Hello….Everyone….Its Jessie here….Sorry!! Got lil late..though I intended to post yesterday….Thanks for your patience guys…I would finish this first before Sweet mistake updates..this has 2 or 3 more to go…
Impressed !! (Shot 4)
Arjun’s POV…
“You could have had lunch before going with her,”,my mom said…..
“That’s ok…she is still tired..let her take rest…”,I said…but observed silence to prevail after that..,till I finished my lunch…
“Dad…..do u still have any grudges with Dilip uncle….?”,I asked wiping my hands….
“Not at all,Arjun….we ourselves wish to….”
“That’s great dad…am happy….!!”,I quickly took the staircase…I heard what I wanted to….Am here this time,only to take our relationship further…!
My call went unattended….her figure,standing near the gate,when I left her house,minutes back..lived afresh in my eyes…..the yearn and pain,in her eyes…
Every time when I gestured her to get back inside home,she stood,holding that iron gate strong….that grip was that of fear…fear on our future…..Even after having me here,she had that…I felt the need to gain her trust back…
“Helloo….who’s this…????”,her half sleep voice pulled me back….
“Rattu….it’s me ..”,I said …
After a sec,she responded..”Ajjjuuu…??”..
“Hmm….Ajju…”
“How would I know….did u give your number..?,even her sleepy voice had her agitation….
“Am sorry…Rattu…I should have given yesterday..at least…”,
“Ummmmmmmm…….”
“Rattu….”
“Umm…” …
Stupid of me..to call her…!! I should have guessed looking her sleepy eyes…but…
“Ajjju…tell na…”,she asked..
“Weren’t u sleeping….let’s speak later..I would come home..”,I convinced her for the moment…though I wanted to discuss a lot…coaxing a little..she hung the call saying…”Ajju…u too sleep”..
How to sleep…Her eyes with a yearn to be with me.,still lingered in my vision….how to close my eyelids?….I turned aside only to see a pic of ours..few years back…She.,in half saree,holding a piece of sugarcane..smiling wide….when did I fall in love with her..? I never knew…even when she was around 14.,its was only concern I had,when I helped with Siruveetu Pongal…..May be being close with her.,since childhood…hmm..no…that cannot be….finding myself crazy.,I just rolled on my bed having that photo frame close to my heart….Radhika…!! her trust,for even small things.,she had on me!,somewhere made me to feel too protective and responsible over her…umm..too much possessive also..,that I couldn’t hold myself from proposing her..All I thought was.,I should make her understand before she steps into college that.,she is Mine!!…How insecure I was,when I saw her with one of her classmates when she was in 12th.,smacking his head n that idiot trying to hold her hand in beach…!! Now.,I feel.,I over reacted that she came to apologize as I stayed silent..
“Ajju…Am sorry…Plssss….”,she fed me a piece a cake saying so.,when I was back from my college….Controlling myself from hugging her close.,I smiled and fed her back….Can’t hold more…Should Propose the moment she finishes her exams was my only thought…She wasn’t no less to me in stealing glances..,and finding opportunities to be with me…She did surprise me,requesting her dad to ask me to teach her subjects..!!! Little did I know.,even she too tried hard to conceal her feelings.,until I watched her to pout sad,listening my college trip and to jump in her bedroom.,after my decision to stay back.,for her practicals…
“Ajju..you are my lucky charm”,she bit her tongue…
“Really?”,I asked…
“Kinda..don’t think too much okay?”,she made a face…,raising her left palm…Uncle laughed…!!
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“Arjunn..Its 5..wake up…”,I jerked listening my mom’s words…What..5 in evening!…and I had slept..when and how??…The smooth glass frame made me realize that I slept holding the picture…Ah..This girl!!
“Byeeeeee”,I heard her voice.,when my fingers buttoned my shirt…Was she here? and where is she leaving…?
