02-08-2025, 11:17 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-08-2025, 11:18 AM by Haran000. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
Present day,
The following evening, a familiar rhythm of homecoming played out in Geetha's house. She returned from college, put down her bag, and splashed water on her face, the cool drops a welcome relief. As she wiped her face and looked in the mirror, she heard a car pull up outside.
Ignoring it, she was startled by a voice calling her name.
"Geetha!" Sindhu's voice. A spark of curiosity lit up her eyes, and she hurried outside.
At the gate stood Sindhu, her face beaming. Geetha ran and flung the gate open, her own excitement building. Just then, another woman emerged from the car. Plump, fair, and dressed in a beautiful blue saree, she looked familiar, and Geetha's heart skipped a beat. It was Deepa. Overcome with joy, she rushed forward and enveloped her in a tight hug.
"How have you been?" Deepa asked warmly.
"I'm fine," Geetha replied, unable to stop smiling. She grabbed Deepa's hand and pulled her toward the house. "Come inside, come on!"
Sindhu and Deepa exchanged a knowing smile, amused by Geetha's infectious enthusiasm. As they stepped through the door, Deepa paused. "Wait, your brother is coming," she said.
Geetha's eyes widened. Before she could react, a tall figure, appeared at the door, a wide grin on his face.
"Geetha, surprise!" Sai announced.
"Anna!" she cried with longing brother’s affection, rushing into his arms.
Sai hugged her tightly. "It's been so long, my chitti, since I last saw you."
Geetha rested her head on his chest, a wave of emotion washing over her. "Don't talk to me, anna," she said, her voice muffled and tearful. "You don't even call your sister. It's like you don't care that I'm married and have no brothers or sisters."
Sai gently lifted her chin and wiped away her tears. "But I'm here now."
"Don't talk," she insisted, pouting.
He gave a playful shrug, covered his mouth with both hands, and stood there silently.
Sindhu chuckled. "Geetha, it's not right to cover your brother's mouth like that when he has some good news to tell you."
Geetha's eyes twinkled with renewed hope. She looked at Sai again and tried to pull his hands away, but he laughed and put them back. "What is it?" she demanded.
He just shook his head. Frustrated but playful, she pinched both his hands.
"Oye, why are you pinching me?" he cried.
"Then tell me what it is!"
Taking her hands in his, he led her to a sofa. "First, come and sit."
Deepa sat next to Sai, opening her handbag and pulling out a small container of vermilion.
She put a bindi on Geetha's forehead, who smiled and returned the gesture.
Finally, Sai pulled a wedding invitation from handbag and handed it to her. "It's your brother's wedding," he said, his voice full of prides.
Geetha's pout returned, but it was feigned this time. "I'm not like you; I'll come," she said.
"She still gives cute expressions like a little kid," Deepa remarked.
"I know, right?" Sindhu agreed.
Sai turned serious. "You and your husband must come ten days early."
"Ten days might be difficult for him," Geetha said, her tone softening.
"It's okay, even if he comes on the wedding day. I won't mind, but you must come ten days early."
"No, we'll come together."
"That won't work," Deepa insisted.
"Did you come to my wedding? I'll come on the wedding day," Geetha retorted, a hint of old hurt in her voice.
"Don't say that; please come," Sai pleaded.
"Okay," she sighed, giving in.
"The wedding is next month, on the 23rd. You won't have college then; your exams will be over."
"How do you know?" Geetha asked, surprised.
Deepa smiled. "Your brother is the District Collector."
Geetha was genuinely shocked. "Really?"
Sai burst into laughter. "Hahaha..."
"I honestly didn't know, anna. Besides, did you ever tell me anything?"
"Geetha, forgive me, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Now stop pouting."
"Okay, but you stay here. I'll make some good chicken right now. You like my chicken, right?"
"We're not staying; we're leaving," Deepa said, and the joyous mood in Geetha's heart faltered.
"Hey, what are you saying? Even if you go, my brother is staying here. You're being too much."
