Next morning, Dia was more severe than Anya expected. She didn't let her go to work, she didn't let her do anything, and she didn't even let her leave the bed. Anya followed her orders only to the point it was convenient for her. Then she found a way to get out of it. Dia strictly prohibited her from going to the office but when Anya said she wanted to meet Samar, Dia protested a little and then happily said her goodbye.

Anya without any shame had lied to her cousin. She went exactly where Dia told her not to. She was not eager to work but she was eager to meet someone. To avoid her colleagues, instead of going to the office she went up to the top terrace and asked Himani to help her meet Rohit.

The terrace was her favourite place in the building. She was often found there. But after Dia came in her life everything changed. Some things consciously, some unconsciously. Her life had been occupied with many things to do anything she liked. Everything took a backseat and Anya did not notice that. Being there after many months made her realise how much she had missed that place. It was a windy day making it more amiable for her.

"What do you want?"

Anya turned around and saw Rohit standing there. What she did next was not only something she did for the first time but also something she never thought she would ever do. She smiled before saying, "I just wanted to say thank you." He was looking up at the sky. His reply was nodding his head but he said nothing. Anya curled her lips and continued, "I thought you would tell him the truth."

"I would never do that. Even though I hate you the most."

After pausing for a moment she looked down and smiled again. "That is the first thing you said that made me think maybe you are a nice human being."

He chuckled but didn't look at her. He walked towards a wall which was in front of him. Taking the wall as his back support he faced Anya. "Why did you help? Do you know her by any chance?"

"How will I know her? Will you let me be around anyone in your family?"

Anya shook her head. "That is true. Then why did you help?"

He looked at her for a moment before looking at the sky again. He smiled when he started. "I had a sister. Roundly ten years older than me. She got married when I was very young. Her husband was certainly not a good man. He used to doubt her, abuse her, beat her. I don't remember her smiling after she got married. She was rarely allowed to come home or meet us. My parents, of course, cried with her but did nothing. They kept telling her everything will be alright. They gave her false hope but not a helping hand.  They hated him with all their hearts but did not find the courage to stand up to him." He frowned." Our society thinks once married, it's a done deal and nothing can happen then. That's so stupid."

"How is she now?"

"Free. After a couple of years, one night after coming back from work he was beating her with his belt. She usually never protested but that night she had it enough. She found the courage to stand up and leave. She ran out of her house. Her house was on the main road. In less than ten seconds she was on the road and she did not look around. She was hit by a local bus." Anya's eyes widely instantly. "Died on the spot." She bit her lips. "I never forgot that. I will never forget that. She was my favourite person. After that, I never talked to my parents properly. They could have helped but they did not."

"I am sure they wanted to help."

"What is the want for if it does not create action?" Anya looked down. She did not know how to console someone, especially in the case of deaths. After one minute of silence, Rohit continued, "I will never tell anyone. So, don't worry about that. Just take care of her. Keep her safe. She really needs you."

Anya nodded her head. "I will." They both got lost in the thought of his sister. The incident disturbed them so much that two people who could never stand together without fighting were standing quietly. The silence was maintained until Anya asked, "How do you know about her?"

"One day, many months ago, you were telling your friends about your cousin whose husband, in your words, is a jerk. It was in the cafeteria. And like always I was sitting alone and though I did not wish to hear you, I cannot sit with my ears closed." Anya smiled and looked at her shoes. "I could not ignore it after you said what he did. And I could not forget it as well. I even remembered her name. Dia, is it?" Anya nodded her head. "Then I guess last month you were at the doctors and I was there with my mother. In the elevator, you were talking about her. It wasn't just her husband who heard you. When the elevator opened you ran out. I knew something was odd. I was observing you two after that. You managed it quite well I must admit. But in the initial few minutes, I saw the panic on your face. It was clear you were up to nothing good." Anya nodded her head again. "I was never going to use it against you. Yesterday I was just angry. I find it difficult to control my anger. Sorry about that."

"That's OK. I myself don't know how to do that."

"I know that."

Anya chuckled and looked up. "Thank you. I will never forget this."

"You must not." He looked at his wristwatch. "I must leave now. You are not working today, right?"

"Yes. So I will quietly leave."

Like she said she quietly left the building and with that, she also left an old opinion there. He was always a rude, insensitive and arrogant person in her eyes. For her, he was the source of all evils. What she did not think was that maybe something evil was the cause of his evil behaviour. That day she thought of him as a human being which she never did before. The narration was tragic but it made her feel lighter though the burden of it had crushed the other one in the ground.

Anya was walking on the footpath an hour after she had left the office, lost in her own world when she saw a familiar figure. It was the policeman she once was terrified of. He bent down and extended his arms. A child, leaving a woman's hand, came running to him. He hugged her and lifted her in the air. He then kissed her on the cheek and the child started laughing hysterically. Anya stood in the same spot and observed them for some time. They looked like a happy family. She smiled at the scenery and laughed at herself. Shaking her head she continued walking. She was calling herself silly for her paranoid behaviour. When everyone told her she was wrong she believed no one and now she was scolding herself for being scared for something that was not true. She suddenly gained energy and happiness. She was hyper. She ran for the last few seconds before reaching her destination.

