Please read Part I and Part 2 before proceeding!
And, in no time, The Gateway of India stood in front of them, majestic and inviting. The dark sea beyond had small specks of bobbing lights sparkling right till the horizon. Mesmerized they watched grasping the beauty of the moment. Avni suddenly asked him about the ferries. Why did they have tyres all around them? Gaurav launched into a long-winded scientific explanation, mid-way through which she gave up on understanding it but enjoyed listening to his soft voice.
Being hungry, they found a place to eat. It was getting late for both of them. And they ought to head back. The train was a little crowded, and they preferred to stand near the door. Gaurav arms were perched on both sides of her not touching her, sort of encircling her body. With the gentle lulling of the train’s motions and people getting in and out, they stood close to each other chatting softly and smiling into each other’s faces. It was intimate; she felt safe and happy!
The topic of going to US came back again. Gaurav’s eyes lit up when he explained how much he wanted to go and experience the work and life there. Avni felt a huge knot in her stomach tightening. She did not know how to explain it – was it the fear of the unknown or the thought of building her career from scratch that was frightening her? She did not know. Was she willing to make that sacrifice for him? After all she hardly knew him. While thoughts raced in her mind, she said nothing. He sensed the turmoil in her. Gently, quietly, he took both her hands in his own and held them firmly. His hands were very warm, somehow a reflection of his heart. Avni felt herself rocked by conflicting heated emotions. Something about his touch was beautiful, comforting and arousing. Yes, she was attracted to him, more than friendship and camaraderie, her body responded to his touch. They stood like that for a while and finally almost reluctantly, he let go of her hands. For that moment, she would have gone anywhere and done anything that he asked for. But, the rational her quickly took control of her mind and tried to compose her. This was not fun and games anymore. Oh, what had she gotten herself into?
***
Back at the guesthouse, Avni plopped herself on the sofa, pulled her feet up and curling them under her slowly closed her eyes. She was so tired. It had been a long day. Gaurav sat next to her watching her, tired himself. He should be leaving to get back to his hotel. But, he wanted the evening to extend some more.
Opening her eyes, Avni smiled at him and apologized for being so tired. Suddenly taking her right palm in his hand, he said he could read hands. This was a trick boys used very often, and it never failed. She watched him with amusement waiting to hear what he’d cook up. “You have a long life.” Right! “A great fate line.” Have heard that one before! “Two kids!” Really! She continued to watch his handsome face. Looking very serious, he said, “And I definitely see a line there that says that you will be living abroad.” Charming and self-serving! She couldn’t help laugh at that. There was something so earnest about him. The hint of stubble on his face looked so inviting. Should she caress his face and those lips..? Her emotions were running wild. It must be because I am tired, she thought! With great effort, she forced herself to stop.
The guesthouse helper was hovering around in the background. She did not want the evening to end. But it had to and it did. They came to the elevator and said their byes. They reached out and hugged each other holding on for the longest time. Some more of that warmth! She watched the elevator go down till he was out of sight!
What next?
Avni had a dreamless sleep that night; Gaurav tossed and turned. He had a train to catch the next day, so did she. How would things pan out now? What was she going to do? Was she in love with him? For God’s sake, she had just met him. That was the first time, she addressed that thought. What the hell was love?
This whole going to the US bit was bothering her a lot. She was confused and stubborn. Did she really want to trust him enough to go to a place so far away from my family? Her mind was sending panic signals. Her heart was telling her something else. She was torn. Meanwhile he wasn’t pushing her, and she felt relieved. And days passed by in a terrible mental conflict.
Finally, she spilled the beans to her sister desperate for some answers. Her sister asked her to weigh her choices. But of course, the final decision was Avni’s alone to make. And no one was helping her make her choice. Could she move on leaving Gaurav behind?
Not having him in her life seemed a bad, very bad option. She had only known him for a month, but was inexplicably drawn to him. She wasn’t willing to let him go. She wasn’t a risk taker, but she believed a lot in her intuition. And her gut feeling was giving her the green signal.
And the next day, Avni who was never ever impulsive called Gaurav and said, “Let’s get married!” Gaurav chuckled loudly at the other end. This girl knows how to do things in style!
Family!
