Karan was a doctor & stayed alone at Nainital for his profession. He had been working in a huge private hospital & recently opened his own clinic. It was Wednesday; the day to visit St. Joseph school. Karan loved his work extremely. His parents weren’t happy with his decision of shifting all the way to Nainital. Initially, he thought he would come only for some experience. But he fell in love with this place. Not only did he grow in his profession, he discovered himself. He discovered life. He then decided to stay back in this place.

‘Good morning, Mrs. Mathur! How are you??!!’, exclaimed Karan on reaching the Principal’s cabin.

“Karan young man. So nice to see you again. I am fine, thank you. so you are here to check up our little ones. Come, I will intoduce you to Tara’, reciprocated Mrs. Mathur.

‘Tara? Someone new?’, asked Karan.

‘Yes. She has joined us recently in our Play school.’ Mrs. Mathur called through the intercom for Tara.

‘Come, Tara. Meet Dr. Karan’, Mrs. Mathur beckoned Tara as she arrived at her cabin door.

Karan turned to face Tara. Karan was captivated by her looks. Tara was dressed in a plain black sari. No make-up or jewellery. Her long hair was tied in a braid. She look so innocent, yet so calm. Can anyone be prettier than her? She is an angel!!

‘So, Tara. Nice to meet you’, Karan tried to strike a conversation, as Tara led him to the play school. ‘Where are you from?’

‘This way please’ was all Tara said.

Karan was taken aback & stopped walking. Tara kept on walking. That calm face. Was there a storm of emotions beneath? I just have to uncover this mystery.

Throughout the check up, Karan kept on glancing at Tara. But she showed no interest in him. She was totally engrossed in her work and the kids. At times when Karan met Tara’s eyes, he smiled back, but Tara showed no signs of recognition.

‘All children covered, I hope’, Karan asked while departing.

‘Yes, thank you’, answered Tara.

Karan silently looked at her. Tara looked back at him straight in his eye, not flinching a bit.

What’s in these eyes? Pain? Questions? Hope? Fear? I'm going to find out

‘You know what, you are a mystery. I wont rest till I discover you’, Karan confronted her. He winked at her & left.

Tara stared at his diminishing figure without blinking. Slowly, she turned back to her work & forgot all about Karan.

That night, Karan couldn’t sleep. In fact, he had been restless the whole day. Thinking about Tara. He went through a mix of emotions.  Happiness. Anxiety.

Next day, he again walked into St. Joseph School. He found Tara walking towards the school main building carrying a huge pile of books & a few toys. The straps of her purse kept falling off her shoulder. Her dupatta was traling on the ground behind her. She looked helplessly at her dupatta but couldn’t do anything.

Karan ran upto her, elated to see her.

‘Aah. Let me help you’, Karan started picking up the toys.

‘No. Its okay, really. I can carry’, insisted Tara.

‘Are you sure? I mean, I can carry half the load’

‘I said its okay’.

Karan stopped insisting.

‘Ok, if you wish. So you are free now. Tiny tots gone home?’

‘Obviously’

‘Where are you from?’

‘Calcutta’.

‘So how come Calcutta to Nainital?’

Tara remained silent as if she hadn’t heard Karan. And kept on walking as if Karan was not with her.

Karan was mystified. And felt a little annoyance. Why the hell is she so unfriendly?

He went to meet Mr. Mathur.

‘I had an interaction with that new teacher, Tara the other day. Don’t you think she’s weird. I mean, she’s so withdrawn and aloof!’

‘Tara. Sad story, that girl has. How else do you expect her to be? After losing her husband after just 1 year of marriage?’

Karan was shaken. That angel, a widow?

‘But she is a strong girl. Or atleast, trying to be. Fighting it out all alone. It isn’t easy for a single woman to manage alone in this world. That too after going through such a big trauma. And you know how high such people’s self respect is. They hate to see sympathy from others. Hence, though I’ve told you, make sure you don’t show it to her. We must support her’

Karan’s heart went out to her. No wonder, she never takes help from me. How did I expect her to even talk to me?

I will bring back her smile. I will fill her life with colours again.

(To be continued..)