“Rattu wait…”,I screamed from my room’s door way…..”Don’t go alone..I will come…It’s not safe to roam….”,I said as I descended fast.,but stopped looking my dad and uncle on hallway..!! Dilip uncle took enough mins to get my note and smiled.,but she looked me annoyed…
“Where did I go…Its..Rohini..going to her home..”,she looked a 5yr old kid with her mom…One of our worker in farm..!! Trying to brush back that embarrassing moment.,I walked to my mom…But I could sense.,their eyes drilling my back…. but.,what….Her grandfather was there speaking with my mom!! Ah!! His words..yes! Din’t he say that.,Rattu was born for me!! Exactly…If not he said that 7 years back.,after her puberty ceremony.,I might have not seen her in a different angle…!! But..Our parents did exchange smiles…The 75+elderly man.,looked me with pride…but what for? I just wish,he should still remember those and decide am best for my Rattu….If so….
“Arjun…”,he patted my arms with same proud look…
“I din’t see you today morning!! Thatha (grandpa)…bless me…”,I took his blessings..,and heard a audible gasp…I know…that must be her…
“I was there at noon…you din’t come inside..”,he took a chair…She blinked boredom as we both had a talk on every random things…
“Where are we going…?”,she asked when we were discussing about that year’s crop yield… “You asked me to get ready?”,she pouted at her grand dad… Mala aunty along with her granny came from kitchen…So..The whole family was here…. She gave me a I’am-bored look!!
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After the temple offerings.,I requested for one family pic.,and I saw everyone sharing known glances…
“Take theirs…That’s enough!”,she moved away…”Because.they are the ones, who used to quarrel like kids.”,she glared them…
I bit back my smile…but did as per her words…After a mini photo shoot in half dusk light ,with everyone..she stood silent…”Rattu..one with me?”,I asked….I know.,she was upset because of that….
“Why..Ajju…you wanna have that as memories after you leave to Malaysia?”,she asked sharp…..That was very first time.,she spoke sarcastic with me….
“Radhu smile please..!”,Dilip uncle pleaded third time.,when we both stood together.,as everyone heard me ask her…
“Uncle.,it got dark…low light effect…we shall click tomorrow.”,I moved fast.,I wasn’t able to hold anymore…Can’t she smile for a pic with me..??
Even after an hour.,she wasn’t any happy or smiling meeting people in our temple… “Rattu…Spit it out?”,I asked,as she stood gazing the moon alone…
Radhika’s POV
“Rattu…Spit it out?”,he asked..when my eyes was fixed on moon…I smiled humorless to him….
“Don’t you know,Ajju?”,I searched answers in his eyes.,which scrutinized me with little of anger… “Even after my semesters.,you din’t speak with me…these 6 months…Now..now..why.? I mean what about us after this 2 days..?”,I asked directly….
“Uncle called me during your exams itself…and scolded for my behavior too….but I was happy when he said.,that you were in same page…Rattu…we did aim for this…even beyond worrying for themselves.,they worried for us…I wanted that……Uncle would have expected me to call on your birthday..but I din’t…He did call me..but listened my dad scolding me for the same…..but Rattu..my dad called you isn’t….I was there,listening your talk with him….Rattu…I want them to realize their mistake…It should be done before we get married..else…”
“Marriage..??…that will happen only if we take a step further…will you?”,I asked….I know.,I was sharp..but I had no go….”You were busy making others realize their mistakes..when will you realize yours….2 years..not even a call…a word…you had a watch on me?…Dint anyone of them say.,about my remote behavior..turning unsociable,drowning myself in studies…only to get over the pain you gave me Ajju….even today noon…you wanted,none to know about us…then why to….”
“Rattu..pls….Don’t hurt me with words….I don’t want to embarrass ourselves..!! thats it…ok…do you think..I will drop our love?”.he asked to my face….
“You dropped 2 years back,Ajju”,I said…his figure turned blur in my vision.,still….”Ajju…I feel…Only am there…”,My voice choked…
“Rattu…!!”,he asked…His voice came as a whisper…
“You have all rights to be angry on me…but I want to say…what I felt…”.,I wiped my tears….I wanna make him clear that.,am not same teen Radhika to get convinced with his hug….”Did you say anything.,today noon…You knew.,what I meant..”,I glared him….
“Rattu….I never thought you will get me like this…I said…2 years…so…”
“Stop it..! 2 years..plan..academics..career..their quarrel….f**k…am fed up with all this….”,I then realized I spelt a bad one…. “What if they,say no to,our love..will you drop it?”,I asked….
