The new chapter of my life

I ran. Fast. Out of breath. Lungs bursting. Legs hitting the earth. I thudded up the path, around the corner, right up the stairs and reached the door. I flung it open and .................

...dashed inside.What met my eyes was something totally unexpected. My jaws dropped and my limbs gave way...

A few months ago: 

I had met him at my friend, Sakshi's house. He was handsome and had an air of royalty around him. I did take an instant liking to him despite myself. He seemed a little aloof but my friend winked at me and assured that she knew him really well and it would just take a few meetings for him to be friends with me.

I was not too sure. Rather, I was not sure if I wanted to be friends, just yet.

I had my own apprehensions. He and I belonged to completely different environments and I was not sure if I was ready. However, I decided to go with the flow. Sakshi was a dear friend who understood my loneliness after I'd lost my family to an accident. She made sure I was doing well and called me over every now and then to her place to bring me out of my shell. Sure enough, he'd be there too on all occasions, stealing glances at me when I was not looking. Only, I was looking too, from the corner of my eye. But, that he'd never know. Or did he?

The ice began to melt and then one day our eyes met briefly. In that instant we felt an instant bonding. It was a magical moment for me. He seemed like the perfect soul who'd understand me and introduce me to a new world of love and compassion.

With each meeting, our fondness for each other grew. Sakshi was right. He was only reserved to begin with. He had a way of knowing my feelings. The day I felt low, he'd sense it and try his best to cheer me up. On other days, he'd be at his mischievous self like a toddler trying my patience! The moments spent with him were the best moments of my life. I longed to have him in my life. I knew he felt the same. He was like a ray of sunshine in my dreary, lonely life.

Cut to the present: 

I was getting ready for my usual morning walk and of course the now routine visit to meet him.  As, I was about to leave, I got a call on my cell. It was Sakshi. The next few lines she spoke sucked the air out of my lungs. He had met with an accident, she said. Please come fast. She lived just a few blocks away from my house and so, I ran.


I ran. Fast. Out of breath. Lungs bursting. Legs hitting the earth. I thudded up the path, around the corner, right up the stairs and reached the door. I flung it open and .................

 ...dashed inside.What met my eyes was something totally unexpected. My jaws dropped and my limbs gave way...

A crowd of friends and well-wishers gathered around me and sang,

"Happy Birthday to you....."

An awesome cake waiting to be cut and right beside the table was him, thumping and wagging his tail in joy. Yes, Alex, the handsome German shepherd, who was supposed to have met with an accident, who I had grown to love in these months, was alive and kicking, eyes sparkling as though he knew all that had transpired.

Before I could give vent to all the thoughts running in my head, Sakshi quipped in defense. 

"I am so sorry for all the misery caused. I wanted to give you an apt present for your birthday- an anchor, a reason to live for. But I also knew your reservations about having a pet, so wanted to test the waters before handing over Alex to you. The past three months were a trial to see if you two could gel together and today, I have no doubts of the fact that you guys will make great companions. Alex is indeed your birthday present."


 Tears of joy streamed down and I couldn't thank Sakshi enough. But for her, I could not have begun a new chapter in my life.