A Pure Love

“How long will it take to get out of this place?” Ruhi asked irritatedly.

“Ruhi, calm down. You know very well that weddings take time.” Panchi said.

Ruhi was at a stranger’s wedding. Though they were not complete strangers to her, they were the neighbours of her maternal grandparents. So, she was forced to attend the wedding when she visited to meet her cousins. Ruhi looked the most out-of-place and uninterested person because she was genuinely least interested in who was marrying whom and why.

“Panchi, I am going back home. You enjoy it. I don’t want to be a part of this,” Ruhi said.

“Ruhi, I was thinking... Hey, watch out,” Panchi said to a man who bumped into her.

“I am sorry, I didn’t see you standing.” The guy replied.

“You should see properly then.” Panchi retorted.

“Guys, enough. Why are you both arguing over the silliest thing?” Ruhi interrupted.

The guy nodded and left the place. Ruhi and Panchi spent a little time together, and then Panchi left with her boyfriend, leaving Ruhi alone at the boring wedding. Ruhi strolled, ate, and decided to leave the venue. She was on the way out when she bumped into the same guy from earlier.

“Hey, I guess you are a pro at bumping into girls, huh?” Ruhi exclaimed.

“No, I’m really sorry. I was sneaking out and wanted to be unnoticed,” the guy replied.

“Sneaking out! Hmm... Sound interesting. But why? Isn’t this your cousin’s wedding?” Ruhi asked.

“Distant cousin. Someone I don’t even interact with. I really don’t know why I am even attending this wedding in the first place.” He replied.

“Okay! By the way, I am Ruhi. Cousin of the neighbour of the bride’s family.” Ruhi introduced herself.

“Woh ho, My god, What are you doing at this wedding then? Are you close to the bride?” He asked.

“Nope. Dragged by my cousin, who has now left with her boyfriend.” Ruhi explained.

“Oh Damn! So shall we elope together? We can roam around the city, and I can introduce you to good eat-out places. I am Jeet, by the way.” Jeet replied.

“Uh... Okay. It’s better than this wedding, and you seem decent enough to trust,” Ruhi replied.

They laughed and left the wedding.

Jeet and Ruhi spent that whole evening together, roaming around the city, eating out at food trucks, and simply talking. Not for once did it feel out of place, or even the fact that they were meeting for the first time in their lives.

“You are a charmer and a smooth talker. Are you aware of that?” Jeet commented.

“You are kidding, right? I am not good at interacting with strangers.” Ruhi replied.

“What a big liar. If you have forgotten, madam, we met a few hours ago, and I am a stranger to you,” Jeet exclaimed.

“A decent stranger and also the first with whom I am talking so much. Was my food spiked?” Ruhi asked, and they both laughed.

They talked about school, future studies, and how both were least interested in finding love right now. They had discovered a new friendship in each other and were pleased with it. Ruhi got a message from Panchi informing her that she was about to arrive home. And so they left for the house. Jeet shared his number with Ruhi, and they smiled before parting ways, promising to stay in touch.

When Ruhi walked to the lane of the house, she found Panchi standing, waiting for her. Ruhi walked to her and stopped right before her as if examining Panchi from top to toe. Panchi took a step back nervously.

“What did he do to you?” Ruhi asked.

“What are you talking about?” Panchi asked.

“Panchi, your hands are bruised, and so are your cheeks. What did that asshole do to you?” Ruhi asked angrily.

“We argued a bit, and he grabbed me a little too tightly. that’s it.” Panchi said as if it was casual.

“That’s it! Panchi, are you out of your fucking mind? This isn’t right. That guy isn’t right. I have told you this so many times.” Ruhi yelled.

“Uh Hum... Uh Hum...”

Ruhi and Panchi jumped on the coughing sound and turned back, only to find Jeet standing at the end of the lane. Seeing them looking at him in shock, he approached them nervously.

“Ruhi, you forgot your earrings in the car,” Jeet said.

Panchi looked at them in shock, imagining thousands of things between them. Ruhi took it from him and thanked him. I was hoping for him to leave, but he didn’t budge an inch. He was looking at Panchi, who was lost in her thoughts.

“Panchi, I’m sorry I overheard the conversation, but in a relationship, if a partner is not treated equally and is subjected to violence over the smallest of things, then such relations shall end before it’s too late,” Jeet said.

“Exactly, that’s my point. Thanks, Jeet. I wasn’t sure how to express it,” Ruhi said.

“Shut up, both of you. I know my relationship better, and I don’t need your guidance on it.” Panchi yelled.

“And who the hell are you? What was my sister doing in your car? Why does she even know your name?” Panchi questioned.

“Panchi, when you left me alone at the wedding to get ill-treated by your so-called boyfriend, I met Jeet and explored the city with him. He is my new friend. And he is just a friend before you get on with any wrong ideas,” Ruhi explained.

Jeet looked at both the sisters and then excused himself and left. Ruhi kept looking at Panchi, who didn’t speak the whole way back home. Two days later, Ruhi left the city to return home.

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