Waited For You

Chapter 17

:-The past:-

The ghats of Kashi shimmered under the golden hues of the rising sun. The air was thick with the fragrance of incense, the rhythmic chants of Shiva mantras blending with the soft ripples of the Ganga. Amidst the divine energy of the holy city, a young boy-no older than ten-stood at the entrance of the temple with a basket of marigolds and lotuses in his small hands trying to sell them.

A sudden push knocked over his basket, scattering the delicate flowers onto the dusty ground. His eyes welled up as he tried to gather them, but the rushing feet of pilgrims trampled his precious offerings.

Just then, a strong yet gentle hand reached down. "Hey, it's alright" said a deep, soothing voice. The boy looked up to see a young man, dressed in a red kurta and an off white pants. His dark eyes held kindness as he carefully picked up the flowers and placed them back into the boy's basket. Meanwhile he kept speaking in soft tones about his favourite flowers and sweet things to the boy which brought a watery smile on his face.

"These flowers are so beautiful and seems fresh," the young man said with a reassuring smile, slipping a few notes into the boy's palm, "Can you give me some?"

The boy beamed, and nodded vigorously but then a frown appeared on his face and he said, "These flowers do not cost as much as you have handed the money and I don't have sufficient money to return so you take it for free."
The young man smiled brightly and said, "But I really want these flowers and taking for free is not taught by my elders so you keep this money, pleaseee" with a cute and pleading face. The boy agreed and went running somewhere saying a loud thank you to him.

Meanwhile, a young woman stood near the temple steps, observing the scene. She wore a flowing white anarkali suit, the delicate silver embroidery catching the temple lights. A soft bindi graced her forehead, and her long, dark hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders. She held a brass plate filled with religious items, ready for her offering.

Something about the man's gesture stirred something deep within her. He hadn't just helped the boy; he had done it with such an ease that anyone would have been captivated.

As he rose, dusting his hands, their eyes met. The temple bells chimed at that exact moment, as if marking the beginning of something divine. A silent recognition passed between them, as if their souls had met before in another time, another life.

He turned to go inside, but someone bumped into him from behind. He stumbled, losing his balance. He was about to fall when a hand reached out and steadied him. He looked down and saw the same girl. Her eyes, a warm shade of brown, met his. "Careful," she said softly, her voice barely audible above the temple's gentle din.
"Thanks," he mumbled, feeling a sudden, inexplicable warmth spread through him. He noticed the intricate design of her kurta, the small silver earrings that framed her face. He felt a strange pull towards her, an unspoken connection.
She simply nodded, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. She didn't say anything more, but her eyes lingered on his for a moment longer than necessary. Then, she turned and walked into the temple, leaving him standing there, a little flustered, a little intrigued, and utterly captivated. He watched her go, the image of her brown eyes and gentle smile imprinted in his mind.

The flickering temple lamps, the distant hum of bhajans, and the mystical aura of the holy city enveloped them, binding them in a connection neither could explain.

