My Guiding Star

Part Sixteen

Niranjana never knew when she slept. When she woke up, the room is bright and she groaned closed her eyes again. She wondered why she was feeling heavy and suddenly all the enormity happened yesterday crashed upon her and she couldn't control the sob escaping from her throat.

All the crying cleared her head. She felt a bout of anger surged up against herself. Anger is better than crying out. She was aware that Ranjan loved Swathi. What did she expect? That he would forget Swathi and come for her. She had no one to blame but herself. She understood that her stupidity had reach the limits. If she have any sense, she better forget about him and start with her own life.

But still she could not face him yet. She started avoiding him. She know that if she stayed in home, there was always a danger of meeting him. So started to spend her time going out as much as possible by finding all sorts of excuses like inviting friends, to check with the beautician and so. She knew that she could not avoid him totally and her only option would be to move to Chennai again for her higher studies. God knows, she could at least accept the reality this time and when she come back she can able to face him and Swathi.

But that would not stop her seeing him in Sanjana's marriage and she prayed to have enough strength. But she didn't face him in the marriage immediately as she feared. After sometime she relaxed a little. And when her friends arrived she slowly forgot her anxiety. She started to mingle to everyone and laughed and enjoyed.

Her prayers were short answered. She was talking with her senior when he arrived. She felt mesmerized for a minute at seeing him. If she is going to feel like this seeing him after a week, how can she hope to forget everything in next couple of years? Don't be a fool, she chastised herself.

"Hi Ranjan, Meet my senior Vinod. He is a very good friend of mine." She told him in a pleasant voice tucking her had with Vinod's. She cannot interpret the any feeling in Ranjan's face and why should she? 

"Vinod, this is my family friend Ranjan." She saw an assessment in Ranjan's face whereas a puzzle in Vinod's, She know Vinod is surprised on her action and but have maintained silence for her sake. She felt a warmth towards her sincere friend.

"You please carry on Ranjan, we will be meeting out other friends." Without giving a chance for him to respond, Niranjana whisked Vinod from there. 

"Care to explain that?" Vinod asked Niranjana. 

"I will one day Anna*. But not today. But thank you for not blowing it." She answered him wryly.

But she could not avoid him when she stood behind Sanjana when the rituals happening, as he stood for Sridhar as his companion. When Sridhar and Sanjana tied a knot of companionship and love for a life time, she couldn't help crying for the beautiful moment. It is where two loving souls were staring a new journey in life. A journey of love, trust, support, companionship. She could not avoid looking at Ranjan who was also looking at her. Would she get such a blessing as Sanjana?

Much later when she was sending off her friends, Ranjan asked if anyone need lift to Railway station. "No need Ranjan, Vinod have taken care of it. He is very thoughtful and caring always."

"Niru, I haven't seen you calling Vinod by name. You always address him as Anna right. It looks odd when you call him by name." Reshmi addressed Niranjana in a surprised tone. 

"Nothing as such Reshmi. Should be because of the excitement that my sister's marriage went well" Niranjana answered Reshmi fully aware of Ranjan's searching eyes on her. 

She didn't expect her act to blow up in short span of time. But she was saved from his questions, excusing herself to bid farewell to her friends.

*Anna - Elder Brother