Chapter 3: chapter 3

Rakesh with his family were seated in the living room of Rakshita's house. Rakesh turned towards the staircase from were he heard muffled noises. Slowly Rakshita descended the staircase and he was stunned by her looks. His eyes were glued on her face taking him to the past, a few years ago.After he returned from abroad completing his masters, he planned for an get-together with his childhood friends and they happened to spend a weekend at Bangalore. When they were roaming in the park, they were looking at the girls and talking to propose someone just for fun. It was Rakesh's turn to do so, but he declined by telling he didn't find any girl worthy of proposing. His friends teased him as coward and told him to look at the girl who was approaching the entrance. When Rakesh turned to the direction his friends pointed, he saw a girl in pink and white salwar,her eyes twinkling with joy, with raven coloured hair touching her hips in wavy curls, pointed nose, with cheeks were dimple formed when she smiles. She was just like a painting walking out of a picture and he was completely mesmerized by her beauty. He stood there dumbfounded. When she crossed him, he just felt as if a cool breeze had hit him straight in the guts. A moment later she got mixed in the crowd and he couldn't see her anymore. Only then he heard his friends hooting and teasing him, but with her image imbibed in his memory he left the city. She was the first girl who made him feel alive, who made his heart flutter. After few days he completely forgot about her. Until now, when he saw her approaching him once again at her house.Today too, she was wearing pink saree, with matching chumkas at her ears, her lips were like two rose buds dipped in dew drops. But the only change was, her eyes seemed lifeless and her face was retorted. Other than that she was just as beautiful as  he remembered her to be. His joy had no bound. Just with his expression his family came to the conclusion that he liked Rakshita more than they hoped he would.On the other hand, Rakshita did not even look up or give any sort of reaction towards the arrangement. She just stood like a statue exposed for an exhibit. Rakesh took a bouquet 💐 and held it toward her. Only when her cousin nudged her, she realised that he was holding something and got it with a thank you, that too without looking at him. Nikita stood up happily and gave her the present 🎁 that she bought, it was diamond earrings.Both the family were so happy and Rakshita went inside. Rakesh's father said he was more than happy about this and they would soon fix a wedding date. Rakshita's mother went inside and asked her cousin Shally to ask about Rakshita's opinion. Though Shally knew everything that happened to Rakshita, she was hopeful that this marriage would bring happiness in her life again. So she went near Rakshita and she just nodded her head as yes. Her mom smiled at her and hugged her tightly. Wiping her happy tears, she told she would convey it to her father. After both the families had agreed, they planned to exchange the rings on the same day, as they don't want to drag and brag about the ceremony and planned to have a lavish wedding. Rakshita's parents hesitated, as her elder brother and their only son, Neil, who is so much affectionate towards Rakshita was away on a business trip. But they made the call and made arrangements for him to watch the ceremony over a video call. He was more than glad to watch his little sister getting engaged 💍, most importantly he knew Rakesh's family and Rakesh personally, so he had no doubt about his sister's marriage life. They waited for the auspicious time, which was in the evening, so they all engaged themselves with other chores. Rakshita changed her dress and went to terrace to let out all frustrations that were lingering and clear her mind as she had no idea what is happening in her life. Mean time Shally and Nikita planned to make time for Rakesh and Rakshita to converse and sent Rakesh to terrace along with the approval of both the parents.