Chapter 9 - Will Soumya propose Rudra?

1 years ago

Shesha

@Sshesha

5 days later,

Rudra and  Soumya leaves their respective houses as they are heading to Tanjore which is located in Tamilnadu for their work. 

Rudra's Company Management has arranged a flight for traveling purposes which was paid by their client Arjun Deepak. They'll reach the destination within 4 hours.

Soumya's team has arranged a train for traveling purposes which was paid by the funds allotted by the government. It will take 1 day 12 hours to reach their destination.

Both of them got into their respective travel vehicles. Their transport set for departure.

Two different transports... Two different emotions... Same destination...

Rudra is nervous about the event. Whether if he could satisfy the expectations of his team and the clients though he has experienced seniors to help him including Ishaan. 

Soumya is now immersed in a deep confusion. Whether to move on with Vikas and lead a new life or to keep a glimmer of hope that she can live with Rudra. 

If she go with the first choice, she can have a luxurious life like she had before. Without even asking, her husband could give her everything for her. He can do anything for her happiness. But, will she able to love him?

If she go with the second choice, her mind would be peaceful that she let out everything. But the response... If it is yes, then her life would take a beautiful turn. If it is no, their beautiful friendship from childhood would be cremated. Will she accept that?

Confusions and hesitations increased in Soumya's mind without any solutions while Rudra reached the destination. From there, with the help of a cab, they reached the Engagement hall which is located in a five star Hotel.

Rudra looks at the hotel in awe. It has aesthetic interiors with a classily designed materials. 

Ishaan tapped Rudra's shoulder.

Ishaan - "If you're done with admiring, shall we go?"

Rudra - "Yeah, Ishaan."

Ishaan takes his team of 45 members to one hall. The hall looked classy. A few including Rudra took photographs of that room and the main stage.

Ishaan - "Guys, this is the hall where the engagement ceremony will occur. It will happen on the 3rd day from now. The time is evening 6pm. So the groom and bride's family would be here minimum by 3'o clock and the guests starts visiting by 4.30pm. Our focus should not only be on the decorations and on the bride-groom. We should also focus on our guests too. We should not let them dissatisfied with our service. Without forgetting, we should promote our company in each and every event. So everyone must wear the badge of our company and the identity card must clipped with your belt. Your attires would vary as per the event but typically a white shirt and a pant-coat of different colour on different occasions. For engagement, the colour is lavender. You will receive your dress by tomorrow."

Ishaan goes on telling about how the engagement would happen. Some romantic proposals from both side... then exchanging the rings. Ishaan further tells about some informal events planned by the cousins of bride-groom and how to arrange for them as well. Then, the dinner place...

While he was telling the instructions, Rudra takes notes in his notepad and made sure from his part that everything could be done perfectly.

After giving the instructions, Ishaan asked them to disperse and got to their allotted rooms. He further asked them to assemble at the same place after two hours hence to start the work.

*****

After 2 days, 

Rudra and others are in the peak of their work. People from bride and groom's family are also visiting the place to check.

Soumya comes there and looks at Rudra who is arranging the chairs in the hall. Soumya goes towards him.

Soumya - "Hi Rudra."

Rudra is surprised to see Soumya there.

Rudra - "Hi, you finally managed to reach Tanjore. I am in thought of calling you today actually."

Soumya - "I reached last night. My work will start day after tomorrow. I was free so I was in thought of meeting you."

Rudra - "Oh!"

Something strike his mind.

Rudra - "By the way, how did you manage to get inside? I mean, it is a 5 star hotel."

Soumya - "When I was speaking to the receptionist, your co-worker was passing over there. He heard me saying about you. So he asked me about you. Them he convinced them and took me inside."

She points her finger towards Ishaan. Ishaan smiles at them and they reciprocated.

Rudra - "That's great."

Soumya - "Shall we meet tonight? There is something important to discuss."

Rudra - "Really?"

Soumya - "Yes. Very important. At 8pm."

Rudra - "Then okay, sure. Where?"

Soumya tell him the address and they bids.

*****

Rudra reached the place at an exact 8pm. The place is actually a nursery school. Though he couldn't read what is written there, he could get that it is a nursery school. There are houses surrounded but the road is quite empty.  There are few shops nearby. He gazed at the stationery shop and found Soumya is talking to the shopkeeper.

He moves towards her.

Upon seeing him approaching towards her, Soumya waved her hands gesturing a welcome. Rudra too reciprocated.

As Rudra comes to her, Soumya introduced him to the shopkeeper. Rudra smiled.

