Thanks all! One for today!! *************************************** It was crowded Thursday morning at Banglamukhi as usual. The crowd had never changed there; was that the devotion or mere attraction toward the wonderful crowd, one may always wonder! It took Aakash and Anita three hours to reach inside temple. Aakash felt good to be at place and this time he lit the diya with Anita; He promised himself not to hurt someone who had loved him so dearly, he would try his best at least he told himself. The colorful crowd was wonderful, each of them having their own stories to tell he thought and walked along with Anita. Silence was dominating, yet it seemed like they were talking. They stood in front of the pond; Children were jumping in the cold water on that sunny morning. “Can we take a walk?” Aakash asked. “Sure!!” Anita was more than happy!! They walked along the same streets, same paths but this time the characters were different. Aakash felt good to be at same place; memories were there but he was trying to make the new memory which he could treasure even more. “Are you happy?” Aakash asked. “More than I can imagine!!” Anita replied. Aakash smiled and it felt like it was only thing he wanted. He was happy, happy as much as he could possibly be. Anita looked at Aakash; His smiling face looked adorable and she was smiling herself when he asked her. “Coffee khane??” “Sure!” She was starved. The café’s décor had changed. The “you are what you eat” poster with big hamburger eating small one was gone. But the nostalgic taste of coffee was still there. He had ordered some noodles along with the coffee. Just when the food arrived, Aakash saw some familiar face outside. He tried hard to remember when he has seen him. It was same old face he had seen long time ago in Bhojpur. He stood up to catch that man, but when he reached outside he was long gone. He stood there disappointed for he couldn’t find which direction where he would have gone. His father was lost for more than one month now. None of party has carried responsibility. Tired of rushing here and there, Aakash had decided to go to Bhojpur himself. His 7th semester exam was just around the corner, but his family was more important to him. His mother had not stopped him; she knew how much he loved his father. He had called Smriti before he left. “Are you really leaving?” She had asked. “I guess so! I can’t believe anyone now, I will find him I am sure and I will bring him back. I will plead if I need to!! I will kill and die if I need to but I am not coming back without him.” He had said. “Can I ask you for something?” She was near tears to say good bye. “Yeah!” “Stay safe hai!! I will miss you terribly!” He could hear her silent cry. “I will try to!! Will you smile for me before I leave!!” He had asked for a final favor. “I can’t, I am afraid. And I can never act in front of you!! I will pray for you everyday!” She had been honest. He had put down the phone with heavy heart. She had called back just again. “I will be waiting right here to see you back.” She had said. He reached Biratnagar Airport late. The domestic flight was delayed as usual. He had earlier been up to Dharan with his father. Now he was alone for his journey. But he was determined; he was fighting for the truth. He met the guide his father has used for his final trip at Bhanu chowk. They stayed in Dharan for that night. They planned to enter Bhojpur through Leguwa Ghat in Dhankuta. That was easiest approach to the place from where his father was abducted. They made some plans for trip ahead and went to sleep. There was long road ahead of them. *************************************** To be continued!! :)