1|First Meeting

Hello, my dear lovely Wattpad reader family!! I'm back with my other book!

Thank you for your love, interest, and patience while reading my books. Sorry for not being available these days due to my tight office schedule.

I originally planned to update TEJNA in the first or second week of December. But witnessing DAKSHIKA hit 1 Million I could hold my horses! So here it is!

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March2001

HER POV

It's another night of full moon and I'm gazing at it with the same thoughts I've been pondering over for years. The balcony of my room feels pacifying on sleepless nights like these. I have one happy family and it's been beautiful to live with them together all these years. But this stupid heart of mine has been beating for something, that is not bound to happen.

Every night I wish for my parents' presence, their love, their attention, their care, their worry, their admiration and whatnot. My day kicks off with cheerful chatter among family and friends, staying occupied with chores. And every night I feel like being a 15-year-old, who would be pampered and loved by her father and disciplined and cared for by her mother. That used to be my daily routine.

I miss my parents. I love them.

There is no distrust that my family, including my brother, my badi maa and baba-sa, have loved and adored me all these years. They have fulfilled every wish and desire of mine and not because they were compelled to. Adarsh Bhai-sa has been my support just like my father, he has taken care of my likings and demands. I have always been his adored sister since childhood, just like I was my father's favourite.

And not to forget how Radhika has been my companion since my birth. She is the girl with whom I can share any pain, happiness, sorrow, and guilt word-for-word. The girl who has been my constant guide for life. She is the best friend I could wish for and the best sister God could give me.

Also, my grandmother is one to be appreciated. She has not been a really happy spirit in the family, but after my parents passed away, I know how worried she has become about my marriage proposals. I know she's not quite fond of me, but still, she has wanted me to settle well in life, in her own way. Although I still do not like the words and ill thoughts she brings out to the family members, they're hurtful sometimes.

I'm truly blessed to have a family like mine, my grandmother being a part of it as well.

But lately, this heart has been beating weirdly. It has started to crave the same love, care and attention that I used to receive a decade ago. The same homely and secure feelings I felt with my parents. I know it's impossible to follow. Also, I do not like many people out of my family to feel so. And I never want to leave home and get married. I love my home.

But strangely my heart is looking for solace. As if it's beating for a specific reason now.

Pushing away these thoughts like I always do, I choose to lie down on the bed and sleep for a refreshing morning.

I woke up at my usual morning time and finished my morning routine. I walked down and prayed in the Pooja ghar (home temple). Later I went into the kitchen and started helping badi ma-sa, meanwhile, Radhika joined and we started our banter while cooking.

Although we would pass our days talking, eating and laughing. But deep down we all were worried about our district's state. Meetings were to be held this month and everyone was working day and night for it.

But including that, Radhika's marriage had also been fixed a couple of weeks ago. I was very excited and happy about that although she was still confused. Majorly because of Angad and his family. But I was happy she would not be trapped in the Rao family anymore.

I finished my research report in the evening and submitted it to Baba-sa after dinner. I was heading to my room when I heard badi ma-sa calling for me from her room. I walked into her room and she made me sit in front of her on the floor.

"Badi maa it smells a lot," I complained, making a weird face while she started oiling my hair.

"Shut up, it's not that bad. Just think how good it is for your hair. And it also sharpens your brain." She kept filling my ears with the benefits of oiling so that I don't complain.

But the truth was, the smell sucks. But again it was no use to say anything she wouldn't spare me like she hasn't done for all these years.

After drenching oil into my hair, completely, she braided my hair and massaged my forehead. It felt relaxing. I wanted to sleep at this moment.

"See, it was so quick and calming. When I did not even use half a cup of oil." She said.

'Yeah right!' I wondered and giggled.

She would always say that, because of my whining.

"Okay now do one thing. Pull the drawer next to the bed, take out the photographs and again try showing them to Radhika tomorrow. It is the boy and his family. She doesn't even know anything." She said.

I quickly got up, found the photographs and bid her goodnight. Feeling extremely tired at night and after a relaxing head massage I just wanted to sleep.

Entering my room I kept the photographs on the dressing table and walked towards my bed that has a window right behind. It was the most peaceful place inside my room. The open window, white curtains and scenic view of the moon look extremely beautiful. I slept peacefully after covering myself with a quilt.

The next morning I got up and found a white chirpy pigeon lurking over my bed. I guess it flew in from the garden outside the window. I played with that cute little bird and started my morning routine. After washing my hair it felt soothing and soft.

Badi ma-sa was good at her magic, I felt. I wore my Anarkali suit and walked to my dressing table whilst I dried my waist-length hair with a towel.

Unknowingly my eyes raked over the photographs. I picked them up out of curiosity. First was a lone picture boy chosen for Radhika. I pushed it back and came the second, him being with a girl. Since badi ma-sa said it's his family I guess she's the sister. I knew a little about his family members so it wasn't a tough task. Further pushing it back came one with his parents and then his grandparents.

And at the end was a photo my eyes locked onto a few seconds. It was one with his brother, I guess.

It felt eccentric. Nothing good, nothing bad but a strange twitchiness.

These brothers have a terrific shape!

His brother not only held good looks but he also looked very robust. I chuckled thinking, I would look so petite in front of him.

But why do I care?

I just have to show them to Radhika and it'll be over. I roughly threw away the photographs on the bed and started to get ready and walked out of the room to find Radhika.

