The Strangers - Across the Silent Heartbeat-Chapter 24: A Festive Revelation

It was the most awaited moment for Sita, as she was going to be the host of the family function at Vizag. Be it the household or all members, everybody was excited about the celebration. To carry the legacy of being a great hostess, Sita ensured doing her best. She invited Ayesha, and she accepted the invitation to be a part of the traditional family function in the new city.

The sea breeze whipped up their appetite as they drove down to Vizag. For Ayesha, the scenic beauty all around wetted her appetite, and excitement surged in her veins with every passing mile. They were received at a sprawling ancestral home full of relatives and chatter of playing children.

Finally, the day arrived, and Sita dressed Ayesha in a beautiful, traditional sari for the function. Deep blue shimmered with intricate gold embroidery, and Ayesha looked resplendent in that attire; her beauty just radiated from her. She stepped back and viewed her handiwork. "You look absolutely beautiful, Ayesha. Arjun won't be able to take his eyes off you."

Ayesha blushed, feeling a hint of the embarrassment as well as excitement. As she entered the courtyard, all eyes turned toward her. Arjun, who was in the middle of some or the other discussion, simply froze as her eyes met his. She did look like a dream, and he just couldn't help but stare.

Sita proudly introduced Ayesha to the relatives waiting there. "Everyone, this is Ayesha. She's Arjun's fiancée."

The room filled with silence, eyes wide open in surprise and curiosity. It was quite an unexpected announcement, and soon murmurs from the crowd began. She felt a bit timid, proud, and yet filled with concern, as there would be so many people to meet who were new.

"Welcome to the family, dear. You must be someone really special to have bagged Arjun's heart," she said with a benevolent smile affixed on her face.

Ayesha smiled and the relatives-first shocked-seemed to exude warm vibes around her. She found herself getting involved in conversations and laughing over shared jokes.

Slowly, she started slipping into the festive mood.

Still, the beauty that Ayesha possessed seemed ethereal to Arjun, and he moved toward her somehow. He reached his hand out to her and grasped hers gently, moving her towards some space away from the crowd. "You look stunning, Ayesha. And just too beautiful."

The words caused Ayesha's heart to flutter. "Thank you, Arjun. It's all so overwhelming but in the best way possible."

He looked deep into her eyes, his lips curling up in tenderness. "I love you," he said, bending down to kiss her forehead.

Ayesha ran emotions through her. She stood there, with a racing heart and a mind set whirling in confusion and happiness, but the response was still stuck in her throat. She touched the spot on her forehead where his lips had been; a gush of warmth went through her.

Within a few minutes, Ayesha was mobbed with some more relatives, all curious about her. Arjun's cousins, the lively young ladies, all hauled her among themselves and bombarded her with questions about life and interests and just what she exactly liked in this brooding genius, Arjun.

One of the cousins, Mira, one who had by then become a really good friend, teasingly asked Ayesha, "So, how did you manage to win over our brooding genius?"

Ayesha laughed, feeling at home. "Let it be. We just jelled, I feel like never before."

The conversation was full of good-natured teasing, and the many laughs beyond count just added to how at home Ayesha felt. She looked across the room at Arjun. His eyes settled on her with a little love and, beyond everything else, a lot of pride. There was an increased connection between them.

By evening, there was the itemized performance of dances by the members of the family. Everything was filled with traditional music and its rhythm as this and that couple swayed to it. Arjun walked over to Ayesha, extending his hand with that lovable mocking tilt of his head.

"May I have this dance?" he asked.

Ayesha's heart skipped a beat but the lilt in her voice was spirited. "Of course," she said, taking his hand.

They walked center-floor together, and as the music flowed, they swayed to its rhythm, each move perfectly coordinated. The eyes of Arjun, full of his deep emotions, did not leave the face of Ayesha even once.

The rest of the world simply dissolved as they danced, one little universe that was theirs.

As the song neared its conclusion, whistles and loud applause showered down on this beautiful couple. Ayesha was only amused and embarrassed at the same time, but Arjun's reassuring smile made everything just fine.

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Finally, towards the end of the day, when they both finally stumbled upon some rest under the stars, the night stretched above and before them like a canopy of blinking lights just unfurled for their joy. They sat on a bench, hands in each other hands, hearts full.

"Ayesha," he said, the tone in his voice soft yet sincere, "I feel I'm so lucky that you are a part of my life. Today was such a great day just because you were there."

Ayesha's eyes locked with his, glassy from unshed emotion. "I'm feeling the same way, Arjun. Being with you, coming across your family, it all seems like a dream."

The soft indefatigable kiss, a brush of his lips over hers. This first kiss felt like the pledge of love and trust that he will always be there, through thick and thin.

When they drew apart, Ayesha laid her head on Arjun's shoulder, her eyes quiet with peace and contentment. "I love you, Arjun."

He kissed the top of her head, holding her tight. "I love you too, Ayesha. Always."

The whole night slowly passed by with whispers, sharing dreams, and the comfort from being beside each other. It was a night neither of them could ever forget, their night of love, and of family, and of beginnings.