Fairy lights, thrilled night and a bangarang of chaos.

It was all which was afore Raghav's sight. A large fairground, with varieties of rides-a large carousal centred in the ground, and some painted rides, already occupied by some children and few excited adults.

The funfair had brought the populace out into the city. The 5-day fair was enough to dwindle the ennui from their lives. A wide stretch of twinkling lights, varities of aromatic tang diffused into the vicinity, babbles of passer-bys, and a dazzling giant wheel, were some main attraction of the night.

Raghav eyed at everything and with a solemn look he walked towards nowhere. Maybe, following wherever the crowd was taking him.
Dressed in a pewter coloured shirt and a dark trouser, he strolled with a preoccupied gaze.

He was juxtaposing with his own feelings. A sort of amazement had prevailed within him, as he found his decision for strolling through the ground on the mark. That panorama and aura was a miss already since years, and he found that his land could only provide it.
But, there's more to his visit there.

Raghav's reverie broke as he felt a light skim on the back of his palm. He looked to his side, and exactly, she was the reason of his stroll into the fair.
Donned into a bluish saree, she chatted with her mother-in-law and Raghav's aunt. Unconsciously, brushing her hand against his'. He looked away and walked silently while Gayatri's natters were enough to make the other members of their family, light hearted.

He sighed and played with his fingers, unconsciously.

It was in the early night after the dinner, when Raghav found Gayatri sprucing herself as if going somewhere. He descended down on his study area and frowned.

"Where are you going, this late?" After a prolonging period of debate with his own self, he dared to ask her. Otherwise, there are high chances of hurting liberty of individualism, Raghav smirked. Gayatri stared at him, through the mirror, while brushing her hair.

"I've seen, some of the newly wed husbands who take there wives to places. Take this responsibility of their wife discover the city they are brought into. You know?" She said, skittishly and Raghav turned towards her, while sitting on the wooden chair. He let out a huff.
"It should be the sole duty of him like a woman should've."

She glanced at him while applying a pint-sized bindi on her forehead. He raised his brows and twisted his lips.
"Come to the point, exactly!"

With a frisking look, she turned to look at him. "Leave it!
There's a fair nearby. Maa and everyone has planned to wander through, there. Just for a gusto."

He nodded meekly and turned his back towards her.
"Hmm. . and don't tell me you want me to take you out?"

"I would never give you this opportunity Mr."
After sometime, getting no response from him, she decided to make a move but halted back.
"If you want-"

"No chance!
Travelling, that too with you all. I'm better alone here." He said in a loud voice and motioned her to go, whereas she shrugged. Raghav murmured something under his breathe but with a speed of flash, something striked his mind and he called her back.

"You said, everyone are going." Gayatri nodded nonchalantly as she stole a glance of the clock. Raghav turned towards her again, a pen dangling in between his fingers. "Who all are going?"

Gayatri made a pissed face as she already knew the latent meaning behind his words and told him the exact truth. "Aman is not going!"

An obscured sort of relief washed over him as he looked at her as if caught.

"Maa, Come on! I'm ready. Where are you all?"
Gayatri and Raghav then stared at each other, as a sudden shout made down their ears, from the house's courtyard. They both blinked.

It was Aman.

Raghav had no intention to pester Gayatri but without his own notice, he was already plunging into her life. Hence, his insecurity towards Aman had led him into the tumultuous vicinity. Whereas, about Gayatri, she would always look the other way, giving no heed to his own uncertainty.

Someone shouldered him brusquely aside, as he glared at the young couple who ran beside him, as if kindergarten children who were offered a sumptuous feast. He rolled his eyes as he noticed, them making their way towards the giant wheel. Clasping their hands, youthful exhurbence and amor stretched across their faces.

Raghav for sometime observed their jolliness as they got lost into the mundane vicinity. Puppy love! He sighed, simply with a weak smile.

Soon, Raghav's newfound-old, foe-Mr.Aman Bagchi, expressed his youthful merriment as he trodded towards a particular stall. Threading his way through the masses, he asked the stall owner for the loaded rifle before anyone could get it. His craze for that particular shooting game was there since his own childhood.

Raghav being an uninterested lad, stood in the corner of the stall, against the pole. Meanwhile, Gayatri and others watched his play from far, gleeful.
Sooner, Aman walked back giving his full measure, towards his people with a jolly look. Raghav watched his actions from a near far, nonchalantly and pursed his lips, when Aman passed two packets of chocolates to Gayatri, which he had won in the game. He saw her praising him while he, according to Raghav, acted all shy and modest in front of his dearest SIL. Raghav shook his head and sighed.

