Eleven-year-old Shiva sat at the doorsteps of Pandya Niwas, observing the weather distastefully. It was pouring heavily and Gaumbi had denied his request to accompany him to the store because of the weather. The gloominess of his surroundings seeped into his soul and dampened his mood further. He loathed being at home during the weekends since that was the only time of the week when he could help out at the store as he liked. What he loved more was that he could tag along with his older brother during his ventures to meet supplying vendors in different cities. Letting out a cold, and deep sigh, Shiva shrugged his shoulders and continued staring outside, wishing it would stop raining. An image of all the things he'd rather be doing presented themselves to him, making him pout. He wondered how anyone could ever be fond of this kind of weather? One which puts a full stop to brazen youngsters like him from fulfilling their duties.
While he bored holes at nothing in particular, Shiva heard a few giggles which immediately put a frown on his face. He could recognize that laugh anywhere. It was coming from none other than his maami ki behen ki beti. There she stood, drenched from head to toe, wearing her pink dress, jumping in a puddle of water mixed with mud. Passersby smiled at her antics as they rushed to get home while a clearly annoyed maami kept screeching at Raavi to go home. Raavi had always loved the rain and equally enjoyed getting soaked in it as well. This much was visible as she splashed water all around her. Her eyes were tinged with joy as she looked up at the sky, basking in the breezy rainfall. Shiva scowled seeing the view in front of him. He wondered what magic that chipkali possessed to have this kind of effect on everyone. Why were they so enamored by her that they were beaming at her? Her incessant giggles fueled his anger further. He decided at that moment that he would never like the rain. As he watched the happenings around him, a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes as he thought of a way to keep himself entertained.
Seeing the puddle of mud just a few footsteps away, Shiva walked out right into the rain. He grabbed a fistful of mud and looked at his target with shrewd determination. He suddenly felt like the villain of a movie, and an urge to let out an evil cackle bubbled up within his chest. He locked his eyes on his prey and without any further delay, raised and pulled his hand back as far as he could, aiming the mud at Raavi. However, she moved at the very last moment and the mud hit maami instead. Instead of raging due to his target being missed, Shiva doubled over in laughter, clutching his stomach. Howls left his body shaking as he saw maami screaming profusely, crying about the price of her now mud-stricken saree.
Raavi joined Shiva beside him and laughed at her maasi alongside. They pointed at her and chortled together - their mischievousness mingling in with the entertainment in front of them. Raavi's giggles were uncontrollable now and Shiva realized that he hadn't achieved what he had set out to do: wipe out her cackling. Before he could react any further, Prafulla yelled out to him.
"Aye rakshas!! Yeh tune hi kiya hai na? Tujhe toh main aaj chodungi nahi!" As maami ran forward to chase after him, her foot got caught in a pothole causing her to trip and fall.
"Hey mhara bhogilaal, yeh mere saath kya horaha hai aaj?!" Prafulla cried out. As a man stopped by to help her get up, he got caught up in the tangle of mess maami had made and ended up falling right beside her.
The sight in front of him made Shiva shed tears of amusement as he roared with laughter. His day was not so dull anymore, but he still needed to do one more thing. As soon as he looked over at Raavi, she stopped laughing. By default, his arms caught Raavi's wrist in his hand and her eyes widened in realization. She slipped her arm out of his grip and ran away screaming, with Shiva right on her tail.
*****
Nineteen-year-old Shiva tossed in his cot hearing the strike of thunder outside. He groaned when he realized it was one of those days which he loathed with a passion. He could hear the slow and steady pitter-patter of rain outside, and a slight chill ran through his body when he felt a cold breeze hit him. Pulling his blanket over him, he stuffed his face into his pillow hoping to catch a few more minutes of sleep. That was the only good thing about this weather according to him: sleep felt manifolds better. Alas, that wasn't in store for him today when he heard a shrill voice call out to Dhara.
"Dhara di!" Raavi called out again.
Shiva hoped she would walk past him and not indulge in pissing him off, but when had anything he ever wanted actually happened? He heard her footsteps get closer to him and he clutched his pillow tighter.
"Ae bhootnath! Mujhe pata hai tu sone ka natak kar raha hai." Raavi sang out loud.
When Shiva didn't respond, he felt Raavi's fingers poking his arms. "Shiva uth na! Dekho, aaj ka mausam kitna accha hai." She teased him.
