Beast and his Fair Maiden

Two Proposals

That demonically, horifically cruel man! Because of him, I am already late to go to fetch water, why god why, why are people so cruel, he killed the bird without any remorse, and was on about, who he was, well atleast I defined him right, Jwala be proud of yourself

She was filling water from the well, cursing that cruel man, when she felt a tap on her shoulder

"Oh hi, sambit, what are you doing here? " Jwala asked, her friend was looking nervous for some reason, he was shuffling on his feet, while making a ball of his fists

"Sambit, is everything alright? "Jwala asked little concerned now

"Can we talk "

"Sure, say"

"In private"

"Why, what's the problem here? "

Sambit waved his hand, as to show the whole environment near the well.

As expected, all the aunties, were staring at them with great interest, as if they had discovered a new species of mankind.sigh.

"Alright, let me just inform my mother"

"She already knows." Sambit said in a serious tone, seriously what was up with him?

"Where do you want to go? "

"To the pond? "

"NO!!! "

"Why are you shouting Jwala? "

looking at sambit's shocked expression, Jwala felt little bad

"It is just I have had a very bad experience there recently "

"What bad experience? "

"Just some high and mighty jerk, who was demonically, horifically cruel! " Jwala did not know when she started getting so worked up

"Anyway, there is no other place to talk in peace, I am sure that person might have left already "

"Hmm" there was no reason to pollute her favourite spot because of one person, who was not even worth it

They walked in silence towards the pond, Jwala could feel Sambit fidgeting beside her, she was not sure what had worked her friend to this state.

"Sambit you can tell me anything " Jwala cajoled as they were walking

"Let's wait till we reach the pond"

"okay"

As they were nearing the pond it seemed, Sambit was about to burst from anxiety.

The moment they reached the pond, Sambit suddenly went down on his knees

oh my god! did he also got shot? Is that demonically, horifically cruel person still here?

"Sambit, Sambit get up! Did you also get shot? are you hurting Anywhere? " Jwala asked worried, as she inspected him for injuries

"No, No Jwala listen! " he caught both her hands in his, and kissed them

What the hell was he doing? did he visit a bar or something?

"Jwala, my love, I have always liked you more than a friend, will you marry me and be my wife? "

Jwala bent down, closer to Sambit and sniffed! He was definitely drunk, but he was not reeking of alcohol, what special kind of alcohol was this?

She could see Sambit's eyes going glassy and unfocused as she bent down towards him to sniff, he was definitely under the influence of something potent

"Sambit are you drunk? "

"What? " Ahh! confusion another sign of being drunk

"Did you drink Sambit, before you came to meet me? " Jwala said slowly to make him understand what she was saying

"What? NO! " Sambit shot to his feet

If he was not drunk, what was he babbling about just now ?

"Jwala I seriously like you ! I want to marry you, I was proposing just now" he said with sincerity

"What?... why? " she was confused, Sambit was her friend

"Jwala don't you like me? "

"I like you" Sambit smiled "as a friend "

his smile dimed, Jwala did not liked to be the reason to hurt her friend

"Sambit we have been friends for as long as I remember, I thought you felt the same way, what happened? "

"I started liking you Jwala, you are pretty and sweet and kind"

pretty and sweet? was he talking about her? Jwala? was he joking with her?

she started laughing, Sambit was really funny, he was just freaking her out, that's it , but Sambit was looking completely serious

she stopped laughing "Oh you are serious "

"Yes Jwala, your mother also knows about it, my mom has already talked with her"

What? no wonder her mother was pushing her to be in presence of Derya at every available opportunity

"Why Sambit? "

"What do you mean by why? Is liking you so bad? " he asked perplexed

"no its not bad its just... its just... can I just....uhh... I'll meet you tomorrow " with that Jwala turned around to leave

"I'll be waiting for your answer Jwala" she heard Sambit shout from behind

she did not know, what to do with it, she was pondering the whole way home, she was very uncomfortable with the proposal, why did Sambit thought it alright to involve her mother before talking with her? why did he even like her ? Well there was no problem with her as such, but she knew she wasn't a diva or anything, she was plain old Jwala, people liked her alright, but never more than a friend. It was almost 6 in the evening by the time she reached her home.

"Mom! I am home "

"Oh you are home, I have some great news" came a very excited rekha, what was there to be excited about.

well first I'll just keep the pots, which weren't there, great she lost them

"sorry I lost the pots somewhere, even I don't know where, actually o-"

"Leave that! and listen to me! " Rekha came near her and held her shoulders excitedly

"What!? What!? " Seriously what was up with everyone today?

"You have got a proposal! " Rekha's eyes were practically shining

was her mother so excited by Sambit's proposal! And how did she know? oh yes Sambit might have already told her before coming to Jwala. Why were people so hyper today? first that cruel person, then Sambit and now her mom!

"Yes mom, I know, but seriously I do not like this, he was supposed to talk to me first I am not even ready, I am very small still" Jwala said solemnly, her mother should understand she was not even ready to talk about marriage and here people were fixing it!

"What small! Do you know soo many women would kill for a proposal like that! And can you imagine he himself came to our house !"

What was so great about Sambit coming to their house? I mean yes he was moderately handsome, and some women gave him coveted glances, but to kill for his proposal was a bit of exaggeration!

"Mom I know you like Sambit, and you even tolerate Derya, but don't you think? It is little too much "

"What Sambit? " Rekha asked with a confused expression

"No need to put on a show ma, I know you knew Sambit was going to propose to me today, and you were purposely sending me to fetch water, at the time Derya Aunty would be there. " She said rolling her eyes, really her ma could have been an actress

"You stupid girl! " Her mother slapped her on her head

"Ow ma! " Jwala was rubbing the spot where she got hit, maybe wrestler

"I am talking about the marriage proposal from Maharaj Agni Barhi, our king, king of Jwalana !"

WHAT!