With a moment of understanding, she wiped the tears before they came out… “you were supposed to come after two weeks, right?” hiding the utter surprise and the obvious happy feelings she asked him.
“well, i challenged myself to complete the things the soonest possible to see y…
“okay… but all of a sudden you are here…” she cut him midway in the zeal of knowing the current happenings.
“well, if this shocks you then lets go home, you will get a few more surprises.” he teased her.
“more surprises…” the confusion covered her face.
“are you going to ask about everything here only or are we going to visit the shrines inside?” he chided her lightly.
“yeah, it is already getting dark, they will close the doors so lets go.” in a moment she took the charge and he followed her.
“you look weak… didn’t take care na?” he asked her once they reached the top of stairs.
“i am fine but I think you have overworked… why did you, this shirt used to fit you last time.” she had observed him.
But after saying the words she felt out of breath due to embarrassment.
“eshhhhh, she again made a blunder due to all the nervousness and temperament of this time.”
“well, this time I agree with you, I wanted to come back so I just completed the things and yes, I overworked but there won’t be a single time you will say this again.” he smiled to her.
The smile which starts from the lip and reaches to the eyes that kind of smile…
“i hope so.” she muttered under her breath and she didn’t know what touched her at that moment, perhaps the cool breezes which started blowing all of a sudden at the top of this temple or his smile touched her… she felt a thousand butterflies crawling inside her.
“i have gone in evening …you go and,
“i want you to come with me…
“but…she tried to stop him.
“just come Twinkle… shiv ji won’t get angry, meeting you one more time.” he joked and with some involuntary wish his palms touched hers and he pulled her to the inner chamber.
“Kunj…A current passed inside her on the touch but she brushed it and covered her head with her dupatta with the freehand.
the temple was about to get closed for the night, people were in a rush to go in and come out so it was good he had held her hand.
______________*___________
“We didn’t have any idea about it…” the stern man who was uncomfortable with the reason of visit spoke up after half an hour of thinking here and there.
“i know Siddiqui Sahab, Kunj’s sudden visit made my mind to visit you .” Uma answered humbly.
“and today or tomorrow we have to do the rituals so I thought to do it in this wedding season.” Uma completed her words.
“i understand but I just felt it all happened out of blue.” Vivek said.
“okay leave it,Sahab… bhabhi has come after such a tiring journey…we indulged her in such talks.” seeing the tense atmosphere the lady of the house took the situation in her hands.
“i have fixed the guest room, you go and change first… you might need a bath or should I arrange one more tea?”
“well, tea would be better but let me change first… then with ease, we will have it.” Uma wasn’t in a mood to leave the conversations but it was the best at this moment.
___________*____________
“This is the reason why Di and I never visit the temple twice.” Twinkle replied with a hint of annoyance.
“it wasn’t something big , Twinkle… it is the poor man’s job.” Kunj replied concealing his smile.
“by the love I loved that look on his face when he saw you… he thought you came to have the prasad twice.” and with that Kunj’s laugh echoed in the lane.
“Actually you are right.” and she joined the laughs.
“you know what when we were young, Di and I used to visit the temple nearly every day after school and this priest used to be a very strict young man back then, he used to keep an eye on kids who used to visit the shrine multiple times for the delicious halwa they give as prasad.” Twinkle’s eyes shined with the memory.
“one day, don’t know what conspired us and we thought to do that and perhaps because he knew us or reasons god knows, he identified us and though he didn’t say a thing but the knowing scowl he threw on us was something very embarrassing….
“and..”Kunj waited taking the last bite of the halwa.
“and after that we never did that.” she extended her hands to collect his empty degradable plate.
“i will do.” he said taking hers and looking for some nearby dustbin.
“so I assume you were naughty but …
“but.” she looked at his side to know.
“but coward… I mean he just gave a look and you guys never did that,” he replied , preparing himself for something harsh from her side.
‘says the most obedient boy of the family.” Twinkle commented without looking to him.
“i might be an obedient boy but doesn’t mean I don’t have my share of mischiefs,” he said bending to her ears.
“really..I don’t believe.” Twinkle scoffed, sure about a meek personality of him during his childhood.
“You will get to know more about…
The ring tone broke their light-hearted conversation.
“yeah Ma, Twinkle is with me… in a few moments, we will reach home.” He answered the call without any pleasantries or wishing his mother and it got her suspicious.
“i find it all so strange,” she spoke as he cut the call.
For a moment he felt the loss of words but then composed himself.
“you know na Ma, she gets restless if we forget calling her,” he replied.
“yeah, but there is something strange.” she dismissed the thoughts with a deep breath.
“earlier it was not that intense but this time I wanted to come as soon as possible…” he whispered as they reached to the outer premises of the colony.
“may I.. he asked her permission to hold her hands.
She could feel his emotions and his mental state and she knew for someone who has lived for an unsure future, it was a big moment.
Without giving her brains extra burdening of thinking anything else she lowered her lashes for a while and then with a slight smile in those black pupils she gave her palm to his.
“i missed you so much Twinkle,” he whispered.
She didn’t know what it was and why she felt like that but she sensed his finally calm heart in that connection of palms, the final conclusion to someone ‘s thirst of years.
____________*__________
“you gave me the shock Ma!!! she exclaimed seeing her mother in law walking towards her from the guest room.
“it was Adi’s plan to come without informing.” hugging her , Uma enlightened her about the mind behind this visit.
“oh..” with his mention she blushed.
It was already an embarrassing moment when her mother had opened the door for them and she had pulled back her hand from his.
“you did good Ma,” she spoke sitting with her in the drawing-room.
“Twinkle, you sit with Bhabhi, I am going to arrange tea and something for Kunj.” Her mother said getting up.
“okay ma and please tell me about the dinner..I’ll help you,” she replied.
“arey Bhabhi..sit for a while na, Kunj will take time.” Uma insisted her to sit. “what I am thinking is, let’s do the rituals tomorrow morning.”
A wave of confusion again passed through Twinkle… what rituals?
“you have already come with all the preparation bhabhi, how can we stop you.” Twinkle’s mother smiled.
In the state of confusion, Twinkle stared both the ladies one by one and in the process, she saw the corner shelf and one stool full with the gifts and all packed with the familiar magenta color.
“this visit was meant for her official bond confirmation with Kunj.”
“i’ll go and see Kavya Ma…” with that she left the room, her whole self started shaking with this surprise of the day.
She knew they had to do it one day but all of a sudden… she needed to know about it to be ready for it, to make her mind for it. She felt annoyed by the news.
“watch out Twinkle…” her father warned her before she collided to him and she looked up finding her concerned dad who was holding her daughter.
“what happened Twinkle? didn’t see your old father coming your way.” seeing the visibly upset Twinkle he joked.
“Sorry dad, I was thinking about Kavya…that is why i…” she lied.
“Okay, go first freshen up till then my granddaughter is playing with me.” his father took the only source of her mind diversion at this moment.
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Hey guys!!! how are all of you?
I know I took long to update it but told you na, updates will take time as my vacations have been over.
Anyways will try coming sooner this time.
Do tell how was the chapter.
With love Morusya