Just then a strong breeze blew in and the moon disappeared behind the clouds. Everything was enveloped  in  a  darkness permeated with sadness. Startled, they both looked at each other. The cruel hands of age had withered once blossom-like faces and strong sculpted bodies. With a desperate sigh, their eyes misted but this was momentary. The next moment, clouds parted and moonlight flooded all around them. Both looked up, their eyes shining like stars. With a smile, they said, “So what if life is like autumn now? There once was spring...when masses of flowers bloomed...whose fragrance still perfumes the air. We have lived a full life. We have drunk its cup to our heart’s fill.” And holding hands, they walked inside the house with steady steps.
—from this book

Collection of short stories which are historical, regional, social and romantic. In a nutshell, these are from the varied pattern of life which is woven with bright as well as grey threads. Reader will find the characters as if they are known to him and will feel a bond with them in their smiles or tears; happiness or sorrow. These will not only entertain the readers but also infuse a sense of self-pride and social awareness in them.

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Contents

Introduction Pgs—5

1. Ninni Pgs—9

2. A Photo in the Frame Pgs—44

3. Tahlinyan Pgs—51

4. Don’t Surrender Your Dreams Pgs—57

5. Sherbat Gul Pgs—63

6. Gulabari Pgs—70

7. How Long Pgs—78

8. Betwaa Pgs—83

9. Three Friends Pgs—87

10. Zari-Pataka Pgs—93

11. Light Unto Light Pgs—96

12. The Martyr Pgs—99

13. Our Himalayas Pgs—104

14. Sweater Pgs—109

15. Rajjo Amma Pgs—116

16. Dark Clouds Pgs—120

17. Dew-Drop Pgs—123

18. Love is the Key Pgs—126

19. Phulma Pgs—134

20. Time and Tide Pgs—141

21. Jatri Aami Ore... 146

22. Sosan Pgs—155

23. The New Sita Pgs—162

24. Home Pgs—167

25. Adieu Kannu Da Pgs—176

26. Let Me Go Now Pgs—185

27. How Green was My Village Pgs—194

28. The Chawl Pgs—202

29. If Autumn Comes... 209

Santosh Shailja was born on 14th April, 1937 in Amritsar (Punjab). She had her education upto Matriculation there. After that her parents shifted to Delhi where she did her B.A. and M.A. (Hindi). After doing her B.Ed. she taught in Govt. Higher Secondary School in Delhi. After marriage with Shri Shanta Kumar in 1964, both came to live in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. She is blessed with three daughters and a son. All are married and blessed with children.
As she had an aptitude for reading and writing, her first story appeared in Panchjanya, a Hindi weekly from Delhi. Afterwards, she regularly wrote stories for Saptahik Hindustan, Dharmayuga, Sarika, Kadambini.