The story starts with the telephonic conversation between our protagonist Poonam and her boyfriend. He was arguing with her to go to Rajasthan trip. She insisted him to not to go with his friends as they always try to avoid him.

The father saw her daughter stressed. So he suggested her to visit Lucknow. And also bring the college degree from the University. He knows that this girl won't step out unless there is official or academic purpose.

Next day she called him and said,"I also want to join you on a trip to Lucknow".
He: But we are not going there.
She: You can drop me in the midway. I know you are planning to take the same route.

On the trip day everybody was there. When Poonam arrived she saw her boyfriend on a bike. His friends were making the excuses that there is no space for him in their van. She wasn't surprised. She was familiar with their behaviour. They started the journey together but soon separated.

Her boyfriend took all the frustration on her. He speed up. With the wind her dupatta got stucked under their legs. She tapped his shoulder to slow down the speed. But he wasn't listening at all. With every speed breaker she was slipping down towards him. Making her most uncomfortable at that situation.

After riding for almost 3 hours they took a shelter near roadside restaurant. She was sitting on a table alone, while he was busy calling his friends who were not even picking up his calls. Soon a girl sat infront of her. With the time they began talking with knowing each other's name. She was scolding him for making such selfish friends. Slowly slowly she disclosed almost everything in front of that stranger. Soon he called her. She stood up and asked, " By the way what your name?" ( Swalaya) before she could hear the name, her boyfriend had already pulled her towards his bike.

On the bridge he again stopped his bike at a traffic jam. They stepped out of the bike to take a breathe. But now she didn't want to join him on the journey. Sitting with him anymore would make her suffocate. She denied to go with him. In his rage he pulled her arm, but someone pushed him aside. A man dressed in formals asked her what you want to do with this man. Poonam was gazing the shallow river water. Without thinking she said," Throw him and his bike in this river." Next moment she heard a splashing sound. When she realised what has happened, she burst into laughter. That moment she realised their relationship was only one sided.

The man saw her face then avoided the eye contact. Maybe he couldn't control his blush over his cheeks. She took a cab for the university. It took few hours but the work was completely. Now she still has 6 days left for her vacation. But where should she go, she was totally clueless. By the time it was evening. She went towards the bus station. But she was tired. She decided to take a rest near a tree. As soon as she approached the tree she saw a man wearing a jacket, sitting on platform which was made around the tree. In India you can easily see these kinds of platforms specially around the banayan trees. He was holding his wrist with another hand with his head down facing towards the earth. Although she usually is afraid of strangers but anyhow she asked," what happened?"
He said, " Got injured on the palm."
She opened her bag and took out the first aid kit. She bandaged the wound. The whole time he didn't raised his head. She tapped on his shoulder and said, " If you are in pain then cry, noone gonna care what we do." Then she left the place. He raised his head and saw her going.

Someone opened the car door and tapped on Poonam's shoulder," Hey, I am new here. Can you tell me something." She grabbed her hands and pulled her inside the car. "I am Swalaya.", she introduced herself to Poonam.
Poonam told everything about what happened after she left. She was relieved. Swalaya offered to visit her home for few days. "There you can spend rest of the vacation.", she added. But before that she wanted to go home.
Both the girls arrived Poonam 's home at almost 10 pm. Her father welcomed Swalaya as his own daughter. Next day they stayed in that house. Later they started their journey towards Swalaya's house. Both the girls along with the driver enjoying the ride.

Poonam stretched her limbs after waking from a nap. While rotating her neck she found someone was sleeping in the backseat.
Poonam: Hey who is that man?
Swalaya: Oh! He is my brother. He just joined us when you were taking a nap. Let him sleep some more.

They arrived home. After resting for a while Poonam started roaming around. There was a huge veranda. Swalaya told her most of the time people don't visit the home. Poonam started singing and dancing like a child in the veranda while Swalaya was watching her from the balcony. Soon she heard the sound of a few ladies. Poonam ran towards a room to hide herself from embarrassment.

Later Swalaya introduced her new friends to her mother. Swalaya's mother pointed out,"So you are Poonam?"
Poonam: "How do you know?"
Mother: "Full moon cannot be kept hidden by the world."



© Amitra