Soumya - "Rudra, he is also a Bengali. But he shifted for making money thirty years back and now running this stationery shop successfully."

Rudra - "Oh wow! You're really great, uncle."

Shopkeeper - "Thanks beta."

Soumya and Rudra leaves from there and reaches the road. They started walking in the road.

Soumya - "How was your day, Rudra?"

Rudra - "It was really amazing. Bride's family came today for seeing the decorations and they complimented the work. I was looking after the stage's decoration. They liked the stage and complimented me specially in front of everyone. I felt overwhelmed. I think I started loving my job. Also you know, since it is a high profile wedding, a budget is allocated on their behalf for our accommodation and food. We are having delicious food from this hotel. I still can't forget the Chicken Biriyani's taste that I ate in the afternoon."

Soumya - "Wow, how are your colleagues?"

Rudra - "They are more like friends. Ishaan is the first friend I got from here. He is the one who helped me to get used to this job. Then, others are also there. Akshay, Pratham, Prateek, Rakshit... all are sweet-hearts."

Soumya - "So sweet, Rudra."

Rudra - "Exactly. They are all so sweet. But your presence make this journey much more marvellous. Walking together with my trust-worthy friend... with whom I can share anything and everything with no fear..."

Rudra smiled at Soumya. Soumya too smiled at him.

Rudra - "How is your day, Soumya?"

Soumya - "Kind of boring... Until I met you. I was just sleeping today and my work starts from tomorrow. With a few colleagues, I went to the nearby shop and had some deserts."

Rudra is about to ask something but Soumya stopped and continued.

Soumya - "Obviously pancakes and pastries too. I bought some for you as well. Don't worry."

Rudra gives a sheepish smile as Soumya takes and give him a pastry cake.

Rudra - "I heard that Radha is going to get married. Who is the guy?"

Soumya - "Yes. He is Anirudh Roy Chowdhury, a barrister from London. Radha likes the guy as well. Anirudh is also liking her. If things go well, they'll get married soon and get settled in London. Radha told me that it's dream to work in the London's MNC company called 'Elite Techs'. So this marriage too proved as a support for her dream."

Rudra - "That's splendid. Don't forget to contact our company for wedding works."

Rudra and Soumya laughed.

They walked a little more and they reached a small park. Basically a children's park. Soumya and Rudra entered inside.

Soumya - "Rudra, do you think are we compatible?"

Rudra - "Yes, we are. Why?"

Soumya - "I'll let you know. I want to confess something that is in my mind for a long period. I have been hiding that from you for long. But now, there is no use of hiding it as it will create only problems. So, yeah..."

Soumya takes a pause which makes Rudra look forward for her upcoming sentence nervously.

Soumya - "I'm in love... with you. I love you, Rudra."

Soumya finally breaks the secret to Rudra. After fighting a lot with her intuitions and hesitations, she confessed her feelings to Rudra. She felt a little pace inside and also looks at Rudra.

Rudra has almost lost somewhere. He don't know what to say and how to react for this proposal. He couldn't even believe if it was a dream or real. Thousands of thoughts are going inside him.

Rudra just sit on the grass holding his knees together. Soumya understood that he need some time to understand what is going on. Rudra tried to calm down his brain and heart. He takes a deep breathe and stands up. He looks at Soumya whose eyes are on him.

Rudra - "Are you in your senses?"

Soumya - "Yes, Rudra. I'm."

Rudra - "Okay."

Rudra sits in the bench. He asked Soumya also sit near him. For about one hour, there is a pin-drop silence between them. 

After an hour, 

Rudra - "Soumya, I have decided one thing. I am not really sure about my feelings towards you. It's true that sometimes I found you gorgeous but I never saw you as a wife. But, I can't neglect..."

Soumya - "It's okay, Rudra. I'm fine with rejection too."

Rudra - "Please let me complete... I mean... I don't know how to explain it...It's like..."

Soumya - "That's completely fine, Rudra."

Rudra - "Soumya, please."

Soumya becomes silent.

Rudra - "Okay, leave it. Let us have a deal. We'll live here for 18 more days. We can live these days as lovers. Just like a typical couple... can go for a date, party, mall, cinema and all... We'll see if we could be lovers.If everything goes well, it's a green signal. Then, we can move forward in our life. If not, we can continue as friends."

Soumya smiled. 

Soumya - "Deal accepted. We are committed to this relationship and it is our duty to make this relationship work."

Rudra - "Yes."

To be continued...