Hey guys,
Here's the next part of the story.
For those of you who are missing Teji...you'll be happy to know that he a part of this part. I missed him too...so thought, why not add him here.
Please let me know how I'm doing😊.
Comment would be greatly appreciated.Scene 1:
Voice: "Yug"
The sound of his name penetrated Yug's hazy mind, as he
realized that someone was calling out for him.
Abruptly, Yug pushed Vrinda away from him, taking a few
steps back.
Both stared at each other breathing heavily.
But before they could catch their bearings, they saw Teji
approaching in his lazy gait.
Teji: "Yug! There you are. I was looking for you all over
the village. What are you doing here? Don't you know that DB is still waiting
for you out in the fields? We still have a lot of digging to do before the day
is over."
Then, Teji realized that Vrinda was also standing nearby.
Teji: "Vrinda, what are you doing here? I thought you left for home hours ago after
delivering the food in the fields."
Teji focused his attention on his sister. He felt like
something wasn't right here, especially since Yug and Vrinda were nervously
looking around trying to evade his gaze.
When no answer was forthcoming from either of them, Teji
continued impatiently, "Well? Is anyone going to say something?"
Vrinda: "Actually, I was'.that is to say, that the reason
that I haven't returned home is because'I was'"
Vrinda struggled to think of a good excuse. What was she
supposed to say? She found it difficult to think of anything at the moment,
especially when Yug's kiss had only recently wiped her of her senses. Gosh, who
knew a kiss, could be so passionate?
Snapping his fingers in front of her face, Teji startled
Vrinda out of her thoughts.
Teji: "What were thinking about just now, Vrinda?"
Vrinda continued to remain silent.
Teji: "What is wrong with you, guys? Why are you both so
nervous?
Yug almost burst into laughter. Yeah, why indeed?
How could he explain the situation to Teji without having
him blast his head off with his gun? Just the sight of that weapon draped over
Teji's shoulder sent shivers up and down Yug's spine.
Yug: "Actually Teji, we were having a foot race."
As the words left his mouth, both Vrinda and Teji looked at
him with puzzled expressions.
Yug: "Yeah, you know'you're always boasting about how fast
everyone in your village runs that I thought I would test your theory. I wanted
to see if I could beat Vrinda, so I asked her for a race." Glancing quickly at
Vrinda, Yug continued: "And she won. "
The excuse sounded lame even to his ears, but perhaps, Teji would buy it.
Yug sent a silent prayer up to God, offering to bring a big
coconut to the temple if he ensured that Teji believed this story.
Teji continued to stare at Yug and Vrinda for a few more
moments.
Then, he burst out laughing.
Teji: "You lost to my sister?!" 😲🤣
Teji tried hard to control his laughter but couldn't help
himself. Tears started rolling down his eyes as his body shock from the
laughter erupting from his chest.
"Well, you know'she
is quite strong and healthy'and well, I've been out of shape for a while,"
continued Yug.
When Yug's words did not abate Teji's teasing, Yug continued
irritably, "It's not that funny, okay. Just stop it." He gently pushed Teji on
his shoulder.
Teji: "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. But the next time you want to
race, please take on someone your own size. Someone like me. That way, when you
lose'it won't be as embarrassing for you."😆😛
Teji quickly wiped his eyes.
Teji: "Come, we have to return to the fields. Vrinda, you
should go home now. Everyone must be worried."
Yug and Teji started walking in the direction of the fields.
Glancing over his shoulder, Yug saw that Vrinda was still rooted to the spot
where they had left her. The wind gently blew lose strands of her hair across
her face. He smiled back at her before turning away.
As they made their way across the fields towards DB, thoughts
of Vrinda kept on popping up in Yug's mind.
What must Vrinda be feeling right now? Is she mad at me?
Does she regret the kiss? Should I have waited?
I'm such an idiot, of course I should have waited. I should
have realized that she wasn't ready'I should have controlled myself. But how
could I? It just happened. It was that question she had asked that had me in,
thought Yug: "Do you ever think of anyone besides yourself?" He knew that it
was spoken innocently and out of anger. But, he couldn't help but act on its
double meaning. He couldn't stop himself from taking the opportunity to tell
express his feelings for her.
DB: "Yug, there you are. Where did you disappear off to son?
