Chapter 6

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I ask Kavya to hold on for a minute and rush to open the door.And there stands a whole bunch of people,taking my by surprise.My parents,Avinash's parents and his sister stand right in front of me grinning at my shocked expression.It takes me too many seconds to get back to my senses,show a little bit of respect and ask them to come inside.

"Kavya,everyone's come.I'll call you later.",I whisper.

"Thank god,bless them!!!",she heaves a sigh of relief and the call went dead quickly.I giggle at the phone and hoppe into the dining hall where everyone is seated again.I quickly straighten my dress and hair as I feel everyone's eyes on me.I nervously look around to see if Avinash has come and a small frown appears on my forehead when I find him missing.Suddenly,I find his cousin's eyes plastered on me and when our eyes meet,I destroy my frown and smile for which she giggles perhaps guessing that I've been searching for him.

Proving me right,she announces,"Avi is on the way."Why am I so transparent that even a girl who hasn't even seen me more than once can so easily read the expressions on my face.Although I was angry at my transparency,I wanted to depict a calm character.I smile and bend down to avoid anymore eyes.

"Would you like some coffee or tea?",I ask,trying to change the topic.Right then,I hear the door bell ring and I almost run halfway out of the dining hall before I became too self-conscious.

"I'll see who has come.",I lamely try to excuse myself and eagerly rush towards the door,my heart beating thousand a second.It is Avinash,I know.I pull the doors apart and there he stands,a drop of sweat finding its way down his forehead.

"Hi!!",he greets me and all I could manage was a mumble of welcome amidst all my shyness and blushing.I give way for him to come inside before following him behind.He stops midway,quite a distance from the dining hall and without a seconds hesitation,he pulls out a small wrapped gift out of his pocket and holds it out to me.It is cutely wrapped in a Copper Sulphate blue wrapper with a tiny pink ribbon tied to it.I look up at his eyes and he says, "Its for you!" and winks ever so flawlessly and I feel my heart shiver.

"Thank you!",I say and take the gift from him,wondering where I should keep it so no one would see.As if he were my sub-conscious,he read my thoughts so precisely and says,"Keep it safe and come.You dont want anyone seeing it." I smile at him ever so lightly and rush to my room and place the gift safely under the pillow after planting a kiss on it.

"How about on May 23rd?It seems to be an auspicious day.",I hear Avinash's mother say as I near the room.Everyone is seated in a circle and I find Avinash's mother with a yellow book in her hand,her jet black eyes now surrounded by thin rectangular glasses ,scanning the page curiously.

"We'll do as you say.",my dad replies.Avinash's father waves a hand and explains to my father that such formal replies weren't required.It is very evident that Avinash's family is very easy to move with and aren't as austere as mine.I give Avinash a sideways glance only to catch him staring at me and I blush.Soon enough,I hear a giggle from his cousin.Damn these teen-agers!!!!Watches people with eagle eyes!

Before any more awkward situations could take place,both of our families conclude that 23rd of May would be the best date.And so,the decision is made!May 23rd-We are getting engaged.A final declaration for our unspoken love for each other.Life is going to take a huge turn but only just a whole lot better and colourful.My void heart suddenly seems like a beautiful garden with different breeds of flowers.It feels nice to be like this,makes me feel humane.Once they left,I sneak out of the serious discussion my parents are indulged in and embrace myself in the stillness of my room and the gift that is waiting to be opened.

I carefully tear open the wrapper and find a box covered by a navy blue velvet material.I open it and find a cute ring in it.A pearl surrounded by tiny stones.It looked dazzling!A small paper,folded in half lies next to it.I pick it up and read what is in it.

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