High School Romance Revisited

Chapter 2 - The Brother

I was a little absent-minded during the shopping as I thought about Koushik's party tomorrow. I just didn't know how will I behave in front of him. It has been 10 years yet the wound was still fresh.

Strange, how a single memory can take you back to all those flashbacks. Mahen – as we called him. This name was once so close to my heart and today it seems like stabbing my heart with a heated iron dagger.

Rai shook me, "Deepa! Concentrate." She gestured at the confused Chitra who by now had taken out the entire collection of the shop. This was the third shop we visited. Though Triangular Park had plenty of renowned shops and the most beautiful collection when it came to bridal banarasis yet it takes time to find The One.

The shopkeeper gave up saying that was the entire collection they had. So we came out of that shop and Rai insisted, "see, from the very beginning I am telling let's go to Priya Gopal Bishoyi. I am sure you will find the right one there."

[Priya Gopal Bishoyi is one of the biggest Indian wear shop situated in Triangular Park specialising in wedding collection for both men and women]

Finally Chitra agreed. Once we stepped inside the shop we were escorted to their floor displaying the bridal saree collection. After going through about twelve sarees Chitra shortlisted two. One with a traditional golden work on red katan and the other with floral motifs red patali pallu pure katan.

[Katan is a silk material of banarasi and patali pallu is a type of design with pleats of the saree in one design and the drape or pallu in another design]

Since she couldn't decide we asked her to try both and then finalise. I have to admit that Chitra looked amazing wearing both the sarees. But before we could complement her a familiar voice said from the back, "Gorgeous! Koushik will be mesmerised seeing you in that."

Chitra looked up and we turned to see Manish standing behind us. He was Mahen's younger brother and our junior in school. He was the only one who knew nothing about my relation with Mahen. And none of us gave him any reason for a doubt. We liked him the way he was, totally opposite of his brother. Kind, sweet and cheerful. He participated in all the cultural events along with us, therefore became very dear to us.

Chitra threw herself on him and gave a tight hug, "Manish! How are you? Where have you been?"

Both Rai and I hugged him too and released the poor guy so that he can breathe. As usual Rai pulled his cheeks saying, "Look at you, you are still so sweet!"

"Oh god Rai di, stop pulling my cheeks in public!" he blushed and continued, "so done with the bridal shopping?"

"Just started! I can't believe my wedding is in such a short notice. I mean only a month left and there's so much to do."

"Ha ha, I can understand. Don't worry I came back yesterday from Thailand, my studies are now complete so I am free now. I can come down and help!"

"Will you? That's great! I'll text you everything just as I did during our cultural programmes," Rai said and took his number.

After Chitra settled for the traditional design banarasi we went downstairs to find a matching veil. I updated Manish on the events happening at the bride's house. He noted as he has invitation from both sides so he had to adjust.

Once Manish left we declared to Chitra that the shopping spree is over for today and we should now grab dinner. Oh yes! We arrived at Triangular park around 4pm and now it was 8:30pm. Chitra's mother also called reminding us about the Pan Fried Chilli Fish and asked to hurry as our deadline was 10pm.

We were staying at Chitra's home for the night. So I informed my mother not to stay up till late. My dad lived in another city due to work. Rarely visited us. Another reason why I hated Mahen. It was because of his false accusations my father was transferred from the Kolkata to Hyderabad branch of his office.

"You know you can skip tomorrow's party but I don't want you too," Rai whispered as we noticed Chitra sleeping. "You stay with Chitra, I'll handle the bastard. Beat him up if needed," she added.

I laughed at Rai's hateful words. I knew she can do that. Just as she did ten years ago.

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You can call this chapter a filler just to introduce Manish however our hero appears in the next chapter. I promise to make it exciting.

I know I generally update a story in one go but then where's the fun.

Please wait for the next chapter [COMING UP SOON!]

Till then let me know what do you think of the story.......

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