Saloni was in hurry. She was getting late for her office. Saroj,her hubby left one hour earlier today,but still she was behind the schedule. The table was not cleaned after breakfast,clothes strewn on the floor..the towels were still in bathroom - she decided to clear the mess up after office. As she collected her bag and opened the door,she turned towards right side. As expected,the small handmade bouquet was there,like other days. It contained few ferns,one marigold and two hibiscus,tied with a ribbon and placed on the hinge of the collapsible gate. Like other days,Saloni didn't leave it there. She wondered,who this secret admirer was. From last one month that person was sending such handmade "bouquets". It looked like a child's artwork. But today she had a plan to collect it and watch for the aftereffects. She placed it in her bag and left for her office.

When she was back after a rigorous day's work,she found a note slipped into their letter box. It was a torn piece from a school kids's exercise book,on which somebody wrote with a red sketch pen, "My dear ,I am so happy today,you accepted my gift finally.You know,I like you very much. Can we talk?" Saloni was half amused,but half scared also. The handwriting showed that it's a kid's work. The bouquets also conveyed the same message. But what if,some elder was behind all these? Is somebody playing pranks? Is some pervert-mind planning some dirty tricks behind her back? She wanted to know. So she decided to do something. She took out a paper and wrote on that, "Thanks for the gift,it's really nice for you. Can we meet? If yes,please come to the shopping complex in our estate, at 6 pm tomorrow." Next morning,the bouquet was in the same place. She tucked the letter carefully near the bouquet.

When coming back from office,she felt charged. What's going to happen in next few minutes? Who she is expecting to see? What happens if the person never turns up? With a beating heart she entered the shopping complex. When she was looking at a poster near the grocery shop about some music classes arranged in the estate,somebody pulled the end of her dupatta. She whirled around to find a small boy,aged around 6 or 7,staring at her. She smiled at him and said "Yes son,what do you want?"

The boy,dressed nicely and with a cute feature,held a chocolate bar towards Saloni. Then he said in a sober voice, "Madam,my name is Akhilesh.It's me who sends flower everyday."

Saloni almost lost her speech in surprise. She swallowed hard and managed the words somehow, "So it's you? Why do you do so?"

The boy looked at his shoes and said,"Ma'am,I just wanted to impress you. You know, when you take your daughter for walk every evening,I just look out from my window. You know,you both look very nice." Saying this,he turned slightly scarlet. May be he was trying to say this from a long time. Saloni felt absolutely amused. She fondled his hair and said lovingly, "thanks for the appreciation. So why don't you come to my flat sometimes to play with Diya? You are welcome."

Now the boy turned a deeper shade of scarlet and spoke in a very shy voice,"Ma'am I want to tell you something. I don't have any girlfriend in my class.So everybody make fun of me. I like Diya,but she's not in my school. Will you allow me to be the boyfriend of Diya? I know she is very beautiful just like you. I just feel shy to tell her so.When we grow up,we can get married." At this point Saloni couldn't control the laughter she was suppressing this long! How innocent the kid was! How easily he poured his heart out!

The boy looked alarmed and hurt. Saloni instantly understood ,she controlled herself. Then she told him, "Well,you can always discuss about that later,isn't it? First,try to be a good friend to her. You know, for being a good boyfriend,you need to be a good friend first. Why don't you try it from now?"

The boy's face lit up. He looked very happy. He asked Saloni,"So ma'am,can I come to play with her everyday from now?" Saloni fondled his hair again and said, "Yes,you are welcome. No need to send bouquet from now,come and play with her after your school." She held his hand and led him the way towards her flat. Both of them started happily to meet Saloni's 4-years old Daughter,Diya.