Sujata checked the time yet again, yes it was time for her to leave, Sunaina’s three children were peacefully sleeping unaware of her plans.

She pondered yet again whether she should wake up the eldest and tell her about her trip but then decided against it. The Ayah would do the needful and also keep an eye on them till she returned.

Decision made, she moved with quick strides to the side gate of the bungalow where a taxi awaited her. The drive to the airport and the flight went in a haze and later she couldn’t remember much of it. It was as if some other forces were driving her.

She woke up once the Delhi taxi had begun climbing up the ranges of the Himalayan foothills. A dull chill caught her unawares as she scrambled for a shawl. She pictured Deeksha’s happiness yet again on unexpectedly seeing her mom and wondered what her daughter would have to say about her plans.

The taxi reached the town sometime after nine. Almost midnight by hill standards she felt. She chose a modest hotel for her stay and registered under her maiden name.

She spent the night fully dressed on a rocking chair, while the single bed stayed untouched. And waited for dawn to arrive.

The first rays of the morning sun found Sujata up and raring to go. She didn’t wait for the hotel staff to open the main doors and slipped out through the service entry taking the early vendors by surprise.

Face covered with a shawl she started walking towards the school. As she drew near her steps became cautious and she identified the man from the detective agency.

He was reading a newspaper ostensibly. However, a closer look showed that his eyes were constantly keeping track of another figure ahead of him who was walking in circles close to the school gate with his head bent down as if in great agitation.

Sujata walked past the man with the newspaper and approached the circling no-gooder. He looked up startled when she stopped in front of him. The man looked up hostilely ready for his bluff, and then as Sujata took off her shawl, his expression changed – from one of surprise to a knowing look. Out of the corner of her eye, Sujata saw the newspaperman begin to draw his weapon from his gun holster while rapidly walking towards them. She shook her head and gestured to him to desist and continued her exchange with the man, now no longer a stranger.

Later when she related all this to Amit, she felt like she was rushing through the parts of a film that she had just seen and was merely narrating it as though it had happened to other people far removed.

Amit had a hard time believing that the man stalking their daughter, was actually Sujata’s guru’s son. He had been following Deeksha because his father on his deathbed had entrusted him with the task of asking for her forgiveness on his behalf.

Sujata had listened to him patiently and finally told him that she forgave the guru on behalf of her daughter, and this would have to suffice for now and forever. The young man too seemed relieved that his onerous duty was finally over.

Sujata had returned home with her daughter resolving to never let her be far away from her again.