When Lightning Strikes..[10]

It was almost sunset when the auto-rickshaw stopped in front of a small gate which had white fences around it. They were in front of a beautiful little house which looked like a small cottage. There were 7 wooden steps painted in white to reach to the front door above. 2 houses with a common wall could be seen at a small distance from the cottage. There were many huge trees that had small yellow leaves in both sides of the road that led to the cottage. There were heaps of the fallen yellow flowers under each tree. In short Annie was totally mesmerized with the whole scenery. Just then Ajay called out to Annie from behind. For a second she was startled, but soon enough regained her senses.

The whole day had been exhausting. They had travelled to almost every nick and corner of the city. First, as soon as they had breakfast , Ajay took Annie to the local police station, filed the details about Annie and gave his address to contact if any information was obtained about the valley and her family. Then as per the officer's advice, they started a look out for a place to accomodate Annie. This time Ajay was extra conscious about her accomodation that he refused two-three places where Annie had to share a room as a paying guest. They then went to some working women's hostels which in turn refused them as that they only allowed working women to stay in there. After the third try at yet another hostel Ajay took Annie to a coffee shop.

As they drank their coffees, Ajay said " Look Annie, as u have seen today, it is very difficult for a single woman to get a place here to stay unless she is employed. So what i am telling you is that you first find a job here. Then it will be easy for you to find a suitable place and familiarize with the city life. By then lets hope that everything would be fine and we would soon be able to hear a positive news from the police. Till then i can arrange a safe place to accomodate you. Lets go there "

Annie simply nodded to what he said. She realized that by now she had given the complete burden of her present state to Ajay. He had to decide things for her and she will simply follow them. Poor Ajay, she sighed.

Annie followed Ajay to a nearby bus stop and as they travelled in the bus Ajay told her about the place they were going - 'Saffron Villa'. It was the house of an old couple - a retired army officer and his wife who was a teacher by profession. They were Colonel uncle and Shobha aunty for him. They have a son who is now settled in UK with his wife and 2 children. Ajay had known this family for 2 years since he came to this city. Actually a small accident had brought them together. Ajay had seen colonel uncle lying in a side road one day and he had quickly moved him to a nearby hospital. It was a mild heart attack. Colonel uncle was put under observation for some time and doctors prescribed some medicines and complete bed rest for him. Ajay took a taxi and took Colonel uncle to his house to see a panicked Shobha aunty. She was very much worried about her husband and it was Ajay who cooled down her and explained things mildly. From then onwards, Ajay had been a regular visitor of 'Saffron Villa' and the best 'friend' of Colonel uncle & aunty. Shobha aunty reminded him of his mother and whenever he was bored of fast food, the delicious home made food by Shobha aunty awaited him eagerly in Saffron villa. Ajay was literally a second son to them. Their world had brightened once again with Ajay since the day their son left to UK.

Annie saw a glimpse of a tear drop filled in Ajay's eyes as he said this. They took an auto from the bus stop to Saffron Villa. As they reached in front of the big black gate, they saw a big lock hanging in the gate. From the security of that colony, they came to know that the couple went to UK the previous day to spent a month with their son. Ajay and Annie sighed almost at the same time and looked at each other with a 'what-to-do-next' expression in their face. As it was getting dark, they took an auto and reached Ajay's place. This was the flash back of that day - the first day of Annie in the garden city!

......................[.......TBC.........]........................

When Lightning strikes..[9]

It was almost mid-day when Annie opened her eyes. The truck was still moving fast. Strong rays of sunlight were coming inside through the small holes in the plastic covering of the truck. Ajay was still asleep. He seemed to be in a dream and gave soft murmerings in between which Annie couldnt understand even after closely observing him for some time and she gave up that task and left him with his dream.

She felt weak and shabby after all those running races and adventures they took the previous day. The whole thing seemed incredible enough to be a dream. But she was happy for whatever happened and thanked God for saving her from the fat lady. She was startled from her thoughts by Ajay's sudden shreak and he was gasping with a horror expression which faded immediately when he saw her by his side. His wound seemed to be aching and he quickly placed his hand on it. "What.. what happened? Were you seeing a scary dream?", Annie asked him. "No..no it was just...but ..but how did YOU know that ..that.." Ajay had a perplexed expression on his face. Annie smiled seeing this and said "You were murmering in your sleep and thats how i found out that you were in a dream..but dont worry, i couldnt even pick a single word you were saying.."
"Oh..yeah..i just saw something..but i dont remember it now..So how was the journey Annie? Sorry, i couldnt give you company. I dont remember much since we got into this truck. I just slipped onto my sleep. Sorry for that.."
"Its okay Ajay and never say sorry to me..Its me who should thank you for everything that you have done to me. But i..i dont know how to say that.."
Tears started flooding in her eyes and she couldnt help to suppress them this time. Ajay looked in her eyes and he could sense the emotions of her. He wanted to stop her crying and say something to her; but he kept quiet..As if sensing this, Annie wiped away her tears with both her hands and slipped back to her leaning position against the truck walls.

Some things can never be said through words, they could only be understood through a strange language which has neither words nor any sounds..it required only that undefined & unknown connection between the minds which were understood by none other than those individuals. Ajay had heard about things like reading minds, but never had any personal experience..But now he realized that there was something strange between him and this girl, with whom he had never opened his heart or talked much about him, but they seemed to sense each others thoughts unknowingly and never confronting those to each others..

Ajay's thoughts were paused when the truck stopped quite abruptly that made both of them fall down onto the base. The plastic covers were soon removed and the cleaner boy helped them to descend from the truck. Annie was astounded by the outside vision. Instead of the paddy fields and muddy roads from where she had entered into the truck the previous day, they were now standing on a parallel road from where huge buildings and heavy traffic were seen at a small distance. She realized that she was in a full-fledged city which she had only seen in televisions. Ajay paid the driver some notes and thanked him. The driver and the cleaner boy throw a quick glance at Annie and moved to the nearby tea-shop.

Ajay saw the wonder in Annie's eyes and he said "aaah.. Welcome..welcome to the GARDEN CITY OF INDIA!!".. seeing her opening mouth and bulging eyes as he said those words..
......................[......TBC.......].........................