Part 2

Part 2

6 years later

Just like their childhood, Virat and Sai's teenage years also passed. They were fully grown up individuals, ready to move ahead in their life and take new responsibilities. Virat was now 28 years old grown up man. He went after his father in looks. Tall, sharp features and he got his mother's wheatish golden complexion and humble nature. To add to his charm, he had muscular body, all thanks to his love for fitness. His magnetic eyes and infectious smile were cherry on the top as it could make any girl weak in the knees. He had completed his MBA and gained some experience by working independently in a textile company in Mumbai for few years. He felt he was ready now to venture into something of his own.

But first he decided to go Nagpur as his parents were pestering him for sometime now to come back home. His aai was adamant for fixing his marriage. Though he didn't want to get married yet but he knew his parents, if they have decided to get him married then they must have already started searching for a bride. Its not like he disliked arrange marriages but he was of the view that such an important decision of choosing his life partner should solely be done by him only.

So before they pressurize him to get married to their choice he wanted them to meet the woman in his life, Pakhi. He and Pakhi worked together for some time in a textile company. They instantly got a liking towards each other. He was not sure if he truly loved Pakhi or not but Pakhi was sexy, bold, modern and outgoing just the way he wanted his wife to be. They both get along really well. He decided that tomorrow he will take Pakhi with him to Nagpur to meet his family. He was totally unaware of the fact that someone who was madly in love with him since childhood was waiting for him there.

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Sai was 22 years old now. She has grown into a beautiful woman. Her long thick black hair came below her waist. Her almond shaped deep brown eyes, curvy lips and button nose made her look like innocent angel. She adored Indian dressing and culture. She was shy and introvert by nature. She has recently taken admission for PG course in Nagpur itself because she didn't want to leave her own parents as well as her uncle and aunty, that it, Virat's parents or aai and baba as she started calling them on their insistence. She considered it as her duty to take care of Virat's parents in his absence. If only one thing all these years couldn't change in her was her deep rooted feelings for Virat. Though she had never confessed her love but it was kind of a mutual understanding between her and both the parents that she will be Virat's wife one day. So she never thought she needed to express her desire. She thought, like everyone, Virat is also aware of this fact.

She was very happy to hear the news that finally Virat was coming back to Nagpur. She will get to see him face to face after so many years. Though she stalked his all social media profiles and liked all his photos but never dropped any comment or never chat with him as she always became nervous and shy thinking about it. She knew every detail about him but she doubted whether he knows much about her as they never really talked like that. Once he took admission in college, he rarely came to Nagpur and she being introvert, was never good with social media accounts on different sites and having conversation over there.

She also used to feel sad whenever he posted pictures with any girl but her Ashwini aai and Ninad baba had always brushed off her worries saying that they know their son. If anything would have been serious then he must have told them. If he didn't tell them then there is nothing to worry. But still it pained her to see him with any girl as for her he was already her husband. But she use to pacify her heart saying that no matter with whom so ever he is now but at the end he belongs only to her and they will soon get married by all the customs and traditions of society her Ashwini aai and Ninad baba had promised her.

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Virat was in the car with Pakhi. "I think you should have worn something else..... something decent as you are going to meet my parents for the first time."  Virat commented as he again looked at Pakhi's one piece off shoulder tight fitting dress which ended at least two inches above her knees.

"Don't be such a hypocrite. In Mumbai you used to like me in short dresses what happened here?"  Pakhi replied as she raised her eyebrow at him.

"Its fine by me whatever you wear but there is an occasion for wearing a particular dress and we are not going for pubbing, we are going to meet my parents where first time I'll introduce you to them as their would be daughter in law." Virat tried to explain.

"Virat, you know me. I cant change myself for anyone. Aur ye sharmili ladki hone ka natak waise bhi mujhse nahi hoga."  Pakhi said as she threw back some of her loose strands of hair back from her shoulder in style.

Virat just rolled his eyes at her. It was true that he liked Pakhi. In fact he even believed sometimes that he loved Pakhi but there are some moments where he couldn't help but think that Pakhi is not at all understanding in some matters and somewhat selfish. He was still not sure about marrying her but for now he could see in her all the qualities he wanted in his wife and when he saw that his parents gonna pressurize him for marriage, he decided to settle down with Pakhi before his parents could force him for marrying a girl of their choice by doing their emotional blackmail.

