Part 6
It had been a year and a half since Anuj and Anupama divorced. Anuj had been searching for Maaya, but he couldn't find any trace of her. Her number was still unreachable, and there was no way for him to contact her. He remembered her dream of opening a help center for single parents. He volunteered in various NGOs, hoping that someone would have information about her or her plans to open a help center for single parents. He asked around, went to places she might frequent, and even tried social media, but he still couldn't find her. He had even tried contacting Sushma, but she always claimed that she did not know where Maaya was or how to reach her. Sohit also tried to help him in his search. He used his connections and asked around, hoping to find any information about Maaya's whereabouts. However, they were both met with dead ends and frustration. Despite everything, Anuj never gave up hope of finding Maaya. He continued to search for her in his own way, but deep down, he had a fear that he may find her in an unfortunate situation.
Maaya had finally found peace in Shimla after vacating her house in Delhi. She had decided to start afresh and leave all her past behind. She had found a small house nestled in the hills and also she had completed her studies in social welfare. With the help of some volunteers, she was trying to set up a small help center for single parents like herself. She was determined to make her dream of opening a help center for single parents a reality. She spent most of her days searching for a suitable location and meeting with various people to gain support for her cause. She also visited nearby old age homes to spend time with the elderly and learn about their experiences. It was a new and refreshing experience for Maaya. She found solace in their stories and appreciated their company. The old age home staff were grateful to her for her time, help, and companionship.
Maaya became good friends with a shopkeeper owner whom she frequents. She would often stop by his shop to buy groceries and other essentials for the old age home. Over time, they struck up a conversation and discovered that they shared a common interest in helping the elderly. She went to the shopkeeper's store as she usually did, hoping to find some items she needed for the old age home.
Shop owner: Why come all the way here when the weather's bad?
Maaya: I don't like chain supermarkets.
Shop owner: Why is that?
Maaya: Simply (gave a big smile)
Maaya was about to leave when she noticed a spider's web.
Maaya: Uncle, You should expect a special guest.
Shop owner: What? A ghost?
Maaya: Not a ghost. A special guest. A morning spider means a special visitor. Evening spiders mean robbers.
Shop owner: Why did that thing come out here... and spin another web up there? (He tried to remove the spider webs)
Maaya smiled and went on her way to the old age home.
Anuj was sitting in his office, going through some reports when his phone rang. It was Sohit on the other end.
Anuj: Say, why did you call me? If it's not something important, let's talk later.
Sohit: Anuj, do you remember Aman?
Anuj: (thought for a while) That Aman, who was in college with us?
Sohit: Yeah. He passed away. I'm heading to Shimla for his funeral. Will you come?
Anuj was taken aback by the news. Aman was one of their closest friends in college, and they had lost touch over the years. Anuj had always thought about reaching out to Aman, but work and life had kept him occupied. Now, he regretted not reaching out sooner.
Anuj: I'll come. Let's leave as soon as possible
When they finally reached Shimla, they went straight to Aman's house, where they met his family and friends. After paying their respect they went back to their hotel. As they sat down to dinner that night, Sohit noticed that Anuj looked more pensive than usual.
Sohit: At our age, we never hear about any weddings. It's always funerals. So make sure you get checked up regularly too. It's the only report card we'll get for the rest of our lives. It shows us the kind of life we have been leading so far. And we can sort of see what kind of future we'll have.
Anuj: I'm not scared of such report cards.
Sohit: Then, what are you scared of?
Anuj: Let's say that we miraculously meet again. But I'm scared...it might be at her funeral.
Sohit: Wait, are you talking about Maaya? Hey, she's not that old. Why would you think that?
Anuj: Aman wasn't that old either. And I couldn't find her no matter how much I looked.
Sohit: Are you a member of the IB? Or the DIA? How can you find everyone? I'm sure she's hiding somewhere.
Anuj: "1, 2, 3." You get at least three seconds when you take a picture. This kind of farewell is very cruel. There's no preview or foreshadowing. It just happens.
Sohit: We will find her, Anuj. Let's go to bed now, we have an early morning flight.
Anuj: I will stay here for a few more days. I actually needed a break and I think I can use this.
Sohit: Are you sure about staying alone here?
