Just A Wish; Happily Ever After

15.

TA had dressed in a washed blue jeans and red summer hoodie with it's hood on his head and black mask on his face. His brown hair had fallen on his forehead and his beautiful warm brown eyes were not covered with any sunglasses today. He made such a perfect image of a man; muscular, tall, handsome, and his personality was such a deal maker too! He was kind, polite, caring, understanding, thoughtful, respectful, trustworthy, and the list went on and on. Whoever would be his partner was going to be so lucky to have him. My heart should not have felt so envious. So what if I had gotten a husband who despised me and couldn't care less about me? There was no comparison of TA to the likes of Karan. It would be like comparing fragrant flower with a dried weed.

TA had refused to let me hold the shopping cart. He had stated, quiet seriously, "a lady should never have to carry a thing when a gentleman was with her." I had given him a amused smile. TA acted as if he didn't know why I was smiling, "what? Let's go." He had proceeded to step aside for me to walk ahead. Elated yet amused, I had strolled forward with a shake of my head. He was such a charmer! I had noticed he was walking behind me. I stopped and told him, "don't follow behind. Walk side by side with me, TA." TA had blinked, "I can?" I had frowned, what kind of company did he have before who told him to walk behind? I had chosen to not question him, "what kind of question is this? Obviously, we are friends. I am not your boss or something behind whom you have to follow." TA had looked pleasantly surprised, delighted even. I sighed, hooked my hand with his and led him. TA had gone silent and was staring at the side of my face. I had enough of his strange behaviour and called out on it, "TA, are you going to be like this the whole time or what?" TA had, thankfully, come back to his senses, "I am fine now! Don't worry. What's the first item on the list? Oh, chocolates!"

He had practically run ahead. I sighed. I have seen enough incidences and had gone through such situations to understand that TA was not treated properly by some people. They had made him feel less, had told him to behave in a certain way to be chivalrous, like he had to follow behind. It was heartbreaking to know a kind person like TA had gone through such things. Like, who dared do that to TA? If they have met me, I would have shown them how to behave! Stupid people!

TA had carried the heavy things, letting me take lighter stuff. "Sadhna, do you want some chocolates?" I was busy checking the discount offers on all the oil brands to decide which to choose when he had asked. I had said, choosing the cheapest among all, "I rarely buy anything for myself. Chocolates, those I last bought for Rohit." TA must have seen me struggle with the heavy oil container because he had come and carried it for me. I had smiled at him in a silent thanks. "I was asking if you want some, Sadhna. Sometimes, put yourself first." Cute. After patting his cheek, I had moved to the next isle, "I am a hard nut to crack, TA. I don't usually listen until I find it necessary. Though you are right," then I faced him, "I choose to not put myself first." TA opened his mouth to argue my point but I continued, "because now I have you to care and think for me."

A slow, sweet, and beautiful smile hung on his mouth in a shy uplift of his lips. He had looked like a morning Sun that was soothing, mesmerizing, and warm. I was frantic when TA had slipped his mask down, afraid if anyone recognised him. But if I was blessed to see such a pretty sight of him smiling, I was grateful he removed his mask.

TA had breezed to my side, his mood visibly uplifted, "you are right about that, Sadhna. For me, you are always first." I had shaken my head at his cheeky smile. Though inside my heart was fighting to stay seated and not fly out and dive in happiness. TA gently took the packet out of my hands, "Waah Taj tea?" "Yes, Mummyji and Papaji like this brand." TA had nodded like he approved the choice yet one could tell he had no idea about the said stuff. I had huffed a laugh, "do you not drink tea, TA?" TA had the grace to look embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck, "I have never in my life, actually, Sadhna. Do you find it weird?" We went to the next section, "weird? TA, people have choices. You chose to not drink. What's weird in it? And it's quite simple, you are an athlete, you must have a strict diet." The cricket star seemed to twinkle, "Sadhna, you are a really understanding person. You hit the right points. I am touched." TA had left to fetch the items from the list.