Don't know, who asked and who agreed but, after sometime both were sitting under the shade of royal poinciana, resting their back on the trunk. Behind the chemistry lab of the college.
Their conversations were not of love but, definitely love was present their in disguise of something else.
Probably, in disguise of exchanging the notes or in disguise of drinking the water with same bottle or in disguise of him, giving hand to her to stand up from the ground.
Their love was really beautiful. Unsaid. Untouched.
By just seeing each other from the corners of eyes, their mind was able to write long poems. Love poems.
________
Shravya have advanced from the age of organising her doll's marriage. Now, she has started dreaming about her self.
She has started seeing her Mother's old albums, how she looked as a bride. She has started remembering relative's conversations that,
"Shravya looks exactly like her mother. She has gone after her."
She has started imagining her self at her Mother's place. She has reached at the age of seeing her reflection in the mirror, every now and then.
One day, gathering some courage, she took out one photo from that album and secretly kept it inside her Hindi Literature's book. Between Mahadevi's poems.
Don't know, how many days she tried to gather some more courage, tried to show that picture to Pranay but, she couldn't.
'Don't know, What will he think?
What if he'll make my joke?
Or if he will ask that,
Why are you showing me?'First love, it's really like a tame cat. Sheepish.
So, that picture reached at her old spot, without showing to Pranay.
________
Continuation of seeing each other from a distance, asking for well beings or somedays if meets coincidentally in the library then asking,
"Arey!! You here?
Don't you have a class?"Just like that, their 3 years of college were going to an end soon.
Shravya was now twenty-one. And Pranay....he was, only twenty-one.
Means, the girl has reached at the age of marriage and guy.... still, he had to prepare two years for competitive exams, had to search a job and had to be settled in life.
Calamity, a giant calamity!!
Shravya's Buaji started revolving around her house, more than before. Maa has started making her wear all her old jewelleries and teaching her the virtues of a good wife and daughter-in-law. Babuji has started checking bank accounts and fixed deposits. Elder brother was keeping a check on the rates of Marriage halls, Decoraters and all and younger brother and sister has started dance practice on the new bollywood songs.
Shravya's mind was perturbed. She felt as, someone was compelling the soft water's fish to dive into saline water.
She couldn't understand that,
'How to tell this to Pranay?
And what's the avail of saying this, did they were able enough to get married?
And even if, they get married, then what would they eat?
And....and, the main point is, did they ever even talk about marriage?'College got close with the time being and their daily meetings also. Those were sad days in Shravya's life.
Her sky blue scarf doesn't slathers anymore.
________
One day, when Shravya came out from her house, for some work, she saw Pranay at the nook of the street. Near tea stall.
Shravya got some lines of tension on her temple. She was tensed seeing him suddenly there, after many days.
When Pranay advanced towards her, she turned and started going from there.
But he blocked her way, didn't let her go. She was scared and sweat pearls could be seen on her forehead. Pranay didn't say anything, he just slowly held her right hand and placed a chit on it and turned her fingers into a fist.
She kept staring at him for sometime, then tightening her fist she ran away towards her house.
When she reached at home, everyone gathered around her.
Buaji filled a whole laddoo inside her mouth. Babuji summoned her near him and lovingly kept his hand on her head, giving her blessings. Maa had tears in her eyes. She took a small point of kohl from the wet corner of her eyes and placed it on Shravya's cheeks.
Shravya was confused and....scared. She has already deduced the dueced thing. And that came true.
Her marriage was fixed. With a doctor, serving in a government hospital of Raipur.
The news was something that changed the atmosphere of the house, like a festival.
Shravya was standing, like a mannequin.
Pranay's chit was stucked in her tight fist, soaking wet of her sweat.
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This chapter is dedicated to my cute elder sister AnusritaPromi.
Happy Birthday Anu Di!! 。◕‿◕。
Asking God to bless you with every kind of joy and happiness on your Birthday & Forever!!
I hope, all your Birthday wishes and Dreams come true!!For your Birthday,I wanted to give you something that should be both funny and beautiful but then, I remembered....you already have ME in your life. ;-)
But still, I've your special gift. Will give you in morning. :-)♡Love Shifa♡
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The Sky Blue Scarf!
Short StoryThey were exactly defining their names; Shravya ~ always kept listening to everyone, except her heart. Pranay ~ always kept showing his love, for her. Will she ever be able to Hear the voice of his Love? (The story is inspired by a hindi story which...