Anuj: nodded.
Sohit: Alright, but make sure you take care of yourself. And let me know if you need anything.
Anuj: Thanks, man.
Sohit understood Anuj's situation and decided to leave him alone for a few days in Shimla.
Anuj checked into a small hotel on the outskirts of Shimla, away from the touristy areas. He wanted to be alone with his thoughts and spend some time in nature.
On the first day, Anuj went for a long walk in the nearby forest. The fresh air and greenery made him feel alive again. He took a break on a large rock and watched the sunset over the hills. The next few days, Anuj explored the local area and met some interesting people. He struck up a conversation with a local shopkeeper, who told him about a nearby old age home that was in need of volunteers. Anuj decided to spend some time there, helping out the elderly. He was buying some stuff to donate.
Shop owner: Are you new here? Buying stuff for yourself?
Anuj: No, no. I am visiting here. These are for the old age home.
Shop owner: I appreciate your noble cause. You know, there's a woman who also helps the old age home. She's been doing it for quite some time now. She comes there every weekend and spends time with the elderly people there. She also donates clothes, food, and other essentials to the home. Today is Saturday, she will come today as well.
Anuj: Nice. (gave a smile)
Anuj asked the shop owner if he could give him directions to the old age home. The shop owner readily agreed, and Anuj made his way there. As he entered the home, he was greeted by the sight of a warm living room, filled with seniors reading, chatting, and knitting. He made his way to the manager's office and introduced himself, explaining that he wanted to volunteer for some days. The manager was more than happy to give him a tour of the facility.
He chatted with the seniors for a while, learning about their lives and the challenges they faced as they aged. As he got up to leave, he heard a familiar voice behind him. he turned around, trying to place the voice he heard. He saw a woman with her back facing him, talking to one of the seniors. He stopped in his tracks and listened closely. The voice belonged to Maaya. As she turned around, Anuj saw her face and couldn't believe his eyes. It was indeed Maaya! He went outside, overwhelmed with emotions. He leaned against a tree and closed his eyes, taking deep breaths to calm himself down, trying to process what he had just seen. He couldn't believe he had finally found Maaya after searching for her for so long, but at the same time, he wasn't sure how to approach her.
Anuj decided to wait for Maaya to finish talking to the senior before approaching her. He sat outside the old age home, lost in thought. He wondered what he would say to her. After what felt like an eternity, Maaya finally walked out of the home. Anuj stood up and walked towards her, trying to calm his nerves. By that time, it had already started snowing heavily. Maaya walked towards the bus station and waited to board a bus. Anuj took a deep breath and stood next to her at the bus station. Maaya was lost in her own thoughts, staring at the snowflakes as they landed on the ground.
Anuj: It's a winter wonderland here, isn't it?
Maaya was about to reply but she was surprised to see Anuj. She was in disbelief to see him. She could hardly hold back her tears.
Anuj: It seems getting home will be a little difficult.
He turned to face her. They both stood there in silence, staring at each other. The snowflakes continued to fall around them, adding to the peacefulness of the moment. He noticed the tears forming in her eyes which made it difficult for him to hold back his tears.
Anuj: I finally found you. I should have found you sooner. I'm sorry I'm late.
Maaya: (her voice was shaking) Why would you even look for me? I left without telling anyone.
Anuj: How could I not look for you? "Why did you go into hiding?" I could understand you, but I also resented you. Before I could do anything, you just left. It hurt like a bone in my throat.
Maaya: I'm sorry but I don't remember the past much. To be honest, I don't have many memories of you.
Maaya immediately left to check when the next bus would be arriving. She found that all buses are canceled. Anuj had followed her through the snow-covered streets.
Anuj: Though you don't remember much about me, you can still use me as a guide. There is a lodge nearby, we can take shelter there. Come, I will take you.
Maaya: I can go on my own.
Anuj: I wouldn't care if I hadn't seen you, but I did and I can't let you go alone. Make sure to follow my trail.
They both took separate rooms. Anuj spent the night tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Meanwhile, Maaya couldn't stop thinking about Anuj's unexpected appearance. "Why had he come back into her life after all these years? And why did he look at her with such sadness and longing?" she thought.
Edited by strancho - 2 years ago
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