When he didn't respond again, he felt a few droplets of water hit his face. That broke him out of his dormancy. Sitting up quickly, he didn't realize just how close Raavi was to him as she tumbled over him instantly, making his back hit the cot again with her lying on top of him. Her hair was wet and her clothes were soaking. Her wet tresses fluttered over his face and his arms squeezed her waist instinctually as he felt warmth radiating off of her. Wasn't he supposed to feel cold due to all the water trickling over him? Then why did it suddenly feel so warm and cozy? His chest burned with an unsaid emotion as he felt her palms splayed over right where his heart was supposed to be. His blood-pumping organ thumped a little faster and he wondered if she could feel its irregular beat under her touch. He needed to get his traitorous heart under control. When he took a deep breath, Raavi finally looked up and her eyes stared back at him in surprise for a few seconds before mirth replaced it. She took her long hair in her hand and slapped it over his face as if she was applying blush over his cheeks. It made her chuckle, but it did the opposite for him. It snapped him out of his internal word vomit as a spurt of anger overtook him.
Shiva caught hold of her wrist and pushed her off in exasperation. "Poora ka poora bheega diya tune mujhe. Chipkali kahinki. Tujhe kisi aur ka jeena haram karne ko nahi mila jo tu subah subah yahan chali aayi?"
"Of course nahi! Tere alawa aisa koi aur nahi jiska jeena haram karne mein mujhe itna maza aaye!" Raavi spoke uninhibited.
"Accha? Bahot akad hai na tujh mein? Bahar barish mein bheegne ka bahot shauk hai na? Toh chal tujhe wahi chhod ke aata hoon." Shiva gritted his teeth and pulled her hand to drag her outside.
Before he could carry out his plan, Dhara walked out of the kitchen only to see them in one of their regular poses. "Shiva! Kya kar raha hai?! Haath chhodh usska." Dhara demanded and Shiva let go at once.
"Raavi, tu toh poora bheeg gayi hai! Aise koi karta hai subah subah kya? Chal tujhe main kuch kapde deti hoon. Change karle aur aakar chai pi. Aur Shiva, tu bhi bheeg gaya? Ho kya gaya hai tum dono ko? Tu ja jakar naha le aur aakar nashta kar."
As Raavi was leaving with Dhara, she turned around and stuck her tongue out at Shiva, making him fume silently. He stomped over to the bathroom, wondering how he could get back at the chipkali for ruining his morning.
After having breakfast, Shiva sulked in a corner when he received a call from Gaumbi informing him that he was closing down Pandya store for the day due to a leakage in the roof. His mood was as gloomy as the cloud-scattered sky. Now he was stuck at home with nowhere to go and a certain chipkali was also presently annoying the wits out of him.
"Aise murjhaye hue phool ki tarah muh kyun latkakar baitha hai?" Raavi asked.
"Tu yahan abhi tak kya kar rahi hai? Aur mera dimaag kyun kha rahi hai?" Shiva retorted.
"Mera mann, meri marzi! Main chahe jahan bhi rahun, tujhse kya?" Raavi smiled sweetly, blinking her eyes profusely at him.
Shiva scoffed at her. "Mujhse kuch nahi. Bas mujhse dur raha kar. Waise bhi dimaag garam hai mera."
"Kuch naya bata." Raavi huffed in response, receiving a death glare in response from Shiva.
"Waise, tere iss garam dimaag ka ilaaj hai mera paas." Raavi quirked up.
"Nahi chahiye. Tu jaa aur uss maami ke sar pe naach." Shiva rolled his eyes.
Raavi stood up suddenly and grabbed Shiva's arm, eliciting a shock wave of current to course through his veins momentarily. She made sure to lock onto his arms tightly with both of hers as she dragged him outside into the pouring rain. Shiva clenched his fists tightly as Raavi laughed. He watched as she twirled around him, her palms open, and her face tilted upwards, allowing the rain to drench her once again. She cupped her hands and collected some water within her palms, using it to effectively splash Shiva right in the face.
"Ab dimaag thanda hua?" Raavi yelled out through the outpour of the rain.
Shiva rubbed his forehead in frustration, feeling anger consuming every fiber of his being, but as he watched Raavi close her eyes to bask in the rain giddily, he felt his growing anger slowly dissipate into oblivion. With her hair now lying fully over her back, her eyes closed in serenity, and a smile adorning her lips, she looked like nothing less than a water nymph. The deep blue saree she wore now clung onto her skin and the color contrasted beautifully against her milky skin, highlighting the glow which was radiating from within her; it was as if the ocean itself had come out to accentuate her ethereal nature. She was enchanting. He used to wonder why strangers would smile in her presence whenever she would get up to her antics. He was slowly starting to realize the answer. He stood mesmerized, watching her softly sway around him, her palms inviting the rain to fall upon them, her feet gently tapping the flowing water below, and her hair fluttering freely as a breeze snuck by.