"Belated happy birthday cousin!" Anya's cheerful voice gained attention from many and Dia's brother was one of them.

"What are you doing here?" 

"I wanted to wish you. Sorry I am late."

"It's OK. How do you know where my class is?"

"I am not the only one whose father talks. You have his brother."

He smiled. "What are you doing here?"

"You are coming with me."

"Why?"

"Birthday surprise."

He narrowed his eyes. "That scares me."

"It should." He frowned which made Anya smile. "Just come."

"I want to go home."

"It won't take long."

"I am hungry."

"My house is closer so come and eat there. It will take longer to go home."

"Why?"

"Just come!"

Anya did not allow her cousin to win the argument. She forced him to go with her. He was confused but said no word. They took an auto-rickshaw to her building. Anya kept talking. He thought she was trying to cheer him by acting happy, not knowing that she was happy in real. He responded her so that she does not find him rude. He wished not to be happy but felt obliged to. They soon reached her flat. She opened the door and welcomed him in.

"It must have been fun to be alone. This must be a party hub."

Anya rolled her eyes and shut the door. "If you mean working at home before and after working at the office and eating whatever is available in the fridge, which some times can be questionable then yes, it's the biggest party hub of the century."

He laughed and threw himself on the sofa. "I am so tired."

"So you will break my sofa?"

"It's worthless if it gets broken by my weight."

Anya narrowed her eyes and left the room. She was surprised why Dia wasn't out yet but relaxed when she saw the bathroom light on. While waiting for Dia they had some water and talked about their family. They mostly complained and expressed their ill feelings but they still maintained a good atmosphere. It was after ten minutes when Dia came out. Due to the shower, Dia did not hear them come in. She came out unaware and in a good spirit. She kept the towel on the bed and took the moisturiser in her hand. Taking some moisturiser on her palm she came out of the room. Anya was the first one to notice her. Next was Dia to notice them. Her eyes filled with tears in no time. Last was their guest. He looked as if he saw a ghost which was how he felt as well. Dia was trying to smile but her eyes wanted to cry and mixing it up, her facial expression turned funny. Anya chuckled at that but when she saw her other cousin she felt the pain again. He had tears in his eyes and he looked sick. He turned his face in the other direction so that no one could see him. "We never wanted to hide from you." Anya started. "It was not planned, we just didn't get time to tell you. Please don't be angry."

Dia looked at her and frowned. "You are always worried about him and his anger."

"He is my favourite!"

Both the girls were observing their brother quietly. He had not said a word but could not control his tears. Anya went closer to him and gave him a hug. "She is fine."

Dia wiped her tears and chuckled. "It felt nice. At first, I thought he was angry but he was not. I am so glad about that."

Samar smiled. "That's sweet."

"He promised not to tell anyone. He is great. I had something in my mind!" Samar chuckled at her excitement. "You know how we talk about nature."

"You found a new representative?"

"No. But let's decide who is who. Like I think you are wind."

"Wind?" Samar asked with a smile.

"Yup. Whoever you meet, you make them feel better."

Samar smiled. "That's really sweet of you."

"Yesterday it was windy so It reminded me of you. Let's decide on others."

Samar chuckled, "Sun is surely my brother. Too itchy."

"Star is my brother," She said excitedly.

"I agree. You are." He narrowed his eyes. "You are a cloud. Beautiful and pleasant."

Dia laughed "Liar."

"Honest!"

"Liar. Who is Anya di? Think for a long time before answering. I will say this to her."

"I don't have to think about it. I have already decided who she is."

"Already?"

"A couple of years ago I used to wake up in the middle of the night every night. Usually either at one-thirty, two-thirty or three-thirty. Something thirty." He smiled.

"So?"

"One night I went to the kitchen for some water. There was some disturbance on our terrace so I went up. I don't want to get into what I saw, but I also saw the moon. It is probably because I met Anya that day but it reminded me of her. Ever since then every time I see the moon it reminds me of her. So Moon."

Dia was smiling widely. "That's so cute! She is definitely the moon! The midnight moon!"

"Why midnight?"

"Because you saw it at midnight!"

"It wasn't midnight. I don't even think it was twe."

"I love this. She is the midnight moon. Moon is said to be beautiful! That was intelligent."

Samar laughed. "I think you are hyper for no reason."

"She is beautiful, the moon is beautiful. Any other similarity?"

He smiled. "She helps people, as the moon helps with its light?"

"And that too in the dark! She helps people in the dark!"

Samar laughed. "OK"

"This is so exciting!"

Samar laughed again. Dia was happy and she did not hide it. Her happiness made everyone around her happy. Her positive energy brought good not only to her but also to the people who were with her. Things were getting better and happier but with a sword always revolving above her head how long would that be continued?