Ping...Hey Sophia! Vance here. It was nice meeting you. Ping...Same here Vance. Really!! As far as I remember, we said that to each other in the evening. Oh! Come on Sophia! You know I am not talking about what people say while shaking hands in social gatherings. I mean, it was really nice meeting you. You are different. Everyone is different, Vance, and thank God for that. That guy with a ponytail, that lady in pink, the girl in her little black dress, you, me, we all are different. Why do you have to play difficult, Sophia? Yes, they all are different persons. But, I have nothing to know or learn from them. That's not correct Vance. If you pay enough attention, everyone, everything can teach something. Ok Sophia, if you are done with your sermon, may I state the obvious? I like you and want to know more about you. Now, if you can be kind enough to let me know little more than what you give away over an evening? That would take a bit of time, Vance. Don't worry Sophia, I have all night. Don't get excited, Vance, I am not staying awake to narrate my story. I get you. Sure, I can tell you more, I have no big secrets, nothing earth-shattering to share. We can meet again, talk, message, and go out on a date. But, good night for now. Will see you around. Bye.

I am daughter of a storm and stars. Well! Biologically, no. No one is born like that, no one falls from heaven, nor does anyone rise from hell. I have a mother, who, I live with. I have a biological father, I never met. He didn't die, fighting for country, or in an accident, or of a disease. We don't know if he is dead or alive. He just left us, when I was in womb, not in the footsteps of Buddha. He left for another woman. Woman’s bodily assets can't keep a man interested forever; if he is stuck at the grossest level of existence, he would go after a new set of those assets, once he grows weary of the previous ones. The same goes for a woman too.

My mother is a gorgeous woman. But, she turned into a raging storm after that incident. Not the kind of storm that destroys lives and property. Her storm has an inner core that is calm and safe. She keeps me and our mental peace in that cocoon. The outer storm keeps everyone at bay. She never met anyone in real sense after that. In spite of that, I am lucky to have a father, a real one, I now realize. When he met my mother, he was on the way out of the material world, or so he thought. But, in reality, he was not quite there yet. It was all a one sided affair. Mother gave away nothing. It's still a mystery, as to how he managed to occupy a little space in our lives. But, whatever, little he got, he made the most of it, not for himself, but for us, especially me. But, I too was not kind towards him, when I was young. He didn't do things like fathers of other children of my age. I liked my mother more.

I used to like the moon. But, growing up, now I like the stars more. The moon is out there with bright light all right, but, I don't see any passion or involvement in that. I find that in the burning, twinkling stars. They also taught me to walk in the dark, made me realize that, light is not the reality, darkness is. Things may be burning and lighting up at the moment, but, they would burn out one day, with no trace of light in them. He is like the stars. He is busy in his spiritual practices, never ever forces me into it though. But, when with me, he is with me, involved totally, full of life. I now feel his presence, even when he is away, just like some presence or spirit. He won't be with me forever. But, that wouldn't matter. I am learning to live in that darkness, the emptiness, for there is nothing in it to be scared of, once I am at ease with it. It's not anti-life, rather it is all embracing, all pervading. My mother would probably like to see me tied to our little nest, safe and peaceful. No blaming, no finger pointing, she did and does what she knows best. But, my father has shown me the way out. Now, it's for me to take the steps. Doesn't matter if I falter, I would rather be dead than living half a life.