No matter, you're here now. Come, help me with this'"
Forcing the thoughts of Vrinda out of his mind for the
moment, Yug quietly followed DB.
Scene 2:
Vrinda ran through the front doors of her home, up the
stairs to her room. Closing the door behind her quickly, she leaned her back
against its solid form for support. Taking some deep breaths, Vrinda struggled
to control her fast-beating heart.
She had kissed Yug.
As that thought penetrated her mind, Vrinda relived the
experience of her first kiss. Yug's arms around her small frame had felt comforting
and safe. In his arms, she felt her world come to a halt. Nothing mattered at
that moment except for Yug. For a moment it was as if she could forget about
everything'she could forget about her responsibilities, the feud between the two
families, her fears of abandonment like Gritika was once abandoned by Sharad'forget
everything. In that moment, all that mattered was them.
At the sound of a knock behind her, Vrinda slowly lifted her
head from the door and opened her eyes.
Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Vrinda opened the
door to find her Chachi standing on the other side.
Chachi: "There you are, Vrinda. I've been looking all over
for you. Come, we have so much to prepare before Gritika's in-laws arrive today
with her mehendi. There are sweets to be made.
Oh, and Gitika's bridal dress has yet not arrived, so we should probably'."
Vrinda, too preoccupied with her own feelings, simply
followed her Chachi towards the kitchen without actually listening to her.
One thought kept on surfacing in her mind'how was she going
to face Yug after what happened between them. She felt so embarrassed for the
way she lost control of herself'what must Yug think of her? No, she had to
avoid him'that would be the best thing to do till she is able to get a good
handle on her feelings. With great resolve, Vrinda pushed Yug out of her mind
and focused on Chachi's instructions.
Scene 3:
She was purposely ignoring him.
Yug stood leaning against the living-room wall, arms folded,
staring at Vrinda serving the guests across the room.
Gritika's in-laws had arrived an hour ago with her Mehendi
and the house was full of people celebrating this wonderful occasion.
Yug felt anything but happy. Not only was he feeling bad for
Sharad, but also, Vrinda's cool demeanor towards him since this afternoon was really
troubling him.
Why was he being punished? She kissed me back too? Yug
thought angrily to himself.
Then, a thought struck him, did she regret it?
Yug felt a sharp pain in the vicinity of his heart. He knew
he wouldn't be able to take her rejection again. It had nearly killed him so
many times before. He had succeeded in bringing Vrinda's family to love her
again'to not think of her as a bad omen'yet, he had not succeeded in winning a
place in her heart. This kiss was supposed to help him succeed. What if it had
failed? What if it only pushed her further away?
He had to find out for sure. With this thought in mind, Yug
pushed himself off from the wall and purposely strode across the room towards
Vrinda.
Scene 4:
Out of the corner of her eye, Vrinda saw Yug walking towards
her.
Panicking, she handed the tray of drinks to Pooja and
slipped up the stairs to the upper landing.
She had to get away from him'she couldn't face him'not yet,
she wasn't ready.
Walking quickly towards her room, she had almost made it to
the door, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She didn't need to verify whose
hand it was, for she knew it could only be Yug.
As she turned to look into his face, the first thing that
stuck her was how troubled his eyes looked. The usual laughter lurking in those
eyes was absent today, as Yug solemnly stared back at her. Did he regret
kissing her too? The question produced a dull ache in her heart. She dreaded
hearing what he would say next. Would he say he regrets it?
Yug: "Why have you been avoiding me, Vrinda?"
Vrinda: "I haven't. It's just been really busy around here
with so many preparations and you know that we'"
"Don't lie to me. We both know that you've been avoiding me
because of what happened this afternoon," Yug's voice interrupts Vrinda
mid-sentence.
The silence that followed was unsettling for both.
Yug waited impatiently for Vrinda to say something'to deny
his claim'to tell him that she loved him'anything to end this deafening quiet,
which was sucking the very life out of him.
He had to ask the dreaded question. Glancing away from her
face towards the floor, Yug asked: "Do you regret what happened between us
today'do you regret me confessing my love for you, and then kissing you?"
Just saying those words hurt his heart. What if she said
yes? He knew that a response such as that would bring an end to his dreams of a
life with her. If she refused him now, he knew he would not force himself on
her any longer. He would stay to help Sharad and then walk out of her life
forever.
However, before Vrinda could reply, Yug heard Chachi coming
up the stairs calling out Vrinda's name.
