A few steps closer Part II

She stood there taking in nature's beauty at its finest. Surrounded by various types of trees and plants, the house stood tall like a warrior. She smiled at the idea of trees and plants as an entourage. A beautiful house, away from all the evils of city.

A middle aged woman approached her. She had fierce eyes; but a sweet smile. She wore a sari that was put on very roughly. She was very attractive though. She asked her if she needed help. The woman looked at her and asked where she comes from. She filled her in about her friendship with him and her surprise visit to him. The middle aged woman smiled and told her that he was in his room. The woman took a step back and told her than she will show her to his room. She asked, "how do I look?" The woman retorted genuinely "As beautiful as a rose." She smiled. This was the moment. The moment that she'd been waiting for 4 years. She had planned her every move on seeing him: hugging, a kiss on the cheek, giving him the present, etc.

She took the first step in to the house. She smiled at the older ladies sitting around as she followed the woman. If she'd thought that the house was big, she was definitely wrong. It was enormous. She was dazzled by the rare antique collectibles and furnitures in the living room. She climbed the stairs and was escorted to a locked room at the end of the hallway. The woman looked at her. She hesitated a moment as she saw the woman's hands on the door knob. She touched her hands and requested ''may I?''. The woman smiled. She told her that she'd be downstairs; patted her shoulders and left.

That was it. Her hands were sweating. She kind of smiled at the realization that her body is trembling. A man who'd made a difference in her life. A man who's been an inspiration to her. A man who she could confide in. A man she's fallen in love with. He's less than 10 feet away. Then she heard a voice..a feeble voice..

"Aunty. Is that you? Come inside."

She squeezed her eyes shut and slowly opened the door holding on to his present. She opened her eyes and almost yelled out 'SURPRISE'...................


Has that woman fooled her? She was clearly in the wrong place. It was a big room with lots of books and a computer. On the bed that's next to the window was lying a man bundled up in bed sheets. Next to the bed was a wheel chair.

She reluctantly approached the bed. Of course it wasn't him. The man's head was bald. Surely, the similarities were striking. This man looked about 20 years older than him. His face was thin. His sparkling eyes filled with surprise and awe.

Before she could produce a sound, he called her name.

The next sound was the shattering of glass. The present for him. A snow globe. The whole room was spinning. Before she knew that she was falling, her head hit the ground.