"Yes, chitti, we have to go," Sai confirmed, his face apologetic.
"Then go; I won't come to your wedding," she said, her voice cracking with sulk.
"I'll hit you, Geetha! Don't say that again. You're still acting like a child, even though you got married before us."
"Sorry," she whispered.
"I have to go to Assam early tomorrow morning."
"Okay."
Sindhu, sensing the tension, tried to lighten the mood. "If they want, they can have their first night here. We'll both watch from the window."
The room erupted in laughter.
"Ugh, you're crazy," Geetha said, blushing. "Aren't you ashamed?" The laughter subsided, and a wave of sadness washed over her again. "You're my only friends, and not one of you came to my wedding. You're all so busy, as if you rule the country."
Deepa hugged her. "Forgive us. We really made a mistake. Do you think we would want to make our cute Geetha sad? Sindhu has told us everything. Goutham Brother will come slowly, but you, Sindhu, and Shiva must come a week early."
"We'll take our leave," Sai said, signaling it was time to go.
"Okay, congratulations," Geetha said, trying to be cheerful.
"Call Goutham garu once; I want to talk to him."
Geetha called Gautham and handed the phone to Sai, who walked away to talk.
Deepa looked at Geetha. "Hey, you've become prettier than me, you skinny girl."
"Do we stay the same forever?" Geetha asked with a smile.
Sindhu joined them. "Look at her boobs. She used to be jealous of mine, and now I'm jealous of hers."
"Haha, Goutham anna must squeeze them every time he comes," Deepa teased.
"Hey, stop it," Geetha said, flustered.
"Why are you still shy after getting married? Should I tell you something?"
"Tell me."
"Let's plan a vacation. All three couples will go abroad for a week to a resort on an island. We'll have a blast."
"We'll have a great time with our husbands and have kids," Sindhu added.
"Don't talk like that, akka. It's always the same words. It's not that, Deepa, we decided to wait another year."
"It's up to you, whenever you're ready. We still have to ask that great man,” Deepa scoffed.
"Who?"
"This devil's husband. We have to see what he says."
Geetha giggled. "Haha, why do you call him that? Akka will scold you,” Geetha chuckled.
"She won't scold me. You wouldn't know, but we three are friends, and this great devil, your Sai brother, and that great man were also friends when they were kids. I just found out today."
"Oh, really?"
Sai returned, ending his conversation. "Geetha, I talked to Gautham. He promised to come on the wedding day. We'll leave now. We've been far away until now, but from now on, we'll meet often, okay? Are you happy now?"
"I'm happy because you said so," she replied, her heart full.
Sindhu shook her head playfully. "Oh boy, we can't keep watching them like this."
"The bond between a brother and sister is for a lifetime," Deepa said, her voice gentle.
"Haven't you stopped joking yet?" Geetha teased.
"Haha... Okay, Geetha, we'll leave now. I'll come again, and we'll do a lot of shopping, the three of us."
Sindhu chimed in. "Oh, she still has a lot of gifts for her. Geetha, ask for anything you want now, and your brother will put his entire salary on the table."
"I will give it to her. Why do you care?" Sai replied with a grin.
"Exactly," Geetha said triumphantly.
"Okay, chitti, we'll leave."
"Okay. Take care"
The three of them left, and a sudden quiet fell over the house.
Geetha sat down, the fan's breeze a soft caress against her skin. She closed her eyes, remembering the joyous reunion with her friends.
In her memories:
On a small table, an Andhra Jyothi newspaper lay open to February 14, 2018. A Samsung J2 phone, 994926***7, began to ring, its sound echoing in the silent house. The soft jingle of her anklets announced her presence as she walked over and answered the call.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Kokila, it's Haran."
Geetha's breath hitched. "Is that you? Where have you been? I called you so many times. Is that number not working?"
"Yeah... You could say that."
"Are you doing well?"
"Yes... and you?"
"I'm fine. What's the matter? Did you remember me after all this time?"
"How can I forget you Kokila. Should we meet today?"
