A U T H O R ' S P O V

Year - 2017

Delhi

Prem Nagar

Night - 11:55 PM

In the heart of Prem Nagar stood a house that instantly caught anyone's attention.

It wasn't just big-it was beautiful in a way that made it feel warm and welcoming. The house was a two-storey structure painted in soft shades of cream and white, with large balconies decorated with iron railings covered in flowering vines.

A small garden stretched across the front yard, filled with bright marigolds, roses, and jasmine plants whose fragrance lingered in the air. A narrow stone pathway led from the gate to the main door, lined with clay pots where colorful flowers bloomed peacefully.

Tall windows allowed sunlight to pour inside during the day, making the house feel lively and warm. Wind chimes hung near the entrance, gently ringing whenever the breeze passed by.

Inside the house, one of the rooms was quiet and peaceful. On the left side of the room was a bathroom, and beside it stood a large wooden wardrobe. On the other side was a small, beautiful window that was slightly open, allowing the cool night breeze to slowly enter the room.

On the bed, a girl was sleeping under a blanket in a very strange position, completely lost in deep sleep.

Suddenly, the door of the room opened slowly.

Someone stepped inside carefully, walking very quietly so that she wouldn't wake up. Soon he stopped right in front of the bed. Something was in his hand, but because the room was dark, it couldn't be seen clearly.

He slowly moved closer to the girl.

As he reached near her, he bent slightly toward her face and-

And...

.

.

.

.

.

.

He did nothing.

Instead, he simply turned on the lamp and switched on the light beside the bed.

"Happy birthday, sunshine."

A man was standing in front of her holding a cake.

"Sunshine"

"Tara baccha"

But the girl didn't move at all. She was still sleeping deeply.

"Main kaise bhool sakta hoon... main toh Kumbhkaran ke saamne khada hoon. Aise toh yeh nahi uthegi."

(How can I forget... I'm standing in front of Kumbhkaran. She's not going to wake up like this.) He muttered to himself, shaking his head with an amused smile.

After thinking for a moment about how to wake her up, an idea came to his mind.

He placed the cake on the side table, took out his phone, and played a song. Then he carefully placed the phone near her ear.

"Gumnaam hai koi...

Badnam hai koi..."

"Badnaam hai koi...

Kis ko khabar kaun hai voh.."

"Ahh... Mumma, bhoot!"

(ghost!)

Naintara suddenly woke up and sat straight, still wrapped inside the blanket. Her eyes were wide with fear.

"Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar,

Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar,

Ram doot atulit bal dhama...

"She paused for a moment.

"Arre yaar... aage kya tha? Yaad hi nahi aa raha," she muttered under her breath.

"Dekhiye bhoot ji... aap jo bhi hain mere paas aapke liye kuch nahi hai. Aap shayad galat address par aa gaye hain."

(Look, Mr. Ghost... whoever you are, I have nothing for you. Maybe you came to the wrong address.)

She said nervously, clutching the blanket tightly.

"I have come to the right address."

He replied, changing his voice slightly so she wouldn't recognize him.

"Nahi... shayad aap rasta bhool gaye honge." (No... maybe you lost your way.)

"Main rasta bhool gaya hoon?"

(I lost my way?)

He said, trying hard to control his laughter.

"haan, bhoot ji."

But then she heard a laugh. A very familiar laugh.

Her brows furrowed slightly.

Slowly, she peeked her head out from the blanket to look at him.

The moment she saw who it was, her eyes widened in shock.

She immediately threw the blanket aside.

"Papa... aap?"

(Dad... you?)

The man standing in front of her was none other than her father, Rishi Sharma.

"I'm sorry... sorry."

He said while trying to control his laughter.

"You are so bad... You almost gave me a mini heart attack!." She said with a small pout, folding her arms across her chest.

'Aree baba sorry... par yahi ek tarika tha tumhe jaldi uthana ka. Warna tumhe uthate uthate raat se din ho jata."

(sorry na... but this was the only way to wake you up quickly. Otherwise it would turn from night to morning while trying to wake you.)

