They say that when you have to meet someone, you surely do, in one way or another. Life is a pathway on which you travel and meet new people. Some people stay for some time, while others stay for a lifetime.

The bonds that are created on the holy base of friendship stay strong throughout life.

Such is the bond of two childhood friends, who develop a feeling of care and love in their hearts, but their friendship weighs more than love.

*****

It's New Year's Day, and a little girl is insisting her father take her out on a stroll. She's 5 years old and wants to go out. She loves the beaches, and she's insisting her parents do the same.

"Papa, please, chalo na, mujhe bhi ghumne jana hai." The little girl requests.

"Betu, aaj itni bheed hogi, phir tum gussa karogi." Her father says that she gets a little uncomfortable in crowded areas.

"Nahi Papa, main bilkul pareshan nahi karungi, par mujhe beach pe jana hai, chalo na. Aaj new year hai na? Celebrate karna hai." The little girl insists.

"Ronit ji, chaliye na, aaj aapki bhi chutti hai; otherwise, aap bhi busy rehte hain. Aur ye bhi aise kabhi nahi kehti." Her mother, Sandhya, insists on her husband.

"Acha thik hain, hum sham ko jayenge. Aur fir dinner bhi bahar hi kar lenge, thik hai? Maa aur beti khush?" Ronit looks at his wife and daughter.

"Ruu is happy." The little girl chuckles, kisses her father's cheek and runs back to her mother.

The little girl's name is Ruhana Mehra; she's the apple of her parents' eyes. She rarely insists on something. Today is a new day and her parents, Ronit and Sandhya, are surprised and happy that their daughter insisted on something.

Ronit glances at his little one; she's busily dressing her doll in a princess frock that her mother made, and it's similar to her own pink-coloured princess frock. She declares that she'll be wearing the new dress for the evening.

*****

In the evening, the family of three leaves the house for their New Year celebration. They decide to visit St. Maria Beach Park. The park is crowded, yet it looks beautiful. Little Ruhana insists on going near the beach. Her father cradles her in his arms and they walk towards the beach.

Many kids are playing in the park, and young couples are walking hand-in-hand. Some elderly people are here for their evening walk, while some elders are sitting near the sea beach, enjoying the cool breeze.

The orange-hued sky and birds flying across the setting sun are beautiful. The sound of the sea waves is like music to the ears. Little Ruhana is excited and her father buys her a balloon.

Many children are playing around and they ask her to join them but she denies it. She's a shy little doll who loves to be around her parents, especially her father. She hides behind her father and some children laugh at her, while there's a certain someone who's mesmerised by her behaviour. He watches her stand behind her father. She walks to the front, making sure the kids are gone.

That's when he steps forward and taps her shoulder. She's surprised as she turns around only to find a young boy of her age standing before her.

"Hey, kya main tumhara dost ban sakta hoon?" He asks sweetly while she glances at him.

Her parents ask her to befriend this young boy, who's being polite and sweet at the same time. She walks towards him and holds his outstretched hand for a shake.

"Hi, mera naam, Ruhana hai." She says it innocently.

"Aur mera naam Vineet hai. Tum daro mat, main un bachon ki tarah mazaak nahi karta hoon." The boy says, grinning.

"Acha, toh tum hasoge nahi na? Mujhe nahi khelna tha unke sath." Ruhana says it innocently.

"Toh tum mere sath khelogi? Ab toh hum dost hai na?" Vineet glances at her.

"Haan!" Little Ruhana responds once she gets a positive nod from her parents.

They run near the shore to play. As time passes, the two of them get comfortable with each other. Meanwhile, someone calls for Vineet. It's his dad who's calling him and so does Ruhana's father. The two friends glance at each other; it's time to part ways

Sometimes, it becomes hard to part ways with friends. A certain connection has been instilled between the two little friends. But that's life; parting ways is always around the corner.

"I will miss you, Vineet." The little girl says.

"I will miss you too, Lekin Hum Jaldi Milenge. Dekhna!" Little Vineet says.

"Pakka? Lekin hum toh first time miley hai." Ruhana asks.

"Haan, meri mumma kehti hai, jab hum kisi se ek baar milte hai, wo kisi reason se hota hai, tum dekhna hum bhi dobara zaroor milenge. Yahan park mein , Sunday ko." Vineet gazes at her.

Ruhana nods; she smiles at Vineet as he holds his father's hand and walks away after waving at her. Meanwhile, her father comes by her side; he hands her a bunch of colourful balloons and lifts her in his arms before proceeding out of the park.

Both of them have smiles on their faces, for they've got a new friend in each other on the new day of the year. Things ought to be better.

To Be Continued.

What's in store for these innocent, little souls?

Stay tuned.