Geetha's mind raced. Why today, after all this time? Her gaze fell on the date on the newspaper. Feb 14.
"Did you come to village?"
"Last night."
"Hmm..."
"Not 'hmm,' let's meet."
"We decided not to meet, didn't we?"
"Kokila, I have to tell you something."
Her cheeks turned a shade of pink. "I know what you're going to say."
"It's not what you're thinking, Kokila." His words made her shy smile fade, and a flicker of confusion crossed her face. "I'll tell you when we meet."
"Let's meet some other time, Haran."
"No, Kokila, we have to meet today."
"No, let's stay like this for a while longer. I feel like if we meet, we won't be able to stay away."
"We're meeting at your village, behind the college at 6 p.m. You have to come."
"But... today... it's not pos..." The call ended abruptly.
That evening, Geetha took a bundle of papers from her cupboard. She flipped through them, a soft smile gracing her lips, and rolled them into a scroll, tucking them into the dupatta of her Punjabi dress.
Just then, her younger sister, Ammu, burst into the house.
"Sister, where's Mom? Did you make tea? I brought Tiger biscuits." Ammu was still in her college uniform, her two braids swaying as she walked, her shoes still on.
"Oh, Ammu... Not tea, pour yourself some milk," Geetha said.
Ammu followed her into her room. "Can you make tea, please?"
"Hey, go take off your shoes."
Ammu held up the packet of biscuits. "Akka, please make some tea. I brought biscuits."
"Okay, I'll make it. Go."
Ammu noticed Geetha's changed clothes and neat braid. "Akka, where are you going?"
"To Sindhu's house." Geetha's heart pounded.
She wasn't going to Sindhu's.
"I want to come too."
"No, why would you? I'll take you on Sunday. Not today."
"Okay, then."
After Ammu left the room, Geetha let out a sigh of relief, went to the kitchen, and made tea. After they both had tea, she left Ammu in charge and went to meet Haran.
She found herself in the vacant lot behind the public college, a place few people frequented in the evening. She sat under a neem tree, waiting. Ten minutes passed, and he was still not there. She called him on phone.
"Where are you? You still haven't come."
"I'm right behind you..." she heard his voice from the phone and from behind her at the same time.
A sudden nervousness, a strange shyness, washed over her. She twisted her dupatta in her hands, unsure whether to turn around. Then, two warm hands wrapped around her waist from behind. The deserted surroundings, the cold breeze, the distant cawing of crows—it all disappeared in an instant. A shiver ran down her body, and she froze, surprised. His body felt so warm, a new kind of comfort.
Haran's voice, a soft whisper near her ear, sent another shiver through her. "I wondered if you would come."
Geetha, hiding her blushing face, closed her eyes. "I came, didn't I?"
"Kokila, your voice is so sweet."
"Hmm..." she said, trying to compose herself.
"What are those in your hands?"
"Didn't you write these poems?"
"Kokila, listen to what I have to say."
"No, first tell me, are these yours or not?"
"Let's forget about that..."
"No, tell me first."
"Yes I wrote them but they are not for you."
Her excited face fell. "Then who are they for?"
"Kokila, this is what I came to tell you. Don't fall for me."
"That...!"
"Yes. Forget about me. We can’t be together."
Geetha, utterly confused, tried to turn around, but he held her by the shoulder.
"Haran, you didn't come for that, did you?"
"Yes."
"Let me go."
"No. We didn't know who we were for all these days. It's best to stay that way. Goodbye, Kokila. Forget me."
With a sudden shove, he pushed her forward. She stumbled and fell to the ground, the papers scattering around her. When she looked back, Haran was running away.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she stood up. "Haran, wait... please... i want you…" she screamed, her voice choked with emotion. But he didn't stop. No matter how long she waited, there was no sign of him.
Leaving the scattered papers behind, she walked away, her heart heavy with anger and pain.
Geetha doesn’t know who Haran is. His phone chat, his poetry, his warm hug and his back image is the only memories remaining in her heart till this day.
