"If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again."

_ Author unknown

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My body screamed with stiffness from long hours of work. Being a lawyer is too tiresome with lots of ups & downs.

From rushing to the court to argue the cases lined up for a day; to taking passovers for senior lawyers, you will never know how your day turns out.

All in all, it will be tiresome, but rewarding if you manage to please your senior through your work.

I mentally marked the cases that I have to prepare this night, for tomorrow's session, as I directed the car towards parking space of my apartment.

Finally!!! I'm home.

I sighed remembering the long day of work I had, after visiting Nana's grave.

My eyes unconsciously drifted towards the empty passenger seat, before I took off my seat belt and exited the car.

I pressed the button to my floor after entering the empty elevator. I exhaled, leaning my head against the silver walls, as I closed my eyes gently waiting for the lift to ascend.

I snapped open my eyes instantly, feeling a shadow moving beside me in the closed elevator at the same time the lift's doors opened.

I straightened my frame looking around the vacant space.

Obviously, It will be vacant. I am the only one here.

I shook my head, walking towards the doors of my flat, searching for the keys in my bag.

I huffed, as I finally got hold of the door keys in my dump-it-all handbag.

I should really learn to segregate my things well.

I inserted the keys in the keyhole, cursing under my breath, trying to balance the heavy files in my slender arm.

But to my utter surprise, the door got opened on its own, even before I could twist the knob.

My eyes widened in shock, as all my senses alerted. My mind began racing in several unpleasant directions.

Is that a thief ? Or rapist ? Or even worse a murderer?

My grip tightened on the heavy files, as I stepped into my apartment, ready to face the impending danger.

I slowly closed the doors behind me, searching for any heavy tool that I could get my hands on, as I heard some faint footsteps approaching in my direction.

But I had no time to search for a better equipment, as the footsteps got heavier and louder.

Praying that this could atleast do some harm to the burglar, I lifted the bundle of heavy files & threw them on the intruder while closing my eyes instinctively.

"Ahhhhhhhh"...

A loud growl erupted from the other side, which made me to snap my eyes open in shock.

"You bitch!, what did I ever do to you?", an angry tormented voice boomed in the hall.

"Sree?", I asked confusion clear in my tone.

What was she doing here?

"Yes, it's me. You thick-skulled woman", she said in an annoyed tone rubbing her aching toes.

She was lucky, as she jumped back in time. Maybe expecting my impulsive behavior.

"Stop exaggerating now, they didn't even touch your toes properly", I sighed. "By the way, how did you get in?".

"It doesn't take a genius to guess where you usually throw your spare keys. That is under those broken flower pots", she mocked.

I rolled my eyes at that. Yeah, how can I forget that there is nothing in this world that goes unnoticed from the hawk-eyes of my bestfriend Srinidhi.

"Yeah, yeah. I got it. No need to point out about my broken pots, now", I mumbled , throwing my bag on the couch as I slumped down with exhaustion.

"I didn't expect this kind of gratitude, when I decided to cook dinner for you", she said, irritation clear in her tone.

"Can I get a glass of water please. I'm tired", I breathed hoarsely closing my eyes.

"You have two healthy legs. You can come and get it yourself ", came her taut voice from inside.

Stupid-moron!!!, I mumbled leaning my head against the couch defeatedly.

I opened my eyes hearing a clinking sound of glass against the tea-table kept infront of me.

I furrowed my eyes in confusion seeing a small tea-cup sized glass of water placed on it.

I took it in my hands examining the small glass that is suitable for kids to drink water.

Does she think I am a child ?

I shook my head in displeasure at my bestfriend. This girl sometimes acts out of her age.

I sighed, gulping down the water in one go.

Even a child cannot quench its thirst by this glass of water.

"Common now, dinner is ready. You are not eating on time from the day Nana passed away. I don't want the old-lady to haunt me in my dreams, for not taking care of her sweet grand
daughter", she taunted.

I laughed at that. I'm sure Nana would have nagged the life out of me, if I ever dared to skip a meal.

