"Maa...I have been waiting for the pakoras..how much more time are you gonna take?" She asked, humming her favorite song.

"You have become much naughtier these days. Here, have them. Don't forget that you will be getting married soon and going to another house.You can't do all this there", her mom said eyeing her.

"Maa, chill. And haan, I am waiting to go there. Waise bhi they would take better care of me than you do" she grinned, made a face and shrugged her shoulders.

"Annikaaaa, see what I do now"

Before her mom could come, she quickly ran away from there full of smiles.

*****************************************

Annika was very happy. She had come back from Delhi after her graduation just that morning. It was almost 6 months since her last visit.She had been busy with her project.

In fact,it felt so good to be pampered after so long.

"Annika, choose some good dress and jewellery for tomorrow. You need to be presentable when they come", her mom said in a little serious tone.

"Maa. I am going to meet Chanda in sometime. I will come and do it in the night.If I don't go, Chanda will kill me. you know her, she wants me to meet her the same day I come"

"I am not stopping you from meeting her, Annika. I am asking you to make sure you keep everything ready. Or as usual, you will say- this is not there,that is not there. I am not helping you find anything this time, mind you!" Her mom's tone was much more serious this time.

She just chuckled as a response. "Maa, you know what,even Rohit and aunty are not as strict as you. In fact, they would not mind if I wear anything of my choice. But, what makes you think they are coming here to fix our marriage,huh? It might be something else also"

"Nahi Annika,when Bhaiya called he said it is related to Rohit's marriage and dates need to be finalized quickly. That's the reason Papa asked you to prepone your tickets", her mom seemed much happier than before.

****************************************

Annika and Rohit were distant cousins. Rohit's dad was Annika's Mama, her mom's  brother. They all used to stay much close by when they were young and since then Annika and Rohit were very attached.

Rohit used to be very protective about Annika all the time. He used to take utmost care of her and her safety. Her mom always felt no fear when he was there.

It was once during a marriage function that the two kids asked what was going on. Annika's dad explained to both of them that it was a wedding where the guy and girl take vows to protect each other and be there for each other all through their lifetime.

Rohit smiled and asked in a childish manner, "Then I already take care of Annika, so she is my wife?"

Everyone's mouth turned into a perfect 'o' and later they all burst out laughing. Annika and Rohit were too young to understand what was going on and left to play!

It was then decided by both the families that they will get these two married when they grow up. After a few years of this incident, Rohit's family shifted to Mumbai owing to his dad's business. But they continued coming to the town and the bond between both, the family and the kids remained intact.

Annika grew up listening to her mom saying that one day or the other she had to get married to Rohit. Annika always found a very good companion in Rohit and since their family always treated her like their own daughter, she was very comfortable and happy with the thought of getting married to him.

Her parents made sure she got the best of education, to match the standards of Rohit. Two years back, when she got a scholarship for MBA, her dad was skeptical to send her. What if she got into any relationship ;) But her mom was very particular and that made Annika jump with joy.

She silently thanked Rohit for it. Why not? He had done his Masters from Australia. Her mom insisted her on taking up her MBA saying she also had to do a post grad to match his levels. Annika smiles even today thinking of her mom's antics of relating every single activity of hers with Rohit :)

****************************************

"Maa..are you done with your flashback? I have been asking you whether I will wear green or blue tomorrow. And it is almost 10minutes,33 seconds"

"Wear blue, Rohit likes that right" her mom suggested.

"Whatever maa..sometimes I doubt whether I am your kid or he is. Rohit likes this, Rohit likes that,ufff" she said faking an anger.

"Come on, Annika. He is my son too. Ok, let me make his favorite halwa", her mom retorted.

Annika was almost annoyed now, thankfully they heard a familiar voice at the door.

"Hey Annika, hi aunty"

"Chandaaaa" Annika jumped in joy and hugged her.

They all chit chatted for a while when annika's mom asked -
"Where are you both planning to go today?"

"Ohh where else maa..our dear Raju bhai's tea shop, Golu's paani puri stall, the park near our school, but before all this,my favorite Shiv temple" she said jumping like a teenager.

They soon left when Annika heard her mom saying - "Come back soon annika,you will have to get your things ready".

Chanda gave her a confused expression to which she gave a haan-i'll-tell-u-all kind of look.

*****************************************

They both first went to the Shiv temple. Annika had this habit of going to the temple whenever she had some goosebumps moment and Chanda very well knew about this.

"Madam, atleast now are you telling me what's going on? Who is coming tomorrow?What was aunty saying? What-"
Before she could complete, Annika cut her off.

