The dictionary term of pursuit is “The act or an instance of chasing.” I was brought up to believe that it was when you stopped giving chase that happiness found you. Happiness is ... cartoon and posters were all the rage and sat alongside Simon le Bon and Nik Kershaw on my bedroom walls. A hugely successful advertising campaign for cigars ran for what seemed like my whole childhood, declaring that happiness is that first puff. Each advert showed a man sat amid a day to day disaster, ranging from flatpack furniture cascading around him to a broken seat in a passport booth. As he falls out of shot Handel's Air on a G String begins to play and he lights up, leaving the viewer with beautiful music, a smoke stream and the slogan Happiness is ... a cigar called Hamlet.

In 2000 this advert was voted eighth most popular advert, despite the subject matter being socially unacceptable in modern Britain. Life was simpler back then. Happiness was found in the little things. Now, we search for them in the big things, the expensive things. Thanks to peer pressure we now need to have the latest bag, biggest car or most expensive watch in order to be happy. The modern trend for property development shows our greed perfectly. During the Second World War, spare rooms housed servicemen and evacuees, while in the Fifties and Sixties only very lucky people ended up with spare rooms, and even then there was always the danger that newlyweds would walk straight down the aisle and back up the stairs while they saved for that all important deposit on a small home of their own. Nowadays, we live in the mistaken belief that a spare house is normal.

Whether it's a chalet in a ski resort, an investment property in Spain or your parents' Right to Buy council house it seems that owning just one property is rather poor form, old dear. It is little wonder that our own children are leading such a vicarious lifestyle. Compared to buying a second, third or fourth property, that extra pair of shoes seems distinctly lacking in frivolity. But is the search for happiness being conducted in the right places?

The phrase "the pursuit of Happiness" is far from new. Even in the American Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson encouraged Americans to strive for "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." However, it fails to define happiness, leaving us all to decide for ourselves where our happiness lies. I teach a creative writing class for people who were teenagers in the 1960's. Every week, the class produces stories based on their experiences and memories, and their current demeanor can be traced straight back to those earlier days, despite the forty year gap. Those who recall happy childhood memories are pleasant in class and positive in their praise of others.

Those who led harsher teenage years still can't let go. They give very little praise to others and grudgingly accept compliments. Perhaps they feel that there is a limit on "good" things, from compliments to laughter, and if they give too many compliments out then there won't be any left for them. It is a very sad indictment of life in the 21st Century because the people in the class are all potential friends. Unfortunately, for some their early disappointments mean they can overlook a gift of happiness when it is offered. Perhaps it is because it is offered as a free gift that we overlook its worth. Professor Oswald from Warwick University recently took part in the science of happiness project and claims that friendship is hugely valuable. The ability to retrieve happiness from friends is worth £50,000 in economic terms.

So, is happiness to be found in other people, rather than brighter and shinier possessions? It is no accident that people now view themselves less happy now, despite our relative wealth, and the plummeting number of marriages. Speaking on The Happiness Formula programme, Conservative government leader David Cameron posed the question, “how are we going to try and make sure that we don't just make people better off but we make people happier,” He could have looked across the channel to France for some insight. Existentialist and Nobel prize winner for Literature, Albert Camus stated back in 1956, “When you have once seen the glow of happiness on the face of a beloved person, you know that a man can have no vocation but to awaken that light on the faces surrounding him; and you are torn by the thought of the unhappiness and night you cast, by the mere fact of living, in the hearts you encounter.”

Will Smith himself backs this up in his choice of co-stars. His own wife played alongside him in the earlier hit, Prince of Bel-Air, and in his latest film he plays alongside his own son, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith. Their evident happiness at working together, and working with such a "beloved" person rubbed off on the rest of the crew. In newspaper interviews, director Gabrielle Muccino said of Jaden “he had incredible skills. So evident, so strong. I think the chemistry between father and son is amazing. And both of them probably got something from each other during the process of the movie. I was very, very happy to get Jaden.”

In some ways it is easy to seek happiness in the possession of material gains, merely because the emotional pain at their loss is greatly reduced. You may love your car, house or new bag but in reality when the washing machine breaks down we simply replace it. It may cause a nuisance, while repairs are being made, or replacements sought, but it is a mere blip in our life compared to the feelings of losing a loved one. Some people, such as relatives, will never be replaced. When your mother dies you may eventually seek out the qualities you loved in her in your other friendships, but no one will tell you to go and find another mother. The difference comes with lover, ironically the person we anchor much of our love and happiness to.

Those who have lost beloved partners are split between those who seek companionship with almost indecent haste and those who could never imagine finding that level of happiness again. The people in the latter group, when meeting someone new usually say “I wasn't even looking.” The fact that they have experienced real happiness with another person, usually means their new relationship lasts, possibly because they refused to settle for anything less.

On February 3, the Daily Mail ran a story about Maureen Lipman, who has found love three years after losing her husband, playwright Jack Rosenthal. Interviewed before meeting businessman David Gordon she said “It's almost impossible to think of marrying again. But it's in my mind that I might meet someone new. Maybe happiness is not elusive at all - in truth, maybe sometimes we simply forget how to let in it. Occasionally I see a man who has a look I find attractive, that slightly crumpled, world-weary look that Jack had. But you know, I literally wouldn't know where to begin.” Thanks to her new beau, she now claims “it's nice to come out into the world again.”

Luckily, for all who are rebuffing the possibilities of happiness for an elusive dream, there is always retail therapy to fall back on.

“My mother will come to take me away…My mother will come to take me away….My mother will come to take me away…” she whispered repeatedly.

