~serenity •n
the state of being calm , peaceful and untroubled
"Great relationships require good partnerships."
Delve with me into a world of romantic short stories, to see how these peculiar but allied people , get through the ebb and flow of li...
In between the numerous chairs and tables , there stood her 'Ani'. Well , not stood , but was down on one knee in front of her. The once brightly lit cafe was now illuminating with soft pink lights , with some white lights focusing on the imperfectly perfect couple. Aakansha stood up from her seat , wobbly on her feet , for now everything became clearer to her - his behavior , not receiving phone calls , the sudden meet up. Parallel to it , her overly enthusiastic brain became blank , void - just like a deep abyss of an ocean. She could hear no sound. Her focus was just on the man , who was oh-so-handsome and had his eyes zoomed on her with a red , velvet box in his hands.
Aakansha came out of her trance when the crowd around them went wild. All the people were gathered around them with child-like wonder and few even had cell phones in their hands. That's when she noticed the people - her parents , his parents, siblings, cousins , their friends group and finally their cupid - Jai , all their close acquaintances were present today , witnessing one of most endearing happening of their relationship.
The sweet couple, never bragged their relationship in front of others , trying to be lowkey about it with only their friends and family knowing. They posted rare pictures and believed to share more intimate moments in just each other's company. So , today's evening , tugged at Aakansha's heart strings . Her man had the prowess to turn her into a mess of overwhelming emotions. She knew what this meant, he wanted her all to himself.
They had passed the crucial stages of relationship with love , care and banters and today they were here, after more than 5 years , declaring their love in front of all their near and dear ones. Among the cheers of the crowd , she approached 'Ani' with hand on her mouth , eyes glistening with unshed tears. The sight may not have been perfect but had a beauty of its own .
She could clearly see the tremors of his hands and the emotional state he was in. His eyes , those dark brown pair of eyes , were staring at her with adoration and love. Clearing his throat, he said in this sweet , velvety voice , "Bhaagna mat , me itni young age me shaadi ki ghanti nahi baandh raha hu." ("Don't run away. I am not going to wed you at such a young age.") Hearing him , everyone laughed.
"Asha" he whispered but she heard it and continued in an audible voice, "This is a promise that I am giving myself to you and want all you to myself. These years have been fantabulous and I want you 'here with me' in the years that are more to come. Thankyou for understanding me , supporting me. Will you try harder with me to make this forever?"
Anirudh had prepared a full speech for today , being awake till 2 in the morning. But could only speak these unintelligible words. It was too much for him. She mattered to him , if not more than not less than his parents. She completed him in ways he never thought was possible. He just wanted to hide her in his embrace and disappear. He knew that the sparks and butterflies might fade with time , but this contentment will stay for a long time.
Unable to form words , Aakansha grinned ear to ear and nodded furiously. Anirudh made her wear the very simple , gold band of a 'Promise ring' with little zircons on it. She crashed on his chest , feeling blissful . They eyes were twinkling with unshed tears of joy. They were happy. What else mattered ?!
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3 Hours later
The night air was a bit cooler. The couple was walking on the sidewalk, hand-in-hand. After cutting the cake and celebrating both the good news , Aakansha decided to drop Anirudh at his home on her scooty as he had not brought his car. Now they were enjoying some quality time near the local park. Finding peace in the hustle-bustle of Noida was near to impossible, but they were trying to find peace in each others presence.
Aakansha's phone was buzzing with text messages from her best friend. But she was ignoring them to punish Jai for keeping her out of the plan. "Vo tumhare phone me se nikal kar aa jaega is speed se toh." ("With the speed he's bowing your phone, he'll jump through the cell")The man beside her said with humor. But she didn't react as here gaze was captured by the ring resting on her left hand's ring finger. It looked beautiful to her. Anirudh wondered if she was at cross with him .
"Tum naraz ho?" ("Are you mad at me?") He asked cautiously after a few minutes. They were walking in circles around the park. He tugged at her shirt's sleeve and brought her to stop. "Akki?" No reply. "Asha?" No reply. She didn't even look at him. "Sweetheart?" He tried the last time and then turned her around , facing him.
His 'mama bear' had tears in her eyes. Looking at her he panicked and pulled her in his embrace. His hands on her waist and chin on her head, worked like a magic and she hugged him back tighter. After 10 minutes, she still didn't let him go. He forcefully pulled her back and wiped the few tears that had escaped her eyes. Bending his 6 foot frame a little , he looked intensely into her eyes . She looked back at him . He removed his jacket and wrapped it around her waist and pulled her closer to him .
'That was not necessary. Hmph.' Again Aakansha's evil brain interjected. But she was already a puddle in front of him. Holding onto his shoulders , she stepped on his shoes after removing her flats. They were gazing in each others eyes. "Hey sweetheart , kya hua?"("What is it?") Anirudh asked tenderly. "I was so worried about you. Mujhe message to kar dete aap kam se kam Ani."("I was so worried about you. You should have texted at least once Ani.")She said softly. "Aur kya baat hai?" ("What's the matter?") He enquired knowing that was not all.
Aakansha looked at him as if searching for all the answers to her problems. "Why did you wait till your PPO for this?" She asked the question which was bothering her for a while now. "I mean what if ye job nahi milti? Fir? Would you have not taken the step?""Do you remember what date is today?" Anirudh asked her and pulled her closer. Their breaths mingled. She became nervous. Her heart beat increased. She thought back to his question.
'Date?' Her brain repeated. 'Yes date. Bta konsi hai? Baki sab to me to bada beech me kudta h?' ('Date?' 'Yes date. Do your work and tell me. You keep meddling at other times right.') She mocked her inner self back . 'I am going crazy' she thought when Anirudh looked at her funny face being puzzled.
"Yaad nahi."("I don't remember.") She muttered embarrassingly. He chuckled and rubbed their noses together. "Well, its 17th March. The day we met in college during B.Com." He said pulling her ponytail a little. "Aah! Mat kheecha Karo mere baal Ani." ("Don't pull my hair Ani.")She cried with the slight pain in her scalp. On learning about the date her worries faded.
She forgot. They always had a small celebration today. But she had a last minute project deadline on Friday. 'Vo intelligent hai. Yahan to badam waste jaa rahe hai.' ('He's intelligent . And here all the almonds are getting wasted.') Lauded her brain. 'You are the one who eats them.' She thought. 'Tch no. It's the stomach, stupid.' Listening her thoughts , she was baffled.
Aakansha might have forgotten today's date, but she clearly remembered their college days. They had been part of the same club. They hit off instantly and became friends due there similar likes. Somewhere they knew it was more than that , but were hesitant.But it was Jai who played cupid for them. She chuckled at the memory.Ome day when she was in her 1st year, when she was not in the club meeting , Jai had told Anirudh that Aakansha went on a date with a student of her Department. Obviously he got jealous and had blown up her phone with numerous phone calls. When she didn't answer him, he got to the library, where she was busy doing a project report with her class partner. A female. When he had seen her he was bewildered and then relieved.
