Ahhh, the Submit Form comes through again, this time with a delightful little story. I don't know if the following is fictional or not, but it really doesn't matter -- the message is just as valid either way.

NAME: RANJIT SINHA ROY
From: HYDERABAD, INDIA

PRESENTING THE PAST

When I was a six-year-old boy, my father was posted at Guwahati, Assam (India). We had a neighbor, whose daughter of same age was my playmate. Her name was Aarti.

We were not going to school, had no work to do and played whole day, except while taking bath, having food and going to bed. She was my constant companion and we were inseparable.

Then one day her father was transferred to a distant town and we parted with tears. I felt miserable when their car vanished beyond the curve and I cried and cried whole day.

I refused to take food and with tear in eyes asked mother, when would Aarti come back. She tried to console, and asked me to take food. But when I went on asking her again and again, she said, if I had food and be a good boy, Aarti would return. After her assurance only, I took food. I believed my mother.

Days passed, years went by. I waited and waited, but Aarti never returned.

Many, many years after, I met a pretty young girl. Instantly I felt as though I knew her a long time. I asked her name and she said “Aarti”.

My mother was right. Aarti had returned.

Destiny. I wish more of us would trust it rather than holding on to those who are roadblocks to happiness. Open yourself up for pleasant surprises by doing what's healthy for you (have food and be a good person), seek wisdom (listen to your mom) and good things will happen (Aarti will return).

Ranjit is a frequent contributor to Short Stories.