Daya followed Abhi inside Abhi's room. Daya saw Abhi leaning on the window sill looking at the sky. Daya smiled to himself. Daya knew exactly what Abhi was doing….

Tarika was working in orphanage in weekends and she stayed there in weekends. On one such week end Abhi and Daya went to meet her. Mainly because Abhi wanted to see the orphanage, because Tarika was inviting him for over two months and to meet Tarika.

Abhi and Daya where guided to a room by the receptionist. When Abhi and Daya knocked the door they heard a feeble yes. They entered and saw Tarika was lying on sofa and a small girl of 5 years was sleeping on her. Seeing them she tried to get up. But Abhi signaled her to lie down. She picked the child and laid her on her bed. She saw the time in her watch.

Abhi: I am sorry Tarika we had to come at this time.

Tarika: its Ok name is SHRI. She joined today only. Her mother died today only and her drunkard father left her here. She doesn't know about her mother's death.

All three saw the sleeping beauty with love and pity.

Tarika: Aap logoney kuch khaya kya?

Daya nodded no and Abhi yes. Tarika saw them and smiled.

Tarika: Ek minute I will get something for you two to eat. And mean times please take care of her.

Both of them nodded. Tarika walked away.

Abhi: Tum bi na Daya: Hum yahaan kya khaney ayehain kya?

Daya: Patha hai. Tum Tarika ko dhekheney aye ho aur ussey dhekh kar sab bhul jhaathey ho. Magar mujhe tho bhoog lagi hai yaar.

Abhi: DAYA…

Daya(indicating the girl): Shhhshh…

Both kept quiet. After sometime..

Daya: Ek minute Abhi I will use washroom and come.

Abhi lay on the sofa and the very minute dozed off due to heavy work . After few seconds

Abhi was awoken up by a loud…. "MAMMA!"

Puzzled Abhi looked here and there…. He was first confused about where he was…. Then he remembered…. He was in the orphanage…. SRI!

He immediately looked towards the bed and saw that Sri was awake crying…. Hurriedly he switched on the light and went to her….

Abhi : (Sitting beside Sri) Sri! Kya hua?

Sri: (Crying) Ma… Mamma…. Mujhe... Ma... Mamma... chahiye!

Abhi: Ma… Mamma! Is waqt? Kya hua Sri? Koi bura sapna dekha kya?

Saying he hugged her, but Sri started crying more uncontrollably...

Abhi: Sri please…. Rona mat…. Mamma ab kaise aa sakti hai? Time bahut ho gaya hai... Dekha raat ke ek baje hain beta...

Sri: Nai… Mujhe Mamma chahiye!

Saying Sri got down from the bed and ran off to a corner and sat there hugging her knees and cried…. Abhi tried to stop her from crying... But whatever he did Sri didn't even look up at him...

He became worried and thought of calling up Daya…. And Sri's cries were becoming uncontrollable….

Later when he thought of the incident, he was surprised as to why his fingers dialed Tarika's number instead of Daya…. He hadn't even thought about calling her…. But his fingers did, it seems!

However love and affection and dearness a man shows to a child… It searches for the care of a woman…. Something in every woman reminds it of its mother…. The touch…. The feel in itself was different…. Even if a woman wasn't a mother... The mother hood was always there!

Maybe Abhi knew this sub consciously because of which he dialed Tarika's number!

In her room in orphanage….

Tarika had just changed from her Salwar to a satin night gown…. She finished ordering food for them when her cell buzzed…. She was just tying up her hair, when she looked at the mobile on her table and was surprised to see it was Abhi 's number!

Tarika: Hello!

…..

Tarika: Oh! Main bhi aayi!

Saying Tarika cut the call and hurried over to Sri's room…. She forgot to pull on her night gown's top…. When Tarika came down the stairs she saw Abhi pacing outside Sri's room worried….

Tarika: (Hurrying towards him) Kya hua?

Abhi: Pata nahi… Achanak Mamma chillati hui uth gayi aur rona shuru kar diya...

Tarika: Shayad koi bura sapna dekha hoga usne…. Bas...

Abhi: (Interrupting) Oh! Maine use sambhaalne ki bahut koshish ki naa… Lekin pata nahi…. Ek kone me baithke Mamma Mamma karti ro rahi hai!

