"Your daughter is a doll."

Mr. Shukla says to my father. Mr. Shukla, the same man with the intense hazel eyes and the tobacco stained teeth. I reach their residence at 1:30, minutes after my parents. S Burnside Avenue- something about this street makes me uncomfortable as I drive along- it's as if it's a reminder of something unpleasant. But it's the first time that I've been on this street, so what could it be? A previous event that took place here related to some enemy? I don't know. It sure feels like it.

I enter their home and the energy changes. Mr. Shukla holds my head, saying, "My kiddo Shreya , I was waiting to chat with you! Why didn't you arrive earlier?" We start with the amazing delicacies that his daughter had very kindly prepared for us- a mouthwatering array of sweets and spicy fritters. Mr. Shukla periodically throws some in my plate (In India, people don't believe in letting someone's plate remain empty. "Eat, why are you so thin? Come on, stop talking and eat!"). After an hour or so, lunch is served. My mouth waters at the sight of seven different dishes that the lady has painstakingly prepared. Moreover, these dishes are local to the city that I grew up in, so naturally, I am pleased. As we chit chat over lunch, she describes to me the miracles that she has seen happen with her own friends and family through their belief in the meditation center that she was describing last week- it is about faith, ultimately. You have to want something and then believe that it will be granted to you. I thank her for sharing this with me- I meditate anyway, so why not try this? I tell her that I will join her next Thursday when she goes. The Sufi Fakir saint who founded this group is renowned in India and around the world.

Mr. Shukla continues to joke with me about his friendship with my family and how far back it goes. I ask him if he is a Scorpio. He replies, "Yes! I was born November so-and-so". I know a Scorpio when a see one- I guess I'm sharp at certain things. He proceeds to show us the altar that he has for all his spiritual advisors and dieties. I tell them about a Temple that I attend in Laguna Beach, where they pray both Indian Goddesses and Mother Mary, because, ultimately, they are "mothers", even if the religions are different. Impressed by this concept, Mr. Shukla and his daughter remark that my understanding of spirituality is very deep.

Mr Shukla tells me father, "This child is lucky. She is lucky for you, and she is very lucky for any family that she will be a part of." I smile, thanking him for the compliments. He retorts, "I don't just say it for no reason, you really are a wonderful daughter to have."