He did not know why but from the first moment he met this little girl, he found her very familiar. She was continuously making him remember someone from his memories. About someone whose lingering faint smile in his memory still takes his breath away.

Though he was sure that the little girl’s facial features weren’t similar to that woman but her chocolate brown hair and the talks were all like her. Especially when her sweet soft voice copied the same dialogue that was imprinted in his heart and has also become the biggest regret in his life.

‘Always care and protect the things and the people around you’. This was something he had listened to before but wasn’t able to keep in mind. And as a result lost something that he has promised to protect with his whole life.

He was snapped back to reality when he felt a tug on his sleeves. He looked at the girl whose little face was anxious thinking about something. “Tall – Careless Uncle, can you please guide me back to the place from where I have followed you. I think I have lost my way”

Li Wei looked at the man who has now become the only speedy way to reach back to the bench where her mother has left her last. She was growing anxious thinking how scared her mother would get if she can’t find her there.

She felt a relief when she found the man nodding to her request. “Okay Little I will take you back but first tell me from where did you come? I haven’t seen you following me before”

Li Wei again turned to look around but her eyes were all puzzled. She has really lost her way and the sense of the direction from where she has come.

She again turned to look at the man and said in an apologetic tone, “Uncle I really don’t remember. I just know that my mother has left me on the bench near the entrance and asked me to stay put there. But then I came after you. I need to get back soon or my mother will get all scared alone. She would be lost”

The little girl presented in a way where it didn’t feel like she was the one lost rather her words meant it was her mother who had been lost and this girl was trying hard to find her.

Hearing her say the words like that he wanted to laugh out but then looking around the crowd of people he controlled it and said, “Okay fine. Let’s then go and find your lost Mama then”

He stood up and gave the little girl a hand to hold. They were looking quite adorable together. Looking around in all directions, he asked the girl, being curious about how her little brain worked, “But Little, don’t you feel the sentence that your sentence before doesn’t sound quite appropriate?”

Li Wei’s eyes which were busy searching for her mother in the midst of the crowd halted. He lifted her head up to look at the man, “Huh? Which sentence?”

“Before when you said that your mother is lost. Don’t you think it is the other way? You are lost here and your mother might be finding you”

 “Nope, I wasn’t wrong. My mother has always said to me before that I am her lighthouse. And the lighthouse never gets lost. It only helps the lost people to find their way. And also in this situation, it is my mother who will be lost not me. Because she is all alone, while I am searching her with you”, she said then again reverted her eyes to look around in search of her mother.

Suddenly the little girl’s eyes showed a glimmer as she had found the thing she was searching for. She gave a hard tug at the man’s hands which she was holding all her way making him stop in his steps.

He turned to look at the girl. “Uncle there it is” The girl said pointing her fingers towards the luggage which was kept near the bench where Li Xue had left her.  “That’s the place I was sitting before”.

He looked at the place and there was two luggage, but no one was present there. “But your Mama isn’t there. What to do? I should not leave you there alone or you would again run after someone else”

“I won’t. My mother will be here soon”, Li Wei said. In her heart she was relieved that her mother hadn’t returned or else if she really found her missing then she was really going to receive a good amount of scolding. And now she doesn’t want this uncle to meet her Mama, it would only bring out the hidden secret.

“No, no Little. I won’t be leaving you alone here. I was a good person so I brought you back what if you met someone bad. And he would have taken you away. Didn’t your mother warn you before. You shouldn’t go and talk to strangers. It’s not safe”, his voice got all concerned.

“Tall – careless Uncle, I have heard those words many times. I am not a careless one like you. I have seen you earlier. You didn’t seem to be a bad guy to me, that’s why I followed you to return your handkerchief that you dropped behind”, the little girl said in and turned to look around.

She has to keep an eye on her mother too and send this uncle before she arrives.

But at this moment an announcement was heard. “Kindly pay attention! A 5 – year – old little girl missing. She is wearing black jeans, with an olive green jacket. If anyone spotted her, please help her reach us”

The man’s attention got attracted to it. “Hey Little! I think they are searching for you. Let’s go to the desk. Your mother will be there”

The little girl blinked her eyes contemplating the things that she just heard. So she has miscalculated. Her mother has already found that she was missing that’s why she was not her. Now there was no way she was going to escape from her scolding. It would be better to follow this uncle. He might be of some help. She thought and then held his hand to get to the airport announcement desk.

But before they could take some steps, an anxious voice stopped them.

“Li Wei!”

Hearing the voice, the man’s body went stiff. Was he hearing the voice about he has dreamt for five years non – stop? Was she really here?