Before shadows claimed her crown, love claimed her heart— when she was still Pavitra, trembling in his nearness, unable to step away.
~~~~~
Pavitra jerked her hands out of his and ran inside the house without replying.
Madhav stood there, confused. After a few minutes, he left.
The next day at practice, Pavitra ignored him all day.
Shivam noticed this, and between training he found a chance to ask from her, "What's going on between you and Madhav?"
"Nothing," she replied, unbothered.
"Come on, you can't fool us. We've seen your friendship for years—we all practically grew up together."
Pavitra turned towards him. "Can I trust you?"
"Of course," he said.
In a sudden move, she picked up her wooden staff and pressed it against his neck.
"If you tell him, I will not leave you scarless."
He smirked. "I know you are pretty scary. I don't dare to tell anyone… trust me."
She smiled and threw her staff aside. Dusting her hands, she said, "He told me he wants to marry me."
"What?" Shivam looked shocked.
Pavitra explained further, "I mean… he wants to be with me. He likes me."
"And you ?" he asked.
"I don't know," she said, lowering her eyes.
"Stop lying. I notice how you look at him. You definitely like him," he said.
She sighed. "I guess… I do."
"Then why not express it? Why ignore him? What's the problem?" he asked, curious.
"I've always seen him as a friend. I want to see how he is as a lover—how serious he is." She revealed.
"So, you're testing him?" He gave a half-smile. "Well… all the best."
It had been three days since Madhav confessed, and Pavitra had been ignoring him.
Madhav was restless. He kept replaying the whole scene in his mind, wondering if he had said or done something wrong.
Unable to bear it, he ran towards her house. Pavitra's mother opened the door. She immediately understood why he was there.
"She is in her room," she told him gently.
He walked to her room, his heart beating fast , nervousness in every step. He knocked.
Pavitra opened the door. At first, she looked shocked to see him. Then, as if he doesn't matter, she turned away and went back to what she was doing.
He stepped inside and sat gently on her bed "What are you doing?" he asked.
She didn't reply.
He lost patience "What is going on? Why are you doing this?"
"What?" she said flatly "Leave… I don't want to talk."
"I'm not leaving without answers—" he tried to speak, but she cut him off.
"LEAVE my room now."
"Fine," he said, standing. "But I will wait for you in the yard….till you come out and tell me what's wrong."
He walked out and sat among the flower pots in the yard.
An hour later, Pavitra's mother entered her room.
"What is going on between you two? He is not telling me either. Why is he sitting in the yard? I even told him to come in, but he won't listen."
"Mom, please stay out of this… let him be."
"I can't let my friend's son sit outside like that. The air is chilly today, and I guess, soon it will rain."
"Don't worry, mom. I will not let him get drenched in the rain."
"Fine… whatever it is, solve this matter soon," her mother said and left.
Through the window, Pavitra watched him. He was still sitting there, patient, silent. A small smile rose to her lips. She realized he was truly serious.
Then the rain began. Without thinking, she grabbed an umbrella and ran out to the yard.
Madhav stood at once, looking around for shelter. Just then, Pavitra appeared, raising the umbrella above him.
He turned—and saw her. Half of her body was getting wet, she stood there with the umbrella only above his head, to shield him from the rain, not caring about anything else.
Her voice trembled, low but rigid. "What do you want? Say it."
He looked at her, his chest tightening. Then he caught her hand—the one holding the umbrella—and pulled her closer.
"Are you stupid? Why are you drenching yourself?" His hands brushed the rain from her shoulders.
They were close now, under the same umbrella . Close enough to feel each other's breath. He was taller, his gaze falling down into her eyes. She looked up at him, her chest heaving.
Her heart pounded so wildly it felt as if it might burst. The air between them grew heavy, charged with something unspoken. She had never felt so emotionally close to him before. His hand was warm against hers, firm and determined.
In that fragile moment, she realized how much she loved to be so near him, and how impossible he made for her to step away.