looking above " Sun not all shadows have to be expected just like the dewdrops of this night....let the heart explore and find faith in hope that can be gained from the simplest of things in life....don't let the past reflect the darkness within your soul....Promise me that just like these blooming flowers you will wake up tomorrow aspiring to bring back the hope that you have so lost, along the way.....look there Sun at the tree just like these cacoons whom  are breaking free, go spread your wings like these butterflies for the road ahead doesn't have to determine where we end up but how we get there is the knowledge we seek, and in doing so finding the success we deserve....." with that she patted his shoulders and let him watch the glowing stars in the unlikeliest of nights.....

For these were indeed the signs of a beginning of a new dawn but with it bringing the awaken of old shadows that were best kept hidden or in Sanskaars case a miracle that he had hoped he would find all along......

To be continued

---------------------------------------------------------
Reference:

Quote 1: Adapted from Google quotes and images

Banner Credits: Pixabay.com image ref: 290913 & 2649292