Shade in the Sun

Chapter 1

Avantika, Sreeja's aunt, knew her well. Parties, clubs, friends, and long drives, that's how she spent her evenings and weekends. Avantika never had a problem with her lifestyle but she knew if she continued living her life the same way, she might not feel like getting married at all. She knew it in her heart that Gaurav would be a great match for her, and would bring stability to her life. But it was too difficult to get Sreeja along with this.

Sreeja's mother passed away when she was 19. Since then, Avantika took it on to her to fill that void. Before Sreeja's mother passed away, Avantika and Sreeja were like friends. Avantika knew she could not change this relationship easily. In fact, she didn't even want to. She wanted to stay a friend to her but knew she had to fulfill the duties of a mother too.

Avantika knew it would be difficult to get Sreeja to agree to this alliance, so she thought of getting Gaurav's thoughts on this first.

Gaurav stayed in a rented apartment next to Avantika's. She organized dinner and invited both Gaurav and Sreeja to her place.

"Good evening Avantika aunty," Gaurav wished her, as he arrived for dinner at sharp 8 pm. He handed over a bottle of champagne to Avantika's husband. He didn't have a clue this was a 'choose your Jeevansaathi' event. Sreeja came 30 mins later. As soon as she entered, the time stopped.....for Gaurav of course.

It's said that men take 3.8 seconds to fall in love with a woman, the countdown timer for Gaurav had started. Sreeja bent slightly to give a peck on her aunt's cheek. Her hair strands slid one over the other and covered her face. Within the darkness of her hair came a sparkle from earrings. She moved her hair back with her fingers fanned out across her forehead. She turned and smiled. The surroundings just got blurred. It was as if she was emitting light. All that happened in 3.8 seconds.

She was exquisite in her one-piece floral dress. "Hi," she said in her soft voice. He just felt as if a bird tweeted, but didn't release he was being greeted. Sreeja smiled and took a seat.

"Gaurav," Avantika spoke up.

"Gaurav dear," this time a little louder.

He got back to his senses, embarrassed to realize that everyone noticed what happened in the last few seconds. He greeted Sreeja and she smiled again.

The dinner went well, especially for Avantika. She got the answer she was looking for, without even asking Gaurav.

A couple of days later, Gaurav bumped into Avantika.

"Is she single, Aunty? I mean...I just wanted to know... just asking ...," he said.

"She is very much single."

"I was thinking if it's ok to call her?"

She smiled and shared Sreeja's contact with him.