First snowfall

Prompt: It was the first snowfall of the year.

Much to our delight, the weather throughout the week had been sunny and bright. The first snowfall of the year, as predicted by the weatherman, seemed nowhere in sight.

So when my daughter, Sonali, called up to tell us that she was driving home over the weekend I saw no reason to dissuade her. The three hour drive from college to our house was something she had got used to doing over the last couple of years.

"There is no chance of a snow storm at least this weekend," I had told her jokingly on the phone.

I spent the morning baking her favorite banana cake and some spicy chicken curry for lunch. She was going to start after breakfast so I was expecting her home by lunch time. However, I had barely finished cooking that I realized, it had become dark outside, there was a sudden strong gush of wind and within minutes it started snowing.

I immediately tried to reach her on her mobile but there was no signal. Finally, I gave up after trying her several times. By now my nerves were on edge as I knew she was still an hour away from home.

Meanwhile, I noticed a car had pulled-up near our house and a young girl with a bag and umbrella stepped out of the car looking completely lost. I waved to her to come in. She looked a bit hesitant and then decided to accept my invite.

"I am Angela. I was feeling scared driving in so much snow. Thanks for letting me into your house", she said as she entered.

I realized, Angela was my daughter's age and she too was driving home for the week-end. We spent the rest of the day chatting about the college she attended and her family. In the night, while I prepared the guest room for her, I prayed to God to take care of my daughter too.  Sonali's mobile had not responded from the time the storm had started and there was no other way of contacting her.

Surprisingly, by morning it had cleared completely. Angela was packed and ready to go. She thanked me and left a note with her phone number and a picture of her family.

Angela had barely driven out when I saw Sonali drive in. I rushed out to greet her. She looked cheerful and happy as if nothing had happened during her journey. Once inside the house she excitedly told me about the family with whom she had spent the night. She recounted how her car had suddenly broken down in front of a house and the lady of the house had invited her in.

"There are still good people left in this world. She was so kind to me. In fact, her own daughter was stuck in the storm and she could not reach her on her mobile," she said.

I was about to tell her about Angela when Sonali's eyes fell on the picture Angela had left behind. "Oh you know them? This is the family I spent the night with,"  she exclaimed.

"I was about to tell you. This is Angela, the girl who spent last night with us. Strangely, she too had stopped in front our house as she was scared to drive in the snow," I heard myself say.

Sonali and I looked at each other completely dazed at the co-incidence.