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As the final monsoon approached, the village of Anandpur felt a palpable shift in the air. The normally vibrant streets, bustling with life, lay quiet, shadows stretching long against the horizon. For Riya, the season brought a bittersweet mix of memories and anticipations. She could hear the whispers of the raindrops on her window, a melody of longing and nostalgia that danced in her heart.
Riya had always loved the monsoon, not just for the rain, but for the emotions it stirred within her. This year, however, it felt different. As she gazed out at the darkening clouds, a sense of urgency tugged at her soul. She was twenty-four, and her parents had begun to apply pressure for her to marry. They envisioned a suitable match—someone established, respectable. But Riya’s heart had chosen a different path.
Her thoughts drifted to Arun, her childhood friend, who had become her confidant and anchor. They had spent countless evenings under the Neem tree near the river, sharing dreams and secrets, laughing and sometimes crying. As children, they promised to always stand by each other, yet the world around them had begun to impose its expectations. Arun, too, felt the weight of familial duty pressing down upon him.
One evening, with the scent of wet earth filling the air, Riya met Arun by their beloved Neem tree. He was sketching in his notebook, his brow furrowed in concentration. “What are you drawing?” she asked, peering over his shoulder. The image was a landscape—a blend of rain-soaked fields and distant hills, but Riya’s heart sank at the thought of what was missing. “It’s beautiful,” she said softly, wishing he would draw the future they had once envisioned together.
Arun smiled, but his eyes reflected a turmoil she recognized all too well. “I’m trying to capture the monsoon’s essence,” he replied, closing his notebook with a sigh. “But it feels like a race against time. My parents want me to settle down. They have someone in mind.”
Riya’s heart sank. “You too?”( To be continued)
RAJAT CHANDRA SARMAH
GUWAHATI , ASSAM , INDIA
02/12/24
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