Amidst the commotion, he didn't realize his mother, Subhadra who had nudged him. On looking beside, he found his mother as if wanting to say something. A slight frown came upon his face, as he waited for Subhadra's words.

"Raghu, You liked this game alot in your childhood. Didn't you?" Subhadra willed to not let that chance go wasted. Raghav had been already detesting his parents and Subhadra hated that notion. She can't think any wrong for her son, whatsoever.
"If you want, You can go-"

Raghav soon, had a smirk on his face as he watched at the sight before him,"Childhood is gone a way long back, Maa. Priorities do changes with the course of time and.." He, then looked at Subhadra.
"...ofcourse humans too. I've seen much!"

Saying so, he left her behind as he walked past her, somewhere ahead. Subhadra could only stare at him with dejection and morose, amidst the gleaming, thrilled commotion. She was again drowned into the pool of perturbation.

Raghav had been silent, the whole time. Just to unwind, after walking what-felt-miles, they lolled in the benches nearby. After quite a long time, Gayatri felt a vehement gush of energy that day. The vicinity had enraptured her already and she felt a josh. Aman had been a fun to be with and her mother-in-law, was no less than a convivial, atleast she was covering her glum beneath her smile, perfectly. Gayatri had seen the exchange of words between her and Raghav and she felt a wee bit adrift somewhere.

Raghav sat with a straight face, arms folded across his chest and his gaze was on the hubbub. He felt someone sit beside him and soon found Gayatri, who was busy chatting, turning her face to the other side. Her one hand held a fairy floss while she nibbled into it in intervals, giggling in between.
He stared at her antics and shook his head.
What was she talking since long? From where does people bring a hamper of gibberish?

A while later, a realization downed upon Gayatri's mind. She straighten herself and looked ahead, then peeked at Raghav who had been sitting solemn and silent, his gaze was on the other side.
Gayatri made some tongue click sound and instantaneously, Raghav looked at her. As if caught, Gayatri began chewing in her candy floss. He stared at her and rolled his eyes.

"I've told you already, it's so much fun here. You would've been caged into boredom if you stayed back." Gayatri said and then pursed her lips, controlling her smile.

"I realized. It was far better than coming here. Moreover, It's too much boredom here." He moved his fingers through the curls of his hair and Gayatri noticed it, while nibbling on her pinkish floss.

"Aha! Counter-attack! Haan?" Gayatri shook her head and giggled. "You don't want to agree whatever I say, while actually you are enjoying over here. Huh! As you please."
She said and saw him looking at her, pensively.

"You are such a kid, even now? If I could get a mirror from somewhere, I could easily show you, your eating style. Clear off the mess of your face!" He spoke the latter with a slight irked chuckle.

Gayatri paused pecking at her candy, hearing his words. On being enshrouded with self-realization, she brushed her hand against her mouth and made a straight face. "It's not childish, It's nostalgic."

"Is that fine, now?" She bit her lower lip and looked at him. Meanwhile, Raghav jiggled his head lightly, dissatisfied. She frowned as she saw him, taking the hem of her Saree, from her lap.
Taking it near her mouth, he rubbed off the mess, lightly while she, for sometime felt consigned to oblivion. His face was not closer from Gayatri's yet his fingers beneath the cloth, sent jitters down her spine, as he ticked off the floss of her face. Her gaze was on his face and sooner, his radiated warmth was gone. He backed off immediately and looked somewhere else.

She saw him ticking his jaw, and averted her gaze, already occupied with a sudden self-consciousness. A latent mortification and surprise occupied her.

It was 9.30 p.m. yet the place felt as if the day had just started yet. There was a constant noise from the centre of the ground of a historical enactment, the food stalls had been gorged with crowd.
Finishing up her floss, Gayatri saw Raghav looking at a particular locus, on the other side. He was actually finding interest into that act, alright. Raghav took his lower lip in between his teeth and his brows scrunched a little, as if getting to the bottom of it. She looked towards that place and saw a palmreader-a wizened, old lady with a ghaghra choli, her wrinkled face was already powdered and a some metal ornaments, she wore. She looked amiable, and seemed to lure her customers easily.

Eventually, the palmreader had got her another bait as she found both Raghav and Gayatri staring at her way. After dealing with her former customer and saying some endearments, she moved towards the duo, swaying her hips.

But before Raghav could realize her coming before them, she stood infront of them and held Gayatri's palm. Raghav felt a need to escape from the old lady, while he eyed Gayatri to do the same. But it was late and the palmreader already started chanting some mantras under her breathe.