"Yeh kaisa tareeka hai, papa? Main aapse baat nahi karungi. Yahan se jaiye."

(What kind of method is this, yaar papa? I won't talk to you. Please go from here.)

She said, turning her face away dramatically.

"Sorry... I only came to surprise you."

He said while showing her the cake.

"Cake?"

"Of course. It's your birthday na!"

This year, Naintara was turning 17 years old.

"Oh... I forgot. Every year I plan everything with Mumma, but this time I didn't do anything... so I completely forgot."

She said sadly.

Her father looked at her quietly.

"Wait... Did she come back? Where is she?" She asked hopefully.

"No... she hasn't come."

He replied, avoiding her eyes.

"But it's been two days since she left... she didn't even call once." She said softly, trying to hold back her tears.

"She went out for hospital work, you know that... and don't worry, she'll definitely come today. You know how much your mom loves you." he said looking at her but Naintara didn't say anything.

She simply nodded.

"But I'm still angry with you. I won't talk to you because you scared me." She turned her face away again.

Her father chuckled softly, knowing she would forgive him very soon.

"Theek hai... main cake wapas le jaata hoon. Maine itne pyaar se banaya tha... par jab tum mujhse baat hi nahi karna chahti toh cake bhi nahi khaogi na."

(Alright then... I'll take this cake back. I made it with so much love for you. But since you don't want to talk to me, that means you won't eat my cake either... so I'll just take it away.)

He picked up the cake from the table and turned to leave.

But before he could take a step-

Naintara quickly stood in front of him and snatched the cake from his hands.

"I said I won't talk to you. That doesn't mean I won't eat cake... especially when it's specially made for me."

"No. You won't get it so easily. First you have to forgive me."

(Nahi. Itni aasani se nahi milega. Pehle mujhe maaf karo.)

He took the cake back playfully.

"I'll forgive you only if you bring me a sunflowers and that white Cinderella dress."

(Main tabhi maaf karungi jab aap mujhe sunflowers aur woh white Cinderella wali dress laakar doge.)

Her father smiled.

"I already bought your dress... and your sunflowers will reach you in the morning."

"Really?"

(Sach mein?)

He nodded.

Naintara squealed with happiness, doing a little dance before hugging him tightly. "You are the best dad. I love you so much."

"Oh really? Only because I fulfilled your wishes?" He asked teasingly.

"Papa please... today don't tease me."

"Alright, alright. Now hurry up and cut the cake." he said

She nodded happily.

Soon she cut the cake and they celebrated together.

Her father wished her again and after some time told her to sleep. He then went back to his own room while Naintara soon fell asleep again.

.

.

.

In His Room

Rishi Sharma sat on his bed holding a photo frame.

It was a picture of his wife Heer Sharma.

"I told Tara that you'll come back... but even I don't know if you really will. It's been two days and sixteen hours since we last talked."

"You only sent one message saying you were leaving for hospital work... after that no message, no call. I tried so many times to contact you... but- "

"I know you're angry with me. Things haven't been good between us for the last three months... but that doesn't mean I don't care about you, Heeriye."

"Please... wherever you are, stay safe and come home soon." He whispered softly while staring at her picture. Tears slowly rolled down his eyes and fell on the photo frame in his hands.

In the Morning ~

Naintara and her family were sitting together at the dining table, having breakfast. Everyone had already wished her a happy birthday earlier in the morning. She was still wearing her school uniform since she had to go to school that day as usual.

At the head of the table sat her grandfather Harish, the most respected person in the family. Beside him was his wife and Naintara's grandmother Leela. The rest of the family sat around the table, enjoying their breakfast while chatting casually.

"Bua maa, please tell me... what is the surprise?" Naintara asked while chewing her food, curiosity clearly shining in her eyes.

"If I tell you right now what the surprise is, then how will it remain a surprise?" her aunt Sanvi replied with a playful smile. She was sitting opposite Naintara, and beside her sat her daughter Anvii.

"Then why did you even say there is a surprise for me? That's cheating! You know I have zero patience," Naintara complained dramatically.

