Morning sunlight means hope… the kind that forces people to wake up. The sun rises every day to give people new hope.
Pratiksha stops in front of a shop. It was a clothing store. She looks at the shop. Raghuveer is slowly approaching from behind.
I need to change my outfit first… otherwise these people will keep staring at me, Pratiksha tells herself.
I don't like the way people look at me, she tells herself again.
Her attention is on the shop. Raghuveer slowly walks past her from behind. But Pratiksha smells him. She knows Raghuveer's scent. She can recognize him by smell even without looking.
She felt embarrassed by the people around. Her hand automatically reaches out and grabs Raghuveer's hand without looking. Raghuveer stops. He looks at her. But says nothing. She feels very shy. Her cheeks turn red. But she doesn't let go of his hand. Her heart is beating fast. She holds her breath. She even feels shy to breathe. Her skin gets goosebumps. She trembles.
I know… Raghuveer will be very angry about this… but just a little… Pratiksha tells herself.
There was no reaction on Raghuveer's face.
The soft sunlight falls on Pratiksha's face. Pratiksha takes Raghuveer into the shop. As soon as they enter, she lets go of his hand and releases the breath she had been holding. Looking at her, it felt like a huge burden had been lifted. For her, even this was a big thing. Because every action requires courage. She doesn't look at Raghuveer because she thinks he must be angry. But Raghuveer stands quietly. He looks at the Victorian-era dresses on the wooden mannequins. The soft light from the swinging chandeliers falls on the clothes.
A Shudra girl working in the shop comes near them.
"Tell me, madam–sir, which clothes should I show you?" she says in a very sweet voice.
"I don't know anything about clothes. You show me," Pratiksha said.
Pratiksha's maids used to bring all her dresses, so she knew nothing about them… anyway, all clothes look good on Pratiksha.
"Alright madam… please follow me," the girl said.
Pratiksha starts to follow the girl. But she stops. Because she remembers that if she goes, Raghuveer won't wait for her. She looks at Raghuveer.
"What happened, madam?" the girl asks.
No… no… I won't go. If I go, Raghuveer won't wait for me, Pratiksha tells herself.
Raghuveer stood quietly in one spot. He had no interest in clothes. He was just looking around at the garments.
There were many people in the shop. They must have come to buy clothes too. Raghuveer stood near the door. Pratiksha stood beside him.
"Look, bring the most beautiful dress you have here," Pratiksha said.
"Alright… I'll bring it," the girl said. She went to get the dress.
Good thing I remembered… Pratiksha tells herself.
Even in the shop, people were looking at her.
The girl returns with a dress. In her hands was a deep bluish-black gown. Around the edges and hem of the dress were delicate decorations of pink and white flowers. It looked like an old flower garden on the dress.
"Here you go, madam. The most beautiful dress in our shop," the girl said.
Pratiksha takes the dress in her hands. Raghuveer looks at the dress. But there's no reaction on his face.
"Madam… if you'd like to try the dress on, you can go to that room," the girl said.
Should I go or not… if I go, Raghuveer might leave, Pratiksha tells herself.
"Yes…" Pratiksha said.
Pratiksha looks at Raghuveer. She takes a deep breath and exhales.
"I'll go try on this dress. It won't take long. Will you wait? Don't go anywhere. Please…" Pratiksha said. She spoke with love.
I know he'll wait… and if he doesn't… she tells herself. Her heart starts beating faster. Because the fear of a close person walking away makes the heart race.
She quickly goes into the room. Because the more time she wastes, the higher the chance Raghuveer might leave. She was very worried. What if Raghuveer leaves? But if someone speaks with such love, where would Raghuveer go?
Love can win anyone. Raghuveer stood with his arms folded.
The girl was showing clothes to other customers.
Pratiksha comes out wearing the dress.