The village roads were overflowing with people
Drums thundered from every direction. Vendors shouted. Children ran through clouds of dust while elders discussed preparations for the Beerapa Jathara, a festival celebrated only once in 21 years which now will be celebrated again after 5 days.
An open jeep sped down the road with song " Life Of Ram " was exploding through speaker.
In the back sat Radhika with her friends.
Saanvika and Lahari were singing loudly.
Nitin had somehow convinced half of jeep to dance.
Charan and Varun were arguing about whose camera would get the best shots for the story.
And middle of all the chaos sat Radhika.
Laughing.
actually laughing.
The wind rushed through her black long hair as she stretched her hands into the air, enjoying every second.
A sudden gust swept across the road.
Before she could react. her chunni slipped from her shoulder.
The fabric soared behind them.
Nobody noticed.
Not even her friends.
Not even Radhika herself.
The jeep kept moving.
Faster.
Faster.
Until the chunni landed directly on someone's face.
The man instinctively caught the cloth before it could fall.
For a second, the world disappeared behind the soft fabric.
Then he pulled it away.
Rudhra.
Standing in middle of the road.
his jaw tightened.
the noisy jeep was already disappearing into the distance.
then he saw her.
just for a movement.
RUDHRA POV
I was in no mood to leave my bed but amma forced me to get her some coriander leaves and packet of vermicelli ( semiya )
atleast I will get my favourite payasam
just as I was in my thoughts some jeep overtake me
it was indeed a very noisy jeep
song of Life OF Ram bursting out and people in jeep dancing but
my vision was blocked when a white chunni hit my face
soon I pulled it down
my jaw tightened as anger bubbled beneath the surface .
just then I was about to shout
I saw her eyes
Those doe-like eyes
Wide
Inoocent
For a strange, unsettling moment....
I forgot why I was angry
Why did every ounce of frustration disappear the instant I looked into those eyes ??
Why did her eyes feel so familiar??
A girl leaning over the back of the jeep.
laughing
the sunlight caught her face.
her eyes sparkled with amusement as she finally noticed her missing chunni
their gazes meet
only for a heartbeat
the jeep sped away
Radhika stared back for a second longer than necessary
feeling his eyes a bit familiar
then turned around as her friends dragged her back into their chaos
Rudhra remained where he stood
the chunni still in his hand
the laughter from jeep had already faded
yet strangely...
the sound lingered
and for first time that day, the potharaju forgot what he had been thinking about.
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