Yash

We three had started falling into a routine. Resh was slowly moving to her old self around me. Shikha kept reminding me the number of days left to convince Resh. Seriously with this girl around I don't need a calendar.

I decided to sleep a little more as yesterday night was too hectic. There had been an issue back at office which made my team go into a panic mode. Usually, I sleep after Shikha and Resh leave. Today, I decided to excuse myself as I felt exhausted. A soft knock made me lift my face off the fluffy pillow. I flexed my head in the direction of the door. Shikha peeped in, ''A minute please''. Nodding I dragged my body up in a sitting position. ''Yash, I have a brilliant idea. It will help you grow closer to Resh''. I just nodded , forcing my lids to stay open. Suddenly, I felt my surroundings turning quite and then something cold touched my face.

My eyes flew open realizing that Shikha had been sprinkling water on my face to wake me up. They deserve to be roommates , such sadists ''Whoa! Stop. You have all my attention''

''Good,'', She smiled victoriously before settling down opposite to me. ''Yash, we have his small wedding coming up. Me and Resh had been given the job to plan it. I want you to accompany us at all the functions. It will help you to know her dreams better. '' I sat thinking about what Shikha suggested. The thought was amazing. I am planning to spend my life with Resh and it becomes necessary for me to know more of her , what is she so passionate about. What makes her happy . Smiling I nodded and Shikha clapped in excitement. She quickly got off the bed rushing to the door and the halted giving me her signature warning, ''And by the way, don't mention it her that it was my idea'' Rolling my eyes I gave her a thumbs up too lazy to utter a word. She waved before leaving the room and I threw my back on the bed to let my body slip into the slumber.

I could hear few sounds, but they appeared very far. Ignoring them I kept my eyes closed and face buried in the pillow.I felt myself slipping deep into the land of dreams. Everything around looked beautiful. I found myself back in the city where I had spend the best moments of my life. A smile stretched on to my lips as I roamed hand in hand with Reshu across the familiar streets she kept talking and I just stared at her grinning like a fool. We recreated the weekends of our college days visiting every familiar hangout. Resh picked up a cap from one of the shops and placed it on my head complimenting my look. Pulling out my phone , I decided to take a selfie with her. Just when I was about to click she placed her lips on to my cheek.

With a jerk I sat up straight looking at my surrounding frantically. My fingers caressed my cheek and I smiled. It felt so real , as if she did leave a mark on skin. I heard the sound of key. Moving to the window I saw Reshu and Shikha driving off. Smiling I slapped my head, it just had been 10 minutes when Shikha elaborated me on her plan and her I am taking dive into my stupid dreams. Taking a deep breath I moved to the wash room to being with day and again I was smiling like an idiot staring at my reflection. There was pink lip stain on my left cheek. Throwing my hands up in air I screamed my lungs out. The walls of the bathroom became the witness of world's worst victory dance as did all the moves I could think off. I swayed my hips while brushing my teeth. I made sure to leave the mark untouched while washing my face.Showering I sang all romantic songs I could remember, using  hand shower as a voice piece. My little dance was interrupted when I stepped on the soap and fell flat on my back. A groan did escape my lips but after a minute I was laughing happily lying on the wet floor.

***

The wedding turned out to be a simple affair in the same locality. Shikha told me that Resh did all the arrangements not taking a single rupee as a profit. It seemed the girls parents didn't had much to throw a laving wedding , so Reshu decided helping them put something grand yet affordable. She had planned everything small neighbouring beach. White and red curtains entangled with flower ropes graced the dais beautifully. The wedding had been scheduled at a temple and reception at the beach in the evening. I offered to help and Shikha quickly accepted leaving no room for Reshu to object. I walked along the set up admiring the hard work of of my lady love. She must be really passionate about what she is doing, ''You were here to help and not pace around like a celebrity. '' I smiled turning to my favourite voice, ''I am not sure it I am skilled enough to be a help. You just are too good.''

Her eyes sparkled in happiness and lips parted slightly stretching at the corners. She lowered her eyes when I didn't remove mine from her face. Taking a step closer I leaned closer whispering in her ear, ''I loved the shade of lip colour you left on my cheek''. I heard her taking a sharp intake of breath before her eyes snapped up at me. Pink ran down her cheeks and neck. She pulled out a sheet pushing it in my hands. ''Just check if following are in order,'' Smiling I nodded once moving my eyes to the sheet. I felt her moving close and then she planted a quick peck on my cheek before running away. Well, the day gets better.

