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Arjun looked around at the lush greenery, soaking in the early morning sun rays. It was good to be back home, he thought, as he jogged down the cemented path, which was flanked by shrubs and flower bushes.

He had had to modify the exercise regime here. The neighbourhood gym wasn’t anything like the one at his place in Melbourne and he hadn’t wanted to use the run down, badly maintained machines.

On the way home from the International Airport last night, he’d absorbed how Delhi had transitioned– flashing hoardings, sky rise buildings, winding fly-overs, fluorescent lights etc. all gave it an international look and feel. Delhi had changed; become bigger and better. There was also a beautiful park close to his parents’ home, which he had first noticed while unloading his suitcases from the van. It wasn’t there when he had lived here, 12 years ago. It was quite big and spacious, he noted. Even at that late hour, there were a few couples strolling around leisurely, probably on a post-dinner walk.

 

At this time, the park was buzzing with activity. Done with his jogging, he sat down on a bench and took in the various sights – early morning walkers hurrying down the designated path, yoga aficionados practicing their asanas in the green grass, adolescents playing football, friendly dogs prancing up and about at the kids who squealed in a mix of delight, fear, and amusement. The laughter and positivity hit him hard and he realized how much he had missed this friendly neighbourhood that had been his home in the growing up years. It was certainly good to be back, he thought again.

It had been a long but fruitful time away; initially studying in Australia’s best college for design and later doing an internship followed by a permanent job with a renowned architectural and design firm. He was valued and well respected by his peers, not only because of his dedication and innovative design ideas but also because of his positive attitude and pleasant demeanour.

He was well established and had recently received his Australian citizenship as well.

Now, he was back home for a short holiday for his parents’ 30^th wedding anniversary. It had helped that it coincided with the Christmas vacations and he was able to take more than a week’s leave from work. But this was not the only reason for this trip. Sonika Mehra – his only true love and inspiration. It had been 12 years since he had last seen her as well. She had been 14 years old then, about 3 years younger to him. They had grown up together but even after many years of knowing each other, they hadn’t really become close. Sanjit; her brother and his best friend and classmate, was the one Arjun would hang out with. It was only in the last two years, when Sanjit and Arjun were in the same section at school that the boys started spending more time together.

 

The memories came flooding back to him now – playing basketball in the school field, walking back from school, playing video games in Sanjit’s room and even studying together. Sometimes, Sonika would join them. Sanjit and he would compete on who would solve the equation first while Sonika laboured over her homework. She often sought help from them whenever she got stuck in Math. Their parents also knew each other well and they would all occasionally go out for a movie or lunch together. Festivals were extra special when all the residents would come together and celebrate with much fanfare. There were other kids too and they would all play cricket or football together. Sonika wouldn’t join them those times. She didn’t like football or cricket. She wasn’t a tomboy, to be jumping off rooftops and playing football with the boys. She wasn’t the dainty damsel in distress either, who would fret over walking a short distance. She was a regular girl, who like some sports, disliked others, liked some girly stuff and hated others. She liked badminton and played it well too, he remembered. She had always been special to him. “Soni Kudi”, he used to tease her affectionately. And that she was, a beautiful girl. Even then, her innocent smile and sparkling eyes were bewitching. To him, she was more than the regular girl next door. She was the one you would lose your heart in an instant to.






At 14 years, he was the perfect example of the lost, confused teenager. By the time he was 17 and in high school, an interest in designing led him to become more focused. One could be correct to assume that the transition in those two years had much to do with Sonika. She was the one, who albeit unknowingly, inspired him to take control of his life. But he hadn’t ever let her know that he thought of her as anything more than Sanjit’s sister. They had been too young and immature then and it probably wouldn’t have been appropriate either. She looked upon him as an elder brother and they had been just kids, after all. But the truth was that it was for her that he had decided to go abroad and come back a successful man. Not that he could not have done it here in India. But he had wanted to travel and study abroad. His outstanding grades in high school further made it a cakewalk to get admission in an International college of his choice.

But now, now was different. A lot had changed now. Including the …..

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