There was a crowd in the shop. Customers were buying clothes. Some customers were leaving with clothes, while others were entering to buy. Especially women — they were seen more in the shop. They are more fond of clothes, and most of the clothes in the shop were for women. Very few men's clothes were visible. Most of the people in the shop were couples — young couples.
There were at least ten couples in the shop. In such places, where couples are mostly present, Raghuveer stood alone in a corner, quietly. Looking at him, it felt like he was the shop's guard.
Some girls were showing dresses to their lovers. Some newly married couples were also there.
The Shudra girls working in the shop were showing clothes to the customers. Usually, in such shops, Shudra or Vaishya caste people work.
One girl looked at Raghuveer and came near him.
"Sir, what would you like?" the girl asked.
Raghuveer said nothing. He stood with his arms folded. The girl was about to speak again, but just then, the room's door opened. Pratiksha came out.
Raghuveer hasn't left, has he? she told herself.
Because of this worry, she quickly wore the dress and came out of the room. Her heart was beating fast.
The chandelier's light fell on her dress — as if it was illuminating her beauty.
Everyone in the shop looked at her. Their faces showed surprise.
They couldn't believe this was the same girl whose clothes had bloodstains. Pratiksha had drawn everyone's attention toward herself. Everyone was looking only at her.
Some girls were jealous of her beauty. Others admired it.
The men were staring at her.
There was silence everywhere. Everyone had stopped to look at her. Seeing her, it felt like an apsara had come from heaven. A fairy whose heart beats for a demon. She was slowly walking toward Raghuveer. Her eyes were only looking at him. She tucked her hair behind her ears.
The dress looked very beautiful on her. Seeing the flowers on the dress, it felt like Pratiksha was the garden, and those flowers were blooming in that garden. The dress suited her so well — as if it was made just for her. Her walk, the swaying of her earrings, her red-green eyes that looked only at him, the rose in her hair… is this what they call beauty? Her wound had now healed.
"Look, man… she's so beautiful," one young man said.
"She's even more beautiful than our princess," said another.
"Yes, that's true," said the first.
"No man, the princess is more beautiful," said a third.
Such a discussion was going on among the boys — who is more beautiful: the princess of Aryat or Pratiksha. Raghuveer stood quietly. There was no reaction on his face. As if it didn't matter to him. What does a demon need with an apsara? Raghuveer was looking at the chandelier.
Maybe he found it more beautiful than Pratiksha. After all, the chandelier gives light to people and enhances their beauty.
She reached near Raghuveer.
How do I look… tell me, Raghuveer, Pratiksha told herself.
Raghuveer didn't even look at her. Pratiksha stood beside him.
"Madam, you look very beautiful," the girl said.
"Thank you… I want this dress," Pratiksha said.
"Alright, madam," the girl said.
Pratiksha stood beside Raghuveer. Seeing this, some boys looked at Raghuveer with anger.
Raghuveer walked out of the shop. He saw a little girl. Her clothes were torn. She was looking at the dresses through the shop's glass — because she didn't have money to buy new clothes.
But there was joy on her face. She was poor, but she had something precious — happiness.
Pratiksha quickly came out of the shop.
Raghuveer walked ahead. She followed behind him.