Brewing the essence of love

Chapter 20

Koyal's POV

It is often said that time flies away, like an arrow piercing through the air. This adage seems all too accurate for me right now as I reflect upon the past. It feels like just yesterday when I returned to my hometown Chandigarh, accepted Vardhaan's proposal, made the decision to forgo pursuing a master's degree in the United States, and subsequently got married. Yet, when I recollect these memories, they appear to have transpired in a flying moment. Returning to the present, I am surprised to find that more than three years have passed since then.

As I gazed out the window of the airplane, I watched the sun disappear behind the clouds, casting its golden light everywhere. This peaceful scene reminded me of the past three years, which have been a blissful time for me. During this time, I have had the opportunity to get to know my new family better. I have also learned that it can be quite challenging to appease Uday Chachu and Leela Chachi when they get angry. It took me almost 1.5 years of hard work to finally earn their complete forgiveness.

I remember when Vardhaan told my family about the issues I was facing regarding my desire to pursue a master's degree in the United States. Chachu was very angry and hurt. He said, "I thought you considered us as valuable and trustworthy as your parents all these years, but you proved me wrong, Koyal. Why didn't you tell me? I would have cancelled everything in the world for you to go. I could have explained the situation to Kalyani aunty. I am very hurt, Koyal." For the first time, he called me by my name "Koyal" instead of his usual nickname for me, "Bittu." This showed me how angry he was.

Chachi was also unwilling to let me go, and she said, "Koyal, when you had decided not to go to the states, you shouldn't go now. You got married just five days ago. If you leave now, your bond with Vardhaan and his family will never become stronger. I want your happiness, Koyal, whether you believe it or not." But Vardhaan understood me and convinced his family that I should go to pursue my master's degree. He was the only one who truly understood me back then.

Marrying Vardhaan gave me a new family. Amrita, and Sameer are just like the younger sibling's I never got. Akash chachu and Smita maa are just like my own chacha chachi. I bond well with Maa Papa as well. Dadaji and Shalini bua are very sweet as well. The only people who don't get along with me are Bebe and Tripti bua.

And Vardhaan..... my Vardhaan my husband is the most caring and understanding patner I could ever ask for. It was his unconditional support that helped me reach where I am today. Sadly, it was my own stupidity that led to us losing contact. Even after being married for three years, we still feel like strangers to each other, just like we did before we met.

Vardhaan's POV

Three years, it's been three years I married her. A lot of things changed after marrying her. For example my equation with my grandfather. During these past three years, I have also achieved my dream of becoming a successful businessman. Professionally, everyone sees me as a content and accomplished person. However, only my close friends know how chaotic my personal life, or rather my married life, has become.

Marrying Koyal gave me Adi bhaiya, an elder brother, a friend, and an inspiration. We became pretty close in these past three years. He helped me settle my own business, something which I always wanted to do. He also advised me in my personal life. I meet her uncle and aunt every time I go back home. They are sweet people.

I look at the fast changing scene from my car window and wonder is this how fast our childhood go away? I still can't believe I am going to attend my Avi's marriage. My baby brother whom I always considered a small child is going to get married today. God, I can't help but be happy for him. He is finally marrying his darling, his sweetheart. His face when he told me about his proposal, it was as red as tomato. We also had to a lot of convincing to my grandparents.

"Sir, would you like to have something? After we cross this village there is no place to eat for a really long distance." My driver I asked me. I was not hungry yet I told him to stop at a dhaba (a restaurant). Even if I am not hungry I can't starve him. While I was sitting there a girl walked a cross me.

That girl's perfume reminded me of her. From her I remember I will meet her also over there. After almost 2 and half years, I will meet her. It's been a really long time I saw or heard about her. I fear if it was not her and some other person, I would not recognize them. However her we are talking about my wife. How can I forget that angelic voice, that innocent face? How can I forget my wife? I will always remember each and every thing in detail about her.

I still remember how her eyes shone with happiness and curiosity the first time I saw, that shy smile she had throughout our engagement. Those same eyes which were filled with sadness and worry from our sangeet till she went to US. I wonder, if the shine in her eyes had returned, if the smile she gave to people was the real one or the fake one.

Meeting her, will finally gave me an opportunity to listen to her angelic voice once again. I have been yearning to listen to that angelic soft sweet voice every day since that past three years. I have been with her for hardly 5 days, yet I missed her. I missed her each and every day for the past three years. I have been longing for her presence every day and every moment. I can't help but wonder if she thinks about me at all during these years we've been apart. The thing which I worry the most is for how long will I remain a part of her life?

Lost in her thoughts, in a really short time I reached my house. The house was decorated exactly like the way it was three years back. There were over excited relatives talking, dancing and celebrating, over worked workers running here and there getting their work done. Nothing much had changed in my family's style of celebrating, except the fact that three years two unwanted souls were tied together by their families and this time two souls, who love each other and want to be together are getting tied in a knot.

As I got down from the car and towards the entrance of the house the scene their touched my heart. My Bebe, maa and choti maa were waiting for me to come. Their faces lit up seeing me come. Looking at them my heart warmed up, it gave me a homely feeling. "Haye, my child you have come I was waiting for you all day. Live a long life" Bebe blessed me as I touched her feet. My mom and aunt also blessed me as I touched their feet's.

I was about to enter the house when Mom stopped me. I looked at her with a questioning gaze. "Who, you dad is about to come with your wife why don't you both come together" She said. "That is great didi" Choti maa said. "Ketli, Aarti ki thal lao" [Ketli, bring the veneration (pooja) plate] Bebe said, when I felt my dad come. Soon she stood beside me, it reminded me of our grih pravesh. I was lost in my thoughts when mom said now both of you come in. I entered the house with her, praying a future together this time

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