I found her in the kitchen and told her everything and decided to spend time in my room in the evening. And by that I mean I had to coerce her to see the photographs once.

The evening was arriving nearer and we both were working in the dining area when I heard badi ma-sa.

"Sunaina, please bring those photographs I handed you yesterday," she said.

One of her dear friends had come to meet her after a very long time today and she was just getting started on Radhika's marriage talks. Radhika and I were hearing them talk in the living room and I was teasing her now and then.

"Ji badi ma-sa," I said.

I quickly asked Gunita to get photographs from my room and give them to her.

Since the meeting day was coming closer hence I was keen on finishing my daily research analysis.

After submitting another report I walked back to my room late at night and I tiredly lay down on the bed in the opposite direction, facing the window. The cold breeze blew in and I slept as soon as it hit me.

Waking up the next morning I stretched my arms and pushed my face into the mattress, getting comfortable. Something felt sticky on my cheek. With my eyes closed I tried to check what it was. It felt like some paper when I touched it. I opened my eyes drowsily and discovered it to be a photograph.

His photograph.

My eyes burst wide open right away. I'm still confused why does my breath hitch every time I look at his picture? Taking a few deep breaths I immediately got down from the bed and finished my morning routine.

The first thing in the morning I did was to give that photograph to badi ma-sa since Gunita forgot to take it away with her without it.

A handful of days quietly passed and now was the time to welcome Radhika's in-laws. For some reason, I was feeling uneasy. Something about him had me feeling nervous today, though I'm not sure why.

What he would be like?

All of a sudden the news of the guests poured in. I quickly went upstairs and informed Radhika, taking Ishani along with me to my room.

Finishing Ishani's bath I adjusted my clothes and looked in the mirror to correct my hair, before leaving. Reaching downstairs I found only his parents were gathered. No one else.

The next day we were walking back from the temple and I had just been told about Radhika's last night meeting with the man she met a year ago.

I could only express the expressions of shock, scary, surprise and excitement. But I was very happy for her because I could easily witness the joy and thrill in her eyes after encountering him.

I wondered if I would ever feel so. Not that I want to, but she looked happily at peace even with confusing and worried expressions.

Later we walked back home only to find Angad was present there. Hurriedly we walked to Radhika's room in a sour mood, after some time bhaisa walked in and comforted her. Entering into the living room, Radhika declared her decision to marry the man she wanted. Everyone was happy to hear so.

I hugged and congratulated her excitedly while Gunita prepared sweets.

Thereupon the elders decided to postpone the ceremony till tomorrow since the Groom's brother had to leave urgently and wouldn't be able to make up on time.

No wonder he couldn't be seen anywhere in and out of the house since morning.

'What kind of a man leaves on the day of his brother's roka?' I wondered.

Whatever, why would I give it any thought? I slept thinking tomorrow will be a big and tiring day.

Getting up early in the morning I completed my morning routine and quickly got ready wearing an off-white saree for the ceremony. I wore my bangles, earrings and anklets. I walked up to my bedside table, opened the drawer, pulled out a silver ring-size jewellery and walked back to the dressing table.

Pulling aside the saree drapes I carefully slipped in my silver jewelry in my belly piercing and tightened it securely. I looked in the mirror after correcting my saree, my eyes travelled to my belly piercing, followed by a grinning smile on my face.

I loved it from day one. Radhika says it suits me.

I walked out of my room after slightly covering it because Radhika was the only one to know about it. And we were sure no one else would ever like it the way I do.

Everybody in the house was busy working for the ceremony. Radhika was getting ready in her room meanwhile the guests started to arrive. I walked into the kitchen to help other ladies cook.

I started to fry Pooris when I heard one of my aunts.

"Sunaina do not cook, you might get your saree dirty, beta." She said and I looked at her and then at my saree.

"Yes, Sunaina. Instead, just get the flower basket and dry auspicious leaves from the terrace and help Pandit ji in Pooja Ghar." Badi ma-sa added.

I sighed but then hurriedly walked out.

Looking around I truly wondered if he would be present even today or not. Given that since morning there was no sign of him anywhere. Because I would have not missed Radhika's wedding rituals even for the world.

Pushing my thoughts aside I climbed up the stairs. Reaching on the terrace I looked around searching for the basket. I raked my eyes but what I witnessed, brought my eyes out of my socket. My heartbeats raced while my eyes glued to the view.

A heavily-built half-naked man was almost lying down on his stomach, doing push-ups. His back was sweaty while his arms were puffy. He was exercising like it was no big deal, whereas it looked like a lot of big deal to me. I noticed he brought a couple of exercise essentials, lying there.

It did not take much longer for me to recognise. It was him.

But he still hadn't noticed me.

Pushing away my thoughts and scrunching my eyes shut I put my brain to work. Spotting the basket of flowers a little far away from his legs, I very carefully stepped further, making no noise.

I just wanted to take the basket and leave. I did not want to face him in this situation. Or in any situation. It was different to think about him and to see him here in the same house.

I walked further quietly, but before I could safely reach for the basket, I stumbled hard upon a dumbbell and was about to kiss the ground in the worst possible way but I saw him quickly turn and stand, pulling me by my waist extremely close to his chest. I put my palms over his chest and stood straight holding him.

"Ouchh," I cried trying to balance.

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