A smile never left Subhra's lips this whole journey and why not this is the first time Shivang himself called her to meet him. She knew that Shivang respect and cares about her a lot but he never shows any affection towards her other than deep concern. This is also a reason she envies Sulabh because he is the one who is somehow able to get every sort of emotion and affection from Shivang. She never understood the dynamics of their relationship what they share.

She fell in love with the Shivang on the first day she met him when he interrupted her fight with Sulabh. She realized it late but that day itself she got her enemy and friend both at the same time. Today finally the day came for her when she will get an answer to all her questions. Finally, she reached but now she is anxious with each step her heartbeat becomes faster. The only thing continuously going inside her head is why? Why all of a sudden Shivang called her today. Was it because today she got angry with him or he finally understood the feeling she has for him. With heavy steps and a racing heart, Subhra reached at banks of Ganga only to find the unexpected.

When Mahadev reached at the sight to look out for the various voices coming the sight in front of him left him speechless. He found his beautiful Shakti sitting on the ground covered in Bhasm (ashes), dried flowers, and leaves. She was laughing freely and loudly but what caught him off guard was her bruised hand. All gunas were in the same state laughing madly at each other making the surrounding light while Nandi is busy coaching them about manners. He was surprised at the sight would be an understatement.

"What is happening here?"He asked with a raised eyebrow trying to hide his amusement. The gunas got scared at his sudden question and expression. They all went to stand behind Parvati who is still laughing sitting on the ground like earlier. She is their ultimate savior in everything they do. He looked at them for an answer but instead of answering him, they all were looking at each other and here and there scared to answer. Lastly, he decided to stop his wife to get an answer.

"Parvati what is this love? Why are you sitting like this covered in dust and how did you got hurt? Look at your hand it's bleeding you are hurt, dear." He asked her gently getting her attention towards him.

"Swami we were playing Holi. All get covered in ashes only Nandi was left. I chase him to play Holi with him but fell in the process. And about my hand, it's not a big deal when I tripped there was a big thorn and I hurt my hand accidentally." She said between her fits of laughter. Shiva shakes his head fondly and sits on his knees in front of her. His followers left the place to give some privacy to the couple. He holds her hand gently inquiring about the wounds and healing them with his touch.

"What is this you are covered with ashes and all these dry leaves? What is the sudden urge to play Holi especially when it is so far away?" he asked her lovingly picking the dry leaves and branches from her hair cleaning and caressing it just like a mother schooling her bundle of joy for coming home dirty.

"There is not any special time to play Holi. Humans made a day to celebrate a festival and be happy; Nature has no such rules." Adishakti replied smiling completely enjoying the situation.

"Well that's true nature has no rules. My Gauri is Mother Nature herself so how come I bind my nature from celebrating. But Parvati, take care of it next time. I found no fun in watching you wounded and hurt. Now come I will take you to Mansarovar to get you cleaned."

Shiva gently wiped ashes from her cheek; picking her up with himself he moved towards Mansarovar. Nandi who just came watched the leaving couple in awe and admiration. They are his sole definition of love in the universe.

"Okay, Parvati now go and clean you till then I will wait here." Shiva fondly instructed his wife putting her down carefully on the scattered Champa and Parijaat flowers on the soft grasses. A sweet sensation ran across Adishakti's body when her bare feet touched the flowers on grass covered in dewdrops and mist. She holds her husband's hand tightly to get support.

"Okay, Swami I will be back soon." She replied shyly after getting steady and disappeared into the mist. A layer of thick fog spread around the beautiful lake completely hiding it from the outer universe protecting the honor of its creator.

Back to the present:

Subhra reached the Ganga ghat with racing her found him waiting already. His back is facing her while he is facing the river lost in him.

"Sorry for making you wait I got a little late due to traffic. Hope you are not here for so long." She asked touching his shoulder from the back trying to get his attention.

"Well you have a habit of reaching late everywhere or today is any special occasion. " The guy turned replied sarcastically only to be revealed as Sulabh instead of Shivang. Subhra's irritation reached its height finding him there.

"You; here too. I knew you will never leave him alone for anything. You know that if he will be with me your importance in his life won't remain the same so you are using your friendship for this. Now at least give us some privacy. Where is Shivang?" Subhra asked gritting her teeth in anger and frustration.

"He is not here." Replied Sulabh coolly stood with both hands stuffed in his pockets.

"What do you mean he is not here? He messaged me to meet him here and didn't care to come. Instead of that, he sent you here. What do you both think of yourselves; you are cool by doing this. Others emotion doesn't matter for you both at all. This is no fun. Did you get this tell this to him also?" Subhra replied in anger and a pain-filled voice. Tears threatened to fell from her eyes any moment when she turned her gaze feeling betrayed.

"Enough of your nonsense now. You can tell me anything I don't care but I won't accept a single word against him. My Vairagi is not the kind of person to fool someone. He didn't message you to come here I did. He doesn't even have any idea regarding this. You call yourself his friend when such a long period you can't even decipher what he can or can't do." Sulabh warned her in a dangerous voice. No matter whatever happens they can never accept anything against each other from anyone even when they weren't on good terms with each other.

"You are right I would have understood that such acts can be done by only you. Shiv is too good to do something like this. Why you did this that too behind his back. Let me tell him everything then finally he will realize what kind of a person you are. He is better off without you."

"Well, are you dumb? In the past months, you didn't realize the basic fact that this will never happen. You will lose him in this process of removing me from his life. You don't even understand what we are to each other and what kind of relationship we share." Sulabh answered Subhra's accusation in a mocking tone.

"Well enough of your accusations for now so before my limit of patience got over let's talk business; the reason I called you here for," Sulabh replied in a serious tone gesturing Subhra to follow him on a nearby empty stair to sit. Subhra nodded quietly following him realizing the seriousness of his voice trying to guess what he wants from her.

*"Peeks from my secret hidden place saw no one yet decided to use the opportunity."

Hello, my lovely readers yess your lazy friend is still alive I know I am back almost after a decade. Apology for making you wait but last month was a little too rough for me. I wasn't completely well so it took me that long to finally write something. Also, you know how lazy I am.

Also, I was thinking to ask a few things if you still read this book.

What is your take on the pace of the story?

Do you find it too slow?

Now coming to the good news *Pearls of love* secured 3rd position in the Spiritual genre of Magical awards. *Feeling overwhelmed*. Thank you for all the love and support on my maiden work. "*

*"A biggggg thank u to all of you. Now read and if u like then do vote and tell me your views on the chapter in the comment section ."

"Runs at full speed before anyone sees and finds me."*