Gauri closed her left eye and trapped her lower lip beneath her teeth. Extreme concentration was prominent over her face. An unusual silence hung upon the air around her.

Squaring her shoulder, she straightened her left arm which was gripping the slingshot.

The group of children simmered in anticipation. Their big beady eyes swung from Gauri to the biggest toy in display. A huge horse with intricate design and woven with colourful threads and beads, was their object of fascination.

The stone shot out of the slingshot successfully knocked the horse off of the bar. The group of children jumped and hooted in merriment. A victory smile lit up Gauri's face. She turned back and raised her eyebrow rather boastfully at Rudra.

He in return, imitated to zip up his mouth by flittering his fingers from one end of his lips to another. Mirthful shine evident on his face.

His apparent act was enough for Gauri to let out a low chuckle with a shake of head. She bent down to hand over the toy to the group which cheered and giggled in response.

A small boy came forward and threw his small arms around Gauri's neck and hugged her. His eyes met Rudra's. Both of them discreetly glared at each other. A while later, the boy threw a smirk towards Rudra.

He raised on his toes and plopped a kiss on Gauri's cheek who let out a sound of wonderment. This somehow irked Rudra.

The small army of kids retreated from both, Rudra and Gauri. The small boy followed them but not before poking his tongue out and showing a thumbs down to Rudra.

"Did that little brat just get lucky?" Rudra spoke in irritation.

"Jealous much, aren't we Mr.Rudra?" Gauri inquisited. Rudra dawned a poker face and said, "Of course. Should you even ask that? He came across you a while back and got to hug and kiss you. How unfortunate of me, I didn't even get a hug from you."

Gauri couldn't help herself from giggling. Her giggles sounded like tinkling of bells to his ears.
"Aww, Rudra. That was so cute."

"What? Please don't categorise my actions in that section," Rudra stated in annoyance. Gauri let out another set of giggles.

Both sauntered over towards another stall. The crowd making it a bit difficult to walk. The constant shoving on her shoulder started to become painful. Nonetheless, she still walked ahead.

An arm on her shoulder pulled her to a warm and hard body. Rudra secured her by his side to prevent further bumping of people.

Gauri's eyes deliriously moved over his face. A strange warmth encapsulating her being.

.
.
.

They had been roaming for quite sometime, taking in the beauty and distinctive features of each stall. Gauri's eyes skimmed over the handicrafts made by the natives. The complexly elaborate design, minutely detailed patterns expressed the fruits of their sleepless nights and labor of their sweaty days.

Merrily dancing in air, few silky tresses disturbed Gauri's scrutiny and brought a smile over Rudra's face who was busy in observing her.

She frowned a bit. A hand tucked the tresses behind her ear. Her gaze travelled from the hand to its owner's face. Rudra's alluring eyes seemed as a vortex to Gauri, ready to consume her whole. His fingers hovered over her velvety skin sending pleasurable tingles.

"Tu qarib aae toh qurbat ka yuun izhaar karun,
Aaina saamne rakh tira deedar karun
(You come close, then I express our closeness this way; keeping a mirror in front I glance at your face)," Rudra whispered.

Gauri's heartbeat accelerated vivaciously, vehemently, uncontrollably; almost making it difficult to breathe.
She wasn't able to comprehend what struck her heart's chord; the beautiful enamoured words or the intensity with which Rudra spoke.

Clearing her throat, she questioned, "Nida Fazli's work. Didn't know you have such insight of Urdu?"

"You have a lot to know about me. I have remained a closed book, awaiting a reader. I am ready for your astute observation, you just need to turn the pages." Rudra answered smilingly.

Thump... thump... thump...

Her heart now pounded in her ears, pleading to be let out of the constricting ribcage. She touched the material over her heart. Why did it feel so amazing, so painfully increadible?
She didn't know or did she...

.
.
.

"They are organising a storytelling of the famous romantic tale of Dhola-Maru through puppet show. Are you sure you don't want to experience it?" Rudra asked raising an eyebrow at Gauri.

The latter dismissed it, shaking her head in negation. A soft smile playing on her lips.