.
.
.
.
.
To be continued……..
The following evening, a familiar rhythm of homecoming played out in Geetha's house. She returned from college, put down her bag, and splashed water on her face, the cool drops a welcome relief. As she wiped her face and looked in the mirror, she heard a car pull up outside.
Ignoring it, she was startled by a voice calling her name.
"Geetha!" Sindhu's voice. A spark of curiosity lit up her eyes, and she hurried outside.
At the gate stood Sindhu, her face beaming. Geetha ran and flung the gate open, her own excitement building. Just then, another woman emerged from the car. Plump, fair, and dressed in a beautiful blue saree, she looked familiar, and Geetha's heart skipped a beat. It was Deepa. Overcome with joy, she rushed forward and enveloped her in a tight hug.
"How have you been?" Deepa asked warmly.
"I'm fine," Geetha replied, unable to stop smiling. She grabbed Deepa's hand and pulled her toward the house. "Come inside, come on!"
Sindhu and Deepa exchanged a knowing smile, amused by Geetha's infectious enthusiasm. As they stepped through the door, Deepa paused. "Wait, your brother is coming," she said.
Geetha's eyes widened. Before she could react, a tall figure, appeared at the door, a wide grin on his face.
"Geetha, surprise!" Sai announced.
"Anna!" she cried with longing brother’s affection, rushing into his arms.
Sai hugged her tightly. "It's been so long, my chitti, since I last saw you."
Geetha rested her head on his chest, a wave of emotion washing over her. "Don't talk to me, anna," she said, her voice muffled and tearful. "You don't even call your sister. It's like you don't care that I'm married and have no brothers or sisters."
Sai gently lifted her chin and wiped away her tears. "But I'm here now."
"Don't talk," she insisted, pouting.
He gave a playful shrug, covered his mouth with both hands, and stood there silently.
Sindhu chuckled. "Geetha, it's not right to cover your brother's mouth like that when he has some good news to tell you."
Geetha's eyes twinkled with renewed hope. She looked at Sai again and tried to pull his hands away, but he laughed and put them back. "What is it?" she demanded.
He just shook his head. Frustrated but playful, she pinched both his hands.
"Oye, why are you pinching me?" he cried.
"Then tell me what it is!"
Taking her hands in his, he led her to a sofa. "First, come and sit."
Deepa sat next to Sai, opening her handbag and pulling out a small container of vermilion.
She put a bindi on Geetha's forehead, who smiled and returned the gesture.
Finally, Sai pulled a wedding invitation from handbag and handed it to her. "It's your brother's wedding," he said, his voice full of prides.
Geetha's pout returned, but it was feigned this time. "I'm not like you; I'll come," she said.
"She still gives cute expressions like a little kid," Deepa remarked.
"I know, right?" Sindhu agreed.
Sai turned serious. "You and your husband must come ten days early."
"Ten days might be difficult for him," Geetha said, her tone softening.
"It's okay, even if he comes on the wedding day. I won't mind, but you must come ten days early."
"No, we'll come together."
"That won't work," Deepa insisted.
"Did you come to my wedding? I'll come on the wedding day," Geetha retorted, a hint of old hurt in her voice.
"Don't say that; please come," Sai pleaded.
"Okay," she sighed, giving in.
"The wedding is next month, on the 23rd. You won't have college then; your exams will be over."
"How do you know?" Geetha asked, surprised.
Deepa smiled. "Your brother is the District Collector."
Geetha was genuinely shocked. "Really?"
Sai burst into laughter. "Hahaha..."
"I honestly didn't know, anna. Besides, did you ever tell me anything?"
"Geetha, forgive me, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Now stop pouting."
"Okay, but you stay here. I'll make some good chicken right now. You like my chicken, right?"
"We're not staying; we're leaving," Deepa said, and the joyous mood in Geetha's heart faltered.
"Hey, what are you saying? Even if you go, my brother is staying here. You're being too much."
"Yes, chitti, we have to go," Sai confirmed, his face apologetic.