“They won’t…I will…”
“If.They…”,I stressed…. He saw me intent…
“I won’t..”…he inhaled deep and turned the other side….”I shouldn’t have…I…I am really sorry…!! All the while..I thought…the real seriousness will be amiss if you behave normal..but…yep..I should have mailed you…but…uncle too use your gmail id….”,he smiled….
“Yes…so what..”,I looked away…
“World’s first girl to share her email id with her dad…”,he said…
“Even after years..I will…”,I said with my chin high in air…after all.,am his princess…No..My dad is my best friend….
“I know….I too want that..”,he took a step close to me…”That was the reason.,I wished everything to happen smooth….”,he looked me worried…
Hearing my mom’s voice.,I turned…”Aunty..she is still angry that I din’t speak with her”,he whined like a kid…what an acting?? My mom showered me with few taunts to which he winked,smiling wide….
“We are one family,before we fell in love…We have to be one even after our marriage too….”,he said low,when we descended from temple….
The night was a memorable one..my grandpa said…!! Yes!! No one will believe we are extended relatives..!! My friends thought Nandhu aunt to be my dad’s sister when I said in college…Me and Ajju had a fight,of who will be fed first from Aunt…. “Rattu..”,he pointed his plate….I looked everyone,serving food themselves and having it…As a Pongal spl.,we were having a feast of mixed veggies curry…I already wiped my fingers in the process of tasting last bit of food….
I stepped hesitant inside the kitchen…he stood waiting for me..The moment he saw me.,he got on top of the counter…”If you had forgiven your Ajju..then,…”,he opened his mouth….
“Flies will get inside.,”,I smiled when I was about to wash my hand….
He pretended to get ready.,when I laid my hand on his plate….”What if someone comes?”,I asked just for namesake…He just shook his shoulders,smiling wide.,looking deep into my eyes.,as I fed him…
“Chew fast”,I hushed and he just smiled….
“I was about to break my love,being attentive on mending theirs…But…Rattu…I loved your love…you never questioned me…First time.,you did..that too for us…”,he wiped his lips and pecked my cheek in a jiffy…
Uncle repeatedly invited me for breakfast….My Grandpa was too energetic after seeing Arjun…Wonder..what magic he does..!! Land….field..annual crop yield…cattle..cows…Ah…
“Why din’t you turn a farmer then?”,I asked irritated….
“That’s the only mistake I did…Fascinated with computer science group.,I took it…But Rattu..Organic farming is still possible for this computer engineer..”,he said and I just shut my mouth with that…I was dreaming a life in Malaysia with him..and he…wanna be back here…!! My grandpa and uncle gave a proud look…Ah..I was honestly tired of watching him earn those from one or other…!!
“Don’t say..do it!”,I chuckled tasting jaggery flavored hot milk…
“I will..Rattu and you will see it..”,he said unflinched…Now it was everyone’s turn to shut their mouth,wondering how and when….
After an hour of talk,convincing my every inch of fear and anger.,he bid good night,and I disconnected the call..,but his msg beeped asking me to be on time…”Just now you said the same in call”,I texted…
* Next day**
I came down.,my ears treated with lots of noises from backyard…yep..They are getting ready for Pongal…As I applied kumkum for cows brought from our cow sheds, all made a cute cat walk..those small horns were painted in bright colors…and ladies working in farm kept pongal.,along with my mom…Yep..”Maatu Pongal”…the 3rd day of Pongal…Still one more day…I will leave to Chennai…..
