HER PAST & HIS FUTURE

CHAPTER - 9 THE WEDDING GUEST??

-Alara

26TH FEB 2052,
CHENNAI

Alara wakes up after a long sleep, she walks towards the windows open the curtains. “Wow” Alara gasps. she sees
the sunlight reflecting in the sea. The view looks beautiful, “what was I doing without coming here all my life" she thinks to herself. Alara takes a bath and decides to wear the pastel blue Kurti her dad has gifted her. Just when she finishes getting ready. Her phone rings. “Yes Ronak, I’m
done. I was just about to come to you.” she says “oh! okay” Ronak says and Alara walks towards the door. Alara opens the door and sees Ronak right in front of the
door, still on the phone. She smiles and ends the call. “Thanks to you I don’t feel like I’m alone in India”. Alara says while on their way to breakfast. When they are almost at the restaurant on the first floor, Ronak holds back Alara. “We are not eating here, not today!!! He says. Alara giggles at how he’s exaggerating it “okay! but then, where else?” she asks him, I’ll lead the way” Ronak says dramatically doing a prince bow and giving his hand out to Alara,” This is too much! A prince bows!” Alara asks laughing, “It’s a habit, my ancestors were royals he says. That’s Amazing” she replies.

8:00AM

They go to a restaurant by the road which is almost 90% crowded. “I’ve had some dishes before, the only Indian thing my mom let me got associated with, was food. She never told me anything else about India other than her best friend & food, I don’t know why” Alara says. “Oh, by the way the chicken yesterday was amazing!” I was half asleep so I couldn’t appreciate it enough she adds Ronak smiles “I know! I know and, there is a lot more you have
to experience here. Once you do it You will never want to leave.” He says “What are your plans next?” He asks.There’s none. You know, I come here out of blue. I only thought about visiting a temple so far. at borders of Tamil Nadu & Kerala” she says. “Oh! I’m not sure if I can take
you there, but there is a Kaalikamatha temple nearby. I’m going there, want to join?” Ronak says “If you don’t mind,
then sure” she says.

  

10:00AM

They go to the temple, Ronak tells Alara about the history of the temple, that worship goddess Kalika Matha. They decide to sit down for a few minutes before leaving the temple. “The temple is amazing” Alara says “Hey Lara” Ronak says turning to his right to look at her. He notices the surprised an expression on her face. “Can I call you that? It’s cute” he says “of course that is what my mom
calls me”. she replies “Oh! That’s nice” he says so Lara! You have no other plans. Can you spend one more day out of your life with me Ronak says looking straight into
Alara’s eyes Alara looks at him. She bursts into laughter. of Course! why do you make it sound like I’m going to take a life changing decision” she says “I mean I thought you wouldn’t want to come to my cousin’s wedding.so I had to ask you seriously. “It’s in Kanyakumari. We have to go in the train that’s in the afternoon” Ronak says Smiling wide. “Wait what? A wedding? In Kanyakumari? That’s a bit... Wouldn’t it be weird for me to come. I know you just for a day! Alara says. Ronak’s smile drops.” Dude!! It’s okay. You can definitely come. No one would mind”.He assures her. Alara thinks for moment & agrees to go with him.

AROUND 3:00pm

Alara and Ronak enter the railway station. “Thank god.We were born late. The trains were always late till the
2020’s. My mom said. They started being on time around the time I was born” Ronak says, Alara chuckles. “And also you’re lucky the weather’s nice today. Going to Kanya kumari is actually better at night. But it’s cloudy so it’s going to be pleasant,” he adds. “Oh! That’s a pleasure!” she says. Ronak looks at the railway track and says there it comes” The huge block the screen Displays “ERS Kanyakumari Express arriving in a
minute” on it and goes down into the ground, the level of the track rises & the train arrives. They get into the train.

A few mins in the train and it starts raining Alara goes towards the door & stands there. The cold breeze hits her
face & few rain drops fall on her. Alara smiles loving the pleasant weather. “I should’ve come here sooner. She says to herself. “You couldn’t have met me” A voice says behind her. Alara turns around and smiles at Ronak. They stand there enjoying the rain. At something like
4:00 pm, They have what Ronak & everyone calls a ‘cutting chai’ few mins after that Alara falls asleep. Around 6:00pm Ronak wakes her up.

6:30 pm

They get off the train and loud cheers erupt in the platform. A group of 4 people being the source of the cheers. “Ronak! my dude, you are back” the tallest one
says. Ronak introduces Alara to his friends & They head to his home. Alara & Ronak arrive at his home. They go in “Ronak! My dear” His mom says hugging him “You got fatter” she pouts. “Mom, I look the same! It’s your eyes” Ronak says. His mom Pauses and looks at Alara, a
question mark face. Ronak clears his throat “This is Alara my friend from Canada he says. “Hello aunty! You look amazing” Alara says. “Oh dear! You too” his mom says. Pulling Alara into a hug she pulls back and says “You both should freshen up. Go up and get ready for the wedding. It’ll start in an hour. After a few mins Ronak comes out of his room in a white formal shirt, black blazer on it, black formal pant and formal shoes.
He knocks on Alara’s door. The door opens a little, she peeks out of that little opening only her head being visible, “Actually, I have nothing that suits a wedding” she says. Ronak chuckles “Here! This is my mom’s and these are everything that would suit the saree. Be fast, I’ll be waiting downstairs” he says to her and exits the room. A white silk satin saree, A black deep necked blouse and black pencil heel. She smiles Just thinking about wearing that. She gets ready sooner than Ronak expected thanks to Joy who taught her how to drape a saree before. Alara comes down stairs wearing whatever he has given. Ronak who was talking to his friends turns around the feels awestruck to say anything.

“So many stars and you shine the most gorgeous”

he says bowing again like the prince he is. They walk to the wedding hall “There we go! A pretty girl you are” Ronak’s Mom says “let’s go were getting late” she says.
They attend the wedding & congratulate the couple, the wedding ends and they have their dinner at almost midnight 12:00 am. 
Ronak approaches Alara.
“How’s the dessert?” he says
“Sweet”
“Just like you then”
Alara cringes “Dude how many decades do girls have to tolerate bad flirting skills from guys?” she says. “I don’t know as long as earth exists” Ronak replies. Meanwhile, A person walks towards them behind Alara. His eyebrows farrowed. “Alara?” he says. Alara flinches “Do you
recognise me?” he says again while she’s turning around.
“Who?” Alara says and turns around…