Part 6 - The initial feelings
Vikram returns back to the haveli after a long walk from Sugni's house. As soon as he enters the haveli he gets a strong burning smell mixed with some weird fragrance. He rushes to kitchen and finds Rohit who has turned the kitchen into a mess.
Vikram : Rohit what's all this ?
Rohit : Oh Sir… I was getting worried where you went… you didn't even take your mobile.
Vikram : I was just exploring the village but what is this mess in the kitchen… don't tell me you are back to your experiments.
Rohit gleefully : Exactly Sir I have brought this new Culinary book and see I have made such a nice roti.
Vikram looks at the roti which is half burnt & says : Yes its indeed looking nice… don't you think the roti should be white than black.
Rohit : Oh Sir…Just taste it it will be good.
Vikram : No thanks Rohit you please carry on… I will make do with some bread.
Rohit : But Sir….
Vikram heads to the dining hall and decides to have bread & butter but unfortunately there is no butter. Rohit too comes and sits next to him.
Vikram : What happened?
Rohit makes a sad face : I agree sir the Roti is more black than being white…. Mind if I share this bread with you.
Vikram laughs and passes him the bread slices.
Rohit : Sir today I learnt one thing…. No matter how big a business man we may be but we should know a bit of cooking especially if we are staying in villages where there is no sight of hotels… Remember sir how in city we used to freak out on delicacies daily for dinner.
Vikram : Lets not remember those things now Rohit…. My stomach is yelling I cant take it.
Just then Vikram hears her payal sound and sugni comes…. Vikram wonders if he has started seeing her whenever he thinks of her……such things cant happen to him…. But he sees her smiling and walking towards him. Vikram slowly closes his eyes and a moment later opens to find a box full of Pulav in front of him. He didn't needed to taste it to say that it was yummy…the smell was sufficient. He also realises its not his imagination but she is here for sure.
Vikram : Sugni you here? At this time?
Sugni : Sir Maa made this for you.
Vikram : But how could you come so late in the night…its almost close to 10pm.
Sugni : Sir relax we are used to walking in the village at night times….
Vikram : Still…
Sugni : Sir will you have this or shall I take it away.
Rohit who was sitting quietly all this time jumps forward and takes the box. He immediately distributes the Pulav between himself & Vikram and hogs onto it.
Sugni watches as Vikram & Rohit eat their stomach full.
Rohit : Thank You……..errr Ms. Sugni………. You are our savior today.
Sugni gives a puzzled look when Rohit indicates towards the burnt Roti. Sugni bursts into laughter at the sight of kitchen. Vikram finds her smile bewitching and thinks her beauty doubles when she smiles. He continues to look at her when Sugni turns to him.
Vikram : Sugni I am thankful to your mother for making such a wonderful dish & for you to bring it so far for us.
Sugni : You are welcome sir.
Vikram : From the time I have come here you have been helping me in one or the other way…… I am really happy to have known such wonderful people like you, gulabiaji and champa.
Sugni : Sir this is your good culture that you are saying so…. I have to leave sir… Maa will be waiting.
Vikram : No … no… you wait I will drop you.
Sugni : No Sir I will go myself.
Vikram doesn't allow her to argue and finishes his food and asks her to follow him. Sugni does so obediently not before Rohit thanking her and waving her bye. Sugni instantly likes him and smiles.
Vikram starts his Jeep and asks Sugni to come and sit. Sugni who has never sat in a 4 wheeler looks confused…. Unlike cars in open Jeep you have to climb on to the vehicle and sit and Sugni finds it difficult. Vikram looks at her amused while Sugni struggles to keep her one feet on the small platform and another into the Jeep. Vikram finally gives his hand and Sugni holds it reluctantly. As usual her heart starts to beat fast and Vikram pulls her into the jeep and sugni ends up right next to him and very close to him.
In the dim moonlight too her eyes sparkle like a star and Vikram gazes into them while Sugni too finds herself drawn towards him looking in to his eyes. Vikram observes how her eyes dances and he feels her getting uneasy & nervous around him. Sugni finally realizes that she is staring at him and distances herself from him and apologises.
Vikram doesn't say anything but starts the Jeep and gets going. They reach her house in 10 minutes and Vikram shuts the engine. He turns towards her and finds her struggling to jump out of the Jeep. Vikram gets down in a moment comes around her and lifts her in his arms shocking Sugni to the core.
Sugni : Sir
Vikram : Shhh…. His words fail and he realizes that he has taken sugni in his arms. Sugni too realizes that she has automatically put her arms around his neck and doesn't know what to do. They get lost in looking at one another when they hear Gulabia's voice. Both become alert and Vikram puts her on the ground. Gulabia comes out & Vikram then thanks her for the food and leaves. He looks at Sugni from his mirror and finds her staring back to him and thinks she is gonna mess his life one day.
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