A Beautiful Encounter (Completed) [✓]

The Beautiful Encounter

Vacation had just began and Jeni was heading home. She missed Grannies hand made cookies and mom's special blueberry muffins. But her face faded as Grannies's thoughts started bubbling. It was in the last summer break she lost her granny. Her last wish was just to find Grandpa and apologize for taking away his love from him. Jeni was determined to find Grandpa this time. Then only she would be able to fullfil her dear Grannies's wish, last wish. With all these thoughts in mind, she boarded the bus.
But the bus started its journey only after half an hour.

The bus passed through heavy traffic and busy streets after about one hour they entered the quite town by the time it reached the stop it was late. Her mom had called her to ask if she was alright and she had assured her mom that she was good and she'd walk if there were no cabs.

She looked at the time, it was about 10:30pm and it was already dark. Jeni decided to call a cab since there were none on the road.
By the time she found the number her phone died and she was left with no option but walk. It would take about 15-20 minutes to reach her home by walking.

As Jeni proceeded she saw men who were returning from work staring at her. Jeni was very nervous to walk at that hour of time. All the horror novels and films she'd seen came to her mind. She tried to keep herself calm and walked forward. She saw two shadows behind her but didn't dare turn her head back.
She increased her pace and all of a sudden she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Who could it be one of the men who were following? Some stranger? She began sweat and shiver vigorously.

"Child.." the voice was from behind. She turned to  find an old man wearing a security uniform. He continued "Where are you off to at this hour? You must know this street isn't safe.."

"I...I'm going tt..to..mm..my..HH..home" Jeni stammered. " Oh well my home is this way I'll join you it's way better than you go alone." He said.

Jeni simply nodded and smiled back. On the way she enquired about his family and whereabouts. He said her that his wife left him taking his only daughter away from him and didn't know where they are. It had been around 15 years after the incident. She could sense how much he missed his family. He said he had been working as a security guard, moving from cities to cities hoping to find them anywhere.

She let out a sigh and tried to give him confidence. By this time they'd reached Jeni's little home. She invited the old man for a coffee since he accompanied her and let her fears disappear. He said " No". But when Jeni insisted he couldn't resist.

He went with her inside her mom asked "Who is this person?".
She explained all that'd happened on her way back and her mom was happy she was in safe hands.

She looked at the man and said " Please haveee..." She stuttered and tears went pouring down her cheeks. The old man didn't get what was wrong and he seemed confused. Jeni asked her mom "Mumma what's gotten into you? What's wrong Mumma?"
She hugged the old man tightly, and said " Where have you been all these years Paappii ??"

The old man who was confused at first, now hugged her back and said "Winniee..I was searching for you..why did it take so long?..oh God."

Jeni couldn't believe her eyes. This was the same person to whom Grannie wanted to apologize and this was the same person whom she had to find this vacation. He is standing right in front of her. She ran to him and joined the hug.

Jeni..a girl who was going to have a dreadful summer vacation to be spent at her home with just her mother as her father, who was  in a different country as he had some serious business there now got her Grandpa. Now instead of having an adventure to find him, she can go on an adventure with him.