Did she always look like this? Or had he been this oblivious the whole time? The latter might be true, but Shiva refused to accept it. Nonetheless, he was enraptured by the sight in front of him and his eyes were strangely accustomed to it as if it was the most natural thing for him to do.
"Shiva!" Raavi called out. "Khade khade muh kya dekh raha hai? Mahurat nikalna padega tera barish ke maze lene ke liye?! Aa na..." She trailed off, beckoning him over with her hands.
"Ek baar try karke dekh." Raavi insisted.
It's as if his legs had a mind of his own, and Shiva walked forward, allowing himself to stand next to her. Raavi grabbed his palm and opened it up from the previously balled fist he had made. Lifting it up in front of them, with her palm lying below his, she ushered him to look up at the sky.
Shiva had to admit it felt good. He had never tried to enjoy this aspect of the rain. It had a calming effect on him, or maybe it was the presence of a certain someone alongside him that added to the tranquility. He didn't know, or rather, he didn't want to acknowledge the possibility. When Raavi pulled her palm from under his, he felt like something was amiss immediately.
But it seemed like fate had a plan in mind. Thunder struck abruptly making Raavi squeal and jump in surprise. Her innate reaction was to grab onto the closest thing, or person, next to her, and so she did. Shiva felt her arms wrap around his biceps as she unknowingly scooted impossibly closer to him. Shiva looked down at the grip she had upon his arm and back up at her face which was scrunched up in fear. He felt a dominant urge to protect her suddenly. He had always helped her silently and been a savior multiple times, but the feeling was stronger today. It was growing within his guts and he didn't understand what to make of it.
He watched as she opened her eyes and let him go, giving him a sheepish smile.
"Kainchi ki tarah zabaan chalti hai teri, mujhse panga lena teri hobby hai, barish mein bheegna pasand, lekin chhote se badal ke garajne se darr jaati hai. Aur phir chipkali ki tarah kahin pe bhi chipak jaati hai." Shiva smirked, seeing her glistening skin turn red. He knew of her ever-present fear of loud noises and despite it being visible to everyone, she always denied the fact. Her need to display herself as some warrior princess made him chuckle.
Shiva's eyes twinkled with a merry glint as he watched a flustered Raavi trying to blabber something in her defense. He wasn't listening anymore, however. He was instead focused on the way her nose turned upwards, her lips formed into a pout, and the way her cheeks blazed with an intense hue of red. The pouring rain over them made her look even more enthralling as if the skies above had waited for this very moment so that Shiva would be left questioning his feelings. Her giggles snapped him out of his thoughts and a small smile graced his lips. Raavi noticed it and grinned at him wider.
Pondering upon his feelings, Shiva realized that Raavi was the reason why he perceived the rain as a curse, and she was now also the reason why he was starting to see the beauty that lies within the heavy outpour. Her giggles, her crinkling eyes sparkling with joy, her smile, her splashing of the rain with her hands and feet, her childlike but pure mannerisms; everything that once used to annoy him were now things he was starting to associate with a beautiful memory that was just created. The rain wasn't so bad after all.
*****
*Ten years later*
Shiva watched the rain fondly as it dribbled down slowly. Giggles were heard outside as splashes of water made a whooshing sound. He observed the sight in front of him with a wistful smile on his face. A nostalgic feeling suddenly raged through him. He felt arms wrap around him and looked over to see his beautiful wife staring at him with a beaming smile. His lips curved upwards immediately.
"Raavi." The words left his mouth in a whisper as she placed her chin upon his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. No matter how many years had passed, she still made him feel the same way as before. His heart beat a bit faster and the urge to wrap her up within the security blanket of his arms never went away; it only got stronger. He wouldn't have it any other way.
"Hmmm." She hummed in response.
"Dekh, humari chhoti pataka kaise khel rahi hai barish mein apne chacha ke saath. Bilkul tere jaisi hai." Shiva spoke with glee.
Raavi pouted. "Bas yahi ek cheez mujhse milti hai. Attitude toh tera hi hai!"
"Aankhein toh teri hai na. Badi badi, gol gol, brown, aur ekdam sundar." Shiva replied.
