Chapter 15: chapter 15

The next day morning, Rakesh woke up very early, hearing the sound a vehicle starting. He went to the balcony and saw Sachin driving away. He wondered why and where he is leaving so early and then went to washroom and showered. He saw his sleeping beauty, peacefully sleeping on the other side and didn't have heart to wake her up. So he went down and strolled in garden until others woke up. Once he started hearing muffled noises inside, he came in and went back to Rakshita's room. Rakshita woke up from her sleep. She remembered the wedding night and turn to look at the other side and found the bed empty. She looked for some sound in the washroom, but again the door was ajar. So she quickly went in brushed and showered. She went to the balcony to dry her hair and bent sideways to dry it.As soon as Rakesh entered in, he saw the door to balcony was opened and Rakshita in beautiful blue saree with wet hair stood facing the opening. Rakesh stilled in his track at the sight of her. His heart longed to hold her, embrace her and inhale her fragrance. And he walked towards her. Hearing a sound inside, Rakshita turned and saw Rakesh coming. He smiled sweetly at her and greeted good morning. She too looked at him with a doubtful gaze and uttered good morning then turned around. Once they were ready, they came down for morning ritual and joined others for breakfast. On the other side, Shally's white dzire drove towards the outskirts of the city. Sachin tailed her car from little distance. She parked in front of a  bouquet shop and got down. Sachin saw her getting a bunch of pink roses and white roses. He wondered whom she is gonna meet. Then she drove again and her car crossed through a aloof lane which lead inside woods. After few meters she parked in front of a large iron gate. Sachin parked few meters behind her car and saw her getting down and entering inside. He too came behind and only when he came near he saw, it was a cemetery. His legs glued to the surface. Shally went inside with a heavy heart. It was her mom and dad's commemoration day. They passed away in an accident, when Shally was just fifteen years old. After that she grew up with her cousins at Rakshita's house. Though his aunt and uncle never allowed her to feel like a orphan and took utmost care than their own daughter and fulfilled her every wish, she still has a void in heart as she couldn't protect them. Every once in a while or whenever she feels down or miss them and on their death anniversary she comes to visit their grave and spend some time there. Mostly Rakshita would accompany her always and be with her until she vent up all her emotions. As Rakshita got married only yesterday, Shally neither want to disturb her nor pull her to the cemetery. And mostly Rakshita is moving to another city with her husband's family and shally has to be there before she leaves, that's why she came here very early today. She went to their grave, cleaned the head stones and place the bunch of flowers over it. Pink roses were her mom's favourite and white for her dad. She spoke to them as if they are really present and shared about Rakshita's wedding and started telling whatever that crosses her mind with a sad smile. After sometime, she started sobbing thinking back about the fateful day when she lost them. The pain was still raw, like it happened just yesterday.Standing under a tree a few feets away from her, Sachin saw all this. His heart ached looking her at such state. He then saw another figure approaching her, clad in white shirt and blue jean. It was none other than Neil. He came near her, knelt beside her and saw the grave stones longingly and hugged Shally. She too leaned on his shoulder and started weeping uncontrollably. Sachin's stomach churned at the scene, somewhere deep inside his possessive nerves spiked up and he felt a pang of jealous. Inorder to stop him from doing something crazy, he left the cemetery. At home, Rakshita was standing at the porch and was looking at the entrance. Sachin's car drove in, he greeted her, she too greeted him back with a smile. Rakesh came out looking for Rakshita and asked why she was here. Rakshita told she was waiting for Shally. Hearing that Sachin stilled on his track before entering inside. Rakesh asked the reason and Rakshita said  that it was Shally's parents death anniversary and she had gone to the cemetery. Every year she used to go along with her but this time she couldn't and so she has sent Neil instead. Hearing that, Sachin's heart warmed. Shally's weeping face crossed his mind and he understood how deeply she was hurt by losing both her parents. With that deep thought he went to his room and laid on the bed. His mind was completely occupied with the memories of cemetery, how she was talking alone, then weeping. Something twisted into knot inside his stomach. His protective urge towards Shally increased. With all new emotions surging to the surface, he couldn't rest and went to take a shower. Shally and Neil came home after an hour. Rakshita's mom asked them to have breakfast and took her in. Shally was already very gloomy. While eating she hiccuped due to the restrained sobs. Suddenly someone gave water and patted her head. She drank the water and turned around to say thank you and her eyes went wide looking at Sachin's hand on her head.After shower, Sachin got dressed. When Nikita came inside the room. She took him to have breakfast. While entering the dining area, they heard Rakshita's mom asking Shally and Neil to have food. Nikita face turned sad, when Sachin asked the reason, Nikita said the same reason what Rakshita told and insisted she was still happy for Shally because she has got amazing aunt and uncle and wonderful cousins, who take care of her as their own sibling. Sachin's mind got cleared about Neil's intention. Then they started having their food when Shally and Neil came in. Shally as she was already gloomy did not see who were there at the table and sat next to Sachin. When she hiccuped, Sachin's hands worked on auto pilot mode and patted her. Only when Shally saw him with wide eyes, he realised his actions and drew his hand away from her head. He smiled awkwardly and left the table to wash his hands. Nikita smiled at them meaningfully and was caught by Neil, who too smiled back in understanding. That afternoon, they all were leaving to Coimbatore city for Rakesh and Rakshita's reception. Everyone including Rakshita's family, their relatives, Rakesh's family together landed at the airport. -------------------------------------------------------------Hello everyone!!! Hope you all are enjoying my story. Kindly rate, review and share. Your comments keeps me motivated, so please do share your thoughts.