Panicking that they may be discovered and not wanting to let
Vrinda go before getting a final answer from her, Yug quickly pulls her into
the room to the left.
Vrinda found herself with her back against the wall, behind
the door in Pooja's room. The room was shrouded in darkness. Only the pale moonlight penetrated through the
open windows.
As Chachi drew closer to the room, Yug leaned further behind
the door towards Vrinda.
Once again, Yug was assailed by Vrinda's closeness'finding
it ever so hard to breathe.
Chachi: "Uff, where is this girl? There is so much work left
to be done and I can't find her. Oh, Vrinda where are you?"
Though Chachi was standing right outside the door of the
room in which they were hiding, Vrinda's mind was on something else other than
the fear of being discovered. She was once again close to Yug'practically in
his arms as he leaned closer towards her, trying his level best to stay hidden
behind the door.
When Yug's hand accidently brushed her arm, Vrinda drew in a
sharp breath.
Suddenly, Chachi turned towards their room. "Is someone
there? Vrinda is that you?"
Fear clawed at Vrinda as she reached out and grabbed onto
the front of Yug's shirt with both hands, pulling him towards her. She placed
her head on his chest and closed her eyes, praying that they would not be
discovered.
After what seemed like forever, Vrinda and Yug heard Chachi
turn around and walk down the hall. They continued to stand motionless till
they were sure she had made it down the stairs.
Releasing a sigh of relief, Vrinda relaxed in Yug's embrace.
The sounds of the busy household below drifted away as Yug
and Vrinda stood in each other's arms. The cool breeze flowed through the open
window towards the couple.
After a few moments, Yug returned to his senses and gently
pushed Vrinda away from him. Vrinda looked up questioningly into Yug's face.
Yug: "I need you to answer the question, Vrinda. Do you
regret what happened between us today?"
Vrinda slowly walked away from Yug towards the open window. Still,
she hesitated to answer.
Frustrated by Vrinda's lack of response, Yug advanced
towards her and grabbed her arm, turning her to face him.
"Vrinda, are you even listening to me?" Yug snapped.
Fighting hard to control his anger and desperation, Yug drew
in a deep breath to calm his nerves.
Yug: "I'm sorry. I shouldn't yell at you like this."
Walking away from her, Yug combed his hand through his hair
in frustration as he continued, "I'm also sorry for what happened earlier
today. I should not have surprised you like that. I was way out of line."
Yug swung around and continued, "But, you must know that I
never meant for it to go beyond that kiss. I love you Vrinda and I know how
much your honor means to you. I would never do anything to cause you pain. I
rather see myself die first than be the cause of any tears in your eyes."
Yug's words and pleading eyes nearly undid Vrinda at that
moment. She had never before seen him in such a state of panic. He was afraid
of losing her, Vrinda thought to herself.
Yug: "I can't lose you, Vrinda. If I don't have you in my
life, I wouldn't know how to go on living. Since I've met you, a new sense of
purpose has come into my life. Not just one of reuniting our families but also
of reuniting us. I know I stepped over a line today and you'll probably never
forgive me for that, but please, don't punish me by keeping me away from you.
Don't ignore me like this because it's tearing me up inside. If you want me to
promise to never touch you again, I will. I won't come near you again, Vrinda,
unless you want me to but please'" Yug's voice cracked with emotion.
Yug: "Please don't keep yourself away from me because
without you, this Yug has no meaning. Without you, this Yug can't exist."
Yug slowly raised his eyes towards Vrinda.
She had not moved
from the spot where he had left her only moments earlier.
Feeling defeated and empty in his soul, Yug slowly walked
past Vrinda.
At the last moment, however, he felt Vrinda's hand reach out
to grab his.
Too afraid to turn around and look at her, Yug stood rooted
in place.
Vrinda: "This Vrinda can't exist without her Yug either."
Hearing those words, Yug quickly turns to look at Vrinda,
only to discover her eyes full of tears.
Crossing the short distance between them, Yug takes her face
in his hands and gently wipes her tears, whispering: "Please don't cry, Vrinda.
Don't cry, please."
Turning her face into his left palm, Vrinda places a small
kiss.
Then, looking into Yug's eyes (also brimming with
tears), she whispers: "I love you too, Yug."
Edited by Neetu2825 - 15 years ago
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