#24--- IS THIS WHAT YOU CALL A PROPOSAL???...

The big day dawned  ...

The day started pretty early for them and it wasn't an every usual routine day. Both Aashritha and Arjun were getting dressed up from their respective homes. They did not want to look bad to their partner. 

Aashritha made plans for her surprise. She wore her favorite black sari which was a gift from her brother-in-law , who was desperately loving her and wanted to marry her. Aashritha wasn't interested in him and didn't bother the fact that it was a gift from him and was instead wearing it to impress someone else.

That clear bright beautiful face was just given the slightest of the touch-up to make it irresistible for anyone to turn their stares away if they're gonna look into her eyes. The kajal under the eye not only enhanced the beauty but also worked as a repellent from the vicious looks of the haters and gossipers. 

The perfectly knitted blouse of the sari with hands ending just near her elbow,the semi deep back cut was just a teasing for everyone to look out for. The golden border of the sari gave her a princess look and the way she carried herself in her not so high high-heels was the most adorable thing about her in that attire. 

It was no wonder when innumerable eyes fell on her while entering the college but she wasn't that interested in anyone of them except one and was looking out for that special one she wished to see. She was literally swearing all the three i.e., Arjun, Nihal and Neeraja. She informed them to be in the college premises well before the time she reached but there was no sign of both the guys nor her best friend who's always beside her normally.


Aashritha being the main coordinator for the whole fest got indulged in the activities and forgot the fact that the people she wanted to be present ditched her. She was very determined to end the fest on a good and successful note. She made people do all the arrangements and was getting tired by the minute.

Just then she hears a voice which she receives very clearly even amidst the heavy sound-boxes.

"You exhausted madam?"

It was Arjun. Aashritha's pale and tired face suddenly lit up and continued getting brighter in just the way in the HAPPY DENT WHITE advertisement and was interrupted by some junior who came to her for a query.

"Madam, where should I be placing the bouquets for the chief guest?", asked the junior.

"Keep it on my head!!! Don't you know that the Chief Guests would be coming on to the stage and you would be presenting them on the dais?? Come on!! please make use of your common sense too.", Aashritha blasted out furiously on the hapless junior, who left the place in a dejected manner.

A usually very cool Aashritha suddenly losing her senses and letting her anger out was ignited  because of the sudden appearance of Arjun into the scene. That sudden change in mood suggested that it was all the fury upon Arjun projected on somebody else.

Arjun walked up to her grabbed her hand and placed a rose in her hand and said, "Sorry, I was late. You shouldn't have got cross on that junior. I was late because I went to buy this rose."

"You're late by 3 hours and you were buying a single rose all the time?", Aashritha turned sarcastic.

"Yes, Of course, I was just buying a single rose. Please at least look at the color of the rose which took me over 3 hours to bring it in front of you?"

"Lavender? What's this for?", questioned in an angry tone.

"Lavender colored roses are the symbol for fascination and adoration. I've read it somewhere. Firstly, I was fascinated by your beauty and so I wanted to adore you with a token of appreciation."

[AASHRITHA BLUSHES AT THE REPLY FROM ARJUN. SHE GOT A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE TO THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND HER ONCE ARJUN WAS IN VICINITY. SHE ALWAYS FELT A SENSE OF SECURITY AROUND HIM]

"Thank you and it's so nice that you took time for me", said Aashritha.

"Anything for you, madam. Are you tired?", questioned Arjun.

"No, I'm not. Just feeling hungry", she replied.

"So, how about we go out and have our dinner together in some restaurant?"

"Good try, boss. But I'm sorry, I can't leave this place at any cost. The moment I get out of here, everything's gonna be a mess and I don't want a remark about my organizing", she said curtly.

" Okay then, that's fine. I won't disturb you", Arjun was disappointed.

[AFTER AN HOUR OR SO,,, A LITTLE KID HANDED AASHRITHA A MOBILE PHONE AND GESTURED HER TO TALK...IT WAS ARJUN...AGAIN]

"Hey, This is me, It's already late in the day, at least have something now. You've been starving all day long", Arjun was concerned about her.

"Oh! Come on! Arjun. You still haven't overcome it. You know what, this is the peak time where I'm most required over here and it's again the wrong time that you called me out", Aashritha felt sorry for Arjun and her situation.

"Okay, at least, Let's have some junk. I need to tell you something, and it's damn important. If you really feel that I'm worth your most important time then please come over to the terrace of the MECHANICAL BLOCK."

