Destiny|| A Rutkarsha Story

12.

Aapki nazron ne samjha
Pyaar ke kaabil mujhe
Dil ki ae dhadkan thehar ja
Mil gayi manjil mujhe...💌
~•~

The midday sun filtered through the ancient branches of the temple’s banyan tree, casting fleeting patterns on the dusty ground. Sunetra Pawar, draped in a light cotton saree dampened by her sweat, completed yet another parikrama. Her breaths came labored, her steps faltering. The priest had assured her that 108 parikramas and 1000 written chants of Ram would soften her daughter’s heart toward marriage. A stubborn girl, her Utkarsha was—but Sunetra knew faith had the power to work miracles.

As she neared her final round, the world around her started spinning. Her legs wobbled, her vision blurred, and just as her knees gave way, she felt strong arms steady her.

“Careful, Aunty,” a familiar voice said softly, gently helping her to sit under the sprawling banyan tree.

Sunetra blinked, her dizziness fading as the kind voice sank in. She looked up, her tired face lighting up with relief.

“Arrey beta, tum!” Sunetra smiled, holding his hand briefly. “Mushkil mein padti hoon toh tum prakat ho jaate ho! Lagta hai Bhagwan ka bahut ashirwad hai mere upar.”

Rutu grinned at her words. Dressed in his casual tee and track pants, he looked as if he’d just returned from a jog, his familiar boyish charm intact.

“Lekin, Aunty,” he teased lightly, crouching beside her, “aap mandir mein aise haalat mein kyun?”

“Maine bataya tha na?” Sunetra said with renewed energy, brushing the sweat off her brow. “Meri beti! Woh shaadi ke liye maan jaaye, bas isiliye. 108 baar parikrama kar rahi hoon aur 1000 baar Ram ka naam likh rahi hoon.”

Rutu raised his brows in exaggerated surprise. “Yeh kaam karta hai kya?” he asked with mock seriousness. “Main bhi karunga!”

Sunetra’s exhaustion melted into laughter. “Achha? Toh kaun hai woh khush-naseeb ladki jiske liye tum 108 baar parikrama aur 1000 baar naam likhne ke liye taiyaar ho? Woh pyaar karti hai aapko wapas?”

Rutu smirked, feigning innocence. “Doubt hai but.. Bataati nahi hai.”

Sunetra rolled her eyes knowingly. “Haan, saari ladkiyan aise hi hoti hain. Pyaar ka izhaar karti nahi hain, aur jab tum door chale jao na, toh piche-piche aa jaati hain.”

Rutu chuckled, shaking his head. “Ab iska solution kya hai, Aunty?”

A mischievous gleam flashed in Sunetra’s eyes. Leaning closer, she whispered something into Rutu’s ear. Whatever the idea was, it left Rutu smirking with new confidence.

That afternoon, Utkarsha Pawar sat cross-legged on her bed, books open but forgotten. Her phone buzzed against her pillow, the screen lighting up with a message.

Rutu’s Message: “Hey, I’m in Pune. Can’t wait to meet you!”

Her heart did a strange, giddy somersault. He’s in Pune? Her fingers trembled slightly as she clutched the phone tighter. The excitement bubbling in her chest threatened to spill over.

“This is it,” she whispered, springing to her feet. “I have to confess my love!”

The thought of it sent nerves rushing through her veins, but there was no turning back now. She began pacing her room, rehearsing scenarios that sounded far better in her head than out loud.

“Okay,” she said to herself, standing before the mirror. “I’ll meet him at the coffee shop. I’ll say, ‘Rutu, I like you—no, I love you!’” She winced at her reflection. “No, that’s too direct. Maybe I’ll meet him at the park... It’s quieter there.”

Her pacing slowed as she exhaled deeply, shaking her head.

“Forget it,” she said determinedly. “I’ll just be myself. He likes me for who I am... doesn’t he?”

Hours later, the living room hummed with the smell of fresh marigolds and incense sticks. Sunetra sat on the sofa, her knitting needles clacking rhythmically. Utkarsha appeared in the doorway, draped in a soft, simple saree, her cheeks tinged pink with nervous anticipation.

“Maa,” she said hesitantly, stepping forward.

Sunetra looked up, her face breaking into a warm smile. “Arrey, you look beautiful today! Kya baat hai?”

Utkarsha hesitated for a moment before finally blurting it out. “Maa... I’m in love with someone.”

The knitting needles stopped mid-air as Sunetra blinked in surprise. “Oh, Utkarsha! This is wonderful news!”

Before Utkarsha could say more, her mother was already on her feet, practically glowing with joy. “Tell me everything! Who is he?”

Utkarsha smiled shyly, her voice soft. “Maa. I’ve known him for a long time.”

Sunetra clasped her hands together in delight. “ Arrey beta, I’m so happy for you.” Pulling her daughter into a tight hug, she pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Aur bata, kya usse confess kiya apne pyaar ka?”

Utkarsha blushed, biting her lip. “Nahi, Maa. But I will today.”

“Good girl,” Sunetra said, beaming. “Go. Bhagwan tumhara saath dega.”

The lake shimmered under the fading light of the evening sun, its surface rippling gently with the breeze. Utkarsha stood at the entrance to their favorite spot, her heart pounding as she spotted Rutu waiting by the bench. Hands tucked in his pockets, he turned to see her approaching, a small smile playing on his lips.

The conversation flowed easily between them at first—simple questions, teasing remarks, laughter filling the gaps. It was like old times.

“Tum toh weekend mein aane wale the,” Utkarsha asked casually. “Aaj kyun?”

Rutu’s grin turned teasing. “Main weekend mein ladki dekhne ja raha hoon.”

The words stopped Utkarsha mid-step. Her heart stuttered painfully in her chest.

Rutu, unaware of her reaction, kept going. “Mummy bol rahi thi ki budha ho raha hoon, toh socha abhi sahi waqt hai.”

Utkarsha felt her throat tighten. He’s joking, she told herself.

Rutu again teased “Toh tum... kab kar rahe ho shaadi?”and turned around, catching her expression. For a fleeting second, his smirk faltered, replaced by worry.

“Utkarsha?” he began softly, stepping closer.

“You knew,” she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. “You knew how I felt, and you just played along?”

“Utkarsha, I was joking! What’s wrong?”

“Joking?” she snapped, her voice trembling. “In school, I thought you liked me too. You’d sit next to me, smile, walk me home... I thought it meant something!”

Rutu’s face fell. “I... I didn’t realize, Utkarsha.”

“And now?” she asked bitterly, blinking back tears. “Now you’re doing it all over again. Making me believe you care, only to crush me.”

“Utkarsha, please—”

“No, Rutu,” she cut him off, stepping back. “It’s over. We’ll always remain like December and January—so close, yet so far.”

With that, Utkarsha turned and walked away, leaving behind a stunned, broken Rutu staring at her retreating figure, the cold breeze biting at his skin.