3. Love begins

CHAPTER 3

Love begins

Background: It was Vikarabad around 40 km away from Hyderabad. It was famous for forest area. Kamalapuri was a colony in Vikarabad. Shermi was the only daughter of Chandru and Madhavi. Madhavi was the daughter of a big builder, Jaidev. Jaidev was looking after all their needs. Chandru was a small businessman.

Shermi had just washed her hair. She was looking at the mirror and wiping her hair. She looked at her watch. “Oh! It is already 9am. At 10 I have computer class. My hair is not yet dry.”

She went out into the balcony and continued to dry her hair. As she was wiping her hair, her eyes fell on the balcony of the opposite building. A very handsome boy was doing exercises. “What a fresh and handsome guy. Looks like he is new here.”

Seeing Shermi, he stopped his exercise and gave her a smile. Shermi was shocked.

“How daring he is.” He then waved his hand. Shermi was again shocked. “Oh! He is very fast.” She gave him a serious look and went into the room.

Inside the room, Shermi couldn’t help thinking about the boy. She was curious to know more about him. “I wonder what he is doing. Is he still there?”

She went to the window and looked out. He was still there. He saw her and gave her a signal to tell her that she was very beautiful. She felt shy and smiled. He went to the pot of roses and pointed to a rose to tell her that he thinks that she is like a rose.

Shermi thought, “He is too dangerous.”

It was 9:20. Shermi went down the stairs to the hall.

Shermi’s mother was cleaning the table. Shermi approached her. “Mommy, it is time for me to go. Is my Tiffin ready?”

Madhavi smiled at her daughter. “Yes. It is ready, my dear. I will pack it for you.”

Shermi’s father came out of his room with a cover in his hand. “My dear, you are already ready to go out?”

Shermi smiled. “Yes daddy. It was time for me to go.”

“Come sat near. I want to talk to you for 5 mins.”

Shermi came and sat near him. He removed a photo from the cover and gave it to her. Shermi took the photo.

Chandru said, “Look at the photo and tell me what you feel.”

Shermi looked at the photo.

Madhavi asked, “How is he?”

Shermi was shy. She looked at her father’s face.

Chandru said, “This is Deepak, a very rich man who owns a big jewellery shop in Hyderabad. Your uncle Jaidev knows him very well. He only sent me the photo.”

Shermi looked at her mother’s face.

Chandru said, “He does not have any parents. One sister is in the US. If you agree, Jaidev has told that we can go for the engagement immediately.”

Shermi was silent.

Madhavi asked, “Tell me, what your opinion is?”

Shermi was shy. She smiled. “I am getting late. Let me go.”

Madhavi said, “If you don’t say anything, what will we tell Jaidev?”

Shermi was at the door. She turned around and smiled shyly.

Chandru said, “Her smile itself tells us that she liked the photo.”

Shermi went out of the gate and unconsciously looked at the balcony of the opposite building. “The door is open.”

She walked away. One motorbike came and stopped near her. The face was covered by helmet. “Hi rose.”

Shermi was shocked. She continued to walk.

Avinash said, “Hi. I am telling to you only. You are so beautiful. I think you did not recognize me. Just turn, baby.”

Shermi turned and looked at him. He had now removed his helmet and was giving her a magnetic smile. Shermi thought, “Oh! How daring he is.”

Avinash smiled, “Madam, you are thinking how daring I am, isn’t it?”

Shermi’s face became red with embarrassment.

Avinash laughed, “Ah! Now you are more beautiful than a real rose. I am Avinash. I have come to stay opposite to your house. I have done B tech and I am now searching for a job in Hi-tech.”

Shermi was silent.

Avinash said, “Hallo, beauty. I have introduced myself, but you have not.”

Shermi kept silent.

Avinash said, “No problem. Within 24 hours, I can get all the information about you.”

He started the motorbike. “Seeing your speed of walking I assume that you are late. Just hop on. I will drop you wherever you want to go.”

Shermi gave him a serious look. “Sorry.”

Avinash smiled, “I know your problem. I suppose you are scared that someone will see you.”

Shermi stared at him.

Avinash said, “Now you are most beautiful. Just like an angle. In god’s creation, you are a wonder. I am telling this from my heart.”

Shermi was excited to hear this. Blood rose in her face. She felt shy.

Avinash said, “Madam, you just give me one smile everyday when I look at you. It will be like an inspiration to me.”

She smiled. Avinash put on his helmet and started his bike. The bike moved on with Shermi staring at it.