One of my IT colleague asked about this.,so I took videos of cows and few bulls being honored.,with new dhoti tied around their neck along with garland..and kumkum in forehead.,all cows looked hell adorable with its eyes fixed on the happening before them…They did Arti to cows….Cattle shook their heads in fun.,and small bell decors tinkled…. My mom circumambulated the cows 3 times and fed them..and I followed in suit…
With a small calf accompanying me,I walked with one of our worker to Ajju’s house….Though it was my native.,dad never lets me alone… “Hey…Cutie…”,Ajju came running and pecked its forehead…”Who tied bells on your neck…”,he asked to it….Will a calf reply…??…We both went dumbfounded when cow-keeper addressed it with a leading film heroine name…”What..you named it…”,I saw a year old calf…What does it know.??…it kept responding every time he called…. I laughed holding my stomach….Ajju held it close to him.,and took to his backyard…They had bulls more than us…Calf grew little terrified..and he fed with fresh leaves…I had never been a part of all this…His favorite bull stood royal with a scary hump on its back…After Pooja.,Ajju held its neck hold.,as I wished to paint its horns…Well..that adamant fellow will never let anyone to paint its horns, other than Arjun…and being bull embracing banned for last 2 years.,and Arjun too not here.,it stood displaying its Ivory horns….
“Hey ..no yellow…Only blue!”,Ajju said.,and I carefully painted without spilling a drop…Did it realize Ajju’s love for me?..It stood silent..and I painted a bull’s horns for first time…Its horns was strong and sharp….– ‘Why won’t he call…had he grown horns being in Malaysia.?”,my words to my dad few months back…crossed my mind now..wow!! what a memory power!!! I stifled my laugh imagining him with horns,and me painting it…I laughed aloud only to get curious glances on us….even from him…”Say it…”,he pleaded again.,but his eyes narrowed listening my words and imagination….
“So..this is how.,you used to speak about me…”,he asked…and I nodded…
“I was irritated..so….but..Ajju…you were more handsome in my imagination”,I pressed my lips pointing that bull’s horns…
“What’s the reason.,you wore Saree again?”,he husked looking around…..he leaned on bull’s back holding it..and it shook its ears….
“Am I not looking good?”,I teased…
“Teasing me…”,he murmured when we moved for breakfast….It was past 10…yep..today….we eat after the prayer and offering to cattle….After all.,its their day..A day we celebrate
only to honor these backbones,of our nation’s backbone.,Agriculture.!!
I was admiring threshold drawings after our breakfast…Uncle and Aunt left me behind,to come with Ajju….”Your favorite bull game is not conducted this year too?”,I remarked swinging slow.,when I heard some noise behind…”Uncle asked me to come with you…”,I turned when he replied…”That’s called bull embracing….”.
“Hey..change your dress..no dhoti..”,I jumped off the swing…How many girls would eye him..that too in traditional attire…uff…I remembered 3 year past events,where he participated in bull embracing,in his vest and double folded dhoti revealing his knees..and girls drooling at him….
“Am I not looking good?”,his words brought me back…
“No..ah..yes…hmm…Ajju…”,I looked him helpless…but he looked my saree! Green and yellow silk saree with jacquard patterned in its self….His mom gifted me!! Last year.! “You chose this?”,I asked being suspicious with his looks…and he just smiled…Tingling sounds of those bells.,alerted us about bulls being brought to front yard…Following 5 of his bulls.,few cows moved out of their compound after his nod…A small walk for those..in major streets of our village…People would gather to watch it…this indirectly makes everyone to care their cattle well.,else people may inquire about the animal looking weak…
“No bull taming so no dhoti..”,I came back to square one…
“Its Bull Embracing Rattu!!”,he said again..now a little sharp…He stood in middle of porch.,behind the swing..,his palm pressed on one of those tall pillars….glancing each cow and calf…I really doubt how he works as a IT employee.,being so interested in everything related to Agriculture…..
Arjun’s POV..
“Its Bull embracing Rattu”,I corrected her words for the second time….Cow keepers looked disappointed with bull embracing being banned this year too….but.,as a custom.,we need to take those to their temple…A temple where we worship before the event of bull embracing…
I saw her to look me..no..admiring me standing in hall..”We should go..”,she quickly averted her gaze.,and walked to her left.,twirling her saree’s pallu around her left wrist…”Rattu kutty!!….”
“Ajju..no…!”,her sharp retort only turned me mischievous….
“What did I do…you really imagined my face with horns?”,I feigned a shock….
“Ajju…go back”,she smiled….
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So..how was it….Pls ignore my Typos and grammatical errors….Next is Little Queen…Am really sorry for being this late…And you all know me….Such a good girl I was..updating regularly…wish I should turn so…Don’t forget to share your reviews…..Take care and love you all loads….