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The Treasure Awaits


It was Thursday the penultimate day of the month. I had to complete the article. I had been working meal to meal to meet the deadline. As I was busy hitting the keys on the keyboard my inbox buzzed. I opened the inbox to find aunt Aara’s mail. I quickly opened it and it read,

Hi George,
I want you to drop everything and head Boston. ASAP.
A treasure awaits for you.

Yours Loving,
Aunt Aara

I was left surprised by aunt’ mail. A million thoughts ran through my mind. Why is she asking me to leave everything and visit her? What’s the treasure she’s talking about? Without a second a thought I saved my work, packed my laptop and bag. Heading towards the airport I took the first flight to Boston. As soon as I landed in Boston I got another mail from her.

Dear George,
Hope you had a safe journey. Now head towards the arrivals.

Yours Loving,
Aunt Aara

Is she tracking me? What she is up to and why? My mind was bustling with myriad thoughts. I scampered through the scores of people and found a cab driver holding a placard with my name on it. He was sporting black shades, along with a full grown beard. I thought I had seen him somewhere. He looked like someone I knew. “Sir, follow me.” He said. As I sat in the cab, he handed me over a note.

“It is better to rise from life as from a banquet - neither thirsty nor drunken.”
                                                      - Aristotle                                                       
                            Turn Back
“Head towards cafe Amigos. Sit on table 4. Treasure awaits.”

“What does that quote mean? Who has sent this note?” I said. “A veiled lady handed me the note but I don’t know who she is.” He said. I got down in front of the cafe. I went in and sat at the table. A young lady entered the cafe and sat beside me. She handed me a note and whispered: “Treasure awaits”. “But what’s the treasure?” I asked. She hurried past the waitress and was out of the cafe in no time. And just then I saw a veiled lady staring right back at me from the window panes. Ignoring her I opened the note.

“It's about finding a happy balance between work and friends and family.”
                                                      - Anonymous
                            Turn Back
                        “Treasure Awaits”

I came out of the cafe and a bike rider stopped in front of me. “Hop on,” He said. “No, I won’t.” I resisted. “You have no option George, I don’t want you to land in deep trouble.” He said with a don’t mess with me attitude. “Who are you and where are you taking me?” I asked him. “Hold tight the Treasure awaits.” He said.

I was bit shaken by the turn of events when I got down at Aunt Aara’ place. I didn’t know what to expect. I went ahead and rang the bell. Another note rolled out of the mail box and I opened it.

“Nothing is more amazing than going home to family and eating good food and relaxing.”
                                                        -Anonymous

I opened the door and found a dark living room staring back at me. I went in and saw a veiled woman coming closer. I quickly hurried towards the door but the door got slam shut. I turned back knowing I had nowhere to run. “Who are you?” I asked and kept standing still. My heart was thudding with the fear of the unknown and then suddenly a flash of light forced me to close my eyes.

“Surprise, Happy Birthday!” I heard a voice in unison. I opened my eyes to find Mom, Dad and my cousins present in the living room. “Wait but where’s the veiled woman?”. I asked confused. “She’s here behind you.” someone said from behind. I turned back to find aunt Aara. She gave me a hug. “Happy birthday dear. Sorry, I scared you.” Aunt said. Suddenly the door opened and a bike rider and the young lady entered the living room. “Who are you and why are you here?” I asked. “To wish you happy birthday,” they said in unison removing the helmet and the shades they were wearing respectively. “ Jon and Iva you surprised me!” I said as I hugged them.

“You are always working and traveling. So we decided to throw a party and bring you here.” Mom said.

“George, here is the treasure. This is for you.” Aunt Aara said. I opened up the brown package to find a collection of books by Bill Bryson, John Grisham, Harper Lee. All the literary marvels wrapped into one complete package.


“This truly is a treasure and it was worth the wait. Thank you, everyone, for making this birthday a special one for me. Especially Aunt Aara!” I said.

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