"Yes, give me two garlands please." I said to the local garland maker, Devi. She was an old withering woman who made garlands for the people who visited the temple. I knew her since I was a child for she was always sitting outside this famous Mata Ka Mandir. She wasn't allowed to enter the temple, because she was considered an "untouchable". I feel disgusted to even say this word. No one in this world is "untouchable" and no one deserves to live the life they do. My father has a great hatred for this system, and that's why we don't appoint anyone to work as servants at our home. I wish a time comes when this poor system is torn from its roots off India.

Whenever I come to Devi, I don't shy away from having a full conversation with her. Everyone stares at me or gives me looks of disappointment or anger, but I haven't a care in this world for what they think. Those people weren't important and their thinking made no difference to what I do or who I talked to. I always get the prasad for Devi and her family, but I wish I could take her to the temple.

Devi smiled at me and made me two beautiful garlands. I handed the money to her, which she refused to accept like always. But I knew how hard she works for this money, so like always, I persuaded her to accept this money as symbol of respect. After that I had a small conversation with her and then left.

I entered the temple and prayed for some time. The pujari gave me the prasad, to which I asked for extra, for Devi of course. After giving the prasad to Devi, I left.

***

I walked deeper inside the forest. You must be wondering what was I doing in a forest. Well, after the visit to the temple, I didn't have much to do all day as it was Sunday. So I decided to visit the forest just behind my house. I liked the serenity of the forests. They gave away the feeling of calmness. The twitter of the birds, the sound of the flowing river nearby and the light breeze is the loveliest atmosphere to read a book.

I was now in the deepest part of the forest. The sight presented in front of my eyes was the most beautiful I had ever seen. The trees were scattered everywhere around the river and the sunlight sneaked its way past the branches and leaves of those trees. The sound of the flowing water had a soothing effect. I spread my blanket under a tree and sat down. I took out the book I was reading, Wuthering Heights and began reading it. It was gifted to my father by his friend, who lived in Britain. As he was not that much into reading, father gave it to me.

"Ah, what a pleasant surprise!" A deep, very familiar voice said. My face snapped up from my book to the direction of the voice and I saw Alexander sitting at the other side of the river.

I groaned. Why did he always make a sudden appearance wherever I go? And why do I never see him before he decides to talk?

"Why are you here?" I said to him, suppressing another groan when I realized he was fishing. His trousers were folded up to his calves and his shirt at his elbows. He was seated comfortably at the area where the river met the land, and his feet were in water.

"I could ask you the same thing, but I think I already know the answer." He said, gesturing towards the book in my head. "If you haven't realized by now, I must tell you that I'm fishing." He mocked.

I glared at him, "I know that, but how come I didn't see you?"

He smirked and shrugged at me. He proceeded to grab a worm from a can and attached it to the hook of the fishing rod. He didn't say anything after that which was unlike of him because Alexander was not the person to remain quite. He always said childish things, which even though 'childish', stung like a fresh wound.

I chose to ignore him and tried to read the book again, but I was unable to do so because of the uncomfortable feeling which was caused due to the silence of the forest, which I once liked.

I decided to break the silence and said, "Where's Matthew?"

He looked up and I could feel the change in his nature due to his stiff posture, even though his face remained blank. A smirk made its way on his mouth and then he said, "Are you missing him? Such a pity, because he must be busy dancing and having fun with fellow British women at the ball."

He said it like that should hurt me. But why would it? I had no idea, because it surely didn't change anything.

Or did it?

I've been Matthew's friend for over a month now. He's been great. My father still doesn't know that i was friends with a kind gentleman. Being a man's friend was astonishing in itself, but thank God nobody knows that.

"Why should I be missing him? I was just asking a general question." I told him, nonchalantly.

He gave a humourless laugh. "I know you are smitten with my friend. Don't you lie to me, because I know you are."

What is wrong with Alexander? He is saying something which could never happen; which is socially impossible. My inner self would never allow it. God, I can't believe myself that I'm even thinking about this. I never saw Matthew as something more than a friend.

Absurd, so absurd!

"I fail to understand anything you just said." I said in an annoyed tone. I was sick of his rudeness.

He smirked and shook his head, "Of course you do."

I stood up and went towards him. "Why is it a bother to you? If something is there -though it's impossible- don't you think that should stay between Matthew and I?" I pointed an accusing finger towards him.

His head snapped towards my direction. His eyes were cold and his grip on the fishing rod was so tight that his knuckles were turning white. "It does not bother me. Stop making wrong assumptions."

"Well, I would be really thankful if you do just the same." I said.