***

Shikha assigned me the catering corner as she knew I was a fitness freak and won't even look at the food. I was busy instructing the staff on the arrangements when a commotion drew my attention. Moving towards it I stood next to the girls. It seemed to be an issue between the bride and grooms family. My eyes went to the nervous newlyweds. They seemed appalled and the turn of events. I cursed under the people turning their most beautiful day into a nightmare. It seemed groom's father was not happy about the furniture they received as a part of the gift. He was insulting the bride's father, threaten him of leaving the bride behind. My eyes moved the poor girl who stood at the dais sobbing quietly. I wanted to punch the man for being an a** hole. His son just married that girl and now he is creating a scene ruining the day for the couple and the other family.

Shikha tapped my shoulder moving her gaze to Reshu. Reshu stood there frozen , tears streaming down her cheeks. She had her gaze fixed on the bride. We understood she was fighting with the pain of her memories again. Placing a gentle palm over her shoulder I tried breaking her stance. She shivered, ''Why is she not standing for herself. She should fight right.'' I saw her pain oozing out as hot tears. That was enough for me to take a decision. Turning my phone on video mode I started capturing all moving towards the dais. ''Go ahead. Leave the bride. She is better off without your spineless son''

Everything turned quite as I was the centre of focus now. Moving to the grooms father I gave him a good look , ''If the girl decides not go with her husband. Think what will happen to your son ? What if she refuses to either stay or divorce him. What if she goes to family court ,dragging you and family there for dowry and mental harassment.'' His face paled. From the corner of my eyes I saw the girl wiping her tears . Pointing to the crowd I looked at the stupid man again, ''If you think you did a great job insulting a father in presence of so many guests. Let me tell you that many of them would be glad to witness against you''

Turning to the bride I said, ''Sister ,take this video as a gift from me and remember never to let wrong over power you. They can never put a finger on you if you decide to stand up''. I knew the marriage was done and after few discussions and mediators things will cool down. But someone was needed to point the reality out to them. My eyes turned to girls and Shikha gave me a thumbs up. Resh stood rooted at her place with her eyes locked to mine. She took a step back at mine forward and then she turned running away from the place. I looked at Shikha confused and she angrily gestured me to follow Resh. How dumb of me . Nodding once I followed .

I saw her running to the parking area, but when I reached there she wasn't around. I called her a few times before deciding to look for her. I decided to check her car and there she was in the driving seat with the head on the steering . Pulling the door open I knelt beside her, ''Resh, are you fine''

I could see her breathing unevenly hiding her face between her hands, ''Talk to me Resh''

''I did right then. I wasn't wrong. I didn't compromise. I was right '' She whispered in a parched voice. Pushing her shoulder back I made her lean on the head rest, ''Yes, you were right then. You decided to the right path and incurred all the pain'', she smiled and then I added, ''I am glad you did or else your kids would be addressing me as uncle.'' Resh frowned and then laughed slapping my shoulder. I kept my palm on her head shaking it playfully , ''You scared me''

She stayed quite looking into my eyes, ''Why?'' I smiled shaking my head slightly, ''I thought I did something wrong back there to make you run''

''I felt the girl's pain Yash,Her father's desperation. I saw myself in her, it came back punching my gut hard. I felt all alone like that fateful day''

''I understand, but you have to accept that you did the right thing. You were brave Yash. You made all your loved ones proud. Plus, you don't deserve a loser like him. You deserve a hunk like me'', Resh doubled her body up laughing her heart out at my last statement. I was finally calm looking at her smile and by now my knees had started hurting kneeling on the hard earth. ''I think all must be calm in there, lets go back. We have a duty to perform.''

Before I could get up, Resh grabbed my shirt pulling my lips over hers kissing me deep. ''Don't ask me why Yash. It just feels right''

Staring back into her eyes I smiled assuring her, ''I won't. But I will wait for you to tell me , why it feels so right?'' Lifting her knuckles back to my lips, I caressed her face, ''As I said, one day one thing at a time. I will find you back Resh''

Taking a sharp intake of breath she lunged at me hugging me tight, ''God I missed you so much. Dare you vanish on me again Yash''

''I won't, now let's got before my supervisor chucks me out.'' She smiled over the my comment on Shikha. We walked back in hand in hand to find things have cooled down. I know the two families will have grudges for a while , but if they work on it diligently, Things can be beautiful. Smiling down at my girl I wiped the remaining traces of wetness from the corner of her eyes.

''If you are done, go back to your station or you will get a pay cut'' I rolled my eyes at Shikha, before walking off to my duty zone. For rest of the evening I watched Reshu all calm and smiling. That smile warmed my heart. As if she felt my eyes she turned smiling at me, I threw a flying kiss at her making her blush. Today, I took another step. I am going to win her soon.

Cover and Video By my lovely Sathya 

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