The Weeping Stars

The Rescue

Indra's P.O.V

The responsive fire in Isha's eyes soothed some hurting corner in Indra's heart. Isha has somehow managed to creep into the fortress he had built around his heart. But Indra had no doubt he will be able to overcome it. He had no time for girls.

Over Isha's head he could see Runa rushing towards them with all the urgency of a mother lion rushing in to protect her cubs from preying hayenas. 

'If looks could kill, I would be dead by now', mused Indra.

'Hi Indra', said Runa in a chilling voice, 'fancy meeting you here. I did not know you had a liking for such mundane settings.'

In other circumstances, such manner would have annoyed him to no end. But this time, he recognized Runa's hostility for what it is.  It showed how much she cared for Isha, and for that Indra felt an instant liking for the girl.

'Hello Runa! Would you like to try some bhajis?' asked Indra with a small smile. From the corner of his eyes he could see Isha frantically signalling Runa not to try a bhaji. Runa summed up the situation quickly and decided to stick to her own selections. Indra hid a small smile and continued to observe Isha, despite Runa's attempt to draw his attention elsewhere. Isha's blushed face looked fascinating in the setting lights of the autumn sun, and Runa's antics were not going to distract him. If not anything, it made him more determined to focus solely on Isha. After all, he had every right.

Ishaan's P.O.V.

Soon the three of them settled into a friendly chatter, the girls slightly confused at how to deal with the situation, while Indra is too indifferent to feel awkward. And that is how Ishaan found them.

After concluding their meeting with the village elders, Ishaan wanted to visit the fair. To his surprise, Indra too wished to join him. 'Its not his scene at all', thought Ishaan. He was more surprised when Indra asked him to park the car, while he sauntered off.

'Whats the rush?', mused Ishaan, while trying to find a suitable spot to park the car, among all the cycles and buffalo carts. 

It took him some time to find Indra. Mostly because he could not imagine Indra sitting down and having a cup of tea in the village stall. But there he was, that too with Isha and Runa. Runa was chatting aimlessly, desperately trying to catch Indra's attention. The sight was not welcome. Ishaan thought Runa was immune to Indra's charisma. But it seems she is no different from the other village girls, who fell over each other to capture Indra's attention.

Runa was the first to spot him. Her bright smile went unanswered as he offered a slight greeting to Isha and sat down in the empty spot beside her. Runa's attempts to draw him into a conversation went unrewarded. He polite replies were very different from his usual teasing nature. He deliberately ignored Runa, keeping all his attention for Isha. He pretended not to notice how Runa had gone quiet. He drew significant satisfaction from the fact. However, he failed to notice the disapproval written clearly on Indra's demeanor. Not that he cared. For the first time in his life, he was jealous of his brother. He did not understand why Indra was paying so much attention to the girls, when he usually runs in the opposite direction when he meets one.

'It can't be Isha, as he clearly disapproves of her. Is he interested in Runa? Is that why he rushed to the fair, to be with her?' The thoughts came rushing into his mind, while he tried to shake off the unusual jealousy that raged in his heart.

Isha's P.O.V.

For Isha, this dual attention from the brothers was distressing, specially when Runa was visibly hurt. 

'This trip has turned into quiet a nightmare. Why can't the brothers play their games with someone else'.

She got up abruptly. She wanted nothing more than the solitude of her room.

'Lets head back Runa. I am quiet exhausted'. Her weary tone betrayed how much stressful the evening had been.

Ishaan expressed his concerns and offered to give them a lift back. Indra's expression gave nothing away. He kept casting speculative glances at all three of them, trying to figure out his brothers unusual behavior. 

Isha firmly refused his offer, saying they will take the rickshaw back home. The brothers picked up a rickshaw for them and soon they were on their way. It was a very quiet journey home.

Runa headed straight for the shower. Isha waited patiently for her to come back. She knew Runa was hurt. Ishaan had managed to capture her heart with ease, and with the same ease he seemed to have crushed it. Isha knew how difficult it is to handle rejection. 

Runa came back and sat down beside Isha. Isha put her arms around Runa and hugged her.

'He seemed to be all into you Isha', said Runa in a subdued voice. 

'These brothers can't be trusted. Ishaan did seem to be nice. But today his behavior was worse than Indra's. Indra, for all his faults, had never pretended to be nice', reasoned Isha.

'Damn the brothers. Boys, specially handsome ones, are always trouble. I will show him what it is to be ignored. How dare he?' , fumed Runa.

'That's my girl. Let's show them they are not a gift of God', said Isha, trying to get Runa back in her mischievous and fiery self.

'We will join the play Isha. And then we will make Ishaan's life a living hell. He will curse the day he had crossed swords with Runa', said Runa with fire in her eyes.

The rest of the evening were spent in making plans about how to make Ishaan suffer for today's behavior.