|/ ~ Arpita. |

______________________________________

"Aisa ky kiya jiju ne?" I asked her. "Aage ki story apne jiju se hi sun lo.." I heard jiju's voice. Our eyes turned to see him standing on the threshold looking at us holding a warm smile on his lips.

"Jiju!" Arpita exclaimed as she hugged Samar excitingly, he entered into room nd she made him sit beside bhabhi who wasn't able to meet his gaze due to shyness. "Twist k bina koi b love story puri kaise ho skti ? *chuckles* When dad told me that next day Pandit ji will come along with few pictures I quickly ran horses of my brains nd called Charu.." (Charudatta Rane is the director of photography of the band)

"That mean even Charu knows this?" I asked my elder brother shockingly. He nooded in reply. "I'm damn upset with you now Samar! You hide it from me? From your chote?" I questioned him dramatically. Ofc I was hurt a bit! "See brother, this love na is the most powerful feeling.. It can make a person to go any extent! Nd basically at that tym I had really less tym to share anything with you nd make u understand.." He clarified. Though he was right but being his younger brother nd also his best friend it was my right to know his secret which he hide from almost six years.

"Now back to the story..." .

Samar's POV

I called Charu, "Charu! I need ur help yrr.."

"Yeah say na, Samar.."

"Brother.. I'll send u a picture on ur cell can you take out its hardcopy?" I asked him nervously.

"Yeah sure.. Till when you need that picture?" He asked calmly.

"Tomorrow! Early morning!"

"What? That's too quick Samar! Nd u r calling me now at 1 in the night?" His voice sound puzzled. "Yeah Ik.. I'm sorry but its really very important man, its abt my life! Please bro.." I requested him. "Okay fine... It will be ready till 6am." I felt so relieved when he said that. "Thank you so much man! You don't have any idea you made such a big favor on me!"

"Wow! So now u will talk abt favors hah?" He snapped. "Okay sorry.. Meet me near the XYZ cafe I'll pick up the picture from there itself." I told him nd then we hung up the call.

I just hope my plan works!

Next day I woke up early nd as planned, I picked up Soumya's picture from Charu. "BTW, who this girl jise k liye u spoiled my sleep, huh?" Charu teased me. "Teri hone wali Bhabhi!" I winked. "Before you bombard questions on me.. Let me tell u that I'll clear ur confusions later okay, now bye!"

I returned back home before mum dad wakes up.

At 10am pandit ji came with his selected pictures of random girls. Before he shows it to mumma I quietly kept Soumya's picture between them luckily nobody saw me doing so.

Pandit was sitting on the sofa nd sipping tea, "Phssss.. Sssss.. Oye pandit!" I hide behind the wall nd made different voices to call that fluffy creature who was actually being the villain of my love story. Finally he found me calling him to the corner, "Pandit ji, apse na ek kaam h.." I told him as he came with me.

"Ha bolo beta.." Before I could say anything maa called me.

"Samar!.. Beta ye dekh.. Pandit ji ne kitni pyari ladkiyo ki photographs layi h.." Mumma said while going through every picture one by one. "Isko padh lo.." I whispered as I kept a chit in his hand nd left. "Aya mummy!"

I sat beside her as she was showing me photographs, from the corner of my eyes I was looking at Pandit who read my chit nd was now looking at me. He arched his eyebrow nd so did I, signing what? He signed to come near him, "Mummy ap dekho mai abhi aya.." I said to mumma while handing her pictures. "Are.. Kaha jaa rha hai?.." She gave me a wiggled look. "Abhi aya 1 min me.." I said nd vanished away from her sight.

"Ky hua?" I asked pandit ji.

"Ye ky likha hai is me Beta?

Naam :- Soumya Singh.

Pata :- XYZ COLONY, Delhi

Pita :- Vanraj Singh.

Maa :- Varsha Singh.

Padhai :- MSc........

Ye sab ky h Samar?" He asked me as he read the chit.

"Ye sab apko bolna h!" I replied cheekily. " Aur vo kyun?" He questioned.

"Q ki ladki maine pasand kr li hai.. Jis ladki ki photo mai pasand krunga apko uske bare me ye sab mummy papa ko batana h.." I explained him calmly. "Lekin Soumya naam ki to koi ladki h nhi list me.." He said. "Uski chinta aap mat karo.. Bas jitna bola h utna kr dijiye.."

"Uske badle me Hume ky milega?"

"Punya pandit ji, punya! Do premiyo ko milane ka punya.." I answered cheerfully.

"Punyo se humare ghar nhi chalte na beta.." He replied cleverly.

