I saw her again

"Mohan, wake up! You're already late for work," my mom's voice pierced through the veil of sleep, shaking me from a dream that was slowly slipping away, just like her dupatta was slipping away from my hands in the dream, I was chasing her and guess who ruined it for me yes, my mom.

I groaned and rubbed my eyes, still half in the realm of dreams thinking about what would have happened if I successfully chased her. "Mom, why do you have to do this to me every morning? I was in the middle of a dream and I was spending time with her" My voice trailed off as the remnants of the dream danced in my mind.

"Her? Who is 'her'? What are you doing at work? Are you looking at girls? Mohan, how many times do I have to tell you that you're going to marry the girl I chose for you?" My mom had a way of fretting about my future and marriage, and it was a topic that frequently found its way into our morning conversations. I absolutely have no rush to get married but if it is her then I would marry her in this second, but I guess Mom's loneliness is getting more evident which gives me a reason to pursue her even more seriously.

"Girl? What are you talking about, Mom? I don't understand. I'm late for work; I better leave." I heard her but decided to show ignorance to avoid revealing my thoughts, hoping to escape the customary matchmaking talk.

Now, let me give you a glimpse into my life. I grew up in India the country that gained independence, but we lost my father in the war. Although I didn't get the chance to spend much time with him, his love for us was immense. He gave his life for our country's freedom, and that made him a hero in our eyes. So, for the past 15 years, it's been just me and my mother. After the war, I started working as a laborer in a construction company and gradually worked my way up to becoming a supervisor. I could share more about my life, but it was time to head to work. My apologies for the sudden change of topic.

The morning was foggy, and visibility was quite low, but for those of us who lived in the village, it was not much of an issue. We knew every twist and turn of our surroundings but the irony was I could not find her. On my way to work, I made my customary stop at the "chai corner" right in front of our construction site. Madhura Chachi, who ran the place, was known for preparing the best tea and breakfast around. I had to be cautious because if my mother ever overheard me saying that, I'd find myself banned from the house for a while. As usual, I ordered my favorite tea, and there, in front of me, I saw her again.

She had carefully gathered her curly hair into a neat bun, and this time, she was wearing a red kurta that was slightly crumpled. She was serving tea to the elders, her every movement graceful. I couldn't help but wonder about her story. Even in slightly disheveled clothes, she looked beautiful. Madhura Chachi handed me my tea with a knowing smile.

"Curious?" She looked at me with a mischievous smile on her face.

(Seems like she noticed me looking at her, or rather, staring without blinking.)

"Me? No, why would I be curious? I'm just here to enjoy my tea," I stammered, trying to brush it off.

"Right, you weren't looking at her at all, were you?" She shook her head, implying 'no.'

"Me? Why would I be looking at her?" By now, I was laughing nervously, feeling rather awkward.

"She's pretty, isn't she?" Madhura Chachi asked, this time genuinely.

"Yes," I responded with equal sincerity.

"So, you were looking at her?" She teased me with that sly smile again.

"Okay, you got me. What's her story, anyway?" I surrendered, throwing my hands in the air. The truth was, my curiosity had gotten the better of me.

"No wonder her eyes are so full of pain," I said, trying to make sense of the emotion I had seen in her eyes.

(Background: "Chachi, four teas, please.")

"Sorry, I have to go. You can pay her later; we all know how Chachi is. She wouldn't even mind if you didn't pay her," Madhura Chachi assured me.

Madhura Chachi, who is like a second mother to everyone in the village, has never had children of her own. She treats everyone as if they were her own kids. Now, with this new girl she's taken under her wing, she seems even more full of life and happiness. It's not just me; everyone in the village is thrilled for her. Madhura Chachi is always ready to help, and seeing her so happy with this new girl warms my heart with pure joy. Her generosity knows no bounds, and it's heartwarming to witness her nurturing nature shine through. She's a source of comfort and care for all of us, and her newfound happiness with the new addition to her family brings a smile to all our faces.

The moment had arrived, and I couldn't wait any longer. Gathering my courage, I took the first step toward her, determined to start a conversation and discover her story. My heart raced as I approached, envisioning that she might be eagerly waiting for me. With deep breaths, I was moving her way to initiate the talk, hoping she'd simply reply, "Yes, Mohan, I will marry you." The weight of that unspoken question hung in the air as I ventured toward the possibility of a shared future.

But just as I was about to reach her, my supervisor's voice rang out. "Mohan! The inspectors will be here soon for the inspection; we need you at the site. You can pay her later. We all know how Chachi is. She wouldn't even mind if you didn't pay her."

Seems like I have tough luck, but I'm tougher. I won't give up until I make her mine.