Love returns

Savitha is an intelligent girl, very pretty and with a pleasant dispostion. She had a Masters degree and was employed in a women’s college as a lecturer.She was twenty five and saw no reason to put off her marriage when her parents broached the subject.Her only condition was that she would marry only the person she loved. She turned down a few good proposals from her parents as she had no faith in arranged marriages.The one flaw in her was that she was highly possesive by nature and got upset easily on percieved hurts..She never had the trait to evaluate things patiently and took decisions on an impulse.This also made matters difficult for her to find someone whom she can love and marry. She was also shy by nature having studied in girl’s school and women’s college.She never had any boy friends worth the name.Her working environment was also a women’s place.There were not many opportunities for her to meet young men.

Though quite pretty and talented, none came along her way for her fascinating enough to fall in love.She had met a few friends of his brother and cousins.She even went out with them for a coffee or film but found none to be her prince charming or catching her fancy.Some persisted in wanting her friendship but she moved away without any further interest in them.Her parents were pressurising her to come up with someone acceptable.Their constant reminders irritated her and she chose to spend the time in her room reading novels or listening to music than in the living room before the TV with her parents.

That day she had some assignment in the college after college hours for some function the next day..She was held up for two hours.She wanted to reach her home before it got dark.The sky was cloudy but there was no sign of rain when she started her Maruti.She took the shorter route instead of the main road as the traffic was less in that desolate road.As ill luck would have it, the car stopped midway in that lonely road.It also began to drizzle.She tried to start the car but could not.A few cars whizzed past hers.None stopped.She was getting worried and thought of calling her dad or brother though it would take nearly an hour for them to reach the place .It was then a blue coloured Accent drew up by her car.A young man in a white shirt and a tie craned his neck outside and asked “Any problem?Want any help?”

“The car is not starting.I tried many times” Savita replied

“Would you mind if I have a look at it?”he asked even as he got down from the car.

Even before she replied, he asked her to come out and sit in his car while he checked her car.She quietly made way but stood outside without getting into his car.

“”Get into my car.It is drizzling. Have no fear.I am not going to abduct you”he said with a big smile.He looked very handsome with his well cut features that reminded her of Pierce Brosnan.She ignored him and stood watching him tinker under the bonnet.He asked her to sit insde her car and start it.She turned the key and - Presto! the car came alive.Her face was wreathed in smile even as he rubbed his hands on his kerchief.

“I am Madhavan.Here is my card and you have my mobile number there.I will follow you till the main road and be on my way thereafter.Would it be proper to know with whom I am talking?” he asked with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes

“I am Savita, Thank you very much.I would have been in trouble without your help” she said

What began as an accidental meeting soon blossomed into love.They met often at various places- restaurents, multiplexes and malls.He was well qualified and earned a tidy sum in a reputed company.But what caused worry to Savita was in his disinterest in getting married. He mentioned one day that he would not like to get married for atleast a year and they could be close friends as they were.This was not acceptable to her or her parents.They did not like her to maintain a friendship without amy assurance of commitment in the near future.When she questioned him for the reasons, he had only vague answers.

While she continued to meet him, they often had arguments on this matter and on a couple of occasions he left abruptly in what she thought as feigning urgent work.But he continued to be as warm and loving as ever though Savita felt some chasm between..It was her birthday on Sunday and they had agreed to meet at a posh restaurent.Around 5pm he rang up to inform her that he was bringing another woman to the restaurent. When asked who she was he replied he would introduce her in the evening and declined to answer her further questions.

She banged the phone and started crying.When he rang her up repeatedly she switched off the mobile.She did not go to the restaurent.She was sure that he was loving someone else concurrently and that was the reason for his reluctance to get married.She deleted his name from her mobile and computer.She gave strict instructions to her parents not to connect him to her.Her resolve to have no truck with him was final.She told her parents that she would consider proposals from them after a year and that she needed sometime to get over the disappointment.When her dad got transferred to Delhi, it was a blessing in disguise for her.She also got the transfer to her Gurgaon office.

As she was slowly getting over the disappointment and seething anger, one evening she came face to face with Madhavan at the mall.Shocked she tried to move away.He pulled her by hand and said “Savita, tell me atleast why you broke away from me when both of us were in deep love?You can go therafter your way.”

“How dare you ask this question you two timer.While you were professing yourlove for me, you had a dalliance with another girl.You even had the cheek to bring her to the birthday party that evening.I have no place in my heart for cheats” she replied in anger

Instead of retorting he fell into loud laughter and covered his mouth unable to contain it and attracted the attention of passersby.

“Stop it.This no laughing matter.Let me go”Savita said

“Just one moment you silly girl.The woman that I wished to bring that evening was my mom who wished to see you before I formally proposed to you and appraoched your parents for your hands.In your impatience and hasty assumptions,you goofed the matter.” Madhavan said

Savita hung her head in shame and muttered sorry and sought forgiveness.

“I can see you are still unmarried as I am.Can I propose to you here?”he said kneeling formally before her with extended hand to the merriment of all around