Laazawaal Mohabbat

Chapter 4 : The Owner Of Those Innocent Eyes

*The song, the folk singer is singing*

~

Rajasthan, apart from being famous for it's palaces, forts and scenic architectures, is also famous for it's culture, traditions and hospitality. The experience of Rajasthan is never complete unless you have a taste of the myriad fairs and festivals that it has to offer. They are a celebration of life, heritage, and nature, in true Rajasthani style.

The cultural festival was one such affair. Celebrated to showcase the warmth and culture of the people, marked by processions all over town, followed by a range of competitions, folk dance and music and dazzling fireworks.

Around 11 in the morning, Zunera and Shanaya stepped into the Grand Centre where the festival was taking place. It was a fine sunny day but the wind flow was stronger than usual. Making lightweight things fly. She got instantly enraptured by the women, dressed in the traditional ghaghara with a veil on head, doing Ghoomar — the traditional Rajasthani dance — in a circle. Men could be seen in traditionals as well — dhoti and angarkha with Paaga over head — engrossed in various activities. Many stalls were set of jewelry, clothing, and jutis. All traditional.

“Zooni! Let's check out jhumkas! I swear they have the best here!” - Shanaya said, jogging towards the concerned stall.

Zunera didn't have enough money to spend on shopping but in such stalls, everything was cheaper than usual shops so she reckoned, a pair of jhumkas and silver bangles — her favourite — would do no harm. She just took a step to follow her friend when a soulful folk voice rang among the crowd, capturing her heart instantly.

Oohh....
Saajan, Saajan...
Main karoon....

She didn't realize, her feet turned on it's own towards the voice and she started walking in a trance.

~

“This place is so cool man!” - Arbaaz exclaimed, as he roamed in the festival with his groom-to-be friend, Tarun.

True to his words, he had arrived Jaipur around 10 in the morning. Tarun had already sent him address which was basically a home where the groom's and bride's relatives both were living. After freshening up, Tarun had barely let him have breakfast before the former dragged him to the festival stating that his bride-to-be already left with her friend.

Oohh....
Saajan, Saajan...
Main karoon....

A voice started singing nearby and he smiled. He just loved folk music.

His gaze fell on a stall where traditional clothing was being sold. He thought to buy something for his sister-in-law, as she loved traditional things. Specially Rajasthani.

“Tarun, I'll be right back.” - he said to his friend.

“Okay I'm going to find Shanaya! Will meet you in a while!” - he heard his friend's shout as he jogged towards the shop.

To saajan jeev jadi
Saajan phool gulaab ro
Sunghu ghadi ghadi...

His eyes roamed on the dresses, sarees, ghagharas. Deciding according to his sister-in-law's taste when his gaze fell on a baby pink stoler and he froze as his brain reminded him of that girl again. Face covered in a baby pink dupatta except for those caramel brown eyes.

He smiled unknowingly picking the stoler out from the hanger and looking at it. A strong flow of wind passed, making the stole fly from his hands while he looked on wide eyed.

‘Oh shoot!’

Ho ji kasariya baalam aavo ni
Padharo maare des re
Padharo maare des re
Padharo maare des re...