Love and Hate

Chapter 3

Professor Sudarshan was taken to the hospital. The police did some interrogations related to the case. But you all know that g**g leaders and criminals have influence, so there is nothing much one could do.

In the evening at seven, Samaira was getting ready to attend a local wedding. She was putting pinkish red lipstick while looking into the almirah mirror. Suddenly, she saw the same boy in the mirror. She got frightened and turned back quickly to look if someone was really there. But no one was there. She picked up her small brown leather purse and left the room in a hurry.

She was wearing a pink saree with pink blouse, a small red bindi and pink bangles. She called someone from her mobile while standing outside her gate.

'Where are you? I am waiting for you here,' She said.

She listened to the other side.

'Okay, come quickly,' She said and put her phone in the purse which was hanging on her left shoulder.

The shady man was still stalking her. He was hiding behind a wall at a distance from her.

After few minutes, a car stopped at front of her. It was her friend's car.

'Why are you so late, Ruchi?' She said.

'I am so sorry. I was stuck with something,' Ruchi said, sticking out her head a little from the driver seat's window.

Ruchi was her friend, same age as her. She had fair complexion and black long hair. She was wearing blue saree embroidered with golden designs with golden blouse. She was wearing red lipstick.

'Let's go,' Samaira said, sitting on the front seat beside Ruchi.

The car started moving. The man came out from behind the wall. He took out his phone and called someone.

'I will begin my mission now,' He said in the phone.

He cut the call. His motorcycle was parked nearby. He started following the car in which Samaira was sitting. After fifteen minutes, he saw the car stopping near a marriage hall. Samaira and Ruchi walked out of the car went inside. The man parked his motorcycle and looked around.

'Chanakya Marriage Hall' was written on a board outside the main gate. The noise of generator and people filled the entire place. The lighting was good and many people were entering the marriage hall in groups. He noticed that anyone could enter there. There was no one to check if you are invited or not. Actually, this always happens in Indian middle-class weddings. Anyone could enter and stuff the food in their stomach as much as they want. This is not a good thing actually but it happens.

Samaira and her friend Ruchi were going to the hall where bride and groom were sitting on their thrones on the stage.

The stalker's sight fell on a board with 'Deepak weds Arushi' written on it.

Arushi was Samaira's friend. Her family had a custom that the girls marry when they enter their 20s. So, her parents found a boy who had government job and fixed her marriage. Government job is like panacea for boys, especially in India. If you have a government job, you will get loads of marriage proposals.

Samaira and Ruchi were standing on the stage beside the bride and groom.

The groom was wearing a milky sherwani and pink turban whereas the bride was in red lehenga embroidered with gold designs and head scarf. She was also wearing a lot of jewelry like bangles, earrings and necklace, all in gold.

Suddenly, Samaira spotted a handsome guy entering the hall.

'Hey, do you know him?' She whispered to Ruchi.

'Who?' Ruchi said.

'The guy who just entered. The one in black suit and beard.'

Ruchi spotted the guy.

'Oh that guy? Nope. I don't know him, why are you asking?'

'No reason.'

They walked down from the stage.

'Have you taken a liking to that guy?' Ruchi said to Samaira in a teasing manner.

'Shut up.'

Samaira's sight again fell on that guy. He was also looking at her. Their eyes met. She took her eyes off him. But he was still staring at her.

He was sitting on a chair in the tenth row and she was standing near the first row. They were at least 15 feet apart. The guy was still staring at her. She now started having some mixed feelings. She was feeling shy as well as a bit awkward. He stood up and walked outside.

'I am going to the washroom,' Samaira said.

'Should I come with you?' Ruchi said.

'No, you stay here. I will return in no time.'

She left the hall and started looking for the guy in the crowd. She spotted him near the ice cream stall which was at a corner. He was standing there looking at her. He had a mango flavored ice cream cone in his hand. He signalled her to ask if she want some. She smiled and walked towards him. She reached the stall.

'Chocolate flavor, please,' She said to the man at the stall.

He smiled after hearing 'Chocolate flavour'. He was thinking the same thing which you are thinking right now. Quite smart, aren't you? Anyways, she took the ice cream and started l*****g it. He looked at her and licked his own lips with a smirk. This time again, he was thinking the same thing which you are thinking right now.

He was wearing a black blazer with black pants and black shiny shoes. Everything was black, that thing could also be. Well, he had short black hair, short beard and yellow skin. His white shirt was visible from inside the blazer.

'In this large crowd, my eyes were fixed only at you. You have something different,' He said, with ice cream cone in his hand.

'Try better,' She said, l*****g the ice cream.

'Well, words don't hold value more than what is inside, in the heart.'

'Already fell for me?'

He smiled.

'Not really. But were you hitting on me?'

'When did I? You were the one staring at me.'

'Oh, like I said, my eyes were only fixed on you. I don't know why.'

'My Maa advised me to stay away from guys who sweet talk too much.'

'Doesn't your father sweet talk to her?'

There was a silence for few seconds.

'Did I say something wrong?' He thought.

He was about to apologize but she started laughing. He sighed in relief and laughed a little.

'I thought I said something which I shouldn't have. By the way, I am Rishabh,' He said.

'Samaira,' She said with a smile.