Tarika nodded and hurried inside... Abhi stood out for a moment and then followed her in…. But stood near the door! Mean time Daya too came and stood near Abhi.

Tarika went inside and stood near the door for a moment…. She saw Sri in a corner, head in between her knees crying… She slowly went over to her taking care not to startle her…. She sat down beside her and called out softly….

Tarika: Sri!

Sri shrunk back further indicating she didn't want to talk to anyone…..

Tarika: (Softly) Sri beta! Main... Tarika aunty... Aap humse baat nai karogi?

Sri: Nai… Mujhe Mamma chahiye…. (Sniffing)

Tarika: Mamma! Theek hai… Mamma aa jayengi... Unhe phone kar diya hai... Lekin Mamma ko ghar se yahan aane me der lagegi naa…. Tab tak aap aunty ko bataiye kya baat hai!

Sri didn't answer anything... Tarika waited besides her... Making her sense that she was still there…. After quiet a long time still crying Sri looked up to see Tarika sitting in front of her…. Immediately Sri got up and hugging Sri cried even more….

Without speaking anything Tarika let Sri cry but just stroked her hair…. After much time Sri's cry decreased…. In the process Tarika's hand touched Sri's arms she got concerned… Because Sri had slight fever….

Sri: Aunty! Mujhe… (Sniff) Mujhe… (Hic) Dar lag…

Tarika: (Rocking lightly) Dar? Sri ne koi bura sapna dekha?

Sri nodded on Tarika's shoulder which Tarika felt….

Tarika parted from Sri and made her sit on her lap… Then wiping her tears smiled and said….

Tarika: Bas itna! Aapko yaad hai aapne kya dekha?

Sri looked fearful and thoughtful and then shook her head...

Tarika: Dekha…. Bad dream…. Chala gaya…. Ye bad dream hai naa…. Sabko darata hai…. Mujhe bhi darata hai… Bad dreams isliye bad hain…. Lekin Sri brave hai naa…. Sri ko to dar nahi lagega….

Sri looked at her still upset…. Smiling Tarika said….

Tarika: Main aapko ek magic dikhaoon?

Sri's eyes immediately lit as she looked expectantly at Tarika who said….

Tarika: Aur jab bhi aapko dar lage to us magic ko aap bhi kar sakte ho…. Ok?

As Sri nodded…

Tarika: Usse pehle aapko ye khana hoga….

Saying Tarika carried her to the bed…. She took a tablet and told Sri to open her mouth…. As Sri looked at the tablet hating it, Tarika said….

Tarika: Aap khaoge to magic jaldi dikaoongi… Warna late ho jayega….

Immediately Sri opened her mouth and Tarika gave her the medicine and water….

Tarika: (Closing Sri's eyes) Ab aap apne eyes close karo…

Tarika then lifted Sri hugging her from front…. She then went over to the window and opened it…. A soft breeze blew in automatically making Sri smiled a little as she felt the chill breeze on her face….

Tarika: Ab aap upar ki taraf sir uthao!

Sri did so… And slowly Tarika moved her hand off Sri's eyes…. She looked on surprised and awed by the sight in front of her… Top of her… So many tiny stars twinkling…. And the moon was a good half moon suspended in the air….

Tarika: Ab aap main jo kehti hoon vo sunengi…. Theek?

Sri nodded….Tarika then sat down on the window sill which was a little broader…. One leg on the ground… She then turned Sri and made her sit on her lap and caught her from both sides…. She made Sri rest her head on her and she started in a soft, very soft velvety voice….

Tarika: (Rocking Sri slowly) Dekho…. Uuupar dekho... Itne saare stars aur vo big white moon... Moon uncle kitne achche lag rahe hain…. Are dekho… Wahan upar… Moon uncle me ek Angel! Bilkul aap jaisi baithi hai…. Dekha upar se aapse haath hila rahi hai…. Aap bhi hilayiye….

Saying Tarika raised Sri's hands and waved once and moved her hands over Sri's eyes and closed them again….

