N  A  I  N  T  A  R  A

🎶“Kaanton se kheench ke yeh aanchal… Tod ke bandhan baandhe payal…

Koi na roko dil ki udaan ko…Dil woh chala aa… Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai,

Aaj phir marne ka iraada hai…(2x)”🎶

The old melody drifted through the train compartment from a woman sitting across from me. She leaned lightly against her husband’s shoulder, humming along with a soft smile.

And strangely… every word felt like it belonged to me.

Like my heart had found a voice.

I stared out the window, watching the blurred fields rush past.

Going back to Delhi is the worst thing I know.

But I don’t have a choice.

Dadu’s health isn’t good. And I love him too much to stay away. Of course he misses me… how could he not? It’s been seven years since we last met. We talk on phone calls, video calls… but that’s never enough for someone who just wants to hold you once.

And Bua Maa…

How could I forget her?

She wants to see me just as badly.

Even my college decided to host the annual function in Delhi this year. Maybe fate just wanted me to return.

🎶“Apne hi bas mein nahi main,Dil hai kahin toh hoon kahin main…

Ho apne hi bas mein nahi mainDil hai kahin to hoon kahin main

Ho jaane kya pa ke meri zindagi ne.... Hans kar kaha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna haiAaj phir marne ka irada hai (x2)”🎶

I let out a faint breath.

I don’t feel like I belong anywhere.

The people sitting around me looked happy. Complete. As if life had handed them everything they ever wished for.

That woman… the way her husband looked at her…

Soft. Protective. Full of quiet love.

Just like the kind I’ve only read about in books.

I had something like that once.

Or maybe I just imagined it.

But Love isn’t meant for me.

And that doesn't matter now.

The train began to slow down.

So this is it.

The place I never wanted to return to.

But fate clearly has other plans.

A mechanical voice echoed through the speakers—

“May I have your attention please. Train number 543210 from Agra to Delhi has arrived on Platform number 6. Passengers are requested to collect their luggage and deboard carefully. Thank you.”

The train had stopped.

But I was still sitting there.

I don’t even know what I’m supposed to feel.... Or what I’m supposed to do next.

I doubt he even came to pick me up.

Never mind.

I pulled my bag down from the overhead rack and checked my belongings once. Everything was there.

Slowly, I moved with the crowd toward the exit. People were pushing past each other some getting down, some getting in.

I stopped near the train gate.

Okay… I can do this.

I’m not staying forever anyway. I’ll meet Dadu, Bua Maa, finish my college work, and go back.

I stepped down.

The moment my feet touched the platform, a strange emptiness settled inside me.

Then~

The loud echo of dhol and nagadas filled the air.

I frowned.

Is there a wedding or something?

I looked ahead.

The drummers were walking straight toward me.

And then they stopped.

Right in front of me.

The music grew louder. People around started staring at me.

What is happening?

Did they mistake me for someone else?

Before I could say anything—

Two hands covered my eyes from behind. “Hey! What is this? Who are you? What’s going on?” I protested, trying to pull the hands away.

They were soft.

Probably a girl.

The drums suddenly stopped.

“First guess who I am,” a familiar female voice said playfully, “only then you can see.”

I froze.

I knew that voice.

But teasing her felt too tempting.

“I don’t know who you are,” I said innocently.

The hands left my eyes.

And the next second–

“Ouch!”

She pinched my waist.

“Kuttiii chudail! What kind of best friend are you? You can’t even recognize my voice?”

“Nishi!” I turned toward her, rubbing my side. “Are you mad? Why are you pinching me, idiot?!”

She smirked.

I was wearing a crop top and wide-leg jeans. A little bit of my waist was visible.

She clearly took advantage of that.

“If it were up to me–”

“Forgive me, O great goddess,” I folded my hands dramatically. “I was joking. I knew it was you.”

“Now come here,” I said, opening my arms. She rushed forward and hugged me tightly.

“I missed you sooo much,” she mumbled, holding me like I might disappear.

“Me too,” I whispered.

Then I felt dampness on my shoulder.

“Nishi?”

She hummed softly.

I pulled back.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Why are you crying, pagal?”

“Who’s crying? I’m not crying,” she sniffed, wiping her tears quickly.

“Yeah, and I’m a donkey,” I muttered–then instantly regretted it.

“Obviously you are,” she shot back.

“Stop dropping pearls from your eyes… or I’ll start crying too,” I said, hugging her again.

“I really missed you. Last time we met was three years ago–on my birthday. After I begged you so much to come.”

I smiled faintly.

Yes. I came secretly. No one knew except her family. She had said if I didn’t come, she’d never celebrate her birthday again. She had already spent four without me.

