Young Love

"I'm feeling bored Amma.... Let's go out somewhere" pleaded Punya.

Narmada was busy filling her college application form... She didn't respond.

"Where do you want to go?" asked Gowri, the grandmother.

"I don't know.... Siri was telling that there's a mela in her town... We'll go there??" asked Punya.

"Which town what mela?" asked the grandfather Eshwar.

"Sri Venkataramana swamy Mela, Bantwal... There's Rath yatra and drama also it seems.. I haven't seen live drama... Let's go Ajja please...." Punya pleaded in a sweet voice, that no one could deny.

"What's Mela Ajja?" asked Rishi in curiosity... he was playing video game on TV.

"Well it's beautiful than I explain... So we'll go and experience it..." said Eshwar pulling Rishi to his embrace.

"Varun might not be able to join, he was saying he has busy schedule" intrigued Granny.

"Well what's the discussion about? I heard my name" asked Varun as he walked into the house.

Narmada took his bag and explained the whole conversation briefly as he sat on the couch. Punya came behind him and pleaded "Please Appa... We'll go..." putting her arms around his neck.

"Mela is during the day, ok but drama will end late at night, we have to stay and come back next morning. Dad may not have so much time for us" said Narmada in a taunting voice. Even she wanted to go out with her husband. She thought that this small trip might reduce his work tensions and help him relax.

"If your mom agrees, why only two days, I can spend my life with her anywhere" said Varun winking at his wife.

"Don't push the ball to my court, we're not going without you" shrugged Narmada.

"Pack your things, we shall have a jolly trip this time" he said as he pulled Punya's plait.

"So are we going?" asked Rishi excited.

"Yes champ... We are... This is your first Mela...." he said as he lifted his hand into hi-fi.

"How come you agreed so easily?" asked Narmada in a soft tone turning to Varun who was passing past her.

"Just for you" said Varun as he pinched her waist. "Varun..." she screamed at him.

"What happened? shouldn't I obey your orders?" he said making an innocent face. No one in the hall had turned at them so Narmada contained herself as she didn't want to get embarrassed, she simply made faces at him silently.

That night Punya informed Siri that her whole family is joining them for Mela over the phone. Next day early in the morning, two cars carrying two families started towards Bantwal Mela.

.....

Prakruth woke up early as he remembered that it was the day of Carnival...

"Saab, please come please this way" shouted Prasad as he saw Prakruth turn the car. He guided Prakruth to the venue and started explaining...

"Prasad I know, I'm not new to this Mela..." Prakruth said as he walked... Prasad followed him helplessly.

"You go join your family... I'll handle myself..." Prakruth said as he patted on Prasad's back...

Prakruth didn't want him to be around. He always loved to be alone. The path led to Sri Thirumala Venkataramana swamy temple... The grand pooja was followed by Rath yatra (Chariot procession of Lord Venkateshwara) and a drama late evening.... it was the same procedure since his childhood. He had decided to leave after Rath yatra at 11 am.

Rath yatra was on time.... The main priest called Prakruth over as some of my labors had informed him that Prakruth is the grandson of Late Sarpanch... Prakruth hesitated initially but had to agree as Prasad and other people forced...there was pride on the faces of Prasad and other laborers about their small boss. He was allowed to perform first pooja on behalf of his family who had been like great pillars of this village and later pass the kumbh to the present Sarpanch. Prakruth followed the instructions and moved backwards....

As he freed himself from the crowd, a familiar face struck him like a lightning. He looked at her and thought "Yes, it's the same girl I saw at beach... The same dazzling doe eyes with a brown tinge, it's her, my Girl". He could only see her face.... so he started moving towards her amongst the crowd, today he wanted to talk to her and gather all the information about her. She was found busy at a bangle store with her friend...they were continuously chattering and laughing... Prakruth thought that her laugh is adding vibrance to this mela.... When he was almost 5-6 steps behind her, she turned towards him... He stood still... His heart skipped a beat....

She wore a half saree with purple pallu* and yellow long skirt. He lingered in thoughts without speaking "Wasn't she a small girl wearing a frock last time I saw... I thought I have to wait for her to grow, and then confess my love.... But now here she has turned to a damsel... A traditional damsel..." He returned to reality when someone pushed him to make their way.... She had disappeared. He again went in search of her between the crowd. He even jumped to search though he was tall enough to see above the passing heads... But couldn't find her.... he missed her again. He searched almost for an hour but couldn't see her anywhere. Disappointed he decided to leave. As he was walking towards his car, Prasad came running to him... "Saab, come have lunch with us, it is sacred prasad of Lord Venkataramana swamy, please come...."

"There's so much crowd, Prasad... I'm not sure if I have so much patience... Sorry... Prakruth denied.

"Saab, you shouldn't deny Swamy... Come saab..." he pressed as he slapped himself with both the hands...

Prakruth knew it was a girl as the skin on her waist was soft like marshmallows... So immediately he lifted my hands off her. He didn't want to get beaten up black and blue by villagers, but she hugged him tightly. Punya was scared as bull chased people at the mela and she crashed against Prakruth accidentally.

"Miss... Miss..." Prakruth tried to get rid of her arms around him...

"Bull… Bull is coming this way... Please help..." she murmured in a scared tone looking at a distance. Prakruth recognized her as he could see her beautiful face from above and hugged her back to act sympathetic...She was almost a 6 inches shorter than him, so her head was on his c.h.e.s.t. He could hear her heart beat, as she clung to him...

"Bull has been caught; we're safe now... Relax miss" he said in a gentle voice as he embraced her. She realized her surroundings and lifted her head at him... Prakruth smiled.

Punya pushed him hard and turned away... After a few steps, she stopped... Prakruth stood there expecting a thanks as he looked at her.

"Idiot" she said and stormed off.