Tarika: Angel kitni cute hai, hai naa? (She felt Sri nod against her) Chalo ab hum upar chalte hain…. Dekho…. Dekho... Moon uncle bhi uth gaye… Dekha full white dress me, hat bhi white hai unki… Are hand me ek white walking stick bhi hai…. Dekha Moon Uncle aap se haath mila rahe hain…. Angel aapko kuch de rahi hai! Kya hai vo? It's a star…. White star! Wow…. Hmm…. Doosre color stars collect karein? (The nod was lighter than before) Haan… Dekho Angel star tree se aapke liye pink color…. Blue…. Wow…. Green…. Itne saare stars? Ek minute… Green star ko aapke hair me laga dete hain…. Sri is looking so beautiful... Angel bula rahi hai…. Sri ko dance karna achcha lagta hai? (Just one nod) To chalo…. Angel ko haath do…. (In real Sri raised her hand which Tarika caught and made light actions of dancing) Are Sri bahut achcha dance karti hai…. Are vo dekho… Moon Uncle ko ek star chase kar rahi hai…. Sri...

Tarika looked down lightly and saw that Sri had closed her eyes and she was smiling… She was in her starry wonderland…. She had slept... She tried to lift Sri but wondered how to turn her around without disturbing her sleep…. But before she could decide on anything Abhi came over and lightly carried Sri from Tarika's lap… He took her to the bed and laid her on it…

He started to get the blanket from the foot of the bed when Tarika also did the same…. Their hands touched…. They stopped for a moment and looked at each other…. Abhi moved away his hand and Tarika covered Sri… She kissed her on her cheek and Sri's smile widened…. Must have felt the Angel had kissed her!

Daya(thinking): Wow they look like a real family.

Abhi sat beside Sri looking at her making sure she was really asleep…. When he looked up Tarika was not there…. He looked around, gave Sri a glance and hurriedly left the room….

There was a soft yellow light on the corridor…. He saw her at wide window at the end of the corridor where she was standing, looking up at the sky…. He walked to her...

Abhi: Sorry and thanks!

Tarika: (Without looking at him) Kis liye?

Abhi: (He was looking at her) Sorry… Tumhari disturd karne ke liye… Thanks… Sri ko sambhaalne ke liye…. I really was scared seeing her cry that way!

Tarika: (Still looking up) Bachche hain... They have their mood swings... Aur dreams to unhe aati hi hai... Lekin sorry aur thanks ki koi zaroorat nahi hai…. Because Sri meri patient hai aur use sambhaalna mera kaam… In fact mujhe tumhe thanks kehena chahiye, mujhe yahan bulane ke liye!

Abhi didn't answer and just looked at her… The moon light lighting her face…. She was looking gorgeous in it…. Abhi found his heart go out to her… This moment he couldn't control his heart…. He remembered the way she handled Sri… And now she herself looked like an Angel….

Tarika: (Closing her eyes) Mujhe ye story meri friend ki maa sunati thi... When I was young and used to get scared… Aur baad me jab bhi dar lagta main khidki me khadi hoke aise upar dekhti… Aankhein band karke… That dream would flow in my mind… Aur mera saara dar door ho jaata….

Saying Tarika immediately turned to look at Abhi who was caught off guard…. Because he had moved so closer to her without him realizing…. And now their faces were inches away from each other…. Their hands were inches away on the window sill… Their eyes drowning into each other's… Their hands inched towards each other and entwined on the window sill…

He untied her hair which fell softly on her shoulders…. Her soft gaze bore into his heart... But….Wind blew Tarika's hair in between them… The irritation bought Abhi out of his reverie… Seeing Tarika so close he was stunned…. Immediately he slackened his grip. Both came into their senses and looked down without seeing each other face.

Abhi and Tarika (simultaneously): (Moving away from each other) I… I… Am sorry!

Daya smiled at the sweet memory he witnessed it standing outside the door without their notice.

Daya(to himself looking at Abhi): Abhi tumhe abi Tarika ka khone dar aagaya hai. Issiliye tum wo story yaad kar rahey ho. The story told by Tarika.

He then went to guest room in Abhi's home to take rest and dream about someone else.

Authors note: First I wrote Abhi's memories. Then you all wanted me to write Tarika's. That too I wrote but it didn't come out so well according to me. Then I thought why leave Daya. He too has so many fans, so thought of writing Daya's POV. Hope you like it. REVIEW.