And I didn’t want her to hate birthdays like I do.

So I came.

Stayed a week.

Left quietly.

“But we talked every day on video calls,” I said softly.

“Still… you weren’t here with me.”

“Bas kar… don’t get this emotional,” I said softly. “I’ll start crying for real. And I’m here now, okay?”

She only nodded. We slowly pulled out of the hug.

“Now first tell me—what is all this?” I asked, glancing at the drummers standing nearby.

“What do you mean ‘what is this’?” she grinned. “My best friend is coming back to Delhi after three whole years. This much celebration toh banta hai. You have no idea how happy I am.”

And before I could react, she leaned in and planted a quick kiss on my right cheek.

“Eww, Nishi!” I groaned.

“Oh please,” she rolled her eyes. “ Uff lHow could I forget—you have a problem even with kisses.”

It was true. Romance always felt better in books than in real life.

“Have some shame,” I muttered. “People will start putting you in the lesbian category.”

“Areee, I didn’t kiss you on the lips. It’s not that big a deal,” she said casually. “And let people think whatever they want. I love you, that’s what matters.”

“I should probably tell your boyfriend your interests are shifting,” I teased.

She did have a boyfriend–someone I had never met. I only knew his name. Never seen him. Never spoken to him. Maybe someday.

I just hoped her story wouldn’t turn out like mine.

But no… now let's not go there.

“Hello? Tara madam?” Nishi waved a hand in front of my face. “Where are you lost? I’ve been calling you.”

“Nowhere… shall we go home?”

She nodded and told the drummers they could leave. The festive noise faded behind us as we walked out of the station.

Cars lined the entrance. Drivers calling out. Horns. Luggage wheels scraping the ground.

And then–

I saw someone stepping out of a car.

Someone I hadn’t spoken to in years.

My dad.

My breath caught.

Why is he here?

Then I noticed Bua Maa coming from the other side.

Oh. They came to pick me up.

But why?

I never asked them to come.

When I needed them the most… they weren’t there.

“Meri Tara!” Bua Maa rushed forward and hugged me tightly.

I hugged her back.

But my eyes stayed on him.

Standing near the car. On a call. Still busy. Work always came first.

“You should’ve called after reaching,” Bua Maa said. “Delhi traffic made us so late.”

“Bua, chill. I was already here,” Nishi smiled.

“Haan beta,” Bua Maa said warmly. “Tara's best friend is always with her.”

“Chalo, let’s go. We’re getting late,” she said, gesturing ahead.

My chest tightened.

Going with him… I couldn’t.

I wasn’t ready. I couldn’t handle it – not now, maybe not ever.

So I gathered myself and spoke softly,

“Bua Maa… you go. I’ll come with Nishi in her car.”

“But Tara–”

“Bua Maa,” I cut in gently, forcing a small smile,

“I need to pick up cookies for Anvi from Nishi’s bakery.”

“There’s no need for cookies,” she replied.

“Just come with us.”

“She loves cookies, Bua Maa… you know that…. I’ll come, okay? You go ahead.”

She looked at me for a long moment.

As if trying to read everything I wasn’t saying.

Then, after a brief pause…

she nodded.

“Fine. Come safely.”

Dad looked at me once.

Expressionless.

Bua Maa walked back to him and said something–probably that I wasn’t coming. He replied briefly. She didn’t argue. Just got into the car after giving me one last look.

They left.

“Tara… you should’ve gone with them,” Nishi said softly. “At least after so many years you could’ve talked to him–”

“If you don’t want to take me, just say it,” I snapped. “I’ll book a cab.”

“I didn’t mean that!” she said quickly.

Silence fell between us.

“I’m sorry,” I sighed.

“It's ok”

“I'm really sorry… I didn’t want to sound rude.” I Whispered

She nudged me. “Keep your sorry. If you really want forgiveness—you’re coming with me somewhere tomorrow.”

“Haan pakka,” I agreed without thinking. ( yes okay)

We walked to her car.

“You stopped riding your scooty?” I asked as we got in.

“Rarely,” she said, starting the engine. “Remember what happened three years ago?”

A small smile appeared on my lips. “How could I forget?”

It was raining that day. Roads are slippery. We fell.

And instead of worrying—

We started dancing in the rain.

Laughing like idiots.

Carefree. Soaked. Alive.

.

.

.

The road stretched ahead, and our conversation flowed just as endlessly.

We talked about everything—about people, memories, and the years that slipped away from us.

After a while, we stopped at her bakery.

Her bakery.

Her childhood dream—now standing real and beautiful.

Warm lights glowed through the glass.

The smell of fresh bread wrapped around us. Sweetness in the air. Sweetness in memories.

I picked up some cookies… and a few other things.

