#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...}