The Unfinished Tales of Love ( Part 2 )

love in air..

After a while, everyone set up a garden scene on the stage with a bench. The lights dimmed a bit, and a spotlight shone. Shobha walked onto the stage, dressed in a simple salwar suit, with her hair braided just as she used to before marriage. Everyone was surprised to see her. If it weren't for the sindoor and mangalsutra, no one would guess Shobha was married and had such grown-up children. Anokhi placed her hands on her cheeks, her eyes widening in amazement as she exclaimed, "Oh my God, is this maa? Looking at her, no one would say she's a mother."

Hearing this, everyone smiled and looked at her. Archana said, "What are you saying, Anu?"

"Look at maa, she looks beautiful," Anokhi said.

A soft smile graced Shobha's face as she felt a bit shy performing this act. She sat on the bench, pretending to wait for Alok. Just then, Alok made his entrance, surprising everyone even more. He stood there in a plain shirt and pants, with sleeves rolled up to the shoulders and slightly tousled hair, giving him a young man's look. He truly looked handsome. Alok came over and sat next to Shobha. Playing with her hair, Shobha asked, "Why did you take so long to come?"

"Had to come quietly, so it took time," Alok said, "and there was something else I needed, which also delayed me."

"Then why do you meet in secret?" Shobha asked. Alok replied softly, "It's all because of you." Shobha smiled and changed the subject, "Okay, what did you need that made you late?"

"It was something essential. Yes, very essential," Alok said, pulling out a rose hidden behind his back and handing it to Shobha. A smile appeared on her lips as she lovingly accepted the rose.

Watching the two, it didn’t feel like they were acting—and in reality, they weren’t. They were so lost in living that moment that they forgot the entire family and guests were watching them. Everyone had smiles on their faces, witnessing this beautiful moment. Shobha said, "Why did you bring this? We’re already in a garden with so many flowers around."

Alok adjusted his hair and replied, "Yes, there are many flowers here, but if we pick even one, the gardener will chase us away."

Hearing this, Shobha laughed, and the others also smiled. Alok moved a little closer and whispered, "And I wanted to give this to you myself. I liked a bouquet, thought I’d buy it, but if you were to carry such a big bouquet, everyone would ask you questions and you’d feel uncomfortable. I don’t want to see you uncomfortable, so I brought this rose instead. You can keep it close and talk to it whenever you miss me. Remember, when I’m not around, this flower will be."

"Enough," Shobha said, covering her face with her hands. Everyone started clapping for them, and Rohit, Shivaay, and Vikram even whistled.

Hearing the applause and whistles, both of them came to their senses, realizing they were in the present and not reliving the past. They quickly exited the stage to change.

Anokhi, full of excitement, said, "Wow, Papa is so romantic!"

At that moment, Rishabh leaned close to her ear, breathing warmly, and asked, "And what about me? Am I not romantic?"

Feeling his warmth, Anokhi was startled and looked at him sideways, "No, you’re not romantic at all!"

Saying this, Anokhi made a face and quickly hugged Shobha, who had just returned. She said, "Maa, Papa, you both love each other so much! I mean, did you two meet secretly even before marriage?"

"Yes, they used to cheat," Ajay replied.

Alok, smiling, added, "Stop it, Anokhi, stop it!"

"Go and pick a chit so the next person can take their turn," Alok gently scolded with affection.