"Then go; I won't come to your wedding," she said, her voice cracking with sulk.
"I'll hit you, Geetha! Don't say that again. You're still acting like a child, even though you got married before us."
"Sorry," she whispered.
"I have to go to Assam early tomorrow morning."
"Okay."
Sindhu, sensing the tension, tried to lighten the mood. "If they want, they can have their first night here. We'll both watch from the window."
The room erupted in laughter.
"Ugh, you're crazy," Geetha said, blushing. "Aren't you ashamed?" The laughter subsided, and a wave of sadness washed over her again. "You're my only friends, and not one of you came to my wedding. You're all so busy, as if you rule the country."
Deepa hugged her. "Forgive us. We really made a mistake. Do you think we would want to make our cute Geetha sad? Sindhu has told us everything. Goutham Brother will come slowly, but you, Sindhu, and Shiva must come a week early."
"We'll take our leave," Sai said, signaling it was time to go.
"Okay, congratulations," Geetha said, trying to be cheerful.
"Call Goutham garu once; I want to talk to him."
Geetha called Gautham and handed the phone to Sai, who walked away to talk.
Deepa looked at Geetha. "Hey, you've become prettier than me, you skinny girl."
"Do we stay the same forever?" Geetha asked with a smile.
Sindhu joined them. "Look at her boobs. She used to be jealous of mine, and now I'm jealous of hers."
"Haha, Goutham anna must squeeze them every time he comes," Deepa teased.
"Hey, stop it," Geetha said, flustered.
"Why are you still shy after getting married? Should I tell you something?"
"Tell me."
"Let's plan a vacation. All three couples will go abroad for a week to a resort on an island. We'll have a blast."
"We'll have a great time with our husbands and have kids," Sindhu added.
"Don't talk like that, akka. It's always the same words. It's not that, Deepa, we decided to wait another year."
"It's up to you, whenever you're ready. We still have to ask that great man,” Deepa scoffed.
"Who?"
"This devil's husband. We have to see what he says."
Geetha giggled. "Haha, why do you call him that? Akka will scold you,” Geetha chuckled.
"She won't scold me. You wouldn't know, but we three are friends, and this great devil, your Sai brother, and that great man were also friends when they were kids. I just found out today."
"Oh, really?"
Sai returned, ending his conversation. "Geetha, I talked to Gautham. He promised to come on the wedding day. We'll leave now. We've been far away until now, but from now on, we'll meet often, okay? Are you happy now?"
"I'm happy because you said so," she replied, her heart full.
Sindhu shook her head playfully. "Oh boy, we can't keep watching them like this."
"The bond between a brother and sister is for a lifetime," Deepa said, her voice gentle.
"Haven't you stopped joking yet?" Geetha teased.
"Haha... Okay, Geetha, we'll leave now. I'll come again, and we'll do a lot of shopping, the three of us."
Sindhu chimed in. "Oh, she still has a lot of gifts for her. Geetha, ask for anything you want now, and your brother will put his entire salary on the table."
"I will give it to her. Why do you care?" Sai replied with a grin.
"Exactly," Geetha said triumphantly.
"Okay, chitti, we'll leave."
"Okay. Take care"
The three of them left, and a sudden quiet fell over the house.
Geetha sat down, the fan's breeze a soft caress against her skin. She closed her eyes, remembering the joyous reunion with her friends.
In her memories:
On a small table, an Andhra Jyothi newspaper lay open to February 14, 2018. A Samsung J2 phone, 994926***7, began to ring, its sound echoing in the silent house. The soft jingle of her anklets announced her presence as she walked over and answered the call.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Kokila, it's Haran."
Geetha's breath hitched. "Is that you? Where have you been? I called you so many times. Is that number not working?"
"Yeah... You could say that."
"Are you doing well?"
"Yes... and you?"
"I'm fine. What's the matter? Did you remember me after all this time?"
"How can I forget you Kokila. Should we meet today?"