Next big hurdle – how would their parents take it? Yes, they belonged to different castes. It did not matter to both of them. As much as Avni knew, it did not matter to her parents too. But this was the first time a situation like this was unfolding. Without further ado, Avni went to her dad and nervously blurted out about this guy she had met over the internet and later face to face, and she wanted to get married to him. It sounded so ridiculous even to her ears. Tensed she looked at her dad. He must have been stumped, but he did not let it show on his face. “Dad,” she prodded? Her father took a few details about Gaurav and said that he would speak to his family not giving his emotions away. Her mother just gaped at her, open-mouthed.
Later that evening while both of them chewed their nails, Avni’s father spoke to Gaurav’s and had a very short chat. He was going to fly off to Hyderabad to meet with them. And the rest of it was surprisingly easier. Avni’s father was happy with her choice. And the family seemed down to earth as well. Gaurav’s family was very warm and welcoming.
They even zeroed in on an engagement date. Was this a dream? It certainly felt like one. A couple of weeks later after their engagement, Gaurav flew off reluctantly to the US to join his new job promising to come back in December for their wedding.
Today Gaurav and Avni have been married for 13 years and live with their two children in India. And Avni loved her stay in the US! Despite numerous joys, tiffs, and ups and downs, this has been a journey worth embarking upon. Yes, he still has really warm hands! Some knights do not come in shining armor; they blow you away with their down-to-earth goodness and simplicity. Some love stories just have very unconventional beginnings…
A lovely end to the marriage of reel and real life!Best wishes, Rachna:)
Thanks Rahul :).
Such a smooth narrative Rachna. Ist para into part one and I thought, “Oh she is writing her own story!” And so it turned out.
God bless you both. :))
Thanks Dagny! I was trying to write a short story for the first time even though culled from real events:).
Written beautifully Rachna-it is such a warm narrative.
Thanks Indu! Glad you enjoyed the tale!
Wow! That was such a lovely beginning to a very sweet love story. Unlike the usual drama, which is part of most of the love stories, including mine. 🙂
Thanks Rekha :). Since it was based on my story, I did not wish to introduce unnecessary drama. The conflict was in the minds of the protagonists!
Good to see that whatever little conflicts were there also have been resolved and it’s a happy story. God bless you. 🙂
Thanks dear :).
It was a lovely read Rachnaa, the emotions and the apprehensions were caught well
Thanks Bhagyashree! My son read the tale with great interest, I must tell you :).
That was such a heartfelt write Rachna . Simple and gracefully written …thank you for sharing a slice of your life with us 🙂 God Bless 🙂
Thanks Sridevi! For reading and for your warmth and blessings <3!
And they lived happily ever after. Easy narration, lovely story.
Thanks Alka! In the end, going to the US worked in my favor. Sometimes, we allow our apprehensions to get the better of us.
Lovely. Very warm story 🙂
Thanks Jas :).
Almost like a fairy tale! So glad it ended (or continues) well, Rachna!
Thanks so much, Corinne! I will raise a toast to that.
That was a smooth engrossing narrative Rachna! May it be “Happily Ever After” for you guys!
Thanks Suresh!
Love the happy ending. Particularly enjoyed everything in italics in this 3 part tale. A peep into your mind, oops, your Avni’s mind. 🙂
Yep, did not wish to interfere with the original story. But the next real fiction I write, I will introduce all kinds of evil characters. I have never written romance before and enjoyed writing this one. You sure did get a peep into both our minds :). Thanks for reading!
Awww….lovely story…wish you both many more years of warmth n togetherness!
Thanks Aditi :). Thanks for reading.
A very happy read, Rachna! Good to know that the marriage is strong after so many years. Did your husband read this? He must be very happy reading the way you described the meetings and how you feel now about him! All the best, Rachna! Be happy always!
Thanks Sandhya! Yes, he has read the story!
Wow!! What a story! Loved it!! 🙂
Thanks Shilpa :).
What???
Its so similar to my story. But I took transfer to Infosys center in Czech Republic, fortunately it had started 😀
I somehow did not even think why I am so attached to the stranger. I wanted to get away and start my own life and he was a person who did things not to please others but to please himself.
My fondness towards him grew even further when I saw him wearing a lungi during my family’s first visit to their place :-D. How many men wear lungi and T-shirt during such situations? I had heard guys looking out wear suites and shirts even though they are at their place.
