**Hidden Love**

Aida was stomping angrily toward home in her very thick and heavy clothes. She missed India so much. Her friends, the language, the parties and most of all, the weather! It was so cold here in America at this time of the year when she had decided to come spend time with her uncle's family and at the same time, further her studies. Thick clothes that still couldn't keep out the cold seemed quite a long way from the traditional Indian clothes she loved wearing, but whether she thought them crazy or not, she wouldn't dare take them off since she had no intention of freezing to death. The clothes may be uncomfortable and the cold still unbearable, but she knew from bitter experience that being stuffed in them was far better than not. It was only a twenty-minute walk from her school to her uncle's home and in this bad weather, every second of it was torture. Walking fast and swinging her arms as she had learnt combined with the knowledge that she was very close to her destination gave her the needed strength and courage to keep trudging on. She was so tired that she wanted to cry, but she just couldn't find the tears, they seemed frozen in her eyes.

Sighting her uncle's house brought immense joy to her heart. It seemed a little different since it was now partly covered in snow, but she could still recognize the image of Buddha carved on the outer door. With returned vigor, Aida put in a burst of speed. Very soon, she'll have a warm fire and a steamy cup of something nice, she thought. She was totally concentrated on getting home as fast as possible, so she didn't notice the tall, slim figure coming toward her with shoulders hunched and hands deep inside the pockets of his thick coat. They bumped against each other, causing Aida's purse to fall. Aida swore under her breath.

"Oh I'm very sorry," the stranger apologized, his intonation tainted with a faint Indian accent. "I didn't see you coming. Hope you're not hurt? Here."

He bent down to pick up Aida's fallen purse, but before he could touch it, she swiftly swept it off from under his fingertips, leaving him half stunned in a touch-your-toe position. She tucked the purse under one arm and glared at him for a few seconds before stomping away angrily. She had found a new reason to be really angry which would provide enough heat to warm her up till she would get to her uncle's house.
The young man that had just bumped into her watched as she rushed off. He gave a tired sigh, sending a wisp of cold air through his mouth. For the life of him, he just could not understand why she was so angry since it was just an accident. Turning on his heels, he shrugged and went his way, replaying the incident over in his mind.

Entering the house at last felt very much like a record-breaking achievement for Aida and she was not disappointed. The house was as expected, warm and welcoming. Her uncle, Karmjeet always made sure it remained so. Right now, he was out on business and the kids were alone at home. As she shrugged off her thick clothes, they came running to greet her.

"Aunty Aida!", they chorused.

She hugged them affectionately and quickly made her way to the fireplace. One of the children, in their usual perceptiveness, ran straight to the kitchen to fetch Aida a cup of hot tea. She held the cup with both hands and smiled, relishing the soothing heat on her skin before sipping the content slowly. She relaxed as the heat slowly travelled through her body and smiled when she noticed the kids watching her face intently. They smiled back and smothered her with hugs and kisses. Even though she disliked the weather and a few other things in her strange new environment, the kids were a constant source of joy to her. Somehow, they always knew exactly what she needed and when she needed it and she loved them for it. My uncle is really blessed, she thought. His late wife bore him three smart and beautiful girls: Raja, Diya and Jamuna. He always said his late wife bore him the girls to make him happy and fulfilled for the rest of his life since she knew she wouldn't live very long. As a result, the girls were showered with love and care by their father and relatives. Cousin Aida, even though they always called her 'Aunty Aida' since she was much older, was their favourite after their father and they would do anything to please her.

"Girls, where's papa?", she asked of them.

"He went out," Diya piped as she bounced about on the sofa.

"So have you guys had anything to eat?"

Diya simply shook her head and continued her bouncing.

"How was school today, Aunty Aida?", Jamuna suddenly asked, looking up at Aida from her position on Aida's right side.

"School was fine, Jamuna. Thanks. So w..."

"I want to visit your school," Jamuna piped up excitedly, cutting Aida short.

"Oh," Aida blurted, clearly surprised. "I would take you one day, but wh..."

"Promise?", Jamuna asked eagerly, all smiles.

"Yes. Promise."

"Yay!", she shouted and hugged Aida.

"What about me, Aunty?", Diya suddenly asked, screwing her face into a sad expression.

"And me!", Raja shouted, not wanting to be left out.

"Okay okay," Aida laughed. "I'll take everyone to visit my school one day and I'll come to visit your schools one day too. Deal?"

"Yay," they chorused in unison, pouncing on her and smothering her with kisses.

"Okay girls," Aida shouted, struggling to get the girls off her.

"I need to fix food for you, so please let me go for a little while, okay?"

All at once, the girls jumped off the sofa and raced to the kitchen. Aida couldn't help but smile as she watched them struggle to gain the kitchen ahead of one another.