Their car entered Nagpur and broke down in middle of market. "What happened?" Virat asked the driver.

"Dekhta hoon sahab. Aap baithiye main abhi check karta hoon." Driver said and opened the bonnet of the car.

Virat came out from the car and looked around. "This city hasn't changed much." He thought and smiled remembering how he and his friends use to race here on their bi cycles.

"Sahab, koi khaas problem nahi hai gaadi garam ho gayi hai paani daalna padega." Driver informed.

"Give me that bottle. I'll bring water." Virat replied as he noticed the hand pump in the premises of nearby Radha Krishna temple. Sweet memories of childhood again filled his mind as he remembered how his aai used to visit this temple daily and he used to tag along because he liked the prasaad of laddu which was distributed here.

Virat went to the temple and filled the water bottle from hand pump. He was about to go back to the car when a very sweet voice captivated him in its melody. He couldn't go away from there and turned around hypnotized to walk towards the source of this beautiful voice.

Radhe krishna kijyoti alaukik tino lok me chhaye rahi hai

Bhakti vivash ek prem pujarin phir bhi deep jalaye rahi hai

Krishna ko gokul se radhe ko - 2

Barsane se bulaye rahi hai

Dono karo swikar kripa kar jogan aarti gaye rahi hai – 2

Virat walked towards the temple mesmerized by the soulful song. He removed his shoes and folded his hands in front of deity. He saw a girl in white churidar and kurti was holding a plate with diya and singing that song. The girl was facing the idol and her back was towards Virat. He saw her long hair which came below her waist. She was wearing lots of metal bangles in both hands and matching jhumka pattern earings. He kept looking at her. A sudden urge to see that girls face came inside his mind. He wanted to know the girl who has such melodious voice whether has a beautiful face too?" The girl kept singing.

Bhor bhaye te sanjh dhale tak seva kau nit naem hamaro

Snan karaye wo vastra odhaye vo bhog lagaye wo lagat pyaro

Kabse niharat aapki aur – 2

Ki aap hamari aur niharo

Radhe krishna hamare dham ko jani vrindawan dham padharo – 2

The girl finished her song and bow down her head in front of idol. She offered prasaad to the God and pandit ji give her back the remaining prasaad. Virat waited with bated breath for her to turn. She finally turned around as she took parikrama. Her eyes were closed. When her parokrama was completed, she slowly opened her eyes and forgot to breathe as she found that the love of her life is standing in front of her looking at her so intensely.

Virat kept looking at that girl as if mesmerized with her beauty. Her kohl lined eyes seems to be deeper then ocean. Her cute button nose reminded him of those cute little plastic dolls. Her puffed pink lips were nothing less than rose petals. The pink round bindi which she put on her forehead between her two perfectly shaped eyebrows seemed like sun is setting between the mountains. Though he liked modern girls in western dresses but she was the epitome of Indian beauty. So pure, so pristine, so divine, so innocent. She hesitantly moved forward towards him. The sound of her anklets brought him out of the trance.

"Prasaad, ye laddu aapko bahut pasand hain na?" The girl said as she extended her hand to offer him laddu.

"How do you know?"   Virat asked as he took that laddu from her.

"Aapki pasand mujhe pata nahi hogi to aur kise pata hogi?." she said as she looked down shyly.

Virat didn't understand what she said. He was confused and was about to ask when driver called him. "Sahab, paani mil gaya ho toh jaldi aaiye apni car ke karan traffic jam ho raha hai."

Virat had to go after that. He reached to his car and cursed himself in his mind. "Virat kya yaar kamse kam uska naam toh puchh leta."

He came to sit inside his car and saw Pakhi was sulking there waiting for him. He suddenly shook his head as if to shake of the charm put on by that girl on him. He couldn't believe he has brought Pakhi with him to meet his parents and a few minutes ago he was drooling over a stranger girl he just met for few seconds. But he had to admit, " There was something about her which pulled me towards her, like I had known her all my life." He wondered and sat in the car.

Sai on the other hand kept looking in the direction he went and quickly took out her phone, "Hello aai, Virat pahuch gaye hain Nagpur...mujhe yaha mandir mein mile....wo gaadi kharab ho gayi thi shayad....haan ghar hi aa rahe honge yaha se....aap welcome ki taiyari puri kar lijiye main bhi bas nikal rahi hoon." Sai said excitedly to Virat's mother.

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to be continued.....