Later after our marriage he told me that his parents had forced him to wear some trousers and shirts. But he had replied to them ‘I am at my place and will remain in a dress I normally do while at home’.
.
Good for you, Bhavana! Good for your hubby. BTW, did you make him do lungi dance :-P?
Well then Lungi dance was not in fashion and anyway he dances horribly! 😀
LOL!
I don’t have to tell how I felt about the story as I already know it 🙂 I wish you both guys tons of happiness together for the eternal years to come. Hugs <3
Thanks sweetie! I know every word comes from your heart and loads of <3 back at you.
So it looks like all of it was reality being passed of as fiction!
Glad to read stories that are really the beginning even when they end.
It was written for the HC contest where I had already given an outline and at around 3.5K words, there wasn’t much scope for twists and turns. There are fictional bits in here as well. Since I had promised a fiction based on a real life love story, I had no reason to stray much away from reality anyway.
Stories that begin when they end, so true :). Thanks for reading!
awww!! Cho chweet reading about your laabh story!!! 🙂 <3
Thanks Roshni :).
That was an interesting read – All 3 parts were engaging. Did not know people themselves created profiles on matrimonial sites. Mine and my wife’s were created by our parents.
Thanks TF! Really? Both of us created our own profiles. Like I pointed out, I wanted to take my own decision in my own way. Though I must admit that the profiles those days were very rudimentary. Another story can be written on the people I interacted with though I only met one before my husband, and I’ve mentioned him in this story.
There was no major hurdle in this brezzy romance and ended on a very happy note.You have narrated it extremely well.
Thank you KP Sir! Glad you enjoyed it.
Smile on my face…:) Very well written Rachna. Wishing you another100 years of happy companionship.
http://sailorswiferamblings.blogspot.com/2013/09/road-journey-to-paradise.html
Thank you sweetie :).
Lovely the way you concluded it. Fell in love with the part that read – some stories have unconventional beginnings.
And I know for a fact that the Chemistry is still sizzling. One can make out from the photographs.
Thank you, Purba! Glad you enjoyed it. It is tough to pen one’s own story, I realized :).
Awesome narration and does not seem like a first time short story. It was a beautiful read 🙂
Thanks so much, Jaish! Your words give me motivation to try my hand at fiction more often.
Nice, you make it a happy ending story. Very nice. So, you say this was for HC? Many are coming up with their HC stories, should I too?
Yes the true story it is inspired from also had a happy ending. I did not fiddle with that. Yes, this was my entry for HC. I did want it to appear on my blog as it is based on my own story. And why not, bring yours on unless you are planning to send it to someone else.
Such a beautiful story. What makes it so good is the fact that it is inspired by your own story. 🙂
Awww You are the sweetest! I am glad you enjoyed reading it.
Loved the simple and heart touching story Rachna. It’s true some love stories do have unconventional beginnings but surprisingly they survive. I loved the happy ending 🙂
Thanks Diana!
A really nice, feel good story!! Looking forward to more 🙂
Thanks Fab!
That was a beautifully narrated story, Rachna. Read all the three parts back to back and I must say, you’re an amazing story-teller! Loved what you wrote in the last paragraph- “some knights do not come in shining armour, they blow you away with their goodness and simplicity”. I love stories with happy ending! 🙂
Ah, thanks so much, Deeps! Glad you liked the story :).
Finally read the third part. That was a very lovely, real story. 🙂
Thanks Amit!
Pingback: The knight in shining armor -- Part 2 | Rachna Says
Awww!!! That’s all I can say.
Stay blessed, Rachna 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Wonderful, happy ending to a lovely love story. I enjoyed reading about the conflicting emotions – of falling in love and being practical, of going by one’s instinct/intuition and weighing things rationally. But love has its own mathematics I suppose 🙂
Good one, Rachna!
Just how the emotions had played out. Glad you liked it, Beloo. I guess, love does.
Right at the beginning, I knew this had to be your love story!
Awww…it was mushyyyy, and, I loved it!
God bless Avni and Gaurav…oops…I mean, you two! 😛
Aww… this was just the cutest sweetest love story. And so straightforward – just like the two of you I presume.
Just like the two of us. Thanks for reading, Tulika. ?