Their conversation was.interrupted by phone call from his mother...

She was anxious about the progress of proposal...more than her son itself...

"Haa...maa....okie...bye..."he came near her disconnecting the call...and smiled at her..."just cousins"he shrugged...and she nodded like understanding...

"So that's it...that was the last time we met...I mean practically you met me...."

"No Anu...we met one more time...not so long ago...and you're fully conscious"I smiled at her like reminding her..

"Really???when??"her eyes went wide and she was beyond surprised..

"Yeah just a two months ago..I know that I will meet you anyway at this marriage..but to my surprise,I saw you at my father's school...I went to his school to give him lunch box and I saw you that day... reciting English poems to children...and they were repeating with you...you looked amazing that day...I was walking towards you like I was in spell....and..."

"Wait a minute... you're the guy who pretended that you're district educational officer and you're on checking...right..???"realisation dawned on her...

"It's because if you... everyone laughed at me in the staff room...you idiot...I just wanted to smack your head that day...."

She is getting comfortable in his company without knowing...

"I am sorry...I just entered into classroom without knowing and when you asked what do I want...my brain was empty....just then the thought came up...and I blurted out...I really didn't mean to do that..."he said cursing himself for pissing her off...

"Yeah... whatever!!!atleast beacuse of you that staffroom resonated with their laughter...that was one of the best memories I have had there..."she said remembering that day with a smile...

"You had?that means you're not working there anymore?"he enquired.

"No...I don't work there...I work for an NGO"little hands"...that focuses on children education,rural sanitation,women heath and all...on that program,we teach schools for two days a week..that was when you saw me..."she reasoned out.

"Ooh...you completed your masters right?.when you can get a decent office job..why did you go for NGO?I mean you don't make much money I suppose..."

"Yeah...by god's grace my family is doing well...they're not dependent on my money...I don't have any responsibilities on my shoulders as yet...so I just want to help someone who needs me...sure I don't make more money...but I have my heart filled with satisfaction...the more you give,the more you get...right..."

He was speechless with her words...the woman he liked not only has good looks but also a huge heart...the wind was even chilling now...she bought both her hands near her...the playlist has stopped by now...

Finally their eyes met...none of them withdrew their gaze....he moved forward holding her hands with his voice as gentle as lullaby..he started"Anu...I want us to get married...Fight for changing diapers for our kids..I want you to take care of me when I am down..Together I want us to drink coffee watching rain wrapped in blanket..I want us to see our children grow..Go on trips to hill stations and pilgrimages..I want us to grow old together..And be with one another when our children leave home getting married..Even then,I want to see you daily..When I can't even get up and stand properly..I want to die with you..Or before you...I want you to complete me...I love you anu...Will you marry me?"he completed looking desperately into her eyes for answers...

She had tears in her eyes....he regretted saying it too early..but immediately,he saw a smile formed on her lips kicking off all his doubts away....

He took her face into his hands...and came forward to kiss her forehead...his breath a calm choas matching her's..and.she stopped him..

"Listen Shyam...I really like you...but I need to clear off few things before we go any further..."

He nodded and she dragged him to sit the place where they first sat..
"I don't know how to cook...it's not that I don't want to cook but. I really had no time to learn..so you have to bear with me...
No.2..I am not at all girly...I mean from clothing, accesories and all...I was brought up as tomboy so...
No.3 this one is important...she looked to confirm if he is listening or not....he is anything but lost...okay...I want some time before we induge in physical relationship..I have some trust issues to deal with...I mean I am clearly not comfortable right now...it may take sometime..."

She paused to look at him...it was one of her greatest fears...that he would say no...she as already fallen deep..

While he is I to deep thought..he looked at her seriously "I am not that desperate either.. let's take things slowly..."he smiled..

That's it....all the fears flew to faraway lands...and she heaved in relief...they laced their fingers...and watched moon...

"Shyam?"

"Hmm...?"

"What about your parents?It's not that easy Shyam...to form a new bond...as chethan Bhagat said...boy has to like a girl,girl has to like the boy... boy's parents must like the girl and girl's parents must like the boy..boys parents must like the girl's parents and vice versa...even then,if any of their love is left...it's then you get married to each other..."she stated.

"Again...don't be scared listening to this..."he continued when she looked at him in confusion"it's my mom who literally pushed me to propose you..."he said and burst out laughing..

"What?you already told your parents?and then you came to me?"she was more than shocked and yelled.

"Calm down anu...they liked you way long ago...it's just your parents now...and that matter...my mom and dad will take care of ...no need to worry baby..."he said winking and pissing her off..

"Seriously Shyam...you're super creepy of a person...she started hitting him and he started running around the terrace...while she chased....

This went on for sometime when both of them bent down panting..she held his hand and his heart skipped a beat..."my mom was insisting to consider your proposal..if I just gave an approval nod,they will marry me off right away..."she said...his happiness knew no bounds.

"And..."she paused.."I really love you Shyam..."she said kissing his cheek and ran away before he could catch her...

-The end-

Ahem...ahem ..back to author...heyy guys...hope you enjoyed this short story... somehow this chapter got deleted..I have to write it again... finally..today it became possible...

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-@nu