My Guiding Star

Part Two

"So how is the wedding preparations going on? What all have you purchased? What are all pending? Have you finalized the saree purchase? What is your and Sridhar's costume for reception?" Niranjana bombarded Sanjana with questions.

"Chill out dear. Get a breathe." she laughed at her "No big purchases done yet. You take rest for today and tomorrow and then we go on shopping from Wednesday. Sridhar's family had planned for dress purchase this Friday. Both our parents are joining only for dress and jewel purchase. For other items only we four are going."

"Four? Is Sridhar's brother is accompanying us? But you told his brother's family is coming only for marriage?" Niranjana asked her in a puzzled voice. 

"Nope not Sridhar's brother. You, me, Sridhar and Ranjan."

Niranjana's smile faltered and asked slowly "Which Ranjan?" She feared that she already know the answer but prayed for her assumption to be wrong. Ha, but how her prayers went unanswered. 

"It's my classmate Ranjan. Bala uncle's son. I remember you were also close to him. In fact you used to hero worship him. It's surprising that you forgot him?" Sanjana laughed at her.

How can she forget him? In fact all the whole two months are still imprinted in her heart as fresh as yesterday. Especially that fateful night.....

"I have not forgot him. I thought he moved out of town to his uncle's place. So I was not able to connect the dots." Niranjana answered her hoping that Sanjana believed that. 

"Yeah, but he came back after two years and started his company. He is very successful now. In fact the opposite house is theirs only. After uncle's retirement, Ranjan purchased and reconstructed the house and moved in. Bala Uncle and Saraswathi Aunty are happy to be near to us. And Ranjan and Sridhar have become good buddies. Ranjan will accompany us in all shopping and outing."

How will she cope up being near to Ranjan for two full months? And he will be on the other side of road always. She cannot avoid him at any cost. But will he remember that evening? Oh God. Niranjana face clouded at those thoughts. "Niru, are you all right?" Sanjana asked with concern.

"Nothing Sanju, just tired because of the long journey. I will be alright if I take a good rest." She assured her sister with a smile. 

"How stupid of me. You take rest, we will talk later." Sanjana left her alone for Niranjana to take rest.

Niranjana tried her best to sleep, but she cannot even wink. All the memories surfaced up like a storm which she was trying to block out as a routine she was doing for the past 6 years. But either talking about Ranjan or the fact that he is just opposite to her, made her efforts in vain and the memories returned back with force. She cannot able to help herself, but to go back in time.

She can able to recall the fateful day when she saw Ranjan for the first time. In their very living room. The dark eyes smiling at her giving some sort of signals saying how it is going to flip flop her life and she happily ignored it.