Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Getting back to the wedding event that took place two years back. It's a pleasant summer evening. Raj is having big-time fun with all his cousins he has been missing for a long time. They are playing, running, dancing, drinking, and whatnot! But Sneha is alone, resting herself. It's around 5'o clock in the evening and the sun is already tired of burning. Red curtains of that room are also closed and the sun rays are trying really hard to enter the room and disturb her comfortable darkness. There is an orange glow around which glorifies her skin!

Raj happens to pass by the room where Sneha is half sleeping on a bean bag listening to music. Her eyes are closed so as to focus all her senses only on enjoying the music. She is enjoying it so much that, a pleasant smile has lit up the glory on her face. Raj stops for a second. Watches her. Continues to watch her for a little more while. He is almost settled there, holding the half-opened door and peeping into the room, just to watch her. The environment is so silent, that even a clock ticking could be heard. Also, a Koel bird lands itself on the Mango tree nearby and sings its melody for Raj. Raj is all lost watching her. He has picked up his phone to capture that moment. But, Sneha has sensed something uncomfortable. She makes a quick jerk and opens her eyes. Raj too makes a very quick and quiet run towards the balcony to escape getting caught. But, Sneha opened her eyes when Raj was still holding the phone up straight to click the picture. Within herself "What did I just happen to see? Was he? Ok, I can't pick up a drama over it. I am not sure. Just assume he does not do such things. Just stay quiet".

Raj is out of this world. Afraid and equally lost. He is worried about being caught and what just caught him numb. Unknowingly Sneha spilled a magical smile, and we have Raj lost in it. He is trying to get back to the present, get back to normal!

Walking through the balcony with the pleasant wind striking his thoughts, he has more happiness felt rather than shock or reluctance. He is pleased with what just happened to him. He wants it to change his life for the best. We have him smiling and equally trying to hide it. He wishes he isn't caught and also believed so. Spending some more time alone to get himself back to normal, he finds Sneha too at the balcony.

Sneha: Hi. How are you? You looked lost in your own world, so I did not want to disturb you.

Raj gives back a wired and uncomfortable smile, saying to himself, "I am not caught right! Oh, God! please save me.

Sneha answers, "The evening is so pleasant. I came out to feel the fresh wind. When did you arrive? I didn't see you this morning."

"Just a few hours back."

Raj talking to himself, "Ok, she is speaking cool and normal. Let's easily assume that I am safe."

Raj asks, "You look so tired; your eyes are so puffy."

Sneha replies, "I could not sleep over the last night's bus journey. I was sleeping the whole afternoon and woke up just a while back."

Raj adds, "So, let's go! We are having lots of fun."

Sneha responds, "No, that's fine. I'll join at the night. I don't like those drinks and stuff. That environment does not suit me. I will enjoy my company. Mom is also not here. You may continue."

Raj smiles, "Every time we meet, I have been observing you. I haven't seen a girl like you. Especially one who grew up in a city. Unique, right?"

Sneha replies with a smile, "Thanks to that you don't term it as attitude, like how others do. It isn't about where you grew up, it's about how you are brought up. It's more about being an introvert. Anyway, see you. I will get back to enjoying music." Right now, Raj and Granny are in the kitchen, working on making something delicious that can please Sneha.

Raj says, "You see that. That was the Sneha I knew. Of course, I do like the current version of Sneha also, in fact, more. I feel thrilled every moment with her. But I don't have any good plan to impress her."

Granny replies, "You don't have to impress her or prove to be perfect. Just give her some time and comfort."

Raj questions, "What do I do? She always runs away from me. Do you want to listen to what happened an hour back?"

Granny answers, "That is how it is with girls. She is even shy. Congrats on that too! What happened an hour back?"

Sneha is standing right there near the kitchen entrance, listening to all they are speaking and filling up her bottle. She now makes a disturbing noise so that they observe her presence.

Raj starts, "Sneha. This onion is making me cry."

Sneha replies, "Whatever, deal with it yourself. Bye. I was supposed to go to the garden."

Raj complains, "See Grandma, how she avoids me."

Granny laughs at it.

Sneha shows sarcasm, "And, as if I am some beautiful Aishwarya Rai, you click my pic and all."Raj replies, "Hey hello. What do you even think of yourself? You are beautiful in all possible ways."

Granny shouts as much as she can, "There goes up our women pride Sneha."

Sneha is already out of the kitchen and is now peeping into it from the open window.

Sneha asks, "Granny, ask if he can teach me car driving. I don't even know why gear is used. (Turning the other side so that they don't see her). I hate angry people and I am a sensitive girl. I will get to see his patients."

Raj has the biggest smile ever! He gets out of the kitchen to see Sneha. She is standing on a stool so that she could peep into the kitchen and Raj is laughing over that cuteness. With a blank face, Sneha gets down the stool and turns towards the stairs. Vinay also joins the scene to advise "Go to some restaurant and eat, Go to some movie and chill. Learn car driving later."

Sneha turns back towards them, "When everything is good, everyone is good. Happy times don't give trust or reliability. Raj, you will teach me right, car driving."

Raj replies, "Of course, darling!"

Sneha is surprised, "Darling??" Sneha blinks her eyes, looks here and there uncomfortably, and is walking towards the stairs. Yes, that's called the so-called 'shy'!

Granny says, "Even I don't have so much thinking."

Vinay adds, "She definitely thinks a lot. Would it be difficult for you Raj, to impress her?"

Granny pats Raj back "Ask when".

Raj shouts, "Sneha, when?"

Sneha responds, "Tomorrow morning, 9 am, after breakfast."

Raj recalls, "Don't need to impress, it's about comfort."

Sneha replies, "Won't you impress me a little also?"

Raj speaks louder as Sneha is reaching the terrace, "I don't have to make any extra efforts to impress you, dear. You will like me, naturally!"

Sneha within herself "Perfect". And Raj is dancing with joy! ---X---

An hour back. Sneha is humming the songs playing over the phone and is folding clothes. Yes, the door seems to be opening, opening by someone. She can sense that. It's Raj. He holds the door and peeps into the room. "Sneha".

Sneha turns back to find Raj. Within herself "Awe! So cute. Ok, now how should I respond". She turns front and continues to fold the clothes. Raj walks in and stands beside her. Sneha again confused and within herself "God! Help me. Today, I am not even angry at him." Now Raj is standing in front of her and says "Sneha, look at me." Sneha immediately turns towards the bed, so that Raj does not have a chance to stand in front of her. But Raj does not give up. He climbs up the bed intending to face Sneha.

Sneha successfully got back her anger, "Raj, folded clothes. Could you not see."

Raj didn't observe the clothes on the bed, which were perfectly ironed and folded. He messed them up. All the confidence and naughtiness in his face dropped away. Obviously!

Sneha: And by profession, you are a what? Detective? How do you do it?

Raj: Clothes... Sorry!

Sneha: Fold them properly. 'Properly'. Do you understand?

Raj: Yes.

Sneha walking out, thank god, escaped for this time. And how can I suddenly be comfortable with him? It's awkward.

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