"The wound is the place where the light enters you."
      

                 :SIX MONTHS LATER:

Anushka got up and folded her yoga mat. Rolling it in the shape of a pipe, she tucked it in a corner. The guided meditations had been immensely beneficial, slowly she could feel the crippling anxiety easing away leaving behind a girl rejuvenated and refurbished. Sometimes, she laughed at her older self.

How naïve human beings are!

It took life altering situations to come to that realisation. She smiled at herself, her past follies, at her ego, as a famous quote hovered over her head.

“If you think you are big, you become small. If you know you are nothing, you become unlimited. That’s the beauty  of being a human being.”

Yes, she understood that alright, but it's astonishing how ignorant we remain and how much we adore dwelling in that ignorance, that idiocy until life decides to thrash us left and right! It is quite striking to observe how much of our desires are ours and how much we have picked up from the surroundings.

When Anushka left Grouchy Gourmet to focus more on her well-being, she promised to her audience and herself to jump back: bigger, brighter and better. She might have committed mistakes in the past, but what of a human being without fallacies?

Isn’t life all about learning?

These past few months had been holistic and therapeutic, focussed more on herself than the world outside, and the lessons learnt, she knew were of a lifetime. We all make mistakes, the problem lies in admitting and correcting them, for the temporary peace that dismissal showers us with is more tempting and offers refuge from the turmoil addressal entails.

She watered the plants in the balcony whose scorched and shrivelled leaves bore a sharp testimony of raging Summer. A heat wave was on, the blazing May morning was an obvious proof. The cotton T-shirt stuck to her back due to the dampness was bothersome, and few stray away tendrils clung to her neck with arduous affection where minute drops of sweat took refuge. Just a few hours later, she would have to be at an office. She wasn’t sure whether it would be a futile effort, but she wouldn’t back out without giving a try.

Inner reflection and evaluation is the most important thing and Anushka was happy to have done that these days. When anger, pain and misery corrodes you, it’s better to look within than search outside. She intended to use her platform for the greater good, enough of trying to fit in.

She smiled, tucked a big strand of curly hair behind her ears, wiped the perspiration off her forehead by the side of her wrists and looked at a framed photo sitting on top of the headboard where in bold prints these words were typed: Engage, Enlighten and Encourage..and specially Just Be Yourself.

“Social Media is about people, not about our business. If we provide for the people, the people will provide for us..” she had said to her mother over the phone days back.

“But, will your audience stay with you on this? Are you sure what you’re thinking about, Anu?” her mother had expressed deep doubt and concern.

Was she sure about the initiative? Could it be an ineffectual venture? Yes, it very well could be.

But, I’ll trudge forward nonetheless.

 
                           .    *******

Hours later, she was draped in a checked white and black handloom cotton saree with a black lace detailing, a customisation. An off white sling bag with rustic accents hung from her shoulders, it matched the stylish yet modest approach of the six yards. The chic factor was multiplied by a Rayban( sunglasses).

She had done an extensive research the past two weeks about the whys and hows of what she was getting herself into, and the cause was legit. She honestly stood by the vision of shifting momentum from the disposable to the sustainable. Global consumption of synthetic fibres is on the rise and it impacts not only the environment but also people’s health. The company created a platform for connecting weaver products directly to the market through their website. As an ex-influencer with considerable reach, Anushka would propose filming the empowerment of rural and tribal men/women which was in turn solidifying a thriving base for impoverished communities.

I can even offer advertising their merchandise.

But, more than anything, it was the apprehension that was fogging her thoughts. No matter how much she supported the cause, irrespective of her uncorrupted interest, a presentiment of everything falling to pieces tightened her abdomen. She licked her dry lips and combating it with an air of confidence, took small steps towards the building.

Will he accept the offer?

May be not..may be, yes?

The assistant agreed to fix an appointment, he must have given permission, right?

I did tell my name..

She sighed.

The unease had snowballed into strong discomfort and if given more thoughts, she could well go back, promising to never return again. She blamed herself once, then reasoned for the otherwise the next. A receptionist directed her towards the room and just before knocking, Anushka stopped her.
“I will manage..” she smiled.

“Are you sure, mam?” the woman asked.

Anushka reassured with an insignificant nod.

After years..after years she would be facing him, if the brief altercation at the tea party could be ignored. It was an accidental encounter, afterall! Anushka took a long breath, balled her hands into fists. It would take monumental courage to knock, she surmised. But she would go ahead, it was all about breaking limitations.

Yes, she was at the office of Original Weave. And the name plate in front spelled in bold, bronzed writing the person she was to meet, Mr Ronit Sen...

  
                            :THE END:

"With the beginning of a great and compassionate love, comes the growth of one's heart, and with that, a profound inner change. The way to opening the mind is often first through the heart. And when the mind and heart are open, so many things become possible."

                      .     ****|||****

 AN:

So, did you like how the story unfolded? It was my first attempt at short story, so please provide your feedback inline.

Do vote and comment, it gives me an instant boost.

                   :ANNOUNCEMENT:

in line with this story, another story is coming up. You must have come across three other characters: Sarai, Mr Mehta and Mr Mehta's wife. The next one will revolve around this trio and obviously the enigmatic Ronit Sen.

Thanks again for your phenomenal support. It was you and you people all along. Thank you.