Author - Jui Purohit.

*Link to Chapter 15* Yuga slid her fingers through her hair. She looked up and then towards Nirav again, "It's not that simple Nirav", Yuga tried to explicate. "I cannot be a mother, I cannot bear a child", Yuga said, as she lightly pressed her stomach.  "I was three months pregnant when we got into the accident. I lost my baby and also the right to bear one, forever", Yuga said, her voice was cracking. She pressed her stomach harder this time. Nirav held Yuga's hand and rested it on the table. "I understand your concern. But it doesn't matter to me Yuga. And also, it doesn't answer my question", he was making his point clear. "Do you like me?", he repeated the question.  "Nirav, you already know how difficult it is, to soothe your heart after your partner, your loved one leaves you suddenly. It took me three years to come back to normal", Yuga said, slowly her voice was getting normal. "Actually this is t...

*Link to Chapter 14*  "I need to talk to you. Can you make some time for me?", Yuga sounded serious on the phone. "Yes, Yuga", Nirav said. In his mind still confused whether to go with the flow or hit the brakes before it becomes too late.  "There is so much chaos in my mind right now. Please hear me once. My thoughts are haunting me", Yuga's voice subdued. "Hey, Yuga, you alright? ", Nirav asked. "Yes I'm and I'm not. It's something we need to discuss upfront", Yuga replied.  "We will meet. I have some things on my mind too. Let's talk in person", Nirav asserted, tapping on the steering wheel, as if emphasising his decision.  "Okay Nirav, I will send you the address, and we will set the time and date", Yuga confirmed too. The next day, Yuga was waiting in the parking area. She was wearing a simple yellow tshirt and a pair of jeans. Her butterfly shaped earrings dangled as a whiff of breeze blew p...

  *Link to Chapter 13* "Navya chalo, let's finish this bite", Nirav said as he fed Navya her breakfast. "Okay then, Dadda is eating Navya's favourite cookie....who will Navya give her favourite cookie to?" Nirav was being playful with Navya. "To pretty aunty...Yu..Yuga aunty!", Navya happily exclaimed, out of the blue. "Yuga!", Nirav repeated. "Do you like Yuga aunty, Navya?", Nirav asked, watching Navya's happy face. "Yes! I will give her my favourite cookie", Navya repeated.  Nirav picked his mobile phone and scrolled for Yuga's number. He kept staring at her saved name.  He remembered her face the first time they met. "As she removed her palms off her face, her cheeks, red from crying, looked like apples" Nirav recollected and smiled. "Why are you smiling Dadda?", Navya asked. Nirav gave a broader smile to Navya.  "Only if the nanny hadn't called that day,  would've the day i...

*Link to Chapter 12*  Yuga was completely exhausted as she returned home from tallying the revenues and expenditures the whole day.  "Generating pending bills, finishing backlogs, closing suspense accounts, is a big task", she mumbled as she pour her a glass of water. "Yes it is. But closures are important. And you shouldn't keep anything pending, even in life", her mom said as she handed over a plate of steaming idli-sambar to Yuga. "Now sit comfortably and eat. I know you haven't had your lunch today", she added. "Oh God! This tattletale Sameer", Yuga grumbled as she took a bite. "Yummm....", she said. "Wait...what else did he say?", she gasped, putting her spoon down. She sounded wary. Mom put the spoon back in Yuga's hand, gestured her to eat and said, "Everything about Nirav.....Navya, about her deceased mother. Everything". Mom took a deep breath. "Baccha, just be all ears....The other day, whe...

*Link to Chapter 10*  Navya ran to Nirav and asked him to lift her up. Nirav lifted her in his arms and placed a gentle peck on her cheeks. "Dadda look pretty aunty", Navya said pointing towards Yuga. Nirav was in fix as to what reaction should he give. Yuga too stood silently. Sameer cleared his throat and asked everyone to be seated. Yuga was feeling awkward. This was the first time she was in close proximity to Nirav, perfectly in her senses and for such long time.  "We were going to have lunch together. That's why she is here", Sameer explained to Nirav.  "Oh! Okay", Nirav said. Navya was sitting on his lap. Navya patted on Yuga's shoulder.  "What's your name pretty aunty?", she said, with most innocent smile.  Yuga smiled and said, "I am Yuga. And what's your name cutie pie?". "Navya", Navya replied lifting up her shoulders and making a pout of her lips.  Yuga smiled and lifted her gaze, her eyes met Nirav...