"Woh toh hai. Aakhir mein woh Somnath ki sabse sundar ladki ki beti jo hai." Raavi giggled.
Shiva shook his head at her lack of modesty and smiled. Some things never change.
"Correction: humari beti." Shiva said and Raavi nodded eagerly.
"Haan haan, of course. Humari beti." Raavi said out loud, winking at Shiva.
"Shiva, mujhe kabhi kabhi vishwas hi nahi hota ki hum dono life mein itne aage aagaye hai. Matlab, dus saal pehle, tune kabhi socha tha ki hum ek dusre se pyaar karenge aur shaadi bhi?" Raavi asked him in a soft tone.
It still felt surreal to Shiva after all these years, and he was so very grateful for all the blessings in his life. He looked down when he felt Raavi entertwining their hands and locking them together lightly. He squeezed her hand in return and felt an ardor of irrevocable love surge through every cell and fiber of his being. Raavi was the answer to his every prayer and to this day, the fact that she was his companion for life filled him with utmost gratitude.
"Mujhe bhi vishwas nahi hota. Ladte ladte pyaar kab hogaya pata hi nahi chala. Pann jo bhi hua, accha hua. Hum dono ek dusre ke hisse mein aane ke liye hi bane the." Shiva whispered.
"Aww! Mere bhootnath. Ab bhi jab tu aisi baatein karta hai toh dil mein gudgudi jaisi hoti hai." Raavi grinned, pulling his cheeks.
"Chipkali." Shiva grunted, pulling her hands away and running his palm over his mouth.
A loud wail broke them out of their bickering session.
"Ja, humara dusra pataka bula raha hai." Shiva remarked, giving Raavi a quick peck on her lips.
"Ja rahi hoon." Raavi pecked him back. "Amaya ko bhi andar bula le, zyada bheeg gayi toh bimar hojayegi." Raavi stated in concern before hastily leaving to tend to their baby boy.
Shiva walked outside and called out to his four-year-old daughter who came running towards him, with cute little giggles erupting from her. Krish ran behind her making sure she was safe.
"Papa!" Shiva heard his princess call out and fling herself at him. He immediately picked her up and cradled her against his chest, feeling her wrap her small arms around his neck. He kissed her on the temple and brushed aside her hair, his heart clenching with utmost love and devotion towards his little bundle of joy.
"Ab andar chalte hai, okay, gudiya? Varna mumma pareshan hojayegi aur hum dono ko khoob daantegi." Shiva smiled at his daughter as she cutely nodded along. He twirled her around slowly, her smile and laughter filling him up with warmth.
"Krish tu bhi chal, kapde badal le, phir ghar chale jana. Suhana intezaar kar rahi hogi na tera?" Shiva gave his brother a knowing look. Amaya was immensely loved by all of her family members and her uncles often visited her to shower their love upon her. Krish and his wife were extremely fond of her and would often come over to play with her.
Krish gave a small smile and nodded at Shiva and went off to change his clothes so that he could reach his wife before she started calling him. The thought made Shiva laugh. Once upon a time, Raavi and him had been the same way. The newly wed life was different. It was beautiful, but every phase of his life with Raavi had given him special moments to cherish for eternity. Shaking himself out of this thoughts, he focused on his daughter who was now lying over his shoulder, playing with his hair. A feeling of divine serenity permeated through his entire being.
Shiva took Amaya inside and handed her over to Raavi to get her changed into dry clothes. He grabbed his other bundle of joy who was only 5 months old from his crib and held him close.
"Kaisa hai mera hero? Acche se so liya? Ab papa ke saath time spend karoge na?" Shiva asked, cooing at his baby boy, Vihaan, who was blinking back at him innocently. Vihaan grabbed his rather huge index finger within his small ones, making Shiva melt internally. He felt his protective nature overtaking his senses as he cradled his son's head and gently swayed from side to side. Rocking Vihaan slowly within the cocoon of his arms, Shiva watched Raavi dry their daughter's hair with adoration. Raavi looked back at him with a tearful gaze and a breathtaking smile. Shiva knew exactly what she was feeling at that moment and he blinked at her in assurance, their emotions rhythmically in sync.
A feeling of content settled deep within his heart. He had everything he ever wanted right there, beside him; his family - the three humans who mattered the most. Shiva vowed to always keep them happy and to protect them forever. As long as he was alive, he would continue to lay the world at their feet.
*****
Well, I know, that was a lot of fluff to take in! But I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless. The ending wasn't something I planned but then I was like, "Eh, why the heck not?!"
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