"Hmmm.." I glared him nd kept 500 rupees on his hand. "Itne se to aj k jamane me grocery nhi ati!" He taunted. "Acha? Agar meri baat nhi Mani na to jitne diye h utne b le lunga.." I shot back.

"Tumhari shakal dekh k lagta nhi tum itne chantt nikloge.." (Seeing ur face is just so difficult to figure out that u would be so clever..) He commented in a disbelief. Break.

"Sahi bola Pandit ne!" Sanam chuckled nd Samar gave him an angry look which made others laugh.

Flashback continue :-

According to the plan, I acted showing interest in soumya's pic. "Maa.. Ye kaisi lagi apko?" I showed that picture to mumma.

"Ladki hai to badi pyari.. Tuje pasand aai?"

"Agar aap ko achi lagi to muje bhi achi lagi.." Came up my shy nd sanskari answer. "Pandit ji.. Is ladki k bare bataiye na.." Mumma gave her picture to him.

Settling his round shaped spectacles he made a glance on her picture then at me. I was just looking at him hoping that he wouldn't spoil anything. "Bahut achi pasand h devi ji apke bete ki!" (Ur son has a good taste ma'am) he praised me.

I was amused as he continued, "Is balika ka naam Soumya Singh h.. (Name of this girl is Soumya Singh) Shriman Vanraaj Singh aur Shrimati Varsha Singh ki ekmeva suputri . (The only daughter of Mr. Vanraaj Singh nd Mrs. Varsha Singh). Pita Delhi ki jaane maane vyapari h, aur mata grihni. (Her dad is a well known businessman of Delhi nd mother is a housewife.) Kanya bhi atyant guni hai.. Padhai me avval evam sabhi karyo me ruchi rakhne wali! (Even the girl is very talented.. She is studious as well as brilliant in other works!)"

Seeing him praising her so much actually surprised me. Hahaha.. Never thought within 500 Somu would get so much of appreciations! Break.

"What to you mean by that?" Soumya ranted.

"I didn't mean that baby.. I mean.. The way he behaved when I gave him 500 rupees I didn't expect him to speak so much.. That's it.." Samar tried to explain her nd clear her suspicion.

Flashback on :-

Mumma was very impressed by her bio data so she asked pandit ji to talk with her parents..

Plan succeed!

After pandit ji left I called Somu to give her this good news. We both were on the cloud 9, our happiness was on the another level. Soon we kept a proposal in front of her parents, they took my test! Obviously after all it was the question of the lifr of their only child.

I stood excellent in their perspectives. End of flashback.

"So this is how our families got together nd then we got married!" Samar concluded his short nd tragic love story.

"I have a question!" I exclaimed curiously.

"Expected.." Said Samar.

"Even if you had told mom dad I don't think they would have rejected Bhabhi.. Then why did you do all such efforts?"

"Ik they wouldn't have said no but the question was abt her parents."

"Why will they say no for love marriage?" I questioned.

"Becoz one of my cousin sister ran away from home to marry a guy but after marrying him he dumped her.. So basically after that incident my parents were against love marriage so we didn't have any other option to do so.." Bhabhi told.

"Oh." Me nd Arpita said at a tym.

Its so strange! Today we both were speaking together.. Its actually funny!

"Awwww.. You love story is so cute!" Arpita said in an awe. "Acha? Yours was.." Bhabhi stopped in btwn as her eyes mirrored guilt.

What was she going to speak?

"Thank you Sali ji (sister in law)" my sanskari brother said gaining a weak smile from Arpita.

This girl... As much simpler she seems, she is much more complex than that!

"Mumma!... Dadaa!..." Amaya cheerfully with a sketch book in her hand entered to the room. "Mumma, dadaa, chachu, maasi.. See what Amaya had drawn! " she excitingly opened her sketch book.

"What is it princess?" Samar asked her. "I made our family picture.. This I Amaya, she is mumma, dadaa, dadi-dadu, chachu nd..." While pointing each member's drawing she told who it is. "Khushi Chachi?" I asked seeing the last figure.

"Nhi.. Ye to Masi hai!" She replied. "Khushi chachi Amaya se Milne nhi ati na.. She forgot me.." She said with sadness dipped in her voice.

My heart ached as if someone poked a needle to it. Amaya doesn't know why her supposed to be Khushi chachi doesn't come to meet her..

I felt depressed, I guess everyone noticed that except Amu. I got up from my place nd was about to go near the balcony when someone stopped me. Arpita. She held my palm with pleading eyes that said stay.

Idk how nd why but my legs felt numb. Lifeless. I couldn't decline her request so I sat back to the seat where I was a minute ago, beside her.