"Oh my God Chanda, how many questions.. I will answer them all, but let me pray first huh?"

She was sincerely praying - "Shivji, I am kind of nervous for whatever is going to happen tomorrow. Not that I don't know Rohit or his family, but this is some unknown fear. Whatever happens, please be with me and bless me. I just need your support", when she heard a voice -

"Don't worry, Shivay will take care of it!" Startled she turned back. But that voice was already long gone.

Chanda noticed this and asked her, what happened to which she just said, "Not sure Chanda, I felt some kind of vibration, that name..., I dont know". Deciding not to think too much about it, she then shrugged it off and left with Chanda.

It was their regular routine during the weekends and holidays to roam around these streets. Back then, it used to be little isolated, but now their town was much developed.

They went to their favorite pani puri stall, chit-chatted with Golu,had some fun and left.

Finally, they decided to sit down at the park and talk.

"So, atleast tell me now madam.what is going on?"

"Woh actually Chanda, Rohit and his family are coming tomorrow. they want the mariage to happen soon" she smiled.

"Really??Annika, I am so happy for you.. How come aunty did not tell me? I met her 4 days back also."

"No Chanda. Looks like they called 2 days back and said that arrangements need to be done quickly.They want everything to be over in a month" she exclaimed.

Chanda was surprised.

"Annika, I will ask you something?Do you really love him?Have you felt those sparks with him?" she asked skeptically.

Annika looked at her in a confused manner.

"Huh??  sparks?? What do you mean? Like movies, you want some bulb on my head or some bell to ring??hahahaha" she couldn't control her laughter.

"Come on Annika. It happens. When we meet the one for us and realize, we literally feel those butterflies and those bell sounds and-"

Annika was completely shocked to see Chanda who was talking in a total romantic mood, closing her eyes.

"Chanda, Who is that guy?Do I know him??" She asked rolling her eyes.

"Woh.. actually annika woh...about whom are you asking?"

"Don't you know who I am asking about?Get to the point,come on" she scoffed.

"You know him.Rohan it is "she blushed.

"What.. That guy, our college? but you never told me. Haww,soo mean Chanda" she faked an anger.

"Annika, it is just six months,and you and I hardly spoke in these six months, I wanted to tell you in person."

"Acchaaa.. so tell me,how did all this happen??"

"Woh actually Annika, our offices are on the same road, so we just happen to travel in the same route everyday, started talking and eventually, it happened :)"

Chanda narrated her entire love story. Rohan liked her from college days but was hesitant to propose her. It so happened they got a job in adjacent buildings and so they had to travel in the same bus everyday to work. Chanda first thought it was just friendship, but eventually they started enjoying each others' company and one day he confessed his feelings and she who was eagerly waiting for it immediately accepted.

"Haaww.. so u immediately accepted? I have seen in movies that girls make guys wait for few days :p" Annika said.

"Come on Annika, this is not a movie and haan why would I make him wait when I was already sure of my feelings" she shrugged.

"Waise, how did u realise??the bell rang or bulb lighted up "

"Don't laugh, yup it did.We were gonna meet one day at the temple and when he did not turn up on time, I was really worried. I kept looking at the watch and praying to god. He came much later as his vehicle broke down on the way, the moment he entered, my happiness grew no bounds and yeah the temple bell did ring that time, it was that moment I realised of how much he meant to me" she explained seriously.

Annika who was listening keenly burst out laughing after hearing the last line.

"Sorry Chanda, i know it is an emotional moment for you. But, I found the bell part funny, I am sorry"

"Ok stop it, nautanki. Your moment is waiting too, you will know it when it happens"

"Haa, I know Rohit for like twenty five years and never has this happened Chanda. Let me see if bell rings after I get married to him" she rolled her eyes.

"Accha, let's not argue on this,but I am sure it will happen someday and you will tell me about this yourself :)" she teased. (let's see ;))

They chit chatted about all random things that happened over last few months and left home sometime later. Finally, while nearing home, Chanda told her one last time.

"Annika, trust me. Love happens, the day you realise it may not be too far, it could be Rohit or someone else too, but yes, my instinct tells me, there is something bigg coming your way :)" and left.

Anika wondered what had suddenly got into this girl that she was talking all these love philosophies out of nowhere within 6 months of meeting her last.

Deciding not to confuse herself for the time being, she shrugged off the thought and retired home.

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So, this is the 1st part :) Is it good? So, will Annika get married to Rohit? Waiting for povs.. I am new to all this. All thanks to arshi-suchi for encouraging me to write too :P