Paayal - His Scarred Butterfly ✅

32 - LEAVING WITH MEMORIES

காலங்கள் தாண்டி காத்திருப்பேன்
காதலை ஏந்தி காத்திருப்பேன்.
(I will wait for you beyond times,
I will wait, carrying the love forever)

Krishna arrived at Paayal's home within the next ten minutes. When he entered the gate, three other men also entered the gate simultaneously. Two men seemed to be in their late forties and another man seemed to be in his early twenties. All their eyes converged on Krishna with a puzzlement. Krishna responded with an awkward smile, halting his bicycle as he understood that one of the middle aged men was Paayal's father. Because, He had seen him in wall photos.

Paayal's father asked Krishna, "Dear, Are you Pranav's friend??"

"No. Paayal's friend, uncle." He replied.

"Oh, Paayal's friend! It's good that you came here when we are going to talk about Paayal's marriage. I am her father Dipendra and this is my friend Agastya. He is his son Koushik. He is the prospective groom for Paayal! He loves Paayal for the last three years. As Paayal is turning 18 soon, We thought of arranging her marriage," Dipendra explained, unknowingly shattering Krishna's heart into pieces.

He thought, tears welling up in his eyes, "So, I was right. She has a lover. Even the letter K matches. So, she is going to marry soon. My Paayal is going to marry another person."

"Come in. She will be happy to have her friend with her on this happy occasion," Dipendra invited him in, intervening in his thoughts.

He didn't have strength to witness his Paayal's wedding conversations. He shook his head, indicating No and added, controlling his tears with all his strength, "It's...It's okay uncle. I....I...We friends are going out to celebrate the results. I thought to call Paayal too with us. But now, She can't come, right? Let me go. Other friends are waiting."

He nodded his head.

Krishna turned his eyes to Koushik and tried his best not to tremble his voice. "You will take care of her under all circumstances na?"

Dipendra intervened, "Yes. He will take care of her like a princess. I have that confidence in him. That's why I thought of arranging this wedding itself."

Krishna shook his head in disagreement. "No, dada. No need to take care of her like a princess. Take care of her like a child. Be like a mother to her. That's what she misses and needs. Giving what they need is love. Giving what we can is help. She needs love. Not help," His voice shivered and his eyes were brimmed with tears, ready to flow.

Dipendra was stunned for a moment. Agastya was just feeling puzzled, wondering who it was.

On the other hand, Koushik felt irritated with his philosophical dialogues. But, He chose not to show his annoyance in front of Paayal's father and grinned awkwardly. "Yes. I will give what she needs. I promise."

That was more than enough for Krishna. He turned his face away, wiping his brimmed tears and then forced a smile at Koushik. "Hmm, Paayal is innocent and a tender soul. Take care of her. I know how much you both love each other. Yet I am saying, take care of My P...friend," and turned to ride his bicycle out immediately, as he couldn't control his tears anymore.

Koushik was perplexed. "Uncle? What is he saying uncle? Do we love each other? Does Paayal too love me?? I didn't even propose to her till now. Paayal doesn't even know who I am. Is he mad? Did you notice his white pants?! It seemed like he was sitting in the roadside soil. It was full of dust. He should be some roadside mad who talks philosophical incoherent words. Does Paayal have roadside mads and all as her friends?!"