{AASHRITHA WAS NOW IN A GREAT DEAL OF DILEMMA. SHE WANTED TO SPEND HER TIME WITH ARJUN BUT AT THE SAME TIME SHE COULDN'T EXCLUDE HERSELF FROM THE ACTIVITIES ON STAGE AND IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG, IT'S ALL GOING TO BE HER FAULT. SHE BECAME TENSED AND WAS WALKING HERE AND THERE. JUST THEN A CLASSMATE OF HER WHO WAS JUST PASSING BY HER UNDERSTOOD THE SITUATION AND ASSURED HER THAT SHE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE STAGE PROCEEDINGS AND THE NECESSARY THINGS AND SUGGESTED AASHRITHA TO GET HERSELF REFRESHED BEFORE MEETING ARJUN. AASHRITHA WAS HAPPY TO BE RELIEVED AND THANKED HER CLASSMATE WITH A HUGE HUG WHICH EXPLAINED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SITUATION TO HER.SHE REACHED THE TERRACE OF THE MECHANICAL BLOCK}

Aashritha phoned Arjun and suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. It was quite dark on that terrace but that touch made her feel safe as she clearly understood that it was none other than Arjun.

"Hey, what's all this? I said I was hell lot busy and you wanted to tell something at this very time?"

"Aah! Firstly sorry for interrupting your work. I knew you'd come for me as I'm a lot more important phenomenon to you than your boring college fest. I'll complete it very quickly and then you can freely work for your fest.

Aashritha, I don't know how to put this in front of you. I'm no expert in these things and this is my very first time that I'm speaking to a girl from such a close distance. I don't want to do it with anybody else except you.

 Every moment I spent with you is very memorable and is just like beautiful dream come true. I love you.

I don't know if we're that close enough so that I could propose you or at least think about getting into a relationship with you. I'm now feeling like I struggled myself to push a ton of weight off a mountain cliff. Very relieved actually. 

 I do know that I have a very good impression in your mind. Forgive me if I have done anything wrong to damage that image of mine in your heart. I felt that, I should at least let you know that I fell for you long back and took the whole time until now to present it in front of you.

okay to make it flimsy....I've mugged up some dialogues for you..kindly bear with me...
 It's not being in love that makes me happy. It's being in love with you that makes me happy.If I had to choose between breathing and loving you I would use my last breath to tell you I love you.

and last but not the least,

 

 You are elegantly exquisite today. Your angelic costume, radiant smile, shapely figure, charming and appealing face, admirable behavior, sublime character, divine voice, dazzling eyes, cute face, graceful walk and that's it."

"OH MY GOD!!!! Thaaat waas a hell lot of adjectives. Can I tell my answer tomorrow?"

"you reply me or not that's your wish. I just wanted you to know that's it. Sorry for making you wait. I brought your favorite Chicken Grilled sandwich and a bracelet, please be careful while chewing.

"hahaha.. Arjun. You're definitely the person I'd love to hang around with. Don't take this as my answer. I'll meet you tomorrow and let you know about my decision."

{TO BE CONTINUED...}

#23--- Finally!!! ...

Alas! It was Aashritha.

Arjun's heart skipped a beat for a second and then recovered. He was surprised to find the person who didn't attend him when he was sick but appeared when he was fine. Even though his mind bugged him to ask her the reason for her absence all these days, his heart was dignified enough not to hurt her with any of his words. 

He let it be, thinking that, 'why the hell should she come and meet me when I have a leg broken? Is she my lover or what? Stop thinking all this sh**. Go and greet her with a smile.'

He said, "Hey Aashritha, Long time no see? How are you madam?". 

Aashritha was shocked to find him talking to her in a pleasing and sweet tone rather than going all guns blazing on her. She smiled and said," Hey Arjun, how's your leg? I'm sorry, I wasn't available at your place during your times of pain and agony. I guess, you would have cursed me for not even visiting you?"

"It doesn't matter now, I'm perfectly alright. And, by the way, I haven't cursed you. So, how about the coffee that I missed some while ago?" questioned Arjun.
 He was not going to miss any chance of her being with him when she herself has come along with Neeraja to meet him.

"Sure. So you are not cross on me? That's very humble of you to forgive someone who's responsible for your pain". Aashritha wasn't letting Arjun to divert the topic instead she was feeling guilty for not meeting Arjun.

"Okay Nihal, you come along with Neeraja on your bike. I'll be coming with Aashritha. So that you two could also have your own privacy", Arjun was making the situation lighter for everybody present there.

