It was 10pm in the dim streets of Delhi. The city was in a deep-sounded slumber, with all the lights of the buildings switched off, the people relishing on their cozy beds, the leaves of the trees rustling as the moderate breeze passes through it visualizes a serene, harmonic atmosphere, but the periodic barking of the dogs and fierce fight between the kittens for the food made the arena appear eerie. Not even a single car or bus was to be seen in the area. There were deep dark alleys which stood as the fragmented remnants of the daring long mysteries and crimes which remains unsolved up to this date. Now comes a Maya, young woman walking through the narrow footpaths. She had a white coat, a stethoscope around her neck, a bag and mobile phone with her. She seemed to look dull and glum, after a long, tiring back-aching shift. Mixed thoughts ran across her mind where she earlier had a quarrel with her husband Varun, pressure from her in-laws for quitting the job and looking after her little one Aadhya, while she was crossing the narrow footpaths, being vigilant and prepared at the same time for any unprecedented phenomena to occur as she steps into the danger zone, and that was the only shortcut to reach her home faster as there was riskier to take a taxi or an auto. As she was walking, a bike rushes through within a fraction of seconds and it suddenly interrupted her dilemmatic thoughts. Nerves ran down her spine and she began to walk faster by calling all the Gods in her mind. She started walking stealthily and saw the black shadows of the bike and 2 figures on it which was at the traffic signal. Maya’s house was just a few kilometers to the right after the traffic signal and it was the 7th house in that colony. Maya slowly walked without showing any signs to the shady figures. Just as the lights turned green, the bike turned to the right again imitating the speed of the light in vacuum. She froze in fear as she seemed to experience a checkmate, as her mother-in-law and Aadhya seemed to be at home and Varun and father-in-law seemed to be outside.

To save her loved ones, she ran across the bushes but, unfortunately the bike braked to a stop and the 2 figures jumped into their house. She screamed out to, waking up the entire colony, and called ‘Mole! Amma!’ and ran towards her house in anticipation and sorrow. Little did she know that there was another twist she was going to witness within the next couple of seconds. As she rushed to the door, she saw her mother-in-law and Aadhya to which she hugged them and asked, ‘Where are the culprits who entered our house? Amma, I texted Varun, but he didn’t respond despite being online. We must call…’’ and then came a loud sound, probably from the crackers. She then turned back in fear, only to witness Sharath and Manu, her cousins with pop ups and balloons laughing loudly. Sharath exclaimed, ‘Maya, it’s your wedding anniversary! Due to some problems, we couldn’t start from our place early so we had to rush soon. We did see your perplexed expressions within the bushes. Manu added, ‘Ha, ha! And I am sure you can win the Best Actress Award as we enjoyed seeing your perplexed expressions.’’ Maya smirked angrily and sarcastically, ‘Anyone would have been frightened by that. You guys could have even faced an accident by imitating all the heroic stunts while riding a bike and that would lead to a long medical bill which we have to pay at the end to get you guys out. Anyways, by God’s grace, you are saved. Ah, By the way, it’s not only my anniversary, its Varun’s also. Where is the king? I texted him and he didn’t even respond also. Hmph!’’ Sharath replied, ‘Maya, look behind and see for yourself.’ Maya looked behind and saw Varun at the door with a cake and a bouquet of red rose flowers walking towards her. Maya heart was lit with relief and happiness, but the earlier quarrel made her mind cold egoistic, and stern and she didn’t even look at him. Varun said, ‘Maya, I am sorry for what I have said to you about the quitting of your job and taking care of our Aadhya. I understood that you love your profession just as much I do. Please forgive me. I will never upset you again. I love you, Maya.’ Tears of joy ran across her rosy cheeks, and she hugged him. It was a healthy yet an emotional reunion. Manu exclaimed, ‘Come on, we need to cut the cake, I am already dying with hunger. You can spend your lovey-dovey conversations later. Everyone giggled and Maya and Varun blushed. They soon cut the cake along with Aadhya and others and celebrated the day joyously. The hearty, yet a simple celebration lit Maya’s gloomy day into a happier one and, the family learned to adjust and make amends to the incomplete parts in their personal and professional life.