Shatakshi was in her room working on another canvas. She had always known that she wanted to do something in the field of art. Her parents supports her decision and she pursued various courses in arts and crafts and painting.

Last year, she pitched her painting to an art exhibition and they liked it so much that today more than 15 of her painting are displayed in the exhibition.

She even took custom orders by clients which earned her quite good.

But she sent all her money back home to her parents. Her father had a huge loan going on his name which he took for his business and it's installments were so huge that she couldn't save much for herself.

Which was also the reason why she lived in a PG with another girl as her roommate.

Shatakshi was mid-painting when she realized she was finished with a few of the colors. She sighed and put the canvas aside. She took her wallet and decided to run to the nearby art shop and get her supplies.

"Nisha! Mai thodi der bahar ho kr aa rhi hu. Kuch saaman laana hai. Tumhare liye kuch lau?"

She asked her roommate who was sprawled on the couch watching a new show she took up the previous day.

"Ice cream leti aana Mini."

Shatakshi gave her roommate a stinky look at the name.

"Don't call me that."

She grumbled making Nisha chuckle.

Shatakshi had always been insecure about her height. She was 4"9 which gave her the name Mini. She always felt that people did not take her seriously because of her height. And she hated it. She hated when people treated her like a child because she was short heighted.

Even in school she was bullied and called Gitthi (little heighted), Chhutku (Small one) and various other names. Mini was the most respectful one out of the names but that didn't mean she liked it either.

Why do people have to bully people about their physical appearance or body structure. This is not something she could control. Her mother tried giving her Complan, Horlicks and all those powdery stuff which guaranteed increasing height but nothing worked.

Her mother gave up after some time but the taunts and comments from people didn't stop. She had stopped paying attention now but sometimes it still hurt.

Shatakshi was only a street away from the art store when she saw a crowd gathered at one corner of a road. Curiosity got better of her and she walked to the crowd to see what the matter was.

Her eyes widened when she saw an old lady fallen on the ground while clutching her leg which had glass pieces stuck into it. A lot of blood had flown. Shatakshi pushed everyone and made her way towards the lady.

"Kaise log hai aap sab? Yaha shaklein dekh rhe hai. Help kijiye inki. Koi please meri help krega inhe kisi auto mai baithani ki?"

She asked looking at the while crouching beside the woman.

"Madam koi auto wala nhi jaayega. Kisi ko apne auto ki seetein khoon mai nhi krni. Puri din sawari nhi milegi."

One of the auto drivers said and Shatakshi glared at the man who looked away.

"Aapko thodi si bhi sharam aa rhi hai ye kehte huye? Kisi ki life se upar aapko paise dikh rhe hai? Hazam ho jaayenge aise paise?"

The man didn't speak anything and Shatakshi asked again.

"Koi hai jisko apni gaadi ki seats se jyada kisi ki life ki value ho? Please help kijiye! She's already lost so much blood."

"Aap mere saath chaliye. I'll take you guys to the hospital in my car."

One of the men came forward and crouched besides the lady.

"Thank you so much sir. Please help me get her in the car."

The man helped the old lady in the car and Shatakshi sat in the front seat. They reached the hospital and she filled the form admitting the lady.

After the woman was taken for her treatment and her family was informed Sataskshi turned towards the man who helped them. He looked about her age.

"Thank you so much for your help. Aap nhi aate toh shayad mai inhe yaha time se nhi laa paati."

"It was my duty. I'm Soham by the way."

He introduced himself and Shatakshi smiled.

"Shatakshi!"

They shook hands and the man looked at her.

"You're a very nice person. Aaj kal bhut kam log hai jo kisi stranger ki help krne ko ready ho jaate hai without thinking anything."

"You're also one of them then."

She smiled and said and he gave her a wide smile.

"It was really nice meeting you Shatakshi. Hope to meet you soon."

The man said with another parting handshake and Shatakshi nodded muttering a 'Definitely'.

Soham reached his two room apartment which he shared with his best friend and slumped on the couch. He had a wide grin on his face.

Sriansh, who had just returned home on a half day looked at his friend with a suspicious expression.

"Kuch hua hai kya aaj?"

He asked and Soham sighed with that shit eating grin.

"She's so pretty."

He said and Sriansh raised his eyebrows hearing his words. Ok? What was that?

"Who's pretty?"

He asked but Soham seemed to be in a trance.

"She's so nice. Shatakshi!"

Sriansh understood that his friend might have met someone. Sriansh felt bad for her. Was it so easy for Soham to move on while she still struggled to do so?

"I want to talk to her more."

He said and then got up looking at Sriansh.

"But I am scared to proceed ahead."

"Why?"

"I'm definitely not a good character reader like you are."

"Soham that's -"

"Nhi! Ek baar meri baat sun le. I want you to meet her anonymously. Approve her for me please. So that mai iss baat se free ho jaau ki wo mere liye sahi hai."

"Are you crazy? She's not a thing that I approve of. Aur phir achhi hai ya nhi baat krne se, jaane se samajh aa jaayega. Go and do it yourself."

Sriansh said and Soham looked at him seriously.

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