A Love unspoken : An Unseen Affection

Chapter:3

Aarish closed his book as the massive peaks of the Himalayas came into view. The train whistle echoed in the crisp air, signaling its arrival. Aarish felt a rush of nostalgia as the towering mountains, lush greenery, and the familiar chill of his university town welcomed him back. He stepped off the train, his eyes soaking in the sight that brought back countless memories of his student days—days filled with dreams, determination, and the promise of a brighter future.

He hailed a local rickshaw, his mind wandering to the past as he neared the university where he had spent some of the most formative years of his life. Each corner of the campus, every pathway, held a story of its own. As the rickshaw pulled to a halt, Aarish looked around, soaking in the familiar surroundings, his heart swelling with pride. He had come a long way since his days here.

---

In the village of Ratanpur, Jayanth Mukherjee, the zamindar of the area, was deep in conversation with Shantanu Bhattacharya, Aarish’s grandfather and an old friend. The two elderly men laughed heartily, reminiscing about their youthful days and exchanging tales of old.

As the friends chatted on the haveli's verandah, the sound of hurried little footsteps filled the air. A small, nine-year-old girl with long, flowing two braids, wearing a red frock now muddied and frayed, chased a fluffy white bunny named Posto. She finally caught him, her tiny hands cupping the restless creature as she knelt in the garden, panting slightly from the chase.

“You naughty little Posto! See what you’ve done? My dress is all dirty now! Maa will scold me for sure!” Aparajita whispered to the bunny, her voice filled with mock anger. She planted a quick kiss on the bunny’s head before she heard her mother’s stern voice calling her from inside the haveli.

“Aparajita! Where are you? Come inside this instant!” her mother’s voice echoed, firm yet laced with concern.

Aparajita bit her tongue, a playful glint in her eyes. “Now, look what you’ve done, Posto. Ma will scold me because of you!” she said softly, giggling. Instead of heading inside, she made a quick escape, running toward the longe where her grandfather and his friend were seated. She peeked from behind her grandfather, trying to hide.

“Dadu, please don’t tell Maa that I’m here!” she whispered, tugging at his shawl.

Her grandfather chuckled. “I will, but first, meet my friend. Have you forgotten your manners, Mamon.”

Aparajita finally noticed Shantanu Bhattacharya  and offered a sheepish smile. “Oh, sorry, Dadu! I didn’t see you,” she said, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“How could you, when you’re busy playing hide and seek with your mother?” Aarish’s grandfather teased her, his voice gentle.

“You’re my favorite, Dadu! I’m so happy you’re here,” Aparajita beamed, her eyes sparkling with affection.

“Oh, am I now? To be yours favorite is a blessing,” Shantanu Bhattacharya replied, patting her head affectionately.

In the midst of their conversation, Aparajita’s mother appeared, her eyes narrowing in on her muddy little daughter. She walked up, grabbed Aparajita by the ear, and pulled her up gently, making her yelp in surprise.

“There you are, little monster! Look at you—mud all over again! How many times do I have to tell you to stay clean and don't be naughty all the time?”

Aparajita looked at her grandfather pleadingly. “Dadu, save me this time, please!” she begged, her voice small and innocent.

“Achha, leave her, Bauma. She won’t do it again, right?” her grandfather said, looking at Aparajita, who nodded vigorously.

Aparajita's father, Shoumik Mukherjee joined the group, smiling at the commotion. “What’s all this noise about?”

“Your daughter has done it again—look at her!” Aparajita’s mother exclaimed, shaking her head. “She’s covered in mud!”

Aparajita’s father knelt down, smiling at his little girl. “What happened this time, Ma?”

“It’s all Posto’s fault, Baba. He made me chase him!” Aparajita defended herself, her eyes wide.

“So it’s Posto, not my daughter? Well then, scold Posto, not her,” her father said with a laugh, ruffling her hair affectionately.

Aparajita’s mother sighed, shaking her head in mock exasperation. “All the men in the house who won’t let me scold her. When her in-laws complain for her naughtiness, don’t blame me!” she said, though there was a hint of a smile on her face." You Bodmash come with me. Your masterji will be coming soon for your class."

The family shared a laugh, and Aparajita was whisked away by her mother to clean up. Meanwhile, her father joined the elderly men, and they continued their conversation.

“How is your health these days, Shantanu kaku?” Shoumik asked Shantanu.

“I am all well. But there is something important I need to discuss” Aarish’s grandfather began, his tone serious. “Aarish came back, and his great-grandfather has but one last wish is to see Aarish married before he dies as per the alliance decided in the past.”

“But how is that possible?” Aparajita’s father asked, glancing toward the path where his young daughter went. “She is still a child and Aarish himself is still studying ”

“We are not asking for her bidaai.” Shantanu explained. “Only the marriage will happen now. She will stay here and grow up. When the time is right, the bidaai will take place. It’s the last wish of my father.”

Aparajita’s father was still not sure. He was confused if it's right time or not.

Jayanth nodded thoughtfully. “And Aarish? Have you spoken to him about this?”

“I will, but I am confident he will respect our decision. He has never opposed the will of his elders.”

The conversation lingered in the air, the weight of tradition and the future hanging between them.

---

Aarish shook himself from the memories as he arrived at the girls’ hostel of the university. Walking up to the reception, he handed over the necessary paperwork, stating his intent to take Aparajita home for the vacation period.

“Please wait for a moment, we have to submit this to the higher official ” the receptionist said, taking the papers and moving inside.

Aarish stood by a nearby pillar, observing the lush greenery around the campus. It was a peaceful place, one that suited Aparajita’s curious and vibrant nature. As he lost himself in his thoughts, he felt a sudden impact on his chest. A figure had collided with him, nearly knocking him off balance.

Before he could react, slender arms wrapped around his torso, and he felt the warmth of a familiar presence. Aarish didn't needed to  look down to recognize Aparajita. Her face pressed against his chest, her eyes closed in relief.

“Aparajita...” Aarish murmured, a smile breaking through his stoic demeanor. He gently ran his fingers through her long hair, soothing her.

All the people in the corridor and the girls of the hostel stared at them.

Their reunion was simple, tender, and filled with the unspoken understanding that had always existed between them. Aarish looked at her, feeling an overwhelming sense of responsibility and affection.

A new chapter had begun—not just in their lives, but in the story that bound their families, their past, and the unwritten future that awaited them both.

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