Suvinder Grewal (in his early sixties) sat on a flat bench in a public park, alone. He was in grief, holding the photograph of his daughter, Sanjana. She appeared to be in her mid twenties in the photograph. He was looking at the children playing together in the park. He imagined about the time when he used to play with Sanjana when she used to be a kid. He looked at the photo.
He sobbed while speaking, "It's been ten years, my girl, ten long years. I still miss you, a lot, my girl."
A drop of tear dropped off his left eye. He wiped the tear. He felt a palm on the left side of his shoulder.
Ten years ago, Suvinder sat on the couch in the living room of his flat, watching a cricket match on the TV. His wife, Sushma was cooking in the kitchen.
She said, "Sanjana, come to the table. Dinner is ready."
Suvinder called, "Sanjana beta, come out of the room. Have your dinner on time."
Sushama muttered, "God knows, what this girl do in her room whole night."
"Her semesters are approaching, that's why she is a bit stressed about her studies."
"Ask her not to stress about her studies."
Sushma came out of the kitchen.
She said, "We'll get her married once she completes her pharma."
He stood up. He shook his head and went near to Sanjana's bedroom.
"At times, you often begin randomly saying whatever comes to your mind."
He tapped on the door.
"Sanjana beta, take a break. Let's have dinner. Come out, the match is getting interesting."
He tapped again.
Sushma asked, "Why is she not opening the door?"
"Maybe she has slept."
"What? It's just eight o'clock. She doesn't sleep before one at night."
She tapped the door.
"Sanjana! Sanjana!"
"Sanjana beta, open the door. Come out now."
Sushma said, "Listen, I am scared. I think something is wrong."
"What are you talking? Just nonsense."
"She was looking upset in the afternoon when she returned from the college."
He tapped on the door.
"Sanjana!"
Suvinder took a few steps back, he lunged forward, pushed the door, breaking the latch. Sushma came in who was blown away after seeing her daughter.
Half an hour later, Suvinder and Sushma sat outside the ICU in the hospital. Sushma was sobbing. Suvinder kept his palm on her's.
Sushma cried, "I don’t know what wrong my daughter had done to anyone that God took her away from us so soon."
Suvinder pressed her palm.
Inspector Jeet (in his early forties) showed up, carrying a file in his hand.
"Mr. Grewal," he called, "Come with me, sir."
Suvinder followed Jeet to the end of the corridor. Jeet gave him the file.
"It's Sanjana's medical report which is given to me by Doctor Kriti."
Suvinder took the file and read the report.
Jeet asked, "Was she in a relationship?"
"I don't know, why?"
"The report states that she was pregnant."
Suvinder was taken aback after hearing the words. He paused for a smile, his throat suddenly dried, he sat on the chair, breathing.
"I can understand Mr. Grewal that this is something you didn't expect, but I have to find the person with whom your daughter was in relationship."
Suvinder rubbed his hand over face. He nodded.
"I'll co-operate you, fully. Just find him."
Present day, Sahil (in his mid thirties) sat at a table in a cafe, tapping his fingers on the table. He glanced at his wrist watch, waiting. Mahira (in her late twenties) showed up carrying a mini sling bag. She was wearing a sleeveless white top and red leggings. She pushed the door and walked in. She locked her eyes with Sahil. He stood up. She came to the table. He pulled the chair for her.
"Thanks."
She smiled and sat. She removed her sling bag and kept it on the table. He sat on the chair in front of her. She extended her hand.
"Mahira."
He shook hands with him.
"Sahil, Sahil Sharma."
"You've mentioned your age as thirty four years in the bio. But you appears to be in your twenties."
"Ah, actually I just turned thirty five."
"Oh, when?"
"Today."
"Literally? Wow! So, you must be throwing the party tonight."
"Well, actually I don't have a lot of friends to celebrate."
"Oh, but you got one today."
"Yeah."
He asked, "So, what do you do actually?"
"I am a teacher."
"Oh, which class do you teach?"
"I am kindergarten teacher."
"Interesting. It must be quite challenging to handle young kids."
"Ofcourse, they are too stubborn and sensitive too."
The waiter came to them carrying a tray in his hand. He kept two coffee cups and a plate of fries in front of them one by one and left. Mahira picked up the cup.
"Cappuccino."
"I read your bio. You love having cappuccino for the breakfast."
She nodded, smiling.
"Right. You've come well prepared."
He took a bite of fries.
"Teachers love those students who are well prepared."
She chuckled. She pushed her hair behind her neck, impressed by him.
She asked, "So are you looking for a long time partner, or you just want someone to hook up with?"
He picked up the cup.
"You are quite straightforward. Well, it depends upon how my new friend wants to wish me on my birthday."
"Tonight?"
"I am not forcing you, but it's your choice."
She smiled.
Mansoor (in his early forties) stood near Neha's desk. He was the marketing manager in 'CESSARO MOTORS'. She was working on the laptop. Mansoor leaned keeping his one hand on the desk, looking at the laptop.
He said, "Okay, send mail to the customer before you logging out."
She nodded.
"Okay sir."
He got his eye on Abhinav Kumar (in his mid fifties) who strolled through the showroom, browsing the cars. He walked to him.
"Mr. Kumar, how are you? How is your car?"
"Ah, I was just passing by, so I thought to pay a visit."
He looked at a compact SUV.
He said, "I am thinking about buying a new car."