Then we got back into the car.

After that, we drove toward home.

And I had no idea

how I was going to face

what was waiting for me there.

‎A U T H O R ’ S    P  O  Vaale

The Sharma House stood glowing in quiet elegance, dressed as if a festival had arrived before its guests. The decorations were graceful, not loud—warm lights, fresh drapes, and a welcoming stillness that wrapped around the home like an embrace.

In the front garden, tall sunflowers swayed gently in the soft afternoon breeze, their golden faces turned toward the sun, adding a cheerful warmth to the atmosphere.

It was early afternoon.

Sanvi and Rishi had already reached home. Rishi had left for the office, but Sanvi remained in the hall, waiting.

Waiting for her.

Beside her sat little Anvi on the sofa, her restless eyes drifting again and again toward the entrance.

“When will she come?” Anvi asked, unable to hide her excitement.

“She’ll be here soon. She must be on the way,” Sanvi replied with a soft smile.

And then—

The doorbell rang.

Anvi sprang to her feet and ran to the door without a second thought. She opened it carefully–

And her face lit up instantly.

“Naintara diii!”

She rushed forward and hugged her tightly, almost crashing into her.

“Do you even know how much I missed you? Now that you’re back, I won’t let you go anywhere!”

Naintara’s tired heart softened. She wrapped her arms around Anvi and closed her eyes for a moment.

“I missed you too, Avii… so much.”

They pulled apart, smiling through emotion.

“Oh hello? I’m standing right here. Forgotten already?” a familiar teasing voice spoke.

Nishi stepped forward from behind Naintara, holding the trolley bags.

Anvi gasped dramatically. “Nishi di! As if anyone could forget you!”

She ran to hug her too.

Naintara watched them, a gentle smile resting on her lips.

“At least let them come inside,” Sanvi called out warmly. “Or are all conversations happening at the door?”

They laughed softly and stepped forward.

Naintara was about to enter when—

“Wait,” Sanvi said gently.

Naintara paused, confused.

Sanvi disappeared inside and returned with an aarti thali. The soft flame flickered as she performed Naintara’s aarti with moist, emotional eyes.

“Our home’s Lakshmi is returning after so many years… a proper welcome is a must.”

“Now come,” she whispered.

Naintara stepped in.

Nishi and Anvi followed.

The moment she crossed the threshold, time seemed to slow. Her eyes wandered across the walls… the staircase… the corners.

Memories breathed here.

Laughter once lived here.

A childhood once bloomed here.

These were moments she had tried to bury deep within herself. But destiny had quietly brought her back to the very place she never wished to return to.

Everything looked almost the same.

A few changes. New cushions. Different curtains.

But the soul of the house remained untouched.

“Tara,” Sanvi’s voice gently pulled her back, “go freshen up first. Eat something, then meet your Dadu. He’s in his room.”

Naintara nodded silently.

“I should leave now,” Nishi said softly. “Some work is pending at the bakery. I’ll come tomorrow.”

“You just arrived. Stay a little longer,” Sanvi insisted.

Naintara’s eyes echoed the same request.

But Nishi shook her head. “It’s important. I really have to go.”

They understood.

Before leaving, Nishi stepped closer to Naintara and lowered her voice. “ Take care of yourself and if you don’t feel okay here… come to my place."

A small, grateful smile curved on Naintara’s lips.

She nodded.

Some bonds don’t need promises.

They simply stay.

Nishi waved goodbye and walked away.

“Anvi,” Sanvi said gently, “take Tara to her room.”

“Yes, Maa,” Anvi replied obediently.

She stepped forward to lead the way, but before they could move, Naintara spoke softly, “Bua Maa… can I stay in a different room? I don’t want to stay in that one.”

Her voice was calm, but something fragile trembled beneath it.

Sanvi paused for a moment, studying her face. A thousand thoughts crossed her mind, but she simply nodded.

“It’s your home, Tara. Stay wherever you feel comfortable.”

“Then… I’ll stay in the guest room,” Naintara said quietly.

“The guest room?” Sanvi frowned slightly. “There are so many other rooms too, beta.”

Anvi stood silently between them, her little eyes moving from one face to the other. She didn’t speak, but she understood–something was heavy in the air.

“You just said it’s my home,” Naintara replied softly. “So let me stay where I want.”

Sanvi looked at her for a long second.

Then she nodded again.

Some questions are better left unasked.

“Take your sister,” she said gently to Anvi, “to whichever room she chooses.”

Anvi nodded.

She picked up a bag and quietly walked beside Naintara as they headed upstairs. Naintara didn’t say another word. Lost in her thoughts…

She walked silently, carrying luggage in her hands– And memories in her heart.

___________________