With that thought tucked in her mind, she quickly fell into a deep sleep, knowing that she is finally free from renunciation and bad karma. She is finally free from the evil Madhumati.

It was in the early in the morning when the train stopped. The crowd woke up at once, trying to peak outside the tainted windows and looking for signs of familiarity. Narayan tried to push himself near the windows, and for what seems to be a millisecond, he caught a glimpse of an old man standing in the middle of a courtyard. With all the excitement and exhilaration going around, Narayan never thought twice about who the man was. He breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that they are finally safe and rescued.

“Ghandi! Ghandi!” he shouted.

Everyone started shouting and rejoicing. In unison, they shouted Ghandi's name, threw their hands to the sky and thanked God. Chuyia, who was lying in the corner of the train, away from the crowded people, was dazed and wondering what was happening. People pushed and shoved, making their way out of the train. Narayan hurried to get young Chuyia, but she refused to go outside.

“What is this talk about Ghandi?” she asked. “Who is he?”

“This is the movement! Chuyia, we're safe! We're away from home!” Narayan replied, full of energy and delight.

“I want to go home! I want to go home!” Chuyia cried. Tears fell down her tiny cheeks. “I don't want to live here! I don't want to be another widow!” she screamed.

Narayan saw the pain in her eyes. He could never imagine what she was going through. Emotionally, she was still weak and could not grasp what was happening. Narayan wondered if she could ever move forward and adapt to another new life. Her head lowered, as if she was ashamed of herself.

“Chuyia, you're safe with me. I promise,” he explained.

“I want to go home! I want to go home! Take me home!”

Narayan grabbed her hand with desperation and force. He took her outside and there, they stood as Narayan looked around and discovered that they were finally in Calcutta. He looked up the sky and thought of Kalyani.

“I wanted to take you away. I wanted to take you here,” he whispered.

For the first time in weeks, Narayan smiled. He thought of how Kalyani would be so happy, knowing that Chuyia is free from all the emotional burdens and will not go through the same life that Kalyani lived and experienced. It was a new change and a new way to start over for the both of them.

“This is our new home, Chuyia,” he tried to explain, as he looked around the courtyard and saw their new beginning. The place wasn't perfect, but they were isolated from the cities and towns. No one would be able to find them and take away the freedom that they have always longed for. In this isolated place, there is no caste system and regulations that will separate the higher classes from the lower ones. It was hard to explain to Chuyia the feeling of independence and liberation. All that he could think of was that they were safe from all corruption, poverty, prostitution and forbidden love.

“My mother will take me away!” Chuyia shouted. Chuyia started running away. She pushed everyone aside and ran as fast as she could. Although she was weak and her small body no longer had the energy to move forward, she still kept running. She kept running until she realized that she didn't know where she was going and she didn't know the way home. She looked down again and tried to comprehend what was happening. For now, she had no choice but to go back. She had no choice but to put her trust in Narayan. She had no choice but to accept that she might not be coming back home at all. Tears poured down her cheeks as she headed back to the courtyard. She walked slower than usual this time, still looking at the ground.

“Are you lost?” an enigmatic voice asked. Chuyia looked up and saw a dark, good looking person with black-brown eyes. It was Shakuntala. She handed her a small handkerchief and touched her small face.

“Chuyia, we're safe now. Trust me when I say this,” she smiled.

“Madhumati told me she's taking me home! Madhumati told me I was going to be safe! But they hurt me,” she cried.

“You can trust me Chuyia. I will never hurt you,”

“No! You all lied to me! Kalyani is dead because of all of you! I don't want to be like Kalyani!” she screamed. Chuyia, once again, started running as fast as she could. However, this time, there was no stopping her.

“Chuyia, come back here! You can't run away forever!” Shakuntala cried.

Chuyia didn't listen. She pushed everyone aside and tried to find a way out. With each second, she kept turning and changing her mind. She knew nothing of the place and she couldn't trust anyone anymore. Worst of all, she could no longer trust herself. She tried to adapt to a new life. She tried to trust in herself and her belief, but her she could no longer trust her own mind. Kalyani was dead and she had no family. But at the same time, knowing that she was alone, she couldn't help but go back. This act of rebellion left everyone around her speechless. They were staring at her as all hell broke loose. She ran and ran until she stumbled upon an old man.

“Who are you running away from?” he asked.

Chuyia stopped for a second and thought of his question. She wasn't running away. There was nothing to run away from. There was no place to run to. She was caught in between.

“I just want to go home,” she looked down and stared at her feet.

“What's your name, young girl?” he asked.

“Chuyia,” she mumbled.

“Well, Chuyia, this is your home,” he answered with no hesitation. He looked down at her, but Chuyia refused to look back.

“I'm never coming back home, am I?” she asked.

“Sometimes you just can't go home. It's hard to explain, but I'm sure one day you'll understand that you're already home. This is the safest place you'll ever be.”

The man was right. Chuyia didn't understand what was happening. There was much talk about the movement, but she knew nothing about it. There was much talk about changing India but she saw no action being done. She was just an onlooker, trying to find beauty in a world so flawed. She didn't know what was truly happening, but whatever it was, she had to put her trust into someone. She wanted to argue and keep on running away, but she swallowed all her words and anger. She was getting tired. She walked away and cleared the thoughts in her mind.

She found a river near the courtyard, sat down, and took it all in. She looked at her reflection and reached for the water. The river seemed to flow endlessly, giving a sense of life-source and purity to her world. For now, the river becomes her source of hope and faith, but no one really knows for sure when the waters will run dry.