Kismat Connection✓

Meeting someone

Riddhima took a cab from airport and drove towards her apartment. Being called by the hospital here, she was given a flat by the hospital authority itself in a building called 'Riva Groups'. Car was moving in its pace, while her eyes were traveling everywhere, taking a glimpse of this city. She excitedly looked out and cherished every moment with a mental note to describe everything in detail to her family. As she was glancing, she saw a huge temple.

"Bhaiya, please stop the car.", Riddhima spoke to the driver. Driver did as said and Riddhima came out of the car.

Glancing at the huge temple from the stairs, she bent and touched the foremost step, taking blessing from the foot of the temple. She walked inside and prayed. First day in Mumbai and she inside temple! She was delighted like anything.

After finishing her prayers and thanking god for nth times she started walking towards the car, when she saw a lady near stairs, almost ready to kiss the floor. She rushed and ran towards her. Grabbing her hand, she caught her in time.

"Are you fine, aunty?", She asked while panting.

"Oh yes beta, thank you so much.", The lady answered.

Riddhima smiled and returned to the cab.

After finally reaching her apartment, she hurriedly scanned it and found it to be very big and spacious for just one person. But who was she to argue? Thinking this, she quickly freshened up and got ready for meeting the dean.

Suddenly her phone rang.

"Hello.. Dr Riddhima speaking?", caller asked.

"Umm Yes.", she said.

"Good morning Mam. I called to inform you that your meeting with dean is delayed due to a sudden work. Thank you. Hope you are well here.", caller said and disconnected the call.

Riddhima sighed and stretched her arms. Hush! At least she can breathe for sometime. With her meeting postponed, she had enough time to glance the house and thus again started inspecting the apartment.

When she reached balcony, she heard some giggling voices of kids. Out of curiosity she looked outside and saw some kids playing together in the garden below. The garden gave her calmness. Moreover, she felt like she need to go there..as if someone is waiting for ages, for her there.

With restlessness and anxiety accompanying her, she reached the garden arena and breathed some fresh air.

She watched the kids playing, when suddenly her eyes by own traveled to a girl among them, giggling, shouting and bossing them. She instantly felt like she knew the girl. After constantly watching her for five long minutes, she was going to call her when suddenly she saw her falling over a little stone and hurting her knee.

"Ma!", the girl whispered out of reflex, and Riddhima's heart suddenly felt connected. She rushed and helped her stand.

Don't know why, but seeing this little one injured brought some tears in her eyes.

"Are you fine? Is this hurting?", She asked her out of concern.

The girl stared her with her big doe shaped eyes. They stayed at that position for three long minutes, when Riddhima repeated herself.

Little girl just shook her head watching Riddhima. Riddhima looked at her injured knee, which was still bleeding and the doctor in her awoke.

"Look child, you need dressing. Come I will do it.", She immediately told her and took her hand in hers.

Surreal, peace, tranquility, that's what she felt when her hands touched the little ones. She felt like it was destined, like she was always supposed to hold her. She again looked at her face and stared her.

But suddenly, the little girl jerked her hand. Riddhima suddenly felt emptiness.

"I cannot go with a stranger.", She said.

"Oh. Then let me introduce myself. Hi, I am Dr Riddhima. Who are you?", She bent to her level and said.

"Dr Ma..Dr what?", the little girl asked with confusion.

"Dr Riddhima.", She spoke again, though she loved listening 'Dr Ma' from her mouth.

"Dr Ma...Ah.. your name is..", The little girl spoke with despair.

"Oh no worries. Call me Dr Ma.", she spoke her desire.

"Okay. I am Riva.", Girl said.

"Riva", Riddhima whispered again and thought how beautiful the name sounds from her mouth.

"Okay, since now you know me, so will you come with me now?", Riddhima asked.

"Umm..", Riva placed her index finger on her chubby cheeks and started thinking. Riddhima admired her antiques.

"Are we friends?", Riva asked suddenly out of nowhere.

"Of course we are.", Riddhima answered.

"Okay then! Let's go.", Riva said and placed her hand in hers. Riddhima didn't know what happened suddenly. All she knew was, she needed this little girl's hand in hers like this, forever.

They both reached to her flat when Riddhima's face fell. She was horrified as she witnessed the scene in front. Door opened, and floor covered with muddy footprints of big giant foot. How is this possible? She herself has locked the door? Was a burglar inside? Is she going to get robbed on her first day itself? With all the negative thoughts entering her mind she forwarded a step ahead.

She was scared since she had a little kid with her too. So for safety, she picked up a vase from near table, just in case of emergency. Little Riva was confused with her behavior but didn't spoke anything.

As she sneaked inside her house, with Riva trailing beside her, she saw a huge shadow beside her. Horrified to the core, she screamed and threw the vase on the shadow. The vase broke into pieces and now she could feel some shallow breaths falling on her nape.