It was a bright sunny day in Amsterdam as I exited from the impressive gates of the Abn Amro Bank after finishing my official assignment there. The year was 1971. Somebody there suggested me to visit the Green Bar on Zeil street for sampling the best Dutch liquor and food. So I said to myself why not. I deserved this after a hard working day. I entered the underground passage and emerged on the other side on Zeil street. The entire street was lined with shops with colorful displays on the glass windows. There was Shu Shu the famous footwear shop. I was tempted to enter it then changed my mind. I had to catch the return flight to New Delhi and there was little time left. At the end of the block I turned left and there opposite the street was the Green bar. Then I froze. She was standing outside the Green bar perhaps waiting for a taxi. 'God' I said to myself ' She is Maria. Maria Costella !!' I was seeing her after nearly 10 years. She was our neighbour in Lucknow. The prettiest girl in the neighborhood. I used to visit her house occasionally. Her mummy used to bake delicious cookies and Maria would sit beside me and coax me to eat more and more. I used to gift a rose to her each time I visited her and Maria each time would blush. Then one day they all left. Nobody knew where they disappeared 'Maria Maria' I shouted from across the road and people started to stare at me. I crossed the road and reached her. When she saw me her face expressions changed from puzzlement to astonishment. 'Cant believe this' She cried' You Ashi and here. Is it really you or your ghost' She had become more prettier than before. Gone was those pimples. She had a lovely complexion and beautiful big dreamy eyes. And her figure? She was a goddess. I stood rigid my eyes transfixed on her face. 'I swear Maria' I stuttered ' I could never imagine meeting you again. You have grown to be a beautiful woman' She blushed and scores of memories hit my mind 'You have not changed. The same naughty brute as you were back in Lucknow' she replied mischievously 'What are you doing here?' ' I came here on Government duty and today is my last day' I told her 'Look why cant we sit inside and talk' 'No she replied. Not here. Iam a bar waitress here and my shift is over' She embraced my arm 'Come we will go somewhere else' We walked ahead hand in hand and reached a quaint little cafe on the banks of river Amstel . She ordered Bacardi with coke and to eat bitterballen(crispy meat balls) and Kibbeling(deep fried fish). 'Why did you suddenly leave Lucknow . I tried to search you but you just disappeared' I said to her. 'How is Uncle and Aunty?' 'It was because of my father. He was involved in some shady deals and the police was after him. So we quietly left to stay with my Uncle in London. There he became ill and passed away. I and my mother then shifted here and I took a job' 'Oh Iam really sad to hear this.' I told her' You know the taste of those cookies still linger on my tongue' 'Everything changed ' She replied sadly 'Nothing has changed for me' I said' You are the same Maria for me. Full of life' 'Did you remember me all these years' she replied with a twinkle in her eyes 'Childhood bonds are forever' I told her' They never fade with time' We talked about so many things. We laughed and we teased each other. I took out a flower from the vase and gave it to her. I could see the tears in her eyes. The time for my return flight was nearing and I took her leave. 'Au revoir' I said to her. 'Here is my address. We will meet again. 'Yes' she answered' If God wills' There was a strange melancholy on her face which I could not fathom . I came back to Delhi. After 2 months I received a postcard. It was from her mother. She wrote that Maria is no more. She suffered from terminal cancer which she never disclosed to me. But Maria has specifically told her to inform me about her death so that I may remember her after her death as I remembered her in life. I had a old photograph of Maria. I made a digital picture of her. Hope you like it. Rest in peace Maria ASHOK KUMAR