"Who kept this glass here?", she asked her eyes crinkling in confusion eyeing the water glass she gave me before , as she placed the dinner on the table.

"I should question you about it. Do I look like a kid to you, to drink in those tiny glasses?", I berated her.

"What? No!! I didn't give you that", she pointed towards the empty glass. "Infact I didn't come out of kitchen itself", she dead-panned.

What? Is she implying the glass walked on its own till here

"Yeah, I believe you", I rolled my eyes, having the delicious dinner.

This girl can be crazy sometimes. But neverthless she is the only closest one I'm left with, whom I can call a family.

"Ok. I'm full now. Let me gather my things up, it's already very late", she said packing her belongings.

"Ok. When will you back?", I asked, as i knew that she was going out of town.

"I don't know. Maybe it takes around 15 days or more than that", she grumbled in annoyance.

"You can never be sure working as a journalist. On top of that my boss is an asshole, always requesting me to accompany him", she muttered.

"Why? he is such a nice guy!", I asked in confusion.

"Nice my ass. He thinks I'm his tail, that needs to follow him everywhere", she said clearly pissed.

Oh! Now that's interesting. I smell something here.

"Anyway , where are you guys going?", I asked curiously.

"Mahabaleshwar", she mumbled.

At the same time I heard a faint gasp near me.

"Mahabaleshwar", an interesting name.

"Ok, I will call you regularly. Please take care of your health", she said hugging me.

"Everything will get better Vi, it takes some time, but you will soon get over your loss", she said patting my back as I hugged her back.

"Ok, now bye....bye", she said in a sing song manner before moving out as I closed the door behind her.

I exhaled heavily, in the quiet home. Again loneliness started creeping my head.

"No..... no..... Don't go there", I shook my head trying to think of the workload I have in my hands. That's how I'm coping with this loneliness from a month.

Nearly, an hour has passed sitting infront of my laptop and going through huge files full of client's information

My mind suddenly drifted back to the cute-princess I saw today in my village. Her pretty little golden brown eyes that were staring at me curiously.

I couldn't erase that sad & dejected look that she had on her face while staring at the other children. Her adorable smile as she tried to pronounce lawyer & the mischievous look that she gave me at last. I was feeling like she was around me the entire day, even when I was in the office.

I sighed. Why I'm thinking about her now. She might be happily playing with her parents now.

"Where did I keep my marker?", I mumbled searching for it.

"Damn, I forgot it in my study". I muttered under my breath, continuing the work, as I felt too lazy to fetch it now.

After few minutes, a heard a light tap on my desk & sensed a silhouette moving from the corner of my eyes.

I lifted my face slightly, to see around but no one were there.

Why am I feeling like this today?

Maybe my mind Is completely exhausted from the day's work .

I sighed and diverted my eyes towards the papers, but something caught my eyes.

"I.....Is...Is that my marker?", I mumbled with astonishment, picking it up to confirm it physically.

"How did it come here? I'm sure it was not there earlier", I thought still not able to believe my own eyes.

Did I finally lose my eye-sight too?

'Maybe a good night's sleep will help me to overcome this exhaustion', I thought closing my laptop and files deciding to go for a bed.

As I stood up from my chair, gathering my files to place them in a study, I literally saw a small frame running away & hiding behind the couch.

My eyes widened alarmingly realizing there is someone here. I placed the files back on the desk & took careful steps towards the couch as my heart-rate increased against my chest.

Who could this be?

I stood infront of the couch silently, trying not to alert the little thief.

A few seconds passed but there was no result, but I saw the red-garment , that seemed little too familiar.

I straightened my back crossing my arms, as I saw the little head that was coming out from behind the hideout.

Yes,common. I'm waiting.

Thinking that there was nobody around, the little thief suddenly stood up, lifting her small frame with a bright smile on her radiant face.

But it soon vanished into cute-frown as she saw me standing before her with my hands crossed.

"You? What are you doing in my home?"

"Wait a second, how did you enter inside?", I asked with utter disbelief .

Next Update-2:11:2023...😁

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