Everyone at the table chuckled at her childish complaint.

"It's just a matter of a few hours," Sanvi said calmly. "Come back home from school, and you'll find out."

"Please tell me now..." Naintara said again, giving her best puppy eyes.

Sanvi crossed her arms and shook her head.

"Those eyes won't work on me. Don't you remember? In our family, surprises are meant to be given, not revealed beforehand."

Naintara sighed dramatically.

"Now finish your breakfast quickly," Sanvi added. "Otherwise you'll be late for school."

With a small pout on her face, Naintara nodded and continued eating.

Soon everyone finished breakfast. After that, the house slowly returned to its usual routine. The elders went to their rooms or got busy with their work.

Naintara and Anvii picked up their bags and left for school.

The house became much quieter.

Time Skip~

It was now afternoon, slowly turning toward evening. Both Anvii and Naintara had already returned home from school.

Naintara was sitting alone in her room, quietly lost in her thoughts. She seemed unusually silent, staring absentmindedly at nothing in particular.

Just then, the door opened and Sanvi walked in.

"So, birthday girl... how was your day at school?" Sanvi asked with a warm smile.

"It was good, bua maa..." Naintara replied softly. Then after a pause she added, "But I'm missing mom a lot. Did she come back? Papa said she would come today."

Sanvi's expression softened slightly.

"No, she hasn't come yet," she replied gently. "But she will. Now come on, stop thinking about that and get ready quickly."

Sanvi was holding a dress in her hands. She stepped closer and handed it to her.

"Look... the dress your dad brought for you."

Naintara looked at the dress, her eyes widening.

The dress looked absolutely beautiful. It was a white gown with a Cinderella-like design-delicate and elegant, exactly the kind of dress Naintara loved.

It looked like something made for a princess.

"Wow... this is so pretty!" Naintara said excitedly while looking at it.

Sanvi chuckled.

"And when my sweet girl wears it, it will look even more beautiful."

"Now hurry up and get ready. Your friends and the guests will arrive soon," Sanvi said before leaving the room.

After Sanvi left, Naintara looked at the dress again. She was happy but deep inside, a small sadness lingered.

Will mom really come?

She hugged the dress gently.

"Mumma... please come soon. I'm missing you so much," she whispered softly.

Then she walked into the washroom to freshen up.

After some time, she came out wearing the dress.

She looked nothing less than a princess.

Just then she noticed Nishi, her best friend, sitting on the bed. Nishi was staring at her as if she had seen something unbelievable.

"Oh my God... meri aankhen!" Nishi said dramatically. (My eyes)

Naintara blinked.

"Kya hua?"

(What happened?)

"Mujhe meri aankhon par yakeen nahi ho raha."

(I can't believe my eyes.)

"Huh?"

Nishi stood in front of her.

"Koi itna khoobsurat kaise ho sakta hai? Mujhe tujhse pyaar ho gaya hai... woh bhi tagda wala!"

(How can someone be this beautiful? I think I've fallen madly in love with you.)

Naintara burst into giggles.

"Tu bhi na... chal hat. Main apne pati ke liye loyal hoon." (Oh please. Move aside. I'm loyal to my husband.)

Nishi gasped dramatically.

"Apne us ghise-pite pati ke liye? Jisse tu sirf teen baar mili hai... aur saalon se dekha bhi nahi? Uske liye apni best friend ko dhokha de rahi hai?"

(For that old imaginary husband of yours? The one you've met only three times and haven't seen for years? And you're betraying your best friend for him?)

Naintara calmly combed her hair.

"Aree baby... aap toh jaan ho meri but haan Still, I'm loyal. Who knows kab mil jaye woh... aur tumhe pata hai na mujhe waisa pyaar chahiye jaise books mein hota hai."

(Still, I'm loyal. Who knows when I might meet him again... and you know I want the kind of love that exists in books.)

Nishi rolled her eyes and sat on the bed again.

"You and your one-sided husband... and your books. That's why I keep telling you to stay away from novels. You connect everything to some fictional world."