*Link to Chapter 9*  There was a knock on the cabin's door. "Yes, come in", Sameer said.  "Wow! What an exquisite space it is!", Nirav said, as he entered Sameer's cabin. "And this view is amazing. Look Navya, you can see the blue ocean from here", Nirav pointed towards the full length glass windows.  Nirav shook hands with Sameer, while Sameer curiously looked at the little girl accompanying Nirav.  "Hello! Ah! She's Navya. Say hi to uncle beta", Nirav said. Navya greeted Sameer. "Hi Navya. Oh yes, Navya Advertising. So she is....", Sameer was about to ask further and Navya shouted, "Look Dadda how small the cars are".  Sameer looked at Navya and back to Nirav.  "Yes beta", Nirav replied.  Sameer asked Nirav to be seated. "Well, Sameer I said we should meet in person because I wanted to discuss few things. I want an office space but along with it, I want a small space something like a play area in i...

*Link to Chapter 11* The intercom rang and Sameer switched on the speaker phone. "Sir another client is waiting outside. She doesn't have an appointment and I told her that it's lunch time now but she says it's urgent. Moreover she is an old lady, so, I couldn't ask her to go", the receptionist said. "Okay fine, I will meet her", Sameer said. "Sameer it's okay, let's have lunch together some other time. My lunchtime is getting over too so I need to rush back", Yuga said.  "I will take a leave too. Now that you know my criteria, I hope we can move ahead on those lines ", Nirav said. Nirav picked Navya up, Navya waved a goodbye to Sameer. Yuga followed Nirav out. They came out of the cabin and saw the elderly woman sitting in the lobby. She was the same old lady who they had met in the park. "Finally I see you together. You've not only patched up but are also here to get a new house. Makes me happy!", the old w...

  *Link to Chapter 8* "Hi Sameer! This is Nirav Sehgal, hope you remember me. I wanted to meet you regarding the office space I had mentioned", Nirav's bright voice was heard as Sameer picked up his phone.  Sameer checked the number, he hadn't saved it. Sameer scratched his forehead and said, "Oh, Nirav, yes I remember. Well, right now I am in a meeting with another client. I will call you back in 15 minutes and we shall discuss", Sameer hung up making an excuse.  Sameer wasn't sure if he should help Nirav with the office space. Deep down he didn't want Nirav's interference in his or Yuga's life. He thought Yuga could get more disturbed if she keeps meeting Nirav and moreover, Sameer obviously, had an unrequited love for Yuga. He wished Yuga would accept him someday. But with Nirav's entry things had got complicated once again. Sameer had a big cabin in his office. His table was a plush teak. There were big planters in the corner of his c...

  *Link to Chapter 7* It had been four days now, but Yuga's mom had not discussed her thoughts about Nirav. Not even had brought in the topic. But her words had affected Yuga's thoughts. She felt as if her mom was supporting her behaviour which she herself thought was teenager-like. Yuga had seen Nirav's number on the visiting card. Being a Chartered Accountant (CA), Yuga was good with numbers, so she had memorised it then and there. Her mind was grateful for her whizzy brain, and it had proposed a hundred times to dial the number. But her heart was in a fix.   These four days, their house was facing a quietude which was not a habitual situation for them. And the ladies were observing the "Pehle aap, pehle aap" demeanour to talk about it or even start the topic.  This reposed state was broken by the doorbell. It was Yuga's dad. He was back from his business tour. Whenever he came back from such tours, Yuga used to block him in the living room, until he opens h...

  *Link to Chapter 6* Yuga's mom came out of the consulting room. She looked at Nirav and Sameer sitting in a sombrely mood. Clearing her throat she said, "Doctor is talking to Yuga. She seems okay now". "Good!", Sameer said. "I think you should leave now", Sameer added, looking at Nirav.  The affront words made Nirav feel a bit offended. He wanted to know what had happened to Yuga. He wanted to talk to her. He had so many questions that weren't answered. But since Yuga was okay, he was fine with leaving too.  "Are you her mother?" Nirav asked. "Yes beta", mom replied, looking at Nirav with a composed look. On hearing 'beta', Sameer looked at Yuga's mom with a tinge of surprise. She used the term for Yash, now Nirav, but had never called Sameer the same.  Nirav turned to Sameer and asked, "How are you related to Yuga?". Sameer turned his gaze from Yuga's mom to Nirav, "I...I am Sameer, her friend, ...

*Link to Chapter 5*  "What are you looking for Yuga?", Sameer asked, stepping close to her. Yuga's mom walked close too.  "Moira!", Yuga mumbled as she scurried to cross the road without even looking for the vehicles.  "Moira?", Sameer mumbled too. "Yuga stop! Look out for the speeding cars", mom shouted. But Yuga, as if pulled into annulus under a spell, crossed the road unbothered. She reached the other side and a loud honk of a car brought her to senses. She gathered herself. "What happened to me?", Yuga thought as she stood in front of Nirav. The people who were with Nirav had left by then.  Nirav was stunned. Yuga looked beautiful with her hair swaying in the light breeze. The flowy blue dress gave her a distinct look. It wasn't very contrasting than the morning look but it was something different. Nevertheless not that different that he couldn't recognise her. "Hey! Yu...Yuga right? Strange, we meet again! Are you...

