Chapter 3

Mandir

I was starving. I failed to understand the point of fasting for someone I don't even know yet. As I was climbing the stairs of the temple I felt lightheaded. The next thing I remember, I was sitting on a bench and he was gently balancing my head with his one hand and helping me drink water with the other.

 

I strode off angrily. I couldn't believe he broke my fast. After taking a few steps, I felt wobbly again. I was about to fall but he quickly came and supported me.

 

After doing the aarti, I turned to pass him the thali. During the exchange, his fingers gently brushed mine. It felt as if I was hit with a jolt of electricity. Did he do this on purpose? I looked up curiously and our eyes met.

 

Store room

I was determined not to speak to him and not to hear from him either. I went there to get my Devi maiyya's murti so I would get it and get out. I was told I would find my murti in the store room. I went there and saw that it was placed on top of the shelf. It was too high for me to reach so i found a stool and stood on top of it to get my murti. When my hand reached the top I lost my balance, fell from the stool and dropped my murti.

 

I fell on top of the bean bags. He jumped to catch the murti which I had dropped and while doing so he fell on top of me. It all happened so suddenly that it took us a while to gain composure. When we realized what happened I felt uncomfortable. When I met his eyes I saw him staring at my face intently. That made it worse. I started looking here and there but I could still sense his fixated gaze.

 

I wanted to get up but I couldn't. He noticed that and he quickly got up and offered his hand to help me. I was shocked.

 

END OF PART 3