(Read Part 1 and Part 2 from the profile or from Link1 and Link2.)

Laya was quiet for a moment. Swapna thought that Laya will walk out of the room and will never talk for a week. Yes, Laya was a moody person with a very sensitive mind. We can never predict what will make her happy, sad or angry. Laya may get angry at things she loved and laughed about, and cry over little things. Swapna used to tell Laya that her moods are like the weather; unpredictable. 

The look on Laya's face alarmed Laya's mom too. 

Laya's face went from serious to sad to happy in a matter of seconds. Finally, with pride, she announced, “My books are my assets.”  

“What?” Swapna and Laya's Mom asked in unison. 

“Yes. My books. If books are not assets then what? Books are nuggets of wisdom. Every word in it has a story to tell. At first, you may only read the story, but when you look close, it is more than that. Look between the lines and pauses after conversations to see a part of the author that they deliberately but efficiently hid there. It is not just a story; it's life. People live in those pages. People die in those pages. Life, with all the colours, blooms and withers in those delicate paper where words build, nourishes and then finally detonate it. In my opinion, books are the only assets. Where can you find life like this? You live as many lives as the number of books you read. If this is not an asset, then tell what is.” Laya finished her long speech by looking fondly at her bookshelf where books were arranged according to the colour of the cover to form a rainbow of books. 

There was silence in the room after Laya's auspicious speech about the books. Both Swapna and her Mom were baffled by the way she explained books. Laya looked at both of them for some time. They were out of words and she knew she won. 

                                                       ----------------------------

“Hello, Swapna betta? Can you hear me?”

Mom's call brought Swapna back to reality. 

“Yes, Ma.”

“Remember the last study leave when Laya talked about the will and about books?”

How can I forget, thought Swapna. “Yes Ma” 

“If you are free this afternoon, can you come home betta? There is something I want to show you.” 

At first Swapna thought of denying the invitation but after a few seconds the realisation struck her; there is a will. Yes. What else could be there to show other than that? Swapna knew about everything Laya owned and loved. So it must be the will. 

With a hushed voice, Swapna asked “There is a will. Isn't it?” her voice was doubtful but was full of hope. 

“Yes betta. Laya has a will.” 

To be continued.. 

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