*Link to chapter 3*   The phone's loud ring over the Bluetooth connection abruptly cut the song that was playing and also broke Yuga's trance. She lifted her head up. Her tears had blurred her vision. She wiped her tears. And blinked rapidly to astute her vision and see who was calling.  "Sameer! Mom I had told you not to call Sameer", Yuga blabbered to herself. Yuga thought of disconnecting the call but on second thought she picked it up. "Good morning *Yoda!", a bright and cheerful voice popped out.  "You alright Yoda? Aunty said you tripped while running. What's up with you? Friday hangover kya?", Sameer chuckled on his own joke. "Sameer you know I haven't had a sip more than three years now. And when will you stop calling me Yoda? We are not kids anymore. I know my ears are weird but do you have to remind me every time? I am alright. I am driving back home. So tell your tattletale not to worry if she calls again", Yuga said in...

  *Link to Chapter 4* "Kisiki nazar na lage mere bacche ko!", Yuga's mom said as she circled her palms around Yuga's face and cracked her fingers on her temples. "Did you apply the ointment?", mom inquired. "Yes mom. I'm fine, trust me", Yuga gave her a persuasive smile. Yuga looked beautiful in a blue flowy dress that she wore. She opted for this comfortable outfit to avoid her scalped knees from further afflict. Yuga held her mom's hand tightly and kissed the back of her palm.  They both got seated in the car and Yuga drove off. "Baccha! Your makeup skills are amazing. Perfectly hiding your swollen eyes", mom said as she scanned her face from the front seat abreast Yuga. Yuga glanced at her mom and then into the rear mirror. She adjusted the mirror, ignoring her mom's comment. Mom too, giving some space, didn't investigate further. Yuga switched on the indicator to take the right turn to the 'Brewed Awakening café...

  *Link to Chapter 2* Yuga's eyes once again brimmed with tears. She hadn't cried this insanely after that incident three years ago. She clinched her stomach and the bottle harder. The bottle cracked and started leaking. The water oozed over on to the bench.  "Nirav!", his face still flashing in front of her eyes. Yuga's brain couldn't process it. "Why now? After three years? I had tried hard to forget it, then why? What do you want from me God?". Yuga looked up in despair, tears rushing down her already red cheeks.   More dried leaves came falling down the tree and covered the water that was spilled on the bench. Yuga's phone beeped a several times and now it started ringing. She snapped out of her reverie and gulped whatever remaining water that was in the bottle. She took the phone call.  "Where are you dear? You are never this late. It's Saturday, so are you exercising more today? Are you okay?", questions kept bombarding at her...

  *Link to Chapter 1* Yuga started wailing. Her body was literally shivering. Her tears drenched her tee. She slowly slumped in worship position. Now her tears were drenching the soil. The young man stood beside her. As the people passing by were glancing with suspicion, he couldn't leave Yuga like this.  The same old lady walking with a vigour, stopped by and asked the man, "Is there a problem? Can I help? Is your wife okay?" The man, perplexed yet immobile, murmured, "She's not my wife". The lady corrected herself, "Sorry! Did you and your girlfriend fight? You youngsters don't value relationships. Young man, pacify her quickly, else you will miss the opportunity. Give her a hand, lift her up and hug her". She shifted close to the man and whispered, "Just say sorry, I'm sure that's what she wants to hear. And sorry for interfering, but I couldn't see her crying. All the best". And the old lady walked away. The young man ...

She was sitting on the bench under the huge tree. Its extensive branches covered few more benches around. The park was a hangout place for teenagers. It was a playground for children and a perfect site for the exercise enthusiasts. People jogged, wearing headphones, determined to shed those extra kilos and be fitter, sticking to their new year resolutions, was a familiar sight here.  Yuga wasn't feeling the vibe today. She had left home as usual, early in the morning, in her tracks and tee to run a few miles, but after three rounds she just sat down on the bench. She saw an old lady taking rounds, walking slowly, but with vigour. The tree was shedding it's aged golden leaves. One such tanned foliole fell beside Yuga on the bench. She picked it up and let it descend on the ground. She switched off the songs playing on her phone. With air pods in her ears, she sat inert on the bench. She closed her eyes and could hear the birds chirping. "They are so happy even at the break ...