I just don't understand that why I became weak in front of her pleading eyes? It feels as if her eyes peered into my soul nd hypnotized it.

"This is so beautiful Angel!" Arpita held the sketchbook in her hands as she praised Amaya for her work. "And thank you for including me in your family.." She left a peck on her cheek. "Your welcome Masi!" She replied sweetly as she returned a kiss on her cheek as well.

"Amaya.. Baby go nd play with Yuki.." Bhabhi said to her as she obeyed nd left.

"Sorry Sanam.. Bacchi hai.. She doesn't understand.." Bhabhi tried to explain. "Its okay Bhabhi.. Muje bura nhi laga.." I replied with a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

"I guess we took pretty much tym of you both.. Let's go darling.." Samar interrupts. "Actually.. It was worth listening you guys!" Arpita exclaimed, nd her... Eyes.. They sparkle like stars!. Uhh.. Idk what's wrong with me.

"Umm.. We guess it does?" Bhabhi says awkwardly.

After Samar nd Bhabhi went Arpita said we can continue the remaining session in garden.

"So.. What next?" I asked her as we both were settled on a bench facing the beautiful view of beach. Sun had already kissed horizon's skin nd was ready to merge in it. "Before we move ahead.. I want you to close your eyes." She stated.

"Why?" I asked.

"That I'll tell you later but now.. Just shut ur eyes nd feel this cold breeze." She said while closing her eyes.

This girl is just too complex to figure out!

Though she closed her eyes but mine were fixed on her face, which was more calm than the wind blowing and more soothing than the sound of waves.

Idk what's happening with me. I'm so confused nd moreover.. I can't tell this to her.. Coz whatever feelings are rushing through my veins are for her.

Haan...

Kisi shaayar ki ghazal

Jo de rooh ko sukoon ke pal

Koi mujhko yun mila hai

Jaise banjaare ko ghar

Naye mausam ki sehar

Yaa sard mein dopahar

Koi mujhko yun mila hai

Jaise banjare ko ghar

Hmm...

This feelings are weird yet familiar. Idk why I'm feeling such way for her but these feelings, this moment.. This all seems so perfect nd correct!

As the chilled breeze was softly hitting her face, her silky hair started swaying on its tune. I wonder how tranquil her face is.. Not just her face but also her physic.

Dard mere woh bhula hi gayaa

Kuch aisa asar huaa

Jeena mujhe phir se woh sikha raha

Even just secretly staring her gave comfort to my soul. I didn't notice it before, but whenever she is near I don't care what's going around in my surroundings. Whatever that matters is her..

She makes me feel alive... Again..

Hmm.. Jaise baarish kar de tar

Yaa marham dard par

Koi mujhko yun mila hai

Jaise banjare ko ghar

Naye mausam ki sehar

Yaa sard mein dopahar

Koi mujhko yun mila hai

Jaise banjaare ko ghar..

Wind was touching her heavenly skin, suddenly a drop of tear escaped from her eye. Was she crying? But why would she cry? I know its not so long that we have know each other but seeing even a single slight of pain on her face made me reckless.

I wanted to wipe it off but couldn't find courage to touch her. When she realised wetness on her cheek she immediately wiped it by the back of her palm. Before she finds me staring her, I quickly closed my eyes. What's happening with me? Why am I feeling such way for her? Why am not able to see tears in her eyes? Why her pain is affecting me so much?

Slowly from a corner of my eyes I saw her gazing at the horizon. Her eyes were as calm as pacific. As if they were having a silent discussion..

Idk what's going on with me all I know, is that I want her to be with me.. Always.. Doesn't matter with which relation..

I wish my inner voice was so bold that even she would hear it. I wanted to scream nd tell her my feelings doesn't matter how stupid or weird they are. I wish this moment would get freeze here nd never move ahead. I wish to see her forever.. In front of my eyes..

But unfortunately.. None of my wishes could be fulfilled..

After 18 days, she will be gone.. Will she come to meet me after that? Will I ever be able to see her again?

All this thoughts were spine chilling, I was feeling afraid.. Afraid to lose her.

"Are you done staring me?" I came out of trance as she spoke softly looking now at me. Freak! I was staring her!

My cheeks turned tint of pink as I averted my gaze from her. She chuckled.

"You look so cute when you blush!" She giggled while lightly shaking her head. "I wasn't staring you actually.." I stated though not catching her gaze. "Yeah yeah.. Why will you stare me? I'm not Miss. World." She said sarcastically to tease me. "You are no less though.." I unknowingly said, it was a lie actually..

She got stunned for a while, "Umm.. Thanx.." Was she blushing? Wow!