The pond was filled with beautiful lilies. Trees laden with cashew fruits surrounded the pond. The aroma of sweet cashew fruits filled the area. The daffodils and many forest flowers spread across the patch, some creeping around the trees and others are making a flowery carpet. Squirrels kept running up and down nibbling the cashew fruits, the butterflies roamed around happily and birds chirped gleefully. This was indeed a piece of heaven on earth. This little place was tucked away from the city. Untouched by commercialization, it was visitors delight to be in such an enchanting place.
Karan blindfolded Antara as he led her into this beautiful place. Karan and Antara knew each other since a decade. They were school buddies and now pursuing their final year of engineering. Antara was restless and kept questioning him numerous times, but he silenced her every time she tried to speak something. On nearing close to the pond he opened her blindfold and what she saw simply gobsmacked her, she stood there gaping at the captivating beauty of the place.
“Hey Karan! This is so beeeeautifullll, magnificent” she exclaimed. And look at those lilies, “God! Its heaven!” She squealed. They went around for some time and sat together by the pond. Karan was playfully throwing pebbles in the water and Antara was busy clicking pictures. “I have got some really wonderful clicks”, “Instaworthy” he added both laughed out aloud. They were munching wafers, Karan silently removed bunch of red roses and chocolates from his backpack. “Antara these are for you” he held them towards her. She accepted them all surprised, within no time he opened a box from his pocket and holding a finger ring in hand, he asked “Antara will you marry me”. This came unexpected, she didn’t know what was happening. She sat there glazed, trying to sink in what was happening. “Karan is it a prank, I don’t understand any of it” Antara retorted. Karan held her hand and said, “I mean it Antara”, he said calmly, “We are friends since 10 years and these are my true feelings for you. Take your time and answer me”. They both sat in silence, Antara placed her hand on Karans, “I am ready to grow old with you silly Karan” she said, grinning. “You took so damn long time to do this huh!” She sighed. “Antarraaaa” he cupped her cheeks, “aha, the lady is blushing” he teased. And gave a small peck on her cheek. “This is beautiful Karan, its all so illusive. The best moment till date”. They both entwined their hands and sat in silence.
After 49 years, with entwined hands Karan and Antara are in the same beautiful Cashew nut garden narrating their beautiful moment to their grandchildren. Their 3 grandchildren are all Oohhhhhs! Ahhhssss! At their ajja (grandfather) and ajji (grandmother).
Beautiful Moments like these make the lifetime memorable and recollecting them will always bring a wide smile and twinkle to eyes.