The Sun & the Stars Aligned

7: Sunset in Udaipur

ADITYA

"Ms. Sharma, I'm not your chauffeur. Sit in the front," I snapped as she opened the back door of the car.

"I know perfectly well, Mr. Chauhan. I was just keeping the haldi there," she retorted, placing the haldi bowl on the backseat before sitting in the front.

I took my seat and started driving. 

I had to escape the palace because all the wedding festivities were giving me a headache. When I informed Maa I needed to leave for urgent business, she insisted I take Ms. Sharma with me. Apparently, she had to go to the temple to offer haldi as part of a ritual. And she made it damn clear- either I take her with me or I don't leave at all.

The ride was eerily quiet. Neither of us attempted to start a conversation. Instead, she opened the window and enjoyed the cool breeze. 

Her strands, freed from its bun, fluttered in the wind, and her delicate neck was exposed. She wore a yellow lehenga that complemented her skin perfectly, making her glow like a goddess. She was flawless, the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. 

She didn't even have to try, yet men would get on their knees for her. The mere thought of other men looking at her made my jaws clench and my grip on the wheel tighten, my knuckles turning red with anger.

She is undeniably charming. The way she danced yesterday without a care in the world, those fucking creeps were leering at her, and it took all my self-control not to gauge out the eyes of every man staring at her. Only I knew how I managed to restrain myself.

We finally reached the temple, which was about an hour away from the palace.

"Mr. Chauhan, aren't you coming?" she asked, peering through the car window after stepping out. 

"It's okay, I'll wait here," I signaled her to go ahead. 

"Since you're already here, why not come inside? Aur vaise bhi bhagwan ji kisi ko kabhi khali haath nahi jaane dete," she insisted, "And there should be someone from the groom's side to offer the auspicious haldi.," she added.

"Ms. Sharma, I have everything I need, I don't need to ask anyone for anything," I told her.

"Fine, apne liye na sahi toh apno ke liye hi maang lijiyega," she smiled at me beautifully.

(if not for yourself, then ask for your loved ones)

I don't know how, but she always manages to convince everyone with her words.

"Panditji, yeh lijiye haldi ka shagun, bhagwan ji ko chada dijiye," she asked him, offering him the haldi thali. He presented the haldi to the God's idol and returned it to her.

"Beta, aap dono ki shaadi hai?" Panditji inquired, and she blushed, nervously shaking her head. 

"Nahi panditji, hum toh bas shagun lekar aaye hain," she explained. Panditji then gave her flowers as a blessing and patted her head.

"Acha beta, main bhagwan se yahi dua karunga ki tumhe bhi apna humsafar jaldi se mile aur tum dono hamesha apne jeevan mein khush raho," he blessed her, and she smiled brightly in return. 

"Agar aashirwad dena hi hai toh mere nanu-nani ko lambi umar ka dijiye, panditji. Bhagwan ji ne mujhe itna kuch diya hai, main unse aur kya maang sakti hun," she expressed.

She's got such a good heart. She really does.

***

"Mr. Chauhan, if you don't mind, can we stop over there?" she asked, turning towards me.