"My life is great with a sister who is as sarcastic as me and two friends who love me a lot," Saumya mused, "Still I miss you all. I really feel that I have changed but I am still your little girl. I will always miss you all." She was staring into the oblivion of her book which rested on the table.

Saumya looked up from her book to be greeted by a chirpy girl, who was an intern and her assistant.

"Good Morning, Ma'am," said the chirpy girl.

"Good Morning, Pihu. What brings you here?" asked Saumya.

"Ma'am, firstly I wanted to congratulate you. You are one of the Best Cardiac Surgeons in India as per the Forbes. It's an honour to be of any assistance to you, Ma'am. You are the reason I chose cardiology. You are an idol for persons like me." Pausing, she continued, "I have analysed the condition of your patients, Ma'am. They are all good," Pihu replied in one breath.

"Pihu please remember one thing in life - Always idolise your passion not a person. And please, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me Ma'am? It makes me feel as if I am a middle aged woman," Saumya said, having had enough of fangirling for one day.

The day passed swiftly and it was time for the Annual Function in Pia's school. Saumya drove home and got Pia ready for her performance. After getting ready both of them headed towards the school.

It was well past six in the evening when the function came to an end. However, unfortunately for Saumya, the most boring part was still left- the chief guest's speech. The Principal introduced the chief guest and elucidated about his accomplishments but what caught Saumya's attention was the fact that he was a doctor too. What was his name again? Dr. Akshit Aggarwal. A tall man with a fair chiselled face and light brown eyes went on the stage to address the audience. Expecting to be bored by his long oration, Saumya took out her phone but when the word "passion" reached her ears, she immediately looked up to pay attention to him. After all there were not many people who talked about passion. His next words made her mouth hang open. "Your Passion should be your Idol." She had never expected anyone to think like her. Before she could realise what had happened, he had already descended the stage.

Still reeling from the after effects of the shock, she went to Pia's class to pick her when her phone started ringing.

"Good evening, Ma'am," Pihu said in a panicked voice.

"Drop the courtesy Pihu and tell me what happened?" Saumya asked concerned.

"Actually Ma'am, Mr. Ahuja whom you operated today has not recovered from post-op yet. He is having fever and his pulse is going down," Pihu said.

"I will be there soon, don't worry," saying this Saumya disconnected the call and entered Pia's classroom.

The class room was bustling with cute little kids running everywhere as their teacher tried to calm them down. Pia, who was wearing a cute dress of a fairy, ran towards her, pushing away anyone who came in her way.

"You did really well, Baby Bear," said Saumya with an appraising look.

"I want a treat Princess," Pia said in a demanding tone.

"Sure baby, but right now I have to go to the hospital,'' Saumya said.

Pia's face immediately fell hearing the words. Her shining eyes, dilated, staring longingly at her sister.

"Don't worry baby, I will be back by 8 and then we will eat pizza, okay?" Saumya said not being able to bear seeing her sad.

Pia's face lit up on hearing her words and she nodded.

Saumya dropped Pia at their house where Surbhi already awaited them. However, Saumya noticed something peculiar about the house opposite theirs. The usually uninhabited house had lights on and a car was parked in front of it.

Moving her attention back to the task at hand, she went to the hospital. Even while driving towards the hospital her mind wandered off to how that doctor thought exactly like her. To say that she was impressed would be an understatement.

It was well past 8 by the time her patient's condition stabilised. She quickly drove towards her home.

On reaching home she found Surbhi's car, which was supposed to be parked in front of her house, missing. She rang the doorbell but was surprised on seeing who opened the door. There stood in front of her, the owner of the uninhabited house and her mom's best friend Mrs. Savita Aggarwal. Saumya was hardly able to say Namaste when she was engulfed in a bear hug. Saumya felt elated to see her Savita Aunty after 12 long years.

12 years ago Mrs. Aggarwal's family had shifted to Mumbai since her son had gotten admission in a college in UK and their daughter lived in Mumbai. Over the years, the unbreakable bond of friendship between Mrs. Mathur and Mrs. Aggarwal diminished as they lost contact. Nonetheless, Saumya was always her Savita Aunty's third child.

Presently, she was wondering if Aunty knew about the accident 3 years ago. She felt a pang of sadness on remembering that fateful day. She quickly did what she had mastered doing; masked her feelings. A blank and stoic look adorned her face.

After pulling from the hug, she awkwardly tried to tell Aunty about the accident but was forestalled from speaking by her Aunty.

"I am aware of it, beta(child). I am sorry I was not there with you when you needed me. I cannot replace your mom's place in your life but I am your second mother and I will always be there for you from now on," Aunty said with a heartwarming smile.

Saumya awkwardly hugged her tightly to mask her glassy eyes.

After pulling from the hug, Saumya asked, "Aunty, who has come with you? Uncle? Sanyukta Di? And where is Surbhi, my friend?"

