"Where do you want to settle?"

Mr Shukla asked me as I sat down next to him on our large dining table. I instantly recognized the man- his piercing hazel gaze, tobacco stained smile and shrewdness does not escape me. I last saw him when I was 6, but who can forget such a face? Mr Shukla is around my grandfather's age. He is a very spiritual man- he's been our family friend for years. His career expertise lies in Real Estate Brokerage- a man of contradictions! I was surprised to see him again because only a few days ago, I was thinking about this scary looking man whom I met when I was still a baby.

Of course he wanted to know where I would prefer to live. Close relatives and acquaintances these days have only one topic to bug my parents and I about- my nuptials. He stated that he is trying to find out my preferences so that he could refer me to an eligible bachelor's family. My family just smiled; I stammered, "Anywhere life takes me is good- for right now, it is Los Angeles!" He laughed, "Not India? Ever?" I smiled, "Never say never".

Mr Shukla then quit talking about marriage, looked into my eyes with a knowing look, smiled, and said, "Things will go the way you want them to. Just meditate and let that be your guide." I sucked in a sharp breath- he knew! I thought about it later as well, and realized that he is aware of what I am going through. In fact, he had brought for us as a present a book by Yogananda (The monk who established the Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades) on meditation. While leaving, his daughter whispered in my ear about a meditation center in Montebello that was amazing for fulfillment energy- even she knew? I closed my eyes when he left, and a voice in my head spoke to me- Soulmates- this struggle is your Karma. At the risk of sounding retarded, I now know that souls recognize each other. No, this won't happen on my time line. I do not even know how events would unfold- I have given up trying to piece the puzzle together. It will happen when I've learned my lessons and when souls are ready. I will not bother anyone anymore- it does not do any good. Now that I know the whys, I won't ask about the hows.

This leaves one less person to bother me about my marriage. Mr. Shukla knows- and thank you for pointing it out to me, my visitor from back in time.