"What was written in that diary? Whom did Chitra see in Mangalore? Why did she run away in the first place? Is Neil gonna continue reading it?" Suhita wondered question after question.

"Well, I'm sorry Suhita. I know you're quite invested in the story, but I got to be somewhere else," replied Suchitra glancing at her watch as she got up from her seat hastily.

"I wish you best of luck on your paper! I really hope you would find answers to your questions, if we ever cross paths don't shy away from starting a conversation," wished Suchitra as she slowly disappeared from the exit of the bookshop.

Intrigued and disappointed Suhita also decided to leave and start writing her paper that's due in two weeks. As she stood up, the book that she took before caught her attention.

The cover page had an image of a woman holding a lotus accompanied with a vibrant background. The title SUCHITRA was embossed in white dominating the colourful cover.

She checked out at the counter and bought the book.

As the animal inside her stomach started to growl she looked for an auto dismissing the idea of walking home. In about fifteen minutes she reached her home.

She could hear the chirping sound of the door bell as she stood in front of the house waiting for the door to be opened.

Her neighbor, a petite lady in her early fifties, opened the door. Nobody knows her actual name since she was always called as teacher after her profession or as the lady at flat number 101. She smiled upon welcoming Suhita and handed her food delivery. Suhita thanked and offered her a pack of chocolate cake which she declined politely. Her grand-daughter who was playing in the apartment playground with her friends came back. She took the cake and thanked Suhita, despite her grandmother's stern no.

Suhita took the delivery packet along with her keys from the neighbor and went inside her home. She set her things aside on the wooden coffee table and settled down in front of the couch to have her lunch. She dared not sit on the lavish white couch afraid of spills on her parents expensive buy from their first income years back.

Her parents are wealthy. A privilege Suhita had growing up, one of the reasons she was able to choose a career she's passionate about without worrying about financial status.

She had her lunch and went straight to the garden, she and her mother lovingly grew over the years that has rooted memories as the plants there.

She sat on the steps leading to the garden. A mango tree blossomed with flowers in her view. The leaves fluttered and a cool breeze blew beating the summer's hot humidity. Suhita started to read the book she had purchased.

As the story unfolded and ran in her mind, she got to know that it's the same one narrated by Suchitra in the morning. Suhita's excitement had no bounds, curious of the tale told by the stranger she continued to read.

● ● ●

As Neil opened the diary, a bright sticky note caught his attention.

Oh, I see that curiosity got the better of you and you decided to read this. Neil, just so you know I've never felt my past as a burden to share with you. You've always been by my side as a brother shielding me from my nightmares. I'm guilty that I couldn't be the same to you. Thanks to you, Chitra and I overcame the grief after Amma's death. I'm ready to accept my past and face it. If not I would've never met the amazing souls that molded me who I am today nor could've called anyone amma. Life took a lot from me Neil, but it also gave me a second chance. I'm happy now, so lessen your worries and enjoy the new phase of your life.

Love,
Chitra.

Neil grinned at the note. As he skimmed through the pages, his heart was burdened with sorrow. He decided against reading it. He waited for the person to tell her tale, maybe because he felt helpless.

He went to the backyard to take a breath as he felt his heart stirred and suffocated with numerous questions. His mobile rang and Dhara's voice momentarily brought him out of his sadness.

"Dhara, do you know about Chitra's past?" He asked her hoping that she'll give him the answer he needs to hear.

"Not really Neil but Attayya once told me that she'd been through a lot as a child," she replied recalling her mother in law's words.

"Do you think that's the reason she's running away from us?"

"Maybe, but remember she'll never run away forever Neil. You know that, don't you?

"I do. You still haven't told me about whom Chitra was talking about," he stated.

"Well Chitra herself told who it is in the message," replied Dhara stating the obvious.

"No she didn't!" Exclaimed Neil.

"Yes, she did. The part where she talked about not wanting to meet them until next month."

"Who?" Wondered Neil.

"Can't believe that someone whose guilty pleasure is crime shows thinks as slow as a slug," retorted Dhara.

"Come on sweetheart," pleaded Neil.

"Sorry, heartthrob got to go and sleep. I've work tomorrow, see you later," replied Dhara wishing him a good night.

"See you later, sweet dreams," wished Neil and cut the call.

He gazed at the sky glittered with twinkling stars. Ishvari came out to call him for dinner. She saw her son staring at the sky.

"What is my darling son thinking about?" She asked him with a teasing smile.

"Nothing ma, just wondering why life is hard sometimes."

"It is but at the same time it gives you the strength to overcome the challenges thrown at you. Why is something bothering you?" She asked, sitting down as Neil lied on her lap.

"Chitra has been through a lot na ma, I was unable to even read what she has been through," he replied, closing his eyes as he lay in comfort in his mother's arms.

"When Savitri told me about her, I pitied her. I realized later that she needed love, not pity when Savitri and Sunil adopted her," said Ishvari ruffling his hair.

"I miss Savitri aunty ma," he confessed, holding his mother closer.

"Me too," replied Ishvari, reminiscing the good old memories as she lovingly gazed at her son with motherly affection.

Glossary

Amma, ma - mother

Auto - A three wheeler vehicle in India used for transport.