Geetha's mind raced. Why today, after all this time? Her gaze fell on the date on the newspaper. Feb 14.
"Did you come to village?"
"Last night."
"Hmm..."
"Not 'hmm,' let's meet."
"We decided not to meet, didn't we?"
"Kokila, I have to tell you something."
Her cheeks turned a shade of pink. "I know what you're going to say."
"It's not what you're thinking, Kokila." His words made her shy smile fade, and a flicker of confusion crossed her face. "I'll tell you when we meet."
"Let's meet some other time, Haran."
"No, Kokila, we have to meet today."
"No, let's stay like this for a while longer. I feel like if we meet, we won't be able to stay away."
"We're meeting at your village, behind the college at 6 p.m. You have to come."
"But... today... it's not pos..." The call ended abruptly.
That evening, Geetha took a bundle of papers from her cupboard. She flipped through them, a soft smile gracing her lips, and rolled them into a scroll, tucking them into the dupatta of her Punjabi dress.
Just then, her younger sister, Ammu, burst into the house.
"Sister, where's Mom? Did you make tea? I brought Tiger biscuits." Ammu was still in her college uniform, her two braids swaying as she walked, her shoes still on.
"Oh, Ammu... Not tea, pour yourself some milk," Geetha said.
Ammu followed her into her room. "Can you make tea, please?"
"Hey, go take off your shoes."
Ammu held up the packet of biscuits. "Akka, please make some tea. I brought biscuits."
"Okay, I'll make it. Go."
Ammu noticed Geetha's changed clothes and neat braid. "Akka, where are you going?"
"To Sindhu's house." Geetha's heart pounded.
She wasn't going to Sindhu's.
"I want to come too."
"No, why would you? I'll take you on Sunday. Not today."
"Okay, then."
After Ammu left the room, Geetha let out a sigh of relief, went to the kitchen, and made tea. After they both had tea, she left Ammu in charge and went to meet Haran.
She found herself in the vacant lot behind the public college, a place few people frequented in the evening. She sat under a neem tree, waiting. Ten minutes passed, and he was still not there. She called him on phone.
"Where are you? You still haven't come."
"I'm right behind you..." she heard his voice from the phone and from behind her at the same time.
A sudden nervousness, a strange shyness, washed over her. She twisted her dupatta in her hands, unsure whether to turn around. Then, two warm hands wrapped around her waist from behind. The deserted surroundings, the cold breeze, the distant cawing of crows—it all disappeared in an instant. A shiver ran down her body, and she froze, surprised. His body felt so warm, a new kind of comfort.
Haran's voice, a soft whisper near her ear, sent another shiver through her. "I wondered if you would come."
Geetha, hiding her blushing face, closed her eyes. "I came, didn't I?"
"Kokila, your voice is so sweet."
"Hmm..." she said, trying to compose herself.
"What are those in your hands?"
"Didn't you write these poems?"
"Kokila, listen to what I have to say."
"No, first tell me, are these yours or not?"
"Let's forget about that..."
"No, tell me first."
"Yes I wrote them but they are not for you."
Her excited face fell. "Then who are they for?"
"Kokila, this is what I came to tell you. Don't fall for me."
"That...!"
"Yes. Forget about me. We can’t be together."
Geetha, utterly confused, tried to turn around, but he held her by the shoulder.
"Haran, you didn't come for that, did you?"
"Yes."
"Let me go."
"No. We didn't know who we were for all these days. It's best to stay that way. Goodbye, Kokila. Forget me."
With a sudden shove, he pushed her forward. She stumbled and fell to the ground, the papers scattering around her. When she looked back, Haran was running away.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she stood up. "Haran, wait... please... i want you…" she screamed, her voice choked with emotion. But he didn't stop. No matter how long she waited, there was no sign of him.
Leaving the scattered papers behind, she walked away, her heart heavy with anger and pain.
Geetha doesn’t know who Haran is. His phone chat, his poetry, his warm hug and his back image is the only memories remaining in her heart till this day.
.
.
.
.
.
To be continued……..
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