CHAPTER 2

Saavi could hear the thump of footsteps, professor came in and the whole class became silent and rose to greet their teacher. Saavi rose on her seat too but still felt her legs shaking. She tried an attempt to give normal expressions.

"Sit down, how's everyone?"

The professor asked in his resonant voice.

The whole class replied all at once but with different answers. And the class began. Saavi was unable to pay attention so kept her head low and eyes on textbook. She was somewhere else in her thoughts remembering her dream & that cat which cut her way.

Could it be related to my dream ?

Can it be real ?

And that weird shop with no customer except that cat who dashed in.

How can a cat possesses such strange eyes !

She wasn't blinking and participating in the discussion which led the professor to ask her.

"Saavi are you in class?"

Professor arched his brow.

"Ye...yes sir "

Saavi instantly stood up & bumped her toe into the table. Which caused her row partner to giggle & everyone looked back and laughed at her.

"Look the princess of this city isn't able to carry herself, what a pity !"

A boy mocked at her act.

"She doesn't talk to anyone maybe I'd teach her some manners !"

The prettiest girl in class added with an expressions of disgust & humiliation.

"Be quiet you all"

The professor shouted in anger to whole class & they all sat straight with their heads forward.

"Are you alright Saavi ?"

Professor inquired.

"Yes sir "

Her voice got stuck into her throat & vision became blurry.

"Good, now pay heed to the lesson , sit down "

Saavi tried to concentrate on the chapter.

Maybe it was all her illusion. She shook her head and attended the classes.

The bell rang __

The birds chirped & air danced along.

The students were running in the corridors heading towards the main gate of school. Saavi walked as her heart was again becoming heavy with fear of passing through that shop, as that's the only pathway leading the school out of sight !

The light was kissing her forehead through the windows of corridor. When a girl coming from behind dashed herself into her.

Saavi fell down on her butt and a wave of pain circulated through her body.

"Ah I'm sorry"

She apologized, giggled and ran away.

Saavi stood right there humiliated with her pages scattered around her a few steps away.

Gathered them, thinking why she can't speak in front of them ? why she is bullied every time ? Why she always suppresses herself ?

Tears sparkled in her eyes clearly seen in the dazling sunlight.

Stood up and came to the parking area.

With an unknown feeling popping in heart she rode towards that weird shop, in search of the truth of her dream.

Her grip on handle became stifle as she reached near the shop. Her heart was pounding so fast as if it'll burst her chest and came out at any time.

She came near the entrance of the shop. Wanted the answers of her dream but restrained from going on.

Turned her back but felt an unknown feeling capturing her whole body. She clenched her fists and opened the door hesitating.

The windchime produced the sweet music, hung above the door. With dove carved on it along with golden pipes of various sizes. No one was in there. But the inner of the shop was eye-catching.

Decorated with red curtains on the single window facing the street. Strangely carved shelves with fairies & cupids on the above edges. An overwhelming & soothing fragrance was calming the mind. She looked around & roamed, checked some books___ all with strange titles & covers. Never seen books like those !

~ Reading future

~ Sun & moon

~ finding truth

~ unfinished secrets

And much more to go.

But she felt it very strange that all the text books were empty , not a single word written on them !

She felt useless to open others & then came by a finely arranged cupboard. Which was a few steps away from the shelves & moved towards the corner.

It fascinated Saavi and she felt an unknown force pulling her.

Read the titles & picked up one. It was the section of diaries.

She selected according to her taste.

~ Truth of dreams.

She heard the thump of the boots & immediately turned around. An old man with red stips in his bulging eyes, a white long beard flowing down his tummy was leaning towards her.

She screamed with fear, stepped back, stumbled & fell over. With book on her lap she closed her eyes.

The old man found this whole act amusing & giggled with all his might. By placing one hand on his big round tummy.

Saavi opened her eyes & stared at him blank.

A long blue robe with shiny yellow stars printed upon it. A pointed cap cone shaped was covering his silver hair.

He was looking more like a magician rather than a regular shopkeeper.

"Ah haha, I'm sorry for startling you my dear."

His voice was heavy, dense but resonant. Equally matched to his appearance.

"It....it's okey sir , it's my fault that I neglected my surroundings"

The old man stared at the diary she was still holding & understood what was keeping her busy.

Arched brow he bent a little on front leg while placing other at back stretching out his hand towards Saavi.

"May I dear ?"

She felt like a damsel in distress & the old man came to her rescue !

The actions of old man were quite enough to gain her attention. She immediately had her help & got up.

"So..... found any book according to your fine taste?" 

Striding towards the cash counter she replied.

"Yeah I'll take this__diary "

She placed it on the neat glass slab.  

"How much it goes ?"

The old man was keenly smiling at her__almost gazing.

"Nothing"

Saavi's jaw dropped upon his reply.

"What do you mean by nothing ? "

Her throat got stifled and her voice echoed into the shop.

"It's free for every first 10 customers" 

The man pushed the diary towards Saavi. And smiled, the grooves of his lips rose towards the cheeks.

She got irritated by his "SMILE".

Simply bowed by pulling the ends of skirt and placed the diary in her bag.

"Thank you."

Reached the door when the old man warned her.

"Beware what you wish for, some wishes are not meant to be fulfilled my dear child." 

This time his tone was serious. Saavi simply nodded.

Opened the door and left.

The windchime again produced the music__of her destiny !

The hot gusts of air brushed her skin as she landed onto the street. And she sighed.

Meanwhile the old man watched her going and smirked. Opened a big register & wrote.

"Mission completed"

The white cat with green eyes appeared on his shoulder from nowhere. He brushed it's hair and gave a last glance on the door.

And vanished !

Saavi rode back to home hurriedly before darkness of night could start lurking around.

Again passing from the bridge she reached home.

Martha was waiting, opened the door.

"Good evening"

Saavi rushed towards the staircase without replying.

"May I bring anything to eat for you "

Martha questioned.

"Yes yes, bring it to my room"

Entering the room she put her bag aside & threw herself on the end.

A few moments of silence.

She laid & thought of the last words of that old man.

Martha's knock brought her back to the present world.

She carefully presented food and left.

Being excited she couldn't help and pulled out the diary from bag put it in front of her and while eating she thought many names but at last addressed it.

"Dear Mr. Stranger"