Here’s the third and final part of the short story by Monalisa, exclusively for Different Truths.

Leena got up early the next day and made herself a coffee in her kitchen. Sachin was nowhere in the sight, but his rental car was parked in front of the house, next to her car.

“I will be checking out today”. Sachin said when he met her in downstairs reception later in the morning.

 “So soon? Is there anything you do not like here?” she asked.

“No, its wonderful here. It’s my boss. I have got an appointment to see him. My vacation is cut short, I am going to get a new assignment “

“No, it is wonderful here. It’s my boss. I have got an appointment to see him. My vacation is cut short, I am going to get a new assignment “

After he paid his due for his stay, she shook his hand and said, “Please visit again.”

Sachin smiled and then walked out of the front door.

A Week Later

On Sunday, the breeze was too cool to have breakfast on the patio, so Leena sat at the kitchen table. There were no guests since Sachin left a week ago. She opened the Sunday newspaper to the travel section, to dream about going to Gangtok someday to meet Sharfaraj and to check out the competition for homestays in Goa. She skipped to the “Follow the Reader” section where the readers recommended their favorite vacation spots, hotels, tours and homestays. And there it was, a letter from a reader about Sunrise homestay.

On Sunday, the breeze was too cool to have breakfast on the patio, so Leena sat at the kitchen table. There were no guests since Sachin left a week ago.

The letter was signed “Sachin Bhatnagar”. She set her coffee cup on the table with a bang and smoothed the paper with her thumb and forefinger. First Sachin praised the comfortable rooms, then the view and then Leena for being a charming and gracious hostess.

It started Monday morning, just one letter to the newspaper and she was booked on all weekends for next month.

She hoped someone would read it and call to make a reservation at her homestay. Which they did. It started Monday morning, just one letter to the newspaper and she was booked on all weekends for next month. Then she started filling up the weeknights.

She dialed the number which Sachin had given her.

“Sachin, this is Leena. Thank you for sending the letter to the newspaper,” she said all in one breath.

“You are welcome. did it do any good?” He asked.

“…I’ve got a waiting list for some weekends for next couple of months. The response has been amazing.”

“Oh yes, in fact, I’ve got a waiting list for some weekends for the next couple of months. The response has been amazing.”

“Your place is wonderful; you deserve to be successful.”

“Thank you so much for your help”. Leena said.

“Take care and Stay in touch”. Sachin said as he hung up.

Sachin folded his hands and bowed down to the Indian Yogi.

Sachin folded his hands and bowed down to the Indian Yogi. “My mission is

complete. I have done my best to help Leena”. Sachin muttered within himself.

A thousand miles away, the man in turban smiled and showered his blessings.

Sachin found joy surging up his spine and soon the heavenly feeling left him in state of bliss. Deep within himself, he felt empty and much relieved as if he has just dropped heavy baggage, which he was carrying for a long time. He wanted everyone in the world to feel blissful, the way he was feeling now. Sachin found his bliss molecule within himself.

(Concluded)

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