The crowd within the temple surged and swayed, a sea of devotees eager to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva. He navigated the throng, finally reaching the front where the majestic Shivling stood, adorned with garlands of marigolds and bel leaves. He held a small plate containing a coconut, some flowers, and incense sticks.
The same girl, having made her way through the crowd as well, stood just beside him. She too held a similar offering plate. The head priest, a jovial man with a booming voice, gestured towards them. "Quickly, quickly, children," he boomed, "The line is long! Offer your prayers together."
They both exchanged a brief, surprised glance. Simultaneously, they stepped forward, offering their plates to the priest. He took a few flowers from each and placed them on the Shivling. He then handed them back their plates, indicating they should proceed with their individual prayers.
As he lit his incense stick, the fragrant smoke curling upwards, he glanced beside him. She was offering her coconut, her eyes closed in quiet devotion. The soft glow of the temple lamps illuminated her face, highlighting the delicate curve of her cheek and the gentle slope of her nose. He found himself strangely content, praying beside her. It felt... right.
When her prayers concluded she opened her eyes. She noticed him still standing beside her, his eyes closed in prayer. A small smile touched her lips. The shared moment, the unexpected closeness in the midst of the bustling temple, filled her with a sense of peace. It was as if, for that brief moment, the world outside the temple ceased to exist. She felt a quiet joy in his presence, a sense of unspoken understanding.
As he finished his prayers, he opened his eyes and met her gaze. A small, almost shy smile played on his lips. "It's quite crowded today," he murmured, more to break the comfortable silence than to state the obvious.
She nodded, her smile widening slightly. "Yes," she replied softly. "But it's nice, isn't it?" and he hummed in response.
A brief, comfortable silence settled between them again. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the murmur of prayers. Both of them, though surrounded by hundreds of people, felt a quiet sense of connection, a shared moment of tranquility in the heart of the temple. Their hearts, though they barely knew each other, felt strangely content in each other's company. The shared prayer, the accidental proximity, it all felt... auspicious.

Emerging from the temple, the cacophony of the outside world rushed back, a stark contrast to the serene atmosphere within. He turned to leave, assuming their paths would diverge. He took a step away, but a gentle hand on his arm stopped him.
"Hey, Mr. Kind Stranger," she said, a playful glint in her eyes. "Can I know your name, please?"
He turned back, surprised but also pleased. "Atharv," he replied, a smile spreading across his face. "And you are...?"
"Sanchi," she said, returning his smile. She reached for kumkum present on his plate, "You were so kind to that little boy inside," she continued, her voice soft. "It was nice to see." She gently applied the tilak to his forehead. "For good luck," she added.
Atharv felt a warmth spread through him at her gesture. "Thank you," he murmured, feeling a bit flustered. "It was nothing, really. He just needed a little help."
"It's not 'nothing'," Sanchi countered gently. "Kindness is rare these days. So, Atharv," she continued, tilting her head slightly, "what brings you here? Are you from around here?"
"Actually, no," Atharv admitted. "I'm just visiting. I needed a little... peace and quiet, you could say. This place seemed perfect for it."
"I can understand that," Sanchi said. "This temple always has a calming effect. I live nearby. I come here quite often."
"That's nice," Atharv replied. "It seems like a lovely place to live." He paused, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "So, Sanchi, what do you do?"
"I'm still in school,class 12th" she said. " What about you?"
"I'm also in 12th," Atharv replied. "Commerce stream. It's... well, it's preparing me for the future," he added with a chuckle.
"Ah, commerce," Sanchi said. "Interesting. I'm a PCM student. Physics, Chemistry, Maths - the whole shebang."
"Impressive," Atharv replied. "Those subjects always seemed like a different language to me."
They talked for a while longer, the easy flow of conversation making it feel like they'd known each other longer than a few hours. They discussed their studies, their hobbies, and their dreams for the future. The rising sun painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, casting a warm glow over the temple courtyard. The air was filled with the gentle chirping of birds and the distant sound of temple bells. It was a perfect, almost magical, setting.
As it was quite a long time she left her house for temple Sanchi glanced at her watch. "I should probably get going," she said reluctantly.
"Of course," Atharv replied. He felt a pang of disappointment that their conversation was coming to an end.
"It was really nice meeting you, Atharv," Sanchi said, her smile warm and genuine.
"I feel the same, Sanchi," he replied. "Maybe... maybe we'll see each other again sometime?"
"Maybe," Sanchi said, a playful smile dancing on her lips. She gave him one last look, then turned and walked away, disappearing into the bustling marketplace beyond the temple gates.
Atharv watched her go, a strange feeling settling in his heart. He didn't know if he'd ever see her again, but he knew he wouldn't forget her anytime soon. The encounter, the shared prayer, the tilak on his forehead - it all felt like more than just a chance meeting. It felt like the beginning of something... special.