"Beta, your uncle is a spoilsport. I wanted to come here with him but he had to go for resolving some business issues in London. He will be back next month. As regards your Di, well, she is eight months' pregnant and lives here in Delhi. And as far as your friend is concerned, I thought she should spend time with her husband so I sent her home. Beta, Pia can live with me when you are in the hospital. Give your friend some privacy too, okay? After all, I have come here to stay in our house with my nerdy and workaholic moron of a son," Aunty replied sighing.

"Congrats Aunty. Has Shrey come back? That's surprising," Saumya said smiling .

Sanyukta Di was Aunty's first born. Saumya only knew that the last time she had met Shrey was when she was 4. The memories had already faded. At the age of six, Shrey was sent to study in a boarding school since he was the biggest troublemaker. Ever since then she hadn't met him. Sanyukta Di was her best friend until 12 years ago.

"When did Di marry?" she asked.

"Six years ago. They have a baby boy named Ashmit."

Not wanting to inquire further, she walked towards the open kitchen facing the living room only to smell her Aunty's home cooked delicious food.

"Aunty, please, you don't have to strain yourself so much. I will do the rest of the work in the kitchen. Please go and have rest," saying this Saumya pushed the stubborn lady out of the kitchen.

Just as she started wondering about her Baby Bear's whereabouts, Aunty spoke up, "Pia is such a lovely child. Is she your daughter?"

Saumya choked on the water that she was drinking.

Definitely Pia was born after they had shifted so there was no way Aunty would know about her.

"She is Chachu's daughter Aunty. By the way, where is she?" she said desperately wanting to get away from the embarrassing situation.

"She is playing with Shrey in the backyard," Aunty replied.

Saumya sprinted towards the end of the hall which connected the backyard and the living room and had rooms on either side of it.

She reached the glass door leading to the backyard. Everything could be viewed from there. She did not want to interrupt them so she quietly slid the glass door ajar and stood there looking at the duo. Since the backyard was dimly lit she could only see the silhouette of a little girl running around on the green grass and a man desperately trying to catch her. Pia's giggles filled the air as she teased Shrey.

This reminded Saumya that she did not know Shrey's official name. Was it Shreyas or Shyreyansh? She started guessing. She saw that Pia had staggered and was about to fall.

She ran to prevent her from falling but Shrey was quicker. He caught her at the right time. Saumya landed on her knees in the grass in front of Pia and asked if Pia was alright. Shrey, who only realised her presence just then, could see the concern Saumya had.

Saumya got up which brought Shrey out of his trance.

Dusting his clothes he said, "Hi, I'm Akshit."

Saumya was surprised to find out his official name.

"You can call me Shrey if you want," he said as if understanding her thoughts.

Snap out of that trance, you idiot. This is not your forte. You are supposed to behave well- thinking this she mentally reprimanded herself.

"Hi, I'm Saumya."

"Let's go inside. It's already time for dinner," she suggested.

"Sure."

Moving into the brightly lit hall, they both glanced at each other to get a better look. Through her surreptitious side glance, she was shocked to see that he was none other than the doctor at the school function.

"Princess, did you recognise him? He was the chief guest at our function. Also, he is great at playing games," Pia said.

Saumya eyes widened with shock. After all, it wasn't everyday that her sister praised someone. However, she was quick to recover.

"I'm going to bring chess. He says he knows how to play chess. He is ready to play chess with me. Yay," saying this Pia ran to her room.

Saumya looked at him to find him a bit nervous and flattered.

"So, what's your specialisation?" she asked to lighten the mood.

His eyes widened for a moment before going back to normal.

"Well, I am a child psychologist. What about you?" he asked clearly relieved.

"That actually explains why he is so good with children," she thought.

"Yeah," he said.

Shit did I say it out loud- she mused.

"I am a cardiac surgeon," came her reply.

"Pretty impressive. Where do you work?"

"AIIMS."

She was beginning to think that she was being interviewed.

"Pia is a brilliant kid. She is a precocious kid and very curious."

She was relieved that she wasn't the topic of conversation. On the other hand, he observed how her eyes lit up at the mention of Pia.

Nodding she said, "So you will be staying here I suppose."

Really?! No Saumya, he has come here from London for a picnic.

"Yeah, Mom seems to love Delhi so she has forced me to do my research work here at AIIMS," he said.

"So, what are you researching about?"

"Cognitive thinking and post traumatic stress disorder."

"Princess come let's play," Pia shouted as she came out of her room.

After three rounds of chess and two helpings of the tasty food, it was time to call it a night.

Standing in the doorway of the main door, Savita Aunty said, "Saumya don't bother your friend, okay? Pia can stay with us."

Saumya looked at Pia to know her decision. Pia nodded. She seemed to be having fun with the two of them.

"Okay, Aunty. After school, the bus will drop her at your place. Thank you so much."

Keeping a hand on her shoulder, Aunty said, "I will always be there for you. You don't need to thank me, okay?"

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