It was a rainy evening. Rajan was looking at his watch at every minute and was getting impatient. This rain is not going to stop,he decided. Priya asked him to wait for her near the rail bridge. He had to go. He couldn't miss this meeting anyway. It's Priya,after all. The girl he liked the most in his class. He decided to take his bicycle. But it's tough to balance an umbrella while riding a cycle. And the rail bridge is some 4 kilometers away from his place! He was praying silently. Please god,stop the rain. Not today,please. But it seems god had no intention to listen. Rajan took his waterproof and had a last look at his watch. He had to start now,otherwise he will be late.
By the time he reached the destination he was badly drenched. The tail of his waterproof was splashed with mud. The cycle skidded twice,giving him some more mud splashes allover. He tried to make himself warm by rubbing his hands together. It didn't help. He sneezed and hurriedly wiped his face in his shirt sleeve. It doesn't look good if you keep sneezing in front of the girl whom you like very much, after all! He was not sure whether Priya will show up in this rain or not. But he wanted to see her desperately. He looked at the sky,standing under the shade of a local tea shop and offered a silent prayer again. She should come. She had to collect some notes from him. Today she had a coaching class from where she will return now,he expected. Rajan took a glass of tea from that shop. He took a long sip,it felt wonderful. Another one,oh,it was like getting a second chance to live again! The radio in that shop sang "Yeh Vaada Raha".........suddenly it caught all his attention. Priya,my dear,you promised me you will come. Where are you? See,how white my fingers have become,clutching the handles of my cycle. My skin felt numb. I am getting sneezes again. Today night,if I get fever, dad will scold me very much. Everything I can stand for you. But why don't you show up? Please god,send her fast.
As he was going to take another sip,his heart skipped a beat. Who's approaching fast,in a blue salwar kameez? The rain-washed background suddenly looked like a vast blue canvas. From that,the smiling face of Priya emerged out. She was drenched too, trying to balance an umbrella in one hand and a bag in the other. Rajan left his glass and hurried towards her. He offered to carry that umbrella.Then they entered the shop again and sat on those rickety benches. Nothing seemed odd now. Rajan felt the warmth inside his heart as she sat close to him. He offered her some tea. She rejected politely. He gave her the notes covered carefully in polythene packet. She smiled and thanked him. Now it was time to leave. She got up and started towards the exit. He was cursing himself. He had to say so many things to her. He had to tell how how much he thinks of her. But all those left unspoken. He felt tongue-tied in her presence. Now he longed for a last glance,she should turn at least once,towards him. He was not sure that she will. He got up slowly,ready to leave, too.
Priya almost reached the road,when she turned and looked at him. His heart jumped again. He walked fast and stood in front of her. The look on her face was quite unfamiliar. He dreamed of this look before, thousand times,but in real life never expected. That also here,in this situation! His throat was paper-dry. He wasn't sure that a single word will come out or not!
She looked into his eyes and said softly, "Why do you do so much for me?"
He had no answers,he managed a sheepish smile.
She asked again, "Am I so special for you so that you came in this rain?"
He could not believe his ears, but still tongue tied,he managed another smile.
She held his hand and asked more softly," Will you do this always for me,forever?"
Now he smiled,and found the answer slowly," Yeh Vaada Raha"...............................
From broken clouds,sun rays emerged out and touched both of them.............life seemed flooded with promises and happiness. He offered a silent prayer again,please god,help me to preserve this moment for ever.
