Ranjish | 𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒓𝒂𝒋

XIX. confessions of loss

isha :

FLASHBACK.

Madhusudan madhavaay hitakaari
Radha Rani baat take tihari
Gopika geet charitaay vamshidhari
Keshav kanha baat take tihari
Radha Krishna, Radha Krishna

The chants reverberated in the temple premises as we stepped into it.
The famous Radha Krishna Mandir of Ahmedabad.
It was renowned for being over a century old, and a ritual that was said to bind lovers for life and beyond.
Now that we were here for Navratri, I thought it would be a wonderful idea to visit this temple.

I felt my lips curve into an automatic smile as I walked in with Shantanu.
I kept glancing at him as he walked in, looking around.
I had always believed I wasn't the lover girl type, but ever since I had accepted my love for Shantanu, things had changed drastically.

My attitude around him had gone down, especially when he wasn't noticing me.
I blushed as I tore my gaze off him and looked in front.

The temple was etheral.
Carved in marble and stone, the idol of Radha - Krishna stood before us.
The idols were of gold, adorned with beautiful jewellery.
Just a glimpse of the idol could make you believe in love.

"Bohot khoobsurat hai na..", I said in a whisper.
"Ha.. lekin tumse kam.", Shantanu said grinning.
I hated how I blushed, but I loved it nonetheless.

"Kuch bhi!", I said, feeling shy all of a sudden.
"Sach toh hai-"
His phone buzzed.

I immediately switched.
"Phirse Rao Saheb honge.", I said drawing in a sharp breath.
"Isha tum jaanti-"
"Nehi jaanti! Jaan na bhi nehi chahti!", I snapped irritably.

"Woh bas concerned hai-"
"Concern?! Woh bas tumpar dominate karna chahte hai. Anyways he has a problem with me because I have opinions and a spine.", I said sharply.
He sighed.
"Woh meri bade bhai hai.", He said.
"Good for you.", I said coldly.

"Gutlu! Yahan puja ki thaal dekhkar dena!", We heard the Purohit call out to someone.
"Aaya Purohit ji!", It was a familiar voice.
And I was abruptly pushed from behind, almost putting me off balance.

The thaal with sindoor flew into the air, pouring the sindoor on almost everything below.

Including me.

"Are you blind?! Dikhai nehi deta?!", I snapped.
"Excuse me?! Tum raaste ke beech mein khadi hu! Bewakuf tourists!", The boy said, a man actually.
Younger than me by probably a few years. He stood before me in a kurta, trying to dust off the sindoor.

"Tumhari wajah se meri nayi saree kharab ho gayi! And you have the audacity to-"
"Yeh angrezi kahi aur lekar jao! Gadhedi!", He snapped back.

"Arrey.. aap toh wahi kal wale hai na..", Shantanu said from behind as the haze caused due to the sindoor cleared out.
"Aap?", He said as his gaze shifted from Shantanu, back to me.

"Oh. Tabhi mai sochu. Itni nachadi koi aur ho bhi nehi sakti.", He said irritably.

He looked at the Purohit.
"Lekar aata hu sindoor phirse.", He said, after giving me a nasty look.

"Bada aaya!", I said irritably dusting myself, "Badtameez kahika."

"Arrey Isha.. galti se ho gaya.", Shantanu said trying to calm me down.
"Aap dono idhar aa jaiye.. aur Gutlu tu jaakar le aa.", The Purohit said.