"Neil!!! Come out, everyone's waiting for you!" Yelled Chitra knocking on the door.

"I'm coming! Give my ears a break Chitra, you've been yelling since morning!" Replied Neil, as he came out of his room and stood before her.

"Now, tell me, how do I look?" He asked her, smiling ear to ear. Neil was dressed in a green embellished jacket with cream colour kurta and dhoti.

"You don't look bad Mr. Neil," commented Chitra.

"Ah, I get it you don't  want me to catch the evil eye right? Anyways you're dolled up as usual," teased Neil.

Chitra sighed and turned around, gently lifted up the pleats of her parrot green saree silk saree that had a contrast royal blue pallu, clutching it in her hands she climbed down the stairs and walked to the backyard.

Neil smiled as he climbed down and saw his mother engaging with the guests. He went towards the stage and settled. He performed the ritual as instructed. Soon Dhara graced the venue in her beautiful bottle green silk saree. The couple lighted up the atmosphere with their heart full smiles.

The venue stunned in the glamorous greens and elegant blues.
A little later the bright sunny weather was accompanied by drizzles from heaven as the couple exchanged their rings of promises to the future to come.

Vindhya, the mother of the soon to be bride had her eyes moistened as she glanced at her daughter and soon to be son-in-law. Her husband Indra and Ishvari consoled her.

After the engagement everyone blessed the couple and went to relish the mouth watering traditional recipes of the house. From pulihora, ava vada, payasam, murukulu, poli, spicy pickles, to mothichur laddu, coconut burfi,  jackfruit ice cream and many more.

Soon it was time for the guests to leave, Ishvari along with Vindhya and youngsters packed snacks sweet and savory for the guests to take home.

It was four in the evening when Neil returned to his room and Ishvari was busy sending off the guests. When he was about to go inside Ishvari came and handed him a book that looked like a diary.

It didn't take him long to recognize the book.

"Neil, Chaitra and Chitra just left. They didn't want to disturb you as you were tired. Chitra handed me this book and told me it'll surprise you. What's there in it?" Ishvari asked him.

"I've no clue about it," he lied as he took the book and went to change.

"Dhara is about to leave in a few minutes, walk her to the gate," ordered Ishvari.

Neil dropped the book on his table and changed into his casuals. As he was about to go out his phone pinged with a message from Chitra.

As promised, I'm telling you that I'm running away to Mangalore today. Did you see the surprise? You can wait for a week if you need answers from me or could read the diary to find them yourself.
Also I just saw someone whom I don't intend to meet until next month. I'll be back by next week. Take care my grumpy old grandpa :)
Once again congratulations on securing a place on Dhara's guardian list!
From your smarty pants.

Neil chuckled after reading the message and wondered whom she was talking about. There was a knock on his door. He got up and opened it to be welcomed by Dhara.

"Did you also get the message from Chitra?" She asked him.

"Yes, can't stop her, can we?" He replied, glancing at Dhara realizing that she's about to leave.

"Who do you think she met?" He wondered if Dhara knew about it.

"I think, I know who it is."

"Who?" Neil asked with anticipation.

"Guess it for yourself!" She teased him running downstairs.

Sighing and laughing at Dhara's antics, Neil followed her. They both walked towards the gate and stood on the main road waiting for her parents to come.

"So," prompted Neil.

"So what?" Asked Dhara glancing at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Come on Dhara!" He groaned in annoyance.

"Yes, Grumpy old grandpa," she called him, stifling her laughter.

"You're in big trouble Miss Dhara," stated Neil in a threatening voice with hands on his hips.

"Oh am I?" Asked Dhara holding her giggles.

"Dhara-"

"I'll call you later my dear," Dhara cut him off as she saw her parents walking towards them.

"Call you later too," he replied blushing and soon bid them byes as they got into the cab and drove off.

Neil went back to his room, sat on his bed and stared at the diary. Its pages fluttered due the evening breeze that blew from the opened windows. He got up, shut the windows and glanced at the familiar diary. The one he gifted to Chitra after her mother passed away to help her overcome her grief.

The only secret he knew about Chitra or her past is that she's adopted. He'll never forget the day she met him. Lost in thoughts he opened the diary absent-mindedly and started to read.