Blueprints of Love

9. Rajat Helps Isha

The streets outside the café buzzed with activity as Isha Bhosale adjusted her saree, making her way out after another disappointing meeting. She sighed in frustration. Another boy had been crossed off her list—polite but far from what she imagined for Savi. It was as if her daughter's stubbornness was rubbing off on fate, making it impossible to find a match.

"Always work, work, work," she muttered under her breath, clutching her purse tightly. Just as she stepped onto the sidewalk, a sudden tug pulled the purse from her hand.

Startled, Isha gasped. "My purse! Someone help!"

The thief dashed down the street, weaving through the crowd. Isha stood frozen in shock, helpless, until a figure broke from the bustling throng.

It was Rajat.

Rajat had been walking nearby, aimlessly sipping coffee, his mind drifting to Savi. Her grumpy demeanor, her piercing stare—why was she always on his mind? His thoughts were interrupted when he saw a man snatch an elderly woman's purse and run.

Without hesitation, Rajat sprinted after the thief. His long strides made quick work of the distance. "Stop, thief!" he yelled, drawing attention from bystanders.

The thief bolted into a narrow alley, thinking he could lose his pursuer. But Rajat was too fast. As the man tried to scramble over a wall, Rajat lunged forward, grabbing the back of his shirt and yanking him down hard.

"Not today, buddy," Rajat said through clenched teeth.

The thief struggled, but Rajat twisted his arm, forcing him to drop the purse. The thief groaned in defeat, clutching his wrist.

"You're lucky I'm in a good mood," Rajat muttered, releasing the man and watching him scurry off into the alley. Grabbing the purse, Rajat brushed the dust off and made his way back to the street.

Isha stood anxiously at the corner, her heart still racing. When she saw Rajat approach with her purse, she let out a breath of relief.

"Here you go, Ma'am." Rajat handed her the purse with a kind smile. "Everything seems to be in order."

Isha checked the contents quickly. "Yes, yes, it's all here! Oh, thank you! I don't know what I would've done without you."

Rajat shrugged modestly. "Just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

"You're a godsend!" Isha exclaimed, visibly relieved. "In this city, you can't count on people to help anymore."

As the adrenaline wore off, Isha felt inclined to chat with her savior. Something about his demeanor was calming, as if he wasn't just a kind stranger but someone who genuinely cared.

"Are you okay Ma'am? Are you waiting for someone or else I can drop you home." Rajat asked Isha with concern.

"No no, I was meeting a boy for my daughter," Isha said, shaking her head. "But no luck. She refuses to meet anyone I suggest."

Rajat raised a curious eyebrow. "Why's that?"

Isha gave a weary sigh. "She thinks love is a distraction from her work. But how can she stay alone forever? Life isn't just about work, you know?"

Rajat chuckled at the irony—Savi's mother unknowingly voicing the very dilemma he was struggling with. "It can be hard convincing someone who's so focused," he said with a soft smile. "I know someone like that too."

Isha's eyes twinkled with curiosity. "Oh? Do tell."

Rajat hesitated but decided to open up. Something about this woman made it easy to talk. "There's this girl I really like. I know she feels something too, but she acts... distant. Almost like she's annoyed by me."