"Stay away from books?" Naintara laughed. "Never. That will never happen. And once you start reading, you'll become crazy about them too."

"If you gave this much attention to your academic books, you'd top the school," Nishi replied.

"Yaaaar... please spare me today. It's my birthday," Naintara said dramatically, folding her hands.

Nishi sighed.

"Jaa Tara... jaa jee le apni zindagi."

(Go Tara... go live your life.)

Just then someone from downstairs called out,

"Nishi beta! Come here for a moment!"

Nishi heard the voice and stood up.

"Come downstairs quickly," she told Naintara before leaving the room.

Naintara nodded and continued fixing her hair.

While doing so, her eyes suddenly fell on an envelope placed near the side of the bed.

Curious, she slowly walked toward it.

Without thinking much, she picked it up.

And opened it.

Outside the Room

The hall downstairs looked beautiful. Colorful lights shimmered across the walls. Balloons floated around. Music played softly. Most of the guests had already arrived and were chatting happily.

Naintara's nani, Himanshi, who had come after many years, looked around.

"Sanvi beta, where is Tara? Go check on her."

"jii, I'll go see," Sanvi replied and started walking toward Naintara's room.

She reached the door and slowly pushed it open.

And the moment she looked inside-

She froze.

The entire room was a mess.

The mirror in front of the dressing table was shattered, pieces of glass scattered everywhere.

"Tara...?" Sanvi whispered in shock.

Then her eyes moved toward the bed.

Naintara was lying unconscious beside it.

Her wrist was cut, blood spread across the floor. The white dress she was wearing had turned deep red.

Sanvi's heart stopped for a moment.

"Tara! What have you done?" she cried as she ran toward her.

She immediately grabbed her hand, trying to stop the bleeding.

Then she screamed at the top of her lungs.

"Rishii bhai!! Rishii bhai!!!"

Her voice echoed through the house.

8 years later

The night in Vrindavan felt magical.

The grand temple of Radha and Krishna was glowing under hundreds of diyas and golden lights. Fresh marigold garlands hung from the pillars, and the soft fragrance of incense floated through the air.

Devotees from every corner had gathered in the temple hall. Some stood with folded hands, some sat on the marble floor, and others softly chanted the name of Krishna.

At the center of the temple, right in front of the beautifully decorated idols of Radha and Krishna, a small space had been cleared.

Four young girls stood there, dressed in matching white and yellow lehengas. Their dupattas flowed lightly as the soft temple breeze moved through the hall.

The music began.

🎶 Daare Daa re Daare Daa re Daare Daara....

Daare Daare Dare Daare Daare Daara... 🎶

With gentle smiles on their faces, the girls began dancing.

🎶 Woh hai rangila...

🎶 Chail chabila... 🎶

Their steps were graceful and filled with devotion. Their bangles chimed softly as their hands moved in delicate mudras, each gesture telling the playful stories of Krishna.

🎶 Woh hai natkhat...

🎶 Woh jamunatat... 🎶

The girls twirled lightly, their skirts spreading like blooming flowers as they pointed toward the idols of Krishna with playful expressions.

The devotees watching them smiled warmly. Some elderly women even swayed slightly to the rhythm, clearly enjoying the devotional performance.

🎶 Phere lagaye...

Muralee bajaye...

Gopiyon ke sang ras rachaye... 🎶

The dancers moved in perfect harmony, circling gracefully as if recreating the divine ras-leela itself.

🎶 Muralee bajaiya...

Ras rachaiya...

Shyam salona hai... 🎶

Their expressions changed beautifully with the music-sometimes playful, sometimes shy, sometimes lost in devotion.

The temple bells chimed softly in the background.

The entire atmosphere felt peaceful... sacred... almost divine.

🎶 Jo hai albela madanainowala

Jis ki deewani Brij ki har bala...

Woh kisna hai, woh kisna hai,

Woh kisna hai.(2x) 🎶

Just then-

From the pathway between the devotees, someone slowly stepped forward.

At first, no one paid much attention.

But the dancers noticed.

A young woman was walking toward them with calm, graceful steps.

