Night
The night air was crisp and fragrant, filled with the sounds of chirping crickets and the gentle rustle of leaves. Shobha stood in the garden, cradling her phone to her ear, her heart light with curiosity and anticipation. On the other end, little Karthik’s sweet voice pierced through the calm night, calling out, “Pa! Pa!”
Shobha smiled, her heart swelling with warmth. “You haven’t told me yet,” she prompted eagerly.
What?” Shourya replied, glancing over at Jagathi, who was animatedly playing with Taruni and Tarun under the silver glow of the moon. Jagathi's laughter echoed in the air, vibrant and full of life as she fed the children with a joy that was infectious.
Shobha continued, “Everyone at home is curious to know! Come on, tell me—what do you think of Jagathi? We’ve all seen her photo, and she’s beautiful, but you’ve seen her in person. I want to know what’s in your mind. How did it feel when you met her? Is everything okay?”
Shourya chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with nostalgia as he took a deep breath, the cool breeze brushing against his face. He began, his voice smooth and contemplative.
“When I heard her voice on the phone, it was like a melody—a pleasant sound that wrapped around me. Right then, I sensed a spark of mischief in her tone, but I also realized she was innocent, too. Jagathi… her name fits her perfectly. She truly is like a universe unto herself—vibrant and expansive. It’s as if I could see the entire cosmos reflected in her eyes. I was utterly captivated.”
He paused, memories flooding his mind. “When she came to greet me in the village, my heart felt like it was dancing in the rain. I recognized her instantly,. It was surreal. Walking alongside her was like being swept into a beautiful poem; each step with her felt significant, like a shared secret in the language of the universe.”
Shourya continued, his voice dropping to a whisper as he recalled the moment. “As we stood under the umbrella in the rain, with her hair glistening like spun gold, I thought to myself how I wished I could walk with her for the rest of my life. She felt close yet so far away, and the sparkle in her eyes made my heart race.”
A soft sigh escaped his lips as he remembered the small details, like the mole just beneath her lower lip. “In that moment, I decided—she’s going to be my wife. Yes, I love her. I can’t explain how peaceful I feel when she’s around, like I’m cradled in nature’s embrace, smooth and calm.”
Oh! Oh!” Shobha exclaimed, her laughter ringing out like bells in the night. “So you’ve fallen head over heels! I can’t wait to tell everyone at home!”
Shourya chuckled, shaking his head in mock disbelief. “Hold your horses! It’s still one-sided love for now.”
Shobha teased, “I never expected you to fall in love like this! You’ve been so careful and reserved. Look at you, swept away by her charm!”
She heard the calling bell ring through the serene night, a sound that broke the gentle ambiance around her. "It seems like Arjun has come," she remarked, a bright smile lighting up her face.
“Okay, I’ll catch up with you later!” Shourya replied, cutting the call. He could hear the excitement in Shobha's voice
Suddenly, Shourya's heart sank as he remembered an incident that had unfolded just a few hours earlier.
when a bike roared to a stop in front of her. In an instant, she lunged forward, playfully smacking the rider as if she were a mischievous child. Anand and Vinodh erupted in laughter, unable to contain their amusement as they watched her spirited antics.
Shourya stood a short distance away, his heart racing seeing her with somebody else thinking who could be that guy
Vinodh chuckled, breaking the momentary tension. “That’s my wife’s younger brother, Udhay.”
Udhay hopped off the bike and approached Shourya, extending his hand. “Nice to meet you,” he said with a friendly grin.
Shourya returned the smile, but it felt strained.
Jagathi playfully scolded Udhay, her hands on her hips. “You scared me, you idiot!”
“Hey, I just got a call from the office,” Udhay replied, waving her off. “I have to head to Vizag.”
Jagathi’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she teased, “So when are we getting married, Udhay?”
With a playful thump on her head, Udhay laughed, “Idiot! Enough with the jokes!”
But for Shourya, the laughter felt like shards of glass piercing his heart. A wave of jealousy washed over him, twisting in his chest.
Shourya opened the door to find Udhay standing in the hallway, exchanging goodbyes with everyone, his demeanor warm as he took blessings from the elders. As Udhay made his way towards him, he felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
“Can I have a minute with you?” Udhay asked, his tone serious yet friendly.
Shourya nodded, leading him to his bedroom, the door closing softly behind them. The atmosphere shifted as they stepped into the quieter space, tension hanging in the air.
“See, Mr. Shourya,” Udhay began, looking Shourya squarely in the eye. “I want to clarify something about my relationship with Jagathi. There’s nothing between us, at least not in the way you might think. I mean, we’re like siblings. We grew up together, and when she jokingly teases me about marriage, it’s just that—joking.”
Shourya felt a wave of relief wash over him, but he quickly masked it with curiosity. “But why are you telling me this?”
Udhay leaned in slightly, his expression earnest. “Because you’re a stranger to us. You don’t know the bond our family shares, and I don’t want you to misunderstand anything. I just felt it was necessary to clear the air. I can’t tolerate any misinterpretations regarding my relationship with Jagathi.”
Keep smiling
God bless you
Chandanakshi
YOU ARE READING
Misty Rain
Romance"Oye, Miss Universe," he teased, a playful grin dancing on his lips. She shot him a fierce glare, determination etched across her features, and turned away to walk forward. "Lucky!" he called after her, quickening his pace. She continued to ignore h...
