Posted on by Pinkii Bakshi

Part 24: Xploring For Meena

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the city she once called home. Her heart raced as she climbed into a taxi, giving the driver the familiar instructions: “Khurda, near the old municipal park.”

The drive was a journey through time. The bustling roads and modern buildings felt alien to the Khurda she remembered. Her memories of the neighbourhood were vivid but distant: children playing cricket, Meena’s laughter echoing in the courtyard, and the scent of freshly baked cakes wafting from D’Souza Bakery.

When the taxi pulled up to her old neighbourhood, Kasturi felt a pang of disappointment. The streets were the same, but everything else had changed. The houses bore fresh coats of paint, new gates, and unfamiliar nameplates. The people she knew had moved on, and so had time.

Her eyes darted around, searching for something—anything—that could connect her to the past. As she crossed the corner, the sight of a faded sign stopped her in her tracks. D’Souza Bakery.

The bakery was larger now, with a gleaming new facade. But as Kasturi stepped inside, the smell of warm butter, sugar, and chocolate was the same as it had been two decades ago. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the aroma transport her back to carefree afternoons with Meena, sitting by the counter and sharing slices of fruitcake.

A voice interrupted her reverie.

“Good morning, young lady. What can I get for you today?”

Kasturi opened her eyes to see a frail but familiar face behind the counter. Mr. Anthony had aged, his hair now completely white, but his warm smile was unchanged.

“Mr. Anthony, it’s me… Kasturi,” she said hesitantly.

He frowned for a moment, his eyes scanning her face. Then recognition lit up his expression.

“Kasturi? Little Kasturi? My goodness!” he exclaimed, coming around the counter to embrace her. “It’s been so many years. Look at you—grown up and all!”

They sat at one of the small tables, reminiscing over cups of tea and freshly baked buns. Kasturi learned that during the riots, the bakery had been burned to the ground. But with the help of the local government and community support, Mr. Anthony had rebuilt it into the thriving business it is today.

When the conversation shifted to Meena, Mr. Anthony’s face turned thoughtful.

“Meena… yes, I remember her well. She was such a quiet, bright girl. After school, I heard she moved to Bhubaneswar for her studies. But where she is now, I couldn’t say. And her father, Mr. Ghosh, retired and moved to Kolkata some years ago.”

Disappointment settled over Kasturi. She had hoped for a clearer answer, a direct path to finding Meena. Instead, all she had were fragments.

She left the bakery with a heavy heart, taking one last look at the streets and houses that had once been her entire world. The garden where she and Meena had spent hours playing was now overgrown and unkempt, a shadow of its former self.

Back in the taxi, as they drove toward the airport, Kasturi stared out of the window, her thoughts a tangle of regret and longing. Had she been too late? Had life taken Meena too far away to ever find her again?

When she landed in Delhi later that evening, the city’s hum greeted her. She climbed into another taxi, her exhaustion palpable. As the driver turned on the radio, Kasturi leaned back, letting the city lights blur into a haze.

“And now, we welcome Ms. M. Ray, the celebrated author, to our evening talk show! We’ll be discussing her latest book, Kassy’s Tale—a heartwarming story of childhood, friendship, and resilience,” the RJ announced enthusiastically.

Kasturi’s eyes flew open. Kassy.

Her breath caught. Could it be?

As the car sped through Delhi’s bustling streets, a sense of urgency gripped her. She wasn’t sure what lay ahead, but one thing was clear: the universe was leading her to Meena, and this time, she wasn’t going to let the opportunity slip away.

PS: I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z

22 Replies to “Part 24: Xploring For Meena”

  1. oooh! so happy to see the bakery survived, well, revived. But yay! I was wondering how Kasturi will find Meena in Delhi and there it is. Yes, she’s right. The universe is leading her to Meena now because wo kehte hai na, agar sacche dil se chaho to…. 😀

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  3. /“Mr. Anthony, it’s me-Kasturi.”/

    I felt transported to that place, following your words. I can see the curiosity and hope on K’s face. It’s wonderful that she finally meets Anthony, even though M is missing.

    What surprised to me in this chapter is Kasturi’s disappointment when she returns to her old neighborhood. It’s true. our memories freeze in time when we leave a place, and when we come back, we hope to find it unchanged, only to be let down.

    Despite all the noise, FM radio offered Kasturi some valuable advice.

    All the best as you wrap up your story on a joyful note, hopefully 🤞

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    2. Yes, when a place no longer resembles the picture in our memory, it’s bittersweet—almost like losing a part of ourselves. I am glad you got that part.

      Haha, and yes, here’s to hoping that all’s well that ends well! 😀

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  4. Kasturi’s journey back to Khurda felt so real — the mix of nostalgia, hope, and that quiet ache of things changing. The way you described D’Souza Bakery brought back memories of my own favorite childhood spots. I could almost smell the warm butter and sugar. Mr. Anthony’s recognition of Kasturi was such a tender moment; it felt like time paused just for them. The twist with “Kassy’s Tale” was brilliant — I didn’t see it coming! It’s like the universe was nudging Kasturi all along.

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    1. Thank you so much! I’m thrilled that you could relate to the bittersweet feeling of revisiting the past, only to find it transformed. I’m equally delighted that the twist caught you off guard. Your feedback and the thoughtful words truly mean a lot!

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      1. You’re most welcome! It was such a beautifully crafted piece—it resonated deeply. That mix of nostalgia and surprise was handled so delicately. I’m really looking forward to reading more of your work!

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  5. Looking back is like looking into a mirror, where all the wonder and glory lies. The meeting with an old baker is so nostalgic, a sense of recognition. I hope the same love is seen between the two friends if they meet again.

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  8. Wow, the radio feels like a tool for bringing the gap between two best friends. Last year, I also wrote a short story where two lovers were bonded again through the medium of the radio. It’s a wonderful medium to keep the nostalgia alive!

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