So sorry guys for the delay. I thought I can post my update last week, but had a few things to take care at work. Anyways, update is below on Chapter 12. All I can say is story is going to get more exciting after this. I hope you stay and like my story build up I am giving for future chapters...will try to get chapter 13 also updated soon. Enjoy the update, hope you all had a great Navrathri!
Chapter 12
Yash and Arpita got engaged with an exchange of beautiful diamond rings. All through the ceremony, a storm was rising inside Yash. He had no idea what was going on., and why he was having such strong feelings towards Aarti. He does not even know her and he was struggling to reason with himself. He kept telling himself that he needs to be practical and now Arpita will be his wife in a week. Dr.Shankar had appointed a photographer who took many pictures of Yash and Arpita and the whole family. As night fell, both the families bid farewell to one another. The bride and groom were not to meet each other for a week. They will only meet at the wedding again.
Aarti was sitting outside in the veranda of her hostel. She was sitting on the floor, leaning against a pillar, looking up at the moon and replayed everything that happened today...
***
She had just returned from Mumbai in the morning, tired but ecstatic about having gotten her student visa. She went straight to Mansi's house from the train station. Aarti was at Mansi's house having a hot coffee and celebrating when Mansi's mother asked Aarti if she was attending Arpita's engagement party.
"..yeah that Aunty, actually..I was going to attend the wedding only.."...
"Mom, they didnt invite her" said Mansi...
"Aarti, should you be invited specially? Shobha may be expecting you to show up anyway...isnt it?, why dont you go now, its not like they are far way, they are just two houses down from here..and wait, Mansi, give Aarti some nice salwar set, so she can get ready and go...we will join later. You are related to them beta, it is not good manners not to go...go take a shower, get ready and go..."
Upon Mansi's mother insistence, Aarti got ready and walked to Shobha's house..only to see Dr.Shankar there in the front yelling..."GET ready quickly..we will be late, we were supposed to be there two hours ago...ShobhAAA!!!!, what is taking you so long...????" Aarti looked at him and just greeted him by doing a namaste and a slight head bow...He looked at Aarti and just walked away. As Aarti was clueless what to do next, a group of people just barged outside..including Shobha and Arpita..."Ok everyone, lets just go...we are late and he is already so angry.." she was rushing out when she saw Aarti.."oh Aarti, you are here..ok, just get into some car..lets go.." Aarti just followed her without saying anything to avoid any more confusion, and managed to get into some car.
She had no idea where she was going. Finally after driving in peak traffic for more than an hour, they arrived at this huge resort beautifully decorated with flowers, garlands and lights. At the entrance, there was a huge heart shaped banner that read "Yash & Arpita". She smiled looking at it, walked around the resort...wondering what to do...she did not know anyone except Shobha Maasi., Mansi's mother said she will arrive later after lunch... She was not close to Arpita at all, as Arpita was always away from home studying at IIT. Not wanting to confuse her aunt anymore, she went in search of some food. She was famished by then, and walked to the resort's kitchen area. She found a very good looking lady, maybe in her early 30's with two of the prettiest girls..."ok, Payal and Palak, I have to go. Can you finish your samosa? I have to go and make sure Yash chachu is ready."
"No mumma, stay here, we are so bored. Play with us please" said the kids.
"No kids, I have to go..."...
Aarti thought she can probably help, as she was so bored herself. She introduced herself to the kids' mother as a friend from the bride's party and volunteered to keep them busy. She started telling them a story, soon other kids joined her. She didnt know how much time passed, when Palak wanted to play hide and seek. Aarti went to the nearest room she found and hid herself behind the door...and then...
*****
Aarti came back to the present, blushed at the thought of seeing this man almost naked...hid her face in her palms and let out a chuckle. She thought about HIM again and wondered what he must be thinking...a cool breeze hushed by...making her hair dance in the air over her face..thinking about HIM, who HE was, what HIS name was, the incident when she saw him at the temple the other day...his face, his eyes...he was serious or was he confused...as all these thoughts rallied up in her mind, she took strands of hair, tucked them behind her ear...she shook her head sideways, just got up...and went back into her room and tried to get herself to fall asleep.
Next morning, Aarti woke up, planned to shop for some items for her upcoming departure to the US. She made a list of items to buy and headed out. She got out from the bus at the shopping center looking at her list. She did not pay attention to where she was walking...when suddenly she felt someone call her name, pull her and all she knew was - she fell, and someone fell on her. She opened her eyes to see HIM again...HE was just staring at her intently as was she.
Yash got up, helped her up..."Aarti, what are you doing so pre-occupied...and you did not even see the man hole there???"...he asked with a slight anger on his face...
Aarti was taken aback...how does he know her name, and why is he here...she looked at him with fear than confusion. She pulled her arm away from him...looked at him ..."how do you know my name?..why are you here?...are you following me...?" ..."Aarti...wait...its not like what you are thinking...let me explain..."
Now she was really scared..."get away from me...who are you???"...and just ran from there. She was shaken up.
"Yash..what happened beta.." he heard Gayathri call out to him...
"Nothing Ma...just trying to tighten up some loose strings...just let it be..lets go..which store do you want to go first?" Yash sadly looked at the direction Aarti ran off...
Anupamaa