{Aashritha's scooter:

Arjun: You know what's second to the happiness you get when riding your own vehicle?

Aashritha: Naah! You should probably know the answer.

Arjun: It's sitting behind a girl, you like talking to, and having an interesting conversation. That should be it coz this situation now has made me to have butterflies in my stomach.

Aashritha: Hehehe. I too feel the same each and every time I talk to you.

}

{CAFE- Neatly seated and waiting for their respective coffee...

Aashritha: Hey both of you are cordially invited to our college's fest being conducted by us. I'm gonna kill you guys if you're not available that day. I've got special surprise for you, Arjun.

Arjun: Sure then, I won't be missing the surprise, no matter what Nihal has to say.

Neeraja: Okay then. Let's meet up again on that day. It's getting late, my parents go crazy at me if I get 

Arjun: Ok then, That's fine buddy. You guys leave. And I promise you we'll be there for your fest and more importantly for your surprise Aashritha.

Aashritha: I won't be talking to you, if you are gonna break the promise. Mind You Arjun.

"Ok, fine baaba... I'll be there, don't worry", he gives them a send-off and gets back to Nihal.
"So, yeah, are you coming on that day Nihal?"

"Naah, negative! Neeraja and I have a date fixed on that day, so you should be the one who's gonna entertain your girl all day long that day. So, don't miss out on the opportunity", Nihal replied.

"Chalo it's getting late. We'll think about it later", said Arjun.

[The moment he entered his room, his mobile phone beeped in his pocket, he pulled it out and was smiling at the message which said .......

{TO BE CONTINUED...}

#22--- BEDRIDDEN AND WAITING...

{A week after the accident- Arjun's House}

Rajiv: So is that it?

Arjun: Yes buddy. That's what has happened until now. I'm actually humbled by your gesture.

Rajiv: Never mind bro. People are gonna get inspired by your love story and I will just be a transmitting medium about your life. And one more thing, I won't be meeting you any further and as you have already promised me earlier that you won't be discussing about the story with Aashritha.

Arjun: No, I won't. Thanks again for the help. I'll definitely keep up my promise. So, you need not worry.

Rajiv: Don't mention. So yeah, I'll have to leave, my readers have been waiting for the next episode from me. Take care of your health and all the best.

{2nd week:

Many relatives, whom Arjun hardly knows, come and go out of the house after showing their (fake) sad faces. There's no sign of Aashritha yet. 2 weeks have gone by

{3rd week:

Arjun's health condition almost recovered but not in the perfect shape. He couldn't find out why Aashritha was still not visiting him.His mood was brought back to senses when all his friends get by his side in the evening for their routine chit-chatting that they usually do at the sea shore. The usual pranks and the discussion about the happenings in the college. His fun quotient was not missing even though he missed his classes. Everything was neatly described to him with pin point detail to each and every element of the scene.

{4th week:

It's almost been a month since the accident occurred and still there was no sign of Aashritha. Arjun was getting irritated by the day and was adamant in getting his plasters removed quickly to meet Aashritha. His friends weren't understanding the fact, they were like 'why is he worrying about her when she's just a friend?' Arjun wanted to get out of his bed and free his legs from the burden he carried for the 2 fortnights' span.

{5th week:

Arjun along with Nihal at the hospital completed the billing and other necessary procedures were moving out of the hospital. On the way down the steps they were blocked by a huge old lady trying extremely hard to get down the steps. She wasn't moving quick nor giving way for the others. Both the friends were having fun at the back of her looking at her plight. Then Arjun asked her "Aunty, there's a lift in every floor, why don't use it rather than these steps?"

" Yes, I know that, son. But my husband in the ward up there wants me to use the steps no matter where I am. He wants me to work out and get slim even at this age", replied the old lady.

" Why do you do it when it's that difficult for you?", questioned Nihal.

"I love my husband and I don't want to disappoint him either. Can't I suffer just to make my husband smile at me? You know kids this is what you call as love and not what you guys do at the cafe's and parks.

Both Arjun and Nihal for once looked at each other and were enlightened by the elderly woman. Those clown-like faces which were making fun of her until then turned grave and looked up at her with respect. They slowly got down the stairs without much fuss, wished her husband a speedy recovery and bid adieu to her.

Arjun, who was limping after his plasters was removed, moved his gaze from his legs towards the person standing in front of him. The seriousness slowly faded away bringing in a bright and wide CLOSE-UP smile to his face.

{TO BE CONTINUED...}