Gayatri sat amused while Aman, Subhadra and Aman's mother, watched at the scene with inquisitiveness.

"Hello, Beautiful!" She started with a cheerful tone, in her native language. She took her palm and traced her palmlines through her forefinger. Gayatri had a inquisitive smile all the while. However, the other person sitting beside her, Mr. Raghav, felt that he was being trapped by his own deed.

"Oh enchantress! You have water-hands and are a beauty both inside-out which can easily hypnotize and enchant any person you meet. You are a figurine of independence, passion and love. Your eyes held a deep secret and your mystic power can ensnare any human.
A new glow had possesed you for last few months and whoo! seems a new romance will bud in your life, soon!" She exclaimed. Gayatri frowned at her words and Raghav then abruptly, spoke out.

"It's enough now, you may please leave!" He stood up, annoyed with the old lady. While Gayatri too seemed confused yet her curiosity wanted to know further.

"Young man! Anger and impatience are already unwholesome for the mankind. Mind it, it can harm anyone easily. Stay calm, Give me a moment please!" She said, playfully while Raghav could only watch her playing with her hands.

Soon, before she could dig further into her life, she took her hand back and passed her some money. To Gayatri, her words had left her twitched for some reasons and she didn't expected it since she showed her palm just for the sake of some fun. But unknown, that she could keep her all life before everyone.

Unsatisfied, she walked upto Raghav and pulled his palm."Is he your husband?"

She enquired Gayatri while she nodded. Passing her a clever smile, she took Raghav's palm, while he wriggled his palm in her hand, she started quoting some lines, and mystical incantation and he could only listen to her words.

"Oh young handsome man!
You've Air hands and you could easily enrapture anyone you meet with your strong aura and determined persona. You have had a mental strain for some years but the palmistry says, that a bright future is awaiting for you man!" She exclaimed and Raghav waited for her to end while others looked at the scene with budding curiosity. "You need to look on the brighter side otherwise there are things to make you edgy anytime. Ahan! Not to mention your determination and inquisitiveness nature you posses. You've some latent romance even unknown to you but someone will soon help you discover them out!" She said and looked at Raghav who had been looking at her, analytically.
"...but watch out!
There lies some deep contemplation since years, as if you are searching for something. But lad, you are too naive to get caught up in this crossfire of the world. I've-"

Raghav had heard enough.
Who was she too tell his doings?

Before she could say it further, inflamed and piqued, he walked away, snatching his palm from hers. The palmreader could only shout at him for money as her face grew irked at the same time.

Gayatri, Subhadra and Aman called him out but he had brisked walked away further. If only this was what he had to see in the end of the day, he aversed coming in the fair.

He walked through the crowd while the other members followed him, called him out. The palmreader too, ran behind them for her money yet she was the most ignored being that time. Gayatri had to walk quicker in through the commotion, and finally, when she found his tall stature nearer, she caught his hand, finally taking him to the corner of the jam-packed street. She called his name as he turned to look at her.

He took back his hand and looked at her, with his jaw ticking, displeased.

"Raghav-"

"Gayatri, please!" He motioned her to stop.
"What the heck was she speaking?"

He moved his fingers through the curls of his hair and sighed, deeply. He saw his mother, aunt and Aman striding towards them.
The dazzle of the fair was galling and his mind craved for a tranquil moonlit night.

Raghav had shut his eyes for sometime and then instantly, looked up into the sky and then, at the people afore him.
"I'm sorry.
But we need to go now. Asap!"

Subhadra stared at him, tensed. Her heart wanted to take her son into an embrace but his demeanor already manifested I-don't-need-anyone attitude. Yet she knew, he was exasperated and needed someone.

Gayatri looked at the commotion taking place before them as they started walking back to their home. But not before handling the money to the palmreader. The one who ruined everything.

Gayatri stole a glance of him, as they walked. The palmreader said no wrong yet Raghav was one such stubborn man. His own stubborness and dilemma would harm him, someday. She wondered as she looked at the fairy lights, which glimmered with utmost perfection. Maybe someday, he could calm his own thoughts! Gayatri smirked.

✿✿✿

"I'm providing you this amulet. Wear it from the upcoming purnima for the time being." Subhadra spoke, as she handed an amulet to Gayatri. It was a quotidian evening and the street lights were lightening up the entire alleys.
"..But remember, till the forthcoming purnima, you've to delay this uh- union, or else it will be mistimed.
After that, time is in your favour." Subhadra talked in sotto voce.