It was NAINTARA.

She was dressed in a stunning white and red lehenga, the colors glowing softly under the temple lights. Her long hair moved gently with the breeze, and the small anklets around her feet chimed with every step.

For a moment, people in the crowd turned to look at her.There was something about her presence.

Something peaceful... something almost divine.

She walked quietly to the center and stood between the four girls.

Then Without hesitation-

She joined the dance.

🎶 Pyar mein doobi, pyar mein

khoyi...

Pyar ki dhun mein jaagi na soyi... 🎶(2x)

Her movements were soft yet powerful.

Every step felt effortless, as if the rhythm of the music already lived inside her.

🎶 Duniya se hai woh anjaani...

Sab kehte hai prem deewani... 🎶

Her eyes slowly lifted toward the idols of Radha and Krishna.

And in that moment-

It felt like she wasn't dancing for the people watching. She was dancing only for Radha Krishna jii.

Her expressions changed with every beat of the music: love, devotion, longing.

The four girls continued dancing around her, but somehow Naintara stood out among them.

She looked different.

Almost as if she truly belonged to Vrindavan.

🎶 Kisna se milti hai bhool ke har bandhan

Kisna ki hi mala japti hai woh jogan... 🎶

Her hands moved gracefully, telling the story of Radha's love. Her eyes sparkled with emotion, and a soft smile touched her lips as she twirled gently.

For a moment, the entire temple seemed silent.

People simply watched her. Even the priests near the idols paused slightly, observing the dance with quiet admiration.

🎶 Nainon mein, saanson me, mann me

Kisna... Har pal hai jeevan mein jiske Kisna... 🎶

The music grew more emotional, and Naintara's expressions deepened. Her eyes remained fixed on the idol of Krishna, as if she was speaking to Him through her dance.

🎶 Woh Radha hai...

Woh Radha hai... Woh Radha hai...🎶

After some time, the dance slowly came to an end.

Breathing lightly from the performance, all five girls walked toward the idols of Radha and Krishna. They folded their hands respectfully and bowed their heads, seeking blessings.

For a brief moment, Naintara closed her eyes, her face calm and peaceful.

After taking blessings, they quietly stepped aside to give space to the other devotees.

The five of them then walked toward a corner of the temple, where there was a small seating area along the marble wall. They sat down there together, still catching their breath after the dance.

One of the girls, Simran, looked at Naintara and asked curiously,

"Honestly, we all thought you wouldn't come today, di."

Naintara was about three years older than the four of them, so they all called her di.

"How could I not come?" Naintara replied with a soft smile. "I had to come."

Another girl, Ritu, who was sitting beside her, tilted her head slightly.

"But today is your birthday, right? You should be celebrating it outside with your family and friends. Then why are you here?" she asked.

For a moment, Naintara didn't answer.

Her gaze drifted somewhere far away, as if she had suddenly been pulled into old memories... memories that carried pain.

Her smile faded slightly.

"Di...?" Simran called gently.

Naintara blinked and came back to the present.

"Haan... it's just that..." she said quietly, "I don't really like celebrating my birthday anymore. And honestly, I feel more peaceful here... near Krishna ji."

The girls looked at her but didn't question further.

Just then, Naintara's phone began to ring.

She looked at the screen. Seeing the caller's name, she stood up.

"I'll be back in a minute," she said softly before walking a little away from them.

Since devotional songs were playing loudly inside the temple, she stepped outside the temple gate so she could hear the call clearly.

She answered the phone.

"Tara!?" came a familiar voice from the other side.

It was her aunt Sanvi.

"Ji, bua maa," Naintara replied calmly.

"How are you? It's been so many days since you called us," Sanvi said. "And when are you coming back home?"

Naintara hesitated.

"Bua maa... actually my exams-"

"Tara," Sanvi interrupted firmly, "I know your exams are already over. Don't try to lie to me."

Naintara fell silent.

"It has been seven years since you left home," Sanvi continued. "Your dadu's health isn't very good these days either. He keeps asking about you... he keeps saying you should come back home."