I waited for him to say something rude, but I only got a stiff nod in reply. That came as a shock to me.

His green eyes were staring at the water with a hard look. The grip on the fishing rod hadn't loosened yet.

A sudden tug at the rod was all it took for him to come out of the cold aura of his. He got up and reeled whatever was caught. He was successfully reeling, until the string stopped reeling any further; it was stuck in the deeper part of the stream. He tried to pull it with all his strength, but he was unsuccessful. "It's stuck. Come-" he tugged at the rod again "-out!"

No luck. He sighed and loosened his grip. I was laughing by now.

He glared towards me. "If you are done laughing, Miss, you can come and actually help me." I raised an eyebrow when he called me "Miss" but I knew he was mocking me, unlike Matthew who showed respect by calling me that.

Another thing that shocked me was, Alexander was asking for my help. An uptight Englishman was asking an Indian woman for help. A proud smile crossed my lips.

Maybe I am creating history after all. I laughed at this bizarre thought, but realized that I was asked for help. I never refused to help anyone; that was a part of my nature. When I was small, I and mother used to go meet the underprivileged people and then we would share meals with them. It used to be so fun! The smiles of Devi and her family, and many other people were worth the time mother spent in the kitchen making food for them.

I didn't want another round of quarrel, so I decided to cross the river. No, it wasn't a huge one. It was just a narrow stream, filled with pebbles which I could easily cross if I went through the shallower part. So I took hold of my saree and lifted it up to my knees, exposing my legs. I was well aware of Alexander's gaze on me, but I didn't have a choice. Heat spread through my cheeks. This was so unladylike, and suggestive. I sighed and stepped into the water. Its temperature was just bearable. I took slow steps so that I didn't slip and finally reached the other side of the river. When I looked towards Alexander, he had an odd an expression on his face whilst he pulled at whatever it was in the water.

I made my way towards him. "So what should I do?" I asked him, rather politely.

He looked at me, his expression suddenly going back to the annoyed one he had before. He hesitated at first, but then said, "Grab the stem of the rod and at the count of three, you will pull the rod with all you strength."

I nodded to him as a reply and grabbed the stem.

"One...two...three!" We pulled as hard as we could and suddenly the fishing road became lighter coming out of the water, and we went flying backwards. I fell on a hard , warm surface, which rose and fell and...I FELL ON ALEXANDER!

Alexander let out a loud groan and said, "Get off of me! You weigh a ton!"

My cheeks warmed and I flushed the deepest shade of red. Alexander was not able to see my face as I had my back towards him. I kept a hand on the ground to support myself and lifted myself off Alexander. Thank God no one ever visited this part of the forest or else it would have been very inappropriate.

I didn't look at Alexander, because I didn't have a good feeling about any of this. I had never been this close to a man before, and I didn't want to come anywhere near this proximity to any man ever in the near future. I felt really embarrassed, and thought about my father. If he had seen me like this, he would have disowned me. I--

Chup chup chup

I heard squirming. When I looked at the source of the sound, I let out a loud shriek, another unladylike thing I did today.

The fishing rod was lying on our right side and attached to its hook was a large fish, one I had never seen before.

Alexander got up and when he saw the reason why I shrieked, a huge smile erupted on his face. The smile lightened his whole face. His eyes crinkled at the edges and two dimples on either side of his face appeared. I had never seen Alexander smile before. He looked so young and he had a childish excitement in his eyes.

He looked so much more handsome when he smiled and...I should probably stop.

I looked away from him. I was feeling something...I didn't know what to call it. But I shouldn't feel anything like this...it was...I should stop all this and stay away from him he has created enough problems for me.

Alexander jumped towards the rod and unhooked the squirming fish. It was a beautiful one, deep blue fins and yellow scales. Suddenly, I regretted ever catching it.

It had so much beauty and now struggled for life. Alexander must have realized the same thing because the next thing I know, he had already made his way towards the river and let the fish into the water.

I never had seen this side of Alexander before. Well that was a shock...

He grabbed all his items and packed them in the basket. After tying the laces of his shoes, he got and was about to leave when he stopped and said, "I must take my leave now. You should leave too; it's getting dark." Then he left.

I didn't say anything to him. His retreating figure never once turned back.

***

Hello people! How do you like this book so far?

Please point out any mistakes or plot-holes.

Update: Before I had written that Matthew has already met Anvesha's father, but now I changed it. He hasn't met anyone and neither the villagers have spotted them until now. Her father may give her freedom, but it is still 1899, he can't be that open to allow his daughter to be friends with a man.

Thank you!