My Little Heart

“Oops!! ” I moaned in pain.

“Nive not again!!” he rushed into kitchen, as if he is gonna save a warrior trapped in enemy’s explosion!!

It was my innate ability to spill some milk on my hands while preparing coffee. Never had a day passed without this, after marriage. The more I tried being perfect, the worse the spilling became! Tired of treating me, he himself took the job of preparing our morning coffees, like my Mom.

Since he was busy playing with his angel today, I sneaked into the kitchen to prepare coffee. As usual, my extra attention not to spill worked out in the reverse way and here I am, standing with one of his hands wrapped around my shoulder and the other, stretching my hands out in water dribbling out of the tap.

How long have I missed this moment! I would pour any boiling liquid over me if he would stand beside me and hold me like this!! How many ever days pass by, it seems like the first day I met this charming guy in my life!!

3years back – the D-day – 9th September’2010!!

“Nive, your aunty has come. Take her in da”, amidst all the ‘Om Kreem’ chanting, I heard my Mom’s voice clearly. I was completely drained receiving the relatives and accommodating them since last night!! It was our house warming ceremony. Since my Dad and Mom were busy in the pooja and I was the eldest child in my family, the duty of being hospitable to the guests was thrust on me.

I was running like a spinning top to send all the guests to the dining hall and taking them for a tour across our 2 storeyed 3/4th completed house. It was during one such tour that I heard one of my Aunties calling me from first floor.

I was getting down the steps and I reacted to her saying I will be there in a minute.

I turned in haste and my saree pleat got trapped under my feet and I fell back. I closed my eyes as I always do in situations that go beyond my control. I was waiting for a thud. Instead, I felt like I was in a soothing place, where I always belonged to. I tried opening my eyes to check if I was hurt badly.

“Seems like someone is not yet ready to open her eyes??” a teasing voice asked, simultaneously raising me up.

Leaned against the steps, folding his hands and mockery still in his eyes, he stood in his white shirt and dhoti. There was that peculiar crooked smile lighting up his face.

I was completely blown away. I have never seen such mesmerizing eyes in my life!

“I’m I’m..” I staggered in search of words!

“Nive”… My aunt’s voice brought me back to senses!

“I’m sorry” I turned to walk upstairs. Suddenly remembering something, I turned back again and told “thanks”. I ran away. Thank God all my cousins were downstairs. Else I would have been the talk of the day.

The function was almost over and I went to have breakfast with my cousins. That Mr.Handsome was still dancing in my thoughts.

“Who would he be??”I was trying to redraw his face.

After our breakfast, we were sitting in the chairs in a circle and were chit-chatting.

“Hey see that guy. He is staring at Nive” pointed one of my cousins!

I was reluctant to see who it was, as the guy who held me, had swayed me. I ignored the giggles and teases that followed.

“Nive”..

“Won’t they leave me alone for sometime” I muttered to myself, but immediately responded to the voice as it was my Dad.

He was with an uncle and!! And there he is!

“Nive. This gentleman is Maran. My business partner” Appa gave the intro.

“You know me? Hmm..You wouldn’t have. Your Dad hasn’t brought you to any of our family functions. Then how would you know?? I am the one who calls your Dad at least thrice a day.”

“Hi. Yeah I remember you Uncle. I have returned your calls many times when Appa was not there” I said with a gentle smile. I was feeling uncomfortable there, as I could sense a pair of eyes piercing me.

I was so excited to lock his eyes with mine. But my Dad was there! I was waiting for Mr.Handsome to be introduced. But nope! Uncle and my Dad started talking about me and he left us to answer a call.

I also asked excuse from them, as Mom called me for an errand. Then I went back to my cousins and sat in a place where I could see him. After sometime, he ignited a Lancer to life and Maran uncle sat near him!! Yes. So Mr. Charming is uncle Maran’s son.

The entire day I was surrounded by people but I felt like I was searching for someone in a deserted island!!

Two days passed and I was packing my things to go back to office.

“Nive. I wanted to say you something. We got a proposal for you and hope you will like it.”

My dreams shattered into pieces. Just as my Dad finished, someone honked the car in our doorstep.

I took the chance to slip away to the bedroom to wipe my tears.

“What happened da? What did Nive say?” It was Maran Uncle.

So Mr.Charming should have also come. I literally ran out of the room, but made it slower when I neared the hall to make it look normal.

“Hello Uncle!” Even as my lips welcomed him, my eyes started searching for Mr.Handsome!

“Nive did your Dad say you? Are you okay with it?” Uncle asked.

I looked confused!! I turned to see my Dad and he was smiling sheepishly.

So.. So.. He is the groom!! I ran to my Dad and hid behind him.

“Thank you so much Dad; Thanks a lot”, I felt like shouting aloud but I was dumb with shyness!!

“Ok then we will start seeing other works. Hereafter you are not only princess to your Dad but also to our family.” My father-in-law’s face was gleaming in joy.

He then came near me and said in a low voice, “Nive if I can ask you this, Siddhu lost his Mom when he was young. So I will be happy if you can stay home with him after marriage and aid him in business”. I nodded my head in acceptance. Anything for HimJJ

I was busy with my resignation formalities in the weeks after that.

11th Nov’2011!!

And the auspicious day has arrived. He took my hands to slip in the ring to my finger.

I was quite embarrassed and looked down!! The topaz stone shined among the white stones in the ring!

God! it was my favorite color combination.

I lifted my face and looked deep into his eyes for the first time. He winked at me and smiled my favorite crooked smile which I bet I will remember even in my next birth! I felt like being in the most secured place in the earth.

And that feeling remains the same till date. I came back from the lovely memories as he brushed aside, a lock of my hair.

He is still worried that I have hurt my fingers!! But I am very happy to be wrapped in his armsJ

The topaz stone winked at meJ”Your little heart is trapped in this guy’s pure love just as I’m trapped amidst these white stones”.

I turned around, raised my feet and kissed his forehead.

We turned back to see our angel, clapping her hands seeing the most romantic scene in her world.