"I am a hopelessly romantic individual. I have seen it umpteen times. Be it love poetries, novels or movies," she chuckled within,
"I like... love it. Away from reality, building own land of illusionary love," Gauri concluded.

"And, haven't you experienced love here, on earth?" Rudra asked amusingly.

"Me and love. Seems like a faraway dream," Gauri answered extending her hand up in air dramatically. Rudra clutched her hand and grasped it firmly.

"Sarah Dessen quoted, 'there is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat..." Rudra pointed a finger towards her heart,

"... in a single flashing, throbbing moment'," he spoke tapping her cute little nose.

"You just need a realisation, Gauri, when it'll happen you'll feel godly touch bestowed upon you, for you'll be touched by the purest form of emotions," he said intently.

"When you will open your eyes, Gauri, everything will change. This wind, this sky, these birds, these flowers... because you will witness it with a different perspective. Perspective of love," he almost whispered out the last part with a soft smile.

Moving a few steps backward, safely tucking his hands in pockets, he turned back and strolled forward.

Thump... thump... thump...

Gauri's hand instinctively landed upon her heart. Her eyes fluttered close. The heartbeat seemed to sing a lullaby. Would she experience love?
Almost instantly, Rudra's face adorning a beautiful smile popped up infront of her.

Her eyes flew open. Surprisingly, looking forward, a gasp left her mouth. For everything looked new, alienated to her.

When did the sunlight seem to flirt with the clouds, creating spectrum, like the cheeks of a blushing lover?

When did the honeybee appear to passionately drink the nectar of flower, like two lovers kissing each other without a care of world?

Did that dragonfly just graze over the surface of water, like a loving touch of a man over his beloved's skin?

Or did the trees sway in gentle breeze, like a couple performing the most intimate dance?

When? When did this all happen?

When did she fall in love with Rudra? So fast, so hard, so deep. When?

A tear dropped down her face, wetting the soil below; tear of realisation, tear of feeling of irrevocable love.

"Oh my innocent heart, who knocked at your door?

'Darling, your love. He is the sin you love to adore'."

A warm hand slipped into hers. This time Gauri entwined her fingers with his long ones. Smiling brightly, she moved towards his side that now seemed to be her humble abode and both walked in sync.

"This surge of passion unknown, what is this?

An abyss of burning amour that grows, what is this?

Dear Lord, the eyes glisten without pain, only bliss;

Today, the air shies, tip-toeing around, rewarding me with a kiss."

The trees swayed showering small blossoms on them. The nature appeared to be celebrating something auspicious. A hand drew forward to grasp the joy of nature, barehanded. Gauri smiled, enjoying ever so slightly.

"Say no lies, why does my reflection appear so bright?

The uncertain shadows were here, what happened over fortnight?"

Rudra ushered her into a stall. Frenzied, now standing infront of mirror, him by her side felt heavenly.

"Love flooded through, swallowing every fright;

My beauty blushes with radiance, for he is my light."

Was she always this beautiful? Or did this magician do something to her?

"Heart, why do you pound so hard?

Everything in between is all but a passionate bard;

Thousands truth it says, a mere touch of his;

Temptation intense, real is just this, only this."

"Turquoise," Rudra said. "That coloured bangles will suit her wrists," he smiled and asked for the said coloured bangles. The owner of the stall brought them forward.

Beautiful, Gauri concurred. Rudra slipped the bangles on Gauri's wrist, taking his own sweet time. Gauri stared at him with warmth simmering out of her eyes. Transparent veils glossed her eyes, eyelids drooping with coyness.

"Oh my dear heart, I don't want to fight 'gainst you anymore;

This is a battle, I have never been here before."

Drawing her hands forward, now embellished with the turquoise of her bangles, teased her. Rudra grinned, enjoying her plight all the while.

"In the midst of all, calls me a voice, now intensifying evermore;

With him, I have fallen in love, forevermore,

"I am in love with Rudra. I love... Rudra," the sweet whisper blended in air, remaining unnoticed.

"Forevermore... forevermore."

*****

A/N: I'm proud of my poem. XD