Author - Jui Purohit.

 Nalini opened the box delivered to her by courier. There was no sender's name, which made her sceptical. Even so, she opened, to check. There were light green coloured bangles wrapped neatly, along with a folded letter. She took the bangles out and the jingling sound filled up the silent room. The courier no longer needed the sender's name. A tear dropped from the corner of her eye. She rubbed the tear and wiped her hand with the pallu of her saari. She kept the bangles aside and unravelled the letter with quivery hands.  "My dear Nalini", it read. Nalini closed the letter and held it close to her bosom. The thumping sound of her heartbeats was audible, loud enough. She calmed her mind and again opened the letter. "My dear Nalini, The silver in your hair must be making your face shine even brightly. Enhancing your glow and adding experience to your maturity." Nalini moved the strand of her silver hair falling on her forehead and tucked it back in the hairbu...

*CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS PART(1)*  "Maa, kaha thi aap? I was knocking since ages". Nalini's daughter rushed inside as soon as the door opened.  "You know what happened today maa, this man on the road was walking and a lady riding her scooty couldn't control her speed and she dashed him. He fell down and the cunning lady didn't even wait to inquire about him. She fled from the scene as if nothing happened. This bechara fellow was in pain and public went to offer him help..........maa, maa...are you listening?". Nalini slipped into her flashback. She remembered those days when she was learning to ride a scooter. He had held her hands while sitting pillion and "These are the brakes, you must first know how to apply them, else you will dash someone and forget to apply the brakes", he had said jokingly. And suddenly had to hit the brakes himself, asap, when a man crossed swiftly in the middle of the road. Nalini had alighted from the scooter and had...

*CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS PART(2)*  Navya hugged her maa, "Please tell me who is this maa?", she urged Nalini. Nalini sat down on the chair with a thud. She had held this secret close to her heart for 21 years. But this time, she couldn't hold it anymore.  "He is your father Navya", Nalini said gripping Navya's hand. "Please forgive me beta that I didn't let you know that you were not an orphan", before Nalini could complete Navya interrupted, "So you are my real maa? I am your daughter?". Navya's eyes had a twinkle just like an innocent toddler looking at her mom. Nalini pulled Navya's hand closer and made her sit besides her.  "It is not that simple beta", she said as she sighed. Navya was perplexed. "Maa please no more secrets. You've to tell me everything today. I'm ready to listen", she assured with teary eyes. "Yashovardhan met me when I was in college. He was my senior. We grew fond of ea...