"Arjun ",
the soft voice echoed from the hall.
" Arjun beta wake up"
again but more softer than the first One..not loud .
just enough to reach him.
he was already awake.
still on the bed .watching the sunlight touching the celling lightly slipping from the curtains.
fore few seconds, he didn't move.
suddenly.
his eyes went the lit up screen of his mobile.
as if was thinking something.
he lifts his mobile and sees the locked screen .
like he was waiting for something to show up but nothing..
some of the meassages are there.
again a voice reached him ..
"Arjuna.. get ready beta we are going to temple"
"haan amma, i am up"
the door opened slowly .
" Good get ready fastly.. we are going to temple".
"I know"
"you say this every year " she smiled faintly
"but no delays this time ok!"
he said nothing just a nod and steped out from his bed then started make up his bed.
then,
" you go i will do this ...."his mom said.
" its ok, completed"
"Anapurna"
and sharp voice echoed through the hall way..both looked at the door way
"see your dad is calling ,come fast beta..."
she said by squeezing his cheeks... and rushing out from his room
" mumma yaar.." arjun said with small smile on his face..
Arjun stepped downstairs , adjusting his watch ,already composed for day.
his mother was near the temple arraging the plate while his father (vishwasrao) sat int the reading the newspaper on the sofa. his bhabhi (damini)
was coming to the hall way holding gajar ka halwa in the bowls for all , on the other hand his brother (Rudra) coming from the main door by ending his phone call .
he walked towards them.
without any word he bent slightly touching there feet and taking there blessings.
"Bless you ,beta" his mother said softly placing her hand over his head.
then his dad said placing his hands on his shoulders "You've done well, Arjun," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Building something of your own… not everyone has that courage."
His mother smiled, a quiet pride in her eyes. "We always knew you wouldn't just follow the path given to you."
"Your brother expanded what was already there," his father added, "but you… you created your own."
Arjun didn't respond immediately.
Just a slight nod.
"Still a long way to go," he said simply.
" that's my brother " rudra said has he entered the hall watching ajay with an a proud look.
and then bent slightly to take blessing this time his bhaiya and bhabhi's .
" god bless u arjun ,keep growing " his bhabhi said with smile on her lips and pride in her eyes.
" god bless u , may u be like me..." rudra said tapping on his sholders hardly with an a
high spirit. and hugged him lightly with full heart.
everyone laughed and then, and voice
" aur mere pair nahi padoge" his elder sister
( Anandi ) said playfully.. entering the h all.
"How can I forget? I'm already blessed with the best sister!" Arjun said softly, with a small respectful smile, bowing his head slightly.
everyone laughed ...loudly this time.
"chalo chalo baitho sab log " said softly and a little loudly to make everyone aware " arjun i made your Favourite 'gajar ka halwa' come on eat " his bhabhi said by giving it to all.
"thank you bhabhi ,its really tasty..." arjun said firmly with an slight smile on his face.
then everyone praised " wow its really tasty bhabhi " said anandi.
they stepped out together and the sound of the birds chriping in the solely fresh morning. everybody setteled in the car .the ride was with soft conversations and occasional silence. arjun sat by the window
watching the city wake up slowly.
He didn't say much.
he never did.
they reached the temple. shining golden by the morning sunlight. The faint sound of bells echoed through the air, mixing with the fragrance of incense and flowers.
As they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted—calmer, quieter.
Arjun joined his hands, closing his eyes for a moment.
Stillness.
But his mind wasn't completely there.
and then -
Something felt… distant.
he didn't knew what.
But it was enough for his eyes to open.
Slowly ,Unintentionally.
His gaze moved ahead—And stopped.
There she was.
A few steps away.
Standing near the diya, her fingers carefully adjusting the edge of her pink saree, her posture calm, her presence… effortless.
There was nothing loud about her.
Nothing that demanded attention.
And yet—
He couldn't look away.
A slight frown formed between his brows.
Why does this feel—
Familiar?
The thought came and stopped midway, as if his own mind refused to complete it.
He didn't know her.
He was certain of that.
And still…
There was something.
Something he couldn't name.
—
She came near and She lifted her hands in prayer, eyes closed, completely unaware of the gaze resting on her.
Time didn't stop.But it felt slower.
Quieter.
Like the world had taken a step back.
Arjun took a small step forward without realizing.
His focus never leaving her.
A strange pull.
Uninvited.
Unexplained.
She opened her eyes.
For a brief second, her gaze lifted—
there eyes meet 'almost' but her gaze shift to somewhere.
And passed over him.
just like he did before that day.
No pause.No reaction.
As if he was just another person in the crowd.
Nothing more.
(not intentionally but unawre)
—
She turned.
And walked away.
—
Just like that.
—
Arjun stood there, unmoving.
His hands still loosely folded, his eyes fixed on the empty space she had left behind.
A moment.
That was all it was.
Then why did it feel like something had slipped past him?
Something important.
Something he didn't even know he was holding onto.
—
The temple bells rang again.
Louder this time.
Pulling him back.
He blinked once, his expression returning to its usual calm, controlled state.
But not completely.
Not entirely.
As he stepped out of the temple, he didn't look back immediately.
But after a few steps—
He did.
Just once.
As if expecting her to still be there.
She wasn't.