" Not again....!!"

I hold my head that's about to spin... Still , I believe that I can manage the situation...

I think to intimate this second time wedding proposal to Shravan and leave the idea in a thought that not to disturb him...

This time I get used to the ritual.. With out any tension , I walk to the living room with the coffee tray.. I don't bather to see the groom or his family... After placing the tray on the table , I return to kitchen ... I scoop a spoon full of kesari to taste...

Wait...!!!

You may not know what kesari is ?!? Let me tell you.. Kesari is a sweet done in sooji... It's shiny orange colour, roasted cashew and the pure ghee will dance in your taste buds.. It's a South Indian special Sweet...

While I am enjoying the Sweet , Amma eyes me strange...

Her pity face narrates her scare about my cool attitude... She must've judged that I have gone nuts because Vinay had rejected me..

" Suman..." She touches my shoulder...

" Amma... I am okay..."

I take the second scoop of Kesari...

" Suman... Do you know what's happening now?!"

Divya akka asks me , with real concern...

" Akka... This time you have joined us in this formality... That's all... "

I just snap at her in anger...

Yes... I am angry with Divya akka..

I am in love with Shravan.. She knows it already and how come she joins Amma in this ritual...

I turn my face to other side to show my disapproval...

She nods negative and goes to the living room...

My ears follow Divya akka in enthusiasm to know what they're discussing...

I can hear undistinguished talks...

We know each other well... We need no introduction...!!

Trust me!!! Suman will be happy!!!

She's going to be our daughter!!!

Infact , we are lucky to have her as our daughter in-law...

When these positive talks hit me , fear crawls in slowly...

What if everyone likes this proposal ?!?!

It seems that only the groom's father and mother have come...

They're able to convince anna and appa very easily..

I don't think amma will support me this time...

I see her in expectation...

Amma is about to say something.. Appa calls me ...

I am fragile at present... I may break down at anytime...

As I reach the living area , Divya akka ushers me to sit near the groom's mother...

I sit at the edge of the seat unsettled ... That woman puts her hand around my shoulder like a friend...

Adorning the jasmine strand in my hair , she hand me a saree with sindhoor...

I have no other go but to accept it from her...

This ritual in my culture is meant almost a half engagement...

My hands shake in disappointment...

" Beta... What happened..?"

She inquires me , helping to hold the saree...

" Wear this saree... Take a picture and send it to Shravan... He will be happy...".

She states and gestures me to go on...

They're Shravan's parents... !!!!

I freeze in surprised shock... I forget to wink and my lips tremble to utter - thank you...

I see Divya akka in gratitude... She raises her brows to tease me...

I have seen Shravan's parents only very few times in my childhood...I can't recognize them immediately...

" Suman... I think we can't get better person than Shravan for you... He is good looking , earns well... Genuine and generous person... More than that , You both were childhood friends... We are family friends too... Hope you are okay with this wedding tie..."

Anna look into my face in expecting a - okay from me...

So , Shravan managed to protect our self respect and didn't let go off our family reputation by not letting anyone to know that we loved each other already...

I touch Aunty's feet... She touches my head to wish me all the happiness...

I hug Amma and then , Divya akka... I swirl around anna and make him to swirl around me...

Everyone begin to laugh at my childish exhibition of happiness... It took some time for everyone to stop laughing...

As the elders are discussing about the marriage and the arrangements , I drag Divya akka to my room...

" Akka...I wish I could shout standing at the edge of the world that I am the happiest girl in the world..."

I extend my hands to show my elation...

" Who's my Shravan...?!?! He has done what he wants !!"

Divya akka curls her lips in proud...

I see her inquisitive...

" Suman... Before leaving , shravan spoke with Vinay and his family not to proceed with the wedding tie as he loves you a lot.. Initially Vinay wasn't ready but then he accepted... Shravan immediately told his parents to come here with the wedding proposal... "

Akka states the flashback and gestures me to wear the saree...

" Suman... He bought this saree for you... He told that this yellow will suit you better... "

She winks at me...

I get the saree from her ... Embracing it to me , I close my eyes...

She excuses herself not to disturb me...

Adorning the saree , I post my pictures to him , mentioning...

To my Romeo...

From your better half...!!!

I can't wait to see his reaction... I feel like to be with him to share this happiness....

I hold my phone in expectation of the pop up notification...

" Hey... Beautiful...!!! "

When he comes on video call , I kiss him with much love...

" Sam... I don't want this virtual kiss... Save it... When I meet you , I need all of them ... all of the sweet kisses.. !!"

He closes his eyes in dream...

" I love you Shravan..." I say huskily...

" Madam... You're in a good mood I think..."

He tries to be normal, where I am about to cry..

" Sam... My dear beautiful wife... Time to smile... Don't cry..."

I sniff " Shravan... I want to see you now..."

" Now ...?! " He shows me his background ... He is at the roadside . Perhaps he was driving...

He acts asif he's thinking...

" Then , I will do one thing , I will come to India in byke itself... "

He laughs to his joke...

I look at the ground embarrassed...

" Sam... Don't you know how I feel without you...I am just a body without life here... My life and soul is with you... I yearn to be with you...only with you... Sam...I miss you a lot..."

He whispers ... His voice is so delicate towards the end...

He moans my name , clenching his eyes...

I can feel his nerves so badly wants to be with me... This is the long quest of love since our childhood... When the point arrives , we aren't together... Our love overflows as tears in our eyes...

We lay on each other's company in hearts until we meet...

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