Daksh

Today is the day of yagna. I cursed myself for not inviting her. I was so lost in her that I forgot to invite her. I got ready and came downstairs.

I took blessings from my parents, Kakas and Kakis. 

"Maa sa is not here so we should ask Phalguni to cross-check once before the yagna." My maa said.

I nodded a yes and we went to the temple.

We reached the cave where Phalguni lives. 

She came out and we took blessings from her.

"Don't worry she will be there," Phalguni said looking at me with a smile on her face.

Is she saying Chaitra will be there?

"Who phalguni?" Surekha chachi asked.

"The future of our kingdom. The would-be-Queen and Daksh's soulmate. She will be present in today's puja." Phalguni replied.

"The Aahuthi will be passed to Daksh by her. She will bring prosperity, peace, and health to the family and kingdom." Phalguni said with a happy tone.

I can see the happiness on my family members' faces.

We reached the temple with Phalguni.

I changed into my traditional puja attire.

My eyes are searching for her. Suddenly I felt a cool breeze touching me. I don't have to look back to confirm. It's her.

She is wearing a green saree. What's with this girl and sarees? She will be my death one day.

She was too busy with her friends to notice any of us. The yagna started and the priests from various parts of the country were reading the sacred mantras. After a few hours, the yagna is completed and it's time for purnahuthi. 

Aakansha who is bringing purnahuthi tripped and was about to fall when a hand held her and the other purnahuthi. It was Chaitra. She held Aakansha with her left hand and purnahuthi with her right. 

Aakansha handed over the purnahuthi to me with Chaitra still holding it. I offered the Purnahuthi and the lunch was served to everyone who came there. After lunch, we sat in the temple peacefully for some time. After that, we left for our mansion dropping Phalguni at her place. After reaching home our elders discussed about the yagna for some time and left for their rooms.

Apparently, no one noticed Chaitra handing over the purnahuthi to me. But after the realization, they will go crazy. I left for my room to take a rest. I can't get her out of my head. she was looking so gorgeous in that saree without heavy jewelry and minimal makeup. I tried flipping on the bed for few times and finally dozed off to sleep.

I woke up the next morning when my cousins barged into my room suddenly.

"Bhai" Abhi, Rakshit, Akshaya, and Aakansha yelled at once. 

Nithi di, Ronak, and Rohan are looking at me with smiles on their faces.

"Who died? Why are you shouting like this in the morning?" I asked rubbing my eyes.

"No one died but we want you to come to college today," Aakansha said.

"And why?" I asked.

"Because we want you to convince Hitler to let us take a leave for one week," Akshaya said.

"Why do you want a leave?" I asked.

"Because we want to attend a wedding." They all yelled together again.

"Whose wedding?" I asked.

"Um... Chiatra di's.."  Aakansha said. I am shocked will be an understatement.

"What?" I yelled.

"Chaitra di's friend's sister's wedding bhai," Rakshit said.

I am relieved now.

"Okay, but you don't know them well," I said.

"But Seema di personally invited us and Rakshit bhai and Abhi bhai are their classmates," Akshaya replied.

"Okay. I will come!" I said.

"Thank you bhai!" They all yelled together and went out of my room.

I got ready and had my breakfast. I want to go to their college before heading to my office.

I was standing out of the principal's cabin when I heard him shouting at someone.

"Why did you do that?" He yelled.

"Did what sir?" A voice replied. I know this voice. It's her.

"Chaitra, I know it's you who added salt to her coffee," Principal said controlling his laughter.

"Oh that one!" she replied so casually.

"Did you do something else too?" He questioned her.

"No... no. Not at all." She replied in a hurry.

"So why did you?" He asked again.

"Because she was being a jerk to the server complaining that sugar is more or it is less. So I just replaced sugar with salt." She replied gritting her teeth.

"Serves her right." He said chuckling but becoming serious immediately.

"But you shouldn't do that Chitra. Next time I receive a complaint against you I will call your mom." Sir warned her.

"Okay, sir. Sorry!" She said in a sweet voice.

I knocked on the door.

"Come in" Came sir's reply.

I went in. 

"Daksh! What are you doing here at this time? Is something important?" Sir asked.

"No sir. My brothers and sisters want leave for a week. So I am here for permission." I replied.

"Oh yes! Sir, even I want  leave for a week!" Chaitra yelled.

"I can't grant you leave just like that Chaitra. Ask your parents to call me." Sir replied.

"Right away." She texted someone.

After a minute Principal Sir's phone rang. He answered the call and talked for a few minutes. He ended the call and looked at Chaitra.

"You are too spoiled Chaitra. You will get your way with everyone including me. Only your mother can stand her ground without getting convinced by your words." He said giving her you are impossible look.

"That's a talent, sir!" She replied proudly.

"Go write a letter and take my sign." He said to her.

All this time my eyes are on her. She is so gorgeous in a simple suit with no makeup.  I am falling deeper for her.  

After I was done talking to sir I came out of his office and saw Seema and Chaitra coming there with letters in their hands.

"Hi, sir!" Seema said looking at me.

"Hi, girls!" I said looking at Chaitra.

"Nice to see you again." She said with a smile on her face.

"Sir, are you free next week?" Seema asked.

"Seema you are not serious!" Chaitra whined.

"I am" Seema replied.

What are they even talking about?

"Are you mad or what?" Chaitra asked again.

"Leave her sir! Are you free next week?" She asked me again.

I nodded a yes fully confused about their conversation.

"Perfect! I want you to attend my sister's wedding next week." She said with a big smile on her face while Chaitra facepalmed herself.

"I will!" I replied. Chaitra stood there embarrassed of her friend's invitation. I went out after that.