It was a week since, both Raghav and Gayatri have been targeted into family planning talks. Within this time, albeit, they didn't exchange a word about this matter, neither they gave a hoot but Raghav's mother and father were on full swing. This time, it was Subhadra's turn to execute her duty as a responsible mother in law.

"Gayatri, don't ever think we are forcing you into it. It is just that, before leaving this world, both me and Raghav's father, want to see you both happy with your own family. Once you'll get a child of your own, you'll realize the importance of a family." Subhadra fondly caressed her face and held Gayatri's palm. Gayatri responded it with a calm smile and nodded, coyly. "Though, Raghav remains busy these days to even spare a second with me but least I can do is, to pass it to you."

Subhadra made an excuse, only to cover up the aloofness between the son and mother duo. The fact lies in the difference of opinion they were into. The past happenings, created a rift between them and she thought Gayatri was unaware of that feud. But to her unawareness, Gayatri was one step ahead her.

Subhadra acknowledged Gayatri of all the customs, women who underwent the motherhood phase and its beauty. Later speaking highly about, how her nose ring was a plus point for child-bearing.

It has been more than an hour, since she was taking her lessons unaware of Gayatri's inner turmoil. However, all she did was smile and nodded demurely while, her MIL patted her lovingly.

The sun was already down in the west and the glimmering stars, appeared in the sky. Time passed by and both ladies, being so engrossed didn't hear some hustling of footsteps, until a manly gravelly voice hit their ears.

It was Raghav, who had returned back from his work and stood somewhere in the room, worn out gazing at the two important woman in his life, before him. Ironically, at present, they didn't own that title in his life due to some known reasons.

Subhadra came before him and benevolently, stroked his elegant visage. He passed her a faint smile, and walked away. Ushering something to Gayatri, Subhadra too walked out of their room.

As soon as she disappeared from her sight, Gayatri exhaled out her breathe she had tethered since her MIL' s presence. It felt as if she was acknowledging and leaving responsibilities of whole nation on her shoulders. Her head spinned and she felt drowsy. The amulet was caged in her palm, while she sat down in the bed, head down with lethargy.

Several questions were raised in her mind then, at that time-
About how expectations are being set upon by the society for a young married girl and how they expect her to stand upto their expectations.

At first, all they need is an ideal daughter-in-law. Who will work like a robot day and night. Not that she was against of all the rituals and responsibilities that come with being a housewife. What irked her, were their expectations.

Then, they wanted a child. Something at which she would chuckle, whenever people talked about it. But who knows, the conspiracy budding in Raghav and Gayatri's relationship!

Well,in their case, Objects in the mirror were 'not closer' than they appeared!

"Get ready asap. We have an invitation for a wedding." With a catechizing orbs, she moved her line of vision as he walked towards the dressing table, adjusting his maroon oak shirt. Raghav saw her changing expression, from the reflection of the mirror.

"But-"

"Shut! I'm not in a mood to wrangle, please." He spoke before licking his lower lip, while doing himself up. Gayatri stood up and frowned.

"Ah! I don't get you. Why should I even do that?

At first, you didn't even find it important to tell me in the morning itself and now you want me to get ready? Asap?" She enquired him, frowning. "And.. why would Mr. Raghav suddenly think of taking me, to a wedding?" She chewed her lower lip and looked at him.
"What a change of heart!"

Raising his brows, he looked at her keenly, while walking towards her. Standing afore her, he passed her a smirk,"You know what, The bus, in which we will travel, will pass through the Howarah Bridge."

"Mm..So what?" Gayatri enquired him.

"It will be easier for me, to get you out of my way.
Like you know, shoving you off the bridge. It will be midnight until our return, so.." He trailed, seriousness and mockery was readily, hinting on his face. She took a look at him and blinked, profusely but was Gayatri the one to be moved by his words? Nah!

"Try me!
Because, then I will be happily looking from heaven, at your dolorous and remorseful face, behind the bars." She spat at him, with a smug face and he nodded with his lips puckered, slightly and pissed. He sighed, dramatically ruminating over something but he chose the other way.

"Nonsense shut. Work commence.

The wedding invitation needs you and me, together. Got it?

You have just half an hour."

With that, he walked out of the room, leaving her smirking, with vex.

•••

*Purnima is the word for full moon in Sanskrit.

Hi! *waves palm while other hand holding a candy floss*
How's everyone?

My books wanted to spend some time with me. They stared back at me with watery eyes and me being a soft-hearted, can't see them like that.(Otherwise, they will make me cry. You know what I mean!)
This was the reason of my delay.

Anyways, would really appreciate your feedback and votes on this chapter.

By the way, Candy flosses are tasty. Aren't they? I miss eating them.
What about you?